depression found 13 records | Heritage Burnaby

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

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

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

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; PC278

Alfred Bingham fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97219

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913-1971

Collection/Fonds: Alfred Bingham fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 4 cm. of textual records and 1 audio reel.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham as well as an oral history tape provided by Alfred and his wife, M.J. "Ada" Bingham.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913-1971

Collection/Fonds: Alfred Bingham fonds

Physical Description: 4 cm. of textual records and 1 audio reel.

Description Level: Fonds

Record No.: MSS142

Accession Number: 2010-09

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham as well as an oral history tape provided by Alfred and his wife, M.J. "Ada" Bingham.

History: 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, a carpenter and millwright (and 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 Lockdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920, Alfred married Mary Jane "Ada" Reynolds. Alfred and Mary Jane 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. The couple also had a dog named Bess. The Binghams 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 who were suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression. 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 through the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started co-op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also the Secretary of the Burnaby Housing Committee. In 1946, he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane died on August 9, 1969. Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Media Type: Textual Record; Sound Recording

Creator: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds MSS142

Alfred Bingham subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57735

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913-1971

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and other materials

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs, correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1913-1971

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Alfred Bingham subseries

Physical Description: Photographs and other materials

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of photographs, correspondence and literature pertaining to Alfred Bingham.

History: 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, a carpenter and millwright (and 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 Lockdale area on Sherlock Street between Curtis Street and Kitchener Street. On April 10, 1920, Alfred married Mary Jane "Ada" Reynolds. Alfred and Mary Jane 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. The couple also had a dog named Bess. The Binghams 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 who were suffering from the lack of resources during the Depression. 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 through the Vancouver Co-operative Council. They also started co-op stores and the Co-Op Wholesale Society. Alfred was also the Secretary of the Burnaby Housing Committee. In 1946, he became the Secretary of the North Burnaby Labour Progressive Party (LPP). Mary Jane died on August 9, 1969. Alfred died on April 29, 1979.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Bingham, Alfred "Alf"

Notes: Title based on contents of subseries; MSS001, MSS142, and PC 010

Burnaby family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58458

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1858-1863

Collection/Fonds: Robert Burnaby fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 5 cm. of textual records.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of letters written by Robert Burnaby related to both his work and explorations in British Columbia as well as personal matters relating to his family. Some of these letters were published in the 2002 book, "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's Letters from Colonial British Columbia 1858…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1858-1863

Collection/Fonds: Robert Burnaby fonds

Physical Description: 5 cm. of textual records.

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2009-06 2017-55

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of letters written by Robert Burnaby related to both his work and explorations in British Columbia as well as personal matters relating to his family. Some of these letters were published in the 2002 book, "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's Letters from Colonial British Columbia 1858-1863."

History: Robert Burnaby was a commission merchant and legislator, born on November 30, 1828, at Woodthorpe, Leicestershire, England, as the fourth son of the Reverend Thomas Burnaby and Sarah Meares. Robert Burnaby came to British Columbia at the end of 1858 as an experienced civil servant from Her Majesty’s Customs Office in London, and with a personal introduction to Governor James Douglas from Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton. Burnaby’s first year on the Pacific coast was a busy one: he spent a short time as private secretary to Richard Clement Moody, commander of the Royal Engineers at New Westminster; he explored for coal with Walter Moberly at Burrard Inlet; and he made a short visit to San Francisco. During this year, he also founded the firm of Henderson and Burnaby, commission merchants, in partnership with Edward Henderson, an old school friend from Christ’s Hospital and a man of means, who managed the London office. This type of business was precarious since the distance from sources of supply and risks in transportation encouraged overtrading and excessive speculation. The death of Henderson in 1865 and the general economic depression in Vancouver Island and British Columbia brought the firm to an end – a failure caused in part apparently by unwise investment in real estate. Burnaby then embarked upon a real estate and insurance business of his own. The exigencies of a mercantile career seem to have overwhelmed this man who, by upbringing and training, was more suited to a position in government service. Robert Burnaby was intensely interested in the welfare of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, and did all in his power to promote stable economic conditions. Before the end of his second year in Victoria, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island for the districts of Esquimalt and Metchosin, and he served his constituents well for five years. He was one of the founders of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. During an 1866 visit to London on private business, he attended a meeting of prominent Victoria merchants and officials who strongly favoured the union of the two colonies and other measures for developing and improving their economic prospects. This group carried its resolutions to the secretary of state for the colonies. Burnaby was an active freemason and helped found the First Victoria Lodge in 1860. Among his recreational pursuits was a love of drama, and in 1863, he served as president of Victoria’s Amateur Dramatic Association. Burnaby numbered among his intimate friends Colonel Moody, Arthur Thomas Bushby, Henry Pering Pellew Crease, Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, Edward Graham Alston, and Thomas Elwyn. In 1869, severe ill health caused Burnaby’s retirement and, five years later, his return to England. Friends arranged for him to travel in the Hudson’s Bay Company bark Lady Lampson; they later presented her captain, James Gaudin, with a generous purse in gratitude for the attention he had paid the ailing Burnaby during the voyage. Early in 1878, news reached Victoria that this “prominent and much respected merchant” had died. An honest, conscientious man of spirit, a clear-headed thinker, a “power” in his masonic lodge, a lucid speaker, full of fun, and clever, Burnaby has been fittingly commemorated in a number of place names in British Columbia including a lake, a strait, an island, a municipality, two mountain ranges, and finally Burnaby Mountain, the seat of Simon Fraser University. Burnaby died a bachelor on January 10, 1878, at Woodthorpe. - This information has been adapted from the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.

