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Interview with W.H. O'Brien July / August 1975 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory25
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
[1932]-1936
Length
0:11:12
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to W.H. "Harry" O'Brien's involvement with the formation of the Army of the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union).
Date Range
[1932]-1936
Photo Info
Harry and Gertrude (Sutherland) O'Brien on their wedding day, October 12, 1940. Item no. 315-005
Length
0:11:12
Names
Darling, Gordon
Phillips, Turnie
Subjects
Organizations
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
July / August 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with W.H. "Harry" O'Brien by SFU (Simon Fraser University) graduate student Bettina Bradbury. Major themes discussed are: the Army of the Common Good, the Union of the Unemployed and the Common Good Credit Union (now the South Burnaby Credit Union). To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
W.H. “Harry” O’Brien was born in the coal mining town of Nanaimo, British Columbia on October 20, 1914. He came to Burnaby with his parents and five siblings in 1927. Harry’s mother, a school teacher, wanted her children to live closer to school in order to obtain a better education, so the O’Brien family settled at Inman Avenue, Burnaby. Harry's mother, Mary Anne Crossan, was Gilmore Avenue School's first teacher. Harry left school in June of 1929. Harry’s father worked as the caretaker at Central Park around this time and Harry helped him to clear brush, plant trees and enforce the land clearing and wood cutting permit regulations held by men who were on script. Although too young to vote by just over a week, Harry O'Brien worked as a scrutineer for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) during the 1935 Federal Election. On October 12, 1940 Harry O'Brien married Gertrude Sutherland at St. John the Divine in Burnaby. The Sutherland family came to Burnaby from Winnipeg in 1933 and settled at Nelson Avenue. Harry began his involvement with the Unemployment Organization in Burnaby by participating in an organised protest against the municipality for homeowner evictions brought on by unpaid taxes. The South Burnaby Union of the Unemployed organised in order to protest rules around receiving Relief. Harry became involved, eventually becoming one of the spearheads of the organization, taking over as secretary by 1936. Harry was an original member of the Army of the Common Good, helping to produce over one hundred and twenty-five tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed Burnaby citizens suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The members of the Army of the Common Good who cut wood for consumption or worked in the gardens were given credit for their work through LU (Labour Units) which they could then use to buy groceries and that at the Army's Cooperative stores, one of which was at McKay Avenue, where Harry began working as Manager of Groceries in 1937. The Credit Union movement of British Columbia was also organized by Harry O'Brien and his fellow Army of the Common Good members. W.H. "Harry" O'Brien died July 1, 1992.
Total Tracks
9
Total Length
1:17:56
Interviewee Name
O'Brien, Harry
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
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Community Archives Collection series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97126
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[188-]-2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
Textual records and other materials
Scope and Content
Series consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's Community Archives collection. The Society's collection includes photographs, documents, ephemera, oral histories, and other records from a myriad of sources and donors, compiled to document the history of Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[188-]-2010
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Physical Description
Textual records and other materials
Description Level
Series
Scope and Content
Series consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's Community Archives collection. The Society's collection includes photographs, documents, ephemera, oral histories, and other records from a myriad of sources and donors, compiled to document the history of Burnaby.
History
The Burnaby Historical was founded in 1957. The Historical Society developed its Community Archives by collecting, compiling, and preserving records with historic value to the City of Burnaby. It gathered documents, photographs, and other items while also soliciting and acquiring entire collections or groups of archival records. In 1991, the Society was provided a permanent space to house their growing collection at the Burnaby Village Museum and they continued to grow their holdings. Following the creation of the City of Burnaby Archives in 2001, the Society and the City of Burnaby began discussing the possibility of uniting the two collections. In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the two institutions which resulted in the merger of the Society's Community Archives with the City Archives. All records collected by the Society were transferred into the custody of the City and moved from the Burnaby Village Museum to the City Archives in the McGill branch of the Burnaby Public Library.
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Sound Recording
Cartographic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of series
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Railways

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription98236
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[date unknown]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 maps : col. ; 89 cm x 76 cm
Scope and Content
File contains sheet 7 and 8 of a map of Canadian railways. Sheets depict British Columbia, Yukon, and the eastern portions of Albert and Northwest Territories. Sheet 7 includes an index of railways.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[date unknown]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Ephemera subseries
Physical Description
2 maps : col. ; 89 cm x 76 cm
Description Level
File
Record No.
64999
Accession Number
BHS2007-04
Scope and Content
File contains sheet 7 and 8 of a map of Canadian railways. Sheets depict British Columbia, Yukon, and the eastern portions of Albert and Northwest Territories. Sheet 7 includes an index of railways.
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Notes
Title based on contents of files
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Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19600
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 mi…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (124 min., 8 sec.) + 1 sound recording (m4a) 1:15:54
Material Details
Interviewer: Rajdeep Interviewees: Lachman Singh Gill and family members - Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill Location of Interview: Gill family residence Interview Date: June 12, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks:124 min., 8 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lachman Singh Gill and family members conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Rajdeep. The first part of the interview was conducted with Lachman Singh Gill in Punjabi with some English and the second part of the interview (15 min.) was conducted in English with family members, Santokh Singh Gill, Mohinder Kaur Gill and Prem Kaur Gill. 00:00:00 - 00:05:35 This interview starts abruptly, and the interviewer was unable to introduce the interviewees and themself. There were also technical difficulties in the beginning, which led to the recording starting mid-sentence. Discussion begins with Lachman Singh Gill providing details on his spiritual practices and background. 00:05:35 - 00:13:38 Discussion continues with Lachman providing details on his birthplace in Punjab, his family home, family names and languages spoken while living in India (Punjabi and Urdu). Family members chime in to help with details. 00:13:39 - 00:18:00 Lachman Gill imparts information on his migration story from England to British Columbia and his experiences when he first came to England from India. Lachman shares his employment history in Vancouver and India. 00:18:01 - 00:23:34 Lachman talks about his marriage to Surjit Kaur (Ark) Gill in India in 1943 and shares the names of their seven children, including his youngest daughter Sarbjit who died tragically at a young age. Lachman shares the details of his daily routine at the age of 95 years old. 00:23:35 - 00:25:48 Lachman shares information on the Gurdwaras that he visits for prayers, weddings and events. 00:25:49 - 00:35:49 Lachman recalls his experience living in India at the time of Partition in 1947 including details on his family’s experiences of how they helped protect a Muslim family. 00:35:50 - 00:39:49 Lachman comments on his experiences of living in Burnaby from when he first arrived here. Lachman, Santokh, Prem and the interviewer recount the names and locations of gurdwaras in the lower mainland and how they’ve changed over time. 00:39:50 - 00:43:15 Lachman shares his employment history working in a foundry and driving a taxi. Santokh, Mohinder and Prem Gill provide information about Lachman’s wife Surjeet Kaur Gill. The group describes their family home in Burnaby which they've lived in since 1973 and their first home on Georgia Street in Burnaby. 00:43:16 - 00:49:19 Lachman, Mohinder and Santokh recall their experiences obtaining citizenship as British subjects and how they were able to buy a home in a year. Santokh Gill recalls how he and his brother took over his father’s taxi after he retired and later sold it for a profit. 00:49:20 - 01:04:19 Lachman describes in detail his daily routine as a 95 year old. The group shares some of their favourite types of roti and Lachman talks about using his hearing aid. The interviewer and group convey to Lachman how the information will be used. Lachman describes how his wife made oatmeal. 01:04:20 - 01:15:54 In this portion of the interview, Santokh and Prem Gill show the interviewer a book by Henry Bromley titled “Fire in the Blood: A History of British Columbia and Alberta Foundries”. The book was given to the Santokh when he was working at the foundry and contains photographs of Lachman Gill and the foundries they worked at. Santokh describes photographs within the book and the metal casting processes.
History
Interviewees' biographies: Lachman Singh Gill was born in 1928 in the village of Ferozepur near Lakhpur, Punjab. In 1943, Lachman married his wife Surjit Kaur Ark who was from the village of Malpur. Sometime after Partition in 1947, Lachman and his wife Surjeet immigrated to England. Lachman and Surjit had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Around 1973, Lachman's son, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill sponsored his father and mother and they immigrated to Canada joining him and his family in Burnaby, British Columbia. After arriving in British Columbia, Lachman worked as a steel worker at a foundry and drove his own taxi. Lachman retired in his ffities and continues to live with his son and family in Burnaby. Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill was born in the District of Jalandhar in Punjab, India. Gurmail moved to England with his family in 1957 and immigrated to British Columbia in 1966. Gurmail married Mohinder Kaur Gill in England in 1968 and she immigrated to British Columbia from England soon after. Gurmail first lived with a cousin in Burnaby before purchasing a home of his own in Burnaby where he raised his family. Gurmail worked in the steel industry and was a member and treasurer of the CAIMAW before the union merged with the Canadian Auto Workers Union. Mohinder Kaur Gill was born in the Hoshiapur in Punjab, India. She married her husband Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill in England in 1968 and immigrated to Burnaby, British Columbia to join her husband. Mohinder and Gurmail Gill have four children, all born in Burnaby. Prem Kaur Gill was born in Burnaby in 1969 and is the eldest child of Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill. Prem grew up and attended school in Burnaby. Interviewer biography: Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Migration
Foods
Industries
Persons - Seniors
Religions - Sikhism
Transportation - Taxicabs
Names
Gill, Lachman Singh
Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh
Gill, Prem Kaur
Gill, Mohinder Kaur
Gill, Surjit Kaur Ark
Gill, Sarbjit Kaur
Responsibility
Rajdeep
Accession Code
BV023.16.4
Date
2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcript for master recordings available upon request - Contact Burnaby Village Museum
Images
Audio Tracks

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

Interview with Lachman Singh Gill and Gill family members, 2023 (interview content), interviewed 6 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0004_003.m4a
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Interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory222
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1485-1814
Length
0:09:45
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's explanation of the connection between printers and unions throughout history. He also tells the story of the cylinder press being smashed by handpress workmen to protect their jobs at the London Times as well as his own experiences learning on…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's explanation of the connection between printers and unions throughout history. He also tells the story of the cylinder press being smashed by handpress workmen to protect their jobs at the London Times as well as his own experiences learning on the Linotype.
Date Range
1485-1814
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:09:45
Subjects
Printing Tools and Equipment
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with John Burton at his residence in Surrey by Lynda Mauve Orr, August 24, 1989. This interview focuses on the history of newspaper and printing presses in Canada.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:44
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
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 six of interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr

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Museum Oral Histories series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18810
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1600-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2005-2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
52 sound recordings (wav) + 61 sound recordings (mp3) + 1 video recording (mp4) + 1 sound recording (m4a) + 51 video recordings (mov)
Scope and Content
Series consists of oral history interviews conducted by staff of Burnaby Village Museum for various projects. Series has been arranged into subseries: 1) Growing Up in Burnaby subseries 2) Museum research interviews subseries 3) Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries 4) South Asian Canadian Interv…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
52 sound recordings (wav) + 61 sound recordings (mp3) + 1 video recording (mp4) + 1 sound recording (m4a) + 51 video recordings (mov)
Scope and Content
Series consists of oral history interviews conducted by staff of Burnaby Village Museum for various projects. Series has been arranged into subseries: 1) Growing Up in Burnaby subseries 2) Museum research interviews subseries 3) Chinese Canadians in Burnaby subseries 4) South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries 5) Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Accession Code
BV017.45
BV018.18.1
BV019.13.1
BV019.14.1
BV019.15.1
BV020.6
BV022.29
BV023.1
BV023.16
BV024.4
Date
[1600-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2005-2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Moving Images
Notes
Title based on contents of series
Further accruals expected
Less detail

