Bethel Mennonite Church fonds. — [ca. 1955]-1968. — 2 cm of textual records
Administrative History
Bethel Mennonite Church began services in Winnipeg in 1937, and formally organized in 1946. It was originally known as Bethel Mennonite Mission. The first building was occupied in 1938, with subsequent building programs in 1945, 1955 and 1995. Benjamin Ewert is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through urbanization from rural Manitoba and outreach by the General Conference Mennonite Church. The congregation has been affiliated with the Conference of Mennonites in Manitoba, Conference of Mennonites in Canada (1950-), and the General Conference Mennonite Church (1947-). The language of worship is English; the transition from German occurred in the 1940s. Pastors have been salaried since 1943. In 1950 there were 202 members; in 1965, 450; in 1975, 385; in 1985, 516; in 1995, 591; in 2000, 587.
Custodial History
The records were compiled by the Missions Committee of the Women’s Missionary Society of the Bethel Mennonite Church in 1967. They came into the possession of Erna Klassen.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of a collection of biographical sketches of missionaries (and Youth Opportunities Unlimited) in various geographic settings. All were commissioned through the General Conference Commission on Overseas Missions, which was responsible for mission efforts on behalf of Canadian and American General Conference members at that time.
Accession 2003.2
Administrative History information extracted from Canadian Mennonite Encyclopaedia
Last updated 22 Apr 2003 – Judith Rempel
Revised June 2012
1 – Untitled binder of biographical sketches – 1950s
2 – Columbia newsletter – 1964-1968
Series Inventory
</a Series Inventory< /a
The binder of biographical sketches is organized geographically; following is effectively a Table of Contents to the material.
Manitoba
Jacob Unrau (1920-) – p. 4
Gertrude (Giesbrecht) Unrau (1919-) – p. 5
Edwin (-1963) & Anne (Thiessen) Brandt – p. 6
Youth Opportunities Unlimited – p. 10
Otto & Margaret (Neufeld) Hamm – p. 11
Orville & Katherine (Loeffler) Andres – p. 12
Indian Americans
Norman (1929- ) & Mary (Giesbrecht) (1932- ) Bartel – p. 15
Margaret Thiessen (1935- ) – p. 17
Isaac (1927-) & Margret Froese – p. 18
Margaret Derksen (1942-) – p. 19
Mexico
Daniel (1927- ) & Elna (Tiessen) (1929- ) Peters – p. 21
Accession no. 2002.017, 2008.011, 2009.011, 2012.022 and 2016.016, all filed at 2002.017. Some file numbers were changed when accession 2016.016 was integrated with the items received earlier.
Title and Physical Description
Bergthal Mennonite Church fonds. — 1927-2006, predominant 1969-2001. — 96 cm of textual records. — 16 photographs (more…)
Accession 2004.060, 2006.021, 2007.007 amd 2014.023 (All filed with 2004.060
Title and Physical Description
Meeting of the Representatives of the Mennonite Churches and Groups of Alberta fonds. — 1931-1966. — 1.48 m of textual records. — 13 photographs
Administrative/Biographical History
The Vertreterversammlung (Delegate’s Assembly) was a series of usually annual meetings begun in 1929 in order to organize and coordinate efforts of Mennonite settlers in Alberta in areas of relief (local and international), debt repayment, census taking, burial assistance, fire insurance, and funding for hospital care. The most immediately significant of these, and the one to which theVertreterversammlung devoted a great deal of its energies, was the Reiseschuld, or travel debt, accrued during the waves of Mennonite migration to Alberta from Europe and later South America. The first gathering of the Vertreterversammlung took place November 28th and 29th 1929; the first Executive consisted of a Chair and two secretaries. Executive positions were later organized into Chair, Vice-chair, Treasurer and Secretary, with each term lasting until the elections at the following year’s assembly. Each Mennonite district could send one voting delegate per 25 members. Every district also had a Distriktman who served as a representative, facilitated communication between assembly and district, presented reports, and collected census data and money. By 1935 the meetings were producing annual reports under the name Vertreterversammlung der mennonitschen Siedler Albertas (Delegates’ Assembly of Alberta Mennonite Settlers). Mennonite settlers at Coaldale also held separate delegate assemblies to promote local projects. In 1947 the official name was changed to Vertreter-Versammlung der mennonitschen Gemeinden und Gruppen von Alberta in fragen der Hilfs-Arbeit (Delegates’ Assembly of Mennonite Churches and Groups of Alberta regarding Relief Work). In 1959 it adopted an additional English name, Meeting of the Representatives of the Mennonite Churches and Groups of Alberta. By 1964, when the Vertreterversammlung was absorbed into the newly crafted Mennonite Central Committee (Alberta), the assembly, led by its executive committee, oversaw a variety of smaller organizations and projects including the Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta, a Beerdingungskasse (burial fund) and a fire insurance society which later evolved into Mennonite Mutual Insurance. The organization held its final meeting in 1965 under the name Alberta Mennonite Relief and Immigration Council
Custodial History
The records were created by various executive committee members and organizations and were subsequently transferred to Mennonite Central Committee Alberta sometime after 1965.
For records related to the Vertreterversammlung fonds, see the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization, and Provincial Committees of Mennonite Settlers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario fonds held by the Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg.
Accruals
Not Expected
Notes
Accession 2004.060, 2006.021, 2007.007 amd 2014.023 (All filed with 2004.060
Last Updated 28 Aug 2008 – Adam Beriault / Judith Rempel
Revised 10 Jun 2012
Series Inventory
<a name=”series”> Series Inventory
Series consists of published minutes and reports of approximately yearly meetings of the Provincial Committee of Mennonite Settlers in Alberta (Vertreterversammlung). The reports are arranged by date.
Box 1
1-1 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte [minutes and reports] – 1935, 1036, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1946
1-1a Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte, 1946 English translation by Erna Goerzen
1-2 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1947, 1948, 1940, 1950
1-3 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1951-1952
1-4 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1953-1954
1-5 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1955-1957
1-6 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1958-1959
1-7 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1961-1963
1-8 Vertreterversammlung Protokoll und Berichte – 1964-1965
Series consists of correspondence between various members of the Vertreterversammlung executive and other organizations, some formal, such as Mennonite Central Committee and Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization and others informal, such as various local Mennonite relief organizations, mutual aid, burial and relief organizations. Also includes correspondence with various government bodies regarding immigration. The correspondence is arranged by date.
Box 1
1-9 Rundschreiben des PK [Provincial Committee circulars] – 1931-1946
1-10 J. J. Thiessen, 1956. Aus dem Bericht der Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization
1-10 Die Mennonitesche Ansiedlung be Coaldale, Alberta, 1940, 1941, 1942.
