A collection of 17 cassettes (2-track. mono. & guide.) accompanied by a guide for each of the recorded interviews. This was a special project undertaken by Ellen Baar of the Dept. of Sociology, Brock University, with the financial assistance of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario. These tapes were reproduced with the permission of the Baar family.

The contents of the tapes are as follows:

Tape 1. Henry Poetker, June 23, 1976 - Interview in Low German.

Tape 2, s. 1. Gerhard Braun, July 15, 1976 - Interview in Low German.--Tape 2, s. 2. Henry Goertz, July 19-20, 1976 - (continued from tape 4).

Tape 3. Mr. & Mrs. Johann Bergen, July 15, 1976 - Interview in English.

Tape 4. Henry Goertz, July 19-20, 1976 - Interview in English (continued on Tape 2, s. 2).

Tape 5. Maria and Margaret Klassen, July 19, 1976 - Interview in German.

Tape 6. Nikolav Isaak, July 20, 1976 - Interview in Low German.

Tape 7. Henry and Clara Huebert, July 26, 1976 -Interview in English.

Tape 8. William Andres, Sr., July 26, 1976 - Interview in German.

Tape 9, s. 1. Frank Steingart, July 26, 1976 - Interview in English. Tape 9, s. 2. David Wiebe, July 30, 1976 - Interview in English.

Tape 10. Abram A. Wall, July 27, 1976 - Interview in English and German.

Tape 11. Johann J. Wichert, Aug. 4, 1976 - Interview in German.

Tape 12, s. 1. Abram H. Heinricks, Aug. 4, 1976 - Interview in English.--Tape 12, s. 2. Henry Tiessen, Aug. 11, 1976 - Interview in English.

Tape 13-14. Abram P. Regier, Aug. 24, 1976 - Interview in English with some German.

Tape 15-16. Nick Fransen, Aug. 24, 1976 - Interview in German.

Tape 17. Gerhard J. Enns, Aug. 24, 1976 - Interview in German.

Recent Submissions

  • Tape #17 Interview with Gerhard J. Enns

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08-24)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Gerhard J. Enns, August 24, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, outbreak of war, outbreak of Revolution, service as Sanitater, Revolution experiences, famine, emigration, the Russian people, arrival in Canada, immigrant church, organization of Kitchener MB congregation, Canadian attitudes, acculturation, reflections. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #16 Interview (contd.) with Nick Fransen

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08-24)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview (contd. from tape #15) with Nick Fransen, August 24, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, post-Revolutionary conditions, war years, fall of the Tsar and Revolution, Selbstschutz, emigration, local administration, early years in Canada, relationships with (old) Mennonites early immigrant church in Vineland, relationship with the MB's, Ontario conference, language, patriotism (Canada), the Depression. The interview is conducted in German by Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #15 Interview with Nick Fransen

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08-24)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Nick Fransen, August 24, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, post-Revolutionary conditions, war years, fall of the Tsar and Revolution, Selbstschutz, emigration, local administration, early years in Canada, relationships with (old) Mennonites early immigrant church in Vineland, relationship with the MB's, Ontario conference, language, patriotism (Canada), the Depression. The interview is conducted in German by Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached. This interview is continued on tape #16.
  • Tape #14 Interview (contd.) with Abram P. Regier

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08-24)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Abram P. Regier (contd.) from tape #13, August 24, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, WWI, the Tsar, relationship with Russians, VBHH, Revolution, military service, Sanitatsdienst, Selbstschutz, post-Revolution, VBHH, emigration, arrival in Canada, arrival in Alberta, church life, adjustments and learning the language, working on farms. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #13 Interview with Abram P. Regier

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08-24)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Abram P. Regier, August 24, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, WWI, the Tsar, relationship with Russians, VBHH, Revolution, military service, Sanitatsdienst, Selbstschutz, post-Revolution, VBHH, emigration, arrival in Canada, arrival in Alberta, church life, adjustments and learning the language, working on farms. This interview is continued to tape #14. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #12 Side 1 Interview with A.H. Henricks, Side 2 Interview with Henry Tiessen

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, side 1 is an interview with Abram H. Heinricks, side 2 is an interview with Henry Tiessen. There are no accompanying notes for the interview with Henry Tiessen. The interview with Abram H. Henricks on side 1 discusses the following: revolution, post-revolutionary conditions, emigration, early years in Canada, acculturation, finding work. Side 2 with Henry Tiessen discusses: early life, emigration, revolution. The interviews were conducted by Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes for side 1 are attached.
  • Tape #11 Interview with J.J. Wichert

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-08-04)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with J. J. Wichert, August 4, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, educational system, outbreak of war, Revolution, Selbstschutz, Canadian immigration policy, emigration process, arrival in Canada, beginning of Vineland congregation, elected elder, J.H. Janzen, Ontario Conference, churches, minister to refugees in Europe after WWII. The interview is conducted in German by Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #9 Side 1 Interview with Frank Steingart, Side 2 Interview with D. Wiebe

