Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: File consists of papers pertaining to the Bancroft family including three Blair's Canadian Drawing Series workbooks belonging to Rose Croucher (later Bancroft), as well as school work produced by two of her children, Rosie and George Brancroft.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1907-1982

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Bancroft family subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS110-005

Accession Number: BHS2004-06

Scope and Content: File consists of papers pertaining to the Bancroft family including three Blair's Canadian Drawing Series workbooks belonging to Rose Croucher (later Bancroft), as well as school work produced by two of her children, Rosie and George Brancroft.

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of file

Greeting cards

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65735

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1907-1981

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of Birthday, St. Valentine's, Easter and Christmas cards and postcards. The majority of the cards are addressed to James Cooter and George Biddick.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1907-1981

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Constance Cooter subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: 42658

Accession Number: BHS1999-21

Scope and Content: File consists of Birthday, St. Valentine's, Easter and Christmas cards and postcards. The majority of the cards are addressed to James Cooter and George Biddick.

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of file

Margaret McCallum subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription84

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1906 and 1908]]-1974

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and textual records

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the E.W. Nicholson Dairy in the Broadview District and May Day, as well as newspaper clippings and pamphlets that include maps and the history of Burnaby, with focus on the Broadview district.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1906 and 1908]]-1974

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Margaret McCallum subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and textual records

Description Level: Subseries

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-42

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the E.W. Nicholson Dairy in the Broadview District and May Day, as well as newspaper clippings and pamphlets that include maps and the history of Burnaby, with focus on the Broadview district.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: McCallum, Margaret

Notes: Title based on creator of subseries; PC375, MSS029

Elections series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription141

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1906-2002

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Description Level: Series

Scope and Content: Series consists of municipal elections records, including records pertaining to the election of Reeves/Mayors and Council members and, early on, of school trustees and police commissioners. Series also includes early records related to bylaw elections, in which bylaws were put before the public fo…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1906-2002

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Series: Elections series

Description Level: Series

File Class: 45000 25 (add. 2020)

Scope and Content: Series consists of municipal elections records, including records pertaining to the election of Reeves/Mayors and Council members and, early on, of school trustees and police commissioners. Series also includes early records related to bylaw elections, in which bylaws were put before the public for approval. Also included are voters’ lists, 1912 to 1954, and election posters for the period 1906 to 1926.

Media Type: Textual Record

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory244

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1906-1975

Length: 0:09:00

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his fath…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of riding the tram as a young man and briefly, of working for Ed Brown. Murdock mentions Reeve Byrne and the development of first water system in Burnaby. He also discusses Gilley Brother's Logging Company practices near his father's ranch of six acres, which grew mostly strawberries to sell in Vancouver.

Date Range: 1906-1975

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

Length: 0:09:00

Subjects: Agriculture - Fruit and Berries

Geographic Access: Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Kingsway-Beresford Area

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 two 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_2.mp3

Interview with Maureen Olofson by Kathy Bossort October 14, 2015 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory569

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1906-1950

Length: 0:09:08

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s parents immigration to Saskatchewan, her mother Kerstin in 1912 and father Axel in 1928, Maureen’s birth on a trip to Sweden in 1938, and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1942 and the start of their mink ranch, the GAK Fur Farm, near Curtis Av…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Maureen Olofson’s parents immigration to Saskatchewan, her mother Kerstin in 1912 and father Axel in 1928, Maureen’s birth on a trip to Sweden in 1938, and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1942 and the start of their mink ranch, the GAK Fur Farm, near Curtis Avenue in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on Burnaby Mountain.

Date Range: 1906-1950

Length: 0:09:08

Names: Olofson, Axel; GAK Fur Farm; Skofteby, Gus; Ericksson, Karin

Subjects: Agriculture

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Westridge Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: October 14, 2015

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Maureen Olofson conducted by Kathy Bossort. Maureen Olofson was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Maureen Olofson’s memories of growing up on her parent’s Burnaby Mountain mink ranch between 1942 and 1950 and about the operation of the farm. She also talks about her parents’ history, her teaching career, and her thoughts about the beauty and value of Burnaby Mountain’s natural area.

