Mother Tongue ~ This Family's Historical Languages Were Lost

  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2025: Week 14 (LANGUAGE)

"Canada prides itself on being an international beacon of multiculturalism; nearly one in four people in Canada today is an immigrant. The country relies on newcomers to boost both population and productivity and aims to increase immigration levels to 500,000 newcomers a year by 2025. Yet its Multiculturalism Act, which enshrines the right of immigrants and Indigenous peoples to protect, preserve and enhance their mother tongues with government support, is falling short.

Mother tongues are in steep decline, generation over generation. Many arrive here not realizing they are likely to be the last generation in their family to speak their language. Worse, the important role of language in preserving culture is being ignored, say experts and advocates. “It’s not possible to have multiculturalism without multilingualism,” says Slava Balan, a human rights researcher and a PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa who immigrated to Quebec from Moldova. “If cultures are only reduced to the dances, songs, cuisine and all this stuff, that’s just a pretence. That’s not real multiculturalism.” " 1

I'm a 2nd generation Canadian on my paternal grandmother's side, and 3rd generation on my paternal grandfather's side.

I was born in Quebec, and spoke French before English. 

The only language I speak & understand now is English.

My paternal grandmother was born in North Berwick, Scotland coming to Canada when she was 4. 

Until this week, I had never even considered what language she first spoke as a child. 

I only ever heard Grandma speak perfectly pronounced English.

"According to The National, Scots is “one of three native languages spoken in Scotland today” along with English and Scottish Gaelic. However, despite the ongoing debate as to whether or not Scots is a real language or just a dialect, it can be considered a settled matter as it has already been recognised by the UK government and Council of Europe."  2

I never asked Grandma what language she spoke as a child in Scotland, but I would have loved to hear her say:

"Cam Ower an Gie’s a Bosie"  2

which translates to 

“come here and give me a hug.” 2

I will never know if Grandma's first language was Scots.

My paternal grandfather was the first child born in Canada on the homestead (1910). His parents & 3 older siblings immigrated from Ukraine in 1909. The 1916 census records none of the family spoke, read, or wrote English. The family spoke Ukrainian. 

I grew up hearing my grandfather speak perfectly pronounced English. 

I would never have guessed English wasn't his first language.

Like many immigrant families they did not pass their mother tongue to their children/grandchildren. 

The only language spoken in the family was English.

My grandparents
Clyde & Mary (nee Thomson) Robertson
Clyde's birth name was Max Pellack 
AKA Clyde Robertson (no record found of name change to date)

Our family's historical languages were not preserved!!! 

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***

Footnotes:

1  Why diaspora communities in Canada are struggling to keep their first languages alive. Ramzy, Mark. Broadview. Originally published November 14th 2023. Retrieved April 1st 2025 from
https://broadview.org/canada-immigrants-mother-tongue-diaspora/    ***This publication takes a Christian worldview***

2 Can you read Scots? 16 Scots language examples, is it really “just a dialect”. Hepburn, David. The Scotsman. Originally published January 10th 2023, Updated November 28th 2024. Retrieved April 1st 2025 from
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/examples-of-the-scots-language-3981707?page=2

Sources:

Can you read Scots? 16 Scots language examples, is it really “just a dialect”. Hepburn, David. The Scotsman. Originally published January 10th 2023, Updated November 28th 2024. Retrieved April 1st 2025 from
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/examples-of-the-scots-language-3981707?page=2

Photos:

Personal

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

Pellack Family In Ukraine ~ My Brick Wall Still Stands

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2025: Week 11 (BRICK WALL)

I first started researching to figure out where I fit into my own genealogical story when I discovered my Scottish grandfather didn't exist, and was instead Ukrainian. 

After almost 30 years of searching this mystery line remains a mystery.

DNA confirmed Clyde Robertson & Max Pellack were the same person, but this brick wall still stands firmly in place.

My father's paternal line is the one line I have made little progress on over the many years of searching.

Great Grandpa was born April 17th 1873 in Ukraine, but those facts are only found on Canadian documents created by the family. 

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

I have been unable to find any documents from Ukraine.

I know they got on a ship in Bremen because I found the ship's manifest held by Library & Archives Canada.

