Postcard of a gate at the border of the Soviet Union, probably at Latvia. The view is looking towards the Soviet Union. Neufeld relatives of the Penner family crossed through this gate in 1924. Description accompanying photograph reads: "Gate exiting Russia that Oma and Opa Neufeld's train passed through, 1924." "Oma and Opa Neufeld" are Peter Neufeld and Gertrude (Fast) Neufeld. The writing on the arch (in Russian) translates, in part: "SSSR: Greetings to the workers of the West." On the columns supporting the arch, the left one translates "Long live the commune." The right one translates "Death to capitalism." The writing on the bottom, likely in Latvian, possibly refers to the Latvian town of Zilupe on the Russian border.
Cornelius C. Penner and Eliesabeth "Liese" (Baergen) Penner were both born in south Russia and immigrated to Canada in 1924. In 1925, he purchased the east half of Lot 7, Concession 3 in the Township of Eilber. Thus the family joined the Mennonite settlement of Reesor, Ontario. The couple had 7 children, 5 of whom survived infancy. In 1927, their son Cornelius Jr. (Neil) secured the adjoining lot (west half of Lot 7, Con. 3). Cornelius Sr. died in 1939; Eliesabeth and her children settled in the Niagara area beginning in 1943. The fonds consists of photographs of family and community life in Reesor, as well as some photographs of the immigration journey in 1924 undertaken by Neufeld relatives.
Caption by Carol Penner: "Southampton England where Oma and Opa [Grandmother and Grandfather] Neufeld stayed on their way to Canada, 1924." Sign on building reads: "Atlantic Park Hostel: Canadian Pacific, Cunard, White Star Steamship Lines." Caption on postcard reads: "Atlantic Park Hostel near Eastleigh. 15."
Caption by Carol Penner: "Southampton England where Oma and Opa [Grandmother and Grandfather] Neufeld stayed on their way to Canada, 1924." Caption on postcard reads: "Atlantic Park Hostel near Eastleigh. 14."
Men work to clear the land on a homestead at Reesor. A home-made winch (background, at right) is used to pull the stumps in swampy areas too soft for the horses.
Pictured are brothers Ernest (Ernie), Heinrich (Henry) and Cornelius C. Penner, Jr. (Neil). They are the sons of Cornelius C. and Eliesabeth Penner. One of the brothers appears to be wearing a military uniform, possibly during the Second World War.
