Harada Family Records

Photo caption: Alver-Mae being pushed on the ways, ca. 1950s, City of Richmond Archives photograph #2023 13 5 67.

The Harada family’s story is one that is shared by many Japanese Canadians who have lived in Richmond, both before and after internment. The family has deep roots in Richmond dating back to 1908 when Eikichi Harada emigrated from Japan.

In 2023, Eikichi’s granddaughter Jeanne Ryan (née Harada) donated her family’s records to the City of Richmond Archives. The 2,000 photographs from thirteen albums, dating from approximately 1900 to 1977, depict several generations of the Harada and Kamitakahara families and their extended relatives and friends as they move and travel between Japan and the Pacific Coast of B.C., including when they were forcibly interned in the interior of B.C. and displaced to southern Alberta. The albums feature themes of growing up, gatherings, weddings, celebrations, and new family members.

The City of Richmond Archives is pleased to present this exhibit curated by Anouska Kirby and Jeanne Ryan (née Harada) featuring photographs from the Harada family photograph albums.

In 2024, Anouska Kirby was hired as an Archives Intern. Anouska’s work involved meticulously describing each of the 2,000 images according to archival descriptive standards, conducting genealogical research and consulting with family members and friends to identify people, places, and events.

Her work involved building a family tree, referencing archival and community resources, and navigating descriptive challenges such as caption discrepancies and naming conventions.

For this exhibit, Anouska and Jeanne have carefully selected 14 photographs and grouped them into four general categories:

1. Early 1900s Japanese Canadian Fishing Community;
2. Forced Displacement;
3. Rebuilding Community; and
4. New Beginnings.

These family photos are incredibly significant. Through documenting multiple generations of the Harada extended family, as well as friends and workmates, these photographic records pay tribute to the strength and resilience of the Japanese Canadian community.

Harada family in living room, [between 1950 and 1970]. Photograph depicts members of the Harada family in their Pacific Coast Cannery home, wearing kimonos. At the back (left to right) is: Eikichi Harada, Alfie Kamitakahara, and Yutaka Harada. At the front (left to right) is Linda Harada, Tamae Harada, Akiko Harada, and Jeanne Harada. City of Richmond Archives photograph #2023 13 1 153.

The exhibit photographs have also been framed and are currently on display, along with some artefacts, in the vestibule entrance at the City of Richmond Archives in the Cultural Centre at 7700 Minoru Gate. Visit Richmond Cultural Centre and holiday hours for hours of operation.

Photo caption: Fishing boats in the ocean, ca. 1951. City of Richmond Archives photograph #2023 13 6 23.

Credits

Curated by Anouska Kirby and Jeanne Ryan (née Harada).
Photograph digitization by Bev Boyd.

The work of processing the Harada family photographs was made possible with gratitude to the late Geraldine (Dody) Wray and family. Dody was a long‐time member and director on the board of the Friends of the Richmond Archives (FOTRA). Her generous bequest to FOTRA, along with a Young Canada Works Building Careers in Heritage grant, made possible the ability to have the Harada family photographs described.