Mary Forsyth fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1893] (date of original) -2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Mary Forsyth fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual records, graphic material and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- Records consist of material created and collected by Mary Forsyth. Records include correspondence, photographs, a map, presentation notes, and reviews along with research for historical and biographical essays pertaining to pioneering families, organizations, and the geographical area of South Burn…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1893] (date of original) -2004
- Collection/Fonds
- Mary Forsyth fonds
- Physical Description
- Textual records, graphic material and cartographic material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-27
- Scope and Content
- Records consist of material created and collected by Mary Forsyth. Records include correspondence, photographs, a map, presentation notes, and reviews along with research for historical and biographical essays pertaining to pioneering families, organizations, and the geographical area of South Burnaby. One of her major research projects consists of "A Walking Environment for South Burnaby," which also became a proposal to The Corporation of the District of Burnaby. Historical information and photographs pertaining to South Burnaby pioneer families and organizations were compiled from interviews with the intention of publishing a book.
- History
- Mary Gertrude (Bolton) Forsyth was born at her parents' home in Burnaby on March 5, 1923, and was the daughter of Richard Bolton and Gertrude (nee Hern). Mary's father, Richard, immigrated to Canada from Sunderland, England, in 1911. He lived with his brother George in New Westminster prior to purchasing property in South Burnaby in 1916 and built a bungalow located at 859 Marine Drive. Richard Bolton was employed as the municipal treasurer for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and, in 1919, he returned to Sunderland with three months leave of absence to marry Mary Gertrude Hern, daughter of Captain and Mrs. John Hern. Mary grew up with her parents and sister Nancy in the house that her father built on Marine Drive. She married Lloyd Forsyth in 1946 and they had two children, Diane and Robert. Mary and her husband raised their family in Burnaby and built a house at 855 Marine Drive, on the lot originally purchased by her father, and moved later to a house located at 6457 Marine Drive. In 1964, after her children were grown, Mary completed her teaching degree at Simon Fraser University and went on to teach kindergarten at Nelson Elementary School. While a teacher within the Burnaby School District, Mary was instrumental in adopting ballet as part of the school curriculum.
Mary was an active member of the Burnaby Historical Society, participating and leading local events and seminars. She was inspired by the idea of the 'Housewives Holiday', originally initiated by the Vancouver "Y’ S". In February 1960, she was integral in forming a committee in South Burnaby, working alongside Ruth Turner, Faye Treagh, and Dorothy Turnbull. The "Housewives Holiday" committee (a branch of the Clinton-Glenwood Recreation Association) planned several events at Bonsor Hall for Burnaby housewives from October 6 to December 8, 1960.
After her retirement from teaching, Mary returned to Simon Fraser University to do further studies and, in 1983, she wrote an essay for an Environmental Education course, titled "A Walking Environment for South Burnaby". The essay was conducted as a feasibility study to provide a walking environment in her community and included a formal essay, a media book, a map, and a slide presentation which was presented to a variety of local community groups. In 1984, Mary was the recipient of the North Fraser Harbour Commission Award to further her work on this project. In October 1986, her essay was adapted as a proposal to The Corporation of the District of Burnaby for a walking and cycling trail system for South Burnaby. Her proposal was taken into consideration by council and was later adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Mary was very much interested in the history of South Burnaby and spent time between 1990 to 2004 conducting research through the Burnaby Historical Society, The City of Burnaby Archives, and several pioneering families who agreed to share their family records and be interviewed. Mary compiled her research into short historical and biographical essays by geographical area, family name, and organization.
