©Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Last updated 12 November 2009)
Janzen, Helen, 1908-1992

Retrieval numbers: Textual: Vol. 4867-4868; Photographs: Collection 511.

Title: Helen Janzen fonds
Dates: 1889-1926; 1934?, 1936-1990
Extent: 42 cm of textual records
Extent: 482 photographs


Repository: Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives

Historical note

Helen Janzen was born in Gretna, Manitoba on January 25, 1908 to Abram and Katharina (Friesen) Janzen. She graduated from the Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) and did a year of permit teaching in Rosefarm School District and while working on her Bachelor of Arts degree (received in October 1936), she taught elementary school in Gretna for 10 years. She also obtained a Bachelor of Science (Home Economics) in May 1940 and a Bachelor of Education in May 1958. From 1956 to her retirement January 31, 1972, Helen was the first supervisor of home economics for Manitoba. Helen was a member of the Canadian College of Teachers, Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, the United Nations Association in Canada and was the first woman to serve on the executive committee of the Canadian Mennonite Central Committee. She was also an honorary life member of the Manitoba Home Economics Association and received the Government of Manitoba Meritorious Service Award and the interfaith pastoral institute service award in 1990. Helen was very involved in the Mennonite Church, being a member of Charleswood Mennonite Church and serving on their pastoral team in the 1970's, a member of the Conference of Mennonites in Canada Resolutions Committee, and Secretary of the Manitoba Interfaith Council. The issues most important to her included poverty, ecology, women's concerns and nuclear prolification.   In 1981 she translated the book Causes and History of the Emigration of the Mennonites From Russia to Canada originally entitled Ursachen und Geschichte der Auswanderung der Mennoniten aus Russland nach Amerika written by Bishop Gerhard Wiebe in 1900.  It was published by the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society. In 1985 she wrote her memoirs in a book entitled Memories.  Helen Janzen passed away on February 29, 1992.

SCOPE AND CONTENT:

This fonds consists of nine series: 1) Correspondence and personal biographical material, 1946-1987, 2) Official documents, 1936-1990, 3) Speeches, articles and other material, 1955-1988, 4) Family papers, 1899-1926, 1958-1988, 5) College notes, 1934?, 6) Home Economics files, 1956-1972, 1977, 1986, 7) Community and church involvements, 1964-1981, 8) World Peace, 1981-1987, 9)Scrapbooks and photo albums, 197-?-199-?. 10) Daily journal, guest books and other materials, 1967-1992.

CUSTODIAL HISTORY:

The majority of the material in this fonds was deposited by Helen Janzen in 1992 and the remaining files by her sister Nettie Neufeld in 1997.

NOTES

Title based on contents of the fonds.

Arranged and described by Kelli Downey July 2000, updated by Conrad Stoesz May 2, 2008, updated by Alf Redekopp, 12 November 2009 and 27 July 2012.

Accession No. 92-195; 92-200; 94-061; 97-142, 12-052.

Finding aid consists of a series description with an inventory file list.

 

SERIES DESCRIPTION:

Correspondence and personal biographical material. - 1946-1987. - 3 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 7 files containing a collection of personal autobiographical material, correspondence related to Janzen's employment between 1946 and 1972, and correspondence between friends and family members including extensive correspondence with Julius Toews and Victor A. Dirks.

Location: Volume 4867:1-7.

Official documents. - 1936-1990. 3 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 3 files containing degrees and certificates of recognition of achievements and contributions, academic marks and the last will and testament of Helen Janzen.

Location: Volume 4867:8-10.

Speeches, articles and other material. - 1955-1988. - 11 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 10 files containing collections of articles, prayers, a tribute written to H.H. Ewert, reflections on a trip to Strassbourg in 1984, text to speeches (1962-1982), book reviews written, talks delivered at family celebrations (1970-1974), diaries (1977, 1987) and 2 notebooks containing miscellaneous personal information (1955-1971).

Location: Volume 4867:11-20.

Family papers. - 1889-1926, 1958-1988. - 6 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 11 files containing her father Abram Janzen's original memoirs and subsequent publication and translation of these, her parents' wedding invitation (1899), Friesen and Janzen genealogical material, Anna Janzen's notebook, the MCI Abram Janzen Entrance Scholarship file (1976-1988), Johann Friesen's Diary and Genealogy Records (1889-1926), and Johann Friesen's Financial Notebook (1905-1914).  Also included is a copy of her book Memories, 1985 with an inscription "To the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society with appreciation, Helen Janzen".

Location: Volume 4867:21-29; 4868:13-15.

College notes. - 1934?. -- 2 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 2 files - one entitled "German IV - Prof. Heinzelmann" and the other "Old and New Testament - Dr. Freeman".

Location: Volume 4867: 30-31.

Home economics files. - 1956-1972, 1977, 1986. - 4 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 8 files containing the Home Economics curriculum draft for Grade 7-9, speeches heard at Home Economics conventions (1964-1971), talks given by Helen Janzen regarding Home Econonics Education in Manitoba.

Location: Volume 4867:32-39.

Community and church involvements. - 1964-1981. - 4 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 7 files containing minutes, reports and correspondence documenting Janzen's involvement with organizations such as Canadian Mennonite Association (1964-1966), Mennonite Residence Association (1965-1966), Manitoba Mennonite Centennial Committee (1974-1975), "When they shall Ask" documentary film (1982), Conference of Mennonite in Canada Resolutions committee (1983), Manitoba Interfaith Council and Manitoba Provincial Chaplaincy Program.

Location: Volume 4867: 40-46.

World Peace. - 1981-1987. - 5 cm of textual records.

