Flundra

William Flonders

Born: January 2, 1907 in Lennard, Manitoba

Died: August 9, 1984 in St. Catharines, ON

Father: Alex Flundra – born 1883 – died Oct 18, 1932 in Russell MB; Ukrainian descent from Austrian / Hungarian empire, Cznhor village, Bulkovina area; He came over with bother George on the ship Adria, leaving Hamburg Germany April 21, 1903; Alex married Verona July 4, 1906, George married her sister

Mother: Verona (Varinika) Bulbuck – born 1885 – died 1949 in Winnipeg; Ukrainian descent from Austrian / Hungarian empire, Corovia village, Bukovina area; Father was Simon (Sam) Bulbuck, who came over on the ship Bulgeria with his five children (Verona, Maria, Minoly, Ted, Margerat) on May 12, 1903, wife was already deceased

Siblings: James (Mary) Flonder, Elsie (Ed) Chernesky, Harry (Helen) Flander, Doris Klassen, Lena (Frank) Rubenuk

William and Helen's Children

1. James Flonders (Barbara) - Dec. 26, 1928

• Stephen, Sandy, Gary 

2. Ernest Flonders (Sandra) - May 27, 1930 

• Parianne, Wayne 

3. Albina Kelly (Edward) - May 29, 1933 

•  Ronny, Lorraine, Debbie

4. Alexander (Sandy) Flonders (died at age 2 of the flu) 1935-1937

5. Marie Kordos (Alfred) - April 4, 1937

•  Cathy, Carolyn, Alfie

6. Emily Vaughan (Stanley) - March 31, 1939

•  Marty, Paul, Missy, Marie

7. Patricia Case (Brian) - February 15, 1941 

•  Chris, Tanya, Stacey, Tracy, Christine 

What’s in a name? 

William’s family name was originally “Flundra” but over the years, as family members moved to Ontario, this Ukrainian name was being misspelled and mispronounced (it is “floon” as in loon – “dra”), therefore sons of the family changed the spelling in different ways. They did not communicate very well back then. Names included: Flonders, Flonder, Flondra, and Flander. William took the name “Flonders” and the rest is history!

Helen’s family name was originally spelled “Wachniuk”. Over the years family members changed the spelling to Wachnuk. The spelling of the original name was causing problems and being misspelled constantly. Spelling the name the way it sounded suited all the male members of the family, so they all agreed on one spelling: Wachnuk. They communicated much better than the Flundra family!