Mary (Bolton) Forsyth lived her whole life in South Burnaby and was an active and committed member of her community. She died on November 10, 2010.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Cartographic Material
- Creator
- Forsyth, Mary
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo catalogue 572, MSS185
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Mayor's Office fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1828 (date of original) -2015
- Collection/Fonds
- Mayor's Office fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 m of textual records and photographic material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of those records created by the office of the Mayor during the administrations of Robert W. Prittie (1969-1973), Thomas W. Constable (1973-1979), David M. Mercier (1979-1981), William A. Lewarne (1981-1987), William J. Copeland (1987-1996), John Douglas Drummond (1996-2002) and Derek…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1828 (date of original) -2015
- Collection/Fonds
- Mayor's Office fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 m of textual records and photographic material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FOIPPA
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproductions subject to FOIPPA
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of those records created by the office of the Mayor during the administrations of Robert W. Prittie (1969-1973), Thomas W. Constable (1973-1979), David M. Mercier (1979-1981), William A. Lewarne (1981-1987), William J. Copeland (1987-1996), John Douglas Drummond (1996-2002) and Derek Corrigan (2002-2018).
- History
- On September 22, 1892, the Corporation of the District of Burnaby was established by letters patent. An integral component of this incorporation was the creation of the office of the Reeve (later called Mayor). The Reeve was to serve as the Head and Chief Executive Officer of Burnaby and was to lead the City Council in the governing of the Corporation. Burnaby’s first Reeve and Council were elected by acclamation on October 15, 1892, with formal elections held by ballot three months later. From 1893 until 1977 the Reeve and Council were elected for one-year terms, but the practice of annual elections was abandoned in favour of two-year terms in 1977. The current practice of holding elections every three years was begun in 1987. Elections of Reeve and Council were suspended altogether in 1933. However, as a financial crisis in the Corporation resulted in the Province intervening and assuming control of the local government. For ten years, Commissioners were appointed by the Provincial Government to manage the affairs of the Municipality, but by January 1943, the situation had been remedied and local elections were once again held.
From 1892 until 1968, the Chief Executive Officer in Burnaby was known as “Reeve,” but this nomenclature changed with revisions to the Local Government Act in the latter part of the twentieth century. In 1968, the Province altered the Act and abolished the practice of assigning different titles to the members of Council based on Municipal Classification and introduced "Mayor" and "Alderman" as terms applicable in all Municipalities not just those of a certain size or with a certain number of citizens. From that point on, the CEO of Burnaby has been referred to as the Mayor of the City.
Despite these changes in election procedures, naming protocols, and the disruption caused by the financial crisis in the 1930s and 1940s, the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor have remained relatively stable throughout the years. As Head and Chief Executive Officer of the City, the Mayor is responsible for ensuring that the principles of law and good government are enforced in Burnaby. This includes the task of overseeing the conduct of officers and employees and directing the management of municipal business and affairs as well as chairing the meetings of Council and appointing Council Committee members. The Mayor is also charged with the duty of representing the City at public functions, in meetings with visiting dignitaries, and in participating in local community and fundraising events.
Initially, the Municipal Clerk assisted the Mayor in his work by handling most correspondence and clerical tasks of the office. Today, however, the Mayor’s office retains its own administrative staff who are responsible for facilitating all schedules and arrangements for the Mayor along with coordinating their internal and external contacts and events.
The following individuals have served as Reeve or Mayor of Burnaby:
Charles R. Shaw 1892
Nicolai C. Shou 1893-1903
Charles F. Sprott 1904-1905
Peter Byrne 1906-1910
J. W. Weart 1911-1912
D. C. McGregor 1913
Hugh M. Fraser 1914-1918
T. Sanderson 1919-1920
Alexander K. McLean 1921-1926; 1928-1929
Charles C. Bell 1927
W. L. Burdick 1929
W. A. Pritchard 1930-1932
William Tate Wilson 1943-1944
George A. Morrison 1945-1949
William R. Beamish 1950-1953
Charles W. MacSorely 1954-1957
Alan H. Emmott 1958-1968
Robert W. Prittie 1969-1973
Thomas W. Constable 1973-1979
David M. Mercier 1979-1981
William A. Lewarne 1981-1987
William J. Copeland 1987-1996
Douglas P. Drummond 1996-2002
Derek Corrigan 2002-2018
Mike Hurley 2018-present
The following individuals have served as provincially appointed Commissioners for the Corporation of the District of Burnaby:
John Bennett 1932-1933
John Mahony 1933-1934
Hugh M. Fraser 1934-1940*
R. S. Gilchrist 1941*
B. C. Bracewell 1942*
*Richard Bolton was Acting Commissioner for most of 1940-1942. He refused to be a full-fledged Commissioner.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Creator
- City of Burnaby
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds.
