He will be housed in a refugee camp for almost 2 years until arrangements can be made to leave Germany. Originally trying to travel to an uncle in Argentina, or family friends in Iowa, Paul will eventually be sponsored by a farm family in Holdfast, Saskatchewan, Canada.
He will arrive in Saint John's, New Brunswick on April 5, 1924.
95 years ago.
I have often thought about what Grandpa was thinking as he sought freedom in the West. What it might have been like to live through the Communist Revolution, the Civil War and then the Red Terror.
My Dad always said his father was a quiet man. I assume the pain of what he lived through, as well as leaving your entire family, never to hear from them again, weighed heavy on him. A man of deep faith, Grandpa Gerk died at the age of 52 on June 3, 1954.
95 years ago this month, this courageous man arrived in Canada. Everything our family has today, we owe it to the courage of this young man...and the kindness and generosity of so many people who helped him on his way.
May our family never forget him.
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| Baptism/Birth record for "Pavel Gerk", born 14 Jan 1902 (OS) Parents: Georgii Gerk & Margareta Rohwein. Godparents: Pavel Schaab & Elisabetha Domme |
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| Passport for Paul Gerk, 1924 |
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| Refugee list, December 1924 listing Paul Gerk. Hopefully seeking aid from family friends in Fort Dodge, Iowa |
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| Passenger list for Paul Gerk |
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| Paul Gerk, 1946 |