South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19345
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1600-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
19 sound recordings (wav) + 9 sound recordings (mp3)
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of nine oral history interviews that were conducted in 2022 and 2023 by Museum Registrars Rajdeep and James Binks and Contractor and SFU Lecturer Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interviews were conducted as part of th…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
19 sound recordings (wav) + 9 sound recordings (mp3)
Material Details
Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto separate audio tracks. Multiple tracks per interview were edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of nine oral history interviews that were conducted in 2022 and 2023 by Museum Registrars Rajdeep and James Binks and Contractor and SFU Lecturer Anushay Malik with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. The interviews were conducted as part of the second year of the Burnaby Village Museum's South Asian Research project. Interviews were conducted with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar; Prem Gill, Santokh "Gurmail" Singh Gill and Mohinder Gill; Sadhu Binning; MLA: Honourable Raj Chouhan; Surjeet Kaur Parmar and Maninder Arora.
Accession Code
BV022.29
BV023.1
Date
[1600-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
Further accruals expected
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Interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19346
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides in…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (111 min., 51 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (111 min., 51 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewers: Anushay Malik, Rajdeep Co Interviewer and technical support: Kate Petrusa Interviewee: Nadeem Parmar Location of Interview: Residence of Nadeem Parmar in Burnaby Interview Date: October 7, 2022 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:51:51 min Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar conducted by interviewers, Anushay Malik and Rajdeep with assistance from Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa. During the interview Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar discusses and provides information on; his ancestral background, his education, his employment background, his experiences of racial discrimmination as a South Asian immigrant, saw mills established by South Asian relations in Paldi (Vancouver Island), in North Vancouver and Burnaby, family relations in the South Asian Canadian community and in regions in Punjab, the caste system, his literary works, locations of family homes in Burnaby, the architectural design of his house, personal stories and anecdotal information as a South Asian Canadian living and working in Canada. 00:00 – 01:45 The framework and purpose of the interview is explained to interviewee Nadeem Parmar by interviewers Rajdeep and Anushay Malik. The interviewers explain how the information from this interview can be drawn on for Burnaby Village Museum’s future exhibits and also how researchers will learn more about the history of the South Asian community in Burnaby through residents’ stories. Interview begins with Nadeem providing his full name "Kulwant Singh Parmar". He clarifies that his name was given to him by his grandfather who was a civil engineer and that his father also worked as a civil engineer. Nadeem expresses that he was born with a “silver spoon in his mouth” as a descendent of his maternal grandfather who was a successful landlord. Nadeem explains that when the Partition of India came into effect, (1947) he was 11 years old. He and his family left the partitioned side, his native village was located in Punjab and his forefathers were located in Rajasthan. 3:20 – 4:57 Nadeem explains further about his forefathers who came from Rajasthan. He shares information about his ancestor on his father’s side, named Vijay Singh who was friends with Emperor Jahangir. When fighting began against Jahangir he left the area to head to the middle of central India, then to the Punjab area with small states. As a clan, as a Parmar, he conveys there were about eleven or twelve villages with the same name. Interviewer, Anushay helps Nadeem to clarify the time period of this information. Nadeem refers to the time period being similar to the epic historical film “Moghal-e-Azam” and Anushay confirms the time period being the 1600s when they left Rajasthan. 4:58 – 10:59 Interviewer Anushay asks Nadeem to about his migration to Canada. Nadeem conveys that his first ancestor on his in-laws side of the family migrated around 1889. Further discussion ensues about reading Punjabi and how interviewer Rajdeep can read Punjabi and that she comes from the village of "Lakhpur" in Punjab. Rajdeep notes that “Lakhpur” is near "Phagwara". Nadeem clarifies that his village is "Panchat" and this family used to live in "Phagwara". and Nadeem and Rajdeep compare their familiarity and memories of the area. Nadeem conveys some of his comments in Punjabi and then changes to English. Nadeem recollects when the Japanese bombarded Shillong, he was around seven years old and attended missionary school. The only languages that were taught were English and Persian. Nadeem conveys that his mother had hopes of Nadeem becoming an army officer and moving up the ranks but Nadeem wasn’t interested. Nadeem attended college, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, BSC with Physics and Chemistry, followed by another Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and finally a degree in his favourite subject in the language of Urdu. He completed these degrees in Punjab in Doaba College, Jalandher. Nadeem recollects how he started teaching but wasn’t getting paid very well. When he was at college, with encouragement from his professor, Veer Pankalia [sic] he began writing poetry and short plays. His professor also introduced him to a famous poet of Punjab, Mila Ram Offa [sic] and he gave him the name of Nadeem. Nadeem explains the meaning of the name “Nadeem” “…the one who know about it, inside out…” even though we generally think of the meaning being “friend” it’s not just about friend. 11:00 -24:48 Nadeem provides background information on how he ended up marrying his future wife who was born in India and immigrated to Canada with her family. Nadeem explains how the marriage was arranged through family relations that were already established in Punjab over a century ago. One of his wife’s ancestors, head of the family called “baniye” (traders) immigrated to Canada in [1899]. This relation returned to Punjab where he had nephews, the youngest of the nephews was Nadeem’s father (Lashman Singh Manhas) in law’s father (Sher Singh Manhas). He expresses that his wife’s ancestor couldn’t bring Nadeem’s father in law’s father since he was only 12 or 13 years old but he brought three of the nephews back to Canada with him. The nephews were named, Pola Singh, Ginaya Singh and Doman Singh (also named Dolmans). He describes how the group left India but it took them two to three years before they arrived in Canada. The group travelled to Burma, Indonesia and Hong Kong before landing in San Francisco. From San Francisco they walked and worked on the rail line before entering Canada and arriving in Grand Forks. The men got work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and eventually made their way to the lower mainland. Nadeem conveys that the younger brother of Ginaya Singh, Maya Singh joined the others in Canada taking the same route, arriving in Bridal Falls where they were working at a saw mill and in CP rail construction. He describes Maya Singh as business minded and since he was too young to work in the mill, he began working as a cook and then began growing potatoes on land that he leased from a Dutch land owner. The local mill at Bridal Falls was facing bankruptcy and Maya Singh arranged to lease the mill, eventually buying it. From there the group moved their business to Strawberry Hill in Surrey and when the sale of logs declined, they moved over to Vancouver Island and established a sawmill with Doman Singh in the community of Paldi (originally known as Mayo Lumber) near Duncan. He explains further how the South Asian community helped each other like they did back home. He clarifies that his father in law’s father is the youngest cousin of Ginaya and Doman Singh and when he died, his father in law’s younger brother started Kashmir Lumber. Eventually his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) and the rest of the whole family including cousins and nephews were sponsored by their relations and immigrated to Canada. Nadeem explains how in 1959, his brother in law returned home to Punjab to get married, bringing his family with him. He tells of how during this time period, a marriage was arranged by his parents for him to marry his future wife. Nadeem recollects how this came to be. Nadeem and his wife Surjeet married in Punjab in December 1960, Nadeem was 24 years old and his wife was 18 years old. 24:49 – 39:42 Nadeem describes how he obtained his teaching degree from Ramgarhia College in Phagwara (located in the Kapurhtala district of Punjab) and after a disagreement with a teacher at home, he decided to go to England. He explains how he joined his brother who had moved to England and was working as a labourer. Nadeem tells of the difficulties he faced applying for a teaching job in England and how he had to go back to school to help with his English pronunciation. Nadeem explains that after taking this course, he got work teaching Grade two students which he felt was below his qualifications (he mentions that while living in Punjab, he was a Secondary School teacher) and the pay was very low. He discovered that his brother was making more money working as a labourer so Nadeem became discouraged and quit. When Nadeem couldn’t find work as a labourer, his brother advised him to shave off his beard. Nadeem conveys how difficult it was for him to shave off his beard and how once he was clean shaven he got work as a sweeper in a factory. He shares his experience of working in the factory and of how with his former education he got himself promoted to a more technical position. With encouragement from his employer, Nadeem enrolled in technical courses which lead to him obtaining an HNC Engineering Degree. He completed the course work in two years, obtaining skills in microwave communication becoming the senior test engineer at the factory. While working in this position, Nadeem shares how he suffered discrimination when he was passed over for a senior chief engineer position at the factory by a less educated and experienced employee. 39:43 – 53:38 Nadeem recollects how things changed for him in the 1970s. It began with his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) passing away in 1970 while he and his family were living on 18th Street in Burnaby. His father in law had been working at the saw mill, Kashmir Lumber Company in North Vancouver that was owned by his father in law’s younger brother (Kashmir Singh Manhas). The mill had burnt down and many of the workers lost everything. Nadeem confides that during this time, his wife was suffering from depression and wanted to be with her mother back in Canada now that her father had passed away. Nadeem emphasizes how his wife’s family (over 300 relatives) in Canada often get together every year on July 1st in Paldi near Duncan. In 1972, Nadeem arrived in Canada on his own to find work but was unsuccessful so he and his wife made plans to move to Uganda where he was offered a job. In 1973, when his visa didn’t come through for Uganda, Nadeem, his wife and two children decided to come to Canada. Nadeem describes that after several unsuccessful experiences to find skilled work in Canada, he eventually found work at Canadian National Telecommunications. During this time, Nadeem and his family lived with his father in law’s family at 5216 Pandora Street in Burnaby and in 1974, Nadeem purchased a house at 131 Fell Avenue in Burnaby. Nadeem provides further details of when the families lived at these different addresses and how in 1983 he had a house built on Woodsworth Street where he is still living now. He conveys some of the history of the lot where his current house resides including details on the lot subdivision, lot ownership and the cost of building his new house. Nadeem tells of how he designed his home with help from his son who was working as an apprentice with architect Arthur Erikson at the time. He describes the architectural interior as an open concept design, in an “L” shape in honour of his father “Lakhmir Singh”. Nadeem shares information on his mother’s name which was Jamna (prior to her marriage) and became Davinder Kaur after she was married. (Note: Jamna was her name before marriage. Traditionally after a woman is married, her husband’s family changes her first name because she is now considered a part of a new family). 53:39 – 58:56 Nadeem provides information on his career working as CNCP technician working with CPIC systems and how he was promoted to a new position. Nadeem inserts a quote from a Punjabi poem which he translates to English as “Somebody asked the blind people. What do you need? He said, do you need two eyes?, he said, what else do I need?”. Nadeem conveys how in 1986 his mother passed away so he went back home to the village of Lakhpur where his father and younger brother were living. His father and younger brother were on their own and in 1986 they decided to demolish the family home. He explains that there’s a college there now and that a library was built at this location in the name of his grandfather. 58:57 – 1:04:38 Nadeem shares how he suffered a heart attack in 1990 during the marriage ceremony of his son in Williams Lake. Nadeem talks about the complicated relations of the South Asian families and the saw mill owners in Paldi and comments on the problems with the caste system that provokes discrimination within the South Asian community. Nadeem refers to disputes that arose amongst mill owners and investors that included Kapoor Singh Siddoo, Mayo Singh, Gurdial Singh Teja and Ginaya Singh which caused problems amongst his family and also lead to Kapoor Singh selling his portion of the mill. Nadeem spells “Ginaya” Singh’s name and explains that this name is the nickname for “Krishna”. Nadeem provides his insight into the joint ownership of the saw mills located in Paldi and how the the joint ownership was dissolved in 1952. Nadeem clarifies that Ginaya Singh also left Paldi and that Ginaya Singh’s wife is his mother in law’s aunt and that he also moved to Burnaby. Nadeem explains the proper name spelling of mill owner “Mayo Singh” and that the correct spelling is actually “Mayan Singh” but he changed it to “Mayo” when it was mis-pronounced. Nadeem also comments on the problems that he encountered in 1970 on the pronunciation of his own name while living in England and at one point his employer referred to him as “Paul”. 1:04:39 – 1:18:50 Nadeem relays that when he emigrated from India and to Canada that he carried his personal possessions in a small suitcase made from cardboard since the weight limit on the airplane was just three pounds. He conveys that many of his relations have all suffered from heart problems including Ginaya Singh and his children. Nadeem shares that Ginaya Singh’s three sons all lived in Burnaby. Nadeem conveys that many South Asians lived in Burnaby and many worked at saw mills in North Vancouver and in the L&K sawmill near Pemberton. Nadeem explains further about the how the disagreements came to be between Mayo Singh and Kapoor Singh. He describes how each had a different business strategy in harvesting lumber and that there were feuds amongst the families. Nadeem provides further details on the root of the family feuds. Nadeem provides definitions for certain Punjabi terms that he’s using including “Mehta”(meaning lowest class of farmers, foreigner as well head as a title given to people of a clan living in the area) and ‘Panchat”, the name of his family village that was built and founded by five brothers and one nephew (Panj- meaning five and the sound “cht” meaning six). Nadeem explains that these terms were given to people from his own clan living in the area because it was small. Nadeem explains further about status that is based on money and the Punjabi terms “Parsu”, “Parsa” and “Pasaram” that are often used to describe a person. When you are poor the term “Parsu” is used and when you become rich the term “Pasaram” is used. Nadeem refers to Mayo Singh as a Pasaram as the second most successful millner in British Columbia, second to Frederick John Hart. Nadeem mentions that Ginaya Singh, elder brother to Mayo Singh helped provide the finances to start the mill and when there was a disagreement, Ginaya Singh left the mill business, moved his family to Burnaby and began working in insurance. Nadeem shares the sad story of Ginaya Singh’s sudden death (in 1953). Nadeem states that many of the people who left the mills at Paldi went to work at the Kapoor Mill in Burnaby and some relocated to the Interior of British Columbia. Nadeem mentions that his father in law (Lashman Singh Manhas) was able to purchase a house on 18th Street in along with other residences that he bought with his hard earned money working in the farms and mills, 16 hours per day, seven days a week. 1:18:51 – 1:32:04 Nadeem explains why he thinks that most South Asian people worked in the mills in the earlier days. Nadeem conveys that since Sikh men wore beards and turbans they encountered discrimination and were unable to get work in the business community. Nadeem shares his own personal experiences of wearing a turban and the discrimination he’s encountered while living in Scotland and Canada. Nadeem mentions that a defense committee was formed to protect the Gurdwaras and people’s homes from being vandalized due to racial discrimination. Nadeem describes some of the troubles that he’s encountered in his own neighbourhood when he had to call the police. Nadeem shares a personal experience just after 9/11 where he was the target of racial discrimination in the parking lot of Burnaby Lake. Nadeem emphasizes that he has experienced many incidents of racial discrimination, especially in the workplace and that this was not unusual for him. 1:32:05 – 1:36:19 Nadeem talks about his interest in writing and his many literary works including 12 novels that he’s written in Punjabi. Nadeem highlights a few books that he’s written including a book titled “Rape” and another one titled “Sponsorship” which conveys the complex nature of people immigrating to Canada. Nadeem mentions a particular book about AIDS, titled “Wide Net” that he’s been trying to get published. Nadeem speaks to the challenges and high costs of trying to get his works published. Nadeem provides a brief synopsis of his book “Wide Net”. Nadeem relays that this is a personal account of a gay couple that he knew where one of the partners died of AIDS and that the couple gave Nadeem permission to tell their tragic story. 1:36:20 – 1:51:51 Nadeem talks about his children and compares their experiences to his own as a South Asian immigrant. Nadeems talks about the accomplishments of his son, his daughter and grandchildren including their education and careers. Nadeem says that his children are well educated and well established in their careers. Nadeem’s children attended Capitol Hill Elementary School and North Burnaby High School in Burnaby. Nadeem shares specifics of his son’s career history. Nadeem expresses that he still considers Canada to be the best country for opportunities and that he prefers to live in Burnaby rather than Surrey and shares some personal anecdotes. Nadeem lists some local places that he’s shopped for South Asian groceries and spices rather than travelling to Surrey. He mentions shopping at Kelly Douglas, stores in Chinatown, small grocers on Capitol Hill, Patel’s on Commercial Drive and Main Street. As an aside Nadeem mentions that he worked as a security guard and the wages that he earned. Nadeem comments that he has been awarded various certificates and certifications from his education and career over the years, including a Bachelor of Science. The interviewers further express their interest in seeing the cardboard case that Nadeem brought with him when immigrating to Canada. In closing Nadeem states that his favourite food from back home was kheer (rice pudding).
History
Interviewee biography: Kalwant Singh "Nadeem" Parmar was born June 9, 1936, Chuck 138 in Lyalpur (India before 1947) to parents Lakhmir Singh Parmar and Davinder Kaur Jamana Parmar. Nadeem grew up in the village of Panchat in the northern region of Punjab, India. Nadeem married his wife Surjeet in Punjab in 1960. After marrying the couple immigrated to England where Nadeem was already working. While living in England, Nadeem and Surjeet had two children. After Surjeet's father died in Canada in 1972, Nadeem, Surjeet and their two children immgrated to Canada, joining Surjeet's family who were living in Burnaby. After Nadeem immigrated to Burnaby in 1973 he worked various jobs before working with CN/CP Telecommunications. Nadeem holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Teaching from Punjab University and a diploma from the London Board of Education (L.B.E.) and a P.Eng. from Lancaster. He has seven books published in Punjabi, three in Urdu and is published in eight anthologies. He is fluent in Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. Interviewers' biographies: Anushay Malik is labor historian with a geographical focus on South Asia. Anushay studied at the University of London and was a research fellow at the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 2014, Anushay moved back to her native Pakistan and joined Lahore University of Management Services as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Anushay is a visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University and lives in Burnaby with her family. Anushay was a co-curator of the Burnaby Village Museum exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”. Rajdeep was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and is of Punjabi (South Asian) descent. She has an Associate of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. She is a student in the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria. Rajdeep works at Simon Fraser University as a Program Assistant and as a researcher with the City of Burnaby. At Burnaby Village Museum, Rajdeep contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Grocery Stores
Buildings - Industrial - Saw Mills
Buildings - Industrial - Factories
Education
Employment
Industries - Logging/lumber
Migration
Occupations - Engineers
Occupations - Millworkers
Occupations - Teachers
Occupations - Writers
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Social Issues
Social Issues - Racism
Names
Parmar, Kalwant Singh "Nadeem"
Kapoor Sawmills Limited
Siddoo, Kapoor Singh
Teja, Gurdial Singh
Parmar, Surjeet Kaur
Manhas, Ghania Singh
Singh, Mayo
Manhas, Kashmir Singh
Manhas, Sher Singh
Manhas, Budhan Kaur
Manhas, Lashman Singh
Responsibility
Malik, Anushay
Rajdeep
Geographic Access
Woodsworth Street
Accession Code
BV022.29.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1600-2022] (interview content), interviewed 7 Oct. 2022
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Capitol Hill Area
Related Material
See also BV022.29.5 - Interview with Surjeet Kaur Parmar
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Spelling of "Ginaya Singh" found as "Ghania Singh Manhas" in obituary and death certificate
Interview is conducted in English with various segments of discussion in Punjabi
Transcript of interview available upon request
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Open meeting with William Pritchard and Norman Penner July / August 1973 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory82
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1688-1919
Length
0:08:51
Summary
This portion of the meeting pertains to William Pritchard's thoughts on Socialism and Revolution in their various incantations. He also discusses the political leanings of the arrested Winnipeg Strikers.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the meeting pertains to William Pritchard's thoughts on Socialism and Revolution in their various incantations. He also discusses the political leanings of the arrested Winnipeg Strikers.
Date Range
1688-1919
Photo Info
William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930. Item no. 459-016
Length
0:08:51
Names
Woodsworth, James Shaver
Subjects
Political Theories
Interview Date
July / August 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a open meeting with William Pritchard and writer Norman Penner. Norman Penner is the editor of the book "Winnipeg 1919" about the strike from the striker's perspective. William Pritchard wrote the speech that was included in the book. Audience members were invited to ask Pritchard questions. Major theme discussed is: The Winnipeg General Strike. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
William "Bill" Arthur Pritchard was born on April 3, 1888 in Salford, England, the son of a miner and factory worker. In May 1911, Bill moved to British Columbia and within a week of arriving became an active member of the Socialist Party of Canada. From 1914 to 1917, he served as editor of the Western Clarion – the SPC newspaper. He became such a well-known socialist figure that when he travelled to Winnipeg to participate in the General Strike in 1919, he was one of only seven people arrested and imprisoned for his participation in the event despite the fact that he was in no way directly involved in its planning nor development. In 1922, Bill and his family settled in North Burnaby in the Capitol Hill District. Almost immediately after his arrival, Bill began to advocate for change and a planned development scheme for the municipality. Pritchard ran successfully for the position of Reeve and held the post until the end of 1932. One of Reeve Pritchard’s highest priorities while in office was to attempt to provide work for as many unemployed as possible all the while trying to elicit more support from the provincial and federal governments. Bill was a strong advocate of the belief that relief work should be focused on projects that would see a comprehensive development scheme for Burnaby – including planned sewers, roads and water supply. Despite Bill's best efforts, however, Burnaby was forced into receivership and at the end of 1932, a Provincial Commission stepped in to take over the governance of the city. Reeve Pritchard, having done all he could as a champion of the unemployed, stepped down as Reeve but left behind an undeniable legacy of courage and determination. He was rewarded for his enormous contributions to the city in 1975 when he was chosen to be made a Freeman of Burnaby. William Pritchard died on October 23, 1981. Norman Penner was born in Winnipeg in 1921 to Rose and Jacob Penner and brother to Roland, Ruth and Walter. Their father Jacob was a leading member of the Communist Party and popular Winnipeg Alderman. Norman graduated from high school in 1937 but did not begin university until much later, preferring to begin his adult life from 1938 to 1941 as a full-time officer of the Winnipeg branch of the Communist Party of Canada. From 1941 to 1946 he served with the Canadian Army which included two-and-a-half years of overseas combat duty. On his return to Canada in 1947 he again returned to his duties as a full-time officer with the communist Labour-Progressive Party (formed in 1941 after the Canadian Communist Party was officially banned). After the abortive Hungarian revolution in 1956, Norman Penner resigned from the party and instead worked as a self-employed manufacturer’s sales representative until 1971. In 1964 he decided to go back to school part time and graduated with a BA from the University of Toronto in 1969. He took an MA in 1971 and a PhD in 1975 from the same institution. Penner was hired as a lecturer at York University's Glendon College in 1972 and soon became a professor, continuing to teach until 1995. He wrote extensively on the Canadian left. Penner edited and introduced "Winnipeg 1919: The Strikers' Own History of the Winnipeg General Strike" in 1973, published "The Canadian Left: A Critical Analysis" in 1977 and contributed three chapters to as well as editing "Keeping Canada Together Means Changing Our Thinking" in 1978. He published "Canadian Communism: The Stalin Years and Beyond" in 1988 and "From Protest to Power: Social Democracy in Canada 1900 to Present" in 1992 as well as numerous articles, reviews and book chapters. Norman Penner was married to Norma Lipes for sixty-seven years. The couple had four children: Steve (Mary Ellen Marus); Joyce (Herman Parsons); Gary (Marlene Kadar); and Bob (Shaena Lambert). Norman Penner died April 16, 2009 at the age of eighty-eight.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:03:00
Interviewee Name
Pritchard, William A.
Penner, Norman
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 open meeting with William Pritchard and Norman Penner