This series consists of 8 files containing reports, correspondence and convention materials related to Janzen's contribution to disarmament and world peace via her involvement in the United Nations Association in Canada (Winnipeg branch).

Location: Volume 4867: 47-54.

Scrapbooks and photo albums. - 197-?-199-?.-- 4 cm of textual records.

This series consists of photocopies of 19 scrapbooks / photo albums which contained Janzen's photograph collection, newspaper clippings including many obituaries of friends and acquaintances and other memorabilia. Many photo graphs were missing from the albums most likely retained by the family. The original albums/scrapbooks were destroyed after the most important photographs were removed and stored separately. The 482 photographs document Janzen's interests such as family and friends, her involvement in society and church such as the peace walk, and special events such as her 80th birthday celebration.

Location: Volume 4867:55-61; 4868:1-12.
 

Helen Janzen fonds file list:
Volume 4867
  1. Personal Biographical Material. - 1972-1974.
  2. Helen Janzen's letters. - 1960-1979.
  3. Helen Janzen's correspondence with Julius Toews.
  4. Correspondence and Poetry of Victor A. Dirks - 1976-1987.
  5. Christmas letters from Bethia - 1964-1969.
  6. Correspondence and other writings - 1952; 1980-1987.
  7. Personal employment correspondence file - 1946-1972.
  8. Degrees conferred, certificates, and honorary memberships - 1936-1990.
  9. Academic record of marks - 1921-1957.
  10. Last Will and Testament of Helen Janzen - 1988.
  11. Articles and Prayers - 1977-1988.
  12. Tribute to Heinrich H. Ewert (1855-1934) - 1983.
  13. "Strasbourg Reflections" - 1984.
  14. Helen Janzen speeches.
  15. Helen Janzen/Sermons and Various Talks - 1967-1984.
  16. Book Reviews - 1961-1973.
  17. Speeches at Family Celebrations - 1970-1974.
  18. Diaries - 1977, 1987.
  19. Inventory of Household goods and some financial records kept - 1955-1959; 1971.
  20. Looseleaf notebook - 19--.
  21. Papers and memoirs, 19--.
  22. Abram and Katharina Janzen Engagement Celebration Invitation - 1899.
  23. Genealogy of Johann von Riesen (1768-1835).
  24. Janzen Genealogy.
  25. Anna Janzen Poetry Notebook - 19--.
  26. MCI Abram and Katharina Janzen Entrance Scholarship - 1976-1988.
  27. Helen Janzen genealogy.
  28. Janzen genealogy and biographies.
  29. Friesen Reunion - 1982.
  30. Class Notes/German IV with Professor Heinzelmann - 1934?
  31. Class Notes/Old and New Testament with Dr. Freeman.
  32. Home Economic Curriculum draft for grade 7-9 - 1956?
  33. Speeches by various others from Home Economics Conventions - 1964-1971.
  34. Home Economics Staff Directories - 1964-1971.
  35. Various Home Economics papers and talks - 1952-1973.
  36. The Philosophy of Education.
  37. Home Economics Education in Manitoba/Helen Janzen - after 1972.
  38. Canadian Home Economics Association Annual Conference/Keynote Speaker address - June 1977.
  39. Manitoba Home Economics Association Minutes and letters - 1986.
  40. Canadian Mennonite Association Keynote Addresses - 1964-1966.
  41. Mennonite Research Association file - 1965-1966.
  42. Mennonite Centennial Committee - 1974-1975.
  43. And When They Shall Ask,/ David Dueck productions, Motion Picture - 1982.
  44. CMC Resolution Committee - 1983.
  45. Manitoba Interfaith Council Minutes and Reports - 1974-1978.
  46. Manitoba Provincial Chaplaincy Program - 1981.
  47. Reports and Correspondence re. Disarmament - 1981-1984?
  48. More arms, less security?: A conference on disarmament.../United Nations Association in Canada - May 1982.
  49. United Nations Association in Canada conference "Strengthening UN System" - June 1984.
  50. United Nations Association in Canada Winnipeg Branch High School Project - 1987.
  51. World Federalists of Canada.
  52. Protest Letters - 1978.
  53. Peace Letters and Articles - 1982, 1984.
  54. Liberal Party Correspondence - 1984-1987.
  55. Obituaries and Photoes I.
  56. Obituaries II.
  57. Obituaries III.
  58. Photo Album III (Family).
  59. Photo Album IV.
  60. Obituaries IV.
  61. Mennonite Mirror - November 1982.
Volume 4868
  1. Obituaries V - 1990.
  2. Janzens and Kehler's Photo Album.
  3. Photo Album VI.
  4. Photo Album VII (In Memoriam).
  5. Photo Album VIII (Birthday).
  6. Photo Album IX - January 1984.
  7. Photo Album X - January 1986.
  8. Photo Album XI Janzen Fest - 1986.
  9. Photo Album XII - 1988.
  10. Photo Album XII - 1990.
  11. Untitled Family Photo Album.
  12. Untitled Album.
  13. Johann Friesen's Diary and genealogy Records - 1889-1926.
  14. Johann Friesen's Financial Notebook - 1905-1914.
  15. Memories/ Helen Janzen. -- 1985. -- Note: this book is a family history.
Volume 5627
Acc. No. 12-052
  1. Tributes to Helen Janzen and other items collected by Larry Kehler. -- 1992.
  2. Memories by Helen Janzen. Autographed copy given to Larry and Jessie Kehler, Christmas, 1985.
  3. Daily Journal. -- 1981.
  4. Daily journal. -- 1982.
  5. Daily jounal. -- 1986.
  6. Guest book. -- 1967-1975.
  7. Guest book. -- 1975-1982.
  8. Guest book. -- 1983-1989.