Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory243

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1892-1911

Length: 0:09:58

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husb…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.

Date Range: 1892-1911

Photo Info: Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004

Length: 0:09:58

Subjects: Construction - Road Construction

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Interviewer: McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”

Interview Date: November 17, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.

Biographical Notes: Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.

Total Tracks: 7

Total Length: 0:58:55

Interviewee Name: McMurray, Lillian Wray; McMurray, Murdoch

Interviewer Bio: Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_1.mp3

Interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill November 7, 1977 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory250

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1892-1905

Length: 0:04:58

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of how his father cleared land to build a house, including the equipment that was used.

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Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of how his father cleared land to build a house, including the equipment that was used.

Date Range: 1892-1905

Photo Info: Claude Hill, the son of Bernard and Marian Hill, [1888]. Item no. 477-933

Length: 0:04:58

Names: Hill, Bernard R

Subjects: Land Clearing

Geographic Access: Douglas Road; Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Interviewer: Stevens, Colin

Interview Date: November 7, 1977

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with A. Claude Hill and his wife Marion Hill, conducted by Colin Stevens, November 7, 1977. Major themes discussed are: Christmas traditions and his Deer Lake neighbourhood.

Biographical Notes: Claude Hill was born in England about 1885, the eldest son of Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard R. Hill. His younger sibling were Frank, Winnie and Minard Gerald “Gerry.” Claude Hill was named after Bernard’s older brother, Louis Claude Hill. Claude's father, Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Uncle Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. His oldest child, Claude was seven years old at the time and his first years of school in Burnaby were at Douglas Road. Later, Claude rode a horse and buggy with his younger brother to travel to school in New Westminster. A.Claude Hill married Marion "Mamie" in his early twenties.

Total Tracks: 4

Total Length: 0:30:00

Interviewee Name: Hill, Claude; Hill, Marion

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Claude Hill, the son of Bernard and Marian Hill, [1888]. Item no. 477-933 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-019-1/MSS137-019-1_Track_4.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory251

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1865-1919

Length: 0:10:18

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.

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Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.

Date Range: 1865-1919

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:10:18

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks; Officials - Aldermen and Councillors; Land Clearing

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_1.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory254

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1892-1955

Length: 0:07:38

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of B…

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Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of Burnaby Lake and the "pleasure walk" along Douglas Road, from Vancouver to New Westminster.

Date Range: 1892-1955

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:07:38

Historic Neighbourhood: Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood); Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_4.mp3

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory258

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1892-1963

Length: 0:07:05

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.

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Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.

Date Range: 1892-1963

Photo Info: Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066

Length: 0:07:05

Names: Hawthorn, Mary

Scope and Content: Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".

Biographical Notes: Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Total Tracks: 12

Total Length: 1:38:06

Interviewee Name: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track eight of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/100-13-20-2/100-13-20-2_Track_8.mp3

Speech given by Florence Hart Godwin May 28, 1973 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory282

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1898-1917

Length: 0:05:22

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's description of her family's stories of the New Westminster fire. She also mentions B.R. Hill and his three sons, Claude, Frank and Minard Hill.

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Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Florence (Hart) Godwin's description of her family's stories of the New Westminster fire. She also mentions B.R. Hill and his three sons, Claude, Frank and Minard Hill.

Date Range: 1898-1917

Photo Info: Arthur Morrow, Kingsley Hart, Florence Hart (later Godwin), and Katherine Maude "Kitty" Hill (later Peers) in the woods at the south side of Deer Lake photographed by W.T. Cooksley [1908]. Item no. HV976.139.3

Length: 0:05:22

Subjects: Natural Phenomena - Fires

Interviewer: Burnaby Arts Council

Interview Date: May 28, 1973

Scope and Content: Recording is of a speech given by Florence Hart Godwin at a Burnaby Arts Council meeting held May 28, 1973. Major themes discussed are: pioneer families and early residences in the Burnaby Lake District.

