The S. S. Metagama was built for the Canadian Pacific Steamship company, and was launched in 1914. Like Jacob Nickel, many newcomers to Canada made their way to Canada by ocean crossing in ships like this one. Coloured lithograph of the S.S. Metagama, c. 1914. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (A2013.265.1).

The story of Jacob Jacob Nickel

Jacob was a farmer in Russia, a young man of 18 when the war came to his door. He was forced to run and did so, they came through England to Canada.

He left behind a wife and child who came to Canada later only never to find him. We know this as the son found us years later but we lost him again.

He was no longer using Nickel for a last name. His son's name is Jacob Jacob Nickel. In 1929 he came to Canada. Jacob Jacob Sr. landed in Que, Que on the ship S.S. Metagama then onto Steinback Man. He stayed there for a while then he came west to Alta at Gems. He was baptized there. All this time he was working for the CPR. They had told him that if he worked for them they would give him land that's when he decided on going to Black Creek B.C. He arrived there in 1934 were he got his land of 58 ac. on the right of way to the CPR on the Island Highway. He was joined on the Island by two other sisters that where married in Russia, Mrs. Welham Ham (Elizabeth) and Mrs. Jacob Penner (Maria) one sister remained in Russia, Mrs. Jacob Letke (Helen).

In 1943 he married again to Katherna (Toews) of Man. sask. and Abbotsford B.C.Toews. They raised their children on the farm at Black Creek until Jacob died in 1966 April 21. Children Jacob E. , Johann .B.,Tena died [3yr.] Elizabeth, Henry. Jacob was born on Aug 13 1906 in Orenburg, Russia his father's name was Jacob Nikkel mother Elizabeth Unrauh. Jacob, Elizabeth and Anna had come to Canada under the head of house Wilham Warkentin on passport Jacob's as Warkentin - Nickel.

Anna never married but lived in her own house on Jacob's land.

Accession Number: S2012.1109.1