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When she attended elementary school there were 6 others of Dutch heritage, all from dairy farms. She was sent to the Belleville Christian High School, where 85% of the students had Dutch last names. Many of her peers married others of Dutch background, not because of explicit parental pressure, but through the social opportunities created by the Church based Young People's association and the Christian High School.Andrea has married twice and her current husband is not of Dutch ancestry. She therefore does not speak Dutch at home and her children know only a few words or phrases. They have been brought up eating many traditional Dutch dishes.
Andrea grew up hearing stories of Holland during the war and of her family's early experiences in Canada. She spoke more openly about their achievements and hardships than many first generation immigrants, who self edit for fear of appearing boastful or ungrateful. She considers her ability to understand Dutch a gift that she has been given and takes pride in her heritage.
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Johanna WesterveltJohanna Westervelt was from Aalten, Gelderland in eastern Holland. Both she and her husband had grown up on farms. When they became engaged they decided to come to Canada because they both wanted to farm and there were none available in the Netherlands. They came to Canada when Johanna was 25. When winter came the farmer who had sponsored them told them they would have to work for less money or leave. They were able to find work with another farmer in Norwood. They stayed with the second farmer for a year, but became very lonely because there were no other Dutch families in the area. Their first son was born in Norwood. They moved to Prince Edward County because they knew several Dutch families here. They found work with Clarence Hicks, but could not start right away, which was difficult financially. They sponsored John and Reta Heinen. After a year they worked on a farm for shares for a few years and then purchased their own farm. They raised 4 sons who all live nearby. Johanna has been back to the Netherlands 14 times.
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