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ARCADIAN BOOK
MORE ARC MEMORIES – Volume 2
Published December 2008

The publication, distribution and sales of the Arc Centenary Book 100 Years of Arc Memories has been a catalyst, enabling many Old Arcadians and their families to ‘come out’ as it were, and to be proud they were from Arcadia, and to make contact with their fellow Arcadians. I now sense that for many “Coming from Arcadia” is now a badge to be shown off with pride and that the sense of shame in being an orphanage child has somewhat dissipated. This is very much like Australians, who in previous generations hid the fact that their forebears came out from England as convicts and who are now proud to show this in their family trees.

This book contains Arc Memories that have poured in from Old Arcs and their descendants following the publication of the Arcadia Centenary Book 100 Years of Arc Memories in 2006. Like the first book, this sequel records the memories of the children of Arcadia (Arcs) and the history of Arcadia (the Arc).

What both books have in common is that Old Arcadians are willing to express what the Arcadia meant to them. It is nothing short of miraculous that people of so many different generations, who have followed totally different paths in life in many countries around the world, are willing to share their special status with one another and with you. I feel privileged once again to be the recorder of their memories.

Many of the memories in this edition of the very early generations of Arcs have come from the children of the Arcadians simply because they have wanted the stories of their late parents to be on record.

This book devotes 17 chapters to the Ochberg Orphans – six of a general nature, and eleven based on personal and family contributions. Arcadia reports of the period, referred to these children variously as the Russian pogrom orphans, the Russian orphans, or the Ukraine orphans but not as “Ochberg Orphans” as was done in the Cape.

This book is expected to be on sale worldwide with all proceeds going to Arcadia.

Anyone who might want more information about the book please contact David Sandler by email sedsand@ca.com.au