Biographical Notes: Florence Hart was born in 1898 in New Westminster. Florence first saw Burnaby in April of 1905 on a trip made by horse and buggy from the family home in New Westminster where her father worked as a real estate agent. By 1911, he had built a permanent home for his family in Burnaby, building what is now known as the Hart house and is currently owned by the municipality. Frederick John “Fred” Hart married Alice Chapman in Yale BC on August 13, 1895. They had four children together; Kingsley Chapman born May 27, 1897, Florence Elizabeth born October 23, 1898, and ten years later, Edwyna and Jack. They followed their family nurse, Miss Maude Woodward to Burnaby and purchased thirteen acres of land at Deer Lake to build a summer cottage. Mrs Hill and the children spent the summer months there while Frederick continued working in New Westminster, joining his family on the weekends. Florence Hart attended Douglas Road School before boarding at Crofton House in Vancouver. Kingsley Hart had enlisted in the army on March 23, 1915 when he was only seventeen years old. He was killed in action on September 26, 1916. The Hart family then moved to Kerrisdale, Vancouver. Florence worked at the Carnegie Library. On August 7, 1922 Florence Hart married Harold “Hal” Godwin and moved back to Edmonds in Burnaby where they remained for their entire married lives. In 1929, Florence and Harold’s daughter, Elizabeth Godwin was born. Alice (Chapman) Hart died May 24, 1935 at the age of sixty-eight. Frederick John Hart died August 29, 1945 at the age of seventy-seven. Florence Hart Godwin was named Good Citizen of Burnaby in 1971 and received a life membership to the IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) for her long tenure. Both Florence and her husband Harold were awarded life memberships from the VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) for more than half a century of service. Harold Ward Godwin died December 12, 1962 at the age of sixty-six.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:33:50

Interviewee Name: Godwin, Florence Hart

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Transcript Available: None

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Arthur Morrow, Kingsley Hart, Florence Hart (later Godwin), and Katherine Maude thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track five of speech given by Florence Hart Godwin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-005-1/MSS137-005-1_Track_5.mp3

Interview with William A. Lewarne by Rod Fowler March 14, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory442

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1893-1944

Length: 00:05:35

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Bill Lewarne’s parents’ history (Ethel Leer and Alfred Lewarne) and growing up in South Burnaby.

Date Range: 1893-1944

Photo Info: Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012

Length: 00:05:35

Names: Lewarne, Ethel Leer

Subjects: Recreational Activities; Persons - Children

Historic Neighbourhood: Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Sussex-Nelson Area

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 14, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with former Mayor William “Bill” Lewarne, conducted by Rod Fowler. Bill Lewarne was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Bill Lewarne’s business and political careers, and memories of growing up in South Burnaby in the 1930s. Bill Lewarne talks about his parent’s origins, his family and community struggles during the Depression, the interurban, his education, war service, and joining his father's business. He describes the start, operation and expansion of the family ice cream business, and how business life compared to political life. The interview explores the role of politics in community affairs, his political activities, the history of the BVA, and his involvement in various community organizations. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track, expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: William Alfred “Bill” Lewarne was born in Burnaby in 1926 to Ethel Cecilia Leer (1899- ) and Alfred Lewarne (1893-1962). The family, Ethel, Alfred and their three children Patricia, Beverley and William, moved to a house on Nelson Avenue in Alta Vista in 1931. Ethel still lived in the family home in 1990. Bill Lewarne attended Nelson Avenue School and South Burnaby High School (1932-1944). His father Alfred worked at Colony Farms as a dairy inspector and then for the Port of Vancouver Dairy before being laid off early in the Depression. The family struggled until in 1936 Alfred started his own ice cream business. After graduation Bill was in the army for two years, taking a refrigeration course under the veteran’s training benefit, before joining his father’s business. Three generations of the family operated the successful company, expanding from wholesale, retail and distribution of ice cream products into refrigerated warehouses and the wholesale ice business, until the business was sold to its competitor Dairyland in 1989. Bill Lewarne entered politics in 1965, first with the Nonpartisan Association (NPA) and then as a founder of the Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA). He served as an alderman on Burnaby Council 1973-1975 and 1977-1981 and as Mayor 1981-1987. In 1979 he ran for provincial office for the Social Credit Party against Rosemary Brown but lost. Bill Lewarne married June Lawrence and they had three children Robert, Leslie and Janice. He was active in many organizations: Burnaby/Willingdon Liberal Association, Seton Villa, Irish Fusileers of Canada, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, and the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, and continued to be active on the Board of the BCA. Bill Lewarne died in 1995.

