Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of those records created by the office of the Mayor during the administrations of Robert W. Prittie (1969-1973), Thomas W. Constable (1973-1979), David M. Mercier (1979-1981), William A. Lewarne (1981-1987), William J. Copeland (1987-1996), John Douglas Drummond (1996-2002) and Derek…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1828 (date of original) -2015

Collection/Fonds: Mayor's Office fonds

Physical Description: 1 m of textual records and photographic material

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: Subject to FOIPPA

Reproduction Restriction: Reproductions subject to FOIPPA

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of those records created by the office of the Mayor during the administrations of Robert W. Prittie (1969-1973), Thomas W. Constable (1973-1979), David M. Mercier (1979-1981), William A. Lewarne (1981-1987), William J. Copeland (1987-1996), John Douglas Drummond (1996-2002) and Derek Corrigan (2002-2018).

History: On September 22, 1892, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was established by letters patent. An integral component of this incorporation was the creation of the office of the Reeve (later called Mayor). The Reeve was to serve as the Head and Chief Executive Officer of Burnaby and was to lead the City Council in the governing of the Corporation. Burnaby’s first Reeve and Council were elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892, with formal elections held by ballot three months later. From 1893 until 1977 the Reeve and Council were elected for one-year terms, but the practice of annual elections was abandoned in favour of two-year terms in 1977. The current practice of holding elections every three years was begun in 1987. Elections of Reeve and Council were suspended altogether in 1933. However, as a financial crisis in the Corporation resulted in the Province intervening and assuming control of the local government. For ten years, Commissioners were appointed by the Provincial Government to manage the affairs of the Municipality, but by January 1943, the situation had been remedied and local elections were once again held. From 1892 until 1968, the Chief Executive Officer in Burnaby was known as “Reeve,” but this nomenclature changed with revisions to the Local Government Act in the latter part of the twentieth century. In 1968, the Province altered the Act and abolished the practice of assigning different titles to the members of Council based on Municipal Classification and introduced "Mayor" and "Alderman" as terms applicable in all Municipalities not just those of a certain size or with a certain number of citizens. From that point on, the CEO of Burnaby has been referred to as the Mayor of the City. Despite these changes in election procedures, naming protocols, and the disruption caused by the financial crisis in the 1930s and 1940s, the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor have remained relatively stable throughout the years. As Head and Chief Executive Officer of the City, the Mayor is responsible for ensuring that the principles of law and good government are enforced in Burnaby. This includes the task of overseeing the conduct of officers and employees and directing the management of municipal business and affairs as well as chairing the meetings of Council and appointing Council Committee members. The Mayor is also charged with the duty of representing the City at public functions, in meetings with visiting dignitaries, and in participating in local community and fundraising events. Initially, the Municipal Clerk assisted the Mayor in his work by handling most correspondence and clerical tasks of the office. Today, however, the Mayor’s office retains its own administrative staff who are responsible for facilitating all schedules and arrangements for the Mayor along with coordinating their internal and external contacts and events. The following individuals have served as Reeve or Mayor of Burnaby: Charles R. Shaw 1892 Nicolai C. Shou 1893-1903 Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905 Peter Byrne 1906-1910 J. W. Weart 1911-1912 D. C. McGregor 1913 Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918 T. Sanderson 1919-1920 Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929 Charles C. Bell 1927 W. L. Burdick 1929 W. A. Pritchard 1930-1932 William Tate Wilson 1943-1944 George A. Morrison 1945-1949 William R. Beamish 1950-1953 Charles W. MacSorely 1954-1957 Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968 Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973 Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979 David M. Mercier 1979-1981 William A. Lewarne 1981-1987 William J. Copeland 1987-1996 Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002 Derek Corrigan 2002-2018 Mike Hurley 2018-present The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby: John Bennett 1932-1933 John Mahony 1933-1934 Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940* R. S. Gilchrist 1941* B. C. Bracewell 1942* *Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: City of Burnaby

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds.

McGregor family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription89

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910]-[1930]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 56 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the Duncan C. and Margaret McGregor family and estate, know as Glen-Lyon.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1910]-[1930]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: McGregor family subseries

Physical Description: 56 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS2003-14

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the Duncan C. and Margaret McGregor family and estate, know as Glen-Lyon.

