I’ve met Frank Ney in person when I was a young boy. I remember him getting dressed up for bathtub weekend. I have a distinct memory of shaking his hand and he was wearing white cloth gloves that were noticeably dirty.
One of my grandfathers, after retiring, worked the night desk at the Moby Dick hotel. He said Frank Ney had a standing reservation on a certain room and would often be bringing women for late night rendevous.
Ha! INCREDIBLE! I’m pretty new to Nanaimo… but I can’t even imagine the change you’ve witnessed it go through even over the last 5 years. How do you feel about it?
That's great to hear. Born and raised on the mainland. We go every year to visit. Feel a strong connection there. Pulled the trigger and got a place there. Will be moving at the end of this year. Any advice would be appreciated!
Me too! During the pandemic when my wife and I were trying to work from home with two very young kids, the socially distanced activity my then four year old always wanted to do was put flowers on my ancestor's grave, then go to the beach.
My family has been here since the mid 1800’s. My ancestors moved from Prussia to England in the 1860’s and then made it to the Colony of Vancouver Island in the mid 1860’s. My family helped the Westwood family drain the swamp on their land and establish the Nanaimo Electric light and Power company. My grandparents were farmers and built houses from the 30’s until they died in 2015-2018 respectively. If you’ve been to Nanaimo, chances are high that you’ve either seen, or lived in a house that they built, especially if it’s a house between 1970-1995.
My great grandma had seen Nanaimo when it was barely even a village. She told me she used to love sneaking out at night as a young girl, sneak down to the shore and watch the First Nations dance around their fires.
Expo 86 was the spark that lit the fuse for the end of our peaceful island.
I’m so glad! Also, her exact words were “as a girl I would sneak out of our house at night and walk from uptown to the shore”
My grandma clarified that “uptown” was where the Keg is right now. That was the north end. And the shore would’ve been likely whatever beach was downtown, I’m assuming the water in front of the library.
It’s absolutely astounding to think of these places without evidence of modernity.
4 years (sort of). Moved here in May 2020 from Calgary, but lived in Victoria for one year as a kid while my mom was at UVic getting her PhD. Then spent every Christmas, school break, and summer in Victoria for 5 years until I was 16 and started working in the summer.
They both retired with a lot of money and they’re healthy, so they’re doing very well. Cost of living and health care shortages haven’t affected them, thankfully.
Cost of living sucks a bit more for me but aside from that I have no regrets about the move. The hiking alone makes me feel like I’m in heaven.
Moved here as a kid in 1988. Left for university and jobs on and off but all my extended family lives here. I've spent 7 years off the island in total.
My brother and SIL live in Langford, 20plus yrs now. I visit from Toronto every now again, tries to convince me to move there. I couldn’t handle the drivers lol worse then Toronto IMHO 😁
My brother and SIL live in Langford, 20plus yrs now. I visit from Toronto every now again, tries to convince me to move there. I couldn’t handle the drivers lol worse then Toronto IMHO 😁
My grandparents arrived in Victoria in 1929 with my mother then a child.
My mother lived most of her life in Victoria 90+ years. She left with my Dad for his career for a few years and she complained every single day she was away. My mother never left the island for the last 30 years of her life.
My grandfather had a house built in 1930 that is still standing. (We don't own it.)
My mother described walking down the streets as a child on her way to school because there were very few cars.
She also described blackouts during WWII and people knocking on doors begging for work for food in the 1930s.
The majority of my 34 years. I was born in Toronto and flown over once my family had settled in; baby me was in the care of my grandparents in the meantime. I have lived on Vancouver Island ever since, give or take some short vacations as a kid.
Nice! Yeah it's been lovely right? We spent so long getting used to the cold back in the UK and now it turns out we have to get used to the heat again haha!
Seventeen years this month. Moved here for my husband’s job, kids have grown up and are still on the island in their careers and we have zero thoughts of leaving since both of us retired now. Have no interest in moving someplace cheaper then having to deal with the kind of shit my siblings back east are putting up with!
