FINDING YOUR ROOTS

​Researching family history can be so much fun, uncovering answers to puzzles and filling in gaps in information. This page focuses on Mennonite history and some key tools conveniently available online. 

Mennonite history is filled with missing pieces. Former settlements in Russia no longer exist, and many documents were destroyed. As a result, it becomes important to look for what is available when researching your family history. Thankfully, we are blessed with amazing online resources.  (German language version: Deutsche Sprachversion.)

Contents:

• Archives
• Websites
• Obituaries
  • Complete obituaries/biographies
  • International obituary indexes
  • Canadian obituaries and indexes
• Mennonite magazines online
  • Contemporary historical magazines
  • Mennonite history magazines

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Archives

These organizations deserve a lot of credit for their work in preserving our collective history. I love receiving interesting books, or copies of historical documents that I have identified in indexes or from GRanDMA (see below). Sometimes there is a small fee, and always, they appreciate donations to their important work. 

• Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Winnipeg, Manitoba - national archive for the Canadian MB church; archivist Jon Isaak can send scans of documents for a small donation. 
  • Extensive list of all periodicals, newspapers, and magazines held, with information about each item; 
  • Jon Isaak’s collection of digitized historical Mennonite books. 

• Mennonite Archives of Ontario, Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario. Scans of documents may be requested for a small fee.   
• Mennonite Heritage Archives, Winnipeg, Manitoba - the other national archive in Canada. Archivist Conrad Stoesz can send scans of requested documents and appreciates donations. All periodicals held.
  • Publications: links to downloadable books by Delbert F. Plett, index to Der Bote, Canadian Mennonite, Mennonite Reporter and other documents.  
  • ​Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization Forms prepared by families after their arrival to Canada; gives arrival dates to Canada, birth dates and settlement locations. 1923-1930; detailed index for 1947-1964.  
  • Genealogy page with links to many obituary indexes, genealogy guides and a selection of genealogy articles from the Mennonite Historian. 
• Mennonite Historical Library, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana. Copies of documents can be mailed for a small fee.  
  • Anabaptist Mennonite Digital Library: many digitized magazines and books.  
• Mennonite Library and Archives, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. Archivist John Thiesen can send scans of requested documents and appreciates donations. 
  • Biographical wiki: transcribed and sometimes translated obituaries from many Mennonite magazines.  
• Mennonite Historical Society of British Columbia, Abbotsford, B.C. - this was my go-to archive before the pandemic. Hopefully they will be open to visitors and regular volunteers again soon. There are a number of resources on the website. 

• If these archives aren’t enough, there are hundreds of Mennonite historical societies and museums in North America! What a wealth of resources! 

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Websites

These are some excellent websites for Mennonite family history.

• ​GAMEO - Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online - your first stop on Mennonite history. Includes many biographies.
• GRanDMA Online (Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry), by the California Mennonite Historical Society, accessible online for a small fee. I have found information about ancestors, relatives, and friends who were important to my family’s story. I have sent GRanDMA many corrections and updates, which they welcome. 
• Mennonite Archival Information Database (MAID), Mennonite Historical Society of Canada - search to find archival documents and photos kept by various institutions; digital photos may be purchased for a small fee for non-commercial purposes.  
• ​Mennonite Genealogical Resources, compiled by Richard D. Thiessen. Extensive information including early censuses. Subpages include international, Canada, Latin America, Poland, Russia, Prussia and USA. I often refer to the list of Mennonite villages in Russia by Tim Janzen.  
• Mennonitische Geschichte und Ahnenforschung, by Willi Vogt and others - in German and Russian language, contains village maps and family surveys compiled in 1942 by Karl Stumpp, photos, scans of documents, and more. Click on a village or search the main page.  
  • Molotschna.      
  • Sagradovka. 
  • Historical Mennonite magazines. 
• ​Odessa: A German-Russian Genealogical Library, by Roger Ehrich - extensive digital collection with indexes to ship records, EWZ records (1944 Einwanderungzentralstelle records with detailed family information) and more. Use the full text search under “war records” to find EWZ records. When you have the file number, search for the number (I use the last 8 digits) to find out who else is mentioned in the document with birthdates. That gives you an idea of what to expect before you request the file! 
• Trails of the Past, led by Brent Wiebe: database of victims of political oppression. It doesn’t name all victims, as documents don’t always exist and new names are probably added as information becomes available, but it’s worth checking. Also features maps. 

During the pandemic, I have also benefited by free access to Ancestry.com through our local library. For Mennonite history, I have found that it is most helpful for North American sources. You can find and download pages from many ship lists of those migrating to the United States or Canada. Family trees posted there are often error-prone, but if they include sources, those issues can be checked. 