Media Type: Photograph

Creator: McGregor, Duncan C. (1853-1929)

Notes: PC 453; Title based on contents of subseries

Morris family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription90

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 1942

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 3 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the Dr. Morris family and home at Marine Drive and Boundary Road.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 1942

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Morris family subseries

Physical Description: 3 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1992-08

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the Dr. Morris family and home at Marine Drive and Boundary Road.

History: Wesley Gardiner Morris was born in Summerside Prince Edward Island in 1884; his wife Laura Maude Weegar was born in Maxville, Ontario in 1886. Wesley graduated from McGill University in 1914, becoming a doctor, and received a gold medal in Chemistry. The couple was married in Maxville, Ontario in 1914 and lived in their first home in Chauvin, Alberta before moving to Burnaby in 1916. They lived on Imperial Street until their new home at 4265 Trafalgar Street (now 4241 Maywood Street) was built. Dr. Wesley Morris practiced medicine at his office at the corner of Kingsway and Sussex in part of Miss George’s Drugstore. During and following the Depression years, Dr. Morris was often paid in kind by his patients or they would pay off their bills by assisting with jobs around the family home. The couple lived in the home on Trafalgar Street raising their six daughters: Margaret, Betty, Dorothy, Jessie, Gertrude and Muriel until the Depression when they were forced to sell their home and move to ‘the ranch’ on Marine Drive. The ranch covered 13 acres of property on either side of Marine Drive from Boundary Road east including a ravine with a creek. Dr. Morris was known for his skill in setting fractures and due to his expertise he was called to an accident in the 1940s at the McMillan Bloedel mill on the Fraser River. Except for Gertrude (Ramage) all of their daughters graduated from Burnaby South High School. Following graduation from high school, Margaret (Sheldon) completed a business course, while both Betty (Purrot) and Dorothy (Johston) became nurses. Jessie (Hunter) joined the R.C.A.F. and after learning Morse code was posted to communications. Gertrude taught piano lessons and later received her real estate license. All of the girls were married in the 1950s and moved away from the property on Marine Drive with the exception of Muriel who was still in high school. Laura suddenly took ill in 1945 and died. Soon after her passing, Wesley purchased a lot at 4648 Marine Drive (DL 175) and built a small two bedroom home for himself and daughter Muriel. The old family home was rented, then sold, and later demolished around 1980. Dr. Wesley Morris died in 1960 and was buried alongside his wife Laura at Ocean View Memorial Cemetery in Burnaby. After her father died, Muriel continued to live in the small house later marrying Tom Di Guistini who settled there with her. Tom died in 1981 just two years before Muriel’s retirement as the secretary of Magee Secondary School in Vancouver. Soon after retirement, Muriel sold their home on Marine Drive and moved to a condominium near Central Park.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Morris, Dr. Wesley Gardier; Morris, Laura Maude Weegar

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; PC278

Anderson family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription92

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 26, 1934

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 5 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs collected by Mr. and Mrs. I. Anderson of the Burnaby May Day celebrations in Central Park in May 1934.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: May 26, 1934

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Anderson family subseries

Physical Description: 5 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-01

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs collected by Mr. and Mrs. I. Anderson of the Burnaby May Day celebrations in Central Park in May 1934.

Media Type: Photograph

Creator: Anderson, I.

Notes: PC203; Title based on the creator of subseries

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

North Burnaby Fish and Game Club subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription94

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956-1970

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records and 1 photograph

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of one minute book and one photograph created by the North Burnaby Fish and Game Club.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956-1970

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: North Burnaby Fish and Game Club subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records and 1 photograph

Description Level: Subseries

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1991-31

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of one minute book and one photograph created by the North Burnaby Fish and Game Club.

History: The North Burnaby Fish and Game Club was created out of the desire of Burnaby citizens for a club for sports fishermen, hunters, and archers. The inaugural meeting was held January 31, 1956 and Bill Killer, Maurice Griffin, Lloyd Smith, Gerry Wells, Joe Shand, Carson White and Bob Maitland were empowered by the 60 men present to form the organization. The club was officially registered in Victoria on March 12, 1958.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: North Burnaby Fish and Game Club

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; PC265, MSS063

O.G. Naud subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1908] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 3 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the O.G. Naud house at 4737 Victory Street.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1908] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: O.G. Naud subseries

Physical Description: 3 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1986-21

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the O.G. Naud house at 4737 Victory Street.

