Irene Plett, Writer
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1934 Ak-Mechet Investigation

7/3/2023

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1934 Ak-Mechet, Photo from author Robert Friesen

In 1934, 10 “kulak” families were named in a thorough Russian investigation of the Mennonites of Ak-Mechet, Khiva. The report by the NKVD (precursor to the KGB) names all residents, their ages, what they owned and did, a treasure for genealogical research — although the purpose was to punish the most successful. The investigation is below, with Robert Friesen’s insightful analysis, “What is a ‘kulak’?” ​

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Call for Help

6/22/2023

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John F. Harms (1855-1945; Photo: GAMEO)

John F. Harms, editor of the Mennonitische Rundschau, wrote a passionate call for help in 1884. The circumstances of the migrants to Central Asia had become desperate, and a small group decided to join their fellow believers in our continent; they couldn’t do it without help. The response was remarkable, swift and effective. 


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Asia Trek Deaths 1880-1884

6/27/2021

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Hermann Jantzen's inspiring memoirs

The amazing 1880-1881 trek of Mennonites from South Russia to Central Asia offers many life lessons. Some of those are in the lives lost along the way. It is my hope to honour the dear people who died while following their dream, or that of their family’s, to achieve freedom from military service. A short travelogue accompanies this list of all those found who died until 1884, when the first group left for America. 

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Helena’s Asia Story

2/22/2021

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Walter Ratliff’s excellent book discusses the journey Helena took

Helena Graewe Warkentin (1865-1942) shares her amazing story about how she travelled across deserts and mountains in a wagon train from South Russia to Turkestan, Central Asia in 1880. 


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Letters From Tashkent

7/28/2020

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Camel caravans were common in 1881 Tashkent 
Photo: 1977 Ethiopia © Mennonite Heritage Archives by Eric Rempel and John Wieler 

In 1880-81, Mennonite migrants travelled over mountains, through deserts on camels, and by covered wagons from South Russia to Central Asia. Their perilous journey is shared in these letters to the Rundschau and other magazines. Now with author photos, thanks to Robert Friesen!

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    Writer

    Irene Plett is a writer, poet and animal lover living in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. 

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