RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-02 & 03 SUMMARY: Allan Toop discusses his life as a dairy farmer in the Fraser Valley. The interview begins on the first tape after five minutes of sound effects, including the sounds of mechanized milking equipment. Excerpts from this interview were used in Marcuse's radio documentary "Vanishing Famers", broadcast on CBC Radio's "Three's Company".

CALL NUMBER: T0451:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-02-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Bert Williams recounts his father's arrival in Ontario, and the family's later move to Langley to homestead in 1889. He relates early incidents; other families; the trip to Langley; early homesteaders; remittance men; building their first home; Bovel's Mill; cougar stories; life on the homestead; the family's garden; livestock; the Salmon River. TRACK 2: Bert Williams continues, discussing grouse hunting; clearing land; an anecdotes about life on the homestead; his mother's life on the farm; preachers; entertainment; boyhood antics; bear stories; a description of Fort Langley in 1895.

CALL NUMBER: T0451:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-02-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Williams talks about the Telegraph Trail and roads in the area; names of roads; the township system; the Salmon River Bridge; peddlers; entertainment; different types of transportation, carts and buggies; local incidents. TRACK 2: Mr. Williams continues with his discussion about farm incidents; horses and teams; the Langley Country Fair; summer picnics; Blackie's Spit; winters and changing weather conditions; effects of a 1911 or 1912 Alaskan volcanic eruption and earthquake; fencing; the New Westminster Market; ferry at Brownsville; the railroad bridge; work on the telephone line.

CALL NUMBER: T0451:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-02 or 1963-03-20-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Williams continues with recollections about peddlers; Christmastime; social occasions; bear incidents. TRACK 2: Mr. Williams talks about farming and milk production; local feuds; anecdotes about pioneer life; Jim Melrose; hog killing; church; the Seeley brothers; prosperity in the 1910s; drilling for artesian wells.

Footage. 12 reels of film (varying in length from 20 to 100 feet) showing different locations. Vancouver Airport, where crowd greets a Lancastrian aircraft [133, 102A]; English Bay sailing [102A]; Whytecliff Lodge (Horseshoe Bay) seaside resort activities [108]; Alpine Inn at Christina Lake [18]; Jones Lake fishing and mountaineering [209]; Cherry Creek cattle round-up [94]; Merritt sawmills, businesses and nearby coalmine "Middlebora" [45]; Harrison Lake Sasquatch celebration [120A]; haying at The Willows farm (Fraser Valley?) [58]; Coldstream Ranch (?) dairy cattle [14C]; Okanagan Lake sternwheeler "Sicamous" at Penticton and shots of Incola Hotel (pre-1935), and Westbank-to-Kelowna car ferry [175]; Herbert Arm (?) government dock and nearby mountaineering, wild flowers, and a semi-abandoned mine [103A-B).

Footage. A film showing tourism and commerce in three areas: the Cariboo region around 100 Mile House, Vancouver, and the upper Fraser Valley. Cariboo region subjects include fishing, motoring, horseback riding, boating, hiking, pioneer buildings, a covered wagon, and ranching. In Vancouver the focus is shipping. Upper Fraser Valley subjects include Chilliwack businesses and residences, agriculture, outdoor recreation, Hope area campgrounds, Fort Hope Lodge, hiking, boating, and horseback riding. Visitors cross the Fraser River in a canoe to see a waterfall.

This series contains official correspondence, reports, and related papers of Premier John H. Turner. Records include correspondence pertaining to provincial railway charters (1893-1897), agriculture, and mining; also includes B.C. Agent-General's Report (1895), applications for employment, and miscellaneous letters.

Papers in this series are those of the Honourable John Herbert Turner (1833-1923), premier of British Columbia from 4 March 1895 to 8 August 1898. Since Turner's administration was characterized by rapid industrial development (notably in railways, mining, and agriculture), and by no little political controversy, his official papers are especially valuable.

Most of the reports and correspondence in GR-1197 originated while Turner was the province's chief minister and, as such, they have been included in the archive's collection of Premier's Papers. As will be seen, though, some of the papers pertain to Turner's tenure as Minister of Finance and Agriculture, a portfolio he held from 1887 to 1898.