My great grandparents
Alexander & Mary (nee Maximiw) Pellack 
and their 3 oldest children 2

According to the ship's manifest:
Ship: WILLEHAD 
Shipping Line: Canada Steamship Lines 
Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany Hamburg, Germany Bremerhaven, Germany Rotterdam, Netherlands 
Date of Departure: 1909-06-02
Date of Arrival: 1909-06-19

Alexander (Alex) Pellack
Birth 17 APR 1873 • Skoryky, Скорики, Ternopil's'ka Oblast, Ukraine
Death 22 OCT 1955 • Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada
traveled with wife (great grandma)
Marya (Maria) (Mary) (Marinka) Maximiw
Birth 24 DEC 1875 • Ukraine/Galicia/Austria - Unknown
Death 12 AUG 1946 • Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada
and their children
Eugenia (Johanna) Pellack
Birth 28 AUGUST 1898 • Skoriki, Ternopil, Ternopilska, Ukraine
Death 10 SEP 1990 • Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada
Hryc (Harry) Pellack
Birth 16 JUL 1903 • Skoryky, Скорики, Ternopil's'ka, oblast, Ukraine
Death 12 MAR 1980 • Warren, Macomb, Michigan, USA
Steneine (Stephania) (Stefania) (Stella) (Esther) Pellack
Birth 9 FEB 1906 • Skoryky, Скорики, Ternopil's'ka, oblast, Ukraine
Death 9 JAN 1972 • Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada
my grandpa was the first born in Canada on the homestead

Prior to getting on the ship in Bremen heading to Canada I have found no records.

My grandfather - 1st child born in Canada
Max Pellack aka Clyde Robertson (assumed no record of name change)
Birth 10 MAY 1910 • homestead, SW, Section: 1, Township: 48, Range: 17, Meridian: W2, (Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada)
Clyde claimed San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA (Vancouver on his WW2 attestation papers).
Death 11 JUL 1986 • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

We are awaiting my father's yDNA results with the hopes this brick wall will finally be broken down

Still searching!

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***

Sources:

1 Pellack Family Origin Story. 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

2 Ship's Manifest. Library & Archives Canada, Immigration, Passenger Lists, Page 16, Retrieved March 6th 2020 from
http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/passenger-lists/passenger-lists-1865-1922/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=5121&fbclid=IwAR0bFKIO58BlaeooRHtWlgBb6yrB7Ii6RlXBMf3dzADF_YdBLfITZJzNJtw

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

Thomas Thomson ~ Letters Home From Kananaskis

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2025: Week 7 (LETTERS & DIARIES)

My great grandfather Thomas Thomson was a guard at Camp 130 – Kananaskis/Seebe (Camp K) during World War 2.

These 2 letters (each have 4 pages) were sent home during that time.

In the Scottish fashion he called his wife mammy, and signed his letters daddy even when not writing to the children. 

The first letter is addressed to Thomas' wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter Mary & new husband Clyde (my grandparents).

This second letter is addressed only to Elizabeth.

It was written just 2 months before Thomas died at Kananaskis.

The author of the letters (my great grandfather)

Thomas Thomson

Birth 10 MAY 1880 • North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Death 19 NOV 1940 • Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

The recipient of the letters 
great grandma: 

Elizabeth Young Slicer

Birth 4 AUG 1882 • North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Death 24 JUN 1958 • Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
grandma:

Mary Elizabeth Thomson

Birth 20 DEC 1915 • North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Death 3 AUG 2005 • Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada
grandpa:

Clyde Robertson (AKA Max Pellack)

Birth 10 MAY 1910 • San Francisco, California, USA (Clyde claimed)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Clyde's claimed on military records)
homestead, SW, Section: 1, Township: 48, Range: 17, Meridian: W2, Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada (Max's actual birth place)

Death 11 JUL 1986 • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Not included in the letters was Thomas' 1st born 

Marion Isabella (Maisie) Thomson

Birth 24 MAY 1914 • North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

Death 14 SEP 1996 • Meadow Vista, Placer County, California, USA
married to

Wallace Mark (Wally) Reemelin

Birth 2 JUL 1918 • Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA

Death 29 DEC 2014 • Placer County, California, USA

Thomas & Elizabeth Young (nee Slicer) Thomson had the 2 daughters noted above. They lost an infant (or stillborn) son in Scotland after the birth of 2nd daughter Mary who remembered the birth of her brother. There were no further children for this couple.

In reading the letters I began to wonder about Camp 130 – Kananaskis/Seebe (Camp K), and found this video

Holding onto the last words!!! 

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***

Sources:

Camp 130 – Kananaskis/Seebe (Camp K). POWs in Canada. Research by Michael O'Hagan, PhD. Retrieved February 11th 2025 from
https://powsincanada.ca/pows-in-canada/internment-camps/camp-130-kananaskis/

Internment in the Canadian Rockies | Camp 130. Retrieved February 11th 2025 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ODHhRl-60

Photos:

Personal

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

yDNA ~ Hoping For Clear Answers

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2025: Week 5 (CHALLENGE)

In thinking about which ancestor has created a challenge to search Grandpa Max Pellack, who I knew as Clyde Robertson, is first on the list.

