Date: 1978-02-24
Name(s): DeBeky, Ivan Halasz, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: Ivan De Beky begins by explaining his position at the University of Toronto. He then tells how and why he left Hungary for Canada. Dr. De Beky describes the route he took from his home in Hungary to Canada. He recalls his first accommodations and jobs in Canada before he decided to go to university. He describes his present job and social activities. Dr. De Beky offers his opinions on the attitudes of Canadians, and how to make friendships. He talks about the Hungarian community in Canada, and…
Date: 1981-09-18
Name(s): DeBeky, Ivan Halasz, Jung G. Kim
Description: In this interview Ivan Halasz De Beky talks about the flow of Hungarian people to Canada—before and after the Second World War, and following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He explains the nature of the social hierarchy in Hungarian society. Dr. DeBeky talks about the formation of what he calls a 'special kind' of rightist views in the Hungarian Canadian community, and the motivation behind the creation of TANU, a community newspaper. The goal was to present an objective view of the Hungarian…
Date: 1977-07-28
Name(s): Czerlau, Elizabeth, Czerlau, Joe, Susan Galos
Description: Joe Czerlau describes family life in Transylvania and why his father decided that their family should move to Canada for a new start. Mr. Czerlau tells about the journey and also their first few years prior to moving to the tobacco farming area of south-western Ontario. Mr. Czerlau moved to Tillsonburg and started to farm tobacco, where he met the future Mrs. Elizabeth Czerlau, whose family also farmed in that area. Mrs. Czerlau talks about why her family immigrated to that area and chose to…
Date: 1985-06-05
Name(s): Balthes, John, Schooley, Anne
Description: John Balthes is originally from Transylvania, a region that was historically part of the Kingdom of Hungary, but is now in present-day Romania. He emigrated from Transylvania to Canada and describes his early years in his new home. Mr. Balthes attended night school in Windsor. He talks about invention of a priming aid and also describes how they obtained one of the first irrigation systems in Ontario.
Name(s): Ehl, John, Schooley, Anne
Description: John Ehl describes, in detail, his personal history beginning with his emigration from Hungary to Canada, up to the time of the interview. He first settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and worked on the railroad for thirty cents per hour. Mr. Ehl moved to Ontario and was able to buy his first farm (50 acres) in 1943 for $2,800. He converted it to a tobacco farm. He had never done any share growing or worked with tobacco before this time. Mr. Henry Gehring sponsored Mr. Ehl's wife's immigration to…
Date: 1979-08-08
Name(s): Girhiny, John, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: Rev. John Girhiny talks about his parents' origins in Hungary, and his own childhood in Welland, Ontario. He describes decision to become a Greek Catholic priest. Rev. Girhiny also talks about Monsignor George Papp and his work among the Canadian-Hungarian Greek Catholic community. He provides information on the history of St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church and also its present situation. Rev. Girhiny explains the language difficulties and problem of maintaining the use of the Hungarian…
Date: 1978-03-13
Name(s): Hirsch, John, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: John Hirsch explains how he came to Canada from Hungary. Mr. Hirsch talks about his academic studies, and his work in theatre in Hungary. Mr. Hirsch continued this work in Canada, and was involved in organizing the first professional theatre in Winnipeg. He recalls what he knew about Canada prior to his immigration, and explains the amount of English that he knew then as well. Mr. Hirsch then describes his voyage from Hungary to Canada. He recalls his first impressions, and also the things that…
Date: 1978-02-10
Name(s): Somjen, John, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: John Somjen was born in Hungary and emigrated to Canada as an adult. He explains why he chose not to continue to practice law after moving to Canada. He discusses when and why he left Hungary, and also why he chose Canada as his new home. Dr. Somjen talks about the expectations that he had for his family's new life in Canada. He then explains his first job upon arriving, his salary, and their living accommodations. When asked what differences he has noticed between Hungarian and Canadian…
Date: 1978-03-03
Name(s): Cselenyi, Joseph, Zalan, Magda, 1936-
Description: Joseph Cselenyi explains how, when and why he immigrated to Canada from Hungary. Mr. Cselenyi escaped Hungary by going through Beureuth (Austria.) He shares his first impressions of Toronto, and explains how he reacted to the much freer atmosphere in Canada. The first job that he had in Toronto was working in interior design. He describes how he got back to his original chosen profession—theatre. Mr. Cselenyi decided to combine interests and works in both fields. At the time of this interview…
Date: 1978-09-13
Name(s): Jager, Joseph, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: Joseph Jager emigrated from Hungary to Canada in 1928. He describes his route of migration, and also his time living in Montreal before he moved to Toronto. Mr. Jager talks about the activities of the Hungarian Catholic church in Toronto, including: a drama troupe, renovations, and participation in the centennial celebrations in Toronto in 1934. Mr. Jager also talks about a Hungarian school in Toronto. He compares the Hungarian immigrants known as 'DPs' (Displaced Persons), who came to Canada…
Date: 1979-03-23
Name(s): Kohari, Joseph, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: Joseph Kohari explains his reasons for leaving Hungary, his country of birth. He moved to England, and talks about his life there from 1948-1957. Dr. Kohari worked as a physician in both England and Canada. He gives his first impressions of the Hungarian community in Toronto, and notes the differences between various waves of immigrants. Dr. Kohari talks about the founding of the United Hungarian Fund (UHF), including its purposes, goals, and lottery. Dr. Kohari explains the joint work of UHF…
Date: 2006-02-17
Name(s): Fodor, Jozsef, Monika Berenyi
Description: Jozsef Fodor was born in 1930, and raised in Zarkányszék (once called Lengyelszék) where he attended Piarista high school. This was a multi-denominational school run by priests, and the students were Catholic, Presbyterian, and Jewish. Mr. Fodor talks about life in school during the 1930's, and World War II. Mr. Fodor's family was labeled 'Kulák' (class aliens), because his father built a steeple. The communisits destroyed clerical schools. In 1953 Mr. Fodor went to Budapest, and became…
Date: 1982-12-08
Name(s): Kopacsi-Gelberger, Judith, Papp-Zubrits, Susan
Description: Judith Kopacsi-Gelberger describes her early life in Hungary, including her parents' background. Because of his involvement in the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, Ms. Kopacsi-Gelberger's father was separated from his family and imprisoned. She describes what it was like living in Hungary as the daughter of an 'enemy of the state.' Ms. Kopacsi-Gelberger gives her reasons for moving to Canada. She talks about the first occupations that she had in Canada and also the influence of her relatives. She…
Date: 1976-11-30
Name(s): Bayer, Julia, Patrias, Carmela
Description: Julia Bayer was born in Debrecen, Hungary, in 1904. Her father owned a flourmill. He decided to leave Hungary because of the heavy taxation imposed after World War I. Her father came to Canada in 1925 with $4000 and bought a farm near Welland, Ontario. The rest of family followed in 1926. Mrs. Bayer left her family to enter domestic service in Hamilton. In 1931 she came to Toronto and worked as a seamstress for Eaton's until she was laid off in 1937. She then studied dress design for two years…
Date: 1978-08-25
Name(s): Forgach, Laszlo, Papp-Zubrits, Susan, Patrias, Carmela
Description: Fr. Laszlo Forgach talks about his early years and the Great Depression. He provides information on Hungarian-Canadian community homes, activities, and other groups. He mentions the 'Munkas' movement. Fr. Forgach describes the characteristics of Hungarian immigrants of the 1920s and 1930s. He talks about working conditions, the Hungarian school and community in Welland, and "Onkepzokor." Fr. Forgach identifies his protectors and advisors within the Church. He compares the Hungarians who came to…