Less detail
Millway family fonds
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1898-1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Millway family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 4.5 cm. of textual records + 8 photographs (1 b&w , 18.5 x 23.5 cm ; 2 col. , 15 x 10 cm ; 5 col. , 10 x 30.5 cm) + 1 audio disc (66 min., 47 sec).
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of material collected and complied by Reginald and Betty Millway.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1898-1986
- Collection/Fonds
- Millway family fonds
- Physical Description
- 4.5 cm. of textual records + 8 photographs (1 b&w , 18.5 x 23.5 cm ; 2 col. , 15 x 10 cm ; 5 col. , 10 x 30.5 cm) + 1 audio disc (66 min., 47 sec).
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Number
- 2011-05
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of material collected and complied by Reginald and Betty Millway.
- History
- Reginald E. "Reg" Millway was born on December 20, 1915, at Milton Regis in the County of Kent. He graduated from London University (via Regent Street Polytechnic) and was appointed to the Air Ministry Technical Division in 1937, where he remained throughout World War II. Due to a hearing impairment he was unable to join the services and instead joined the Home Guard and served on fire bomb patrol in central London.
Betty was born November 16, 1916, and married Reginald Millway in 1940. Together they had four daughters: Catherine; Penelope “Penny”; Jennifer; and Francis “Fran” (later Malcolm).
Reginald left Britain with his family in March of 1948. They were on the last voyage of the Acquitania to Halifax, took a parlour car in a C.N. train to New Westminster and took up residence in South Burnaby. After two or three years, Reginald had established his own business, Marine Electronics.
When the United Flower Growers Cooperative formed in the late 1950s, Reginald helped them assemble property at Roseberry and Marine Way in cooperation with the Director of Planning. A large auditorium was built there and Reginald helped them design, manufacture and install a complete electronic system. Modifications and additions have occurred along the way to the point that it is handling millions of dollars worth of flowers annually and it is the largest operation of its kind in Canada.
Reginald ran in the Burnaby elections of 1957. Newly elected Mayor Alan Emmot offered him the chairmanship of the Zoning Board of Appeal (later the Board of Variance). He remained continuously chairman for the next 35 years.
In 1962, Reginald joined the Rotary Club of Burnaby. He served as president in 1969 and remained a member for over 45 years.
Betty was an accomplished writer and was the recipient of the 1984 Canadian Author’s Association Allan Sagster Award for long and meritorious service.
Reginald was an early member of the Burnaby Historical Society and served as its president for three terms. He and Blythe Eagles went to Loughborough, England, on behalf of the Society to locate and clean up the site of Robert Burnaby's grave. Reginald was also on the committee that acquired the property and organised the establishment of the Burnaby Village Museum.
Betty developed Robert Burnaby's family tree for the Historical Society and in the process made many contacts with prominent citizens of the Loughborough area, including the executive controller of the area, who introduced the Millways to the Mayor and Council. This formed the groundwork for a close relationship which Mayor Bill Lewarne formerly developed as a SisterCity relationship in 1985.
The Millways were longstanding members of the Burnaby Beautification Committee and their garden was featured in Gardens West in the 1998 November/December issue.
Betty died on July 21, 2005. Reginald died on November 7, 2010.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Textual Record
- Sound Recording
- Creator
- Millway, Reginald E. "Reg"
- Millway, Betty
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- MSS157, PC 353
Less detail
Miscellaneous papers
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1870 (date of original) -1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of papers pertaining to Deer Lake's development, Burnaby's Heritage Week celebrations and potential heritage buildings. Also included in the file are Real Estate pamphlets, information on Banff Alberta as well as photocopies of early newspaper articles.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1870 (date of original) -1991
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Historical Society fonds
- Series
- Community Archives Collection series
- Subseries
- Evelyn Salisbury subseries
- Physical Description
- 1 file of textual records
- Description Level
- File
- Record No.
