14

Van Soelen family
1951
Bloomfield, Ontario

15

Wynand Van Solen also remembers his mother having a hard time adjusting to Canada.

The Van Soelen family in the centre of this picture stand out as recent immigrants. Their oldest son is still wearing pofbroeken, pants that were fashionable in the Netherlands, but were not worn here. Those who came as older children or young adults remember the relief they felt when they got "Canadian" clothes, so they did not stand out in school.

16

Postcards from home
1956
Emmeloord, The Netherlands

17

Dini and Dirk Kamink received postcards with pictures from home.

18

letters from home
2006
The Netherlands

19

Dini Terpstra (Kamink) recalled the letters the family received as "A lifeline from home."

Paul Van Vliet's parents wrote every week and Johanna deVries (Tolkamp) wrote every night for the first 6 months. Allan deVries on the other hand started one letter, promised to a teacher, and his parents had to finish it.

In our world of email and discount long distance calling plans it is hard to appreciate how disconnected from family and friends these immigrants felt.

20

Johanna on letters home
31 January 2006
Trenton, Ontario

21

J. Westervelt on exploitative sponsor
2005
Prince Edward County, Ontario

22

Some farmers took advantage of the Dutch families and did not live up to their commitments. As Johanna Westervelt explained their sponsor "was not a very good one." After 7 months, with winter coming on, he tried to cut their pay. They were fortunate in finding other employment.

23

J. Westervelt on move to P.E. County
1 October 2006
Prince Edward County, Ontario

24

However, this was in an area where there were no other Dutch families. After a year, feeling isolated and lonely, they moved to Prince Edward County, where they already knew some people. They found work but could not start for a month. By that time their money was gone, and it was a relief to have income again, especially since they had a 6 months old child.

25

Bakkers on housing, no winter work
2005
Prince Edward County, Ontario

26

The Bakkers were also left without means of support during their first winter. Abe went to Northern Ontario to work in a lumber camp.

27

Andrea on Dad going to work
24 August 2006
Milford, Prince Edward County,Ontario