Media Type: Textual Record

Creator: Burnaby, Robert

Notes: Title based on creator of fonds.

City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription29

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1892-2021

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

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 130m of textual records and other material

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1892-2021

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

Physical Description: 130m of textual records and other material

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: Subject to FOIPPA

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of records generated in the course of municipal business by City Council and the Office of the City Clerk.

History: The City of Burnaby covers an area of approximately 98 square kilometers between the cities of Vancouver to the west, and Coquitlam and New Westminster to the east, Burrard Inlet to the north, and the Fraser River to the south. The municipality derived its name from Robert Burnaby, a prominent businessman and advisor to Sir James Douglas, the first Governor of the Crown Colony of British Columbia. Burnaby’s early development was closely tied to the development of the City of New Westminster. New Westminster became British Columbia’s capital in 1859, the year after the British Government proclaimed the establishment of British Columbia. Shortly thereafter, the Royal Engineers began exploring Burnaby to establish military defenses and secure natural resources. This involved the construction of a road linking New Westminster to Burrard Inlet for military purposes, which is present-day North Road. At this time, individuals and families began settling in Burnaby and were largely involved in agricultural and logging activities. Burnaby developed slowly until 1887, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was extended into Vancouver from the Port Moody terminal, causing a dramatic increase in traffic between New Westminster and Vancouver. To meet the new transportation demands, a tramline was built in 1891 connecting the two urban centers along what is now Kingsway. The creation and location of the tramline induced property owners to begin subdividing and selling their lands as early as October 1891. The property taxes the roughly 200 residents paid at this time went directly to the provincial government in Victoria. No local services were provided in turn, which prompted the formation of a committee to petition the provincial government for a municipal charter. As a result, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was incorporated by letters patent on September 22, 1892. Burnaby’s first Council was elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892 and consisted of Reeve Charles R. Shaw and councillors William Brenchley, Arthur De Windt Hazard, L. Claude Hill, William McDermott, and John Woolard.* The first formal Council election was conducted three months later. Nicolai Shou became the first elected reeve of Burnaby by ballot. Council met at various locations, including the tramline’s power house, private homes, and offices until the first municipal hall was built at Kingsway and Edmonds in 1899. Council is ultimately responsible for the government of the City of Burnaby. The Mayor (formally called “Reeve” prior to 1968) and Council are elected by the residents of Burnaby to represent them in decisions with respect to the provision of public services and facilities. Additionally, the Mayor represents the citizens of Burnaby at various public functions and events. Burnaby was without Council representation during most of the Great Depression and part of the Second World War. Council was disbanded on December 31, 1932 as a result of financial difficulties. The Provincial Government appointed a Commissioner to take over the duties of Reeve and Council beginning in 1933. This system of government was retained until January 1943, when Burnaby residents could once again elect their local government officials. The following individuals have served as Mayor (or Reeve) of Burnaby: Charles R. Shaw 1892 Nicolai C. Schou 1893-1903 Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905 Peter Byrne 1906-1910 John W. Weart 1911-1912 Duncan C. McGregor 1913 Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918 Thomas Sanderson 1919-1920 Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929 Charles C. Bell 1927 William L. Burdick 1929 William A. Pritchard 1930-1932 William Tate Wilson 1943-1944 George A. Morrison 1945-1949 William R. Beamish 1950-1953 Charles W. MacSorley 1954-1957 Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968 Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973 Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979 David M. Mercier 1979-1981 William A. Lewarne 1981-1987 William J. Copeland 1987-1996 Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002 Derek R. Corrigan 2002-2018 Mike Hurley 2018-present The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby: John Bennett 1933 John Mahony 1933-1934 Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940* R.S. Gilchrist 1941-1942* B.C. Bracewell 1942* *Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner. Closely associated with the functions of Council is the City Clerk. The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for the statutory duties of the municipal clerk including the preparation and preservation of all minutes books and records of Council business, custody of City bylaws, administrative support to Council and its Committees, preparation of Council and Committee agendas and the conduct of local government elections. The Clerk’s Office is the communications link between Council and other City Departments and the general public, and provides assistance and advice to citizens with respect to Council and Council Committee processes, reporting procedures and decisions. At the time of Burnaby’s incorporation in 1892, the municipal Clerk had the responsibility to attend all meetings of Council, keep all records of Council, prepare and alter voters’ lists, conduct Council elections, collect revenue, as well as having the responsibility to prepare balance sheets and audits. An advertisement in a local newspaper for the appointment of the Clerk dated February 1, 1905 states the “united offices of clerk, collector and assessor” receive a salary of $65.00 per month. Originally the treasurer, assessor and records manager for the corporation, the Clerk eventually became the municipal Council liaison. The primary functions of the City Clerk over time have been the keeping of minutes for the meetings of City Council and related bodies; keeping the records of the City of Burnaby as required by the Local Government Act (formally Municipal Act); keeping all records related to City Council decision making; carrying out correspondence on behalf of Council; assembling voters’ lists and carrying out elections; providing communication, information, and public relations services, including responsibility for civic ceremonies/events, and the municipal archives. The following individuals have served as City Clerk: Alexander Philip 1892–1894 Alfred Smither 1894–1899 F.J.H. Shirley 1899–1901 Arthur De Windt Haszard 1901–1902 Walter J. Walker 1902–1905 Benjamin George Walker 1905–1908 Charles Thomas Saunders 1908–1911 W.M. Griffiths 1911–1912 Arthur G. Moore 1912–1933 Charles Boyer Brown 1933–1959 John H. Shaw 1959–1973* James Hudson 1974–1984 Charles A. Turpin 1984–1995 Debbie R. Comis 1995–2011 Anne Skipsey (Acting) 2011-2012 Maryann Manuel (Acting) 2012-2014 Dennis Back 2014-2018 Kate O'Connell 2018-2020 Blanka Zeinabova 2020-2022 *Deputy City Clerk T. Ward took over many of the Clerk’s duties from 1972 to 1973 due to Shaw’s ill health during these years.

