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"I grew up during World War I. I was going to school in the early part of the War, but the emphasis was not on education but on the military and looking forward to the time when we would be eighteen and join up. The War ended before we came of age and there was no further need for the military. The Militia was discontinued and the Naval Reserve would not accept recruits for a long time. It was through those channels that most Lewismen went to the mainland for the first time and, after serving their time, they were in a better position to join the labour force.   The post-war generation did not have this outlet. British industry had not yet recovered from the effect of the War, and any openings were reserved for the ex-servicemen. For us, emigration was inevitable. Canada was the first to open the door in a way we could afford. We had little choice.

"I was twenty-one years old when I went on board the S.S. Metagama, anchored outside Stornoway Bay on the 23rd of April 1923 - a day that always remains fresh in my memory. Were we homesick? A stronger word would be more suitable! It was the kind of homesickness you could feel. A boy told me he was so blind with his tears that he could not see. We sailed north, and around the Butt of Lewis. There was deep silence among the three hundred Lewismen on board as our beloved Island faded in the distance with those whom we loved standing on its shores. For many, it was a last glimpse.  Our destination was Toronto; there we parted. Life on the Canadian farm was quiet and simple. In many ways it was much like our own: there was no crime; Sabbath was kept; it was against the law to work on Sunday; shops were closed; many went to Church; no professional sport was allowed on Sunday (Sunday's law has since changed); no discrimination; food was plentiful. I was used to work, but it was work from morn’ till dusk and wages were low. It was work, eat and sleep. Soon we drifted away when other work became available. We were lonely and homesick. Two of us found work with a fishing company but this was seasonal as the lakes freeze in the winter. One Sunday we had nowhere to go but to sit on the bank of Lake Eyrie looking into space, the seashore at Knockaird passing in review. I thought singing a Gaelic Psalm would be in order. Psalm 137: "Aig struthaibh coimheach Bhabiloin shuidh sinn gu br�nach bochd" etc. It was not long before the mournful wail of my friend rose above the highest note.

"In time, however, I began to like Canada. I learned a new skill, driving a car. At the fishery, some trucking was involved, taking fish to market. Driving a truck was a step forward from the horse and cart, and I felt very important driving a load of fish to market. My boss loaned me an old car he wasn't using. I drove this car in my spare time, including running errands for him. I was beginning to fit in with the American way of life. I remained two years with this company.   In the meantime, large numbers of fresh immigrants from Lewis began arriving in Detroit, both men and women, and the desire to meet with them grew very strong. When I had time off, I visited Detroit and met some of my old friends. Work was plentiful, with higher wages than in Canada. I decided to enter the United States and applied for permanent residence. When that was granted, I found employment with General Motors Corporation. There I enrolled in a trade school two evenings a week. Soon I bought my first car. I was very happy, and the desire to return to my homeland grew less and less.

"The Depression in the 1930s interrupted my plans. The car industry closed and we had to find work elsewhere. At this time, many returned to the homeland. There was a Niseach superintendent (John Thomson from Habost) with a construction company in New York and I was advised to go there. I met him, and he put me to work at once. There were casualties on the job and part of my work was to carry away the injured and dead. Seeing a man getting killed was something new for me and made me sick. Some advised me to take whisky, but that only made me feel worse. I don't think I would have made a good soldier.  The following year, conditions improved and I returned to Detroit. I joined the auto industry with another company. It was time now to settle down. I was married in 1935 to Annie Murray and the first of our three children was born the following year.

"The Great Depression was not over and work was scarce, but that only brought us closer together. There was a large Lewis colony there and we had taken root. We were no longer from Ness or Point etc., but we were as one village, with one common bond. Fate brought us here, and we were different. When one found work he would at once recommend a fellow Lewisman for the first opening. This worked so well both on land and sea that there was very little unemployment among us. We blended in very well with the American worker and made very close friends. But socially, we kept our Lewis identity. Nearly all of us married Lewis girls. We now had our own home, Ceilidh was the evening pastime, with Gaelic songs being sung and stories told. The dessert was always a cup of tea and scones. If we had differences among ourselves, pity the outsider who would interfere.

