After World War II, several hundred people from Aalten emigrated to Canada. A major reason was the population growth in the Netherlands; the country was becoming overcrowded!
In the Achterhoek, too, almost all available land had already been brought into cultivation. While it was customary for the eldest son to take over his father’s farm, the other sons were unable to start their own businesses due to a lack of agricultural land. If they wanted to spread their wings, they had to seek their fortune elsewhere.
Below, a number of articles on this subject have been collected. Do you have interesting stories about family members who emigrated from Aalten to Canada that you would allow us to share? Ideally accompanied by one or more photographs. We would love to hear from you!
Articles
Another exodus of Achterhoek emigrants