Media Type: Photograph

Creator: Naud, Onezime Georges "George"

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries

Olive Cullum subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1911-1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records and 3 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs and a newspaper clipping related to North Burnaby and the Almon family. Photographs depict groups and homes at 4712 Union Street and 4900 Union Street and a view of the site at Alpha and Parker now occupied by Alpha High School.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1911-1952

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Olive Cullum subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records and 3 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1985-27

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs and a newspaper clipping related to North Burnaby and the Almon family. Photographs depict groups and homes at 4712 Union Street and 4900 Union Street and a view of the site at Alpha and Parker now occupied by Alpha High School.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Cullum, Olive

Notes: Title based on creator of subseries; MSS022, PC154

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920-1990

Collection/Fonds: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: Textual records and photographs

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of textual records and photographs created by the Burnaby Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Records include files and photographs related to cultural services, administration, and delivery of special events, as well the records of the Parks and Recreation Commissi…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1920-1990

Collection/Fonds: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department fonds

Physical Description: Textual records and photographs

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: Subject to FOIPPA

Reproduction Restriction: Reproductions subject to FOIPPA

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of textual records and photographs created by the Burnaby Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Records include files and photographs related to cultural services, administration, and delivery of special events, as well the records of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

History: The Parks and Recreation Department changed its name to the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department in 1997 to better reflect the department's mandate to operate a major arts centre and heritage facility, and to provide extensive cultural services and support to organizations in addition to parks and recreation services. On January 1, 2023, the City renamed the department to Parks, Recreation and Culture to be consistent with other departments, grammatically correct, and reflective of the department "moving forward" to a better Burnaby. Mary Morrison-Clark has served as General Manager of the department since November 2022.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: City of Burnaby

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds.

Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1880-1980]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: ca. 1200 photographs and other material

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records, primarily photographs, compiled by various members of both the Hill and Peers families that document their lives during the early days of settlement in Burnaby. The fonds includes records of citizenship, wills and other official papers pertaining to the life and activitie…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1880-1980]

Collection/Fonds: Peers Family and Hill Family fonds

Physical Description: ca. 1200 photographs and other material

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2007-12

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records, primarily photographs, compiled by various members of both the Hill and Peers families that document their lives during the early days of settlement in Burnaby. The fonds includes records of citizenship, wills and other official papers pertaining to the life and activities of L. Claude Hill; photographs of the Peers family’s Burnaby Lake home, Greyfriars, and pictures taken by Arthur Peers during his work and travels throughout British Columbia in the first part of the 20th century; and photographs of the family of Claude Hill, early Burnaby Lake residents and scenes, and pictures Kitty took as an adult documenting the growth of her own family. Also included in this fonds are a number of photographs showing Yellow Point, Vancouver Island, where the Peers and Hill families often vacationed.

History: Bob Peers was born William John Peers, the son of real estate broker and early Burnaby resident, Francis John Peers and his wife Elizabeth Frisby. Originally from England, the family moved to Vancouver in 1905 and soon after settled at Burnaby Lake. The family included one daughter (Mary Elizabeth Dora) and four boys (Arthur Francis, William John “Bob”, Geoffrey Hugh, and Richard Dominic). When they arrived in Burnaby, Francis Peers purchased a piece of land from another early settler, Claude Hill, and built the family home “Greyfriars” near Deer Lake. The children attended school in the home of Miss Harriet Woodward, the first school to be held in the Burnaby Lake area. In 1925, Bob married Claude Hill’s daughter and another former pupil of “Miss Harry’s,” Kitty Hill. Kitty (born Katherine Maude Hill) was the only child of Burnaby pioneers L. Claude Hill and Annie Sara Kenrick. Having moved to the Burnaby Lake area in the early 1890s, Claude went on to operate a successful strawberry farm and soon became active in the political development of Burnaby – being elected to the first Burnaby Council and serving from 1892-1894 and again from 1909-1910. The first Hill family home, “Brookfield,” was sold around 1907 and the family moved to their new home, “Broadview,” which was also built in the vicinity of Deer Lake. In 1925, Bob and Kitty were married and they went on to have three children, Robert C.K., Barbara (later Barbara Jeffrey), and Anne (later Anne Latham).