Total Tracks: 14

Total Length: 1:34:40

Interviewee Name: Lewarne, William A. "Bill"

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and business computerization in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

Burnaby Alderman, Bill (William) Lewarne, [1973]. Item no. 231-012 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Bill Lewarne

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-019/MSS187-019_Track_2.mp3

Burnaby Council

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34065

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1892

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 9 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first Council members on the steps of Sample's Boarding House, 6850 Beresford Street, near Griffiths Avenue and Kingsway. Left to right: L.C. Hill, William Brenchley, Alex Philip (clerk), Charles R. Shaw (Reeve), William McDermott, John Woolard, and Arthur de Windt Haszard.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1892

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia postcard ; 9 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 008-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby's first Council members on the steps of Sample's Boarding House, 6850 Beresford Street, near Griffiths Avenue and Kingsway. Left to right: L.C. Hill, William Brenchley, Alex Philip (clerk), Charles R. Shaw (Reeve), William McDermott, John Woolard, and Arthur de Windt Haszard.

Subjects: Officials - Alderman and Councillors; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Brenchley, William; Haszard, Arthur de Windt; Hill, Louis Claude "Claude"; McDermott, William; Philip, Alex; Shaw, Charles R. "Chas"; Woolard, John

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Beresford Street

Street Address: 6850 Beresford Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

Images

William Whiting hauling strawberries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34525

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1896]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.9 x 13.8 cm mounted on 17.8 x 22.7 cm cardboard

Scope and Content: Photograph of William Whiting seated in a horse-drawn wagon hauling strawberries from Burnaby to New Westminster.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1896]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 9.9 x 13.8 cm mounted on 17.8 x 22.7 cm cardboard

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 037-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of William Whiting seated in a horse-drawn wagon hauling strawberries from Burnaby to New Westminster.

Subjects: Agriculture - Fruit and Berries; Transportation - Horses; Transportation - Wagons

Names: Whiting, William

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Annotation on back of photograph reads, "Mr. W. Whiting taking load of stawberries into New West about 62 years ago (1958)."

Images

William Whiting hauling strawberries, [1896] thumbnail

Chas R. Shaw

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34727

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1892 (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12.0 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of Charles R. Shaw, who served as the first Reeve of Burnaby in 1892.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1892 (date of original), copied [1995]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 17.5 x 12.0 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 126-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph (mounted and titled) of Charles R. Shaw, who served as the first Reeve of Burnaby in 1892.

Subjects: Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: Shaw, Charles R. "Chas"

Media Type: Photograph

Images

Chas R. Shaw, 1892 (date of original), copied [1995] thumbnail

William Brenchley house

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34863

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1890 and 1895] (date of original), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of the house of William Brenchley at 10th Avenue and Kingsway, northeast corner. A number of people are standing outside. Partially cleared land can be seen in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1890 and 1895] (date of original), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: W.E. Brenchley subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 146-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1985-16

Scope and Content: Photograph of the exterior of the house of William Brenchley at 10th Avenue and Kingsway, northeast corner. A number of people are standing outside. Partially cleared land can be seen in the background.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: 10th Avenue; Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

William Brenchley house, [between 1890 and 1895] (date of original), copied 1985 thumbnail

William Brenchley farm

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34864

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1890 and 1895] (date of original), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a farm hand and horse team inside a large stump, taken on William Brenchley's farm. The farm was located at the northeast corner of Kingsway and 10th Avenue.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1890 and 1895] (date of original), copied 1985

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: W.E. Brenchley subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 146-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1985-16

Scope and Content: Photograph of a farm hand and horse team inside a large stump, taken on William Brenchley's farm. The farm was located at the northeast corner of Kingsway and 10th Avenue.