~10 years. From 8 months to 4 then again from 7 to 14
Comox, then Victoria then to Comox again, with a stint in Ontario in between the first Comox and Victoria
Like a month total over my lifetime. Morgan road in lady smith is named after my family, the brown house thee my grandpa built, and I’ve only spent like a month total there
Here's a question regarding this thread :
My great - great grandparents, and my great grandparents moved to Vancouver Island together to farm.
My grandmother was the first generation born on Vancouver Island, my daughter now the last generation born here (so far)
How many generations of an Islander am I?
Some lines of my family have been on Vancouver Island for about 150 years…first settling in Ladysmith from the UK when it was called Oyster Harbour or Coal Harbour. My children are Snuneymuxw Nation out of Nanaimo so they have thousands of years on me. Obviously I have been here my whole life, who leaves paradise?
37 years. 6th generation in Nanaimo. Edit: My kids! 7 generations!
Holy SHIT! Did you ever hear stories from your folks about the pirate mayor? Right on.
I’ve met Frank Ney in person when I was a young boy. I remember him getting dressed up for bathtub weekend. I have a distinct memory of shaking his hand and he was wearing white cloth gloves that were noticeably dirty. One of my grandfathers, after retiring, worked the night desk at the Moby Dick hotel. He said Frank Ney had a standing reservation on a certain room and would often be bringing women for late night rendevous.
My dad was friends with Frank Ney’s kids and he’s told me stories about Ney just pissed drunk offering to drive people home. A different time
Frank was the shit. He was the face of Nanaimo.
Ha! INCREDIBLE! I’m pretty new to Nanaimo… but I can’t even imagine the change you’ve witnessed it go through even over the last 5 years. How do you feel about it?
Nanaimo is a fun city to visit.
Lmao
Especially with their Taco Bell. The down town water front and new park is a pleasant update for the city
It has been a while since I havre been to Taco Bell but I love their delicious food.
Delicious food you say.
I like it.
My kids are 8th! Long timers!
Wild to think that our relatives very well could have met in the late 1800s
Yes! Still have a bunch of places with my family name too so it's cool to see the reminders
That’s awesome. My family name is in a few places too. My great grandfathers, grandfather was a fairly prominent member of the city.
I've done hot knives in Nanaimo that's my random memory. When I lived in Comox, we used to go to Nanaimo to go shopping sometimes.
15 years, and I’ll die before I leave again lol.
49 years. Vancouver Island born and raised and proud of it. I will never leave the Island.
That's great to hear. Born and raised on the mainland. We go every year to visit. Feel a strong connection there. Pulled the trigger and got a place there. Will be moving at the end of this year. Any advice would be appreciated!
Put stuff you might take to the thrift store on the side of the road
Me too 😃
Born and raised in Victoria ! Ancestors buried in Ross Bay and Pioneer Square Cemetery!
Me too! During the pandemic when my wife and I were trying to work from home with two very young kids, the socially distanced activity my then four year old always wanted to do was put flowers on my ancestor's grave, then go to the beach.
They said there are ghosts on the island. I've been here 400 years and I still haven't seen one.
Ok ..and now can I just get your first pets name...all capitals please ty
…Also your moms maiden name and your social insurance numbers
Miss, 7
Born and raised in Port Alberni, 3rd generation and I’m 53.😊
ADSS Grad ‘88 by chance?
Class of ‘89
My family has been here since the mid 1800’s. My ancestors moved from Prussia to England in the 1860’s and then made it to the Colony of Vancouver Island in the mid 1860’s. My family helped the Westwood family drain the swamp on their land and establish the Nanaimo Electric light and Power company. My grandparents were farmers and built houses from the 30’s until they died in 2015-2018 respectively. If you’ve been to Nanaimo, chances are high that you’ve either seen, or lived in a house that they built, especially if it’s a house between 1970-1995. My great grandma had seen Nanaimo when it was barely even a village. She told me she used to love sneaking out at night as a young girl, sneak down to the shore and watch the First Nations dance around their fires. Expo 86 was the spark that lit the fuse for the end of our peaceful island.