Formats: All photographic records have been scanned and are saved in jpeg format on the City of Burnaby network. Archival master copies have also been produced in tiff format and have been burned to CD for preservation purposes.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Peers family; Hill family

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Easthope family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription99

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1924-1982

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and other material

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs, papers, and film footage related to the Easthope family, including George Jr. and Dorothy May's home at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1924-1982

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Easthope family subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and other material

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS2003-06; BHS2003-10

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs, papers, and film footage related to the Easthope family, including George Jr. and Dorothy May's home at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby.

History: The Easthope family has lived in Burnaby since 1889, when Ernest and Ann Easthope emigrated from Wolverhapton, England with eight of their nine children and settled in the Edmonds district. They later moved to Vancouver where Ernest started Easthope Bros., a marine engine business on Georgia Street with two of his sons, Percy and George. George married Elizabeth Tisdale of Sapperton, BC in 1902 and in 1905, George Jr. was born, eventually having eight siblings. In 1926, the family moved to Lochdale, Burnaby, where the children attended St. Helen's Catholic private school, Capitol Hill School and Burnaby North High School. George Jr. married Dorothy May Parkes (b. 1903), and by 1930, they had built a house at 6671 Halifax Street in Burnaby where they lived for the rest of their married lives. George Jr. died in 1986.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph; Moving Images

Creator: Easthope family

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; PC451, MSS105, MI630

Pitman family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription100

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913-1961

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records and 13 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs and textual records collected by Gwen Pitman. Photographs depict the Pitman family and the Phillips-Hoyt Lumber Company horse team, truck, office and sled and the Patterson Avenue Station.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913-1961

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pitman family subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records and 13 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-35; BHS1992-29

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs and textual records collected by Gwen Pitman. Photographs depict the Pitman family and the Phillips-Hoyt Lumber Company horse team, truck, office and sled and the Patterson Avenue Station.

History: Ernest Pitman owned a men’s furnishings store in Weston-super-Mare, England. He and Mary Jane “Jean” Gill were married in Cardiff, Wales and their children Clifford, Dorothy, Marjorie and Gwendolyn were all born in Weston-super-Mare, England. Ernest was the brother-in-law of Willard H. Hoyt of Phillips-Hoyt Lumber Company on McKay Avenue. The family of six came to Canada in 1912 and settled in Burnaby in 1914. Ernest Pitman had to clear the lot at 2766 Cassie Avenue of tree stumps before Mr. Mansell could build their wooden four room house. The family moved to Victoria in 1920, renting out the house on Cassie Avenue, and returning to it in 1922. The Pitman children attended Kingsway West School and Burnaby South High School. Ernest Pitman bought a dry goods store near the corner of McKay and Kingsway and renamed it McKay Dry Goods Store in 1926. He expanded the store when Lloyd’s Studio closed to include a post-office, ladies and menswear, children and babywear. His older children, Dorothy and Gwen, were the first employees, working at the store after school and on Saturdays. Clifford and Marge also served through the years. McKay Dry Goods closed in the late 1950s but the structure still stands. Ernest Pitman opened his second shop, Jubilee Dry Goods and Men’s Furnishings, in 1930 in the area then known as Shacktown. In 1935, he expanded the store to include the old Wray shoe store and post office. Jubilee was first managed by Dorothy, but when she married Dave Howat Gwen took over as manageress. In 1961, Gwen Pitman won the Show Window Contest in the small retail outlets category, receiving a $100 prize from the Burnaby Chamber of Commerce. She continued to run the store until she closed it for the last time in 1971 and retired. The other children also lived their adult lives in Burnaby: Clifford Pitman and his wife raised two boys on Rumble Street and Marjorie Pitman Everett and her husband raised three children in the Grange-Willingdon area.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Pitman, Gwendolyn "Gwen"

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; PC186, MSS075, PC292

Pixie McGeachie subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription101

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1910 (date of original)-2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of papers and photographs collected by Pixie McGeachie during her tenure as archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society Community Archives. Also included are newspaper articles and essays penned by Pixie, a series of research files collected and organized for her own personal u…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1910 (date of original)-2004

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pixie McGeachie subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1989-28; BHS1991-07; BHS1992-39; BHS1992-56; BHS1992-58; BHS1996-06; BHS1996-16; BHS1997-01; BHS2004-02; BHS1991-16; BHS1999-13; BHS1996-08; BHS1996-07; BHS2000-03; BHS2003-01

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of papers and photographs collected by Pixie McGeachie during her tenure as archivist for the Burnaby Historical Society Community Archives. Also included are newspaper articles and essays penned by Pixie, a series of research files collected and organized for her own personal use and a selection of ephemera.