Less detail

Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory238
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1803-1884
Length
0:09:29
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the earlier the impact of the gold rush on British Columbia and the formation of Lytton, BC.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the earlier the impact of the gold rush on British Columbia and the formation of Lytton, BC.
Date Range
1803-1884
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:09:29
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
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.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
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 two of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

Less detail

Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory237
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1849-1872
Length
0:09:04
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie's introduction of the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself, telling the story of Archdeacon Richard Small. She begins by reading the book's forward, as well as the beginnings of the first chapter.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Doreen "Pixie" McGeachie's introduction of the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself, telling the story of Archdeacon Richard Small. She begins by reading the book's forward, as well as the beginnings of the first chapter.
Date Range
1849-1872
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:09:04
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
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.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
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 one of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

Less detail

Recording of John Burton - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory213
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1850-1950
Length
0:09:14
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of the galley press and the proofing process. He also discusses job printing (now referred to as commercial printing).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of the galley press and the proofing process. He also discusses job printing (now referred to as commercial printing).
Date Range
1850-1950
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:09:14
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Printing Tools and Equipment
Scope and Content
Recording is of John Burton discussing the history of the weekly newspaper and of the types of printing presses that have been used in Canada, as well as exactly how their parts function. John appears to be describing printing presses that are in the room with him.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:46:18
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
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
Less detail

Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory239
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1859-1867
Length
0:09:26
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes early missionary experiences in Lytton, including descriptions from the diary of Bishop Hill.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes early missionary experiences in Lytton, including descriptions from the diary of Bishop Hill.
Date Range
1859-1867
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:09:26
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
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.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
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 a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

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Interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory221
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1860-1932
Length
0:08:48
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's description of the Linotype machine, as well as the history of his grandfather, John Foley, founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's description of the Linotype machine, as well as the history of his grandfather, John Foley, founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper.
Date Range
1860-1932
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:08:48
Names
Foley, John
Subjects
Printing Tools and Equipment
Documentary Artifacts - Newspapers
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with John Burton at his residence in Surrey by Lynda Mauve Orr, August 24, 1989. This interview focuses on the history of newspaper and printing presses in Canada.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:44
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
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 interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr

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Interview with Tony Fabian by Kathy Bossort October 29, 2015 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory599
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1860-1995
Length
0:15:57
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the m…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Tony Fabian’s description of the history of setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain, the creation of the Pavilion area in 1957, the history of proposals for how Burnaby Mountain could be used, the land transfer to SFU in 1963, and difficulty accessing the mountain for recreation prior to 1965. He also talks about the dispute between SFU and the City of Burnaby over land ownership and control.
Date Range
1860-1995
Length
0:15:57
Names
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Burnaby Mountain Centennial Park
Simon Fraser University
Subjects
Geographic Features - Parks
Recreational Activities
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Interviewer
Bossort, Kathy
Interview Date
October 29, 2015
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Kathy Bossort. Tony Fabian was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about Tony Fabian’s part in park creation and protection of natural areas in Burnaby, particularly as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission in the 1970s; his childhood and how that contributed to his land ethic; and the history of the uses made of and setting aside parkland on Burnaby Mountain.
Biographical Notes
Tony S. Fabian was born in 1934 in north Saskatchewan. At less than a year old Tony, along with his siblings, was removed from his family home and eventually placed with an immigrant farm family. As a child he worked on the farm and witnessed what he considered abusive treatment of the land and farm animals. When he was about 12 years old his adoptive family moved to the BC coast where he went on his own, working for a variety of farmers in Richmond and Delta. At 19 he contracted polio, quit farm work, and found work with the telephone company. In 1956 Tony married, and in 1957 he and his wife moved to a home on Hardwick Street in Burnaby where he still lives. Tony entered civic politics in the 1960s when he objected to development on Hardwick Park and became concerned about the destruction of Burnaby’s natural landscapes. He became a life long advocate for preserving natural areas and helped to create large parks in Burnaby on the foreshore of the Fraser River and on Burrard Inlet. He served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission 1970-1975, is a long time volunteer with the Burnaby Lake Park Association, and continues to stay current on local and regional environmental issues. In 2008 Tony was presented with the City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:43:22
Interviewee Name
Fabian, Tony S.
Interview Location
Tony Fabian'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 four of interview with Tony Fabian

