Also found - two letters!

Along with the tags and employment stuff, Sylvia also found two letters - both of which where received by mom and dad during their first months here in Canada.

The first is dated August 13, 1952 (they came over on the boat in June of 1952).  According to the envelope, it is from a J. H. Haan of Brunssummerweg N.30, Nieuneendagen bij (Heerlen).  The postage cancellation stamp on the back of the envelope is dated Sep. 23, 2pm, 1952, Vancouver, BC Canada.  It was addressed to Heer Houben, 1555 Robson Street, Vancouver BC Canada, but the 1555 Robson Street is crossed off in pencil, with c/o Fred Deely, Bicycle Dept. written next to the original address.

The letter itself is in Dutch and therefore rather tricky to read, but the gist is that the writer is hoping come out for a visit.  (If I'm wrong please correct me... my Dutch isn't the best.)

 

The other letter is dated November 20, 1952 and was mailed from Brazil (note postage stamp on back of envelope, and one of the cancellations also mentions Brazil.  It was addressed to Mr & Mrs Ant. Houben, 2085 W 8th Ave., Vancouver, BC Canada.

 

The letter is from a Padre Jaime, or Father Jaime... possibly the priest who married them?? Not entirely sure though, that is just a guess.  The letter, as was the previous one, is in Dutch.

Exciting items found in garage!

Well, it's been a while, but found something very worth while to upload here.  While getting the garage ready for the sale last weekend, Sylvia found the following items.

From when mom & dad emigrated to Canada - their luggage tags!

The top two are the same - one shows the front, the other the back, and the third one is different and has nothing on the reverse.

The next two items were for dad's first major employment in Canada - working for Alcan!

I had to fiddle with the exposure on this one, as it was very faded.  It says:
Aluminum Company of Canada, Limited
Kitimat Works
Place - Vancouver B.C.
Date - July 7th 1954
Transportation and room and board agreement
It is understood and agreed:
(1) That I, the undersigned, will purchase my own transportation fare from Vancouver to Kitimat
(2) Tha the sum of $49.00 will be refunded to me in full when I have completed six months satisfactory service (not to be less than 140 working days, as defined under the Company's regulations Governing the Status of Employees and the Computatin of their continuous service)
(3) That until such time as I elect to occupy married quarters at the job site the Company will supply me with room and board at the rate of $2.00 per day for dormitory or winterized hut accommodation, or at the rate of $2.50 per day if I occupy a single room, the charge for which is to be deducted from my wages.
(4) Tha the room and board provision set out in (3) above, will be subject to review by the Company and may at any time after August 1st, 1954, be amended, revised or cancelled in its entirety.
Signed... (dad's signature)
Witness...(another signature)
Personnel Manager or Agent
(To be prepared and signed in duplicate.  Original to be retained for Company file and duplicate to be given to employee.)

The other form is the employment agreement and is not as faded: