Hi Everybody;

Thanks mom and Birgie for sharing the trip to Canada. I guess I really have a selective memory or no memory, but I honestly can't recall anything as you can. I can nevertheless imagine it.

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say I am still checking this out. Preparations are becoming more serious for Sue's operation and departure for Florida. I'll likely come on my own on Sunday as Sue has only a few meetings left with her horse until she is in recovery.

Love

Ham

Wonderful Story

Thanks mom, I always love to hear your stories.

We had a great day in Burlington and met many nice people including a german girl named Helga who picked up lots of german cards. Turns out she's Ushi from Flensburg's daughter (step daughter). Very nice girl.

All wacked out time for bed soon.
Love Birgit

Great Stories

Thanks Mom and Birgie for taking the time to write all your rememberance down. I sure do appreciate it. I know you have talked about it before but reading it seems to help me visualize it better. What a journey that must have been for all of you!

Jenny has taken up an interest to go to Newfoundland... moreso even than Disney World....lol. She has learned in school that there are artifacts there that are evidence of the Vikings coming to North America. She could give you the information in more detail then I...lol. Now knowing that that is where you first saw land would also be of interest to her I'm sure. Maybe next year we will drive to the east coast.

Anyhow... I'm still sick with this cold. Hopefully soon it will pass. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Love
Angie

Our journey to Canada

Thank,s Birgit for the wonderful loving Story of our Boat journey to Canada.I had the same feeling like you,was scared on the wiggle stairs into the Ship and it was so slippery.You were only 5 years and cannot remember that Oma and Opa were aloud to go with us onto the ship,to see our Cabin.We left Ilse for the first time at home with friends.,because we had t o be the day before already in Bremerhaven.My parents were so caring for our well being.When I had to stay in line Oma took care of both of you and Opa would go with me.Thats when he said to me I will look for
someone who you should meet,and ha saw Tante Hilde with Berni,that was a blessing!
We had our Cabin under the front deck it was 2nd class.Hilde was in the lower part.
It was very hard to say Good by to my Parents and seeing them standing waving at us.Tears in my eyes and Your tears too my little Birgit,while you could,nt see,dewhile the boat left the Pier and was turning away so quick the violin played in the background"Auf Wiederseh,n"
And we had to go now to our cabin,witch had two sets of bunk beds and a sink,I remember you liked that.WE had to pick up more people in Southampton,and I remember shortly after we left the habour the boat started to weegle,while we were in bed.We all three ditn,t feel good,and a paper bag on hand,for any accident!!Ha Ha!Helmut ,you would not let go of the bag for the next days.In the morning,Hilde nocked on our door,Frau Platz!I came in and get the children dressed
the air on deck is fresh and you come too,That was the best thing what happend,because we had to face high winds(Windstearke 10)The pressenings were up all around the ship,in the diningroom they put boards up,so the dishes could not fall down.Yes ,Birgit you wanted to eat,and pulled us into the dinning room that was good and plenty of very good food,because
most people were see sick.Hilde and I made good friends,like you said until her Passing.
At times I though we never will get to Canada,but after 7 days the wind slowed down and everybody wouk up in the boat when we saw L AND!!!It was New foundland but still fare fare away.Than came the beautiful journey through the ST Lorenz river.We were in Canada .
We landed in Quebec.poor imigrants but happy to soon be united with your Pappi.
Yes Birgit you are so right we are thankful after all to be here in Canada.
I am accountable to God and my Family.
To try my best,but I also fail myself.
With each pain life gave me,I became a better person.

To all my love Mom Omi

From each pain,witch life gave me,I became a better person.

German Immigrants

Thanks Ang for refering to the boat info. Actually Ham found the picture and info on the internet and emailed it to mom and I on Hotmail. I found that so amazing because I too had often wondered whatever happened to that ship. Yesterday I thought I'd give it a whirl and see if I could copy and paste those images onto Blogger because it does tie into the whole life picture. Success!
That post card I believe we had at one time too.