Box 2 Correspondence
2-10 Briefe aus den Jahren [letters by year, Mennonite relief]; M. Hilfswerk, Alberta – 1933-1936
2-11 Eingegange Briefe [incoming letters] – 1 July 1934-1 July 1935 – includes minutes
2-12 Ausgehende Briefe [outgoing letters] – I. Regehr, Coaldale – 24 July 1934-26 June 1935
2-13 Korrespondenz [correspondence: mental illness] – Nervenkranke – 1934-1937 [2 photographs separated]
2-14 Korrespondenz [additional correspondence] – Belege fuer Eingaenge – 20 Aug. 1934-12 June 1935
2-15 Immigranten [immigration lists for Alberta] – Listen fuer Alberta – 25 Sept. 1934-13 Nov. 1936
2-16 Immigrantenlisten – Oct 5 1934-Aug 24 1935
2-17 Listen der Zahlungen von Reiseschuld und Boardsteuern von Alberta [lists of travel debt and dues] – May 1935-Dec 1946
2-18 Ausgehende Briefe – July 1 1935-July 1 1936
2-19 Eingehende Briefe – July 1935-July 1936
2-20 Ausgehende des A.P.K. Mennonitischer Siedler [outgoing correspondence of Alberta Provincial Committee of Mennonite Settlers] – July 23 1936-1937
2-21 Eingehende an dass A.P.K. Mennonitischer Siedler – July 23 1936-July 23 1937
2-22 Ausgehende Papiere – Prov. Komitee der menn. Siedler Albertas – 1937-1938
2-23 Eingehende Papiere – Prov. Komitee der menn. Siedler Albertas – 1937-1938
Box 3 3-24 Relief – a. Mehl nach Europa b. Fleisch nach Europa c. Lokle Hilfe in den 30-er Jahren [a. flour to Europe, b. meat to Europe, c. local relief] – 1937-1949
3-25 Ausgehende Briefe – July 1938-June 1939
3-26 Eingehende Briefe – 1938-1939
3-27 Siedlungsarbeit 1 Alberta P.R. [settlement concerns] – 1938-1950
3–27a Siedlungsarbeit 2 – bilder [settlers’ work 2 – pictures]. – 1934-1939. – Photos of fields before and after fertilization (1939); Provincial Mental Hospital, Ponoka; unidentified family; Jacob Enns (1935)
3-28 Ausgehende Briefe – 1939-1940
3-29 Eingehende Briefe – 1939-1940
3-30 Reiseschuld Berichte ueber Besuche der Reiseschuldner – Alberta [report of visits to travel debtors] – 1939-1941
3-31 Ausgehende Briefe – 1940-1941
3-32 Eingegange Briefe – 1940-1941
Box 4
4-33 Material der Menn. Feuervorsicherung – Alberta [material on Mennonite Fire Insurance] – 1940-1953
4-34 Liquidierung der Reisechuld als Distrikt [liquidation of travel debt by district] – 1941
4-35 Ausgegangene Briefe – July 1 1941-June 30 1942
4-36 Eingegange Briefe – 1 July 1941-June 30 1942
4-37 Ausgegangene Briefe – July 1942-Dec. 1943
4-38 Eingegangene Briefe (a) – 1 July 1942-31 Dec. 1943
4-39 Eingegangene Briefe (b) – 1 July 1942-31 Dec. 1943
Box 5
5-40 Briefe bezug der Mehlschuld [letters regarding flour debt] – 1943-1944
in bezug 5-41 Material I der Beerdingungskasse [material regarding the Burial Fund] – 1943-1946
5-42 Ausgehende Briefe – Letters sent (copies) – Regarding travel debt – 1944
5-43 Eingegange Briefe (a) – 1944
5-44 Eingegange Briefe (b) – 1944
5-45 Ausgegangene Briefe – 1945
5-46 Eingegange Briefe – 1945
5-47 Newton Darlehn und Mexico [debt in Alberta] – Schuld in Alberta – 1945
5-48 Ausgegangene Briefe – 1946
Box 6
6-49 Eingegange Briefe – 1946
6-50 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1946-1947
6-51 Correspondence – Ausgehende Briefe – 1947
6-52 Correspondence (a) – (Received) Eingehende Briefe – 1947
6-53 Correspondence (b) – (Received) Eingehende Briefe – 1947
6-54 Listen der Immigration – 1947
6-55 Mennonite Mutual Supporting Society (Mentally Handicapped) – 1947
6-56 Application of Admission to Canada of Immigrants #1 – 1947-1949
6-57 Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization – 1947-1949
6-57a Blank forms, miscellaneous samples. – [ca. 1945-ca. 1960]
Box 7
7-58 Immigration (Applikationen fuer Verwandte u Farmarbeiter) [applications for relations and farm labourers] – 1947-1949
7-59 Immigration – D.P.s as farm labour – Farmhilfe MCC (Alberta) May 1947 – July 1950 [1 photograph separated]
7-60 Korrespondenz aus den Jahren – 1947-1952
7-61 Rundschreiben au Alle Gemeinden [circular letters to all churches and congregational groups in Alberta from Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee] & Gruppen in Alberta von M.P.H. Komitee – 1947-1952
7-62 Korrespondenz – MCC (Alberta) – Jan. 1-July 30 1948
7-63 Korrespondenz – MCC (Alberta) – Aug. 1-Dec. 31 1948
7-64 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1948
7-65 Tool Programm Werkzeug – Program for Paraguay – 1948-1949
Box 8
8-66 Immigration – Besondere Falle a. 21 junge manner b. Danziger c. R. Becker d. Mrs. H. Tschaly- Rosemary – 1948-1950
8-67 Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization – 1948-1955
8-68 Korrespondenz (a) – MCC (Alberta) – 1 Jan. 1949-31 May 1949
8-69 Korrespondenz (b) – MCC (Alberta) – 1 Jan. 1949-31 May 1949
8-70 Korrespondenz – MCC (Alberta) – June 1-December 1949
8-71 National Employment Service – Displaced Persons – 1949
8-72 Material II der Menn Prov. Beerdingungskasse – 1947-1950
8-73 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1949-1950
8-74 Korrespondenz – M. Hilfswerk, Alberta – 1 Jan. 1950-30 Juni 1950
8-75 Korrespondenz M. Hilfswerk, Alberta – 1 July 1950-September 1950
Box 9
9-76 Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization – 1950-1951
9-77 Application of Admission to Canada of Immigrants #2 – 1950-1952
9-78 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1951
9-79 Mennonite Burial Aid – Korrespondenz in Bezug der Beerdigungskasse – 1951-1952
9-80 Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization – 1952
9-81 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1952
9-82 Mennonite Burial Aid – 1952-1953
9-83 Mennonite Mutual Supporting Society – 1952-1954
9-84 Rundschreiben – 1952-1966
9-85 Korrespondenz – 1953
9-86 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1953
9-87 Application of Admission to Canada of Immigrants #3 – 1953-1955
9-88 Korrespondenz 1954
9-89 Mennonite Burial Aid – 1954
9-90 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1954
9-91 Korrespondenz – 1955
9-92 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1955
9-93 Korrespondenz – 1956
9-94 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1956
9-95 Application of Admission to Canada of Immigrants #4 – 1956-1961
9-96 Korrespondenz 1957
Box 10
10-97 Mennonite Provincial Relief Committee of Alberta – 1957-1958
Minutes and Reports of Mennonite Settlers at Coaldale
The largest concentration of Mennonite settlers in Alberta lived in the Coaldale area. In addition to participation in the provincial Vertreterversammlung, the Coaldale Mennonite settlers also established a local assembly (Ortskommittee) which worked with the provincial society but also initiated a number of local projects and institutions. The work of the local society, at various times, included local committees to collect money to repay the Reiseschuld, provide medical (doctor and hospital) services, initiate various local economic ventures, notable a co-operative cheese factory and credit union, death and burial services, fire insurance, German language Saturday schools, and a German langauge library. Some of the projects were of eventually take over by other agencies, notably after 1965 the Mennonite Central Committee (Alberta) while reponsiblity for others was transferred to a re-organized Mennonite Mutual Aid Society. Some of these reports were received as part of accession 2014.023 which consisted of a box of miscellaneous materials. The minute book was part of Accession 2012.014. It was donated by Peter Regier who served as one the society’s secretaries and includes minutes kept by Regier and earlier secretaries.