History: Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over 60 years. She 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." Pixie 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. 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. Pixie McGeachie passed away in August of 2010. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading room at the City Archives in her honour and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”

Notes: Title based on creator of subseries; PC299, PC237, PC332, PC460, MSS054, MSS065, and MSS081

Planning Department fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription102

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1940-2016

Collection/Fonds: Planning Department fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 80 m of textual records and other material

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of those records created during the regular conduct of business by the Planning Department and its predecessor agencies according to their mandate of providing professional and technical advice to Council on the current and future uses of City land and resources.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1940-2016

Collection/Fonds: Planning Department fonds

Physical Description: 80 m of textual records and other material

Description Level: Fonds

File Class: 71000 10 (add. 2020); 71000 20 (add. 2020); 71000 30 (add. 2020); 71000 40 (add. 2020)

Access Restriction: Subject to FOIPPA

Reproduction Restriction: Reproductions subject to FOIPPA.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of those records created during the regular conduct of business by the Planning Department and its predecessor agencies according to their mandate of providing professional and technical advice to Council on the current and future uses of City land and resources.

History: The City of Burnaby Planning Department was established on October 9, 1956, when the City Council unanimously carried the motion to create a distinct department to deal with planning issues within the City and appointed Mr. William John Blakely as its head. This decision followed a report and recommendation made by the City’s Chief Administrative Officer which indicated that the role of the Planning Engineer and his staff had quickly expanded to become a separate division within the Engineering Department and that they were functioning as an independent unit in all but name. The proposed separation of the Engineering and Planning departments had been in the works since the early part of 1956 when staff changes and restructuring within the Engineering Department’s Planning Division illustrated the undermanned condition of the Planning Engineer’s office. As a result, Council asked the Chief Administrative Officer to undertake a study examining the feasibility of creating a distinct Planning Department. This report was delivered to Council on July 3, 1956, but was laid over until a Committee of the Council had the opportunity to study the functions of the Planning department to determine the necessity of the proposal. The Committee’s findings were in line with the initial report and the Planning Department was established with a staff of nine (the head Planning Engineer, an Administrative Planner, three Research Planning Assistants, a Draughtsman, a Subdivision Control Clerk, a department Clerk and a Clerk Stenographer). This new department was to offer advice and carry out the work intensive in matters such as zoning and rezoning applications, subdivision control, traffic and transportation planning, and general City planning schemes. Prior to the creation of the Planning Department, a number of bodies within the City had been responsible for fulfilling the functions carried out by this new unit. In the earliest years of the City, the members of Council were responsible for matters of planning and were assisted in their job by the City’s Engineer or any number of hired consultants (e.g. surveyors, cartographers). By 1906, however, the provincial laws surrounding the subdivision process had changed, and local governments were charged with the task of approving all private subdivision plans in their respective Municipalities. In Burnaby, the City Council passed a bylaw decreeing that all subdivision plans were to be submitted to Council for review and the City Engineer was responsible for ensuring compliance with the law. After the first Town Planning Bylaw in 1924 which restricted the type and size of construction that could occur in certain City areas, the Engineering and Building departments were to work together to oversee the enforcement of the Bylaw and the development of City plans. The scope and competence required to carry out this work grew as Burnaby’s population expanded, and in 1930 Council passed the Town Planning Commission Bylaw (No. 1028) that saw the creation of a permanent body – the Town Planning Commission – which was to serve as an advisory body to help direct the planning activities in the City while the actual work continued to be carried out by the Engineering Department. This body was comprised of the Reeve, the Chairman of the School Board, the Chairman of the Park Committee (later, the Board of Parks Commissioners), and six appointed citizens who served three-year terms. Council referred all matters of subdivisions, transportation planning, and rezoning to this Commission, which was later supported in its work by several other special or standing committees such as the Subdivision Committee, the Apartment Committee, the Transportation Committee or the Town Planning Board of Appeal. By 1953, it had become apparent that the advisory committees that were dedicated to these planning issues needed a permanent staff to carry out the work intensive, so a restructuring of the Engineering department resulted in a permanent Planning Engineer’s office being created. The Town Planning Commission continued in its advisory capacity even after the determination came in 1956 to create a separate Planning Department. When Bylaw No. 4473 was passed in 1963, the Town Planning Commission was disbanded in favour of a new Advisory Planning Commission that would turn over all routine matters such as subdivision and rezoning applications to the Planning Department but would offer advice and community input into the more complex planning schemes within the City and act as an intermediary in cases where Council and Planning staff were in disagreement. A new Advisory Planning Commission Bylaw (No. 7600) was adopted in 1980 which allowed for even greater community participation in the planning process. The Planning Department was initially responsible to report directly to Council, but in 1957, the administrative structure of Municipal staff changed with the introduction of the Burnaby Municipal Manager Bylaw (No. 3859) and from that point on, the head of the Planning Department held a direct reporting relationship to the Municipal Manager, who in turn was responsible for reporting the activities of the Department to the City Council. Over the years, the internal structure and the scope of responsibilities of the Department have changed during periods of staff reorganizations. Under the larger umbrella of the Planning and Building Department, Planning has come to be comprised of two divisions: the Current Planning Division and the Long Range Planning Division. The functions of the Current Planning Division include rezoning, subdivision, development plan areas, preliminary plan approvals, urban design, heritage planning, and urban trails and bicycle routes. The Long Range Planning Division is responsible for environmental planning concerns, transportation planning, housing, neighbourhood area planning, social planning and planning information services. In 2022, the Planning and Building Department was reorganized to better align functions with delivery of services. The Climate Action and Engery Division moved from Corporate Services to the Planning and Building Department, while Indigenous Relations and Facilities Management moved to Corporate Services and Lands and Facilities, respectively. The position of Director of Planning and Building was changed to General Manager, Planning and Development. The following individuals have served as Planning Engineer and/or Director of the Planning Department and/or General Manager, Planning and Development for the City of Burnaby: William John Blakely 1954-1956 (as Planning Engineer) 1956-1963 (as Head of the Department) Anthony P. Parr 1964-1993 Don G. Stenson 1993-2001 Jack S. Belhouse 2001-2006 Basil Luksun 2006-2012 Lou Pelletier 2012-2019 Edward Kozak 2019-present

