This portion of the recording pertains to Elsie (Brown-John) Ansdell's early years of marriage while also a member of the work force. She talks about her own children; their early years spent in South Burnaby.
This portion of the recording pertains to Elsie (Brown-John) Ansdell's early years of marriage while also a member of the work force. She talks about her own children; their early years spent in South Burnaby.
Date Range
1939-2012
Photo Info
Elsie Brown-John (bottom, far right) with her class at Kitchener Street School, [1936]. Item no. 549-001.
Length
0:07:05
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
September 18, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with early Burnaby resident Elsie (Brown-John) Ansdell conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 18, 2012. Major themes discussed are: settling in Burnaby and the early years of the Brown-John family.
Biographical Notes
Elsie (Brown-John) Ansdell’s father, a trained carpenter and cabinet maker, Victor Brown-John came to Canada from Wales in 1910. He cleared three lots at Napier and Gilmore Streets and built a two-roomed house. In 1912, he was joined by his wife and two eldest sons, Victor and Archie. Twin boys, Frank and Roy, were born in 1914 in the Burnaby home and their fifth son, Clive, was born in 1915.
From 1916 to 1919 Victor John-Brown left Burnaby to serve overseas. Elsie Brown-John (later Ansdell) was born in 1921. Her younger brother, Gwyn "Jerry" was born in 1923.
In 1925 Victor Brown-John suffered a fatal accident while working as a longshoreman in Northern British Columbia.
Elsie attended Kitchener Elementary and North Burnaby High School. She married during the Second World War and moved to South Burnaby to raise her family whilst continuing to work in various department stores both in Vancouver and Burnaby.
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Film footage of an interview conducted and recorded by Burnaby Village Museum curator Colin Stevens with Burnaby residents gathered inside of Bell's Dry Goods store on the site of Burnaby Village Museum. Burnaby residents were customers and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Bell and included: Jim Agnew; Mary…
Film footage of an interview conducted and recorded by Burnaby Village Museum curator Colin Stevens with Burnaby residents gathered inside of Bell's Dry Goods store on the site of Burnaby Village Museum. Burnaby residents were customers and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Bell and included: Jim Agnew; Mary Agne; May and Bill Long; Mel Coutts; Lois Coutts; Isobel Coutts and Aubrey Coutts. These residents all lived in the area of the building and knew the owners between 1920 and 1950. Residents recall the layout and furnishings of the interior of the building when it was operated as Bell's Dry Goods (1925 to 1937), Jean's Grocery Store [?], Whitechurch Hardware (1937-1973). Colin Stevens is particularly interested in gathering information on the layout and furnishings in Bell's since the museum intends to restore the building and display to the 1920s era.
Label on videocassette reads: "Bells' Dry Goods" / "Interview with People / who used to shop there / at / "Bells' Dry Goods" / 6th St. Burnaby / 1994 Aug 11 Colin Stevens"