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

Media Type: Textual Record

Creator: City of Burnaby

Notes: Title based on creators of fonds

Ed Brown family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97218

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1912-1920

Collection/Fonds: Ed Brown Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 12 photographs: 7 b&w jpgs.; 4 sepia jpgs., 1 med. b&w print.

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of photographs that belonged to the Brown family. Photographs depict Ed Brown, his wife Jennie, and their children at their homes on Royal Oak Avenue and McKay Avenue; Brown's trucking company; and other Burnaby locations and events.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1912-1920

Collection/Fonds: Ed Brown Family fonds

Physical Description: 12 photographs: 7 b&w jpgs.; 4 sepia jpgs., 1 med. b&w print.

Description Level: Fonds

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2008-03

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of photographs that belonged to the Brown family. Photographs depict Ed Brown, his wife Jennie, and their children at their homes on Royal Oak Avenue and McKay Avenue; Brown's trucking company; and other Burnaby locations and events.

History: The following is copied from an article written by Brown's grandson, Jim Ervin, for "Old Autos" in 2003, in an article entitled "Grandfather was a trucker...": The roots of my family run deep in Burnaby, especially on my mother’s side. It was her father, my grandfather, who started one of Burnaby’s first trucking businesses, E.S. Brown’s Transfer. I could find no record of when he actually began operations but I have pictures to show that he was using horses before he had trucks. One of my enclosed pictures dates from about 1910 since I know the birth dates of his two oldest daughters and they are in the picture as very small children. He met and married my grandmother, whose maiden name was Jennie Birtch, from Ontario, and I still have relatives back east from both branches of the family. They were married on Sept. 27, 1905. But where, I can’t say. They had their first child, Hazel, born April 2, 1908. Then came seven more daughters but no sons to help with the family business. The business was located at the family home at 3131 Royal Oak Ave. in South Burnaby. That was close to the top of one of the steepest hills in Burnaby and must have made for a real test of man and machine to drive it, especially in winter. The children loved it for sleigh riding but probably not father. My mother, Inez, was the second oldest daughter, born Oct. 9, 1909. She would have been born, along with her sister Hazel, in the big house shown in the picture and built by my grandfather. But this house was to later burn down. That’s when Edward Sadler Brown decided to move his family from the side of the hill to the top and much closer to the main road, Kingsway. Most of the area was forest at that time and one of Ed’s first jobs was to haul shingle bolts out of the forest, with a team of horses. Please don’t ask me what a shingle bolt is but my mother knew and used to have to grease the skids placed on the logging trails for the loaded sleds to be pulled out on. One time, as she told me, there was a huge forest fire and my grandfather barely escaped with his life and one last load. Later, when the area had been cleared, he helped to build the Oakalla Prison Farm, now replaced by town-houses on Royal Oak Ave. This job led to him becoming the first contractor to haul the license plates made by the prisoners. Some of these plates would be worn by Ed’s own trucks. The trucks, which he eventually acquired, included some pretty obscure makes such as Hufman, Garford, Stewart (which my mother often said was no good), Gotfredson and the more common names of Chevrolet and GMC. A Ford Model T would probably have been too light for the kind of hauling Ed was doing in the 1920s. I always thought that his main cargo was coal and coke, but I received quite a surprise with some recently discovered information. It started when I was removing boxes of general junk from the house to the garage to