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  1. Langemann, Ralph

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    Accession 2023.003

    Title and Physical Description

    Ralph Langemann fonds, 1955, 1 cm.

    Administrative/Biographical History

    Ralph Langemann lived in Coaldale, Alberta, where he met and married Fern Olson, the daughter of the local lumber yard.  In 1955 the town of Coaldale published a 42-page booklet entitled Coaldale, 1905 Alberta Golden Jubilee 1955 which, as the title suggests, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the southern Alberta town.  Fern (Olsen) Langemann drew and inserted into a copy of that booklet a map of all the business establishments in the town at that time.   After Fern (Olsen) Langemann’s deathg, her husband, Ralph Langemann donated the booklet with the inserted map to the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of the booklet Coaldale 1905 Alberta Golden Jubilee 1955 , together map drawn by Fern (Olsen) Langemann of all the business establishments in the t0wn in the 1950s.

    Source of Acquisition

    Donated by Ralph Langemann

  2. Mennonite Society of Calgary

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    Mennonite Society of Calgary

    Accession 2023.005

    Title and Physical Description

    Mennonite Society of Calgary, 1991-2006, 51 cm of textual records, 1 compact disc, 10 floppy discs.

    Administrative and Biographical History

    The Mennonite Society of Calgary was incorporated in 1996.  The objective of the society was to develop a multi-faceted residential community, anchored around Mennonite/Anabapist sociology and philosophy, to serve the needs of mature adults in Calgary.  A Steering Committee was appointed which developed a plan of action and initiated a search for a suitable plot of land in or around Calgary.   After several unsuccessful efforts to acquire suitable land, a 14.7 acre plot of land just outside the north-west city limits of Calgary was acquired in 2005.  It was to be held by anew corporation, MSC Land Corporation which was registered as  Alberta Company 1196679.   There were, however, problems in securing an appropriate connection for sewage disposal.  That resulted in abandonment of the plan, selling of the land, and dissolution of the organization.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of organizational files, minutes, correspondence and supporting documents of membership, Board of Directors and Annual meetings,  Also included are subject files providing relevant information about similar institutions and technical/engineering aspects of the proposed project.  The fonds includes the minutes of some of the directors’ meetings of  Alberta Company 1196679 but not on the sale of the land or the dissolution of the company.

    Source of Acquisition

    Donated by Mennonite Central Committee, Alberta, in whose offices the records were stored after dissolution of the Society.

    File List

    Administrative/Governance files

    1.1 Early planning, 1990-1991
    1-2 Early housing initiatives, 1993-1995
    1-3 Membership meetings, 1996
    1-4 Constitution, By-laws, Prospectus, 1996
    1-5 Minutes and supporting documentation of the Steering Committee, 1996-1997
    1-6 Membership Lists, 1997-1998
    1-7 Annual Meeting, 1997
    1-8 Board Meetings, 1997
    1-9 Annual Meeting, 1998
    1-10 Board Meetings, 1998
    1-11 Annual Meeting, 1998
    1-12 Board Meetings, 1998
    1-13 Annual Meeting, 1999
    1-14 Board Meetings, 2000
    1-15 Annual Meeting, 2001
    1-16 Board Meetings, 2001
    1-17 Annual Meeting, 2002
    1-18 Board Meetings, 2002
    2-19 Board Meetings, 2003
    2-20 Annual Meeting, 2004
    2-21 Board Meetings, 2004
    2-22 Annual Meeting, 2005
    2-23 Board Meetings, 2005
    2-24 Special Membership Meetings, 2005
    2-25 Annual Meeting, 2006

