Title
Benjamin Andreas Nickel fonds, c. 1925-1951, 3 cm textual material
Biographical history
Benjamin Andreas Nickel as born on 22 October 1875 in Volhinia, the son of Kornelius and Maria (Unruh) Nickel. The family emigrated to Russia where Benjamin Nickel was baptised and accepted as a member of the Chortitza Mennonite Church in 1889. After his return from forestry service, from 1887-1901, Benjamin Adreas Nickel married Maria Decker. They had two children, but Maria died in 1905, and both children died in early childhood. Then, in 1906, Bejamin married Sara Janzen. They moved to Gruethal, Siberia, and became the parents of four sons and eight daughers. In addition, they accepted responsibility for nine orphaned children of Benjamin’s brother. Most members of the merged family emigrated to Canada in 1926, settling first at Pangman, Saskatchewan, and later llived in Alberta. Benjamin Andreas Nickel died on 13 March 1953 in Gem, Alberta.
Scope of the fonds
The fonds consists of two notebooks, one is entitled “Unsere Familienchronik” and contains historical, extensive genealogical and autobiographical information. It includes some entries made by descendants after Benjamin’s death. The second notebook, dated 1948-1951 is a diary with a quite wide variety of entries pertaining to personal, family and community events.
Source of the Accession:
Donated by Ben Geddert
Restrictions:
None
Note:
Accession 2007.004