After speaking to mom we are both reflecting on that journey one which has often made me cry as has it mom.Our versions are different.
Remembering I am 5 and Ham is nearly 4. The main thing I remember is the smell of the sea , how big and wet the pier was , the big ropes tied to theses big brass posts. We both held on to mom's hand, we were good little kids. I don't remember Oma , Opa and Tante Ilse at all. I remember walking up the plank which had chains holding it up, looking down at the water below, boy it was way down there,scarey.The plank was wet and wobbily, I was afraid. Once on board I remember the deck was wet , the sides solid so as a little person you couldn't see the dock and all the people waving good bye to their loved ones below.Mom could not hold us both up to see Oma , Opa and Tante Ilse below. All I remember is the brass band playing Aufweidersehen which as I write is making me cry. I wanted to see too but mom couldn't hold us both up to see.We all cried!
Mom tells me she did hold me up, perhaps, but in my heart the grief of leaving was pretty sad regardless for all of us especially mom.
In my heart as in hers the joy of seeing her husband , me & Ham our Pupi made it all bearable. How we missed him! He had left in July on a freighter to work the harvest in Elmvale.
Anyways the actual boat ride kept me sea sick free as far as I recall. We went first class I believe. I remember the violin music in the dining room and the good food. Mom and Ham were so sick, all I needed was to eat and I overcame my nausea. During pregnancy same applied, eat and I felt better.
I quess I was a pain with all the tears and constant wanting to go to the dining room when all Ham and mom wanted to do was rest and throwup. They were "oh so sick".

Mom recently told me that her father had chosen Tante Hilda while standing on the pier to please help her with his 2 little grandkids, realizing this would be a tough journey to take alone.Prior to that mom did not know her, till the day she died mom and Hilda shared a very special bond. Their friendship was one of a kind, together they made the best of this great country Canada we have called home for the last 55 years.
I know I am ever grateful for being the daughter of 2 loving German parents who wanted nothing more than to have a better life for their children. This we surely have had and all 3 of us are so lucky to have travelled this journey with our parents through the good times and the bad we survived.That's what counts!
We now all have children and grandchildren, isn't it lovely they all have all these wonderful opportunities for the future, living is great country called Canada? We are all blessed!

written by a little German immigrant girl named Birgit Platz

Interesting

Thanks for posting that Birgie... I have never really thought about the boat that brought you guys over here but your pictures and words have brought it more into reality. It must have been a long voyage and imagine Mom with two little ones to take care of. Did you get sea sick? How long did it take? What was your cabin like? What was the food like? When you landed how did you feel? Honestly I'm sorry that I never thought about this more than now. I was 4 when I went to Germany with Mom and my memories are very vague but I do have memories of it. Is that what it's like for you and Ham? I would like to hear more from all of you about what you remember and how you felt :) if you can?

Thanks again...

Love you

Angie

Ship we came to Canada on - First Cruise

Canberra
(Greek Line: 1948-54)

Canberra was built for Howard Smith in 1913 for the coastal trade from Melbourne to north Queensland ports via Sydney and Brisbane. She held the record for the fastest passage between Melbourne and Sydney. She served as a troopship during both wars, but was not considered to be worth refurbishing by Howard Smith after the second conflict. She was sold to Singapore-based Chinese interests in 1947, but resold within months to the Greek Line, retaining the name Canberra throughout. She was initially used on emigrant services to South America and Australia from Mediterranean ports. In 1949, Canberra was given a major refit, including conversion to oil firing, and began a service from Piraeus to New York. In 1950 she was moved to the Canadian service, with a single trip from Piraeus to Montreal, returning to Bremerhaven which became her regular European terminal. Calls were made at Southampton, Cherbourg and Cobh. Canberra was retired by the Greek Line in October 1954, and sold to the Dominican Republic, where she received her fist name change to Espana. She carried sugar and migrants to Spain until broken up in 1959.


Greek Line company card of Canberra.
Scan: Ralph O'Hara.

Ham thanks for emailing this info to us. It was really interesting.It surely was quite the Atlantic crossing for us in 1952, surprised I can still recall so much.