Biographical Notes: Maureen Olofson was born 1938 in Glote, Harjedalen, Sweden, to Axel (1906-1998) and Kerstin Margareta (1906-1980). Axel and Kerstin Olofson, who had separately immigrated to Canada in 1928 and 1913 respectively, married in Canada and then returned to Sweden where Maureen was born. They moved to Burnaby in 1942 with their daughters Maureen and Anita Lea, and bought land and a mink ranch on Burnaby Mountain with their partners Gus Skofteby and Karin Ericksson (Kerstin’s sister). The GAK Fur Farm, located in the old Hastings Grove subdivision on 4th Avenue near Curtis Street, was one of the largest mink ranches in BC, an award winning operation with over 1200 mink animals. In 1950 the partners sold the land and the Olofson family moved to rented homes on Sperling Avenue. In 1952 Axel sold the last of his minks and opened a sporting goods store on Hastings Street. In 1954 the family moved to North Vancouver where Axel Olofson reestablished his sports business. Maureen attended Sperling Avenue School from Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 and Burnaby North High School to Gr. 11, completing school in North Vancouver, before going to UBC where she trained as a teacher. She returned to Burnaby in 1977 to teach, retiring in 1997. She is a volunteer with the Swedish Canadian Rest Home Association and the Dania Homes Society. Maureen continues to enjoy activities on Burnaby Mountain and works toward preserving the natural beauty of the mountain.

Total Tracks: 8

Total Length: 1:19:04

Interviewee Name: Olofson, B. Maureen

Interview Location: Maureen Olofson's home in Burnaby

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Maureen Olofson

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-004/MSS196-004_Track_1.mp3

Anne Macey subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97456

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1905] (date of original)-[between 1940-1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs compiled by Anne Macey depicting Hart House (also known as "Avalon"), designed by architect Frank W. Macey, and one portrait of Frake W. Macey

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1905] (date of original)-[between 1940-1959]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Anne Macey subseries

Physical Description: Photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1994-01; BHS2001-03

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs compiled by Anne Macey depicting Hart House (also known as "Avalon"), designed by architect Frank W. Macey, and one portrait of Frake W. Macey

History: Anne Elizabeth Stokes was born in Misson, BC and raised in Surrey, BC. She married Vancouver Police Department Constable Charles Boyes in 1947, and Major Rolf F. Macey in 1965. Anne and Rolf had two children: son Lane Macey and daughter Naomi Macey. Anne worked as a psychiatric nurse at Essondale Hospital and Director of Volunteer Services at Burnaby General Hospital. She volunteered her time for various clubs, including Save the Children and Dixon House. Anne passed away at Eagle Ridge Manor in Port Moody, BC in 2007.

Media Type: Photograph

Creator: Macey, Anne Elizabeth Stokes Boyes

Notes: Title based on creator of subseries

Norah Code collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97227

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1904] - 1994

Collection/Fonds: Norah Code collection

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 3 photographs (1 b&w , 7.5 x 7.5 cm ; 2 b&w ; 11 x 8.5 cm)

Scope and Content: Collection consists of photographs of Tom Irvine taken and collected by Norah Code during the course of her work for the newspaper. The images were taken in 1958 at the opening of the Burnaby Centennial Pavillion, Burnaby's B.C. Centennial Project.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1904] - 1994

Collection/Fonds: Norah Code collection

Physical Description: 3 photographs (1 b&w , 7.5 x 7.5 cm ; 2 b&w ; 11 x 8.5 cm)

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2010-09

Scope and Content: Collection consists of photographs of Tom Irvine taken and collected by Norah Code during the course of her work for the newspaper. The images were taken in 1958 at the opening of the Burnaby Centennial Pavillion, Burnaby's B.C. Centennial Project.

History: Norah Code was the editor-publisher of the "Burnaby Courier" newspaper at the time these images were taken.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of collection.