"Many of the Lewismen held responsible jobs both on land and sea. Ness was well represented among the captains and officers who served on the Great Lakes and on salt water, and also among those who studied for the ministry and served as pastors both in Canada and the United States.  At this time, ministers from Lewis were coming to Canada for short visits and some of them came to Detroit and held Gaelic services. Those services were well attended. The singing of the Gaelic Psalms and precenting the line was sweet music to us, and many eyes could be seen wet with tears. This was the beginning of the Presbyterian Free Church in Detroit, where we have worshipped since 1952. Our first pastor was the Rev. Murdo MacRitchie, who served the congregation for fourteen years and was then transferred to the Stornoway congregation.

"As I was growing older, the desire to see my native Island was also growing and the time came when I had to go. In August 1957 I boarded a plane in Detroit, and in nine hours I was in Prestwick. Thirty-four years had passed and what a change! It took eleven days to cross the Atlantic when I came over in 1923.  I had also changed. I was coming back an alien but to me, I was coming home. My cousin in Grangemouth met me in Glasgow, but I did not recognise her, as I did not recognise much of the landscape I remembered. I spent a few days in Glasgow, Grangemouth and Edinburgh and then proceeded to Stornoway. Ness had changed. Hardly any of the old houses remained and many of the old friends were no more. The old hearth was gone where we sat in a circle around the open fire, telling and listening to our favourite stories. But the seashore was the same, untouched by the hands of man. Its cool breezes were swirling around my favourite rocks, working in unison with the sound of the waves, dashing against the familiar cliffs with the same warm touch as if saying, "Welcome home!" My reply was "Thank you, but I was here many times in my dreams."

"The days of old to mind I called, and oft did think upon the times and ages that are part full many years agone." Psalm 77.

"I spent two happy months with my father and sisters, seeing old friends and making new ones, and I visited many parts of the Island. I was delighted to meet those I knew in America who had returned to settle in Lewis and it was like meeting old friends from home.But my holiday passed too quickly and, again, it was time to part. The tears flowed as I said goodbye to my aged father, knowing we would not meet again in this world. (He passed away the following year). I was again homesick leaving, but this time it was different than that day in April of 1923. I was eager to get back to my own family. My roots were now in America.

"When I retired I returned once again to Ness. In 1969 Annie and I went home together. My wife is from Skigersta. This time I rented a car and saw more of the island. I enjoyed driving to Stornoway. Time had again taken its toll; nearly all of the old friends were gone. We were home about two months. The weather was cold and damp, but the warm welcome we always got made up for it.

"I am now in my declining years but I am healthy and active in church affairs and gardening. Our son's home is twenty miles from our apartment in the city. It is out in the country on five acres of land, where I spend the warm days of summer in the solitude of the country, just the way I started life so many, many miles away - growing potatoes and vegetables.  I didn't acquire wealth, but we are comfortable and were never in need. God was good to us. I had wealth other than money; my Christian upbringing and Lewis heritage was a stronghold in the day of trouble and a deterrent against the evil we were exposed to."

Eadar Nis is Niagara

Bha a' bhochdainn anns an eilean cho m�r 's gun d'fhuaireadh gu le�r a bha de�nach cuireadh Major Goodliff a ghabhail. Anns a' Ghiblean 1923 th�inig an loighnear Metagama, is dh'fhalbh i le tr� cheud Le�dhasach �g - balaich agus clann-nighean. Cha b 'e c�il �r a bh' ann do Le�dhas a bhith a' coimhead an t-sluaigh a' falbh gu Canada agus �iteachan eile. Ann an 1863 rinn a' chuid bu mhotha de mhuinntir Ghabhsainn imrich gu Canada nuair a chaidh am baile sin fh�sachadh. Agus bha am fuadach a' dol roimhe sin cuideachd.