November 7 th 1948

It was a crisp cold Sunday 59 years ago!!!!
I wish you a very Happy Birthday and many many more in
Health and Happyness.
With all my love
Your Mom(Ma ma !!!)
Hope you got my letter.

Thanks very much Mom and Birgie for the memories. These are priceless gifts and resonate even better with the loving way they are presented.

I feel like my birthday is a week long, as the kids will be here on the weekend and Sue's parents meet Ben for the first time.

The pace of my business has slowed for now and it's a great feeling. I'll try to handle it in a much more measured way until next spring.

Love

Ham

Wow

Mom and Birgie:

What an awesome display of photos.. I never have seen those before (that I can remember). It's neat to see you all and the beginning of life for our family in Canada. What a brave and awesome adventure you had together!

Love you

Angie

55 years later

The photos on the previous blog were taken when we arrived in Elmvale 55 years ago. Together Mom and I have managed to create this little gift for you Ham. It was a wonderful time on that farm way back when. Last year Al and I visited Elmvale , low and behold many other people too remember this town too.Above is Elmvale today.

Have a very Happy Birthday!

Stay happy Love Birgie

Happy 59th Ham-Love Mom & Birgit

1.On the ship to Canada,with Hilde Heinze.Birgit and Helmut in a navy coats, made out of your Opa's suits,with white collar and pearl buttons. Called 'Hamburger coat'

2.Birgit and Helmut with Mutti on deckchairs,Wind was 10?

3.On Halloween.You were dressed like 'The three blind mice'Janet Turner is the Farmer's Wife as in the song.

4.The Lady from Germany!Like Mr. Turner said.

5.My 2 children on the horse,for the first time in their life.

6.Mr.Turner takes all of you for a ride.Helmut you can remember that.You said.

7.tobogganing,it must have been cold.

8.How cute you all are taking your dolls for a ride.Helmut you are the Daddy lol.

9.Picnic with the Turner children.

10.You all liked Skippi the dog

Great Auntie

Hi All,

Love your latest blog Ang, always happy to see how nicely all is going for the 3 of you. What a special Birthday and Halloween for Jen, spent with her 2 favorite people. Simply
the best!!!!!!
Now getting ready for the other birthdays as well as xmas and final 3 craft shows. This year is surely is going quickly.
Hope you are all recuperating from your colds?
Have a great week.
Love Birgie

Hi All

Hi Everyone

Well this week has gone by quickly and was very busy. On Monday night Jenny and I went to visit Josh, Jenny P and little Ben. Why do I keep calling him little Ben...lol? It was a really nice little visit and brought some memories back from when Jenny was newborn. It's such an adjustment that as Jen P described is like going to an exotic country where you just can't quite anticipate what will be there till you are there. Ben is a cutie as you all have seen in his pictures and isnt it amazing how quickly babies change and grow. Seems like yesterday that all my nieces and nephews were so little, then Jenny, Aiden and little Sophie. We are so lucky to be able to have all these lovely memories and nice times together.

Tuesday was Jenny's birthday and I had the poor child convinced that the love seat I bought along with the sofa was her birthday present. Poor child didn't know that I had bought her a few little things she wanted....but she was so nice and accepting that she got a loveseat for her birthday... lol. John and I took her to The Mandarin for a birthday dinner and we both sang Happy Birthday with the asian women which was fun. She got a brownie and some jello with a candle in it. She gobbled up the jello and left the brownie... hahaha. Then we came home and had cake and presents and your cards were here in the mail with gifts. What a lucky girl!

Wednesday was Halloween which started in the morning because the kids go to Idlewylde he seniors home in their costumes. It's a tradition for Jen's school as the seniors home is across the road. She enjoys that. Halloween night John and I took her on the traditional trick or treat and she got way too much candy.... it was a nice night to be out though.

We both have had colds all week and now I am really feeling it. Thank goodness she is with John this weekend and I can collapse now and sleep. That's all I need to get this out of my system.

Hope you are all well and happy. Hope to see you soon.

Love,

Angie