make more space. One of those boxes broke open and one item which came out wasn’t junk by any means. It was a copy of a business card for Brown’s Transfer, a company which hauled coal, coke, wood and did furniture moving as well. My mother often described my grandfather as a “go-getter” for business. I believe I see what she meant. Never was I so glad to have a cardboard box break open and to retrieve such an important item. My mother was a saver like you wouldn’t believe, a habit which the Great Depression drilled into her. In another box containing old receipts, I found a copy of one from Brown’s Transfer which offered even more insight into the company. The receipt isn’t dated but only the last number of the year required filling in on the form. And this dates it as issued sometime during the 1920s. The surprising thing is the amount of items sold by my grandfather. Not just coal, wood and coke anymore. Now he was into sand, gravel, cement, brick lime, tile and sewer pipe. Furniture moving seemed to be sort of a sideline, mentioned in smaller letters at the bottom. But notice some of the other items on the hand written receipt. There’s lumber, grass seed, paint, glass, a loan (spelled lone) on painting a house. I’m not sure that I understand that one or the payment on house or the one about the toilet. But it’s obvious that this was a man who knew how to make a buck in many ways. He was almost his own building supply store, it would seem. Also mentioned on the form is an office location at 4009 Kingsway. The building is no longer there but it did survive into my life time. Often, my mother would point out to me where the office once was on the north side of Kingsway, near McKay Ave. Still standing, though, ist he old family home at the former address (now changed) of 3131 Royal Oak Ave. That’s where my mother and all seven of her sisters were born. These were the “swampers” on dad’s trucks, a job hard enough for a man. Ed did hire men as well to work as drivers and even employed his own mechanic. But for the girls, it wasn’t really a paying kind of job. “Some times he would buy us an ice-cream cone,” my mother would say. In those days, parents wanted large families to help with all the work which needed doing. Payment in dollars and cents just wasn’t usually part of the deal. I never knew my grandmother, Jennie, who died in 1946 at age 61, an early age to go but likely reflective of a lifetime of hard work and too many children. However, I did know my grandfather who lived into his 70s.His company came to a rather sad end, as related by my mother, in the dirty 30s. Apparently a certain sister of my grandmother, great aunt to myself, reported to the local school board that grandfather was supplying them with an inferior grade of coal for the schools. Then the school board cancelled his contract and that put him into bankruptcy. Whether the story is true or not doesn’t seem to matter much any more since no one who could have known is still among the living. Ed Brown, the industrious, rugged individualist did make a small come-back in the early 1950s with his own plumbing business. The details of that enterprise, I don’t know. But I do remember his old International panel truck he used. People such as my grandfather made a great contribution to Burnaby.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds; BHS298

Harold Edward Winch collection

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription3638

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1914]-2003

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: approx. 23 cm of textual records + approx. 600 photographs (b&w + col.)

Scope and Content: Collection consists of records relating to Harold Edward Winch's family life and political career. It includes photographs of Winch's parents, family, and wife Jessie, as well as photographs, correspondence and other textual records from Harold's political work and experiences, a travel diary, gues…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harold Edward Winch collection

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: approx. 23 cm of textual records + approx. 600 photographs (b&w + col.)

