Motivated by Hope

Immigration is motivated by hope; the hope for a better life, however the individual defines it.  Charles Fleur de Lys had become frustrated with the lack of work in his field as a printer in Switzerland and immigrated to Canada with his young family in the hope of a better future.  He was unsuccessful in his attempts to find work in his field around the Montreal area and as his funds were running dangerously low he accepted work with the Canadian Pacific Railway.  The work was physically demanding and did not resemble in any way his original career however Charles would stay with the CPR until his retirement on the Ferme Fleur de Lys. 

Charle’s first few months must have been an anxious time for him as he tried to prepare for the arrival of his wife, Caroline, who had been delayed in Switzerland due to the death of their newborn child.  He was left with the responsibility for the care of their young daughter, Renee, as well as starting his new job.  He also had to find a house that would be suitable for his family as well as affordable.

Charles kept a journal during this time where he carefully recorded all his expenses as well as some of his reflections on his new country.  It was through these careful calculations that he determined that he could afford to rent a large house that a colleague was moving out of.  He had been staying in a rooming house with his young daughter and was feeling the pressure to find a suitable home for his family.  As the house was quite large he decided to rent out some of the rooms and this is how Henri Miege would eventually meet Renee many years later as he rented one of the rooms in the house.

Charles and Caroline had moved from Nyon in Switzerland which is one of the many villages along the shores of Lac Leman.  Lac Leman is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe measuring 133.32 sq. miles. It is speculated that it was the Shuswap Lake that partially drew Charles to make the decision to purchase the farm. It is possible that Charles was missing his home country and saw something of the Lac Leman in the Shuswap. He was an avid fisherman and had fished regularly on the Lac Leman, and was able to continue this pastime on the Shuswap.

I have just arrived back from spending three weeks along the shores of the Lac Leman and there is a similarity between the lakes.  They are both profoundly deep and large with a skyline of mountains. Like the Shuswap, the shores of Lac Leman are often rocky.

Lac Leman

Shuswap Lake, view from our house.

Lac Leman, Geneva

Shuswap Lake

Lac Leman, sunset in Hermance

View of Hermance with the Lac Leman behind

The Ranch, on the shores of the Shuswap.