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Obituaries

The life story of an ancestor or relative can illuminate family connections. Lately I have enjoyed transcribing and translating obituaries that come across my desk, and sharing them with Bethel College's biographical wiki, which publishes the full content. There are many helpful indexes of obituaries below. With the page number, you can ask for the obituary from an archive (above). Or you can check if the magazine page is already online (see below).

Complete obituaries/biographies

• Biographical wiki, Mennonite Library and Archives, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas: transcribed, and sometimes translated, obituaries from numerous Mennonite magazines.  
• GAMEO - Search a name from many biographies in this English language Mennonite history encyclopedia. 
• Lexikon der Mennoniten in Paraguay - biographies contained in a German language encyclopedia of Mennonite history focused on Paraguay. 
• MennObits, Mennonite Church USA Archives - transcribed obituaries from Herald of Truth (1864-1908) The Gospel Witness (1905-1908), Gospel Herald (1908-1998) and other sources in the United States. 
• Mennonitisches Lexikon, - Biographies in a Mennonite history encyclopedia in the German language. Early volumes in Gothic script are also online: Volume 1, 1913, A-F; Volume 2, 1937, A-L. 
• ​Bios/obituaries shared on my blog. 

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International obituary indexes

• Der Bote (1924-2008) (see below), published in Canada. Complete obituary index. 
• Mennoblatt (1930-) Filadelfia, published in Paraguay, 1931-2000 obituary index. 
• Der Mennonit (1958-1973), published in Karlsruhe, Germany, name index. 
• Die Mennonitische Rundschau, (see below), published in U.S. and Canada. 1930-2001 obituary index; 1880-1939 full indexes.   
• Zionsbote (1884-1964) (see below), published in U.S. Complete index. Note: obituary index has a page missing at G-H and ends at 1919.

Canadian obituaries and indexes
These sources include some significant Canadian Mennonite magazines and other sources where Mennonites have been prominent in Canada. More magazines for recent years follow.

• The Canadian Mennonite (1953-1971), Altona, Manitoba. 
  • Obituary index. 
  • Full index available for download.  
• Canadian Mennonite Reporter/Mennonite Reporter (1971-1997), Waterloo, Ontario. 
  • ​Full index for viewing/searching.
  • Full index for download.  
• Canadian Mennonite (1997-present), Waterloo, Ontario. 
  • ​Obituary index 1997-2002. 
  • Recent years; search “[name] obituary” on main website page.  
• Christlicher Familienfreund (1934-1981), Steinbach, Manitoba (German language), Obituary index.   
• Manitoba Historical Society - bios of memorable Manitobans. 
• Mennonite Brethren Herald (1962-present), Winnipeg, Manitoba, official publication of MB churches in Canada.
  • Obituary index 1961-2010.  
  • Recent years, searchable. 
  • Searchable reproduction of entire collection available for purchase at CMBS.  
• Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta, Calgary, Alberta - selected obituaries of Albertans. 
• Odessa - selected Saskatchewan obituaries indexed from the Leader Weekly News, Maple Creek News, and Medicine Hat News. 
• Saskatchewan Valley News (1903-2017), Rosthern, Sask. 
  • Obituary index 1919-2014 (more complete after 1957). 
  • Provincial Archives of Sask. has 1930, 1932-2009.  
• Yarrow’s Pioneers and Settlers, by Esther Epp Harder and others - biographies/obituaries of settlers of Yarrow, B.C. 

For recent years, newspapers often publish obituaries online, and allow you to search for an obituary by name. Some Canadian newspapers with this service and a significant Mennonite community include: The Abbotsford News, Abbotsford, B.C.; Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alberta; The Chilliwack Progress, Chilliwack, B.C.; Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Sask.; and the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Let me know if you have others!

Mennonite magazines online

Mennonite magazines are a great source of genealogical information when other records are scant. A massive number of historical Mennonite magazines are kept by archives; the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies includes helpful information online about each publication held. While most magazines are not available online, some volunteers have shared scans received by archives. Several magazines are fully digitized.  

Historical magazines
I have found each of these magazines helpful for research, as contributors often shared family information. Although not fully digitized, I have often found the page I wanted at the link below (on Willi Vogt’s website). If not, an archive can usually provide the page. Most are in German in the Gothic script. I have transcribed and translated a few collections of letters. 