Norah Code subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription93

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1904-1973

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and textual records

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs taken and compiled by Norah Code during the course of her work as editor of the Burnaby Courier newspaper. Photographs depict Central Park and various 1958 BC Centennial events and people. Also included are photographs and news clippings related to the old Bonsor …

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1904-1973

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Norah Code subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and textual records

Description Level: Subseries

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1997-05

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs taken and compiled by Norah Code during the course of her work as editor of the Burnaby Courier newspaper. Photographs depict Central Park and various 1958 BC Centennial events and people. Also included are photographs and news clippings related to the old Bonsor Hall and scrapbooks about the Burnaby Rhythm Rascals seniors' music troupe.

History: Norah Code was the editor of the Burnaby Courier newspaper.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Code, Norah

Notes: Title based on creator of subseries; PC345, MSS126

Gladys Killip subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58418

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1904-1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of papers pertaining to the Killip family, primarily Gladys Killip's personal activism in the municipality of Burnaby and the causes she supported. Subseries also includes photographs of the Burnaby Council of Women taken during Gladys Killip's time as Publicity Co-Chairwoman du…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1904-1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Gladys Killip subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1996-12; BHS1998-11; BHS2000-02; BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of papers pertaining to the Killip family, primarily Gladys Killip's personal activism in the municipality of Burnaby and the causes she supported. Subseries also includes photographs of the Burnaby Council of Women taken during Gladys Killip's time as Publicity Co-Chairwoman during the 1967 Centennial Celebration festivity "100 Years of Progress in Women's Activities, Arts and Crafts" .

History: Gladys M. Yeomans married Alfred Charles “Charlie” Killip in St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church in Vancouver on August 16, 1947. They spent their honeymoon together at the Sunset Inn at Qualicum Beach. The Killips lived in the same house in South Burnaby for the greater part of their married lives. Their address began as 729 Marshall, changed to 729 Hazelmere Street in 1951 (due to bylaw 3133) and again to 7763 Hazelmere Street (due to 1958/1959 street re-numbering). The Killips were activists within Burnaby, writing letters to their member of Council when they felt that the citizens of Burnaby were not being treated fairly. An example of this is when they led the protest against Pacific Stage Lines for reducing its service on the Grandview Highway by making fewer stops and by changing its route. Gladys led their delegation to Council in June of 1964. Gladys was also involved in the activities of the Valley View Players and in Burnaby Little Theatre activities. She was part of the cast of “Crime at Blossoms” in 1951 and held a membership card from 1952 to 1959 for the Valley View Players Club. Among other roles, she was one of the principle actors in “You Can’t Take it With You” and “In the Shadow of the Glen” both performed in 1957. Gladys was the Burnaby Council of Women Publicity Co-Chairwoman. In this capacity she helped to organize such events as the "100 Years of Progress in Women's Activities, Arts and Crafts" for the Centennial Celebration in 1967 (the Burnaby Diamond Jubilee). She was also a founding member of the Century Park Museum Association, which created under the auspices of the Burnaby Centennial '71 Committee, to administer Burnaby's Centennial '71 Commemorative Project, Heritage Village. Both Gladys and Charles Killip were active members of the Monarchist League of Canada. Gladys’ hobby started with a small silver spoon commemorating King George VI taking the throne in 1936. Her collection includes items commemorating every Royal from Prince Edward, Queen Victoria's father, to a cup commemorating one of Prince Williams recent birthdays. Gladys opened the Silver Spoon collectors shop in Burnaby in 1974 and operated it until 1980 when she and her husband Charlie retired to Qualicum Beach and opened Chilham Village Antiques and Collectables in 1984. The Killips earned a Silver Badge of Service from the Monarchist League of Canada in 1992 for their significant contribution to the League’s work. As of November 2010, Ms. Gladys Yeomans’ collection of British Royal family memorabilia has grown so large, that she has countless of mugs, spoons, plates, t-shirts and pieces of poetry, filling a room in her basement and upstairs in her home in Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Killip, Gladys M. Yeomans; Killip, Alfred Charles “Charlie”

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; PC497, MSS125, MSS081, MSS085

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory245

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1904-1975

Length: 0:09:45

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) M…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.