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Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6988
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1861]-[1910]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
14 plans : 3 plans : black ink on paper hand col. + 7 plans : black ink on paper + 4 plans : graphite on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and ten New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan /of / Lots 166A, 166 and 167 /, Gr.1, N.W.D. / Showing Misconstructed Roads in Gree…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
14 plans : 3 plans : black ink on paper hand col. + 7 plans : black ink on paper + 4 plans : graphite on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales [between 1:2376 and 1:7920]
Index number on edge of board reads: "19"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and ten New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan /of / Lots 166A, 166 and 167 /, Gr.1, N.W.D. / Showing Misconstructed Roads in Green / 5 chs = 1 in.". (plan is drawn in black ink and hand coloured in red, green and orange ink). A section in the centre of the plan is coloured in red ink and identified as "C.S. Richmond" running from the North Arm of Fraser River to Wiggins Road and divided by "New Wiggins Rd. (as gazetted)" (coloured in orange ink) and two"Constructed Road(s)" (coloured in green ink). Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 2. Plan of / Subdivision of / Lot 166 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs = 1 in. / Map No 524". Plan is drawn in graphite and signed by "Surrig [sic] Welhams [sic] / P.L.S." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 3. Plan of "Survey / of Highway / For / Burnaby Council / in / Lots 13 _14 / Group One / Scale 4 chs = 1 in." Signed by "Albert J. Hill, P.L.S." Caribou Street and Caribou Road run through the centre of the plan. Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) 4. A Plan of Lots 166A, 166 and 167, Group One, New Westminster District (drawn in graphite). A section in the centre of the plan is identified as "C.S. Richmond" running from the North Arm of Fraser River and divided by "New Wiggins Rd. (as gazetted)" and two "Constructed Road(s)". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) Side B: 1. Small plan drawn in black ink (no title) identifying lots north of the "North Arm" of the Fraser River. Lots identified include: Lot 99, Lot 98, Lot 157, Lot 158, Lot 163, Lot 162, Lot 159, Lot 163, Lot 162, Lot 165, Lot 166A, Lot 155B, Lot 155A and Lot 159. "Scale 40 chains to one inch" . Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Small plan drawn in black ink (no title) identifying lots north of the North Arm of the Fraser River as "Lots 155, 155A, 155B, 155C, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166A and 167". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Small plan drawn in black ink (no title) which identifies "Lot 151 / Reserve/ for / Race Course"; "Reserve / 64 A / L. 152 G.1"; and other Lots: 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39. The plan is signed "Surveyor G.Turn [sic] July / 61 / from Vol 40 R.L. notes [sic]" Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Small plan drawn in black in with faded red colouring on centre lot identified as "Lot 34" running north from "Vancouver Road" . Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Plan drawn in graphite and identified as "Lot 98, Gr.1," along with the intials "RB" [sic] (both are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of plan) The B.C.E.Railway is identified running through the plan along with Jubilee Road and Royal Oak Road. The plan is signed with the name "Wm. Murray" and the Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 6. Plan drawn in graphite identified as "Port Lot 13, Gr.1" along with the intials "RB" [sic] (both are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of plan) Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C.". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 7.Plan drawn in black ink and identified as "Lot 98 G.1" along with the intials "RB" [sic] (both are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of plan). A "Road Reservation" is identified running north between "Electric Tramway" and connecting with "Royal Oak Road". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 8. Plan drawn in black ink and divided into two sections, the upper plan is identified as "Portion / Lots 100 / area / 101, Gr.1" and the lower plan is identified as "Portion L. 3 G. 1" along with the intials "RB" [sic] (these identifiers are handwritten in blue crayon pencil on top of the plan). Portions of Lot 100 and Lot 101 are each divided into 6 sections and the Portion of Lot 3 plan is divided into 24 sections. The plan includes a note in black ink that reads: " Received from Wm Fromme [sic] / from Wm. Trapp / Nov. 28, 1895 / A. J. T...[sic]". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 9. Plan drawn in black ink (no title) identifying soil, buildings and geographic features in southern Burnaby. The plan is bordered by "New Westminster City" (Tenth Avenue and DL 172) to the south east and DL 173 to the south, DL 158 to the west and the B.C.E. Tramway to the north. Plan includes District Lots: 155A, 158, 159, 171, 160, 53 and 95 and identifies soil, marshland and ravines throughout. Plan identifies the following features: a "Team Road" running through Lots 158 and 159 along with "Fair Orchard Soil / Even Surface Throughout / No Ravines", "Gravel and Shingle" (bottom of Lot 158), "North Arm Road" crossing "Byrne Road" and connecting with "Power House Road" which runs north to connect with "Highland Park Station" and the B.C.E. Tramway, "Power Ho" in the northeast corner of DL 160, a "Brook" connected with a "Deep Ravine" running between DL 53, DL 95 and DL 160 along with "Good Soil" and "Fair Orchard Soil" identified nearby in DL 95. Scale is identified as "10 chs = 1 in." Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 10. Plan drawn in black ink (no title) with Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake at the centre. The plan is bordered by the following District Lots identified as: 117, 118 and 68 to the west, Lots 80, 79 and 85 to the southwest, Lots 11, 13, and 1 (City of New Westminster) to the south east, the North Road boundary to the east and Lots 8, 56, 57, 59, and 136 to the North. The lower right hand corner of the plan has a small inset which reads: "Burnaby Lake" and "Page 19 R.B. Notes". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Creator
Hill, Albert James
Accession Code
HV977.93.19
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1861]-[1910]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in chains. (One chain equals 792 inches)
The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Some plans are stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and intialed: "RB" [sic]
Images
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Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, Port Moody

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6995
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1862-1908]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
9 plans : 6 plans : black ink on paper ; 57 x 36.5 cm or smaller + 1 plan : black ink and grahite on paper ; 46.5 x 49 cm + 1 plan : blueprint on paper ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm + cm + 1 plan : graphite on paper ; 25 x 17 cm ; mounted on both sides of board 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on one side and five New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 87 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
9 plans : 6 plans : black ink on paper ; 57 x 36.5 cm or smaller + 1 plan : black ink and grahite on paper ; 46.5 x 49 cm + 1 plan : blueprint on paper ; 15.5 x 19.5 cm + cm + 1 plan : graphite on paper ; 25 x 17 cm ; mounted on both sides of board 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales [between 1:792 and 1:3600]
Index number on edge of board reads: "26"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of four New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on one side and five New Westminster District subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 87 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs = 1 in". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and intialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon). Names two of the subdivisons of District Lot 87 are identified as, "L.E. Sprott" and "John Ledger". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. "Plan of Subdivision / of / Portions of / Lot 136, 131 and Lots 44 and 78 Gr.1 / New Westminster District / Scale 300 ft = 1 inch". Annotation above title reads: "No. 901 / Deposited in Land Registry Office / New Westminster / Aug. 19th 1905 / Charles S. Keith D. Reg." Annotations and signatures at bottom of plan read: "I, William Nelson Draper, / W.H.R. Collister / Charles E. Perkins / E.B. Morgan / make / Surveys / correct / representation / upon / the / Land Registry Act / (sgd) W.N. Draper, P.L.S.". Plan includes a handwritten title: "Lots 136, 131, 44 & 78" and is initialed: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. "Survey / of / a Portion / of / Lot 95, Gr.1 / Scale 1 ch = 1in." Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and is initialed : "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Blueprint plan of "Lot 396. Group One." with Scale : 3 chs = 1 in. A two acre portion of District Lot 396 is filled in with red ink." Plan is signed by "Albert J. Hill / B.C.L.S." (Geographic location: Port Moody) Side B: 1. Plan titled "District Lot 92 / Burnaby / Municipality / for sale by / Mahon / McFarland & / Mahon Ltd. / Vancouver, B.C. / Scale : 4 chains to one inch". District Lot 92 is subdivided into 161 lots and identifies roads: Norwich Road, Pole Line Road, Oakland Road, Stanley Road, Burford Road, Dalhousie Road, Brantford Road, Colborne Road, Roberts Road, Vancouver & Westminster Road, B.C. Electric Railway, Gilley Stn. and Burnaby (Power House). The bottom of the plan reads: "G.S. Dawson, P.LS. Vancouver, B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 29 / Group 1 / New Westminster District / Scale 2 chs = 1 in". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." and is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Small handrawn plan (no title) identifying "Lot 84 / Hydes, Claim" at the centre surrounded by lots and features identified as: "Lot 85", "Lot 93", "Lot 94", "Lot 32", "Lot 82", "Lot 83", "Lot 79", "swamp" and a "Small Lake" (Burnaby Lake). Identifying marks in the right corner of the plan read: "Page 13 / Surveyed by G. Turner / May 62". Plan also includes surveyor's bearing measurements and trails to "Small Lake" (Burnaby Lake). (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Untitled plan showing District Lots west of North Road and north of Burnaby Lake including: Lots 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 10, 56, 148, 57, 58, 40. and Lots 3, 5, 7 east of North Road (Coquitlam). Lots in Burnaby are identifed for timber including: "Heavily Timbered" (Lot 57), " "Some Fir and Cedar" (Lot 40), "Splendid Fir and Cedar" (Lot 143), "Heavy Fir etc" (Lots 143 and 148), " "Fine Cedar" (Lot 15), "Rough Light Timber" (Lot 56). Other features identified at the lower portion of the plan include "Burnaby Lake" and "Brunette River". (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Untitled plan drawn in graphite showing sections of District Lot 85 south of Burnaby Lake and north of Hazsard Road. Plan is signed: "Albert J. Hill / B.C.L.S." and dated "12/26/08". Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Creator
Hill, Albert James
Draper, William Nelson
Publisher
Mahon, McFarland & Mahon Ltd
Accession Code
HV977.93.26
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1862-1908]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burquitlam (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory251
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1865-1919
Length
0:10:18
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's essay entitled Stump Rangers, a listing of early settlers that includes addresses and short descriptions, essays on Confederation Park, land clearing and on Burnaby's first Council meeting.
Date Range
1865-1919
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:10:18
Subjects
Geographic Features - Parks
Officials - Aldermen and Councillors
Land Clearing
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

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Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory240
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1867-1868
Length
0:09:11
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes Reverend John Booth Good's first years serving as a missionary at Lytton, British Columbia.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes Reverend John Booth Good's first years serving as a missionary at Lytton, British Columbia.
Date Range
1867-1868
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:09:11
Names
Good, Reverend John Booth
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
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.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
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 four of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

Less detail

Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory241
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1868-1872
Length
0:09:07
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes Reverend John Booth Good's first years serving as a missionary in and around Lytton, British Columbia, including…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes Reverend John Booth Good's first years serving as a missionary in and around Lytton, British Columbia, including the unhappy event of the death of his daughter.
Date Range
1868-1872
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:09:07
Names
Good, Reverend John Booth
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
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.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
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 a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

Less detail

Book reading given by Pixie McGeachie January 10, 1973 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory242
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1872-1874
Length
0:08:15
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the mission at Lytton, British Columbia. An unidentified man speaks at the completion of the reading, giving som…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Pixie McGeachie's continued reading of "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams and herself. This section of the reading describes the mission at Lytton, British Columbia. An unidentified man speaks at the completion of the reading, giving some details on various individuals discussed during the reading.
Date Range
1872-1874
Photo Info
Pixie McGeachie (left) and Florence Godwin, 1992. Item no. 330-003
Length
0:08:15
Subjects
Buildings - Religious
Interview Date
January 10, 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie on January 10, 1973 to the Burnaby Historical Society from the book "Archdeacon on Horseback" by Canon Cyril E.H. Williams (then archivist in the Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia) and Pixie McGeachie.
Biographical Notes
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.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:54:31
Interviewee Name
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
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 six of recording of a book reading given by Pixie McGeachie