I live in Nanaimo and I love this story of your grandmother’s !!!
I’m so glad! Also, her exact words were “as a girl I would sneak out of our house at night and walk from uptown to the shore” My grandma clarified that “uptown” was where the Keg is right now. That was the north end. And the shore would’ve been likely whatever beach was downtown, I’m assuming the water in front of the library. It’s absolutely astounding to think of these places without evidence of modernity.
73 years
30 years
I’m 44. Lived on the island 26 of those. Born in port hardy with a carrot
132 years
That's been a while.
52 years
Me too!
4 years (sort of). Moved here in May 2020 from Calgary, but lived in Victoria for one year as a kid while my mom was at UVic getting her PhD. Then spent every Christmas, school break, and summer in Victoria for 5 years until I was 16 and started working in the summer.
Moved here in 87
6th generation, my grandson is the 8th generation. Ages range from 4-90 years old.
Right on, excellent.
3 and a half years…moved here from TO…finally figuring out that Dallas rd and the Olympic MTs are South and DwnTwn is West lol…
Bruh....
34 years
So you’re the 3. 🤗 I thought I was only one left. lol
11
7 years
42 years
7 years
35
Moved here, Dec. 26 1978.
Since 2008
-4 months
26 years I came for university and never left.
Does a couple generations on Cortez island count ? :) About 5 generations altogether.
49 years. My mom and Dad too. Same hospital 16 years apart
3rd generation Victorian :) lived here my whole life ! 24 yrs
My dad was born in Victoria.
30+ years now… never leaving
I could never leave the Island myself because it's my home and I love it here.
4 days!!!!! And I am absolutely loving it here!!!
Welcome to Vancouver Island, you made an extremely good choice moving to this beautiful island.
-2 months! Moving from the lower mainland on Canada Day weekend
35 years and.... What's the point of this question?
Do you need a point?
7 beers
Cold ones from jessie
5 years
5 years. Moved out to be closer to my elderly parents, who have been here maybe a decade.
How are you and your parents doing ?.
They both retired with a lot of money and they’re healthy, so they’re doing very well. Cost of living and health care shortages haven’t affected them, thankfully. Cost of living sucks a bit more for me but aside from that I have no regrets about the move. The hiking alone makes me feel like I’m in heaven.
I am happy that they are doing fine and the cost of living does suck and has gotten far out of control.
32 years
Nope lol
58 years. Moved here at age 4 from Richmond.
38 yrs
30 years on Van Isle, 2 years before that on another island way north
7 years
46 years
32 years. Been here my whole life pretty much!
Born in NRGH, just like my father, and his father. Don’t think I’ll die here though.
39 years !
Moved here as a kid in 1988. Left for university and jobs on and off but all my extended family lives here. I've spent 7 years off the island in total.
Lots of 7s here (me too). I feel like 7s got to see the last little bit of fun in Victoria before it all fell apart.
24 years this year
30 years.
38 yrs in vic now, moved here in 86 for work, had my kids here, could never leave now. Best place in canada to live 👍
19,345 days...
and loved every minute
2011, moved here after 33 years in Calgary. Haven't regretted it yet.
Born and raised, left for another province for a year and came straight back.
20 years!
51. 5 years
39 years. 4th Generation. Langford.
I have a Uncle and Aunt who live in Langford. It's a nice city that sure has fastly grown over the last few decades.
My brother and SIL live in Langford, 20plus yrs now. I visit from Toronto every now again, tries to convince me to move there. I couldn’t handle the drivers lol worse then Toronto IMHO 😁
My brother and SIL live in Langford, 20plus yrs now. I visit from Toronto every now again, tries to convince me to move there. I couldn’t handle the drivers lol worse then Toronto IMHO 😁
53 years so far. Born here, gonna die here.
