Mennonite
Historical
Society

of Alberta

Connie Thiessen fonds

Accession 202o.011

Title and physical description

Connie Thiessen fonds. – 2020. – 5 cm of textual records

Administrative/Biographical History

Connie Thiessen is the daughter of Dietrich Thiessen, 1929-2020 and Nettie (Dueck) Thiessen, 1929-2004.  Members of both the Thiessen and Dueck families had come from the Soviet Union to Canada in the 1920s, and eventually settled at Coaldale, Alberta.  There were numerous siblings in both the Thiessen and Dueck families.  These are stories and short biographies of Connie’s ancestors, parents and siblings of her parents.

Scope and Content

In her manuscript entitled “Early Stories & Family Trees,” Connie Thiessen provides detailed genealogical information about her ancestors, their experiences in Russia/Soviet Union, the migration to Canada, subsequent experiences in Canada, and short biographical information about her grandparents, parents and numerous uncles and aunts.  Both the Thiessen and Dueck families were supportive and active participants as members of the Coaldale Mennonite Brethren Church.  Much of the information is drawn from personal recollections, or diary entries, or of various family members.  The manuscript includes numerous family, church  and individual photographs.
After their marriage Connie’s parents moved from Coaldale to Lindbrook, but Connie’s manuscript includes very little information about her own, or the family’s experiences after that move.

Source of Acquisition

Gift by Connie Thiessen

Notes

See also: short entry by Connie’s father, Dick Thiessen, on the Thiessen family, and the short entry by Connie’s grandfather, Rev. Jacob P. Dueck, on the Dueck family, in Coaldale, Gem of the West, 1900-1983, (Coaldale Historical Society, 1983), p-. 886-887 and 456-457 respectively/

See also MHSA Accession 2016.021, Jacob E. Dueck fonds.  Jacob Dueck was a younger brother of Nettie (Dueck) Thiessen (Connie’s mother).

GRANDMA #1072147