Less detail

Interview with Marianne May Bateman February 22, 1978 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory190
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1880-1920
Length
0:08:39
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Marianne May Bateman's father Edwin Bateman's history of first coming to Canada.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Marianne May Bateman's father Edwin Bateman's history of first coming to Canada.
Date Range
1880-1920
Photo Info
Photograph of Edwin Wettenhall Bateman with his four daughters; Marianne May is sitting on a chair beside her father, [1903}. Item no. BV992.29.1
Length
0:08:39
Names
Bateman, Edwin W.
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
February 22, 1978
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Marianne May "May" Bateman conducted by Colin Stevens, February 22, 1978. Major themes discussed are: Elworth.
Biographical Notes
May Bateman was born in 1894 in Portage LaPrairie, Manitoba to Edwin Wettenhall Bateman and Cassie (Dale) Bateman. May's father, Edwin Bateman was born in 1859 in Sandbach, Cheshire, to James and Caroline Mary Wettenhall Bateman (their home in Sandbach was called Elworth Cottage). When he was twenty-one, E.W. Bateman immigrated to Manitoba, Canada where he met Catherine “Cassie” Dale, daughter of George and Sarah Gillon Dale. They were married in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on November 9, 1886. Edwin and Cassie had seven children, the eldest Edna Caroline Annie (Corner) born in 1889, George, Mamie (McWilliams) born in 1892, Marianne May “May” Bateman born in 1894, Jessie (Fox Kemp), Carey, and the youngest Warren Stafford born in 1901.Cassie (Dale) Bateman died in Portage La Prairie in 1909. Edwin was transferred to Vancouver by the Canadian Pacific Railway where he married Cassie’s younger sister Mary Dale, born 1865, and moved his six children to Vancouver. The Bateman family first lived at 7th and Balsam in a large new house. It wasn’t until 1920 that they decided to move to the quieter atmosphere of the Burnaby Lake- Deer Lake area. By this time Edwin Wettenhall Bateman was a retired CPR executive. He moved his wife and daughter May to Deer Lake and commissioned 'Elworth' house, designed by English-born and trained architect Enoch Evans. The house was completed by contractor William Dodson in 1922 and located at the site of what would become Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue. The Batemans lived here for seventeen years before moving back to Vancouver in May of 1935. Mary Bateman died July 5, 1935. Edwin Wettenhall Bateman died on November 25, 1957 at the age of ninety-seven. Marianne May Bateman died in 1990.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:44
Interviewee Name
Bateman, Marianne May
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 interview with May Bateman

Less detail

Interview with Minard Hill February 9, 1978 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory196
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1880-1914
Length
0:10:09
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Minard Gerald "Gerry" Hill's relatives in England, his father's early life as well as life on the strawberry farm in Burnaby.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Minard Gerald "Gerry" Hill's relatives in England, his father's early life as well as life on the strawberry farm in Burnaby.
Date Range
1880-1914
Photo Info
Minard Gerald Hill in uniform, 1914. Item no. 477-926
Length
0:10:09
Names
Hill, Bernard R
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Canada Way
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
February 9, 1978
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Minard Gerald "Gerry" Hill conducted by Colin Stevens, February 9, 1978. Major themes discussed are: the Burnaby Lake Neighbourhood, Gilley Brothers Logging Company and his father, Bernard Hill.
Biographical Notes
Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill was born in Burnaby on July 31, 1893 to Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard Richard Hill. He was the youngest child in the family with older siblings Frank, Claude and Winnie. Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Gerry attended Miss Harriet Woodward’s kindergarten class, and went on to Edmonds School with Miss Ellen Lister as his teacher. He later went to Central high school in New Westminster, often on horseback. Gerry served in World War I, signing his recruitment papers November 9, 1914. When he returned home, he worked felling trees, then as an apprentice surveyor and finally as a carpenter. Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill married Charlotte Elizabeth “Elizabeth” Vidal on September 28, 1920 and single-handedly built a house for him and his wife about a thousand feet from his parents’ home. He also bought property at Yellow Point, Vancouver Island around this time. By the early 1930s Gerry had moved to Yellow Point permanently and begun work building the lodge. Elizabeth and Gerry’s child, Richard Grant McEwan Hill was born at Ladysmith hospital. Charlotte Elizabeth “Elizabeth” (Vidal) Hill died February 11, 1984 at the age of eighty-seven. Minard Gerald “Gerry” Hill died January 30, 1988 at the age of ninety-three.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
1:13:56
Interviewee Name
Hill, Minard Gerald "Gerry"
Interview Location
Yellow Point, Vancouver Island
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 interview with Minard Hill

Less detail

Love family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10098
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1881-1971
Collection/Fonds
Love family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
11 cm of textual records + 44 photographs + 5 plans
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of family records including photographs, land sale records, agreements and plans as well as estate records, vital event documentation and correspondence. Records pertain to members of the Love family including the Parkers, Hughes and Leonards. Fonds has been arranged in the followin…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Love family fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
11 cm of textual records + 44 photographs + 5 plans
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of family records including photographs, land sale records, agreements and plans as well as estate records, vital event documentation and correspondence. Records pertain to members of the Love family including the Parkers, Hughes and Leonards. Fonds has been arranged in the following series: 1) Love and Leonard land records 2) Love family vital events and correspondence 3) Love family photographs
History
Jesse Love was born in Swindon, England in 1847 and left England to work on a dairy farm in the Toronto area. While working on the farm in Toronto, he met Martha Leonard who he married in 1879. Martha was born on February 3, 1858 in Bedfordshire, England and had come to Canada with her parents George and Ann Leonard. While living in Toronto, Jesse and Martha had two children, George born March 22, 1880 and Annie Elizabeth on August 24, 1881. About one year after Annie was born, the Love family moved to North Dakota to grow wheat. While living there, they had two more children, Henry who was born August 24, 1883 and Edith Minnie born October 9, 1885. The family decided to move further west after hearing about the fairer weather conditions from Martha’s father, George Leonard, who had settled in Vancouver in 1885. On May 23, 1887, Jesse, Martha and their four children arrived in Vancouver after travelling across Canada from Winnipeg on the first transcontinental train. The Loves made their home in Vancouver while Jesse helped clear land on Granville Street. Their fifth child, Thomas Robert was born on September 17, 1887 and soon after, the family moved to Lulu Island in Richmond where they lived growing vegetables and selling them to Vancouver hotels. While living and farming on Lulu island, the couple had two more girls, Martha (Dot or Dorothy) born on December 17, 1889 and Sarah Marie, born February 8, 1892. On October 6, 1893 an agreement was signed by Jesse Love to purchase 14.52 acres of land from Joseph C. Armstrong. The acreage covered the north east section of District Lot 25 within the newly incorporated District of the Municipality of Burnaby. It was here where the original Love house was built (between October 1893 and April 15, 1894) by Jesse Love with the help of local builder George Salt and father in law, George Leonard. The house consisted of an entrance hall, dining room, lean to kitchen, master bedroom and three bedrooms upstairs. A road was constructed and named Cumberland in 1905 and ran from District Lot 25 through to District Lot 11. The address for the Love home was 1390 Cumberland Road and in the early 1960’s the address was renumbered 7651 Cumberland Street. On the land surrounding the house, Jesse Love planted an orchard along with strawberries and raspberries which he sold at the Fraser Valley Market, T.S. Anandale’s Grocery Store in New Westminster and to hotels around Vancouver. Jesse Love served on the Burnaby School Board and also as a District Councillor in 1901 and from 1904-1907. While living in the house, Jesse and Martha had four more children, Phoebe Leonard, born April 15, 1894, Esther, born August 28, 1896, John Leonard, born June 7, 1899 and Hannah Victoria (also known as Girlie) who was born May 12, 1902. In 1918, at the age of 31 years, Thomas Robert Love fell ill due to an influenza epidemic and died on November 23, 1918. Following their son’s death, Martha Love became weak and on August 24, 1920, she passed away. By this time, Jesse had sold off a large percentage of his land and his youngest daughter, Girlie decided to stay on to live and care for him. Since the house was too large for just the two of them, Jesse invited any other children to return and share the residence. For a while his son, George and his wife joined them. In 1925 Jesse’s daughter Sarah Parker (nee Love), her husband William Michael Norton Parker and their three children, Albert “Bert” (1915-2011), William Charles “Bill” and Elsie Roberta moved from their home at 1319 Newcombe Street to join Jesse and Girlie in the Love family home on Cumberland. Jesse Love died in 1928 after which Sarah and William Parker purchased the Love family farmhouse and property. William Michael Parker, died in 1961 and Sarah Parker continued to live in the Love family farmhouse until 1966 when she sold it to her daughter Elsie and husband John Hughes. Elsie and John Hughes had four children, John Jr., Ann, Brent and Merle. The Hughes lived in the Love family house until August 1971. In 1988 the Love family farmhouse house was donated to the Burnaby Village Museum and moved to the site of Burnaby Village Museum. The interior of the main floor and exterior of the house went through an extensive restoration process. In 1997, restoration of the kitchen was completed and opened to the public. After the completion of the hallway, dining room, main floor bedroom and parlour, the Love farmhouse exhibit opened on November 29, 1998 with an open invitation to the public and extended members of the Love family.
Responsibility
Love Family
Accession Code
HV979.40
BV985.3136
BV988.45
BV989.3
BV992.15
BV992.26
BV992.34
BV000.45
BV008.20
BV012.31
BV019.3
BV019.8
Date
1881-1971
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Cartographic Material
Arrangement
Fonds has been arranged by record type and original order provided by members of the Love family.
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
See also Burnaby Village Museum fonds - Jesse Love farmhouse series
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Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6982
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1882-1910]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 plans : blueprint on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of the / Subdivision / of / Lot 98 / G.1, N.W.D. / Scale 4 chs = 1 in. / …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 plans : blueprint on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales [between 1:1584 and 1:3168]
Index number on edge of board reads: "13"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of the / Subdivision / of / Lot 98 / G.1, N.W.D. / Scale 4 chs = 1 in. / Map No 573" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision of / Lot 157 / Gr.1, New. West. Dist. / Scale 3 chs = 1 in. / Map No. 612". (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion of / Lot 90 / Group One / New Westminster Dist. / Scale 2 chs = 1 in. / Map No. 555". Plan is signed by "Jno Strathern [sic]_P.L.S."n (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Subdivision of Lot 31, Group 1. / New Westminster District / As Amended by Order of Court / 1st Sept. 1882 and Numbered 847 / Scale 4 chs = 1in. / Map No 80" (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Creator
Stathern, John
Accession Code
HV977.93.13
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1882-1910]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Richmond Park Area
Lakeview-Mayfield Area
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in chains. (One chain equals 792 inches)
The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
Less detail

Recording of John Burton - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory212
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1885-1959
Length
0:09:56
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of the Linotype machine and how it functions.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to John Burton's description of the Linotype machine and how it functions.
Date Range
1885-1959
Photo Info
Burton family home, [1945]. Item no. 216-002
Length
0:09:56
Subjects
Printing Tools and Equipment
Scope and Content
Recording is of John Burton discussing the history of the weekly newspaper and of the types of printing presses that have been used in Canada, as well as exactly how their parts function. John appears to be describing printing presses that are in the room with him.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930. While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school. John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter. When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Total Tracks
5
Total Length
0:46:18
Interviewee Name
Burton, John
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
Less detail

Survey made by Albert J. Hill

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11149
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1885
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 survey plan : blueprint ; 43 x 30 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a "Survey" / Made by Albert J. Hill" re the north boundary of district lots 9 and 107 on the east side of North Road.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Series
Subdivision and survey plans series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 survey plan : blueprint ; 43 x 30 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a "Survey" / Made by Albert J. Hill" re the north boundary of district lots 9 and 107 on the east side of North Road.
Creator
Hill, Albert James
Geographic Access
North Road
Accession Code
BV003.83.28
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1885
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
15-Jan-2021
Scale
100
Notes
Transcribed title
Handwritten note pasted in upper right corner reads: "This is the blue print referred to in the letter" "dated. 13. December - 1910, sent by order of the Board to Messrs W.N. Draper & Albert J. Hill" "Re: North Boundary. Lots. 9 & 107." "New Westminster District" "Corp. B.C.L. Surveyors" "Victoria. B.C." "-- Roberts" "Sec Treas & Registrar"
Note in pencil on verso reads: “North / Road”
Note in red crayon on verso reads: “001607”
Images
Less detail