Formats: Microforms exist for some records. See series descriptions.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph; Moving Images

Creator: City of Burnaby

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Pollard family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription103

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1914-1920 (date of originals), copied 1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 3 photographs

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of Pollard family photographs.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1914-1920 (date of originals), copied 1998

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pollard family subseries

Physical Description: 3 photographs

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1998-09

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of Pollard family photographs.

History: Joseph Pollard was born in Boston, Lancashire and moved to Preston, Lancashire where he apprenticed as a butcher and worked as an attendant at Rainhill Mental Hospital. In 1909 he immigrated to Canada; first to London Ontario, then to Brandon, Manitoba where he met his future wife, Agnes Colvin. Agnes Jane Colvin grew up on a farm in Northern Ireland near Bushmills, county Antrim. She, her sister Mary and brother James emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1910. Agnes was hospitalized wtih scarlet fever. As soon as she was well enough, she moved to her cousin’s farm in Moosomin, Saskatchewan and began nursing at a mental hospital in Brandon. Joseph and Agnes were married on September 13, 1912. After traveling to England for their honeymoon, they settled in Port Coquitlam, BC in 1913 where their first child, May Elizabeth was born. Shortly after, they bought their first home in East Burnaby at 332 17th Avenue where their second and third children, Joe and Sidney, were born. The Pollards second home was at 1095 16th Avenue in the Edmonds district of Burnaby. Twins Peggy and Claire were born in this house. In 1916, Joseph enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was sent overseas to England where he remained for the duration of the WWI. In May of 1919, he returned home and opened J. Pollard Meat Market in South Burnaby. He operated this business until 1936 when he and Agnes bought Lily Auto Court on Kingsway in Burnaby. They managed this business for about seven years, then sold the hotel and retired to Vancouver. Joseph and Agnes's eldest child May graduated from Burnaby South High School in 1930 and the Provincial Normal School in Vancouver in 1931. She worked as a substitute teacher for four years before getting her first teaching assignment at Armstrong Avenue School in 1935 where she taught grades one to five. After two years, she was promoted to Nelson Avenue School where she taught grade one for two years. She married in April of 1939 and her two daughters, Diane and Marilyn, were born in 1948 and 1952 respectively.

