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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-29, Page 45Page 16 Canadian soldiers sparked the flame By David Emslie While it might seem a chore these days to travel just across town with a family of 10, in 1950 a large Dutch family decided to travel across the ocean to Canada. On April 3, 1950, the family of Albert and Jacobmina Siert- sema left Holland to immigrate to Canada. Making the trip with them were their eight children; Teresa, 17, Murray, 16, Hebo, 15, Greta, 14, John, 12, Siebolt, 10, Tim, 7 and Betty, 5. This was not the first trip for Mr. Siertsema as he had been in Canada around the years 1926-28, living here as a single person. Although he knew Jacobmina prior to his first Canada crossing, it wasn't until his return to Holland that they became a couple and got married. The first hint that the Siert- semas might be returning to Canada came about when World War II was still being fought. Acting as an interpreter and story teller for his mother Jacobmina, Murray explained, "During the war years he met Canadian soldiers and he got excited about going back to Canada." Murray assisted his mother in getting her point across in English, as well as adding some memories of his own throughout their interview with the News -Record. Although Mr. Siertsema began to feel the urge to return to Canada during the war, they didn't get permission until 1950. Murray noted that prior to 1950 they couldn't go because, "the family was too big, and the kids were too small." - However, by 1950 at least two Spruceleigh CONGRATULATES ALL WHO VISIT THE SEVENTH ANNUAL KLOMPEN FEEST AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE. WE WISH ALL A HEARTY "WELKOM" It is a pleasure to be of service to local chicken broiler and turkey producers. 'Spruceleigh FARMS Division of Canada Packers Inc. BROILER CHICKS • TURKEY POULTS, P O. Box 187 Brantford, Ontario (519) 752-3743 of the children were old enough to help their parents get thing! going in the new country, and the trip was taken. Originally from northern Holland, from the Province of Groninghen, the Siertsemas left Holland in early April to make the ocean crossing on the SS Volendam. Murray explain. ed that while the Volendam was a good, large ship, the voya e was a rough one, and fam y members were seasick all the way. The Volendam holds other memories for the Siertsemas as the late Albert made the cross. ing on that boat five times over the years. Mrs. Siertsema also returned to Holland three times, once on the Volendam and twice by plane. The large family landed in this country in Halifax on April Turn to page 1i on your Seventh Annual KLOMPEN FEEST ay 15th, 16 thy'': & 17th A and GARDEN EQUIPMENT by :nor *Gilson •i�€heiQih: See Roy, Myrna or Paul a4... HURON POWER EQUIP. Royal Maintenance Sales & Service 86 King St., Clinton 482-9600