Open meeting with William Pritchard and Norman Penner July / August 1973 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory78
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1890-1919
Length
0:09:30
Summary
This portion of the meeting pertains to William Pritchards' speech and his experiences at the trial for the Winnipeg General Strike as well as his stories of his early childhood and his father's socialist leanings.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the meeting pertains to William Pritchards' speech and his experiences at the trial for the Winnipeg General Strike as well as his stories of his early childhood and his father's socialist leanings.
Date Range
1890-1919
Photo Info
William A. Pritchard, Burnaby Reeve 1930-1932 and council member 1928-1930. Item no. 459-016
Length
0:09:30
Subjects
Protests and Demonstrations - Strikes
Interview Date
July / August 1973
Scope and Content
Recording is of a open meeting with William Pritchard and writer Norman Penner. Norman Penner is the editor of the book "Winnipeg 1919" about the strike from the striker's perspective. William Pritchard wrote the speech that was included in the book. Audience members were invited to ask Pritchard questions. Major theme discussed is: The Winnipeg General Strike. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
William "Bill" Arthur Pritchard was born on April 3, 1888 in Salford, England, the son of a miner and factory worker. In May 1911, Bill moved to British Columbia and within a week of arriving became an active member of the Socialist Party of Canada. From 1914 to 1917, he served as editor of the Western Clarion – the SPC newspaper. He became such a well-known socialist figure that when he travelled to Winnipeg to participate in the General Strike in 1919, he was one of only seven people arrested and imprisoned for his participation in the event despite the fact that he was in no way directly involved in its planning nor development. In 1922, Bill and his family settled in North Burnaby in the Capitol Hill District. Almost immediately after his arrival, Bill began to advocate for change and a planned development scheme for the municipality. Pritchard ran successfully for the position of Reeve and held the post until the end of 1932. One of Reeve Pritchard’s highest priorities while in office was to attempt to provide work for as many unemployed as possible all the while trying to elicit more support from the provincial and federal governments. Bill was a strong advocate of the belief that relief work should be focused on projects that would see a comprehensive development scheme for Burnaby – including planned sewers, roads and water supply. Despite Bill's best efforts, however, Burnaby was forced into receivership and at the end of 1932, a Provincial Commission stepped in to take over the governance of the city. Reeve Pritchard, having done all he could as a champion of the unemployed, stepped down as Reeve but left behind an undeniable legacy of courage and determination. He was rewarded for his enormous contributions to the city in 1975 when he was chosen to be made a Freeman of Burnaby. William Pritchard died on October 23, 1981. Norman Penner was born in Winnipeg in 1921 to Rose and Jacob Penner and brother to Roland, Ruth and Walter. Their father Jacob was a leading member of the Communist Party and popular Winnipeg Alderman. Norman graduated from high school in 1937 but did not begin university until much later, preferring to begin his adult life from 1938 to 1941 as a full-time officer of the Winnipeg branch of the Communist Party of Canada. From 1941 to 1946 he served with the Canadian Army which included two-and-a-half years of overseas combat duty. On his return to Canada in 1947 he again returned to his duties as a full-time officer with the communist Labour-Progressive Party (formed in 1941 after the Canadian Communist Party was officially banned). After the abortive Hungarian revolution in 1956, Norman Penner resigned from the party and instead worked as a self-employed manufacturer’s sales representative until 1971. In 1964 he decided to go back to school part time and graduated with a BA from the University of Toronto in 1969. He took an MA in 1971 and a PhD in 1975 from the same institution. Penner was hired as a lecturer at York University's Glendon College in 1972 and soon became a professor, continuing to teach until 1995. He wrote extensively on the Canadian left. Penner edited and introduced "Winnipeg 1919: The Strikers' Own History of the Winnipeg General Strike" in 1973, published "The Canadian Left: A Critical Analysis" in 1977 and contributed three chapters to as well as editing "Keeping Canada Together Means Changing Our Thinking" in 1978. He published "Canadian Communism: The Stalin Years and Beyond" in 1988 and "From Protest to Power: Social Democracy in Canada 1900 to Present" in 1992 as well as numerous articles, reviews and book chapters. Norman Penner was married to Norma Lipes for sixty-seven years. The couple had four children: Steve (Mary Ellen Marus); Joyce (Herman Parsons); Gary (Marlene Kadar); and Bob (Shaena Lambert). Norman Penner died April 16, 2009 at the age of eighty-eight.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
1:03:00
Interviewee Name
Pritchard, William A.
Penner, Norman
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 one of open meeting with William Pritchard and Norman Penner

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Cancellation of plan - Block 2, DL 77

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription1142
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[Between 1890 - 1918]
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Description Level
File
Physical Description
Textual record and cartographic material
Scope and Content
Files consists of cancellation of plan Block 2, DL 77 and two accompanied blueprints 434 (April 8, 1890) and 238 (December 30, 1887)
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[Between 1890 - 1918]
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Series
Clerk's Department record series
Physical Description
Textual record and cartographic material
Description Level
File
Record No.
2933
Accession Number
2001-02
Scope and Content
Files consists of cancellation of plan Block 2, DL 77 and two accompanied blueprints 434 (April 8, 1890) and 238 (December 30, 1887)
Media Type
Textual Record
Cartographic Material
Notes
Plan of Lot 77, group 1 NWD : M9-B-1-4. Plan of subdivision of blocks 2-6, lot 77, group 1 NWD : M9-B-1-5
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Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6983
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890-1910]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 plans : blueprint ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan of / Subdivision of Lot No. 69 / Group One / New Westminster District / Pro…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 plans : blueprint ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales [between 1:1584 and 1:3168]
Index number on edge of board reads: "14"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan of / Subdivision of Lot No. 69 / Group One / New Westminster District / Property of Ernest Buse, Esq. / Scale 3 chs = 1 in. / Map No 290". Plan is signed by "Garden, Hermon and Burwell, Dom. Land Surveyor" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of Lots 1-19, 36-53 and 69-75 inclusive / in the Subdivision / of / Lot 30 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 2 chs = 1 in. Map No 631". Plan is signed by "Jno [sic] Strathern [sic] P.L.S." Names and Lot numbers are handwritten in red pencil in sections along Douglas Road and read: "20 - F / 21 - Fitherstruhaul [sic] / 22 - J.S. Craig / 23 - McGill & Dill / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 - School / 29 - School / 30 - D. McDownall / 31 - W.J. Troloow [sic] / 32 - N.C. Nelson / 33 - _[sic] McGill / 34 - T.S.[sic] Craig / 35" (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1.Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of Centre Portion / of Lot 28 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 200' = 1" / Map No 627". Plan is signed by "Jno Strathern / P.L.S." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of N.1/2 Lot 100 and S.1/2 Lot 101, / Group One / New Westminster District, BC / Scale 4 chs = 1 in." (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Creator
Strathern, John
Garden, Hermon and Burwell
Names
Strathern, John
Accession Code
HV977.93.14
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1890-1910]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Historic Neighbourhood
Broadview (Historic Neighbourhood)
East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Cascade-Schou Area
West Central Valley Area
Second Street Area
Lake City Area
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
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Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby, Vancouver and map - Canada Department of Mines

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6994
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1890-1909
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 plan : graphite on paper + 2 plans : black ink on paper + 1 map : col. on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board with one New Westminster District subdivision plan mounted on one side and two New Westminster District subdivision plans and one colour map mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision of / Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / Lot 77 / Group 1 / New Westminster D…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
1 plan : graphite on paper + 2 plans : black ink on paper + 1 map : col. on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales 1:720 and 1:1200 and 1:.00001578
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board with one New Westminster District subdivision plan mounted on one side and two New Westminster District subdivision plans and one colour map mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision of / Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 / Lot 77 / Group 1 / New Westminster District / BC. / Scale 100 feet = 1 inch", "Deposited 8th day / of April 1890 / Mowileg [sic] / Dist. Regt". Plan is drawn in graphite with annotations: "AB_Parts_lettered_are_lots_in / the_different_subdivisions" / "Owners: / James E. Hall / P.S.Cabilan [sic] by his attorney Joseph Hall / Joseph Hall / Eliza J. Shannon / John Harrison"; "This plan is correct and is prepared under the / provisions of the Land Registry Act" ; signed by: "Gordon Herman & Burwell / Dominion & Provincial Land Surveryors / Vancouver March 19th/90" . Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] (in blue pencil crayon) and measures: 99.5 x 65 cm (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1. Map titled "Canada / Department of Mines / Geological Survey Branch" / "Hon.W Templeton, Minister / A.P. Low, Deputy Minister / R.W. Brock, Acting Director", Vol. XXXI, Plate I / Compiled under the direction of / James White, F.R.G.S. Geographer /Dep. of Interior". Note above map reads: "To illustrate Mr. James Barrowman's report as Delegate at the Excursion - meeting of the Canadian Mining Institute", "The instiitution of Mining Engineers / Transactions 1908 - 1909", "The Mining Institute of Scotland / Transactions 1908-1909". Map identifies minerals and includes a Legend and Scale: 100 miles = 1 inch 2. "Plan / of Subdivision of / Lot 4 / of Subdivision of / Lot 87. Gr. 1 / New Westminster District / Scale 60' = 1in." Plan is initialed by: "RB" [sic] along with a note "also Board / 48" (in blue pencil crayon) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Plan of "Lot 335 / G. 1" west of Boundary Road and north of River Road - Vancouver. (Geographic location: Vancouver)
Creator
Garden, Hermon & Burwell
Hill, Albert James
Publisher
The Mining Institute of Scotland
Names
Hall, James Edward
Hall, Joseph
Shannon, Eliza J.
Harrison, John
Responsibility
Government of Canada - Department of Mines - Geological Survey Branch
Geographic Access
Vancouver
Accession Code
HV977.93.25
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1890-1909
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in feet and miles.
The term "Lot" often refers to "District Lot"
Images
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Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys - North Road

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11155
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890]
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 61 x 45 cm
Scope and Content
Survey plan of "Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys," "North Road."
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Series
Subdivision and survey plans series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 survey plan : blueprint on paper ; 61 x 45 cm
Material Details
Scale 10 chains = 1 inch
Scope and Content
Survey plan of "Plot of Royal Engineers' Surveys," "North Road."
Geographic Access
North Road
Accession Code
BV003.83.34
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1890]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
440
Scan Date
December 2020
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of plan
Handwritten notes on verso read: "Envelope 369", and mathematical calculat- ions
Images
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Ronald G. Scobbie collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription11914
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890]-1932
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
55 plans + 2 architectural drawings + 1 map + graphic materials + 3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of survey and subdivision plans, a map and records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill and Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan and collected by Ronald G. Scobbie. Records include subdivision and survey plans in New Westminster District Group 1 including Dis…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
55 plans + 2 architectural drawings + 1 map + graphic materials + 3 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of survey and subdivision plans, a map and records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill and Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan and collected by Ronald G. Scobbie. Records include subdivision and survey plans in New Westminster District Group 1 including District Lots in Burnaby along with various school sites and church plans; surveying records regarding North Road and a map of the Burnaby Municipality. Fonds is arranged into series: 1) Subdivision and survey plans series 2) School and church plans series 3) Map series
History
Ronald G. Scobbie was born in Scotland. After graduating from high school, he worked in the mines of Scotland which led to a career as a land surveyor. Ron immigrated to Canada in 1965 and settled in North Vancouver. In 1967 he became a partner in the surveying company of Hunter, Crockford & Scobbie in New Westminster, eventually owning it under the title Scobbie and Associates between 1980 and 1995. Ron sold the business in 1995 and retired as a BC Land Surveyor in December 2003. Ron was an active member of the B.C. Land Surveyors Association and an avid collector of surveying equipment and maps and plans that document the history of surveying in British Columbia. Upon retirement, Ron donated many historical maps and plans to various repositories located in different geographical regions throughout B.C.
Scobbie & Associates land surveying company dates back to 1890 when Albert J. Hill first established his practice as a land surveyor in New Westminster. The company went through a series of Surveyors (owners) between 1890 and 1995:
Albert James Hill (A.J. Hill) [1890] to 1912
Hill & Burnett 1911 to 1912
Geoffrey K. Burnett 1912
Burnett & McGugan 1912 to 1947
Burnett, McGugan & Hunter 1947 to 1959
Burnett, Hunter & Douglas 1959 to 1960
Hunter, Douglas & Crockford 1960 to 1964
Hunter, Crockford & Associates 1964 to 1965
Hunter, Crockford & Aplin 1965 to 1967
Hunter, Crockford & Scobbie 1967 to 1973
Crockford, Scobbie & Associates 1973-1980
Scobbie & Associates 1980 to 1995
Creator
Hill, Albert James
Burnett, David H.
McGugan, Donald Johnston
Responsibility
Scobbie, Ronald G.
Accession Code
HV984.57
BV003.83
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1890]-1932
Media Type
Architectural Drawing
Cartographic Material
Graphic Material
Textual Record
Related Material
For other survey and subdivision plans created by land surveyors Albert J. Hill, Geoffery K. Burnett and Donald J. McGugan, see: Burnaby Village Museum Map collection - Survey and Subdivision plans series
Notes
Title based on contents of collection
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Survey and Subdivision plans series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18778
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890-1920]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
over 1000 plans + textual records (34 notebooks)
Scope and Content
Series consists of Survey and Subdivision Plans of Burnaby and other geographic regions, including the Greater Vancouver area and New Westminster District, Group 1 and Group 2 along with a series of surveyor's field notebooks [1917-1940]. A significant portion of this series came from the Land Surv…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
over 1000 plans + textual records (34 notebooks)
Scope and Content
Series consists of Survey and Subdivision Plans of Burnaby and other geographic regions, including the Greater Vancouver area and New Westminster District, Group 1 and Group 2 along with a series of surveyor's field notebooks [1917-1940]. A significant portion of this series came from the Land Surveyor's office of Geoffrey K. Burnett, first established by Albert J. Hill in [1890].
Accession Code
HV976.57
HV977.93
BV998.11
BV004.14
Date
[1890-1920]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of series
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Subdivision and survey plans series

