MMHS News & Notes

The Society has had a very active year. As HP has reported, there have been many 125^th year celebrations of the coming of Mennonites to the West Reserve.

Other activities are ongoing. The Manitoba Mennonite History publication project is underway. Fundraising has begun and more designated donations for this project are welcomed.

The annual general meeting of the Society is being planned for Saturday, 10 February 2001. It will be followed by a fundraising banquet. See details in the box below.

Local History Workshop

Saturday 28 October 2000 saw over 60 people gather at the Pembina Threshermen's Museum for a West Reserve Local History workshop.

John Penner presented the story of Chortitz. The village was established in 1875. 27 families settled in this village. The Schellenberg family was well represented but by 1890s families were moving to Saskatchewan and in the 1920s some moved to Mexico and others to Swift Current. The English school started in 1922 but no students attended the first year but by 1923 they had 18 students. A constant land mark is the Old Colony Church which has stood in the village since 1875 up to this day. In recent years about ten families have lived in Chotitz.

Waldheim was situated two miles west and three miles north of Osterwick. This is where 10 Heoppner families settled. Several descendants of the original villagers told part of the story. Isaak Hoeppner, a Sommerfelder church minister, was instrumental in beginning the Rudnerweider Mennonite Church.

Allen Warkentin related the history of Kronsfeld, which is situated four miles south and half a mile east of Osterwick. Mr. J. R . Walkof was a teacher in Kronsfeld. Gruenfeld village was just south of the corner of the Hasket road and Highway #32. 1876 saw 22 villagers at this site. Both villages had a short history.

All four leaders presented us with a lot of material to ponder. Whoever is connected to these villages should contact the presenters for more detailed information.

by Martha Martens, Winkler

Genealogy Open House

Thirteen exhibitors responded to the open invitation to get their historical material viewed at the Mennonite Heritage Centre on 18 November 2000. The result was a lively networking session. Information was shared re using the internet. Experienced researchers shared their genealogy records, helping others find new branches for their family tree. Others showed creative ways to tell their story. Recently published books were available. Some were able to put faces and stories to their list of names. New friendships were formed and old ones renewed. This Family Research Workshop was truly a time for memories. Unfortunately, many family tree enthusiasts missed this wonderful opportunity to broaden their base of information.

by Shirley B. Bergen, Brandon