Vancouver area

Do you have background info on Finns in the area? I don’t know enough to write a project description.

Ok, I don't have either. Just started this idea... I remember there was something abut Sointula times in Vancouver Island, but just saw some document from that years ago. I understood that was one way to come BC area, don't know if there is some other trail to follow.

https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2006/11/02/kalevan-kansan-luvattu-saari

http://www.sosiomedia.fi/utopia/english_article.htm

https://thetyee.ca/Life/2013/07/18/Survival-of-the-Finnish/

Those links were from Sointula, Vancouver Island. And for example in Maple Ridge Vancouver they had a place to be together, called Suomi Hall. There used to be a lot Finns.

Since we only have 112 profiles so far for all BC, let’s keep it together for now. Sointula would be also a valid project scope if somebody wants to focus on that.

Now I have to correct, not Suomi Hall, it is here, Sampo Hall, sorry my bad memory. Everything can be found in the net nowadays :D

http://mapleridgemuseum.org/the-sampo-hall/

And this building has been torn down just in November 2019
https://www.bclocalnews.com/news/another-old-maple-ridge-building-b...

In Nanaimo and Area - Chase River/ Extension and Ladysmith on Vancouver Island all had a large Finn population. Many went to Sointula and to the Karelia in the 1930's including several of my family. We have several roads named after Finnish residents - Maki Rd Takala Rd , Torkko Rd, Aho Rd to name some. The Finn hall was built by my Gt grandfather and 4 uncles plus my 3 Gt Uncles also were instrumental in building the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church on corner of Victoria Rd and Milton St. I just joined so will need to add the profiles of my relatives.- Kirvesmäki, aka Maki ,Jurvi, Maasanen, Takula and Torkko families

Torkkp Family on Vancouver Island
SAMUEL JUHONPOIKA3 TORKKO (JOHAN2, SAMULI IISAKSS1 RUNSAS) was born July 23, 1866 in Kurikka, Lansi-Suomen Laani, Finland1, and died February 24, 1940 in Nanaimo BC Canada2. He married HILMA KÄÄNTÄ June 30, 1894 in Nanaimo BC Canada3, daughter of ISAAC KAANTA. She was born April 23, 1871 in Ylikannus, Lansi-Suomen Laani,Finland4, and died December 30, 1941 in Nanaimo BC Canada5.

Children of SAMUEL TORKKO and HILMA KÄÄNTÄ are:
6. i. LEMPI JOHANNA4 TORKKO, b. June 04, 1895, Wellington BC Canada; d. April 30, 1969, Nanaimo B.C. Canada.
ii. JOHAN WALTRIED TORKKO, aka John b. February 15, 1897, Wellington BC Canada6; d. July 21, 1919, Ladysmith hospital Ladysmith BC Canada7.
7. iii. SVANTE ALBIN TORKKO, aka Albert b. June 02, 1899, East Wellington BC Canada; d. October 07, 1958, Chase River BC Canada.
8. iv. LILJA EDELINA TORKKO, b. March 14, 1900, Extension BC Canada; d. March 18, 1983, Duncan BC Canada.
v. EDWARD F. TORKKO, b. September 15, 1902, South Wellington BC Canada8; d. February 19, 1974, Nanaimo BC Canada9; m. NELLIE AGNES REPESSE, BC Canada; b. March 12, 1906, Chalete Belgium; d. February 14, 1980, Nanaimo B.C Canada.
vi. VAINO TORKKO, b. March 21, 1904, BC Canada10; d. Nanaimo BC Canada.
9. vii. HERBERT ADIEL TORKKO, b. February 15, 1906, Ladysmith BC Canada; d. December 26, 1978, Nanaimo BC Canada.
10. viii. ELEANOR MARJORIE TORKKO, b. April 1909, Ladysmith BC Canada; d. Nanaimo BC Canada.
11. ix. WILLIAM FREDRICK TORKKO, b. April 09, 1911, Ladysmith B.C. Canada; d. October 09, 1983, Nanaimo, B.C. Canada.
The Samuel Torkko family lived in Extension for many years on Vancouver Island
It was named for the Torkko family that farmed in the area. Samuel and Hilma Torkko owned Torkko farm which was originally called Ladysmith Area. There were several bothers including Albert, Herbert, Edward, Weino and William plus the daughters Elna and Lempi. William married Selma Irene Maki second youngest daughter of Selma and Konstantin Maki. Today Torkko farm has been subdivided, with grandson son Edward Torkko keeping a portion that borders onto Plecas Road in South Wellington, and the rest sold to a Mr. Heisterman.

Joyce Wenner that's interesting. I've visited twice in Vancouver Island. And one my son relative moved there in 1990s. I have visited also other his relatives in Vancouver area and all over BC.

FYI You are related to me through my maternal Great Grandmother Selma [nee Jurvi ] Kirvesmäki aka Maki's side of my family. Our family farm was on Maki Road in Chase River 1902-1960]

We are also related to Torkkos, Maassanens, Jurvi, Takalas, Oikaris, Hietas Custisons, and Maunus families in Nanaimo Area. That is what you get when you had 18 children!

I can create a project for Vancouver area Finns if you wish. After it is set up, I hope you two will provide a geographical scope definition for the project, and maybe write a little on the history of Finns in the area!

The profiles to be added should be the immigrants and Finns who moved there later, and their descendants.

The project is set up now. Please join!

https://www.geni.com/projects/Vancouver-area-BC-Finns/172246