Often the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan receives questions we cannot answer, requests for information we may not have, help in completing a project, or archival materials that we cannot identify. We know our members and web site viewers are knowledgeable and resourceful and are both willing and able to help.
This section of our web site is devoted to these issues. We invite you to respond with information, suggestions, comments, or ideas. If you are able to help with the requests below, please use this form also to contact us.
Request 1.
Neil Klassen of British Columbia is planning to republish the English language book by H. J. Willms: At the Gates of Moscow (Columbia Press, Yarrow, B.C. 1964). This book was first published in a German edition, Vor der Toren Moskaus, (Columbia Press, Yarrow, B.C. 1960). His planning involves the reprinting in high quality of all 34 photographs contained in the original book. This requires locating the original photographs. Unfortunately the group needs help in locating them. Do you have any? The MHSS Archives has examined its collection of photographs but we don't hold any.
If you can help, please let us know via the form above, and we will forward this to Neil Klassen
Request 2.
One of the most interesting early Saskatchewan Mennonite photographs is that of the Peter Regier farm at Tiefengrund taken in 1903. See below.
The MHSS archive has a good copy of the photograph made from the original. However some of the detail is not very clear. We would like to make a high quality scan of the original photograph or of the original negative. If anyone has a clearer copy of the original that we can use for a scan, or knows of the original negative please contact us.
Request 2009-04-26
Kim Schellenberg has contacted the MHSS Archives with this request:
"I am looking for pictures of the Mennonites from the Mullingar, Saskatchewan community from around the 1930's. I am doing research to retrace the trail my great-grandparents took to homestead in the Mullingar district in 1934. Their names were Earle & Alice McDonald, and their daughter Laura kept a diary of their trip. My family weren't Mennonites, but, as you can probably tell by the last name, I have been married for nearly 20 years to a wonderful man of Mennonite heritage. Photographs of both the town and the Mennonites of the area from around 1934 would be so very helpful!"
If you have photos and you would like to share please contact:
Kim Schellenberg
17 Holt Street Red Deer,
Alberta T4N 5Z6
[We don't publish email addresses to protect them.
Please use the form on this page, and we will forward your messages to Kim].
Request 2009-05-20
Horst Wilhelm Gutsche - telephone: 780 674 3944
Wrote with this interesting announcement:
Please pass this on to all Russlaender whom you know. In some USA States it is the only German Fest left; who knows when it will be in Canada again. It is also a great way to bring U.S. tourist dollars to Canada. Thus, it would be good if the German-Canadian-Mennoniten-Russlaender-Bessarabier- Volhynier- Glueckstaler-USW folks here appear in appropriate numbers.
Dear Friends,
I would like to let you know about this event. Usually about 500 people attend. It has not been held in Canada since 1994. Please make this known, as it is an opportunity to find information on the heritage of so many Catholic, Lutheran and Mennonite familes in Canada.
It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Catholic, Lutheran and Mennonite churches in Ukraine, Russia, etc. As I have only a few email addresses, I would like to ask you to forward it to other congregations and other interested parties whom you might know.
Pastor Gutsche.
Request 2009-05-20-A
Helmut Froese - phone: 604-823-6288
Greetings: I am looking for info on my father Gustav Froese born in Russia.He came to Canada in 1927. Settled in Rosthern, Sk. My mother's name was Anna, nee Siebert. Would you be able to help me find some information? I would sure appreciate that. Thankyou.
Request 2009-06-13
Mr. Cliff Boldt of Union Bay, B.C.
in cooperation with Phyllis Siemens of Hepburn, Saskatchewan is seeking information about the McIntosh Co-op Farm at Hepburn. I’m certain persons willing to share stories, recollections and photographs would be very much appreciated.
Information Received
[Here we will post information and comments from our members and viewers in response to the requests for assistance. They are posted with our sincere appreciation and great thanks].
Note: 5/7/09 - Victor Wiebe has received some good suggestions regarding the Regier photo above from Tiefengrund. Thank you!