D�mhnall Chrut (Suaineabost): " ‘S e fichead bliadhna a bha mise nuair a dh’fhalbh mi air a' Mhetagama ann an April 1923. Cha robh obair ann an seo ann; cha robh thu d�anamh c�il ach na do sheasamh ris na cruachan. Cha robh c�il ann. T�de an �itich 's na m�nach bhiodh tu ag obair an uair sin, ach nuair a thogadh tu am bunt�ta as t-fhoghar cha robh thu a' d�anamh c�il.

Th�inig am fear seo, Major Goodliff, dha na sgoilean is theann e ag innse dhuinn an ‘opportunity’ a bh' ann an Ontario, is gum biodh joba againn aig an tuathanach nuair a ruigeadh sinn. Is dh'fhalbh sinn a-mach chun a' Mhetagama. Bha i a-muigh anns a' bh�gh .....'s bha ministearan ann an sin. Tha cuimhn' agam gu robh an d� mhinistear � Nis ann co-dhi�. Bha iadsan ag �rnaigh mas do dh'fhalbh sinn. 'S chaidh iadsan air ais agus she�l sinne."

Chaidh teintean m�ra a lasadh air feadh Le�dhais airson soraidh sl�n a leigeil leis a' mhuinntir a bha a' f�gail; feadhainn aca nach do dh'fhalbh bhon taigh a riamh chuna siud. Tha e coltach gun d'thug fear �s an Rudha �rdugh seachad an dachaigh aige a losgadh nuair a bhiodh am "Metagama" a mach bho fhearann an Rudha.

Stornoway Gazette: Ness News - 3rd May 1923:

"Lewismen in Canada prepare welcome - Montreal, Tuesday - Preparations have been made at various centres to give an enthusiastic welcome to the large party of Hebridean settlers coming to Canada on the Metagama. Owing to the ice conditions in the St. Lawrence it is uncertain where the party will land. Although the Metegama is due to arrive at Quebec at the end of the week, it is stated by the Canadian Pacific Authorities that unless the river is considerably clearer of ice the steamer may have to be diverted to St. John's.

Wherever the settlers land they will immediately be forwarded by special train to their destinations in Ontario and the Western Provinces. Should they land at St. John's, the City Council there is planning a reception for the Hebrideans by the local Scottish Societies, while those both of Montreal and Toronto intend to offer hospitality to the settlers from Stornoway, including addresses in their native Gaelic which is still spoken by a number of Scotsmen in various parts of Canada."

Seonaidh Shiurra (Na C�ig Peighinnean):

" 'S bha d�il gur ann am Montreal a bha i dol a’ landadh. Cha b' ann; chan fhaight' ann aig an deigh. Bha na h-icebergs ann an sin agus 's ann ann an St. John, New Brunswick a landaig sinn. Bha c�isean gl� thruagh air a' Mhetagama fh�in. Cha robh c�il ann ach ‘three square meals’. Siud far na dh'fhairich mise a' cheud acras ceart. O, bha t�rr dhaoine innte. Sgap iad. Chaidh sinne suas a Thoronto, a h-uile duine bh' ann is sgap iad air falbh � sin. Chaidh mise agus D�mhnall Chrut a bh' aig an taigh bho chionn d� bhliadhna a-mach gu tuathanach, ach cha b' ann chun aon thuathanach a chaidh sinn. Agus cha robh m�ran de dh'obair aige aig an �m ud. Bha e an d�idh 's am b�rr a chur sios, an t�lamh a threabhadh agus a h-uile c�il, ach cha do dh'fhuirich sinn ach c�ig latha an d�idh sin. Th�inig sinn a-steach a Thoronto a rithist an ceann c�ig neo sia a l�ithean. Chaidh sinn dhan an ‘Employment Exchange’ ann an sin. Chuir iad s�os sinn gu Niagara Falls - sh�os an Niagara River. Thug sinn ann an sin fad an t-samhraidh. Bha e gl� mhath ag obair aig Hydro Electric Scheme. Cha robh am p�igheadh dona idir 's bha sinn a' fuireach ann an camp."