The local assemble compiled its own family register of Mennonite settlers in and near Coaldale, noting, among other things, if or when some left the community. There were 896 entries, but only the register for entires 655-896 was received at the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta. It is not know what has happened to the earlier volumes. This volume has been retained to show the kind of records the local committee compiled.
Box 10
10-107 Die mennonitische Ansiedlung bei Coaldale, Albera, 1940
10-108 Die mennonitische Ansiedlung bei Coaldale, Alberta, 1942
10-109 Jahresversammlung der mennonitischen Siedler bei Coaldale, 1943
10-110 Protokoll der allgemeinen jaehrlichen Versammlung der Mennonitischen Siedler by Coaldale, together with minutes of meetings of affiliated and successor agencies, 1945-1994.
10-111 Familien-Register der Siedler bei Coaldale 655-
Reinlaender Mennonite Church fonds. — 1880-2000. — 1 compact disc
Administrative/Biographical History
Old Colony Mennonites have their primary roots in those elements of the Flemish congregations of Danzig and West Prussia which, in 1789, founded the Chortitza “Old” Colony in South Russia. In 1875 the first of some 3,200 persons from Chortitza, and its daughter settlement of Fuerstenland (established 1864), settled along the Canada-United States boundary in Manitoba, west of the Red River. In 1876 the government of Canada accommodated them by establishing the Mennonite West Reserve of 17 townships (1,620 square kilometres) on their behalf. In Manitoba they called themselves the Reinlaender Mennoniten Gemeinde, and recreated a pattern of corridor farms stretching from a main road, an internal self-administration in which ecclesiastical authority dominated, and an economy based on grain crops and livestock. They persisted in viewing themselves, and continued to be viewed by others, as Altkolonisten (Old Colonists).
By 1880 the self-imposed and preferred isolation of the Old Colony Mennonites in Manitoba was beginning to be breached on two fronts. Historically related, but separate and less conservative, elements of the Bergthal Mennonites, who first settled on the Mennonite East Reserve in 1874, began to relocate to the still-vacant portion of the more fertile, open grassland of the West Reserve. In 1880 also, theManitoba Municipal Act made provision for secular, local government. Moreover, the provisions for homesteading under the Dominion Lands Act were individualistic, permitting the communal aspects of “colony” life as dictated by Old Colony philosophy to continue only if all households participated voluntarily. As a result, the communal life was increasingly difficult to sustain.
By 1890 “progressive” Bergthal Mennonites had created a teacher-training facility featuring instruction in the English language and secular curriculum provided for in the newly proclaimed, but not yet universally implemented, Manitoba Schools Act. The Mennonite Brethren had also established an evangelizing presence in the West Reserve. These internal and external factors in a major way prompted the withdrawal of substantial numbers of Old Colonists to as yet unorganized parts of the Northwest Territories (Hague, SK beginning in 1890 and Swift Current, SK beginning in 1900).
From 1916, compulsory attendance, of all children ages 7-14 in provincially accredited schools, was enforced. This, together with the uncertainties that resulted from a universal military conscription during World War I and the increasing difficulty in enforcing discipline and conformity within Old Colony ranks, prompted a determination to emigrate. Beginning in 1922, the majority of Old Colony adherents emigrated, and established the Manitoba Colony in the Bustillos Valley of west-central Chihuahua State in Mexico, leaving behind in the West Reserve an excommunicated and leaderless group. The Canadian daughter settlements in Saskatchewan established the Swift Current Colony in Chihuahua State, and the Patos (Hague) Colony in Durango State.
Among those who chose to remain in Canada there were still many who wished to avoid what they considered to be the threat of acculturation and secularization inherent in the imposition of the secular school curriculum and English as the language of instruction. Until the early 1960s it was possible to avoid this threat by homesteading where public schools were not yet established, on the agricultural frontiers of northern Saskatchewan and in the Peace River region of Alberta and British Columbia, (Carrot River, SK; La Crete, AB; Fort Vermilion, AB; Worsley, Ab; Ft. St. John, BC; Burns Lake, BC; Dawson Creek, BC; etc.). This was possible because public education policy only required public schools to be established “where numbers merit”. When the secular world, and particularly the public schools, penetrated their settlements, the more conservative again moved on. Upon the consolidation of the schools and raising of school-leaving age to 16 years in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this strategy was no longer workable, and a substantial number emigrated to new frontiers of settlement in British Honduras [Belize] and the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia.
In 1921 the Old Colony Mennonites in Mexico obtained documented privileges and immunities “in perpetuity” from President Alvaro Obregón and his government, equivalent to those granted to their forebears by Catherine the Great of Russia.
The debt incurred by the Manitoba and Swift Current Colonies in purchasing contiguous tracts of 600 square kilometres and 300 square kilometres from the Carlos Zuloaga estates at the unrealistic price of $20.50 per hectare in gold, when equivalent land could have been had for $4.00 or less per hectare, proved so burdensome that the Swift Current Colony eventually relinquished some 20 percent of its area, while the Manitoba Colony struggled for 35 years before finally discharging its obligations. The Patos (Hague) Colony (1924 ff.) escaped a similar dilemma because initial land purchases were restricted to immediate need.
Since 1944, the Old Colonists in Mexico have initiated or participated in at least 17 colonization ventures in 5 states, of which some 13 have been at least a qualified success.
Of the approximately 7,000 Old Colony Mennonites who emigrated from Canada in the 1920s, some 5,500 remained in Mexico. Their net reproduction rate has consistently been one of the highest documented for any group, averaging over 4 percent, and occasionally exceeding 5 percent per year. Despite emigration to Belize (1958 ff.), Bolivia (1966 ff.), Paraguay (1972 ff.), Argentina (1986 ff) and the United States and Canada (totaling at least 10,000), by 1988 the Old Colony population in Mexico had grown to some 40,000, representing a doubling time of approximately 16 years.
In 1977, some 100 Old Colony families and 20 families of General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM) affiliation but Old Colony background from Mexico and Canada attempted separate settlement ventures at Seminole, Texas. Great difficulties were experienced in meeting United States immigration requirements, despite active intervention by Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Representative George Mahon. Precipitation proved inadequate to sustain the intended dry farming. Excluded groundwater rights, however, eliminated the option of irrigation on 1,685 of the Old Colony’s 2,600 acres. In 1979 the venture was liquidated in default of arrears of principal and interest. The General Conference Mennonite group had fared somewhat better, managing to retain its 1,172 acres of land. Those of both groups who had their immigrant status confirmed through ratification of a private Texas bill in 1980 have maintained a presence in the Seminole area, some as farmers
Despite majority emigration including that of their spiritual leaders, Old Colony Mennonites reorganized and have maintained a presence in all their original areas of settlement in western Canada. Since colonization in Latin America began in the 1920s, there has been a persistent return immigration of people of Old Colony background to Canada, capitalizing on retained Canadian citizenship or that of immediate ancestors. In the 1930s, returnees from Mexico tended to relocate in their former home communities, or on the frontiers of settlement — especially in the Peace River country of northwestern Alberta. In the late 1950s and mid-1960s small numbers of people of Old Colony background from Chihuahua participated in settlement ventures in the Clay Belt of northern Ontario (Matheson), soon abandoned; and in the Rainy River area (Stratton) of Ontario. Old Colonists from Mexico began arriving in southern Ontario in 1954. Since the late 1960s the preferred Canadian destinations have been intensive farming and industrial regions, focusing on the Essex County, Regional Municipalities of Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara of Ontario, where many have become affiliated with the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC).
