Oral history on Ukrainian famine, Ukraine in WWII, internment of Ukrainian Canadians

The UCRDC archive was initially established in 1988 to organize the large collection of materials pertaining to the 1932-33 Famine in Ukraine. The archival collection, housed in a special climate-controlled room, is constantly growing and now contains legal and government documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, audio and video documentation of oral histories, and a collection of unpublished memoirs.

The UCRDC collects material on such topics as:

•Ukrainian Famines of 1921-23, 1932-33, 1946-47
•The internment of Ukrainians in Canada 1914-1920
•Ukraine and Ukrainians during WW II
•Ukrainian-Canadian Servicemen
•The DP (Displaced Persons) Experience
•Ukrainian Canadian Women - post WW II immigration
•Prominent leaders of the Ukrainian community
•Ukraine and Ukrainians under Soviet occupation: Joint Oral History project with Lviv State University

Famine in Ukraine

Interviews were conducted between 1981 and 1988 with survivors of the Ukrainian Famine 1932-33. Topics include the Famine itself, cannibalism, communism, collectivization, religious persecution, the CHEKA, the League of Nations, the O.G.P.U., Torgsin Stores and the Twenty-Five Thousanders. Places mentioned are the North Caucasus, Podillia, the Volga Region, Volyn, and cities and villages in Ukraine.

Transcripts of the sound cassette recordings were published in the Oral History Project of the Commission on the Ukraine Famine, vol. 3, Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1990, pp. 1464-1659. Material from these interviews was used in the production of Harvest of Despair. Ukrainian, English, German, Russian.

Displaced Person Collection

Interviews conducted since 1989 with individuals who witnessed the events of WW II, immigrated and settled in Canada after the war. Respondents include survivors of German and Soviet concentration camps, members of various World War II military formations, and forced labourers. Their biographies are recorded. Reference is made to Ukrainian Canadian Committee (UCC), United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), International Refugee Organization (IRO); Ukrainian Division "Halychyna", and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This is an ongoing project. Ukrainian, English.

Ukrainian Servicemen

Interviews conducted between April 1989 and June 1991 as part of material for a proposed full-length documentary film on Ukrainian Canadian war heroes. Interviewees are Ukrainian Canadian men and women who were members of the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II. The entire life history of the individual is recorded with emphasis placed on World War II-related experience: DP Camps, repatriation, training and service in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Ukrainian Canadian Servicemen's Association. Countries mentioned: East Africa, England, Italy, Japan and Holland. English, Ukrainian.

Prominent Leaders of the Ukrainian Community

Interviews conducted since 1991 with prominent Ukrainian activists- individuals who played a key role within the Ukrainian political arena and witnessed and actively participated in the democratic processes which began to unfold. Their biographies, as well as their views on the past, present and future of Ukrainian political and social life, are recorded. They discuss communism, political prisoners, World War II, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), RUKH (the pro-democracy movement), and the Communist Party. Countries mentioned: Ukraine, Australia, Germany, and various cities in the United States. Ukrainian

Lydia Palij conducting interview with Dr. Peter Smylski, veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. 20.04.1989

Interview by Oksana Zakydalsky with journalist Ivan Kedryn-Rudnytsky, editor of the newspaper Dilo in interwar Lviv, Ukraine. New York. 21.12.1993

Daria Husiak (left), former UPA member and Roman Shukhevych’s courier after being interviewed by Iryna Moroz. 31.03.1993

Access to the archival holdings of UCRDC is provided for legitimate researchers, academics and students. Materials available include video and audio interviews (both on tape and digital), videos, films, photographs, documents, and books.

A registration form is filled out by users of any UCRDC materials. It includes: name, position, address, telephone, purpose of research, date of visit. UCRDC holdings are not permitted to leave the premises of the UCRDC under any circumstances.

Reproduction of UCRDC holdings may be subject to copyright and other restrictions placed on it by the donor. A fee of $25.00 per image for publication of any photo shall be paid to the UCRDC. Photocopies of UCRDC material may be supplied at 25 cents per 8" x 11" page of copy. Colour laser copies may be supplied at $5.00 per copy. These regulations are subject to revision and application by the UCRDC Staff.

Iroida Wynnyckyj,
archivist of the UCRDC

ARCHIVAL DONATION

UCRDC continues to accept donations of personal archival materials (passports, birth and death certificates, diplomas, unpublished memoirs).

If you have material which you think may be suitable for inclusion in UCRDC Archives - please contact the office before bringing it to the Centre.

Our archival space is limited, but we would like to help you to find the best depository for your material.

Under no circumstances should any material be left without UCRDC archivist's expressed agreement.