A family name in Vancouver's city directories
The Siens
In the city directories 1940 · two people at two addresses
The directories print two people named Sien at two addresses in 1940 in Kitsilano. No first name or initials tie one address to the other: we can't tell if they're one family.
Reserve this family's book, freeThe name in every directory we hold from 1901 to 1945, at every address, each line with its page, to read here or save as a PDF. About $29 when orders open.
Where the Siens lived
- 1
1953 West 1st Avenue
Kitsilano, 1940
- Mrs J Sien, a widow 1940
Next door in 1940: ainsdale apts at 1945. The block, door by door
- 2
2593 West Broadway
Kitsilano, 1940
- Mrs J Sien, in used magazines 1940
Next door in 1940: Mrs S Tonegawa at 2587 and W G Barringer at 2599. The block, door by door
What they did
The name section prints a trade for one of the two: a used magazines. One is a widow, listed under her own name.
Their neighbourhoods
The addresses are in Kitsilano (2). Each neighbourhood's page shows its trades, its people and every street in it, the way the directory printed them.
The story, address by address
In 1940 the directory lists Mrs J Sien at 1953 West 1st Avenue. The 1940 name section, where each person's work is printed, lists Jane Sien there as the householder, a widow. In 1940 the directory lists Mrs J Sien at 2593 West Broadway. The 1940 name section lists Mrs Joan Sien there, in used magazines.
Today
1953 West 1st still has its building from before 1946, dated 1912 by the City's record; the City no longer lists 2593 West Broadway, so that building is probably gone (inferred).
Every line as printed
All 4 lines printed under the name through 1945, each with its page at the Vancouver Public Library.
- Sien Mrs J1953 West 1st, p. 173
- Sien Jane wid —1953 West 1st, p. 560
- Sien Mrs J used mag2593 West Broadway, p. 18
- Sien Mrs Joan used magazines2593 West Broadway, p. 560
British Columbia and Yukon Directory, street section
The book of the Siens
Every directory, as one book
The family book reads the Sien name in each Vancouver directory we hold from 1901 to 1945: everyone printed under it at every address, their work from the name sections, who lived next door, and the page behind every line, to read here or save as a PDF to print or give.
We're opening orders soon. Join the list to be first in line; we expect about $29 a family.
Another name, or a house
Sources
Henderson's and successor city directories for Vancouver, read by us line by line: the street sections for 1905, 1915, 1925, 1935, 1940 and 1945, and the name section for 1930 and 1940 where we've read it (Vancouver Public Library, BC City Directories). Names are shown through 1945, as printed. Close spellings are grouped, as on the house pages, since a family's name was often spelled differently from one year to the next; one name can still be several families, and we join lines only where the first names or initials agree. Many Chinese, Japanese and other residents weren't named by the canvassers, so they can't be listed by name: their houses' pages say where. More family names under S. Want a name removed? Tell us.