Custodial History
The images on the Compact Disc were originally held by the Aeltesters of the Reinlaender Mennonite Church, paper-copied by Peter Goerzen (Series A, 1977) and Bruce Wiebe (Series B-D, 1991) and given to the Mennonite Heritage Centre (MHC) in Winnipeg. The MHC captured the images of the paper copies in multi-page, tagged image format (tif) electronic files.
Gift by Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Originals and Reproduction
Original paper-copied images can be found at Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The original documents of Series A are in the possession of the current church Deacon. The original documents of Series B and C are in the possession of Deacon Jacob Enns, Campo 6B, Mexico.
Access Restrictions
Access is restricted to those conducting personal research on the Reinlaender Mennonite Church and its families
For more information about Reinlaender church registers, see published book by John R. Dyck and William Harms (1994). Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch, 1880-1903. Winnipeg: Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, available in the MHSA Library.
Accruals
Not Expected
Notes
Accession 2003.044
Language: German
Resource: Canadian Mennonite Encyclopaedia Online and notes by Bruce Wiebe
Last updated 31 May 2004 – Judith Rempel
Series Inventory
Series A. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch (Chortitza, Fuerstenland, & Manitoba). — ca 1880-1903. — 424 tif images organized into 5 electronic files This series contains images of the first church register of the Reinlaender church, organized by villages of settlement. It includes the original families from Russia whose origins were in the Chortitza and Fuerstenland colonies, as well as new families resulting from marriages before 1903. Families that moved to Saskatchewan are noted “Westen” indicating the settlement near Hague, or “Swift Current” for that particular settlement. The register was photocopied by Peter Goertzen of Winnipeg in September 1977. The paper copies include three lists of early church members in Manitoba: (1) contains 959 names including birth dates and church numbers, and precedes the church register. At least 56 of the couples listed do not appear in the Old Colony church register, but do appear in the Sommerfelder or Bergthaler Registers. A few additional birthdates are recorded for persons who came to Manitoba from Russia, but died before the church register was started. (2) and (3) dating from 1888, these lists include names, birthdates, and church numbers recorded by West Reserve Villages. One of the lists has some additions to 1894. The series is arranged by village of settlement and chronologically.
Series B. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-B (Manitoba & Manitoba Colony, Mexico). — ca 1903-1942. — 343 tif images organized into 7 electronic files This series consists of the second church register, consisting of 343 pages covering about 1,000 family units. It begins in Manitoba and continues in the Manitoba Colony of Mexico. It includes families formed by marriages beginning in 1903. Data is only recorded after 1923 for those families who moved to Mexico. After 1930 no further entries were made in this book. At that time, 1931, a new register was begun in Mexico for all families in the Manitoba Colony. It was again organized by villages. The register photocopied includes all families formed by marriages up to and including 1942. Occasional entries were made thereafter for births, baptisms and deaths. The final two pages of the register contain total church membership statistics for the years 1935 through 1942. About 1,600 families are documented. Numbers preceded by “P” are page numbers in the Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-C (Series C) Register. There is a numbering gap from 2100-2999, 3100-3999, 4100-4999, and 5100-5999 The register was photocopied by Bruce Wiebe of Winkler in March 1991. The series is arranged chronologically.
Series C. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-C (Swift Current, Saskatchewan & Swift Colony, Mexico). — ca 1904-1951. — 553 tif images organized into 11 electronic files This series consists of the third church register that was begun in the Swift Current, Saskatchewan settlement about 1904. All families that came from Manitoba as well as families formed by marriages until 1923 in Saskatchewan are recorded. After that, the register was kept for the Swift Current Colony in Mexico and included families formed by marriages up to and including 1951. Due to lack of later entries, it is assumed that all families were rewritten in a new book at that time. The register consists of 410 pages recording about 1,300 family units. The register was photocopied by Bruce Wiebe of Winkler in March 1991. Page 433 (Herman Klassen m. Aganetha Driedger) has no number, p. 437 is missing (covering numbers 871-872), pp 448-449 are missing (covering two families with number 894), pp 495-496 are missing (covering two families with number 986), p. 517 is missing (covering two families with number 1028, p. 523 is missing (covering two families with number 1039), there is a numbering gap from 1100-1999, p. 604 is missing (covering family numbers 2099 and 2100), p. 605 is missing (covering family numbers 2101 and 2102), The series is arranged chronologically.
Series D. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-D. — 1928-2000. — 546 tif images organized into 13 electronic files This series consists of general correspondence pertinent to the whole body of MCA and may include minutes, financial records, reports, policy documents, constitutions, bylaws, and petitions. The register was photocopied by Bruce Wiebe of Winkler in March 1991. The series is arranged chronologically
Alphabetical indexes to the registers have been prepared by William Harms of Altona (Series B) and Bruce Wiebe (Series C). The index to the 1930-1940 Manitoba Colony, Mexico register is combined with an index to the subsequent register which includes an additional 3,000 families.
Title and Physical Description Reinlaender Mennonite Church fonds. — 1880-2000. — 1 compact disc
Administrative/Biographical History
Old Colony Mennonites have their primary roots in those elements of the Flemish congregations of Danzig and West Prussia which, in 1789, founded the Chortitza “Old” Colony in South Russia. In 1875 the first of some 3,200 persons from Chortitza, and its daughter settlement of Fuerstenland (established 1864), settled along the Canada-United States boundary in Manitoba, west of the Red River. In 1876 the government of Canada accommodated them by establishing the Mennonite West Reserve of 17 townships (1,620 square kilometres) on their behalf. In Manitoba they called themselves the Reinlaender Mennoniten Gemeinde, and recreated a pattern of corridor farms stretching from a main road, an internal self-administration in which ecclesiastical authority dominated, and an economy based on grain crops and livestock. They persisted in viewing themselves, and continued to be viewed by others, as Altkolonisten (Old Colonists).
By 1880 the self-imposed and preferred isolation of the Old Colony Mennonites in Manitoba was beginning to be breached on two fronts. Historically related, but separate and less conservative, elements of the Bergthal Mennonites, who first settled on the Mennonite East Reserve in 1874, began to relocate to the still-vacant portion of the more fertile, open grassland of the West Reserve. In 1880 also, theManitoba Municipal Act made provision for secular, local government. Moreover, the provisions for homesteading under the Dominion Lands Act were individualistic, permitting the communal aspects of “colony” life as dictated by Old Colony philosophy to continue only if all households participated voluntarily. As a result, the communal life was increasingly difficult to sustain.