    Subject Files

    2-26 Condominium Property Amendment Act, 1896
    2-27 Incorporation, Registration, Reports to government agencies, 1996-2006
    2-28 MSC expenses, 1996-1999
    2-29 Canadian Forces Base lands information
    2-30 Bethany Care Society information
    2-31 Information from comparable societies  and news reports, 1993-2007
    3-32 West citadel plans, 2000
    3-33 12 Mile Coulee Road site information, 2005
    3-34 12 Mile Coulee Road offer to purchase, 2005
    3-35  12 Mile Coulee Road Development Plans, 2005
    3-36 12 Mile Coulee Road, Friesen-Tokar architects, 2004
    3-37 12 Mile Coulee Road, CMHC Project Development Funding, 2004
    3-38 12 Mile Coulee Road, Calgary Annexation, 2005
    3-39 Brian P.  Enns, lawyer, 2005-2006
    3-40 Directors and Officers liability insurance, 2005
    3-41 Clifton N D Lee engineering, 2005
    3-42 Letters of Intent, Mennonite Land Corp/Alberta 1196679, 2005
    3-43 MSC/Alberta 1196679 Option/Agreement to purchase, 2005.
    3-44 MSC/Alberta 1196679  Board of Directors, 2005
    3-45 MSC/Alberta 119679 Request for CRA Business number, 2005
    3-46 Sewage Disposal Technical information, 2004
    3-47 1 /cd and 10 floppy discs containing minutes and correspondence (out of date programs)

     

     

  3. Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization fonds

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    Title and Physical Description

    Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization fonds. – [originally created 1920-1962, copied ca. 2000], 2000-2004. – 1.8 m of textual records. – 36 microfilm reels

    Administrative/Biographical History

    The Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization (CMBC) was established on 17 May 1922 to provide assistance to Russian Mennonites who suffered from famine and political upheaval at the end of the First World War. David Toews of Rosthern, Saskatchewan was chosen as its chairperson. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) agreed to facilitate the refugees’ resettlement by offering transportation on a credit basis. The first refugee families arrived in Canada in July 1923, and continued until 1930 when the Canadian and Soviet governments curtailed immigration. Over 21,000 Mennonites immigrated to Canada during this period. The CMBC guaranteed the repayment of the CPR travel debt, which was settled in 1946. In 1947-1951 the CMBC supported a second wave of immigration from refugee camps in Germany, and in 1961-1964, a third wave of immigrants arrived from South America.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of microfilm copies and photocopies of registration forms, dated 1920-1930, 1947, 1949, and 1962. Each form lists names, birth dates, and birth places of members of a nuclear family, and dates and places of their origin, voyage, and settlement in Canada. Includes some instructions and correspondence of Judith Rempel, who led a project to index the names, ca. 2000-ca. 2004. Includes a digital index to the CMBC registration forms, 1947-1964.

    Source of Acquisition

    Purchased from Mennonite Heritage Centre, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, ca. 2000.

    File List

    1-1  CMBC  registrations introduction, instructions to indexers, correspondence. – [ca. 1995], 2000-2004

    1-2  CMBC registrations 1-99. – 1923 June-July

    1-3  CMBC registrations 100-199. – 1923 July-1924 Jan.

    1-4  CMBC registrations 200-299. – 1923 July-Nov.

    1-5  CMBC registrations 300-399. – 1923 Aug.-1924 Jan.

    1-6  CMBC registrations 400-499. – 1923 July-1924 Jan.

    1-7  CMBC registrations 500-599. – 1923 Aug.-Sept.

    2-1  CMBC registrations 600-699. – 1923 Sept-1924 Mar.

    2-2  CMBC registrations 700-799. – 1923 Aug.-1924 June

    2-3  CMBC registrations 800-899. – 1923 Oct.-1924 July

    2-4  CMBC registrations 900-999. – 1924 July

    2-5  CMBC registrations 1000-1099. – 1924 July-Aug

    3-1  CMBC registrations 1100-1199. –  1924 Aug includes annotation

    3-2  CMBC registrations 1200-1299. – 1924 Aug.

    3-3  CMBC registrations 1300-1399. – 1924 Aug.

    3-4  CMBC registrations 1400-1499. – 1924 Aug.-Sept.

    3-5  CMBC registrations 1500-1599. – 1924 Sept.-Oct.

    4-1  CMBC registrations 1600-1699. – 1924 Oct.-Dec.

