- In 1941-1943 the Embrik Family lived in Liepaja, 59 Toma St. (No information how long).
Igrid Embrits-
Ingrid Embrits was the youngest of the two sisters with a 5 ½ years difference. Their father Ernest Embrits owned a printing business and was quite successful. Their mother Lina Abelite worked as a secretary and then as a bank teller.
On the 22.06.1942 the Russian soldiers came to the Embriks home looking for Ernest as they wanted to arrest him. The Russians claimed Ernest had associations with a Latvian patriotic group and wished to take him. The men were armed with guns and bayonets. Ernest was asked his last wishes by the soldiers before he was taken. Ernest asked for a clean pair of socks and a glass of buttermil which Karina got for him. Never saw Ernest their father again.
Lina was left with the Karin for my mother Ingrid and her sister Karina.
Lina and the two girls moved several times within Liepaja.
Karina married at age 17 years to Arthur who was 21 years her senior. The had two sons Edwin and Theodore. The family also had the opportunity to become displaced persons and were placed in Melle Germany in the Displaced Persons camp.
The Marriage of John Apsite and Ingrid Embrits.
John and Ingrid met in the displaced persons camp in Germany. John states he first met Ingrid one day walking in the German displaced persons camp when he heard someone playing the piano beautifully. He went to investigate and then saw Ingrid playing the piano. From there a relationship developed. John states he helped Ingrid with geometry and they danced together at the dances that were held each Saturday night. John and Ingrid courted for two years and Ingrid was married when she was 18 years and John Apsite was 29 years.
In 1958 Karina, (Ingrid's sister,) Arthur and their boys emigrated to Australia with Lina.
Originally papers were signed for Ingrid and John to go to America as John believed better opportunities. But Ingrid wanted to be closer to family, mother and sister, so they came to Australia on January 1st, 1951 and were first sent to by train to Bonagilla Victoria Shepparton to the army barracks. My parent’s memory of Australia the was barrenness and heat.
My parents then earned some money fruit picking.
Meanwhile Karin and Arthur and family were living on the Victorian peninsula in Rosebud and Arthur was working on the roads. Ingrid and John decided to move closer to them, moving to Rosebud.
My parents later moved to Melbourne where in 1962 Anita was born. Ingrid was 30 years old and her father was 41 years.
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1932 - 1981 (49 years)