By 1890 “progressive” Bergthal Mennonites had created a teacher-training facility featuring instruction in the English language and secular curriculum provided for in the newly proclaimed, but not yet universally implemented, Manitoba Schools Act. The Mennonite Brethren had also established an evangelizing presence in the West Reserve. These internal and external factors in a major way prompted the withdrawal of substantial numbers of Old Colonists to as yet unorganized parts of the Northwest Territories (Hague, SK beginning in 1890 and Swift Current, SK beginning in 1900).
From 1916, compulsory attendance, of all children ages 7-14 in provincially accredited schools, was enforced. This, together with the uncertainties that resulted from a universal military conscription during World War I and the increasing difficulty in enforcing discipline and conformity within Old Colony ranks, prompted a determination to emigrate. Beginning in 1922, the majority of Old Colony adherents emigrated, and established the Manitoba Colony in the Bustillos Valley of west-central Chihuahua State in Mexico, leaving behind in the West Reserve an excommunicated and leaderless group. The Canadian daughter settlements in Saskatchewan established the Swift Current Colony in Chihuahua State, and the Patos (Hague) Colony in Durango State.
Among those who chose to remain in Canada there were still many who wished to avoid what they considered to be the threat of acculturation and secularization inherent in the imposition of the secular school curriculum and English as the language of instruction. Until the early 1960s it was possible to avoid this threat by homesteading where public schools were not yet established, on the agricultural frontiers of northern Saskatchewan and in the Peace River region of Alberta and British Columbia, (Carrot River, SK; La Crete, AB; Fort Vermilion, AB; Worsley, Ab; Ft. St. John, BC; Burns Lake, BC; Dawson Creek, BC; etc.). This was possible because public education policy only required public schools to be established “where numbers merit”. When the secular world, and particularly the public schools, penetrated their settlements, the more conservative again moved on. Upon the consolidation of the schools and raising of school-leaving age to 16 years in the late 1950s and early 1960s, this strategy was no longer workable, and a substantial number emigrated to new frontiers of settlement in British Honduras [Belize] and the Santa Cruz region of Bolivia.
In 1921 the Old Colony Mennonites in Mexico obtained documented privileges and immunities “in perpetuity” from President Alvaro Obregón and his government, equivalent to those granted to their forebears by Catherine the Great of Russia.
The debt incurred by the Manitoba and Swift Current Colonies in purchasing contiguous tracts of 600 square kilometres and 300 square kilometres from the Carlos Zuloaga estates at the unrealistic price of $20.50 per hectare in gold, when equivalent land could have been had for $4.00 or less per hectare, proved so burdensome that the Swift Current Colony eventually relinquished some 20 percent of its area, while the Manitoba Colony struggled for 35 years before finally discharging its obligations. The Patos (Hague) Colony (1924 ff.) escaped a similar dilemma because initial land purchases were restricted to immediate need.
Since 1944, the Old Colonists in Mexico have initiated or participated in at least 17 colonization ventures in 5 states, of which some 13 have been at least a qualified success.
Of the approximately 7,000 Old Colony Mennonites who emigrated from Canada in the 1920s, some 5,500 remained in Mexico. Their net reproduction rate has consistently been one of the highest documented for any group, averaging over 4 percent, and occasionally exceeding 5 percent per year. Despite emigration to Belize (1958 ff.), Bolivia (1966 ff.), Paraguay (1972 ff.), Argentina (1986 ff) and the United States and Canada (totaling at least 10,000), by 1988 the Old Colony population in Mexico had grown to some 40,000, representing a doubling time of approximately 16 years.
In 1977, some 100 Old Colony families and 20 families of General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM) affiliation but Old Colony background from Mexico and Canada attempted separate settlement ventures at Seminole, Texas. Great difficulties were experienced in meeting United States immigration requirements, despite active intervention by Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Representative George Mahon. Precipitation proved inadequate to sustain the intended dry farming. Excluded groundwater rights, however, eliminated the option of irrigation on 1,685 of the Old Colony’s 2,600 acres. In 1979 the venture was liquidated in default of arrears of principal and interest. The General Conference Mennonite group had fared somewhat better, managing to retain its 1,172 acres of land. Those of both groups who had their immigrant status confirmed through ratification of a private Texas bill in 1980 have maintained a presence in the Seminole area, some as farmers
Despite majority emigration including that of their spiritual leaders, Old Colony Mennonites reorganized and have maintained a presence in all their original areas of settlement in western Canada. Since colonization in Latin America began in the 1920s, there has been a persistent return immigration of people of Old Colony background to Canada, capitalizing on retained Canadian citizenship or that of immediate ancestors. In the 1930s, returnees from Mexico tended to relocate in their former home communities, or on the frontiers of settlement — especially in the Peace River country of northwestern Alberta. In the late 1950s and mid-1960s small numbers of people of Old Colony background from Chihuahua participated in settlement ventures in the Clay Belt of northern Ontario (Matheson), soon abandoned; and in the Rainy River area (Stratton) of Ontario. Old Colonists from Mexico began arriving in southern Ontario in 1954. Since the late 1960s the preferred Canadian destinations have been intensive farming and industrial regions, focusing on the Essex County, Regional Municipalities of Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara of Ontario, where many have become affiliated with the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC).
Custodial History
The images on the Compact Disc were originally held by the Aeltesters of the Reinlaender Mennonite Church, paper-copied by Peter Goerzen (Series A, 1977) and Bruce Wiebe (Series B-D, 1991) and given to the Mennonite Heritage Centre (MHC) in Winnipeg. The MHC captured the images of the paper copies in multi-page, tagged image format (tif) electronic files.
Gift by Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Originals and Reproduction
Original paper-copied images can be found at Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The original documents of Series A are in the possession of the current church Deacon. The original documents of Series B and C are in the possession of Deacon Jacob Enns, Campo 6B, Mexico.
Access Restrictions
Access is restricted to those conducting personal research on the Reinlaender Mennonite Church and its families
For more information about Reinlaender church registers, see published book by John R. Dyck and William Harms (1994). Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch, 1880-1903. Winnipeg: Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, available in the MHSA Library.
Accruals
Not Expected
Notes
Accession 2003.044
Language: German
Resource: Canadian Mennonite Encyclopaedia Online and notes by Bruce Wiebe
Last updated 31 May 2004 – Judith Rempel
Series Inventory
Series A. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch (Chortitza, Fuerstenland, & Manitoba). — ca 1880-1903. — 424 tif images organized into 5 electronic files This series contains images of the first church register of the Reinlaender church, organized by villages of settlement. It includes the original families from Russia whose origins were in the Chortitza and Fuerstenland colonies, as well as new families resulting from marriages before 1903. Families that moved to Saskatchewan are noted “Westen” indicating the settlement near Hague, or “Swift Current” for that particular settlement. The register was photocopied by Peter Goertzen of Winnipeg in September 1977. The paper copies include three lists of early church members in Manitoba: (1) contains 959 names including birth dates and church numbers, and precedes the church register. At least 56 of the couples listed do not appear in the Old Colony church register, but do appear in the Sommerfelder or Bergthaler Registers. A few additional birthdates are recorded for persons who came to Manitoba from Russia, but died before the church register was started. (2) and (3) dating from 1888, these lists include names, birthdates, and church numbers recorded by West Reserve Villages. One of the lists has some additions to 1894. The series is arranged by village of settlement and chronologically.
