In 1930, on the 15th day of August, my grandfather arrived in Canada on the Duchess Of Bedford:
He was 23 years old and alone. He had $10 in his pocket.
I had the extreme pleasure of discovering all this while in Halifax this past weekend when we visited the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.
I also got to see the original record of his arrival, complete with his signature and declaration. He had entered "$20" originally and then crossed it out and re-entered "$10". That is all he had.
I never met this man as he passed away when my ma was just a teenager.
The records showed his destination: Lion's Head, ON. This is where he met my grandmother and fathered three children; one being my mother.
My mom moved back up north after retiring in 2000.
I had these records mailed to me and am awaiting their arrival, at which point my super-artsy bf will help me to frame the record and the boat image as a gift for my marmie.
My. Mother. Will. Most. Definitely. Cry.
and then so will I.
I can't WAIT to surprise her.
