Where My Story Began ~ My Heart Breaks For Ukraine

I am Canadian because my great grandparents, Alexander & Mary (nee Maximiw) Pellack,  immigrated from Ukraine in 1909.  

They started out in a one room cabin in Gronlid, Saskatchewan. 

They risked everything when they left Ukraine for Canada.

In the book, Our Courageous Pioneers, the journey was described by a family member when the book was published in 1991.

" ... The family departed by train from Skoroki to the port of Bremen, There, a wait of several days ensued while sufficient cargo of livestock and people were assembled to make the voyage profitable. Livestock were placed in the bottom and people were placed in the middle deck. Sometime in May, 1909, the leaky ship set out to sea With numerous stops for additional cargo and delays caused by traffic and icebergs, the voyage took some sixteen days.
Quebec felt cold. From the large gathering hall which was the dispersal point for all immigrants, the family was shuffled onto a train bound for Winnipeg and eventually to Star City.  Alexander's brother, Makita who immigrated to Canada two years earlier, met them at the train with a cart and oxen which he had hired from a neighbour. It was a long trip from Star City to the homestead east of Gronlid. Imagine bumping down cut lines, over stumps through sloughs. It was an unforgettable experience, a dark rainy night, with their first encounter with mosquitoes! ..." 1

Alexander & Mary (nee Maximiw) Pellack
my dad's grandparents - my great grandparents

My grandfather was their first born on the homestead in Saskatchewan.

Still standing in 2017.

Ukraine is 1/4 of where my story began. 

I have been unsuccessful in researching the family left behind who are now living through the Russian invasion.

My heart breaks for Ukraine 💔

This is why I search - 



Cause ... 





You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!
















***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***





Footnote:

1 Our Courageous Pioneers : History of Gronlid and Surrounding Districts of Argus, Athol, Edenbridge, Freedom, Maryville, Murphy Creek, Sandhill Creek, Taelman, Taras, Teddington. (Melfort Saskatchewan: Phillips Publishers , 1991), 188


Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/

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