The Brunner Family Tree - Notes -

Johann and Marie Brunner

Gottfred and Marie were married in the Province of Saratov, Russia. His parents names are noted in the family church records and are included in the documentation.

The couple emigrated from Breman, Germany on May 3rd, 1913 and arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 15th 1913. They sailed on the ship "The Frankfurt", traveling as third class passengers in the lower decks of the ship. If they wanted to see something or get fresh air they had to go up top the ship. Sometimes the sea's were to rough and they had to stay below. When it was calm they would go up top and watch the fish swimming along side the ship. Marie was about four month pregnant durring the trip.

After clearing immigration the couple and their six children boarded a train bound for Winnipeg for their appointment with the "immigration distribution office". They continued their journey to Maple Creek, Saskatchewan where they spent the summer.

Gottfred's sister Mary Schick resided west of Burstall and sponcered Gottfred and family to come to Canada. Gottfred and his family resided with the Schicks durring the winter. Gottfred then went to Regina and applied for his homestead.

Gottfred and Marie homesteaded at Burstall along with many other immigrants from different parts of Russia. The younger children attended the first school built in the area. The two-and-one-quarter mile walk to school didn't seem long in the spring and summer but, it was a long and cold walk in the winter months. Often their lunches were frozen by the time they arrived and had to be thawed by the stove.

Gottfred and Marie are buried at the Burstall Cemetery, one mile east of town on highway 321.