Mennonite Historian - Volume XXI, No. 4, December 1995:
Genealogy and Family History

By Alf Redekopp

Recent Books

Benjamin Dueck. The Descendants of Paul Schellenberg 1634- 1995 (Steinbach, MB : Private publication, 1995), pb., 82, xxxii pp.

This compilation consists primarily of the descendants of Abraham R. Schellenberg (1839-1924) and Margaretha Esau (1848-1895) from Tiege, Molotschna who migrated to Canada in 1875 with the Mennonite Kleinegemeinde and settled in Grünfeld (Kleefeld), Manitoba. It traces the ancestry of Abraham R. Schellenberg back to his great great great grandfather Paul Schelleberg 1634-1719 who died in Danzig, West Prussia. Contact: Benjamin Dueck, Box 20191, Steinbach, MB R0A 2T1.

Shirley Funk, et.al. A History of the Peter F. Rempel Family (Shafter, CA : Private publication, 1995), pb., pp.; $12.00US.

This family history was compiled and printed for the fifth family reunion of the descendants of Peter F. Rempel held in August 1995. Peter F. Rempel (1875-1967) was born in Russia, married in Jansen, Nebraska in 1894 to Sara J. Friesen (1876-1923) and moved to Meade, Kansas around 1906. Nineteen children were born to this marriage. In 1924 Peter F. Rempel married Aganetha H. Reimer (1882-1972). This book includes pedigree charts showing the ancestors of this family, an historical overview written by Kevin Enns-Rempel (archivist at the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Fresno), a bibliography and address list. Contact: Shirley Funk, 314 Bree Drive, Shafter, CA 93263.

John Froese. Rev. Jacob Janzen Family Celebration 1904- 1995 (Laird, SK : The Jacob and Margaret Janzen Family, 1995) pb., 95 pp.

This book was prepared in conjunction with a family thanksgiving celebration which occured July 7-9, 1995 in Laird, Saskatchewan. It begins with a short history of Jacob Janzen (1859-1931) who was born in Schönwiese, Russia, first married to Barbara Klassen, and then married to Margaretha Martens (1862- 1942). Jacob Janzen was ordained to the ministry in 1894 and served the congregation in Schönwiese, Russia until 1904 when the family migrated to Canada and settled in Saskatchewan. Here he was welcomed as a minister in the Eigenheim and Laird districts with the Rosenorter Gemeinde. The book contains short biographical sketches of the families of each of Jacob Janzen's children followed by photgraphs and genealogical data on the descendants. Contact:

Marjorie Hildebrand. The Oak Tree : the story of the ancestors and descendants of Peter and Margaretha Wiebe 1797-1945 (Steinbach, MB : Private publication, 1995) pb., 85 pp. This book contains the history of the family of Peter Wiebe (1891-1968) and Margaretha Thiessen (1892-1977) who were married in the Schoenthal Sommerfelder Church in Manitoba in 1918. The book has sections on their parents, grandparents and children. Peter and Margaretha Wiebe were first generation Canadians, who parents had come to Canada as young people with the Bergthaler Gemeinde during the 1870s. The book contains vignettes of early farm life in Canada for this family as well as some favourite recipes. It concludes with the genealogical data. Contact: Marjorie Hildebrand, Box 211, Winkler, MB R6W 4A5.

Queries

Kroeker/Abrams - I am looking for information on the descendants of Johan Kroeker b. 3 Jan. 1841 (d. prior to 1883) and Katarina Abrams b. 4 Feb. 1852, who came to Canada from the Crimea in 1883 with their 3 children: Liese b. 2 Oct. 1872, Johan b. 17 Oct. 1875 and Peter b. 17 Mar. 1881. Liese's obituary states that she was born in Ekaterinaslav. Where are the descendants of Peter and Johann? Contact: Judi Bowers, 131 Gladmer Park, Saskatoon, SK S7J 2X3.

Neufeld - Can anyone help us find information on Johann Neufeld (b. between 1810 and 1820) of Ohrloff, Molotschna, the builder of a new church in Neu Halbstadt, designed in 1852 and which resulted in a major dispute leading to his excommunication from the Orloff Church in 1861 (see Urry, None but Saint, p. 175). Who are his descendants? Contact: John and Irmie Konrad, 4805 Meadfeild Rd, West Vancouver, BC V7W 3E6 or e-mail: jkonrad@direct.ca

Martens - I would like information to confirm that a Franz Martens maried to a Maria ? with children: Wilhelm (Crimea), Johann (1839-1899) (Wiesenfeld near Pawlograd), Franz (Memrik), Lena (Mrs. Johann Friesen - Kuban), Tina (Mrs. Neufeld - America), Maria (Mrs. Epp - Kuban), Cornelia (Mrs. Fast - Tiegerwiede) (source: Maria Martens Pauls, Osborne, MB) is the Franz Martens b. Feb. 14, 1796, with siblings: Katharina (b. Aug. 17, 1777), Wilhelm (b. Dec. 31, 1781), Jacob (b. Feb. 16, 1784), Eva (b. Feb. 20, 1786), Jettchen (b. June 10, 1788), Maria (b. Aug. 30, 1790), Helena (b. Dec. 23, 1798) and parents: Aron Martens (1754?-1801) and Anna Janzen (1758?-1807) (Source: Aron Martens 1754-1977 Genealogy Book). Contact: Gert Martens, 701 Patricia Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3T 3A8 or via e-mail: martens@ee.umanitoba.ca.

Loewen - I am looking for information about Wilhelm Loewen (1876-1945) born in Jeljenowka, who lived in Grigorjewka, first married a Maria Penner who died in 1914, then married a Justina Friesen, moved from Grigorjewka to Alexanderkrone, Molotschna in 1926 and died in Aktybinsk in 1945. Contact: Elsie Klassen, Box 321, Virgil, ON L0S 1T0.

Braun - I am looking for information about the siblings and ancestors of Katharina Braun (1846-1872) who married Abram Friesen (1844-1867) and had a son born to them in Osterwich, Choritiza Colony, Russia. Was Helana Braun (1839-1862) who married Isaak Ens (1839-1912) a sister to Katharina? Was the second wife of Isaak Ens, Susanna Braun (1841-1912) also a sister? Contact: Erika Enns, Box 153, Tugaske, SK S0H 4B0.

Funk - Looking for information about the descendants of Maria Funk (1866-1920), daughter of Aron Funk, and was married to Heinrich Klassen (1862-1933) that lived in Nikolaithal, Borosenko. Heinrich Klassen was born in Steinau. Some of the relatives may have settled in the Snowflake, Manitoba area. Contact: Erika Enns, Box 153, Tugaske, SK S0H 4B0.

Krahn/Giesbrecht/Ens - I am looking for information on Jacob Krahn b. ca. 1840 in Chortitza Colony and who moved to Fuerstenland. I also am seeking information about Sarah Giesbrecht (1838-1919) daughter of Abram Giesbrecht and Sarah Dyck (1838- 1919), who married Johan Isaac Ens (1837-1921). They also originate in Chortitza Colony. Are there any early church records in existence for the old Chortitza Mennonite Church and the Fuerstenland Mennonite Church? Contact: Agatha C. Enns Ratzlaff, 31861 Beech Avenue, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1G8.