Dewald Family Mysteries

Location: Alberta, Canada
Surnames/tags: Dewald Ell Selinger

I have been reading a first account history written by my great Grandfather, John Dewald / Dewuld, of his immigration to Canada and life here. He left Crimea in 1910 with his brand new wife, Elizabeth, saying he was going on his honeymoon, and never returned. It says they took a train to the Baltic sea port of Libau, where they needed to purchase their tickets to Halifax, NS. He was told that in addition to the fare for the ship, they would need to have $50 for expenses for when they arrived in Canada in order to secure their passage. They didn't have the money. Two men overheard then talking, and offered to lend them the money. I would love to get in contact with anyone from the families of those two men, John Ell & Peter Selinger (who spoke German, like my grandfather and grandmother), to see if they know that story, and how much their family helped mine.

They left Libau by ship to Hull, England, then took a train to Liverpool where they boarded the ship to Halifax. Should have been at the end of October, or in November. They reached Saskatchewan in December.

John Dewald's parents: Anton Dewald and Maria Kist, probably born near Simferopol, Maria in 1847 & 1845. They were called 'White Russians' and were Germans living in Russia. Married Sept 21, 1910.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!