Media Type: Photograph

Creator: Pollard, Joseph; Pollard, Agnes Colvin

Notes: PC359; Title based on contents of subseries

Ramsey family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription106

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1916 (date of original) -1999

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual record and graphic material

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of a photocopied certificate of birth for Eva Lilian Ramsey [Ramsay] as well as handwritten accounts of Ramsey family history and two family photographs.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1916 (date of original) -1999

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Ramsey family subseries

Physical Description: Textual record and graphic material

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1999-19

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of a photocopied certificate of birth for Eva Lilian Ramsey [Ramsay] as well as handwritten accounts of Ramsey family history and two family photographs.

History: Edwin Ramsey came to Canada from Scotland when he was about 11 years old. He was given farmland and quickly became an avid farmer. Edwin Ramsey married Annie Plummer circa 1893. This was Annie Plummer’s second marriage. In the early years of their marriage, Edwin and Annie lived in Orange Ridge, Manitoba and operated a store and post office. Their first child, Queenie, was born November 11, 1895. Albert Edwin "Bert" Ramsey was born January 27, 1898. Eva Lilian Ramsey was born January 24, 1900. Jessica “Jessie” Ramsey was born two years later. The Ramseys then headed to New Westminster. By 1905 they had bought "the Park” (what is now Robert Burnaby Park) from Mr. Wintermute for $4,000 cash. They moved into a large house already constructed on the property. The park was full of apple trees, a garden, pigs, two cows, horses and a buggy and wagon with a barn near the second street entrance. By now, the eldest, Queenie was enrolled at Burnaby’s first school. Twins Ernest “Ernie” and Dorothy “Doll” were born in 1906. Eva started at Edmonds School in 1908 when it was just built. Her siblings Queenie, Bert, Jeanie, Ernie and Doll all attended the school as well. In 1909 the Ramseys sold the park to Mr. Vidal of New Westminster and his syndicate along with a portable mill to Pemberton & Sons and received enough money to buy six lots on 12th Avenue where they built a large house. Gordon “Gord” Ramsey was born in that house in 1909. Soon after, they sold the house and moved to Blaine for six months, then on to Bellingham where they remained until Edwin and Annie divorced in 1914. Edwin moved alone to Alberta and Annie moved back to Burnaby with their children. Bert began attending the University of British Columbia where he studied to become a doctor. He joined the army in May of 1916, went to war and was killed at Vimy Ridge on April 12, 1917 at the age of 19. As Mr. Vital and his syndicate were to go to war as captains, Mr. Vital gave up the park property and Annie was able to take it back. Unfortunately, the new initiative of taxing wild lands caused Annie to lose the park property through tax sale proceedings. She then entered into a lease agreement with Burnaby which allowed her to stay on at "the Park." With twelve years of piano training, Annie was considered a talented musician and played the piano at St. Alban’s church for many years. Annie Ramsey died on October 3, 1926. Jessica, Dorothy and Queenie all moved to the United States. Gordon married a woman named Irene. Eva married William “Bill” Anderson at the St. Stephen’s Church in New Westminster on July 7, 1919. She and Bill were the first couple to marry there. They held their wedding reception at “the Park.” In 1921, Bill and Eva bought a home at 723 Second Street for $2450. They had one daughter, Dorothy "Dot" Anderson. Dot later married Robert V. “Bob” Douglas. Eva died in 1995.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Ramsay, Eva Lillian

Notes: PC399 and MSS154; Title based on contents of subseries; Certificate reads "Ramsay" although the family continuously spelt their name "Ramsey"

Richard Bolton subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription108

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1912 (date of original)-[1941]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Scope and Content: Subseries consist of material created by Richard Bolton, who worked for Burnaby from 1911-1951, in many capacities.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1912 (date of original)-[1941]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Richard Bolton subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1991-03; BHS1986-09

Scope and Content: Subseries consist of material created by Richard Bolton, who worked for Burnaby from 1911-1951, in many capacities.