Date Range: 1904-1975

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

Length: 0:09:45

Names: McMurray, R.W.; Royal Oak Hotel

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial

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

Audio Tracks

Track three 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_3.mp3

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory247

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1904-1975

Length: 0:09:26

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of his first team of horses. Lillian (Wray) McMurray and her husband discuss their son Bob McMurray's volunteerism and professional activities.

Date Range: 1904-1975

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

Length: 0:09:26

Names: McMurray, Bob

Subjects: Transportation - Sleighs; Animals - Horses

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

Audio Tracks

Track five 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_5.mp3

Harcourt and Gilley Ave. and Murphy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88216

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1902]-[1951] (date of originals), copied [199-]

Collection/Fonds: Mary Forsyth fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 postcard : 10.5 x 14 cm. - 2 photographs : b&w and col. ; 10 x 15 cm and 9 x 12.5 cm. - 4 photographs : photocopy ; 21.5 x 28 cm

Scope and Content: Photographs of the Murphy family, the Murphy family bible, a Christmas postcard photograph of Mrs. Murphy in her garden and a photograph of the Murphy family grave at Ocean View Cemetery.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1902]-[1951] (date of originals), copied [199-]

Collection/Fonds: Mary Forsyth fonds

Physical Description: 1 postcard : 10.5 x 14 cm. - 2 photographs : b&w and col. ; 10 x 15 cm and 9 x 12.5 cm. - 4 photographs : photocopy ; 21.5 x 28 cm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 572-016

Access Restriction: In Archives only

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2014-27

Scope and Content: Photographs of the Murphy family, the Murphy family bible, a Christmas postcard photograph of Mrs. Murphy in her garden and a photograph of the Murphy family grave at Ocean View Cemetery.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of file; Notes in black pen on verso of colour photograph 572-016-2, reads: "Centre Plaque is in Honour of Ernie/ Ocean View Cemetary/ first section to be esables bed/ Gordon Brabazon younger son of Jessie (Murphy and Edward- died of dyptheria"; Notes in pencil on verso of postcard 572-016-1 reads: " in her garden"; Notes in pencil on front of laser copy 572-016-4 reads: " Children of Joshua and Elizabeth Murphy".; Notes in pencil on front of laser copy 572-016-5 reads: "Elizabeth Ann Dolby Murphy 80th Birthday 1951".; Notes in pen on front of laser copy 572-016-6 reads: "Mr & Mrs Joshua R Murphy and their 9 children. 1911/ Jessie/ Nora/ Myrtle/ Mrs Murphy/ Patricia/ Ernest/ Gerald/ Mr. Murphy/ Ada/ Louise/ Hilda"; Notes in pen on front of laser copy 572-016-7 reads: "Mrs Elizabeth Murphy/ Ada/ Ernest/ Jessie/ Myrtle/ Louise/ 1902"

Tax Assessment Rolls

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription71743

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1902-1973

Collection/Fonds: Finance Department fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 110 rolls microfilm

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1902-1973

Collection/Fonds: Finance Department fonds

Series: Assessment records series

Physical Description: 110 rolls microfilm

Description Level: File

Record No.: 49680

Accession Number: 2012-14

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Tax Assessment Rolls for years 1905, 1907, 1910, 1911, 1917 (Wards 1,2,3, and 6 only), 1927, 1928, and 1929 never transferred to Archives.

Glen Lyon Estates and Owners

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88217

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901-2002 (date of originals), predominant 1937-1939

Collection/Fonds: Mary Forsyth fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of Mary Forsyth's research documents for Glen Lyon Estate and its various tenants including; Duncan C. McGregor, The Home of the Friendless and New Haven Correctional Centre. Documents include; a copy of a marriage certificate for Ducan C. McGregor and Margaret Jane Johnston, May 7, 1…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901-2002 (date of originals), predominant 1937-1939

Collection/Fonds: Mary Forsyth fonds

Physical Description: 1 folder of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS185-024

