1

Arnold deVries on immigrant train
July, 2005
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2

Regardless of whether they landed in Halifax or Quebec City, the next stage of their journey was by train. These were immigrant trains that made many stops along the way.

3

Henry Nyman view from the train
2005
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada
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4

Those traveling from Halifax passed through long stretches of bush in New Brunswick. Those traveling from Quebec generally left at night and therefore did not see much of the countryside.

5

Annie Thissen locked up in Montreal
30 September 2006
Montreal, Quebec
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6

Several families told stories of being put up overnight in a hostel in Montreal, which must have been in a former jail. They were locked in the ranges and didn't understand why. Frank Westerhoff's father went off with another man to try and find an exit. His mother was left with the children, terrified that they would not be let out in time to board their train.

7

P Van Vliet the Variety Store
2005
Quebec City, Quebec
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8

Buying food for the journey was another concern. Each family had been permitted to bring a very limited amount of cash with them. This had to do them until their first pay day two or three weeks away. Therefore, they were anxious not to spend it too soon. The language barrier and unfamiliarity with North American food products made it difficult to know what to order. As a young child Paul Van Vliet did not share these concerns. To him a small variety store on the Plains of Abraham offered riches beyond his experience.

9

Henry Nyman Arrival in Belleville
2005
Belleville, Ontario
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10

Belleville was the nearest station for immigrants coming to Prince Edward County. The train arrived early in the morning and the passengers waited at the station until relatives or sponsors came to pick them up. The station master rescued more than one lost or abandoned immigrant, making calls to track down relatives or contacting John Vander Vliet, the fieldman of the Christian Reformed Church, who was based in Trenton and arranged sponsorships and provided assistance when problems arose.