- MSS061-036
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Accession Number
- BHS1991-24
- Scope and Content
- File consists of papers pertaining to Deer Lake's development, Burnaby's Heritage Week celebrations and potential heritage buildings. Also included in the file are Real Estate pamphlets, information on Banff Alberta as well as photocopies of early newspaper articles.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Notes
- Title based on contents of file
Less detail
Mortgage (Burgess, R. J.)
Mortgage (McKee, Hamilton J.) for Lots 13 and 14, DL 15
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1909-1917
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- File contains mortgage agreement made between the Corporation of the District of Burnaby and Hamilton McKee for Lots 13 and 14, DL 15. File also includes insurance policies and correspondence related to this transaction.
Mortgage (Rand, Town, and Weart) - Partial discharge
Mortgage (Rumble, George)
Mortgage (Sinclair, John)
Mortgages (Landen, Eli and Buskins, J.H.)
Mortgage (Taylor, Alfred E.)
Mortgage (Traill, Robert/Goodfellow, William)
Nichols Chemical Company fonds
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1906-1962
- Collection/Fonds
- Nichols Chemical Company fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 9 technical drawings
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of technical drawings of the Nichols Chemcial Company plant and machinery.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Nichols Chemical Company fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 9 technical drawings
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of technical drawings of the Nichols Chemcial Company plant and machinery.
- History
- In 1905 the Nichols Chemical Company, acid manufacturers based in Montreal, established their chemical plant on on a tract of land along Burrard Inlet, just east of the North Pacific Lumber Company. This company was later amalgamated and acquired by General Chemical and remains in operation on the original waterfront site. Many of workers at the Nichols Chemical Plant lived in bunkhouses in the community of Barnet including Japanese Canadian families who were employed there. Many of these families were laid off and forcibily removed during the internment of the Japanese in British Columbia during World War II.
- Creator
- Nichols Chemical Company Limited
- Accession Code
- BV998.23
- Date
- 1906-1962
- Media Type
- Technical Drawing
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Less detail
Norah Code collection
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1904] - 1994
- Collection/Fonds
- Norah Code collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (1 b&w , 7.5 x 7.5 cm ; 2 b&w ; 11 x 8.5 cm)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of photographs of Tom Irvine taken and collected by Norah Code during the course of her work for the newspaper. The images were taken in 1958 at the opening of the Burnaby Centennial Pavillion, Burnaby's B.C. Centennial Project.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [1904] - 1994
- Collection/Fonds
- Norah Code collection
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs (1 b&w , 7.5 x 7.5 cm ; 2 b&w ; 11 x 8.5 cm)
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2010-09
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of photographs of Tom Irvine taken and collected by Norah Code during the course of her work for the newspaper. The images were taken in 1958 at the opening of the Burnaby Centennial Pavillion, Burnaby's B.C. Centennial Project.
- History
- Norah Code was the editor-publisher of the "Burnaby Courier" newspaper at the time these images were taken.
- Media Type
- Photograph
- Notes
- Title based on contents of collection.
Less detail
North Road crossing
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1903-1915
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record and cartographic material
- Scope and Content
- File contains minutes from the Board of Railway Commissioners for Canada meetings, correspondence, and copies of the Board of Railway Commissioners Railway Act, 1903 regarding a bridge and crossing over the Brunette River. File also includes white linen plans of proposed bridge and crossing.
North Road widening
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1905
- Collection/Fonds
- City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- Textual record
- Scope and Content
- File contains list of subscriptions for repair of North Road (names of people/companies pledging money towards the repair costs). Also included are correspondence and cost estimates related to this project.