Accession 2022.005
Title and Physical Description
John Abram Heidebrecht fonds,. – 1927-1983. – 1 cm of textual records
Administrative/Biographical History
John Abram Heidebrecht was born 27 July 1891 in Klippenstein, Molotschna settlement, the son of Abram and Katharina (Koehn). He married Katharina Penner, daughter of David and Wilhelmina (Friesen) Penner in 1914. They immigrated to Canada in 1925 and lived in several communities near Tofield, Alberta, before buying land southwest of Tofield in 1939. They were founding members of the Tofield Mennonite Church where John served as a leader of congregational singing (Vorsaenger). Katharine was a skilled seamstress. John Heidebrecht died in Tofield on 24 January 1959, Katharina died on 1 July 1973.
Scope and Content
This is a small, somewhat eclectic, collection of documents which includes some genealogical information, immigration and citizenship papers, a small collection of letters in cursive Gothic German script which the family received from relatives who had remained in the Soviet Union, signed but undated Alberta Citizens’ Registration Covenants which were promoted by the Social Credit government of Alberta, and a Rural Electrification contract. Also included is a transcribed hymn book in the cursive Gothic script using numbers rather than notes, in four-part harmony.
Source of Acquisition
Donated by Darryl Heidebrecht, grandson of John and Katharine (Penner) Heidebrecht.
Notes
GRANDMA #736678
File List
- Heidebrecht and Penner families genealogical information.
- Heidebrecht family immigration and citizenship papers
- Letters received from relatives in the Soviet Union.
- Alberta Citizens’ Registration Covenant and Rural Electrification contract.
- Hymn book contained transcribed copies of hymns written in the cursive Gothic German script with musical notations using numbers rather than notes.