Scope and Content: Collection consists of records relating to Harold Edward Winch's family life and political career. It includes photographs of Winch's parents, family, and wife Jessie, as well as photographs, correspondence and other textual records from Harold's political work and experiences, a travel diary, guest books, and certificates. The collection includes a number of Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and New Democratic Party newspapers. The collection also includes records relating to Winch's death, such as obituaries, memorials, articles, and a guest book. Finally, the collection includes a small number of records relating to Winch's father, Ernie Winch, and his own political career. The collection has been arranged into five series: 1) Harold E. Winch biographical records (1933-2003) 2) Harold E. Winch photographs series (1914-[ca. 1990]) 3) Harold E. Winch political photograph album and records series ([1937]-1993) 4) Harold E. Winch personal records series (1949-1993) 5) Harold E. Winch newspaper collection series (1936-1986)

History: Harold Edward Winch (June 18, 1907-February 1, 1993) was born in Loughton, Essex, England to Ernest “Ernie” Edward Winch (March 22, 1879-January 11, 1957) and his wife Linda Marian (nee Hendy). Harold was the eldest of six children; the others were Eileen, Charlie, Grace, Alan, and Eric. Ernest moved to BC in 1909, followed by Linda, Harold, and Eileen in 1910. The remaining children were born in BC. Ernie, a brick mason, built the family a series of homes in the Lower Mainland as the family moved around for a number of years, living in Burnaby, White Rock, Mission, and Vancouver before finally settling back in Burnaby. Ernie Winch joined the Social Democratic Party of Canada in 1911 and became secretary of the party in 1913, and was heavily involved in trade unions and the labour and socialist movements. He helped re-establish the Socialist Party of Canada (BC) in 1932, which soon merged with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF). Ernie was a CCF MLA in Burnaby from 1933 until his death in 1957, following which his son-in-law Cedric Cox (husband of Eileen) won the seat in a byelection. Ernie was particularly interested in institutions, including jails, mental hospitals, and industrial schools, and founded the New Vista Society in 1943 to provide a live-in rehabilitation program to women with psychiatric problems. The organization later expanded to focus on low-cost housing for seniors, and an apartment complex was built for this purpose in Burnaby. Both Ernie and Harold were lifelong members of the New Vista Society board of trustees. Harold Winch trained as an electrician, but also followed his father into politics, serving as a CCF MLA in Vancouver East from 1933 to 1953 – Ernie and Harold were two of the first seven CCF MLAs. The Winches set a Guinness world record for the longest father-and-son parliamentary tenure. Like his father, Harold was also highly involved in the labour movement, and acted as a liaison between workers and government during the Depression, particularly during the relief camp strike in Vancouver in 1935 which precipitated the On to Ottawa trek. He was the leader of the BC CCF from 1938 to 1953, and Leader of the Opposition from 1941 to 1953. In 1953, Harold stepped down from provincial politics to enter the federal arena, and served as a CCF MP for Vancouver East from 1953 to 1961, when the CCF became the New Democratic Party (NDP); Harold continued to serve as an NDP MP from 1961 to 1972, when he retired for health reasons. In federal office, Harold remained dedicated to the working class and humanitarian causes, issuing reports on subject such as unemployment, veterans’ rights, low-cost housing for seniors, animal welfare, drug addiction, and mental health concerns. Harold earned honorary law degrees from both UBC (1973) and SFU (1974). He was involved in numerous humanitarian and other organizations and his roles included president and treasurer of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; co-founder of the Immigrant Services Society of Vancouver; director of the Boag Foundation; and lifelong member of the Association for Protection of Fur Bearing Animals. Harold married Dorothy Ada Hutchinson (December 1, 1907-October 24, 1974) on May 11, 1929. They had three children: Donald, Gerald ("Jerry"), and Shirley. Following Dorothy’s death, Harold married Jessie Margaret Mendels (nee Sweezey) (June 29, 1913-May 9, 2006) on May 19, 1981. Jessie grew up in Grand Forks, BC, and her family moved to Vancouver when she was in high school. Her first husband was George Edward Mendels (November 2, 1905-September 2, 1978). She had no children. Jessie served as a St. John’s ambulance driver during World War II. She was also active in the CCF and NDP parties in BC, having been Provincial Secretary for the CCF in the 1940s, a vice-president of the party in the 1950s, and Provincial Secretary for the NDP in the 1960s. Like Harold, she later served as a director of the Boag Foundation. Jessie traveled widely throughout her life. The collection contains a small number of Jessie’s photographs. Harold Winch died in White Rock, where he and Jessie had retired, on February 1, 1993.

Responsibility: Winch, Harold Edward

Accession Code: BV013.12

Date: [1914]-2003

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Arrangement: Records within fonds have been arranged by subject and format.