GR-1197 may be regarded as a supplement to GR-0441 (British Columbia - Premier: 1883-1933), Series II, volumes 2-13, which also contains official correspondence of Premier Turner. Researchers may find that Volume 354 of GR-0441 (Index to Official Correspondence, 1895-1897) will assist them in locating other related records.

The series consists of the records of the Sumas Drainage, Dyking and Development District created between 1916 and 1975. The records conain general files, orders-in-council, financial statements, engineering reports, assessments, purchase agreements, minutes, history. In addition there are 73 photographs and maps.

Footage. Mainly shows commercial and tourist activities in the middle and upper Fraser Valley. Shots include: a small freighter on the Fraser River; Brackman-Ker Milling Company (New Westminster); aerial view of an urban area; Johnston Bros. & Byrnell Freight Lines (Chilliwack); "Valley Celery" packing plant; Harrison Lake tourists and resorts; lake barges; a residential street; dairy cattle; berry picking and packing (Hatzic, B.C.); a railway platform; and the Bungalow Garage and Cafe in Matsqui.

RECORDED: Matsqui (B.C.), 1981-08 SUMMARY: Mrs. Dempster was born on a Vancouver farm, and attended school in Vancouver and Victoria. She took an degree in agriculture at Guelph. After marrying in Vancouver, she and her husband moved to a farm in Matsqui. She tells of the ups and downs of farm life.

CALL NUMBER: T1657:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-05-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Weaver recounts his parents' arrival in Vancouver from Cheshire; England in 1887; his grandfather [Woodward] was already living in BC; his family later moved to Delta in 1894. He discuss;es early life on the family farm; schooling; game; draining and preparation of the land; mud shoes for the horses; ploughing; soil conditions; drinking water; crops; Brackman and Ker; transportation; ;roads; schooling; other settlers; the McKee family; farm produce; West Delta settlement; flooding and dyking. TRACK 2 Mr. Weaver continues his discussion about the dredging operation; the Oliver Slough; the Great Northern Railway; Old Man Morgan; recollections of John Oliver; fish trapping; picnics at Blackie's Spit; Frank Burns; early settlers; Old Man Morgan; John Woodward; logging in the area.

CALL NUMBER: T1657:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-05-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Weaver talks about the roads in the area; weather conditions; mosquitoes; Butler's Corner; Tom Ladner's property; threshing work; [pause]; local incidents. [TRACK 2: blank.]

This series consists of indexes to records relating to dyking and drainage held by the Inspector Office, Surrey, B.C. Records include subject file lists of correspondence regarding dyking districts and general administration, 1871-1881; index of maps, plans, topographical maps, etc. regarding dykes and dyking rights-of-way; index of engineers' drawings, Fraser Valley Dyking Board. These file lists and indexes were created between 1974 and 1981, but they make reference to records dating from 1871 to 1981.

Correspondence, general files and accounts files relating to dyking and drainage districts, improvement districts, flood control and agricultural development in the Fraser Valley, 1917-1974. Minute books of dyking districts; Pitt Meadows, 1895; Nicomen, 1912-1930; South Westminster Dyking District, 1920, 1923, 1928.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-03-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Brannick recounts the arrival of his father [Joseph Brannick] in 1882 in East Chilliwack; homesteading in the area; drainage; land clearing; trails; roads; wildlife; farming; dairy cattle; butter shipments; transportation; their log house; a description of East Chilliwack land conditions; flood of 1894; mills at Elk Creek and Popkum; horse trading; farm produce; Chinese labour; horses; crops; farm life. TRACK 2: Mr. Brannick talks about his schooling; dredges; BC Electric improving transportation; Chilliwack Creamery; Fraser Valley Milk Producers in 1913; Captain Sam Gardiner; the Jack Parker family; the Ford family; early settlers; young people's social life; churches.

