Life Story

The Harris/Lancaster family has had ties to Vancouver for 6 generations, beginning with Joseph Henry Harris. Joseph was born in London, England, and married Elizabeth [surname unknown], also from England. Joseph died at age 58 in 1908; Elizabeth died ten years later, at age 64 in 1918.

Their daughter Rose Harris, born in Australia in 1887, married Isidor Lancaster in Vancouver and lived to the ripe old age of 97. Rose and Isidor’s son Gerald worked for The Vancouver Province for many years. He is buried at the Beth Israel cemetery. Gerald and his wife Claire had a daughter Isabelle Diamond who is a prominent member of our community. Isabelle Diamond, now a grandmother, is one of the few people who can celebrate six generations of Vancouver Jewish life.