Subjects: Agriculture - Farms; Transportation - Horses; Plants - Trees; Occupations - Farmers

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Thompson, S.J.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: 10th Avenue; Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

William Brenchley farm, [between 1890 and 1895] (date of original), copied 1985 thumbnail

Deer Lake lumberjacks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35339

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1899 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of lumberjacks standing outside a wooden building at Deer Lake. Robert Pontifex is pictured 4th from right. Robert Pontifex came to Burnaby in 1898 and would later marry Beatrix Bond. He and his wife had seven children: Vivien, Helen, Bob, Audrey, Barbara, Basil and Hugh.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1899 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-196

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of lumberjacks standing outside a wooden building at Deer Lake. Robert Pontifex is pictured 4th from right. Robert Pontifex came to Burnaby in 1898 and would later marry Beatrix Bond. He and his wife had seven children: Vivien, Helen, Bob, Audrey, Barbara, Basil and Hugh.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Occupations - Lumberjacks

Names: Pontifex, Robert

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Lumberjacks

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35340

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1898 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of lumberjacks sitting and standing together along a wooden wall. Robert Pontifex is pictured on the far left. One of the lumberjacks in the foreground is sitting beside a toy dog.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1898 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-197

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of lumberjacks sitting and standing together along a wooden wall. Robert Pontifex is pictured on the far left. One of the lumberjacks in the foreground is sitting beside a toy dog.

Subjects: Toys; Occupations - Lumberjacks

Names: Pontifex, Robert

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Pioneer Tales states the photograph was taken in the Lochdale area

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Douglas-Gilpin Area

Images

Lumberjacks, 1898 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Bond family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35831

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1899 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of William David "David" Bond (far left) and his wife Minnie Charolotte Sarah "Min" (O'Brien) Bond (centre) with five of their six children. From left; Minnie, Fred (seated) with Wally in his mother's lap, Frank and Bill Bond (seated).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1899 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-690

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of William David "David" Bond (far left) and his wife Minnie Charolotte Sarah "Min" (O'Brien) Bond (centre) with five of their six children. From left; Minnie, Fred (seated) with Wally in his mother's lap, Frank and Bill Bond (seated).

Subjects: Documentary Artifacts - Portraits

Names: Bond, Bill; Bond, Frank; Bond, Fred; Bond, Minnie Charolotte Sarah "Min" O'Brien; Bond, Minnie; Bond, Wally; Bond, William David "David"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Bond family, 1899 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Burnaby's first Public School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35881

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: February 1894 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of school officials standing on the steps of the first public school in Burnaby, Douglas Road and Edmonds Street. Left to right: William McDermott (school trustee), Ethel Lepage (first teacher), Lancelot Grimmer (school trustee), and Bernard Hill (school board chairman and secretary). Th…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: February 1894 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-740

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of school officials standing on the steps of the first public school in Burnaby, Douglas Road and Edmonds Street. Left to right: William McDermott (school trustee), Ethel Lepage (first teacher), Lancelot Grimmer (school trustee), and Bernard Hill (school board chairman and secretary). The school was called Burnaby School from 1894 to 1896, and then East Burnaby School from 1896 to 1907. The present day address of the site is 7376 Canada Way.

Subjects: Officials; Occupations - Teachers

Names: Burnaby School; Grimmer, Lancelot; Hill, Bernard R.; Lepage, Ethel; McDermott, William

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Canada Way

Street Address: 7376 Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

Burnaby's first Public School, February 1894 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Douglas Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35897

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1895 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Douglas Road at Haszard Hill.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1895 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-756

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Douglas Road at Haszard Hill.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Roads

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Type note under photograph reads, "Douglas Road, 1895. Deviation from old road, seen on right at, then, Haszard Hill, now Rayside Ave, looking eastward up the hill."

Geographic Access: Douglas Road

Historic Neighbourhood: Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Morley-Buckingham Area

Images

Douglas Road, 1895 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Wood stacked for a bonfire

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35910

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1897 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of a structure prepared by Claude Hill for a bonfire at Deer Lake celebrating Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The bonfire could be seen for miles around.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1897 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-769

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of a structure prepared by Claude Hill for a bonfire at Deer Lake celebrating Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The bonfire could be seen for miles around.