History: Richard Bolton was born in Sunderland, England in the 1880s. He immigrated to Canada on May 26,1911. Later that year he was employed as an accountant by the Corporation of the District of Burnaby. He lived with his brother George in New Westminster before purchasing his own property on North Arm Road (now Marine Drive), building a bungalow that he moved into in the summer of 1916. During World War I, Richard was promoted to Municipal Treasurer, a position he held until he retired. In 1919, he received three months leave of absence to return to Sunderland to marry Mary Gertrude Hern, daughter of Captain and Mrs. John Hern. Richard and Mary had two daughters, Nancy (b.1920) and Mary (b. 1923), that they raised in their family home located at 859 Marine Drive in South Burnaby. Both daughters were born at home, assisted by the Victorian Order of Nurses and the local doctor. The V.O.N. were established in Burnaby in 1912 and Richard Bolton supported and helped the Order every opportunity he had until his death on November 16, 1962. During the heart of the Depression, the family home became the meeting place for friends and relatives who could not find employment. During this time, Richard had discussions with Ernie Winch and others about seniors housing in Burnaby. The first phase was constructed between 1949 and 1956. In 1938, Richard was appointed Justice of the Peace by the Provincial Government but never accepted any remuneration for his duties. During this time period, Burnaby was under commissionship and when Commissioner Hugh M. Fraser became ill, Richard assumed his duties. He filled the position as Acting Commissioner and treasurer, and converted back to treasurer when the Reeve and Councillors of the Corporation of the District of Burnaby were reinstated in 1943. In 1951, Richard retired as treasurer for the City but he continued to chair the Debt Retirement Board until it became redundant in the late 1950s. On June 24, 1959, Reeve Allan Emmott presented the Gold Key to Burnaby to Richard.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Bolton, Richard

Notes: PC159, PC249, MSS153; Title based on creator of subseries

Richard Hardy family subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription109

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1912] (date of original) -1950

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the Ward and Hardy famillies and a Hardy family "Book of Household Expenses, 1939-1941".

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1912] (date of original) -1950

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Richard Hardy family subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1993-09

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs of the Ward and Hardy famillies and a Hardy family "Book of Household Expenses, 1939-1941".

History: Richard Hardy was born in Fishborn, Alberta on November 3, 1910. In 1922 his family moved to his maternal grandparents' home at 1127 Edmonds Avenue in Burnaby. His parents, John Harrison Hardy and Gertrude Hephezebarh (nee Ward) moved to Burnaby with their four children: Edith, Richard "Dick", Geoffrey, and John Edward "Jack". Gertrude was born in Barrie, Ontario. John Harrison Hardy was born in Yorkshire, England and came to Canada in 1899, settling at Pincer Creek area of Southern Alberta. In about 1910, Richard's grandparents, Col. James Edward Ward and his wife Hephzibah (nee Hale) moved from Alberta to Burnaby. Col. Ward was the postmaster in the Lozells area of Burnaby and was a city councillor for the District of Burnaby in 1915. Dick was enrolled at Edmonds Street School for his elementary school years, and later attended Burnaby South High School for two years, taking a commercial course. The family attended St. Alban's Anglican Church. While Richard was a student, he and his brother Geoff delivered newspapers in the area making about $12 per month. In 1911, Dick joined the Burnaby Boy Scouts and continued to be involved for the next 40 years. In 1927, at the age of 17 years, Dick began work for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby as an office boy in the Treasurer's Department and retired as Tax Collections Supervisor in 1973 after 45 years of service. From September 1942 until his discharge in 1946, Dick served in WWII in the Canadian Army. His brother, Jack, served in the Canadian Air Force and was killed in April,1943. In 1933, Dick's parents moved back to Alberta with three of their children, leaving him in the family home on Edmonds Street. In 1939, after courting, he and Mabel Lilian "Mabs" Young of New Westminster married. Prior to her marriage, Mabs was employed as a teacher at the Burnaby South High School. Mabs and Dick had two daughters, Lynne (b. 1941) and Katherine (b. 1947). The family lived on Edmonds Street until 1947 when they moved into their second home in Burnaby at 2006 Buller Avenue (now 7185 Buller Avenue). In 1960, Mabs and Dick moved to their third Burnaby home, located at 4337 Wildwood Crescent. Mabs died in 1980. Dick continued to live in Wilwood Crescent house until 1983, when he moved to an apartment for one year but, missing his garden, he bought a small house with a large yard located at 8452 16th Avenue. He stayed in this house from 1985 until 1998 when he could no longer live independently. He moved to assisted living at Canada Way Lodge then to the nearby George Derby Centre where he lived for a few months before dying in August 2001. Dick loved to hike and camp and enjoyed his family and his garden.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Hardy, Richard

Notes: PC312, MSS080; Title based on contents of subseries

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