Vilho Katainen Family
Minda Leponiemi came to Maple Ridge from Finland in 1912. She had travelled by boat to Quebec, and then by train all the way into … Read More
The Sampo Hall
Finnish settlers started arriving in Webster’s Corners in 1905. Their goal was to live in a Socialist commune and to that end they purchased a … Read More
The Finns of Webster’s Corners
The early Finnish population in Webster’s Corners arrived not from Finland, but from Malcolm Island in the straits between northern Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. … Read More
Sam Saari Family
Sam Saari was a big, strong Finn who earned his living as a blacksmith and spoke with pride of his 17-inch biceps. Sam Saari (born … Read More
James Murray Webster Family
James Murray Webster was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1833. He went to school in his home town, but was sent for further education to … Read More
Humphreys Brothers
From Leonard Humphrey’s Memoirs: Having found Vancouver Island’s best areas too highly priced per acre, and such areas limited, as for instance the Cowichan Valley, … Read More
Arvo Skytte Family
Arvo Felix Skytte was born in 1887 in Frossa, Finland. Arvo, along with Sanfried Salo, Karl Hendrikson, and Armas Skytte, was among the first group … Read More
William Nelson Family
William Nelson was one of our first settlers. He purchased the piece of land west of the Howisons and established a landing on the Fraser … Read More
William Hampton Family
William Hampton was born in Cornwall in 1854. In his youth he was employed in the tin mines, and when not mining he also tended … Read More
John Laity Family
In 1879, John Laity and William Hampton came up river from New Westminster to Maple Ridge by boat to have a look at some land … Read More