• Die Mennonitische Rundschau (1878-2007), first called the Nebraska Ansiedler, published in Elkhart, Indiana; Scottdale, Pennsylvania; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. A vital link between Mennonites separated by distance, who sent personal reports. German language.
  • Detailed indexes for 1880-1939. 
  • 1930-2001 obituary index. 
  • Transcribed and sometimes translated obituaries, Biographical wiki.  
  • NEW: Fully digitized most years from 1880-2006.  
  • Hundreds of scanned pages, including many transcriptions from the original Gothic German text.  
  • My translations of collections of letters (with links to transcriptions): 
    • Letters from Tashkent - 1880-1881 letters from the trek to Turkestan, Central Asia by multiple writers.  
    • Letters from Russia: Heinrich Plett - 1881-1922 letters from Sagradovka.  
    • Letters from Russia: David Isaak Graewe - 1895-1914 letters from St. Saizewo (Memrik).  
    • Meet the Teskes - 1909-1917 letters of Abraham Teske and Tobias Schmidt, Saskatchewan; Heinrich and Maria Schroeder, Terek; and Heinrich Plett, Sagradovka. 
• Zionsbote (1884-1964), Elkhart, Indiana, and later Kansas and Oklahoma. Official publication of Mennonite Brethren churches of North America, also included personal reports. German language.
  • Complete index. ​ 
  • Transcribed and sometimes translated obituaries, Biographical wiki.  
  • Under 100 scanned pages and transcriptions.  
• Der Bote (1924-2008), first called Der Mennonitische Immigranten-Bote, Rosthern, Sask. and Winnipeg, Man., Canada. Published weekly. In 1947, it merged with Der Christliche Bundesbote and became the official publication of the General Conference Mennonite Church. Also included personal reports. German language.
  • Full indexes available for download.  
  • Obituary index. 
  • ​Transcribed and sometimes translated obituaries, Biographical wiki.  
  • Limited number of scans.  
• Gemeindeblatt der Mennoniten, Germany (1871-1953). 
• Other historical German language magazines.  
• Several magazines from the United States, mostly English language, were digitized by the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Library, Elkhart, Indiana.  
• Searchable magazines including Christlicher Bundesbote (1870-1879), Zur Heimath (1875-1881), and several English magazines from Kansas, fully digitized by Bethel College, Kansas.  

Mennonite history magazines
These magazines are devoted to the study of Mennonite history. I personally subscribe to Mennonite Historian, Preservings, and Roots and Branches, but am grateful to all for putting so much content online, often searchable. Conveniently, all are in the English language!

• The Chronicle, by the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta, Calgary, Alberta. Published three times a year. Issues from 2010 to 2020 are available online.  
• Journal of Mennonite Studies (1983-present), by the Chair in Mennonite Studies, the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies and the University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Published each year. Scholarly journal focusing on Mennonite society, culture and religion in the past and present. All online for printing by individual articles. Current issue; archived issues.  
• Mennonite Historical Bulletin (1940-2012), Goshen, Indiana, by the Historical Committee of Mennonite Church USA, formerly Mennonite General Conference. All available online, including 1940-2010 index. 
• Mennonite Historian, published jointly by Mennonite Heritage Archives and the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, editors Jon Isaak and Conrad Stoesz, all issues online and searchable.  
• Mennonite Quarterly Review, (1927-present). Scholarly, quarterly journal. “Founded by Harold S. Bender and the Mennonite Historical Society in 1927 ... is now a cooperative publication of Goshen College, the Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and the Mennonite Historical Society.” Archived online from 1994 with a single article from each issue and the table of contents. Searchable index.  
• Ontario Mennonite History, by Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Previously called Mennogesprach (1983-1992) and Bulletin (1966-1973). All available online and searchable.   
• Preservings (1993-present), by the D. F. Plett Historical Research Foundation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Published twice a year; once a year from 2005-2009. Founder Delbert F. Plett, current editor Aileen Friesen. Mennonite history articles by academic and other writers. Issues up to the previous year are online and searchable.  
• Roots and Branches, by the Mennonite Historical Society of British Columbia, Abbotsford, B.C., Canada. Published about 4 times a year. Most issues from 1995 to the previous year are online.  
• Saskatchewan Mennonite Historian, by the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada. Issues from 2004-2017 are available online. 

Perhaps you will be inspired to subscribe to a magazine or join a historical society! Regardless, I hope that you will find your research easier with these tools.  

- Irene Plett

PS: I wish to thank Elena Klassen of Petershagen, near Hanover, Germany, who has shared many scans and transcriptions of pages of historical magazines and helped with the list of archives. Her many reports to Willi Vogt's website can be seen here. 

PPS: I am indebted to Willi Vogt for his work illuminating our history, and was very sad to hear of his sudden passing. ​

My kitty Cassie helps me translate historical text from the Mennonitische Rundschau.