Murchadh D�mhnallach - Murchadh a' Bh�daidh (Am Port): "Bha mise aig tuathanach airson naoi m�osan - an tuathanach 's a bhean, balach m' aois fhin (22 bhliadhna) agus nighean a' dol dhan sgoil. Bha an sgoil ceithir m�le air falbh. Bha c�r aca agus nuair a bha sneachd ann ‘s e ‘horse and buggy’ a bhiodh aca. ‘S e ‘brick house’ a bh'ann. Bha gu le�r obair ann agus bha gu le�r biadh. Aig an �m sin cha robh am p�igheadh gl� mh�r - �5 a month.

‘S e ‘general farming’ a bh'ann le crodh 's caoraich is bha ‘apple orchard’ ann. Bhiodh am balach a’ toirt nan �bhlan gu margaid ann an London (Ontario). Nuair a dh'fhalbh mi �s a sin chaidh mi gu London, Ontario, agus bha mi ag obair ann an sin aig a' Chanadian National Railway chun an ath shamhradh agus 's ann ann a sin a thachair Tarmod Iain Ailein rium. Chaidh sinn suas gu �ite ris an can iad Wallaceburg - baile beag. Fhuair sinn obair ann an sin. Nuair a dh'fhalbh sinn �s a' sin chaidh sinn a null dha na States agus chun na Lakes. Bha mi a’ se�ladh air na Lakes gus an t�inig mi dhachaigh ann a' 1935."

Cha robh a' mh�r chuid de na dh'fhalbh ag iarraidh m�ran lethsgeul airson na tuathanaich fh�gail. Agus bha grunnan ann, suas ri 30 per cent, nach do r�inig tuathanach a-riamh. Co-dhi�, cha robh fada gus an robh iomadach duine aca rim faighinn ag obair ann am factoraidhean an Cleveland, Detroit agus Buffalo. Th�isich iad air Lewis Societies anns na bailtean sin agus ph�s feadhainn aca clann-nighean Le�dhasach a dh'fh�g an t-eilean c�mhla riutha fh�in. Cha robh Riaghaltas Province Ontario idir toilichte mar a bhathas a' f�gail nan tacan ann an �ine cho aithghearr, ach cha b'urrainn dhaibh m�ran a dh�anamh mu dheidhinn.

Ach dh'fheumadh na tuathanaich ann an Canada c�rr air d� fhichead m�le duine eile airson cuideachadh le torradh na talmhainn a bhuain 's a chruinneachadh anns na bliadhnachan as d�idh 1923. Cha robh e fada gus an robh iad air ais an Le�dhas a’ sireadh dhaoine a rithist.

Mr D.E. Lothian, B.Sc., Canadian Agent for Scotland, a’ bruidhinn aig coinneamh ann an Sgoil L�onail anns an Damhair 1923 (Gasaet Ste�rnabhaigh, 25.10.23): "Mr. Lothian deplored the present conditions of life in Lewis and wondered at the pleasing appearance of the young men reared under such climate and agricultural disadvantages, and went on to explain at length what Canada with its vast resources offered to young men willing to ensure hardships at the outset and possessed of good qualities of brain and a healthy constitution. Schemes for emigration on a large scale were now under way, and when completed would be worthy of their consideration. He trusted negotiations would be matured in early Spring and the Dominion Government would then offer assisted passages at the rate of 75 per cent, the emigrants to pay the balance of 25 per cent."

Mgr. Iain Guinne, Maighstir-Sgoile Lionail aig an aon choinneimh:

"Mr. Gunn explained at length what strenuous efforts had been put forth to move the home Government to provide employment in sorely needed relief works at home, but all such efforts had proved in vain. They had hoped against hope that Lord Leverhulme would consider them, seeing they had stood so loyally by him, but such thoughts had proved only an air bubble. Now, hard as it seemed to forsake their home forever, he counselled them to emigrate at the earliest possible moment...Mr. Gunn poured scorn on the late British Premier's promises during the last war and ended up saying, ‘He promised you a land fit for heroes to live in. I say to you, it is only a hero who could live in the land you subsist in now!’ ".