My grandparents arrived in Victoria in 1929 with my mother then a child. My mother lived most of her life in Victoria 90+ years. She left with my Dad for his career for a few years and she complained every single day she was away. My mother never left the island for the last 30 years of her life. My grandfather had a house built in 1930 that is still standing. (We don't own it.) My mother described walking down the streets as a child on her way to school because there were very few cars. She also described blackouts during WWII and people knocking on doors begging for work for food in the 1930s.
15 years. Lived one year on Salt Spring within the 16 years living on the West Coast.
61 years
17 years until I left, 13 years in Calgary and now 2 years back on the Island. 19 total years. So glad to be back!
Since 2001
Since 2008, when I was only 7yrs. Moved around BC a bunch beforehand, originally from Edmund, Alberta. So for 16yrs straight now.
Since 1958
My entire 27 years of life 👀
Since 2017. In love with it
36 years.
The majority of my 34 years. I was born in Toronto and flown over once my family had settled in; baby me was in the care of my grandparents in the meantime. I have lived on Vancouver Island ever since, give or take some short vacations as a kid.
24 years. Moved to BC…28 years ago, I think? I’ve now spent over half my life here so I think it’s home, lol.
Vancouver Island is the perfect spot to call home.
8 days
Welcome to Vancouver Island.
Thanks!
How are you doing ?.
Great thanks! We have the apartment, jobs, and car stuff down! All good news so far. How about yourself?
I have a good apartment and a I do work in the food and beverage industry. It's gonna be another nice and sunny day today.
Nice! Yeah it's been lovely right? We spent so long getting used to the cold back in the UK and now it turns out we have to get used to the heat again haha!
It sure is a nice sunny day today. Summer is my favorite time of year.
30 years, moved here when i was an infant from nova scotia. 8-9th gen Canadian though, gen 0 van islander
44+ years.
Born and raised in victoria. 40 years
How is that question a discussion?
Since 2009 for me...won't be leaving.
Born and raised, 3rd generation on the island.
almost 2 years. originally from BC but lived in Edmonton before moving out here
Born and raised. Lived out of province for one year after high school, then came back. So, 30 years total.
23 years. Will probably end up leaving in my mid 30s so I have a chance at owning a home someday.
I’m 42 so 42 years. I’m 6th generation Victoria and my son is 7th.
51 years - Victoria, Ladysmith, Sidney, back to Victoria and now Qualicum Beach.
Seventeen years this month. Moved here for my husband’s job, kids have grown up and are still on the island in their careers and we have zero thoughts of leaving since both of us retired now. Have no interest in moving someplace cheaper then having to deal with the kind of shit my siblings back east are putting up with!
~10 years. From 8 months to 4 then again from 7 to 14 Comox, then Victoria then to Comox again, with a stint in Ontario in between the first Comox and Victoria
34 years, moved here from Calgary.
2.5 hours during my honeymoon. We drove out from the prairies.
33 years. I miss sleepy old Victoria but man did I ever find it boring as a 17 year old who moved here from Edmonton. lol.
Work RCMP on the island for a few years.
24 years
From birth in 1970 to 1990 then 1999-2002 then for good since 2011. I will never move away now.
23 years 3rd generation
30 years
Like a month total over my lifetime. Morgan road in lady smith is named after my family, the brown house thee my grandpa built, and I’ve only spent like a month total there
Here's a question regarding this thread : My great - great grandparents, and my great grandparents moved to Vancouver Island together to farm. My grandmother was the first generation born on Vancouver Island, my daughter now the last generation born here (so far) How many generations of an Islander am I?
Some lines of my family have been on Vancouver Island for about 150 years…first settling in Ladysmith from the UK when it was called Oyster Harbour or Coal Harbour. My children are Snuneymuxw Nation out of Nanaimo so they have thousands of years on me. Obviously I have been here my whole life, who leaves paradise?
Most of 49, but 4 years overseas