I write about grandpa a lot because his line really is the mystery that began my searching for where I fit in my own genealogical story.

His line was my first brick wall.

It took 20 years from when I first heard the rumour to confirm the 2 names were the same person.

Once I discovered who he really was I really thought the rest of that line would fall into place.

That is not what happened.

In the years since I haven't made much progress tracking the line before they got on the ship to come to Canada.

The brick wall still solidly stands.

The DNA results we have so far (Dad & I) have left more questions than answers.

I finally caved during the the last Black Friday sale at Family Tree DNA, and purchased a yDNA test for my dad.

It took a long time to arrive because of the Canada Post strike, but yesterday I mailed the sample to Texas.

I have huge hopes the results will make things clearer.

I fear the results will add more challenging to an already challenging situation.

3 Generations
L-R: Dad, Me, Grandpa

Not giving up hope that the answers are out there just waiting to be found!!! 

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***

Photo:

Personal

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

Cards ~ It's a Full House

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 42 (FULL HOUSE)

When I was small we didn't play cards in my family.

I was almost 10 before I learned to play Crazy 8s and Rummy.

A full house in Rummy is why I decided to write about this memory this week.

While visiting my grandfather the summer I was turning 10 he taught me how to play these two card games.

This photo was taken that summer. 

grandpa, me, grandma, dad

He served watermelon in big round slices on a plate with a spoon.

That summer grandpa and I attached over card games & watermelon.

This is the grandfather who changed his name.

I knew him as Clyde Robertson, but he was born Max Pellack.

It would be many years before I learned about this mystery.

I just knew him as the grandpa who first taught me how to play cards.. 

In high school I learned how to play Euchre.

When I first met Chris he was surprised that I didn't know how to play crib so he taught me while we were expecting our first child.

I didn't come from a family that played cards.

As an adult I have enjoyed card games.

The things we clearly remember from childhood!!! 

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***

Photos:

Personal

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

Caretaking Online Memorials ~ Find a Grave

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 37 (TOMBSTONE)

In May 2023 I wrote about the surprise of finding my grandfather on Find a Grave with minimal information & no connection to my grandma. 

At the time I wrote:
"I do not know who took the photo or who manages grandpa's page. 
At first I was a bit surprised. 
The more I thought about it I realized it's okay. 
Find A Grave is a genealogy source. 
This is a genealogical record of my grandfather."

The whole blog can be found here: Clyde Robertson ~ Find A Grave

In May 2024 I decided that I should be the manager of grandpa's page, and requested transfer. The creator of his page promptly passed it over to me. I have added photos and his story to his memorial page.

I created a page for Grandma, and linked the two of them.

While I was looking around Find a Grave I discovered other relatives whose pages were being managed by non-relatives. 

I requested transfer of 12 memorials, and all but 4 were transferred promptly. 

I have now sent 3 requests (May, August, September) with no success for those 4. 

These 4 memorial are my: stepfather who raised me, my aunt, my 1st cousin, and my grandfather. The person who created these pages is my grandfather's 2nd wife (divorced) very distant cousin. 

The last message notified that I will reach out to Find a Grave for assistance if I don't hear back within a week. 

Find a Grave has a process for when memorials are not transferred to family members who request. 

"If the memorial in question is a relative to you (within our transfer guidelines) and the memorial manager is not family, then they must transfer the memorial.

• Memorials are transferred for relatives with these close relationships: child, spouse/partner, sibling, parent, grandchild, great-grandchild, grandparent, great-grandparent, niece/nephew, great-niece/nephew, aunt/uncle, great-aunt/uncle, or first cousin. This would include adoptive, step and in-law versions of these relationships.

If two members are related within these guidelines and both would like to manage the memorial, the member with the closer relationship should be given management." 1

In the Genealogy world Find a Grave is a bit troubling. 

Anyone can put up memorials for anyone. 

Sometimes they are put up long before family members are ready for the public postings of their loved ones.

Finding my loved ones there was startling. 

Had I never become a part of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks I may not have decided to collect my family's memorials. 

When I posted my May 2023 blog the organizer of the challenge (Amy Johnson Crowe) suggested I create a memorial for my grandmother and connect the 2. 

It took me a year, but that is exactly what I did. 

Then immediately I began requesting the transfer of family members.

At first I struggled with whether I should I be the manager of these family members.

Then I decided it shouldn't be strangers.

The page is already out there so I can hold space until a closer family member wishes to manage their loved one's memorial page.

Caretaking online memorials for loved one!!! 