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18948
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890]-1932
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
25 plans + 2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Series consists of surveying and subdivision records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill, Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan. Records include subdivision and survey plans of areas in New Westminster District Group 1 along with surveying plans and correspondence regarding…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Ronald G. Scobbie collection
Series
Subdivision and survey plans series
Description Level
Series
Physical Description
25 plans + 2 cm of textual records
Scope and Content
Series consists of surveying and subdivision records created by Provincial Land Surveyors Albert J. Hill, Geoffrey K. Burnett and Donald Johnson McGugan. Records include subdivision and survey plans of areas in New Westminster District Group 1 along with surveying plans and correspondence regarding North Road and a survey plan of "Burnaby Park track".
Accession Code
HV984.57
BV003.83
Date
[1890]-1932
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Textual Record
Notes
Title based on contents of series
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Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19596
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2024
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
33 sound recordings (wav) + 3 video recordings (mp4) + 17 sound recordings (mp3) + 1 sound recording (m4a)
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of oral history interviews that were conducted as part of Burnaby Village Museum's Many Voices Project to capture and document diverse lives and stories of people connected to Burnaby. Interviews were conducted with Shirley Cohn; Ram Sarap Chandhal and members of Shri Ravidass S…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Subseries
Physical Description
33 sound recordings (wav) + 3 video recordings (mp4) + 17 sound recordings (mp3) + 1 sound recording (m4a)
Material Details
Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto separate audio tracks. Multiple tracks per interview were edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Some of the video recording (mp4) files were edited and saved as audio recording (wav) files
Scope and Content
Subseries consists of oral history interviews that were conducted as part of Burnaby Village Museum's Many Voices Project to capture and document diverse lives and stories of people connected to Burnaby. Interviews were conducted with Shirley Cohn; Ram Sarap Chandhal and members of Shri Ravidass Sabha gudawara; Lachman Singh Gill; Joanne Smith; Ellen and Bill Schwartz; Sadhu Binning and Sukhwant Hundal (founders of Vancouver Sath); Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah; Jagandeep "Jag" Nagra; David Skulski; Kanwal Singh Neel; "The Bollywood Boyz" Harv Sihra and Gurvinder Sihra; Jenny Siormanolakis; Bill Gruenthal; Lama Tenzin Sherpa and Lama Sue Salter; Norman Dowad; Richard Liu; Shanaz Khan; Harry Toy; Lisette Pappas; Alex and Georgia Chronakis; Donna Wong and Jeffrey Wong.
Accession Code
BV023.16
BV024.4
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 2024
Media Type
Sound Recording
Moving Images
Notes
Title based on contents of subseries
Some of the recordings within this subseries have access restrictions
Further accruals are expected
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Interview with Norman Dowad

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Series
Museum Oral Histories series
Subseries
Many Voices Project Interviews subseries
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.
History
Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
Creator
Burnaby Village Museum
Subjects
Agriculture - Farms
Education
Persons - South Asian Canadians
Migration
Sports
Sports - Football
Wars - World War, 1939-1945
Names
Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"
Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"
Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"
Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David
Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen
Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"
Rideout, Dr. John Anthony
Burnaby Central Secondary School
Douglas Road School
W. Dowad Limited
Responsibility
Damer, Eric
Geographic Access
Buckingham Avenue
Deer Lake
Street Address
5533 Buckingham Avenue
Accession Code
BV023.16.16
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Morley-Buckingham Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3
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Pioneer Days interviews September 22, 1971 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory266
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1891-1955
Length
0:05:35
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Lillian May (Davies) Jones's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her family home as well as the home of Reeve Shaw. Lillian is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum).
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Lillian May (Davies) Jones's memories of her family life during the early days of Burnaby, mentioning her family home as well as the home of Reeve Shaw. Lillian is being interviewed in front of an audience at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum).
Date Range
1891-1955
Length
0:05:35
Historic Neighbourhood
East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Second Street Area
Interview Date
September 22, 1971
Scope and Content
Recording is of interviews with Lillian May (Davies) Jones, Ada Evelyn (Lewis) Groves, Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter, and Elsie Wilson during the Pioneer Days celebration at Heritage Village (now Burnaby Village Museum) on September 22, 1971. Major themes discussed are: personal memories and occupations of interviewees family members.
Biographical Notes
Lillian May Davies was born June 28, 1891 to George and Rachel (Mills) Davies. She was one of four children. George Davies married Rachel Mills September 12, 1888 in Winnipeg and headed west to make their home. George’s brother Richard Davies had already bought property at the corner of 16th Street and 3rd Avenue (now 12th Avenue) when Rachel and George moved in and built a house next door. George Davies went to work for Gilley Bros. Logging Co. in Burnaby. Lillian May Davies married John Henry Jones on July 29, 1909 at the Methodist Church in Burnaby which had opened only a few weeks before (the Joneses were the first couple to be married there). Their reception was held in the Davies’ family garden. On June 3, 1910, Lillian and John’s first child, Arnold Jones was born. In 1919 they adopted their second child, John Sheldon Jones whose birth parents had died of influenza. John and Lillian built a home on the lot next to Lillian’s parents and lived there for forty-eight years. After her husband’s death in 1956, Lillian moved one lot over and remained living there for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine for over twenty years. Lillian May (Davies) Jones died in Surrey on June 24, 1981 at the age of eighty-nine. Ada Evelyn Lewis was born on September 11, 1899. She was one of nine Lewis children. Ada's father came to Victoria BC from San Francisco. He met his wife in Victoria and moved to New Westminster where he was a typesetter on the first edition of the Columbian newspaper. He continued to work for the Columbian until his retirement. Her family owned the East Burnaby Fruit Farm at 17th Avenue between 2nd and 4th Street where they harvested apples, plums and pears. Ada attended East Burnaby School in 1905 and remembers being a pupil of Miss Draper. Ada E. Lewis married and became Mrs. Ada Evelyn Groves. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis was born in 1896 to William Henry and Emma (Smith) Lewis at the family farm at 4th Street and 18th Avenue. The family grew to nine, eldest to youngest; Albert, Lizzie, Minnie, Walter, Ernest, Lillie and Evelyn. Lillie’s mother, Emma (Smith) had the distinction of being the first girl of European descent to be born at Fort Victoria. Lillie’s father, William Henry Lewis helped to print the very first edition of the Vancouver Province in 1898. Lillie attended Douglas Road School and remembers being a pupil of Ellen Lister. Lillian Frederica “Lillie” Lewis married Bertie Blaine Porter at Lulu Island on November 7, 1918. They lived in Vancouver for a short time before returning to Burnaby to raise their four children. For most of his working life Bert operated a steam roller for the municipality. Lillian Frederica (Lewis) Porter died May 18, 1988 at the age of ninety-two. Elsie Wilson was born August 16, 1898 to Annie and her second husband William Wilson. Annie’s first husband Samuel W Walmsley died December 20, 1895 at the age of thirty-five, leaving Annie a widow at twenty-seven with two young children Annie age four and Samuel age six. Annie Walmsley married her second husband William Wilson on April 17, 1897. Elsie attended West Burnaby public school (later Kingsway West elementary) and remembers picking raspberries at various Burnaby farms for seven seasons.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:24:19
Interviewee Name
Jones, Lillian May Davies
Wilson, Elsie
Porter, Lillie Lewis
Groves, Ada Evelyn Lewis
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of Pioneer Days interviews

Less detail

Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6984
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1891-1910]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 plans : blueprint ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Lot 29 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scal…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
4 plans : blueprint ink on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales [between 1:600 and 1:7920]
Index number on edge of board reads: "15"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and two New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Lot 29 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs = 1 in. / Map No 564, Depostd '91". "Reichenbach", dep. Aug. 1891. (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Lot 93 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 4 chs = 1 in. / Map No 284". (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1. Blueprint "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / [Lot A of ] Lot 29 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 50 ' = 1"" Plan is bordered by Douglas Road to the east, False Creek Trail to the south and Lot 30 to the north. (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Blueprint "Plan / of Central Park / and Vicinity / Scale 10 chs = 1 in." (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Accession Code
HV977.93.15
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1891-1910]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Edmonds Area
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
Less detail

Part of the New Westminster District shewing the Proposed New Municipality of Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription17544
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
1891 (date of original)
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 map : blueline print with col. ; 59 x 96 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a map titled "Part of the New Westminster District shewing the Proposed New Municipality of Burnaby". The map shows boundaries of a proposed new municipality of Burnaby including all land outside of the "old" City of Vancouver between Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River and west of …
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Maps of Burnaby and Greater Vancouver series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 map : blueline print with col. ; 59 x 96 cm
Material Details
Scale approx. [1:31,680]
Scope and Content
Item consists of a map titled "Part of the New Westminster District shewing the Proposed New Municipality of Burnaby". The map shows boundaries of a proposed new municipality of Burnaby including all land outside of the "old" City of Vancouver between Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River and west of North Road. Map also shows the boundaries of the District Lots. Signed by Garden, Hermon and Burwell Provincial Land Surveyors, Vancouver, June 5, 1891. Blueline print is hand-coloured highlighting Burnaby.
Creator
Garden, Hermon and Burwell
Accession Code
BV994.29.1
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
1891 (date of original)
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
300
Scan Date
2022-05-10
Notes
Transcribed title
Images
Less detail

Interview with Alfred Bingham June 10, 1975 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory58
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1919
Length
0:07:22
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his first years in the Lochdale district of Burnaby, including his first job building a sawmill on Burnaby Lake.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to Alfred Bingham's memories of his first years in the Lochdale district of Burnaby, including his first job building a sawmill on Burnaby Lake.
Date Range
1892-1919
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:07:22
Subjects
Occupations - Lumberjacks
Buildings - Industrial - Sawmills
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Bradbury, Dr. Bettina
Interview Date
June 10, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is a taped interview with Alfred Bingham by SFU graduate student Bettina Bradbury June 10, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression, Pioneers, and the Co-operative Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Angus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
1:57:27
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Interviewer Bio
Bettina Bradbury teaches history and women's studies at York University. She is the author of Wife to Widow. Lives, Laws and Politics in Nineteenth-century Montreal. (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, June 2011), 520p; Working Families. Age, Gender and Daily Survival in Industrializing Montreal. (Toronto: Canadian Social History Series, McClelland and Stewart, 1993); (Republished Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1996) (3rd edition, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007). These interviews were undertaken after she completed her MA at Simon Fraser University in 1975 with the support of an LIP grant.
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 one of interview with Alfred Bingham

Less detail

Interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill November 7, 1977 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory204
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1905
Length
0:09:33
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of Christmas as a young boy, living in the Deer Lake area. He tells stories of the antics he got into with his brothers. Claude's wife, Marion Hill speaks encouraging words.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of Christmas as a young boy, living in the Deer Lake area. He tells stories of the antics he got into with his brothers. Claude's wife, Marion Hill speaks encouraging words.
Date Range
1892-1905
Photo Info
Claude Hill, the son of Bernard and Marian Hill, [1888]. Item no. 477-933
Length
0:09:33
Subjects
Holidays - Christmas
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Canada Way
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
November 7, 1977
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with A. Claude Hill and his wife Marion Hill, conducted by Colin Stevens, November 7, 1977. Major themes discussed are: Christmas traditions and his Deer Lake neighbourhood.
Biographical Notes
Claude Hill was born in England about 1885, the eldest son of Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard R. Hill. His younger sibling were Frank, Winnie and Minard Gerald “Gerry.” Claude Hill was named after Bernard’s older brother, Louis Claude Hill. Claude's father, Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Uncle Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. His oldest child, Claude was seven years old at the time and his first years of school in Burnaby were at Douglas Road. Later, Claude rode a horse and buggy with his younger brother to travel to school in New Westminster. A.Claude Hill married Marion "Mamie" in his early twenties.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:00
Interviewee Name
Hill, Claude
Hill, Marion
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill

