As fate would have it, I am Prokop Nikota's youngest grandchild.
As I understand family lore, my dad John Peter (Prokop) Nikota was the youngest child of Prokop and Katrina Nikota. Dad was born when his mom (Katrina) was almost 50 years old, on May 6th, 1911.
Dad married later in life when he was around 40 years old.
Dad and mom had three children Jim (now about to turn 73 years old in a few days,) , Brian now 71 years old, and myself, the youngest born on July 5th, 1954.
My brothers and I would love to learn more about your family history and of course the history of Prokop Nikota.
Also I have a family tree that I received a few years ago, from one of dad's nieces. Do you also have a copy of this family tree?
I also have a copy of some of the immigration documents from their trip to Canada.
Hi Gary, pleased to meet you. My mother, Prokop and Katrina's grand-daughter, spoke fondly of her grandparents.
Among their children, I knew Anna, my grandmother, Mary, married to Nick Arach, a railway man, and Bill, whose farm was near Hamton, Sk. I stayed there several summers while I was an adolescent. Three of Bill and his wife Cora's kids were still on the farm and the youngest was named Gary, who I got to know well. When my friend Francine Tremblay said a girlfriend of hers was married to Gary. I assumed that he was the man I knew as a kid. But it turns out it was you. I knew of your father's existence, but not much more than that. Such are the ways of extended families.
I have more stories to come about Prokop and Katrina, which I will be posting on Substack. Meanwhile, I would love to see the family tree. And I can send you some pictures if that is of interest. My email: brydem@videotron.ca
I love the juxtaposition of the text and illustrations, Bryan. What amazing courage and resilience it must’ve taken to be a pioneer/settler in that time and harsh place. Like John, I look forward to reading this and your other essays in book form.
This is an utterly fantastic story. When it all comes together it must become a book and become a key resource in the history of Canada
Another wonderful story, Bryan. I am enjoying every one of your tales and look forward to a new one arriving each week.
Thanks, Jeff. It means a lot coming from you.
My name is Gary Joseph Nikota.
I am a semi-retired lawyer now 70 years old.
I read your history with great interest.
As fate would have it, I am Prokop Nikota's youngest grandchild.
As I understand family lore, my dad John Peter (Prokop) Nikota was the youngest child of Prokop and Katrina Nikota. Dad was born when his mom (Katrina) was almost 50 years old, on May 6th, 1911.
Dad married later in life when he was around 40 years old.
Dad and mom had three children Jim (now about to turn 73 years old in a few days,) , Brian now 71 years old, and myself, the youngest born on July 5th, 1954.
My brothers and I would love to learn more about your family history and of course the history of Prokop Nikota.
Also I have a family tree that I received a few years ago, from one of dad's nieces. Do you also have a copy of this family tree?
I also have a copy of some of the immigration documents from their trip to Canada.
Hi Gary, pleased to meet you. My mother, Prokop and Katrina's grand-daughter, spoke fondly of her grandparents.
Among their children, I knew Anna, my grandmother, Mary, married to Nick Arach, a railway man, and Bill, whose farm was near Hamton, Sk. I stayed there several summers while I was an adolescent. Three of Bill and his wife Cora's kids were still on the farm and the youngest was named Gary, who I got to know well. When my friend Francine Tremblay said a girlfriend of hers was married to Gary. I assumed that he was the man I knew as a kid. But it turns out it was you. I knew of your father's existence, but not much more than that. Such are the ways of extended families.
I have more stories to come about Prokop and Katrina, which I will be posting on Substack. Meanwhile, I would love to see the family tree. And I can send you some pictures if that is of interest. My email: brydem@videotron.ca
I love the juxtaposition of the text and illustrations, Bryan. What amazing courage and resilience it must’ve taken to be a pioneer/settler in that time and harsh place. Like John, I look forward to reading this and your other essays in book form.
Wow! Looking forward to more installments.
I complain when I can't get a good wifi signal! Ukrainian people are tough!
Thank you for the vivid picture of the hard work it took to build a new life.