Series B. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-B (Manitoba & Manitoba Colony, Mexico). — ca 1903-1942. — 343 tif images organized into 7 electronic files This series consists of the second church register, consisting of 343 pages covering about 1,000 family units. It begins in Manitoba and continues in the Manitoba Colony of Mexico. It includes families formed by marriages beginning in 1903. Data is only recorded after 1923 for those families who moved to Mexico. After 1930 no further entries were made in this book. At that time, 1931, a new register was begun in Mexico for all families in the Manitoba Colony. It was again organized by villages. The register photocopied includes all families formed by marriages up to and including 1942. Occasional entries were made thereafter for births, baptisms and deaths. The final two pages of the register contain total church membership statistics for the years 1935 through 1942. About 1,600 families are documented. Numbers preceded by “P” are page numbers in the Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-C (Series C) Register. There is a numbering gap from 2100-2999, 3100-3999, 4100-4999, and 5100-5999 The register was photocopied by Bruce Wiebe of Winkler in March 1991. The series is arranged chronologically.
Series C. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-C (Swift Current, Saskatchewan & Swift Colony, Mexico). — ca 1904-1951. — 553 tif images organized into 11 electronic files This series consists of the third church register that was begun in the Swift Current, Saskatchewan settlement about 1904. All families that came from Manitoba as well as families formed by marriages until 1923 in Saskatchewan are recorded. After that, the register was kept for the Swift Current Colony in Mexico and included families formed by marriages up to and including 1951. Due to lack of later entries, it is assumed that all families were rewritten in a new book at that time. The register consists of 410 pages recording about 1,300 family units. The register was photocopied by Bruce Wiebe of Winkler in March 1991. Page 433 (Herman Klassen m. Aganetha Driedger) has no number, p. 437 is missing (covering numbers 871-872), pp 448-449 are missing (covering two families with number 894), pp 495-496 are missing (covering two families with number 986), p. 517 is missing (covering two families with number 1028, p. 523 is missing (covering two families with number 1039), there is a numbering gap from 1100-1999, p. 604 is missing (covering family numbers 2099 and 2100), p. 605 is missing (covering family numbers 2101 and 2102), The series is arranged chronologically.
Series D. Reinlaender Gemeinde Buch-D. — 1928-2000. — 546 tif images organized into 13 electronic files This series consists of general correspondence pertinent to the whole body of MCA and may include minutes, financial records, reports, policy documents, constitutions, bylaws, and petitions. The register was photocopied by Bruce Wiebe of Winkler in March 1991. The series is arranged chronologically
Alphabetical indexes to the registers have been prepared by William Harms of Altona (Series B) and Bruce Wiebe (Series C). The index to the 1930-1940 Manitoba Colony, Mexico register is combined with an index to the subsequent register which includes an additional 3,000 families.
Northwest Mennonite Conference fonds. — 1949-2004 — 5.3 m of textual records. — 2 compact discs
Administrative/Biographical History
The Alberta District Mennonite Conference was established on July 27, 1903. Istnitially there were only three congregations in the conference, all of which were founded in 1901: West Zion Mennonite Church in Carstairs, Mayton Church northeast of Didsbury, and Mount View Church northeast of High River. Amos Bauman, pastor of the Mayton church, was chosen as the interim bishop. The conference was affiliated with the Mennonite Church (known as the “old” Mennonite Church), which was largely composed of descendants of Swiss and South German Mennonites who had settled in western Pennsylvania and in Waterloo County, Ontario. The conference was renamed the Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference in 1907; it became the Northwest Conference of the Mennonite Church in 1971; and the Northwest Mennonite Conference in 1993. By 1997 it consisted of 22 congregations, including a few in Alaska and Montana. In 2003, following the integration of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church, the conference voted to discontinue its relationship with Mennonite Church Canada, thereby becoming an independent branch of the Mennonite faith.
Also known as Alberta District Mennonite Conference (1903), Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite Conference (1907), Northwest Conference of the Mennonite Church (1972), and finally The Northwest Mennonite Conference, (1993)
Source of Supplied Title
Title based on the contents of the fonds
Source of Acquisition
Gift from Northwest Mennonite Conference through Ted Regehr and Harvey Burkholder
Originals
Original electronic files remain in the custody of the Northwest Mennonite Conference.
Access Restrictions
Access to personal information in financial or medical records is subject to relevant legislation and MHSA privacy policy.
See Harry Stauffer fonds, MHSA Accession 2013-026, Boxes 1-3 for copies of Northwest Mennonite Conference Annual Reports, 1923-2004 and Northwest Mennonite Conference Newsletters.
For books related to the fonds, see:
Regehr, T.D. (2003). Faith, Life and Witness in the Northwest, 1903-2003: Centennial History of the Northwest Mennonite Conference. Waterloo, ON: Pandora Press.
Accession 2003.031 and 2004.033 filed at 2003.031
Last updated 25 Nov 2007 – Judith Rempel
Last updated April 2013 – Jim Bowman
Files Inventory
Series A. Alphabet files — 1949-2003; predominant 1985-2003. — 4.3 m of textual records The series consists of a administrative files pertaining to policy, meetings, financial, human resources, and other matters. The series has been grouped chronologically into two sub-series. Each sub-series is arranged alphabetically.