    Baar, Ellen (1976-07-26)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Frank Steingart on side 1 and D. Wiebe on Side 2. The interview on side 1 with Frank Steingart discusses the following: his life in Ruckenau, emigration, helping others obtain visas, time in Manitoba, working with C.F. Klassen collecting Reiseshuld, move to Ontario. Side 2 of the tape is an interview with D. Wiebe. The following is discussed: early life, leaving Russia, arriving in Quebec, settling in Kitchener, attending church in Canada. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes for side 1 are attached. There are no notes available for side 2.
  • Tape #8 Interview with William Andres Sr.

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07-26)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with William Andres Sr., July 26, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, emigration of family in 1926, conditions in Russia, return to Molotschna, organizing refugees in Moscow, fate of farmers, attitude toward the Tsar, the Russian people, service in German Battalion of the White army, J.H. Janzen, post-revolutionary conditions, refugee camps in Germany, arrival in Germany, first years in Canada. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #7 Interview with Henry and Clara Huebert

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07-26)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Henry and Clara Huebert, July 26, 1976. The interview discusses: biographical information, murders in Steinbach, emigration through Poland into Germany, WWI, economic conditions, service in White army, arrest and imprisonment, Lechfeld refugee camp, emigration process, early days in Canada, church life, move to Ontario, residence in Germany, return to Canada. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #6 Interview with Nikolai Isaak

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07-20)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Nikolai Isaak, July 20, 1976. The interview discusses: his father's funeral sermon (delivered by Rev. David Epp) in Berdjansk, settling in Reesor, letter to the late Gerhard Wiens, biographical information, life in St. Petersburg, revolution, emigration, early years in Canada, Reesor settlement. The interview is conducted by Henry Paetkau in German. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #5 Interview with Maria and Margaret Klassen

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07-19)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with sisters Maria and Margaret Klassen. The interview discusses: biographical information, revolution, flight to Moscow, refugee camp in Germany, emigration to Canada, The Madchenheim in Winnipeg. The interview is conducted by Henry Paetkau in German. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #4 Interview with Henry Goertz (contd. on side 2 of tape #2)

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Mr. Henry Goertz, July 19 and 20, 1976. The interview discusses the following: biographical information, war and revolution, attitude toward Government, change in attitude toward Russia, the Selbstschutz, great men and leaders (B.B. Janz, J.J. Thiessen, David Toews, Ger. Lorenz), police encounter in Kingsville, Ontario, the White army, J.H. Janzen chaplaincy, escape after the collapse of White army, settling in Terek. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #3 Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Johann Bergen

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07-15)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Mr. Johann Bergen and Mrs. Bergen, July 15, 1976. The interview discusses the following: biographical information, emigration to Mexico, conditions in Mexico, trip to Canada, arrival in Manitoba, life in Canada, Sanitatsdienst, reasons for emigration, conditions after the revolution, working for the Soviet, conscription and alternative service, Revolution and anarchy, The Selbstschutz, treatment as immigrant in Canada, general comments about leaving Russia, interviewer's comments an evaluation. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached.
  • Tape #2 Side 1 Interview with Gerhard Braun, Side 2 Interview with Henry Goertz (contd. from Tape #4)

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-07-15)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Gerhard Braun, July 15, 1976. This interview is conducted in low German and discusses the following: biographical information, Sanitatsdienst, service in the White Army, landed Mennonites and Germans in Russia, anti-German activities, pacifism, conversation with a Mr. Janzen from Sagradowka, leaving Russia, collapse of White Army, post-revolutionary conditions, early years in Canada, conditions in Russia, emigration, early years in Canada, Kanadier toward immigrants, farming, church, interviewer's comments. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau. The accompanying notes are attached. Side 2 of the tape is a continuation from tape #4 of an interview with Henry Goertz. The notes and summary of this interview are available with tape #4.
  • Tape #1 Interview with Henry Poetker

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1976-06-23)
    Russian-Mennonite immigrants of the 1920's, an interview with Henry Poetker, June 23, 1976. This interview is conducted in low German and discusses the following: biographical information, revolution (flight from the bandits), education, after the revolution, marriage, emigration, relations with Russian peasants, arrival in Canada, church attendance, first years at Vineland, New Hamburg, church life, relationship with MB's, Reiseshuld, interviewer comments. The interviewer is Henry Paetkau.
  • Tape #10 Interview with Abram A. Wall

    Baar, Ellen; Brock University. Dept. of Sociology.; Multicultural History Society of Ontario. (1977-07-19)
    Tape #10 contains the interview with Abram A. Wall. The notes for the interview are also included.