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds

Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14764

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1920-2006, predominant 1920-1979

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 6 photographs : col. + 1 photograph : b&w + 1 photograph : sepia + 41 photographs (tiffs) + 4 photographs (jpgs) + 12 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of family photographs of the Jung, Chan and Lee families as well as business records collected and created by Cecil Lee in the nineteen seventies, while he was employed as a Produce Buyer for Kelly Douglas Limited and Western Commodities Limited and responsible for the import of Chin…

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 6 photographs : col. + 1 photograph : b&w + 1 photograph : sepia + 41 photographs (tiffs) + 4 photographs (jpgs) + 12 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of family photographs of the Jung, Chan and Lee families as well as business records collected and created by Cecil Lee in the nineteen seventies, while he was employed as a Produce Buyer for Kelly Douglas Limited and Western Commodities Limited and responsible for the import of Chinese mandarin oranges. Fonds is arranged into the following series: 1) Lee family photographs series 3) Cecil Lee business records series

History: Julie Cho Chan Lee is the daughter of Suey Ying Jung (Laura) (1912-2006) and Puy Yuen Chan (1903-1978). Suey Ying "Laura" and Puy Yuen Chan were married in New Westminster in November 1942 followed by a fourteen year residency in the “minority town site” of Fraser Mills where their daughters Julie and June were born. Julie's mother Suey Ying "Laura" Jung was born in Burnaby in 1912 to Chung Chong Jung (1875-1956) and Gee Shee Jung (1879-1952). The family had six children (five of which lived to adulthood); Suey Fong "Maida" (1909-1997) (married Quinn Wong) ; Suey Kin "Annie" (1911-1962) (married George Jong); Suey Ying "Laura"; Suey Cheung "Harry" (1916-1991) and "; Suey Yook "Gordon" (1919-1998). The family owned and operated a five acre market garden and piggery at 5460 Douglas Road near Still Creek (address was changed to 5286 Douglas Road in 1958). This was conveniently located directly across the street from Douglas Road Interurban Station. The children attended Edmonds Elementary School and while the girls only completed their elementary school years, the boys continued their education at the Vancouver Technical School. Chung Chong and Gee Shee Jung sold the farm on Douglas Road around 1949 and moved to East Vancouver. Julie's mother, Suey Ying "Laura" Jung continued to live and work on the Jung family farm until she was married in 1942 when she moved to live with her husband, Puy Yuen at Fraser Mills. Suey Ying "Laura"'s sister Maida and her husband Quinn Wong also lived at Fraser Mills with their nine children. Julie's father, Puy Yuen Chan joined his father, Chin Yip Hong in Canada at the tender age of 12, worked as a shingle packer and plywood plant handler at Fraser Mills for forty years and retired without ever learning to speak English. In 1972, Julie Cho Chan married Cecil Lee and lived in Surrey where their two boys, Rodney and Darin were born. Just prior to the start of school for Rodney, the family relocated to Coquitlam where Julie had lived since 1956. Julie worked as a teacher and later as a teacher-librarian in the Coquitlam School District. Cecil Chue Kan Lee was born in Queensborough to Sui Seo Ngen and Ding Quai Lee. Cecil is the youngest of eight children; Chue Ngan "Gladys"; Chue Fay "Walter"; Chue Quon "Charlie"; Chue Jan "Pearl"; Chue Moi "Rose"; Chue Duck "Dick" and Chue Kwong "Ken". Cecil’s father, Ding Quai Lee was a jack of all trades including a labour contractor as a well as a millwright for G.W. Beach’s three mills, Keystone, Sapperton and Harrison Mills.In 1931, with the arrival of the Depression, the family made the difficult decision to return to their homeland of Guangzhou province, eventually returning to Canada in 1939. With this decision, Ding Quai wrestled with the burden of the repayment of the loans for two way steamship fares to and from China. Upon their return to Canada, the family lived a short time on Union Street in Vancouver before relocating to Queensborough (New Westminster). Cecil and his siblings were schooled at Queen Elizabeth Elementary School followed by varying stints at FW Howay and Duke of Connaught High Schools. In 1951, Cecil Lee joined Kelly Douglas & Company Ltd., a subsidiary of the George Weston Empire, as a produce warehouseman, followed by several years as a foreman and then in the early seventies until his 1991 retirement after forty years of service, he served as one of the KD produce buyers. In this capacity, he worked closely with local farmers along Marine Drive and in the Fraser Valley. Kelly Douglas and Company Limited was founded in 1896 as a wholesale grocery business and became one of the largest food distributors in Canada. In 1946, its headquarters moved from Vancouver to Burnaby and a manufacturing plant and warehouse were built on the site at 4700 Kingsway. In the mid-1970s, Lee along with the associates at Western Commodities, the head office for produce imports, was asked to oversee the import of Chinese mandarin oranges into western Canada. Until that time, mandarin oranges had come only from Japan and were sold in the winter, especially at Christmas. When the Japanese market could no longer keep up with the popular demand, Kelly Douglas and Company Limited looked to China. The company relied on Lee’s cultural knowledge to build this very profitable part of their business. Moreover, Cecil Lee designed, though not patented, the cardboard Chinese mandarin orange box to replace wooden containers. The iconic design required no glue or staples, making it possible for farmers to assemble and pack the boxes as they picked the oranges. In 1986, the Kelly Douglas and Company building was demolished and the produce department of Kelly Douglas was relocated to 6451 Telford Burnaby and the head office to 808 Nelson Street, Vancouver.

