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This page has been migrated to my new website

This page has been migrated to my new website

This page has been migrated to my new website

This page has been migrated to my new website

Initially the population of Saskatchewan began around the towns that had traditionally existed along the wagon tracks across the region.  With the arrival of the railroad across the province towns sprang up at regular intervals to service the trains with fuel and water. Slowly the rails pushed the development in those new regions too, just like the one that would become Kayville.

A party to celebrate the christening of the daughter of John Kraincuik on August 28, 1913 on a farm near Avonlea, Saskatchewan took a terrible turn when a fight broke out and a man was killed.  The man who died was named John Paicu.  The men accused of causing his death were John Cojocari, his brother Nicolai Cojocari and Mordari Puscar.

Modern weddings can take so many forms.  For the first generation Canadian Romanian families they often continued the old-world traditions practiced by their forefathers.

Here we have a group photo from 1934 of the wedding of George Cojocar and Mary Banda.  The photo was taken on the farm of Nick and Garafira Cojocari.  There are 36 people in the photo and I have only named 17 of them.  I need your to help identify some of the guests in this photo if you can.

In 1936 a very large group of handsome people stood for the photo at the wedding of George J. Cojocar and Mary Varteniuk.  What a great find for us... I just wonder who they all are.  Do you know?

During the summer of 1949 John and Maranda Cojocar were excited to welcome some of their children who had moved to Ontario, Canada and Michigan, USA back home for a visit. The gathering was commemorated by posing for this photo on the farm of their son Vasile "Wesley" J. Cojocar.

In 1935 a dance troupe in Kayville called Arcaşul (The Archer) was keeping Romanian music, dance and dress alive.  People had to make their own fun in the early days of prairie life.  Joining into community activities and contributing to enriching the lives of others was just good fun.  I imagine these young people entertained at many celebrations around the region!

Each document I uncover is an opportunity to pretend to be a time traveller.  Sometimes a single document can paint a vivid picture of the past and bring you a little closer to understanding what life might have been like.  Today I time travelled and spent a number of hours visiting with the family of Constantine “Costan” Cojocari in 1940 Detroit, Michigan.  Travel back with me thanks to the United States Census which took place in April of that year.

My family has a tradition of posing for group photos when we get together.  This tradition has been handed down over the generations as we see in this example photographed in 1957.  I wish I knew what the occasion or location was but sadly all I have is the developers stamp on the border of the photo stating "Feb 1957".  I recognize a number of faces but there are a few I am going to need your help with!

Early in the life of Saint Mary's Church north of Kayville the parishioners gathered for this group photo.  I do not know ANYONE in the photo.

Saint Mary's Church was built in 1915 and I am guessing that this photo was taken close to that year but I don't know.  Neither do I know the occasion they were marking. Do you know more?