Accession 2004.060, 2006.021, 2007.007 amd 2014.023 (All filed with 2004.060).
Title and Physical Description
Vertreterversammlung der mennonitischen Siedler Albertas 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.
Scope & Content
The fonds consists of two series: A) See Minutes & Reports B) See Correspondence
Variations in Title Proper
Also known as Vertreterversammlung fonds.
Source of Supplied Title
Title based on the contents of the fonds
Source of Acquisition
Gift by Mennonite Central Committee Alberta, 2004, 2007
Language
German (partly gothic script) and English
Access Restrictions
Access to personal information in financial or medical records is subject to relevant legislation and MHSA privacy policy.
Finding Aids
See Series Inventory
Related Materials
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
10-98 Korrespondenz – 1958
10-99 Korrespondenz – 1959
10-100 Korrespondenz – 1960
10-101 Korrespondenz – 1961
10-102 Korrespondenz – 1962
10-103 Information A.M.R.I.C. – 1962-1966
10-104 Korrespondenz M.P.H.K. Alberta – 1963
10-105 Korrespondenz A.M.R.I.C. – 1964
10-106 Mennonite Burial Aid – 1964
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 Protokoll und Berichte der buergerlichen Jahresversammlung der beiden Mennonitischen Ortsgemeinden abgehalted am 21 Januar 1959 im Bethause der Coaldaler Mennoniten Gemeinde.
10-112 Familien-Register der Siedler bei Coaldale 655-