CALL NUMBER: T0760:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-03-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Peter Lagace recounts his father's journey across Canada working for the CPR from Alberta; his arrival in Mission, then later Hatzic. He talks about Captain Thompson; the homestead; farm li;fe; food; crops; clearing land; other settlers; the French-Canadian and Italian communities; Durier; Hatzic Prairie; the post office; Barkers Landing; John Barker; river transportation. TRACK 2: Mr. Lagace recalls trips to New Westminster; trails; logging camps; Stave Lake; dances; local incidents; cougars; Billy Martin; Regis Hudon; life on the homestead; making clothing and shoes.;

CALL NUMBER: T0760:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-03-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Lagace continues with his recollections about growing up on the homestead; making shoes; constructing furniture; clothing; childhood stories; fishing; local characters; "Little Blue"; Ra;lph Corrie; Bergimace; Father Fouquet; George Rouleau; and Father Maissoneuve. TRACK 2: Mr. Lagace talks about his first job with a survey party; cattle ranching; Brewster Transport Company; Peter Bain's sawmill; Boucher's sawmill; schooling; Christmas and holiday celebrations.

This series contains records of emergency aid and damage assistance pertaining to the Fraser River flood of May 1948, pursuant to the Flood Relief Act, 1948. The records consist of subject correspondence files, correspondence with local rehabilitation committees, appraisals of property damage reviewed by the Authority, and accounts of damage to stock, feed, seed, and crops.

RECORDED: Aldergrove (B.C.), 1981-08 SUMMARY: Mr. Wilson was the son of a high ranking naval officer. At the age of 13, he failed the exam to qualify for officer training, so was sent to the Vancouver Salvation Army to prepare for employment as farm help. Rudy went to work at a farm in Dewdney, where he worked from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. He spent his life farming for himself and others in the Fraser Valley.

Tax assessment rolls for South Westminster, Sumas, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Matsqui, Chilliwack, Nicomen Island, and Nicomen Dyking Districts, 1898-1976; general expenditure journals, voucher records, receipts, and financial statements, 1917-1974.

Travelogue. The Fraser Valley from White Rock to Hope, via Vancouver and the Trans-Canada Highway. Includes footage of: King George VI Highway; White Rock; Peace Arch Park; Canada customs inspection; dairy, poultry and vegetable farming; brickmaking; Stave falls power plant; the Fraser Valley Union Library; Chilliwack Cherry Carnival Parade; Chilliwack Air Show; fishing on Vedder River; Harrison Lake resort; etc. Also shows use of an Avro Anson (registration CF-EKM) to transport live baby chicks by air, and use of a Republic Seabee seaplane to fly in to Chilliwack Lake for an afternoon's fishing.

The item is an answer print of a travelogue film from 1947-1948. It shows the Fraser Valley from White Rock to Hope, via Vancouver and the Trans-Canada Highway. The film includes footage of: King George VI Highway; White Rock; Peace Arch Park; Canada customs inspection; dairy, poultry and vegetable farming; brickmaking; Stave falls power plant; the Fraser Valley Union Library; Chilliwack Cherry Carnival Parade; Chilliwack Air Show; fishing on Vedder River; Harrison Lake resort; etc. Also shows use of an Avro Anson (registration CF-EKM) to transport live baby chicks by air, and use of a Republic Seabee seaplane to fly in to Chilliwack Lake for an afternoon's fishing.

SUMMARY: Documentary on the problems of famers facing urban encroachment in the Fraser Valley. The speakers include Michael V. Kournosoff, Alan Toop, Barney Pollock, Gary Runka, and Ray Aitken.;

CALL NUMBER: T0755:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-02-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bill McClughan relates some amusing early incidents from Langley; family history about his father, Samuel McClughan, who came from Ireland to Ontario, then Fort Langley in 1877; life of earl;y settlers; clearing land; the log cabin; homesteading; hunting; fishing; crops; fruit; steamboat travel. TRACK 2: Bill McClughan continues with recollections about steamboat travel; childhood memories; schooling; chores; driving oxen; clothing; churches and preachers; Reverend Bell; Reverend Dunn; peddlers and stores; description of Port Kells; Barnston Island; interesting characters.;

CALL NUMBER: T0755:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1963-02-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bill McClughan continues with stories about interesting characters; MacLartey; the Chinese labourer on the farm; the BC Electric Railway and surveying for the line; agricultural land and soil; conditions in Langley. [TRACK 2: blank.]