50 and 49 years ago
#16
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Re: 50 and 49 years ago
#17
Re: 50 and 49 years ago
...... on August 22, we landed at JFK in NY, and almost immediately transferred to a flight to Montreal, arriving there just before midnight for the last 3 days of our honeymoon at Expo 67.
49 years ago, on August 22, we crossed into Canada at Peace Arch without any papers to prove our legitimacy! There had been a long postal strike so no documents had reached us. The 2 UK visitors we had with us had all necessary papers.
The CBSA officer was very genial, basically said "we're used to this", told OH to go to his new place of employment because documents would have been sent there, and waved us through.
No official letters at employment place, so back to the border 2 days later, parked on the Canadian side and walked into the border office.
Another very nice genial CBSA officer walked into the back office and returned with an envelope addressed to us, waiting in the Out Box for mail pick-up.
He opened it, took out the little white strip that was then supposed to be stapled in your passport and handed one to each of us but did not staple them.
December 1973, we swore allegiance to the Queen in an office in downtown, paid $10 each, and paper work was sent off for us to become Canadian citizens. OH received his certificate in February 1974 and I received mine on March 10 1974
49 years ago, on August 22, we crossed into Canada at Peace Arch without any papers to prove our legitimacy! There had been a long postal strike so no documents had reached us. The 2 UK visitors we had with us had all necessary papers.
The CBSA officer was very genial, basically said "we're used to this", told OH to go to his new place of employment because documents would have been sent there, and waved us through.
No official letters at employment place, so back to the border 2 days later, parked on the Canadian side and walked into the border office.
Another very nice genial CBSA officer walked into the back office and returned with an envelope addressed to us, waiting in the Out Box for mail pick-up.
He opened it, took out the little white strip that was then supposed to be stapled in your passport and handed one to each of us but did not staple them.
December 1973, we swore allegiance to the Queen in an office in downtown, paid $10 each, and paper work was sent off for us to become Canadian citizens. OH received his certificate in February 1974 and I received mine on March 10 1974
Great story, how times have changed!
I think its a brave move for anyone to emigrate to another country, but back in those days super brave!! very few Brits had even ventured to the continent then, let alone cross the Atlantic to North America. Glad it all worked out well and you were rewarded for your brave endeavours.
#18
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Re: 50 and 49 years ago
Thanks, Paul
It's strange, but I don't think either of us thought twice about what we were doing, other than it's an adventure.
It wasn't long after we came to Canada though before we realised that this was where out future lay
The 1950s and 1960s though were a period when Brits left the UK in droves ........... many went to Australia on the £10 Assisted Passage Scheme. I can't count the number of relations and friends that we have down there who went on that Scheme.
Canada was rapidly opening new universities, and many of our professors and co-students from Liverpool University moved over here for jobs between about 1962 and 1970 ........... it was like Old Home Week going to our professional society meetings!
Most of those who we know moved during that period have stayed in Canada.
It's strange, but I don't think either of us thought twice about what we were doing, other than it's an adventure.
It wasn't long after we came to Canada though before we realised that this was where out future lay
The 1950s and 1960s though were a period when Brits left the UK in droves ........... many went to Australia on the £10 Assisted Passage Scheme. I can't count the number of relations and friends that we have down there who went on that Scheme.
Canada was rapidly opening new universities, and many of our professors and co-students from Liverpool University moved over here for jobs between about 1962 and 1970 ........... it was like Old Home Week going to our professional society meetings!
Most of those who we know moved during that period have stayed in Canada.