Access Restriction: Subject to FOIPPA

Reproduction Restriction: Reproductions subject to FOIPPA

Accession Number: 2014-27

Scope and Content: File consists of Mary Forsyth's research documents for Glen Lyon Estate and its various tenants including; Duncan C. McGregor, The Home of the Friendless and New Haven Correctional Centre. Documents include; a copy of a marriage certificate for Ducan C. McGregor and Margaret Jane Johnston, May 7, 1901; an official opening invitation and program for New Haven in 1977; newspaper clippings regarding the Borstal Home and New Haven and the Prison History; copies of newspaper clippings regarding 'The Home of the Friendless', a copy of a fire insurance plan for New Haven; correspondence with the Provincial Court of B.C. about the origins of New Haven; a copy of a 24 page report from Honour Eric Werge Hamber Lte Governor of B.C. dated July 23, 1937 re: "Conduct Home of the Friendless"; a copy of the "Summerland Home Investigation with an examination by Dr. MacKay" dated February 6, 1937; a South Slope School and Program Consultation Study, Minutes, May 5, 1980 and two clippings from the Burnaby Now in 2002 and 1997 focusing on the history and development the New Haven site. Biographical and historical information was compiled by Mary Forysth with the intention of publishing a book.

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Transcribed title

William J. Devitt subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97418

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901-1996 (date of originals)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of papers compiled by the Burnaby Village Museum pertaining to the life of former Burnaby Police Chief William J. "Bill" Devitt.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901-1996 (date of originals)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: William J. Devitt subseries

Physical Description: Textual records

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1996-17

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of papers compiled by the Burnaby Village Museum pertaining to the life of former Burnaby Police Chief William J. "Bill" Devitt.

Media Type: Textual Record

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Notes: Title based on content of subseries; MSS082

Police papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58215

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901 (date of original) -1984

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of papers pertaining to the police force including newspaper clippings and correspondence (most of which is photocopied).

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901 (date of original) -1984

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Evelyn Salisbury subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS061-051

Access Restriction: In Archives only

Accession Number: BHS1991-24

Scope and Content: File consists of papers pertaining to the police force including newspaper clippings and correspondence (most of which is photocopied).

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of file

William J. Devitt papers

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58429

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901-1996 (date of originals)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of photocopied photographs, newspaper articles and correspondence pertaining to William J. "Bill" Devitt, who served as Burnaby Police Chief from 1921 to 1936. These pages were compiled by the Burnaby Village Museum when researching information for the writers of "Follow that Fire."

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1901-1996 (date of originals)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: William J. Devitt subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS082-001

Accession Number: BHS1996-17

Scope and Content: File consists of photocopied photographs, newspaper articles and correspondence pertaining to William J. "Bill" Devitt, who served as Burnaby Police Chief from 1921 to 1936. These pages were compiled by the Burnaby Village Museum when researching information for the writers of "Follow that Fire."

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of file

Vidal family textual records

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription82707

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900-2012]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 1.3 cm of textual records : ill.

Scope and Content: File consists of handwritten letters from 1907, typed family histories, photocopies of family crest and family histories, photocopies of photographs from the 1942 Shamrock Tea of East Cedar School, copies of the photograph numbered 550-004 and published works by J. H. Vidal. Key persons include Cap…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1900-2012]

Collection/Fonds: Hill family and Vidal family fonds

Series: Hill family and Vidal family papers series

Physical Description: 1.3 cm of textual records : ill.

Description Level: File

Record No.: MSS176-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2013-03

Scope and Content: File consists of handwritten letters from 1907, typed family histories, photocopies of family crest and family histories, photocopies of photographs from the 1942 Shamrock Tea of East Cedar School, copies of the photograph numbered 550-004 and published works by J. H. Vidal. Key persons include Captain Richard Emeric Vidal, a pioneer of Upper Canada, and his son Senator Alexander Vidal.

Names: Vidal, Alexander; Vidal, Captain Richard Emeric; Vidal, J. H.

Media Type: Textual Record

Notes: Title based on contents of file

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Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 2

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Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 3

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Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 5

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Harcourt and Gilley Ave. and Murphy

Tax Assessment Rolls

Glen Lyon Estates and Owners

William J. Devitt subseries

Police papers

William J. Devitt papers

Vidal family textual records