Iain D�mhnallach - Mac Bhoids (S. Dell): "I left South Dell at 23 years of age in April 1924 on the ship Marloch and settled in the province of Ontario. I worked in Ontario for a while, then, in hopes of making money went to Niagara Falls in the United States. After a few months I moved back to Canada to the city of Fort William, Ontario. Fort William proved lucky for me. It was there that I met Jessie Anne MacPhail from Benside, Lewis and we were married on January 9 1929. A few months later we left Fort William and came to Trail, British Columbia, and we are still here. I worked in Trail with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. (now officially called Cominco Ltd.) until I retired with a comfortable pension. The decision to come to Canada was one we never regretted. Never does a day pass that we don't talk about Lewis and our younger days....Our eldest grand-daughter, by the way, recently won the Canadian Junior Figure Skating Championship." Iain D�mhnallach - Mac Bhoids (S. Dell): "I left South Dell at 23 years of age in April 1924 on the ship Marloch and settled in the province of Ontario. I worked in Ontario for a while, then, in hopes of making money went to Niagara Falls in the United States. After a few months I moved back to Canada to the city of Fort William, Ontario. Fort William proved lucky for me. It was there that I met Jessie Anne MacPhail from Benside, Lewis and we were married on January 9 1929. A few months later we left Fort William and came to Trail, British Columbia, and we are still here. I worked in Trail with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. (now officially called Cominco Ltd.) until I retired with a comfortable pension. The decision to come to Canada was one we never regretted. Never does a day pass that we don't talk about Lewis and our younger days....Our eldest grand-daughter, by the way, recently won the Canadian Junior Figure Skating Championship." Iain D�mhnallach - Mac Bhoids (S. Dell): "I left South Dell at 23 years of age in April 1924 on the ship Marloch and settled in the province of Ontario. I worked in Ontario for a while, then, in hopes of making money went to Niagara Falls in the United States. After a few months I moved back to Canada to the city of Fort William, Ontario. Fort William proved lucky for me. It was there that I met Jessie Anne MacPhail from Benside, Lewis and we were married on January 9 1929. A few months later we left Fort William and came to Trail, British Columbia, and we are still here. I worked in Trail with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. (now officially called Cominco Ltd.) until I retired with a comfortable pension. The decision to come to Canada was one we never regretted. Never does a day pass that we don't talk about Lewis and our younger days....Our eldest grand-daughter, by the way, recently won the Canadian Junior Figure Skating Championship." Iain D�mhnallach - Mac Bhoids (S. Dell): "I left South Dell at 23 years of age in April 1924 on the ship Marloch and settled in the province of Ontario. I worked in Ontario for a while, then, in hopes of making money went to Niagara Falls in the United States. After a few months I moved back to Canada to the city of Fort William, Ontario. Fort William proved lucky for me. It was there that I met Jessie Anne MacPhail from Benside, Lewis and we were married on January 9 1929. A few months later we left Fort William and came to Trail, British Columbia, and we are still here. I worked in Trail with the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. (now officially called Cominco Ltd.) until I retired with a comfortable pension. The decision to come to Canada was one we never regretted. Never does a day pass that we don't talk about Lewis and our younger days....Our eldest grand-daughter, by the way, recently won the Canadian Junior Figure Skating Championship."

Dh'fhalbh Tarmod Iain Ailein �s a' Phort air a ‘Chanada’ air an 17mh den Ch�itean 1924:

"Dh'fhalbh sinn air an 17mh 's bha sinn ann an Quebec air an 24mh. Fhuair sinn tr�an �s a sin. Bha feadhainn dhan cur a-mach aig ‘Stops, all the way’ gus na r�inig sinn Montreal - gan cur a mach gu tuathanaich. Choinnich mise Catriona Mhurchaidh Ghuinne ann am Montreal. Bha ise air a thighinn a-mach aon latha romham fh�n. Dh'fhalbh mi gu Toronto �s an sin.