Sub-series A-1. Alphabet files. – 1949-1997; predominant 1985-1997. – 3.5 m of textual records
Box 1 1 – 1 Accounts Payable – 1993-1994
1 – 2 Administrator Reports – 1985-1994
1 – 3 Advent Themes – 1980-1985
1 – 4 Agriculture – 1985
1 – 5 Alberta Health – Vital Statistics – 1993
1 – 6 Alberta Manpower – STEP – 1986
1 – 7 Alberta Manpower – STEP – 1987-1990
1 – 8 Alberta Recycling System Society – 1992
1 – 9 Alberta Registries – Corporate Registries – 1989-1995
1 – 10 Alberta Vital Statistics – 1984
1 – 11 Alberta-Saskatchewan Mennonite District Mission Board – Constitution & Bylaws – 1949
1 – 12 Alberta Voluntary Service (VS) Reunion – 1985-1988
1 – 13a – Alvarez, Juan Carlos – 1986-1993
1 – 13b – [The] Andrew Centre- 1995-1996
1 – 14 Appointments – 1992-1993 (1 of 2)
1 – 15 Appointments – 1992-1993 (2 of 2)
1 – 16 Auditor’s Report – 1987-1994
1 – 17 Augustana College – 1993-1994
1 – 18 Barahona, Rafael – 1988-1995
1 – 19 Barry Moore Ministries – 1987
1 – 20 Bast, William – 1988-1992
1 – 21 Block, Harold – 1988-1995
1 – 22 Board and Commission Lists – ca. 1992
1 – 23 Boettger, Harold – 1981
1 – 24 Boettger, James – 1989-1990
1 – 25 Boettger, Orvin – 1993
1 – 26 Browning Voluntary Service (VS) Unit – 1984-1985
1 – 27 Brubaker, Raymond – 1995
1 – 28 Budget – 1994-1996
1 – 29 Budget Worksheets – 1989-1991
1 – 30 Budgets – 1985-1991
1 – 31 Burkholder, Timothy – 1983-1993
1 – 32 Byer, Dan – 1988
1 – 33 Camp Evergreen – 1991
1 – 34 Camp Facilities – 1976-1992
Box 2
2 – 35 Camp Valaqua – 1988-1995
2 – 36 Canadian Bible Society – 1987
2 – 37 Canadian Council of Christian Charities – 1991
2 – 38 Canadian Council of Churches – 1972-1990
2 – 39 Canadian Council of Mennonites and Brethren in Christ – 1987
2 – 40 Canadian Council of Mennonites and Brethren in Christ Moderators – 1989-1995
2 – 41 Cardinal, Roy and Leona – 1986
2 – 42 Carpenter, James – 1987-1990
2 – 43 Centro Integral de Ninos “Arca de Noe” – 1995
2 – 44 Cherry Insurance Ltd – 1986-1989
2 – 45 Christian Peacemaker Teams – 1986-1989
2 – 46 Church Law and Tax Report – 1993
2 – 47 Churchwide Agency Consultations – 1993
2 – 48 Churchwide Consultations – 1995
2 – 49 Churchwide Home Ministries Council – 1986-1992
2 – 50 Churchwide Stewardship Council – 1985-1995
2 – 51 Churchwide Stewardship Council – 1989-1992
2 – 52 Citizens for Public Justice – 1986
2 – 53 City of Edmonton Telephones – 1985-1992
2 – 54 City of Grande Prairie – 1986
2 – 55 C.J. Ramer Fund – 1994
2 – 56 Classen, Merlin – 1991
2 – 57 Clergy ID List – 1993
2 – 58 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – 1982-1988 (1 of 2)
2 – 59 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – 1982-1988 (2 of 2)
2 – 60 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – 1992-1995
Box 3
3 – 61 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – 1993-1994
3 – 62 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Conference Minister – 1986-1989
3 – 63 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Correspondence – 1982-1988
3 – 64 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Correspondence – 1988-1989
3 – 65 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Financial Aid – n.d. ca. 1985
3 – 66 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Leadership Manual – ca. 1980-1985
3 – 67 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Leadership Retreat – 1985
3 – 68 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – MBCM Leadership Pool – 1986
3 – 69 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Meeting – 1991-1994
3 – 70 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Minister Registry (AB) – 1983-1986
3 – 71 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Ministers Meeting – 1986-1988
3 – 72 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Minutes – 1975-1989
3 – 73 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Pastoral Studies Course – 1985-1986
3 – 74 Commission on Congregational Leadership (CCL) – Potential Leaders – 1986
3 – 75 Commission on Ministry to Congregations (CMC or CMtC) – 1991-1994
3 – 76 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – 1992-1993
3 – 77 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – 1995
3 – 78 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – 1995
Box 4
4 – 79 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Camp Program – 1991-1992
4 – 80 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Correspondence – 1984-1989
4 – 81 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Correspondence – 1992
4 – 82 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Home Interests – 1985-1989
4 – 83 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Home Interests – 1990
4 – 84 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Meeting – 1993-1994
4 – 85 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Minutes – 1974-1990
4 – 86 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Summer Bible School Team – 1986-1988
4 – 87 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Summer Bible School Team – 1989-1991
4 – 88 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Sunday School Secretary – 1986
4 – 89 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Sunday School Secretaries – 1987-1991
4 – 90 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – WMSC – 1986-1993
4 – 91 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Youth Ministry – 1989
4 – 92 Commission on Ministry to Congregations – Youth Ministry – 1989-1993
4 – 93 Commission on Missions & Service – Correspondence – 1985-1986
Box 5
5 – 94 Commission on Missions & Service – Correspondence – 1986-1988
5 – 95 Commission on Missions & Service – Correspondence – 1988
5 – 96 Commission on Missions & Service – Correspondence – 1989-1993
5 – 97 Commission on Missions & Service – Correspondence – 1991-1993
5 – 98 Commission on Missions & Service – Meetings – 1993
5 – 99 Commission on Missions & Service – Minutes – 1973-1995
5 – 100 Commission on Missions & Service – Minutes – 1988-1993 (1 of 2)
5 – 101 Commission on Missions & Service – Minutes – 1988-1993 (2 of 2)
5 – 102 Commission on Missions & Service – Minutes – 1991-1993
Box 6
6 – 103 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – 1994-1995
6 – 104 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Correspondence – 1978-1986
6 – 105 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Correspondence – 1980-1985
6 – 106 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Correspondence – 1986-1989
6 – 107 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Correspondence – 1989-1991
6 – 108 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Correspondence – 1989-1994 (1 of 2)
6 – 109 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Correspondence – 1989-1994 (2 of 2)
6 – 110 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Minutes – 1978-1988
6 – 111 Commission on Stewardship (CS) – Minutes – 1978-1993
6 – 112 Community Youth Services – [1985-1986]
6 – 113 Composite Annual Financial Reports – 1990-1993
6 – 114 Conference of Mennonites in Saskatchewan (COMOS) – 1988-1993
6 – 115 Conference based Theological Education – 1985-1990
32 – 825 TAMMY (The Alberta Montana Mennonite Youth) – 1999
32 – 827 Telus – 1998
32 – 803 [number not used]
32 – 804 Time and Activity Report – 1997
32 – 805 Treasurer’s List – 1998
32 – 806 Tyson, W.L. – 1998
32 – 807 United Native Ministries – 1993
32 – 808 Vachan, V.H. – 2000
32 – 809 Vallejos, Jorge A. – 1996
32 – 810 Vision : Healing and Hope – 1997
32 – 811 Warden Woods Letter – 2001
32 – 812 Weber, Arnold – 1991-1993
32 – 813 Weber, Norman – 1995
32 – 814 Website Correspondence – 2000
32 – 815 Western Mennonite School – 1984-1995
32 – 816 White, David – 1997
32 – 817 Wiebe, Bruce – 1996
32 – 818 Workshop : Daniel. – 1997
32 – 819 Yanez, Felipe – 1997
32 – 820 Yearbook – 1996-1998
32 – 821 Yearend Entries – 1996-1998
32 – 822 Yes B.C. – 1994
32 – 823 Youth Ministry Team – 1996
32 – 824 Youth Registrations, Wichita – 1995
Series B. Congregations. — 1977-2001. — 58 cm of textual records
The series consists of files pertaining to individual congregations. The series chronologically into two sub-series. Each sub-series is arranged alphabetically.
Sub-series B-1. Congregations. – 1977-1996. 53 cm of textual records.