Less detail

Interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill November 7, 1977 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory205
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1905
Length
0:08:15
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of Christmas as a young boy, living in the Deer Lake area. Claude and Marion HIll continue discussing Christmas traditions of the time.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of Christmas as a young boy, living in the Deer Lake area. Claude and Marion HIll continue discussing Christmas traditions of the time.
Date Range
1892-1905
Photo Info
Claude Hill, the son of Bernard and Marian Hill, [1888]. Item no. 477-933
Length
0:08:15
Subjects
Holidays - Christmas
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
November 7, 1977
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with A. Claude Hill and his wife Marion Hill, conducted by Colin Stevens, November 7, 1977. Major themes discussed are: Christmas traditions and his Deer Lake neighbourhood.
Biographical Notes
Claude Hill was born in England about 1885, the eldest son of Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard R. Hill. His younger sibling were Frank, Winnie and Minard Gerald “Gerry.” Claude Hill was named after Bernard’s older brother, Louis Claude Hill. Claude's father, Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Uncle Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. His oldest child, Claude was seven years old at the time and his first years of school in Burnaby were at Douglas Road. Later, Claude rode a horse and buggy with his younger brother to travel to school in New Westminster. A.Claude Hill married Marion "Mamie" in his early twenties.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:00
Interviewee Name
Hill, Claude
Hill, Marion
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill

Less detail

Interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill November 7, 1977 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory206
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892
Length
0:07:14
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of crossing from England to Canada and of the land clearing process.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of crossing from England to Canada and of the land clearing process.
Date Range
1892
Photo Info
Claude Hill, the son of Bernard and Marian Hill, [1888]. Item no. 477-933
Length
0:07:14
Names
Hill, Bernard R
Subjects
Land Clearing
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
November 7, 1977
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with A. Claude Hill and his wife Marion Hill, conducted by Colin Stevens, November 7, 1977. Major themes discussed are: Christmas traditions and his Deer Lake neighbourhood.
Biographical Notes
Claude Hill was born in England about 1885, the eldest son of Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard R. Hill. His younger sibling were Frank, Winnie and Minard Gerald “Gerry.” Claude Hill was named after Bernard’s older brother, Louis Claude Hill. Claude's father, Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Uncle Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. His oldest child, Claude was seven years old at the time and his first years of school in Burnaby were at Douglas Road. Later, Claude rode a horse and buggy with his younger brother to travel to school in New Westminster. A.Claude Hill married Marion "Mamie" in his early twenties.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:00
Interviewee Name
Hill, Claude
Hill, Marion
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Claude Hill and his wife

Less detail

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

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory243
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1911
Length
0:09:58
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husb…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's memories of the work that he and his brother did on the roadways; Canada Way, Kingsway. He discusses helping out at the Hatt-Cook residence as a boy as well as the tram system of the time. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.
Date Range
1892-1911
Photo Info
Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004
Length
0:09:58
Subjects
Construction - Road Construction
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”
Interview Date
November 17, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.
Biographical Notes
Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.
Total Tracks
7
Total Length
0:58:55
Interviewee Name
McMurray, Lillian Wray
McMurray, Murdoch
Interviewer Bio
Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

Less detail

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

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory250
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1905
Length
0:04:58
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of how his father cleared land to build a house, including the equipment that was used.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to A. Claude Hill's memories of how his father cleared land to build a house, including the equipment that was used.
Date Range
1892-1905
Photo Info
Claude Hill, the son of Bernard and Marian Hill, [1888]. Item no. 477-933
Length
0:04:58
Names
Hill, Bernard R
Subjects
Land Clearing
Geographic Access
Douglas Road
Canada Way
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
Interviewer
Stevens, Colin
Interview Date
November 7, 1977
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with A. Claude Hill and his wife Marion Hill, conducted by Colin Stevens, November 7, 1977. Major themes discussed are: Christmas traditions and his Deer Lake neighbourhood.
Biographical Notes
Claude Hill was born in England about 1885, the eldest son of Marian (Berkeley) and Bernard R. Hill. His younger sibling were Frank, Winnie and Minard Gerald “Gerry.” Claude Hill was named after Bernard’s older brother, Louis Claude Hill. Claude's father, Bernard R. Hill was born in Bengal, India while his father worked for the East Indian Railway. He and his older brother Uncle Claude became strawberry farmers in Burnaby despite their years of training as engineers. Between them, the Hill brothers owned all the land between Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake where Deer Creek runs, and half way around Deer Lake. After the decline in the strawberry industry, Bernard worked as a surveyor for the municipality. He also served as Burnaby Councillor and School Trustee. Bernard built his family home at Douglas Road near Deer Lake in 1892. His oldest child, Claude was seven years old at the time and his first years of school in Burnaby were at Douglas Road. Later, Claude rode a horse and buggy with his younger brother to travel to school in New Westminster. A.Claude Hill married Marion "Mamie" in his early twenties.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:30:00
Interviewee Name
Hill, Claude
Hill, Marion
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of interview with Claude Hill and Marion Hill

Less detail

Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory254
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1955
Length
0:07:38
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of B…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's reading of an essay written by Captain Thomas S. Guns describing the Lozells district, as well as quoting single sentences of various other writers on the topic of Deer Lake and the Burnaby Lake District. Alfred mentions the first schools of Burnaby Lake and the "pleasure walk" along Douglas Road, from Vancouver to New Westminster.
Date Range
1892-1955
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:07:38
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

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Alfred Bingham's writings - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory258
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1892-1963
Length
0:07:05
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording includes Alfred Bingham's continuation of reading his series of short stories. He reads; "THE RUM RUNNERS AND BOOTLEG WHISKY IN BURNABY" and "BURNABY. NORTH. SOUTH. EAST? AND WEST 1892---1943" both written in 1963.
Date Range
1892-1963
Photo Info
Alfred Bingham, April 20, 1947. Item no. 010-066
Length
0:07:05
Names
Hawthorn, Mary
Scope and Content
Recording is of Alfred Bingham's writings, as read by Alfred Bingham. Major themes discussed are: Pioneers, early days in Burnaby and the Co-op Movement. To view "Narrow By" terms for each track expand this description and see "Notes".
Biographical Notes
Alfred "Alf" Bingham was born in England in 1892 and moved to Canada in 1912. His first job in Canada was laying track for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTPR) from Edmonton to McBride in 1912. His second was in Vancouver at the Rat Portage Mill on False Creek, working on the Resaw machine. He quit after one week due to poor working conditions. After taking part in the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike as a delegate of the Retail and Mailorder Union (A.F.L.) on the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council, Alfred moved to Burnaby where he and fellow Burnaby residents Aungus McLean and Percy Little worked ten hour days to build a Shingle Mill on the edge of Burnaby Lake for Simpson & Giberson. George Green, carpenter and millwright (author of “The History of Burnaby”) also helped in the construction of the mill. Alfred built his own home from lumber cut from the mill in the Lochdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920 Alfred married Mary Jane “Ada” Reynolds. Alfred and Ada often took in foster children during their marriage. Due to her nursing experience, Ada was often called upon to deliver babies in the Burnaby area. Alfred and Ada Bingham were instrumental members of the Army of the Common Good, collecting vegetables and grains from growers in the area and even producing over 125 tons of vegetables from its own gardens to feed children and youth suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression years. The army was in operation for ten years and during that time the members organised the Credit Union movement of British Columbia and drew up the Credit Union act thorough the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started Co-Op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also Secretary of the Burnaby Housing committee and in 1946 he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane “Ada” (Reynolds) Bingham died on August 9, 1969. Her husband Alfred died on April 29, 1979.
Total Tracks
12
Total Length
1:38:06
Interviewee Name
Bingham, Alfred "Alf"
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Series
Community Archives Collection series
Subseries
Oral history subseries
Transcript Available
MSS142-001 contains transcripts for each of the short stories
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track eight of recording of Alfred Bingham's writings

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Burnaby Historical Society fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97124
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Description Level
Fonds
Physical Description
ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1892-2018
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Historical Society fonds
Physical Description
ca. 130 linear feet of textual records 30 linear feet of graphic and other material
Description Level
Fonds
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the Burnaby Historical Society's administrative records and community archives collection.
History
The Burnaby Historical Society was founded in 1957. The Historical Society developed a community archives by collecting, compiling and preserving various materials with historical value to the City of Burnaby. It gathered miscellaneous documents, photographs and other items while also soliciting and acquiring entire collections or groups of archival records. In 1991, the Historical Society was provided a permanent space to house their growing collection at the Burnaby Village Museum and they continued to collect and expand their holdings. After the creation of the City of Burnaby Archives in 2001, the Burnaby Historical Society and the City of Burnaby began discussing the possibility of uniting the two collections. In February 2007, an agreement was signed between the two institutions which resulted in the merger of the Society's Community Archives with the City Archives. All records and photographs that had been collected by the Historical Society were transferred into the custody of the City and were moved from the Burnaby Village Museum to the City Archives in the McGill Branch of the Burnaby Public Library. The Burnaby Historical Society disbanded in 2018.
Names
Burnaby Historical Society
Media Type
Textual Record
Photograph
Sound Recording
Creator
Burnaby Historical Society
Notes
Title based on contents of fonds
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Survey and Subdivision plans in New Westminster District Group 1 – Burnaby

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription6989
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1892-1908]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
12 plans : 6 plans : black ink on paper + 6 plans : graphite on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of six New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and three New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Plan drawn in graphite with markings "Plan 535" "Scale 3 chs = 1 in." Plan appears to ext…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Map collection
Series
Survey and Subdivision plans series
Description Level
File
Physical Description
12 plans : 6 plans : black ink on paper + 6 plans : graphite on paper mounted on 2 sides of cardboard 76 x 102 cm
Material Details
Scales [between 1:240 and 1:7920]
Index number on edge of board reads: "20"
Scope and Content
Item consists of a large board of six New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on one side and three New Westminster District Gp 1 - subdivision plans mounted on the other side. Side A: 1. Plan drawn in graphite with markings "Plan 535" "Scale 3 chs = 1 in." Plan appears to extend onto another piece of paper with a title "Lo [sic] 506" ans "Scale 2 chs = 1 in." Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. Plan of "Douglas Road" (written at top in blue pencil) and "Plan 642 / Reg. Apr. 8 1892 / ....Lots / 3 & 4 Bl. I...[sic]" (written in graphite). Road runs through Lots 29, 28, 30, 90 and 91. Note in red ink at bottom of plan reads: "Sketch plans as sent to Council / Aug. 28_1893 / ..." Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Plan drawn in graphite identified with markings "L.9 in / L. 88" "Scale 3 chs = 1 in. / Albert J. Hill / B.C.L.S. / 11/3/08" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Plan in black ink identified as "No.2" / Lot 101 & 100 / Gr.1" / Lot 3 Gr. 1" (handwritten in blue pencil) with "Scale : 2 Inches = 1 Mile". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Plan in black ink identified as "Sub. L. 28 and 29 of / Lot 35, G - 1" (handwritten in blue pencil) "Scale 100' = 1 in." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 6. Plan drawn in graphite with markings "Lot 165 Gr.1" (handwritten in blue pencil) "Scale 10 chs = 1 in. / Albert J. Hill / B.C.L.S." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 7. "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Subdivision of Lot 10 [sic] / of Lot 53 / Group One / New Westminster Dist. / Scale 1 chs = 1 inc." (drawn and written in graphite) Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) Side B: 1. "Plan / of Subdivision / of / Lots 10 and 11, / in the Subdivision / of / Lot 156 Gr.1 / New Westminster District / Scale 100' = 1 "" (drawn and written in graphite) (Geographic location: Burnaby) 2. "Plan / of Subdivision / of a Portion / of / Lot 95 / Group One / New Westminster District / Scale 3 chs = 1 in." (drawn in graphite and black ink) Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 3. Plan drawn in graphite and identified as "Lot 98, Gr.1" (handwritten in blue pencil). Plan identifies a "Road Reservation", "Royal Oak Road" and "Electric Tramway" and "Lot 94" to the north of "Lot 98" (Geographic location: Burnaby) 4. Plan drawn in graphite and identified as "Lot 25, Gr.1" (handwritten in blue pencil) Lot 25 is identified as "Love" "Scale 7 chs = 1 in. / Albert J. Hill B.C.L.S." Plan is dated "24/7/07" Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 5. Profile plan in black ink with marking "Douglas Road" and intials "RGS" [sic] (handwritten in blue pencil) "City Boundary / Hastings Road / Scale Hor 200' = 1" / Vert 20' = 1"" Plan is also marked in red pencil and reads: "Please / See other side". Plan is stamped: "Albert J. Hill, Civil Engineer / and / Provincial Land Surveyor, / New Westminster, / B.C." (Geographic location: Burnaby) 6. Plan of "Profile / on Tramway Track / New Vancouver Road / Scales Hor 200 ft = 1 inch / Vert 20 ft = 1 inch" (Geographic location: Burnaby)
Creator
Hill, Albert James
Accession Code
HV977.93.20
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1892-1908]
Media Type
Cartographic Material
Scan Resolution
300
Scale
72
Notes
Title based on contents of file
Scale is measured in chains and feet. (One chain equals 792 inches)
The term "Lot" can also refer to a "District Lot”
Images
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1041 records – page 1 of 21.