Emily L.

Fraser Lake, British Columbia

Prince George Regional Heritage Fair

Heritage lost and found

My project is a comparison about immigration to Canada after the Second World War. It compares media, facts and other sources about immigration to my family’s immigration story from Heilbroon, Germany in 1956.

 

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

There was so many interesting thing I did learn, but the main reason I did this project was to record my family's history for future generations. It's not everyday you get to interview your 94-year-old great grandmother!

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

Something I learned that I wish to share with fellow Canadians is that Canada is amazingly diverse. Canada's foundation was built by two types of people, the First Nations people and second immigrants. Immigrants left behind their cultures, families and friends to start fresh. Once they came to Canada they had the freedom to continue their culture. They brought pieces of their homelands with them, which is now woven into Canada's heritage.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

My life compared to immigrants after the Second World War is drastically different! They didn't have all the wonderful things we have such as running water. Technology has developed like crazy — my great grandmother practically watched technology develop before her eyes. (I'm very glad to say she trumps the "senior people hate technology" stereo-type, as she loves my iPhone!) another thing that is completely different is the transportation they came over on boats. I'm glad I don't have to travel on boats!