News from the Archives
by David Giesbrecht

Upcoming Event:  November 15.  Genealogy workshop with Henry Schapansky, Tim Janzen and others.  Call the  office for more details.

Major new bibliography
  Lisete Isaak, a student at the University of the Fraser Valley, has recently compiled a major, annotated bibliography titled:  British Columbia Mennonite Bibliography, 1918-2008.

    While not comprehensive, this is an extensive listing of materials written by and about BC Mennonites, and includes books, theses, journal, periodical and newspaper articles as well as online reference sources.

     Lisete’s work will be a significant help to anyone researching aspects of the BC Mennonite story.   A copy of this bibliography is available in the reference section in our Clearbrook Center.

Request for Post WW II Refugee/Immigrant Photos
           If you have any pictures of your family enroute to Canada—the ship they were on, a refugee camp they were assigned to in Europe, contact with MCC representatives, etc.—we would be pleased to receive a copy to be displayed as part of our banquet in October.

         Please identify people included, date taken, or other central details being represented.   You may send photos to our office, or email digitized copies to archives@mhsbc.com     MHSBC plans to create a web-location where these photos can be accessed at a later date.

Request for Gulag photographs.  Ruth Derksen Siemens is still collecting photographs of the Gulag.  To contribute, send photos to the archives@mhsbc.com,  attention Hugo.

Book about Paraguay
 Our MHSBC office has recently received a new book, called One Body, Many Parts: The Mennonite Churches in Paraguay, by well-know Paraguayan historian, Gerhard Ratzlaff. First published in German as Ein Leib – viele Glieder, it has been translated into English by Jake Balzer of Calgary.

            Ratzlaff offers a very thorough study of Paraguayan Mennonites in the context of their theological distinctives. In addition to discussing Mennonite historical origins  he provides a useful survey of each colony, profiling church life, denominational structures, mission work as well as Indian and Spanish speaking Mennonite churches. A significant section of the book analyzes the social contribution of Paraguayan Mennonites through health-care facilities, seniors care, daycare centers, and educational institutions.

           The author concludes his study with a nostalgic retrospective as well as prospective reflections. An extensive bibliography will be helpful to anyone wishing to pursue this story.  Review to follow.