Forest Crew

Dryden, Ontario, about 1948 or 1949. On the right stands Kadis, the husband of my Dad's twin sister Jonė, during the time he worked in northern Ontario as part of a Hydro crew. The other men with him likely are Displaced Persons—probably Lithuanians and Ukrainians—who also arrived in Canada under work contracts.

Stepping Out

Near Dryden, Ontario, Canada, about 1948. Kadis, the husband of my Dad's twin sister, Jonė, steps out shortly after he arrived in Canada. The men appear to be dressed in the "Sunday Best."

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

UPDATE: My Toronto Cousin has corrected the location of this photo. Kadis probably was still living in Austria as a Displaced Person when this photo was taken. It therefore likely dates to 1946 or 1947.

Routes to Freedom

Lithuanian Displaced Persons seeking asylum in Canada, like other Eastern European immigrants, usually secured refugee status by agreeing to work as laborers for a period of time. For women, the "contract" might require service for one year as a domestic. Men found themselves engaged in tough, physical labor in forests, hydro plants, and mines.

In either case, the path to a new life was not easy.

Kadis, the husband of my Dad's twin sister, Jonė, arrived on a contract to work on Hydro projects in Dryden, a town in northwestern Ontario.

Dryden, Ontario, about 1948. Kadis, on the left, stands in front of a Hydro facility.

*     *     *     *     *

Dryden, Ontario, about 1948. Kadis, on the far right, and coworkers appear to be dressed in "hazmat" uniforms.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making these photographs available to us.