    4-2  CMBC registrations 1700-1799. – 1924 July-Dec.

    4-3  CMBC registrations 1800-1899. – 1923 July-1924 Dec.

    4-4  CMBC registrations 1900-1999. – 1920 Oct-1925 Sept.

    4-5  CMBC registrations 2020-2099. – 1925 Oct.-Dec.

    4-6  CMBC registrations 2100-2199. – 1924 Sept.-1925 Nov.

    5-1  CMBC registrations 2200-2299. – 1925 Mar.-Nov.

    5-2  CMBC registrations 2300-2399. – 1925 Apr.-Nov.

    5-3  CMBC registrations 2400-2499. – 1925 Apr.-Nov.

    5-4  CMBC registrations 2500-2599. – 1924 Jan.- 1926 Feb.

    5-5  CMBC  registrations 2600-2699. – 1922 Aug.- 1926 Feb.

    5-6  CMBC registrations 2700-2799. – 1923 July-1925 Aug.

    6-1  CMBC registrations 2800-2899. – 1923 Aug.-1925 Sept.

    6-2  CMBC registrations 2900-2999. – ca. 1925 Sept.-Oct.

    6-3  CMBC registrations 3000-3099. – ca. 1925 Oct.

    6-4  CMBC registrations 3100-3199. – 1925 Sept.-Oct.

    6-5  CMBC registrations 3200-3299. – 1924 July-1926 Mar.

    6-6  CMBC registrations 3300-3399. – 1925 Jan.-1926 June

    7-1  CMBC registrations 3400-3499. – 1926 Apr.-June

    7-2  CMBC registrations 3500-3599. – 1923 June-1926 Aug.

    7-3  CMBC registrations 3600-3699. – 1926 June-Aug.

    7-4  CMBC registrations 3700-3799. – 1926 July-Sept.

    7-5  CMBC registrations 3800-3899. – 1926 July-Sept.

    7-6  CMBC registrations 3900-3999. – 1926 Aug.-Oct.

    8-1  CMBC registrations 4000-4099. – 1926 Oct-Nov.

    8-2  CMBC registrations 4100-4199. – 1923 July-1929 Dec.

    8-3  CMBC registrations 4200-4299. – 1926 Apr.- 1929 Nov.

    8-4  CMBC registrations 4300-4399. – 1923 July-1926 Sept.

    8-5  CMBC registrations 4400-4499. – 1926 July-Oct.

    8-6 CMBC registrations 4500-4599. – 1926 Sept.-Oct.

    9-1  CMBC registrations 4600-4600.- 1926 Sept.-Nov.

    9-2  CMBC registrations 4700-4798. – 1925 Oct-ca. 1927 July

    9-3  CMBC registrations 4800-4899. – ca. 1926 July-ca. 1927 Aug.

    9-4  CMBC registrations 4900-4999. – ca. 1925 Dec.-ca. 1929 Dec.

    9-5  CMBC registrations 5000-5099. – ca. 1925 Feb.-ca. 1929 Oct.

    9-6  CMBC registrations 5100-5199. – 1923 July-1928 July

    9-7  CMBC registrations 5200-5299. – 1923 July-1929 Nov.

    9-8  CMBC registrations 5300-5399. – 1926 Sept. – 1929 Nov.

    9-9  CMBC registrations 5400-5499. – 1929 Aug.-Nov.

    9-10  CMBC registrations 5500-5599. – 1929 Aug-Dec.

    10-1  CMBC registrations 5600-5699. – 1928 Feb.-1929 Nov.

    10-2  CMBC registrations 5705-5799. – 1947 Apr.-Oct. [5800-7099 missing]

    10-3  CMBC registrations 7100-7148. – 1949 Jan. [7120-7146, 7149-7199 missing]

    10-4 CMBC registrations 7200-7299. – 1949 Jan.-Feb.