Box 23
23 – 537 Bergthal Mennonite Church – 1995
23 – 538 Bethany Mennonite Church – 1985-1989
23 – 539 Bethany Mennonite Church – 1987-1993
23 – 540 Bluesky Mennonite Church – 1983-1987
23 – 541 Bluesky Mennonite Church – 1983-1988
23 – 542 Bluesky Mennonite Church – 1988-1992
23 – 543 Browning Church Planting – 1989-1993
23 – 544 Calgary Mennonite Fellowship – 1985-1986
23 – 545 Calling Lake Mennonite Fellowship – 1985-1987
23 – 546 Calling Lake Mennonite Fellowship – 1988-1991
23 – 547 Camrose Mennonite Fellowship – 1980-1989
23 – 548 Camrose Mennonite Fellowship – 1989-1991
23 – 549 Duchess Mennonite Church – 1984-1986
23 – 550 Duchess Mennonite Church – 1986-1993
23 – 551 Eaglesham Community Church – 1981-1986
23 – 552 Eaglesham Community Church – 1983-1991
Box 24
24 – 553 Edmonton Chinese Mennonite Church 1 – 1987-1988
24 – 554 Edmonton Chinese Mennonite Church 2 – 1988-1993
24 – 555 Edson Mennonite Church – 1977-1991
24 – 556 Edson Mennonite Church – 1985-1986
24 – 557 Great Falls, Montana – 1977-1980
24 – 558 Holyrood Mennonite Church – 1984-1989
24 – 559 Holyrood Mennonite Church – 1987-1993
24 – 560 Humboldt [New Hope Community Church] – 1988-1992
24 – 561 Iglesia Cristiana Hispana Montreal – 1985
24 – 562 Iglesia Evangelica – Medicine Hat – 1989-1995
24 – 563 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Calgary – 1985-1987
24 – 564 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Calgary – 1989-1990
24 – 565 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Edmonton – 1985-1988
24 – 566 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Edmonton – 1989-1991
24 – 567 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Red Deer – 1985-1988, 1995-2000.
24 – 568 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Vancouver – 1985-1987
24 – 569 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Vancouver – 1989-1991
24 – 570 Iglesia Evangelica Menonita – Winnipeg – 1985-1989
24 – 571 Iglesia Menonita Hispana “Fuente de Vida” 2 – 1993-1996
24 – 572 Iglesia Menonita Hispana “Fuente de Vida” 1 – 1993-1994
24 – 573 Indonesian Outreach – Vancouver – 1989-1990
24 – 574 Lendrum M.B. Church – 1986-1987
24 – 575 Mountain Gospel Fellowship – n.d.
24 – 576 Mountainview Mennonite Church – 1984-1988
Box 25
25 – 577 Mountain View Mennonite Church – 1988-1995
25 – 578a New Hope Community Church – 1987-1995
25 – 578b Patricia Church Planting – 1987
25 – 579 Peace Mennonite Fellowship – 1979-1982
25 – 580 Peace Mennonite Fellowship – 1983-1986
25 – 581 Peace Mennonite Fellowship – 1985-1987
25 – 582 Peace Mennonite Fellowship – 1988
25 – 583 Peace Mennonite Fellowship – Family Worship Centre – 1988-1992
25 – 584 Peace River Bible Institute – 1987
25 – 585 Pineridge Christian Fellowship 1985-1991
25 – 586 Primera Iglesia Evangelica Menonita, Medicine Hat – 1987-1988
25 – 587 Salem Mennonite Church – 1985-1988
25 – 588 Salem Mennonite Church – 1985-1992
Box 26
26 – 589 Sharon Mennonite Church – 1985-1988
26 – 590 Sharon Mennonite Church – 1990-1993
26 – 591 South Calgary Inter-Mennonite Church – 1988-1993
26 – 592 West Zion Mennonite Church – 1984-1986
26 – 593 Whitefish Church Planting Project – 1986-1987
Sub-series B-2. Congregations. – 1993-2001. – 5 cm of textual records
Box 32
32 – 828 Calgary Inter Mennonite Church (CIM) – 1996-1999
32 – 829 Camrose Mennonite Fellowship – 2000
32 – 830 Centro Evangelistico Bet-El – 1996-1999
32 – 831 Iglesia Evangelico Hispana de Medicine Hat : receipts – 1999-2001
32 – 832 Lethbridge Hispanic Mennonite Church – 1996
32 – 833 Love in Action Christian Centre – Edmonton Church Plant – 1999-2000
32 – 834 New Hope Community Church – 1997
32 – 835 Prince of Peace Mennonite Church – 1994-1999
32 – 836 West Zion Mennonite Church – 1993-1998
32 – 837 Wings of Love Ministry (Park Mennonite Church) – 1995
Series C. Conferences. — 1984-2001. — 38 cm of textual records The series consists of files pertaining to individual conference events. The series has been grouped chronologically into two sub-series, each arranged alphabetically and by date
Sub-series C-1 Conferences. – 1984-2001. – 30 cm of textual records
Box 28
28 – 629 Hispanic Conference – 1989 – 1993
28 – 630 Reach Out to Jesus Conference – 1985-1986
28 – 631 Reach Out to Jesus Conference – 1987-1995
28 – 632 Rocky Mountain Mennonite Conference – 1987-1992
28 – 633 South Central Mennonite Conference – 1985-1995
28 – 634 Southeast Mennonite Convention, 1992 – 1986-1992
28 – 635 Vision ’95 – 1988
Sub-series C-2.Conferences. – 1995-2001. – 8 cm of textual records
Box 33
Note: See Harry Stauffer fonds, MHSA Accession 2013.026 for copies of the annual conference reporots, 1923-2004 and Northwest Mennonite Conference Newsletters.
Comments Off on Namaka and Namaka Farm School District
Accession 2010.017
Title and Physical Description
Namaka and Namaka Farm School Districts fonds. — 1927-1953. — 25 cm of textual records.
Administrative History
Namaka School District No. 1919 was founded in 1908 in Namaka, a settlement on the former Canadian Pacific Railway main line southeast of Strathmore, Alberta. A one-room school was completed in 1909, and classes commenced that year. In 1927, to accommodate the growing population of the Namaka Farms district to the south, the school was replaced by a two-room school. In 1935 it was destroyed by fire, but was replaced by a new building that year. In 1938 the school district became part of Strathmore School Division No. 40. In 1958 the school closed and the building became a community hall operated by the Namaka Community Club. The Namaka Farm School District No. 4249 was established in 1927 on the former George Lane Ranch south of the settlement of Namaka. It was a one-room school serving a colony of Mennonite refugees who established farms on the former ranch in the 1920s. The school closed in 1950, and the building was moved to Carseland, where it became a residence.
Custodial History
Collected by Abe Quiring, a former Namaka resident, from an unknown source.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of classroom attendance registers of the junior and senior classes of Namaka School (1941-1953) and the registers of Namaka Farm School (1927-1936, 1941-1950).
Source of Supplied Title
Title based on content of fonds.
Source of Acquisition
Donated by Abe Quiring, 2010.
Access Restrictions
Access may be restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, in accordance with Alberta privacy legislation and MHSA policy.
Finding Aids
No finding aid.
Notes
Accession 2010.017
The material is in English.
Description by Jim Bowman – March 2012.
Molotschna Colony census file. — [Microfilmed ca. 2002 (originally created 1835)]. — 1 microfilm reel
Administrative History
Molotschna Colony was a tract of land opened up by the government of Russia in 1798 to settlement by Mennonites from Prussia. The territory is now known as Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine. The colony prospered, and through immigration and natural increase reached a population of 6000 by 1835. It was the largest Mennonite settlement in Russia, the other major one being Chortitza. The government of Russia conducted a census of the territory in 1835.
Custodial History
The census records were among documents of the Russian Mennonite colonies that came into the possession of Mennonite school teacher Peter Braun in 1914. They were discovered and confiscated by the Soviet government ca. 1929 and deposited in the Odessa State Archives. They were microfilmed ca. 2002 by the California Mennonite Historical Society. Tim Janzen made copies available to several Mennonite historical societies.
Scope & Content
The file consists of 1231 microfilm frames which are copies of approximately 756 pages of the census records. The census documents names, dates of birth, and places of residence of residents of Molotschna Colony.