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***

Footnotes:

1  Request to Manage. Find A Grave. Retrieved September 11th 2024 from
https://support.findagrave.com/s/article/Request-to-Manage#transferguidelines

Sources:

Buchnerhouse. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 11th 2024 from
https://www.findagrave.com/user/profile

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

World War 2 Soldiers ~ Pellack Cousins

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 17 (WAR)

The book Our Courageous Pioneers : History of Gronlid and Surrounding Districts of Argus, Athol, Edenbridge, Freedom, Maryville, Murphy Creek, Sandhill Creek, Taelman, Taras, Teddington, was published in 1991, and included the photo below of my grandfather in his uniform.. 

It's in the World War 2 section of the book.
It also includes his cousin Jack.

He is wearing the same uniform in the photo below (taken 1940) with my grandmother. 

If Grandma is to be believed - 

The man she met in about 1939 (in Calgary, Alberta, Canada)  was Clyde Robertson. It wasn't until the early 60s that she found out he was also Max Pellack. 

In 2002 I found the Pellack family via a random message on an Ancestry discussion thread. After I messaged them they were able to confirm that the Pellack family knew Max had been using the name Clyde Robertson at various times in his life. 

They also shared that they had lost contact with Max/Clyde so hadn't been aware of his family details. 

In collaboration we managed to add our line to their tree. I was finally able to add relatives on my paternal grandfather's side of this Bramble Bush. 

In looking at the timelines we had a missing 10 years between him leaving home as Max Pellack and meeting Grandma as Clyde Robertson. 

According to the family they lost touch with him after he left home in about 1930 until he returned in about 1961. 

You can read more about that time in an earlier blog 
Max Pellack ~ I'm Not a Diamond Heiress with a Tiny Flluuuffy Dog in a Sparkly Flllluuufffy Handbag!

I have narrowed the missing 10 years some, but there are still 8 years in question.

A BIGGER question is exactly how the family had this photo of Grandpa in his abt. 1940 military uniform when he was apparently not in communication with his family of origin.

When a photo leaves more questions that answers!!! 

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***

Photos:

Clyde & Mary (nee Thomson) Robertson, Personal

Pellack, Max & Jack. 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). Pg 945

Links:

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

If you reference or use my blog posts in any way please

include a link to the specific blog and

credit http://somehowrelated.blogspot.com/

My blogs are ©Deborah Buchner, 2014 forward.

All rights reserved.

Please & Thank you!

______________________________________________________________

The Distance Between ~ Max Pellack & Clyde Robertson

 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2024: Week 9 (CHANGING NAMES)

I knew my grandpa as Clyde Robertson born in San Francisco, USA. on May 10th 1910. He was an only child with deceased parents by the time he met my grandma.

That was all I knew until, at the age of 29, I heard a rumour that Grandpa might have been a man named Max Pellack born in Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Prior to that day I never questioned grandpa's name. 

To be honest - I'm not sure I really thought about him having an actual name - he was just Grandpa.

Me with Dad & Grandpa

It took me 20 years to prove, but the confirmation that Clyde Robertson and Max Pellack were the same person came via DNA matching. 

I then began searching for records, and discovered the distance between Max Pellack & Clyde Robertson wasn't a direct line as I had thought.

In the 1911 census he was Nicolas Pelick (Age 1, born June 1910)

 
In the 1916 prairie census he was Max Peleck (Age 6)

In the 1921 census he was Max Pelleck (Age 12, listed as a daughter)

The 1926 census was a bit harder to find Grandpa. I had to browse page by page scanning the list of names. I finally found Grandpa enumerated twice. His age varied, but the other details are enough to suggest they are both him.  Once with his family on the homestead as Max Pelyck (age 17) and once in Prince Albert as Max Pellack (Age 18).  

I probably would have never found the second entry had I not found him enumerated without the rest of his family first. 

How is it that he could have been recorded twice?  

Likely his parents were asked for who normally resides here, and included Max even though he was not currently at home. 

For the 1931 census I find Maxwell Pellack (age 22) in Quebec. He claims to have been born in Manitoba. He also claims both his parents were born in Manitoba. The details don't exactly match, but they are close enough to suggest this is my grandfather. As time went on we know he was altering his name/details so I don't have any concerns accepting this as a 'reasonably exhaustive search'.

It is in the years between 1932 and 1939 that he began using the name Clyde Robertson.  Exactly when & why I have not yet determined.  These 7 years are still a mystery at this time.

May 19th 2019 I requested my grandfather's military record. I would have loved to see the reaction of the Library & Archives Canada staff member as they read my confusing application. 

May 17th 2023 I received Grandpa's Military record which enlightened some, but also added more levels of confusion. 

