Gill, Dharm Singh

Interview with Rajinder Singh Gill. Rajinder Singh speaks about his family's immigration history and their expereinces living in Canada.

Transcription and English transliteration of an interview with Rajinder Singh Gill. Rajinder Singh speaks about his family's immigration history and their expereinces living in Canada.

Narrative of Dharm Singh Gill, grandfather of Rajinder Singh Gill. Dharm Singh came to Canadain 1928 to meet his uncle Jeewan Singh. Dharm Singh was able to attain a legal status in Canada with the help of Dr. D. P. Pandia. He continued to reside in Canada while his family was in India. Not until 1954, was he able to return to meet his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. In 1959, Dharm Singh brought over his son Zora Singh who was later able to sponsor the rest of the family, including his son, Rajinder Singh. Rajinder Singh soon began working at a sawmill and the whole family was very active within the Gur Sikh Temple.

Photograph of Dharm Singh Gill. Gill is seen standing, wearing glasses, a blue turban, and a dark jacket. He is holding a kirpan in his hands. Behind him is a wood panel wall with a shelf holding flowers.

Group photograph of Muktiar Singh Gill, Gurdial Singh Gill, and Dharm Singh Gill taken in a studio setting. Two men are seen seated in wooden chairs and a young man is standing behind them in the center. All are dressed in formal suits. The photograph was taken by Yucho Chow in Vancouver, BC and is framed in a light grey-blue cardstock.

Group photograph taken in a studio setting. Dharm Singh Gill is seen seated at the far right of the photogaph. Three other unidentified men are also seen. One is seated next to Dharm Singh and the other two are standing behind them. The photograph is framed in an envelope with a handwritten Punjabi note written on the bottom that reads, "Happened in 1950? Dharm Singh Gill Dhudike (2 Muslim men)."

Group photograph of Gill family members. Dharm Singh Gill is seen standing on the far left. Jeewan Singh Gill is seen seated on a chair at the front. Jeewan Singh was a passenger on the Komagata Maru and was on the ship when it was forced to turn around.

Group photograph taken of Gill family members. There are six men standing in a row in front of some greenery. Indar Singh Gill is seen standing second from the left. Dharm Singh Gill is seen standing fourth from the left, and Naranjan Singh Gill is seen standing fifth from the left. The remaining three men are unidentified. All six men are seen wearing formal suits and some are smiling.