Creator: Lee, Julie Cho Chan; Lee, Chue Kan "Cecil"

Accession Code: BV017.24; BV019.6; BV019.33; BV020.38; BV021.19

Date: 1920-2006, predominant 1920-1979

Media Type: Photograph; Textual Record

Arrangement: Records within fonds are composed of business records and family photographs arranged by the Lee family.

Notes: Title based on contents of fonds; See also: Interview with Julie Lee by Denise Fong February 6, 2020. -- [1920-1992] (interview content), interviewed Feb. 6, 2020 BV020.6.2; See also artifact descriptions under accession BV019.6 including BV019.6.1 - for description of original box to ship and sell mandarin oranges; BV019.6.15 and BV019.6.16 for Chinese mandarin orange wrappers "Snow Mountain Mandarin Orange"; Many of the "Business records" are closed and subject to FIPPA, contact Burnaby Village Museum regarding access

LaFavor Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription72548

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [191-]; 1953-1955

Collection/Fonds: LaFavor Family fonds

Description Level: Fonds

Physical Description: 0.5 cm. of textual records (newsprint) and 59 photographs : sepia postcards ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of photographic postcards (some are duplications) depicting the village of Barnet in Burnaby along with newspaper clippings pertaining to Barnet Village from the 1950s.

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [191-]; 1953-1955

Collection/Fonds: LaFavor Family fonds

Physical Description: 0.5 cm. of textual records (newsprint) and 59 photographs : sepia postcards ; 8 x 13 cm

Description Level: Fonds

Accession Number: 2007-03

Scope and Content: Fonds consists of photographic postcards (some are duplications) depicting the village of Barnet in Burnaby along with newspaper clippings pertaining to Barnet Village from the 1950s.

History: Orville Glen LaFavor was born in Willow City, North Dakota, on May 31, 1903, to Harvey M. LaFavor. On April 20, 1924, Orville married Cathryn Arlou "Kate" Lewis. In that same year, Orville and Kate moved to Barnet Village to join Harvey and his wife. Orville and Kate had five children who were all born in Barnet: Lewis in September 1925, Irene in December 1927, Clyde Martin in July 1930, Florence Alice in March 1933 and Cathryn Bernice on April 24, 1934. Orville worked as a trimmer for the Barnet Lumber Company. He and his family lived at Number 10 on the Barnet property. In 1924, he began working at the mills and retired in 1960. During the war, he made blackout blinds and worked as a warden or home guard in Vancouver. Kate LaFavor stayed at home to look after the five children. All of the children went to Barnet School until grade five, when they had to bus up to Capitol Hill in North Burnaby. Once evictions began in Barnet in 1953, Orville bought the house from the municipality and moved it to Port Coquitlam. Orville's brother, Vern Victor LaFavor, married Irene Winnifred "Winnie" Warner on August 6, 1928. Clyde and Lou LaFavor also worked in the mill. Fred Marshall and his brother Roy Marshall lived and worked at the mill and were uncles to the LaFavor children. Harvey, the grandfather of the children, worked as a millwright and had a section in the village for gardening, which he tended to regularly. He had horses that worked with him at the mill and later on the construction of Barnet Road, allowing him to make money during the Depression. During a strike for higher wages at the Barnet Sawmill, Harvey was badly beaten. Murray Glen "Bud" LaFavor was born on December 13, 1944, in New Westminster. He had four sisters: Irene, Catherine, Carol, and Rene. He worked as a volunteer fireman for 25 years and was employed by the District of 100 Mile House. He died in 2009. Lewis LaFavor, son of Orville and Kate, joined the navy and survied World War II. Catherine Bernice (LaFavor) Nelson, daughter of Orville and Kate, died July 7, 2011, in Nelson, British Columbia.

