The Victor Kvasheninikoff Family

While living in Frankfurt, Germany, the Kvasheninikoff family applied to move to Canada. When their application was accepted, they relocated to Camp Lesum near Hamburg. This was an IRO camp (International Refugee Organization), where they stayed in barracks for a couple of months and were processed for immigration. The family was sponsored by the United Church in Hamilton, Ontario. They eventually made their way across the ocean to Canada on the M/S Anna Salen, spending two weeks on very rough seas. Finally, they arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax. They spent about three hours in Halifax, where they were processed and given a lunch of soup and white bread. White bread was not something these Europeans were used to eating. Victor and Olga's three sons, Vladislav, Svatoslav and Victor took a self-guided tour of the harbour area. This was their first time on Canadian soil. The next leg of their journey involved a two or three day train ride to Hamilton. Each person was given a few dollars for the trip. They spent the entire time on the train, sleeping in their seats. Upon arrival in Hamilton, they were met by Rev. George McLeod and driven to a furnished apartment on Steven Street. Rev. McLeod had registered Victor, who was 16, at a local high school. He had also found jobs for the twins, who were 21, at Stelco. A bright future in Canada had begun for the Kvasheninikoff family!