    10-5 CMBC registrations 7300-7379. – 1949 Jan.-Feb. [7380-10202 missing]

    10-6 CMBC registrations 10203-10233. – ca. 1962 via Paraguay

    10-7 CMBC index to registration forms (1947-1964). – [ca. 2004]

     

     

  4. Frieda Claassen fonds

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    Accession 2023.010

    Title and Physical Description

    Frieda Claassen fonds. – 1949. – 1 cm. – songbook snd explanatory note

    Administrative/Biographical History

    Frieda (Prochnau) Claassen was born in Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland, the daughter of Daniel Prochnau and Wanda (Penner) Prochnau.  Together with other family members, Frieda, fled to Germany in 1945 as refugees.  In 1948-49 they lived in a refugee camp at Schuetzenhoff, Gronau, Westfalen, West Germany.  Worship services, including a choir, were organized and multiple sheets of music were prepared, using number notations rather than notes.  Frieda collected some of these and her father bound them together using material from an old suitcase for the covers.
    The Prochnau family emigrated to Canada in 1949 where Frieda married Hans Claassen in 1952.  They lived in Edmonton.  Frieda donated the song-book, together, with an explanatory note, to the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society in 2023.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of a bound volume of sheets of religious songs with numerical notations,  together with a brief explanatory note on Frieda’s experiences and the creation and use of the songbook in the refugee camp.

    Source of Acquisition

    Donation to the archives of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta by Frieda Claassen

    Notes

     

  5. Peter A. Neufeld fonds

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    Peter A. Neufeld fondsAccession 2023.009

    Title and Physical Description

    Peter A. Neufeld fonds. – 1970. – 2 photographs

    Administrative/Biographical History

    Peter A. Neufeld was born 2 August 1905 at Didsbury, Alberta, the son of Abram C. Neufeld and Elizabeth (Heinrichs) Neufeld.  They moved to Didsbury when they retired in 1967 and opened an MCC Depot in the basement of their house and in one half of the garage in 1967.  There they stored MCC fabric for layettes and quilts and received, washed, sorted clothes, doing many minor repairs,  and replacing very many zippers.  Beginning on 11 May 1970 they packed 600 lbs of clothing.  On 16 July 1970 they shipped 1000 lbs of cleaned, sorted and repaired cloths to Yarrow, British Columbia.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of two photographs, one showing the interior of the Neufeld garage with Peter A. Neufeld, Abram A. Neufeld, and John A. Neufeld, and the second photograph shows them loading the truck headed for Yarrow, B. C.

    Source of Acquisition

    Gift by Alma Hildebrand, daughter of Peter A. Neufeld.

    Notes

    Accession 2023.009

    GRANDMA #341248

  6. John Heidebrecht fonds

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    Accession 2023.008

    Title and Physical Description

    John Heidebrecht fonds. – ca. 1942-943. – 9 photographs

    Administrative/biographical History

    John Heidebrecht was born 15 May 1918, at Grishkovka, Altayskiy Kray, Russia, the son of David Heidebrecht and Margaret (Epp) Heidebrecht.  The family immigrated to Canada in 1929, settling near Tofield, Alberta.  During World War II John Heidebrecht served as a Conscientious Objector in the Seebe camp and perhaps also in other camps.  He died in Edmonton on 28 August 1974.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of nine photographs including group photographs of conscientious objectors, logging,  dynamite and road/railway construction work.

    Source of Acquisition

    Gift by Irene Enns, daughter of John Heidebrecht

    Notes

    Accession 2023.008
    See also Henry D Goerzen fonds Conscientious Objector collection

    GRANDMA #652936

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  8. Passing on the Comfort travelling exhibit project collection

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    Accession 2012.025

    Title and Physical Description

    Passing on the Comfort traveling exhibit project collection. – 2005. – 0.5 cm of textual records. – 8 photographs

    Administrative/Biographical

    Passing on the Comfort was a travelling exhibit from Mennonite Central Committee featuring 18 quilts and comforters made by North American women and sent to the Netherlands by MCC following World War II.  For decades the quilts were in the care of a Dutch Mennonite woman whose home served as a refuge for Jews, hungry children and Mennonite refugees from Ukraine.   The exhibit was launched in Pennsylvania and was brought to Alberta in 2005.