Nuair a r�inig sinn ‘s e ‘birthday’ Queen Victoria a bh' ann 's cha robh na tuathanaich a-staigh anns a' bhaile. ‘S e ‘holiday’ a bh' ann. Dh'fhalbh an ‘crowd’ gu l�ir gus na r�inig sinn London, Ontario. Cha robh tuathanaich a-staigh ann an sin a bharrachd. Chaidh iad leinn gu hostel a choireigin gus a faigheadh sinn t�mh na h-oidhche is gun tigeadh na tuathanaich a-steach. Chunnaic mi Murchadh a' Bh�daidh mas do r�inig mi a’ hostel 's cha deach mi innte fhathast. Bha esan a-muigh bliadhna romham. Dh'fhalbh sinn an oidhche sin fh�in air an tr�ana 's r�inig sinn anns a' mhadainn Wallaceburg, Ontario. ‘S e Sugar Company gun deach sinn is thuirt iad ruinn a thighinn a-steach madainn an ath latha.....Bha sinn ann an sin c�rr air d� bhliadhna ann a' ‘sugar refinery’. Dh'fh�s sinn ‘fed up’. Th�inig ‘sugar boils’ oirnn - rudan mar niosgaidean.

Chaidh sinn an uair sin gu na Lakes. Bha mise an sin an c�rr dhan �ine thug mi ann. Bha mi ann d� bhliadhna dheug. Cha robh cianalas orm a-riamh - bha barrachd orm a' tighinn dhachaigh na bh' orm a-riamh. Chan eil fhios carson a thill mi. 'S ann a th�inig mi cuairt is ph�s mi is chum i aig an taigh mi."

Thainig an ‘Depression’ as deidh 1930 agus dh�in factoraidhean nan c�raichean ann an Detroit agus iomadach ionad-obrach eile. Thill m�ran dhachaigh a Le�dhas ach dh'fhuirich t�rr far an robh iad a dh'aindeoin cho dorch 's a bha c�isean. A measg an fheadhainn a dh'fhuirich bha D�mhall Tulag, D�mhnall MacLe�id �s a' Chnoc Ard. Ph�s e Anna Mhoireach � Sgiogarstaidh ann an Detroit an 1935. Seo mar a sgr�obh esan bho chionn ghoirid.

"The Depression was not over and work was scarce but that only brought us closer together. There was a large Lewis colony here and we had taken root. We were no longer from Ness or Point etc, but we were as one village, with one common bond. Fate brought us here and we were different . When one found work, he would at once recommend a fellow Lewisman for the first opening. This worked so well both on land and sea that there was very little unemployment among us; many of the Lewismen held responsible jobs both on land and sea. Ness was well represented among the captains and officers who served on the Great Lakes and on salt water, also among those who studied for the ministry and served as pastors both in Canada and the United States."

Seo mar a bhruidhinn D�mhnall Chrut nuair a bha e aig an taigh ann an 1980:

"Nam biodh Le�dhas an uair ud mar a tha e an- diugh chan fhalbhadh duine. Carson a dh'fhalbhadh? Tha e cheart cho math ri �ite th' ann an Amaireaga neo an Canada an-diugh. Chan eil na bailtean cho m�r ach tha daoine a’ cheart cho math dheth ' s ged a bhiodh tu an Canada. Ach o chionn faisg air tr� fichead bliadhna cha robh c�il ann. Tha duine a tha ag obair aig an ola an-diugh a' faighinn ann an aon seachdain barrachd airgid na bh'ann an Nis gu l�ir nuair a dh'fhalbh mis' �s. Bola mine an uair ud, cha robh e cosg ach sia tasdain dheug; an- diugh fichead not, tha mi creids. Cha robh airgead ann. Chan iarrainn air duine sam bith emigratadh �s a seo an-diugh."