September 5th 1939 Clyde Robertson enlisted in the Canadian Military at Innisfail, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He joined the Calgary Highlanders. He claimed to be 30 years old. 
    - he was 29. 

Records show he spoke English & French, but didn't read French.
        -   This is likely true since he was in Quebec for the 1931 census. 
        - He also spoke Ukrainian which never appears on any of Clyde Robertson's records.

He was single on the records so listed his father, Alexander Robertson, residing at 321 Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada as his next of kin. 
        - his father was Alexander Pellack residing in Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada

He claimed to born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 
        - he was born on the homestead at Gronlid, Saskatchewan, Canada
        -  Not too long after he enlisted he met Grandma in Calgary, and claimed San Francisco as his birthplace. 

He claimed to reside in Kamloops where he was a chemist, but also recorded he was not working at the time of his enlistment.

He claimed to have a highschool diploma, a Bachelor degree in Chemistry & Physics, and a Master's Degree in Chemistry & Physics from Minnesota State University. He further claimed to have attended Saint Paul Technical Vocational Institute  in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
        - he did not graduate highschool.
        - In the 1950s he earned his credentials as an Accountant.
        - He told grandma his family was from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

He claimed to have worked in a mine refinery for one year, and as a gold mine analyst for Rock Island Mines in the Cariboo.
        - Although I have found a few references to Rock Island Mines in my searching none of them are gold mines in the Cariboo region of British Columbia.

Clyde Robertson denied any knowledge, experience, or interest in farming.
        - he was born on the homestead into a farming family. 

January 9th 1940 Clyde was given permission to marry according to his military record. Also recorded was the wedding took place on February 17th 1940, and he was given leave to report back on February 21st for duty.  

Calgary Herald, 22 Feb 1940

This photo was taken December 1940 on Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Clyde & Mary (nee Thomson) Robertson

January 22nd 1941 Clyde Robertson was discharged from the Military as unfit for duty. The foot injury during a training exercise resulted in damage that made him unable to perform the duties of a soldier. This injury resulted in a lifelong Veteran's Affairs pension for Clyde Robertson. 

The military records note he was admitted to the hospital on January 20th 1941 'sick', and discharged from the military 2 days later. It doesn't state exactly what he was sick with. Looking at the photo above he doesn't look like he has a foot injury that would make him unfit for duties  a month later, but according to the tale the injury had already occurred. There is a possibility the foot injury is family lore, and not the actual reason for him being unfit for duty. 

Regardless of why - he did receive a Veteran's Affairs Military pension for his injury/illness. 

After his death his widow Mary Robertson continued to receive it. 

His identity as Clyde Robertson stood the test of time with the Canadian Military. 

Once more records are available for the 1930s I may find more about Grandpa Max/Clyde using the details in his military records. Were they entirely untrue? Or were their truths weaved throughout? Only future records will assist with this.

Through the 1940s Grandma and Grandpa lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They had their children, and lived life.

In 1961 Grandma and the kids lived in Vancouver, and Max Pellack appears in the Henderson directory as the Office Manager for Paramount Motors residing at 738 Alfred Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Also included are his brother Mike & nephew Alvin.  This address was updated in his Clyde Robertson military record for 1961 for his military pension to be mailed.  

This is also when Max discovered diamonds in Northern Saskatchewan

Winnipeg Free Press 20 Sep 1961

By 1962 Grandpa & Grandma with their kids are residing together again.

1962 the voter's list has Clyde & Mary Robertson residing down the street from his 1961 - now at 1122 Alfred Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This address is confirmed in the 1963 Henderson Directory where Clyde is recorded as the Accountant with Tom's Speedy Muffler along with wife Mary & son Colin. The 3 younger children were not old enough to be recorded. 

By 1964 the family has moved to 1870 Williams Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada according to the Henderson Directory. 

November 13th 1964 there is a request for Clyde's military medals to be sent to an address (unit 24, 310 Lonsdale Road, Toronto Ontario, Canada). These medals were his CVSM & War Medal 1935-1945. 

BUT
The 1965 Voter's list has Max Pellack with wife Mary living at 1535 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  he is a bookkeeper. In 1964 Clyde notified the Canadian Military of the new address (matching below) for his military pension to be mailed. 

I wonder if the family was moving a lot because it appears as though there were 3 different addresses for 1964.

Grandma never used the name Pellack - I wonder if she even knew she was recorded as Pellack or how that came about? 

Max Pellack was born May or June 1910 & never died. 
Clyde Robertson was never born & died July 11th 1986

When your research turns into a search for 2 truths & a lie....  errr - I mean many lies & a truth!!! 

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***

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Links:

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

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