    Scope and Content

    The collection consists of 8 photographs taken by Lillian Bartel at the launch of the book Passing on the Comfort, together with related news reports and brochures.

    Source of Acquisition

    Collected and donated by Lillian Bartel who was a key contact person when the exhibit came to Calgary.

    Related Material

    An Keuning-Tichelaar and Lynn Kaplanian-Buller, Passing on the Comfort:  The War, The Quilts, and the Women Who Made a Difference, (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2005). MHSA Library D 802 KEU.

  9. Welcome Home Community fonds

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    Accession 2023.001

    Title and physical description

    Welcome Home Community fonds. – 1996-2002. – 5 cm of textual records.

    Biographical/Administrative History

    The Mennonite Society for the Aid of Children and Families was formed by a group of Mennonite pastors and laypersons in early 1996 at the suggestion of the Hon. Mike Cardinal, Minister of Family and Social Services of the Government of Alberta. Its founding leaders were Ike Glick and Dave Hubert. By November 1996 the society had  contracted with the Ministry of Family and Community Services to develop a pilot project to assist families under stress through community living, inspired by the African proverb “It takes a whole village to raise a child”.  Operating under the name Welcome Home Community, it was established in April 1997 in an apartment building at 16415 Stony Plain Road in Edmonton. By June 1998 it relocated to 11009 – 127 Street. The project required a paid staff supported financially by the provincial government. Due to budgetary cutbacks, it closed in February 2002.

    Custodial History

    Following the dissolution of the Mennonite Society for the Aid of Children and Families, its records were stored in the office of Mennonite Central Committee Alberta in Calgary.

    Scope and Content

    The fonds consists of memoranda, correspondence, reports, an audit statement, brochures, procedures manuals, newsletters, calendars of events, and a news clipping.

    Source of Acquisition

    The fonds was donated by the Mennonite Central Committee Alberta.

    File List

    1-1  Welcome Home Community records. – 1996-1997

    1-2 Welcome Home Community records. – 1998-1999

    1-3  Welcome Home Community records. – 2000-2002

     

  10. Johann R. Toews fonds

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    Accession 2022.012 

    Title and Physical Description

    Johann R. Toews fonds. –  1984-1993. – 3 cm of textual records 

    Administrative/Biographical History

    Johann R. Toews was born at Steinbach on April 1, 1881, the son of Peter Toews and Elizabeth Reimer.  He married his cousin, Anna B. Reimer, daughter of Abraham Reimer and Elizabeth Remple, on 19 November 1905.  They lived, worked and farmed in the Steinbach area of Manitoba and became the parents and grandparents of many children and grandchildren.  Marie, one of Johann and Anna Toews’ daughters, married Bernhard Kroeker.

    Custodial History

    These items were part of a larger collection of various books and publications which staff in the MCC Thrift Store identified as being of possible historical value.  No record of who donated the material to the Thrift Store was provided.

    Scope and Content

    This fonds contains genealogical information gathered at Johann and Anna (Reimer) Toews and Peter B. and Elizabeth D. Kroeker family reunions, an obituary of a member of the Kroeker family, and an autobiographical manuscript written by a great-grandson as a teenager.

    File List

    1. Coil bound copy of a manuscript entitled “The Descendants of Johann R. Toews & Anna B. Reimer.”
    2. Coil bound copy of a manuscript entitled, “Peter B. Kroeker Family Directory,” written in 1984, together with a newspaper account ofthe family reunion held on 1 July 1984.
    3. Obituary for John Dueck Kroeker, 1906-1984.
    4. Autobiographical manuscript entitled “The Life and Times of Nathaniel Moll,” written in 1993 when Nathaniel Moll was tghirteen years old. He is the son of David and Marieanne (Kroeker) Moll and a great-grandson of Johann and Anna (Reimer) Toews.  In the manuscript he writes, among other things, about his mixed Mennonite and Jewish heritage

    Notes

    GRANDMA #11088