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: LaFavor family

Notes: Photo catalogue 540, MSS166

Muriel Davis subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65813

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of an essay written by Muriel Davis entitled "Growing up in the Great Depression".

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1997

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Muriel Davis subseries

Physical Description: 1 file of textual records

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1997-22

Scope and Content: Subseries consists of an essay written by Muriel Davis entitled "Growing up in the Great Depression".

History: Master cabinet maker Arthur Davis and his wife Nellie Davis (nee Chard) emigrated from England, settling in South Burnaby around 1912. They built a house on Rumble Road, two doors down from Nelson Avenue School. Arthur and Nellie had five children: Arthur Jr., Alec, Mildred, Robert and Muriel, who was born in 1920. The family attended Alta Vista Baptist Church. Arthur Sr. built five more family homes over a 20 year period, all within the Imperial-Royal Oak area. Alec Davis died of an illness in 1940. Muriel attended Nelson Avenue School, and later Burnaby South High School. At the age of four, Nellie started her on lessons that went on for fifteen years. These lessons included dance, drama, piano, singing, choir practice and bagpipes. Muriel married pilot officer Gordon Skelhorne and went by Jean Shelhorne. Gordon studied medicine and became a family doctor. Jean received a Masters in Education and worked as an adult educator and counsellor. They had two children together, a daughter and a son. The son died in adolescence, the daughter now has a son of her own. Jean and Gordon Skelhorne moved from Burnaby to Mississauga, Ontario around 1963.

Media Type: Textual Record

Creator: Skelhorne, Muriel "Jean" Davis

Notes: MSS149; Title based on creator of subseries

Richard Bolton subseries

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

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

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

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

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

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Richard Bolton subseries

Physical Description: Textual records and graphic material

Description Level: Subseries

Accession Number: BHS1991-03; BHS1986-09

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

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

Media Type: Textual Record; Photograph

Creator: Bolton, Richard

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

Suburb of Happy Homes: Burnaby Centennial Themes

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88272

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1995

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 cm of textual records

Scope and Content: File consists of a published copy of the book, "Suburb of Happy Homes: Burnaby Centennial Themes", edited by L.J.Evenden. The book consists of a compilation of ten essays written especially for the Centennial Project and the Burnaby public. Essay titles and authors include; "A Tale Between Two Citi…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1995

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Physical Description: 1 cm of textual records

Description Level: Item

Record No.: MSS187-012

Access Restriction: Open Access

Accession Number: 2014-28

Scope and Content: File consists of a published copy of the book, "Suburb of Happy Homes: Burnaby Centennial Themes", edited by L.J.Evenden. The book consists of a compilation of ten essays written especially for the Centennial Project and the Burnaby public. Essay titles and authors include; "A Tale Between Two Cities: The Incorporation of Burnaby" by Jim Wolf, "Burnaby: The First Fifty Years" by Allen Seager and Rodney Fowler, "Welfare and Survival in the Great Depression" by Bettina Bradbury, "For the Public Good: The Origin of Burnaby's Zoning Bylaw, 1924-1946" by Jim Wolf, "Municipal Mapping in Burnaby: A Case Study of Technological Change" by Thomas K. Poiker, "Hastings Street: Shifting Land Values Along a Commercial Arterial Way" by Lyall Armstrong, "Metrotown: A Time and a Place" by Kenji Ito, "Textures of Living: How Retired Men Use Space and Time" by J. Bruce Prior, "Burnaby-Simon Fraser Mountain Landscapes" by Colin Crampton. Reference is made in several of the essays to municipal records that were held at Simon Fraser University Archives for nearly two decades until the City of Burnaby Archives was opened in 2001 and records were transferred back to the City.

Media Type: Textual Record

Responsibility: Edited by L.J. Evenden

Notes: Title based on contents of file

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Growing up in the Great Depression

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Morris family subseries

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Alfred Bingham fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97219

Alfred Bingham subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription57735

Burnaby family fonds

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City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

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Ed Brown family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97218

Harold Edward Winch collection

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Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription14764

LaFavor Family fonds

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription72548

Muriel Davis subseries

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription65813

Richard Bolton subseries

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Suburb of Happy Homes: Burnaby Centennial Themes

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88272

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Growing up in the Great Depression

Morris family subseries

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Julie Lee and Cecil Lee family fonds

LaFavor Family fonds

Muriel Davis subseries

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Suburb of Happy Homes: Burnaby Centennial Themes