Mennonite Historical Society

of British Columbia

MHSBC is a community-funded organization, and we depend on your support. Your donation helps preserve our Mennonite stories and heritage for future generations. Funds are used to keep our archives open to public users; upgrade equipment; support our few staff members; bring you the latest research on Mennonite history through the Roots and Branches newsletter; and to sponsor special events. Tax-deductible receipts are provided.

We acknowledge that Abbotsford and surrounding area are within the ancestral,
traditional and unceded territory of the people of the Matsqui and Sumas Stó:lõ First Nations.

The Mennonite Historical Society of BC is located
on the second floor of the Mennonite Heritage Museum

1818 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford BC V2T 5X4

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The MHSBC Research Centre Open, Drop Ins Welcome! Open Monday – Friday, 10am-3pm You may still leave messages and send emails to us during closed hours. To book an in-person research assistance appointment/genealogy lookup, please email archives@mhsbc.com or call 604-853-6177. Check in at the front desk main floor when you arrive.

Save the Date: March 1, 2025 to Commemorate 500 Years of Anabaptist History: The “500” Concert! A Calvin Dyck / MHSBC production. Watch for details and ticket information!

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Hildi Tiessen

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Leonard Friesen Lecture

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Christmas Market

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MHM Mennonite Story

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The "Research and Articles" webpage allows writers and researchers to post research and short articles in support of items in Roots and Branches, or as stand alone documents.

Glenn Penner, University of Guelph, is compiling DNA from Mennonite men with his "Y-DNA Wish List."

Along with men with specific surnames, the Y-DNA part of the Mennonite DNA Project is interested in having any man who has paternal Low-German Mennonite join the project.

Click on "Research Articles" in the left menu to download a PDF document with the details on how to participate.

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Messages from Aileen Friesen Co-director of the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies at The University of Winnipeg

Do you have a Mennonite history-related project that needs financial support? The Plett Foundation may be able to help! Twice a year, the Plett Foundation awards grants to support research and publications. The next grant application deadline is October 1.

Research grants cover expenses like travel and accommodation for research trips. Publication grants may be used for the production of books, documentaries, and exhibits. To qualify, projects must be related to the history of the Mennonites who migrated to Canada from Russia in the 1870s, t heir descendants, or their ancestors.

Projects funded by the Plett Foundation in the past include:

- A video setting of Patrick Friesen's poem "Maria".
- Publication of Nina Schroeder-van 't Schip's forthcoming book Mennonites and Art in the Dutch Republic: Church, Home, and Art Marketplace (1581-1795)
- Production of a historical atlas of Manitoba's West Reserve
- Dale Hildebrand's documentary film about the 1870s migration of Mennonites to Manitoba
- Research trips to Poland, Mexico, Bolivia, and Paraguay

For more information and to apply, visit our website.

— Aileen Friesen
Executive Director, Plett Foundation
Co-director, CTMS

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Messages from Ben Nobbs-Thiessen Chair in Mennonite Studies & Co-director of CTMS at the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies at The University of Winnipeg

I’m pleased to share the schedule for our fall conference, “Subjects, Settlers, Citizens: The 1870s Mennonites in Historical Context,” being held at the University of Winnipeg in person and livestreamed on October 4 and 5, 2024. The conference marks the 150th anniversary of Mennonite life in the province of Manitoba. Facing the elimination of their status as privileged subjects in imperial Russia, over 7,000 Mennonites immigrated to Manitoba between 1874 and 1880, intent on starting over as settlers in a new land that promised the freedom to live according to traditional patterns governed by their religious principles.

The conference features six panels of original research papers addressing the history and legacy of this migration, as well as the screening of a new documentary, a keynote address by Elder Dave Scott (Swan Lake First Nation), a panel discussion on literary and artistic production by 1870s descendants, and a celebration of twenty years of the Plett Foundation.

We invite you to register to indicate your interest, and to receive a link to the conference livestream if you wish to participate virtually. Mark your calendars and share widely!

— Ben Nobbs-Thiessen
Chair in Mennonite Studies & Co-director, CTMS

Conference Schedule and Register to Attend: Register for the Event.

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See the MHM website at: www.mennonitemuseum.org.

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Volunteer at the Mennonite Heritage Museum Gardens!

MHM Coffee Shop Website

MHM Cafe

MHM House Barn

House Barn Tours

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YouTube link for Louise Bergen Price's MHM Book Launch “The Canada Coat” recording of the event.

YouTube Link for for Dr. Richard Toews' recorded Virtual Book Launch, The Confession.

Center for Transnational Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg presents "Packing for Canada,"
a fascinating presentation on Russlaender Mennonite material culture.
A recording of the event is now available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2EEgrZhX9Y.

The Center for Transnational Mennonite Studies, University of Winnipeg, presents 11 sessions of "MCC at 100" On YouTube.

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You can make your donation to MHSBC online with our convenient PayPal feature.

PayPal provides the option of paying with your credit card or as a PayPal client. PayPal will email a receipt, your donation confirmation.



Sponsor an MHSBC Event

If you, your group, or company is interested in sponsoring an MHSBC event, please contact us at MHSBC Archives, or 604-853-6177.

Sponsorship Details

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Pier 21 The Musical Pier 21 The Musical

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How to become a member of the MHSBC?

You can pay your $35.00 MHSBC membership fee online with our convenient PayPal feature:

You can pay a $750.00 MHSBC lifetime membership fee online with our convenient PayPal feature:

You can pay a $70.00 MHSBC two year membership fee online with our convenient PayPal feature:

PayPal provides the option of paying with your credit card or as a PayPal client. PayPal will email a receipt, your membership confirmation.

According to the Canada Revenue Agency, MHSBC membership fees are not tax deductible. Members receive Roots and Branches three or four times a year. Members enjoy a discount on the price of MHSBC events. The annual general meeting of the society is held in April or May.

Other ways to become a member:

Print the MHSBC Annual Membership Form, fill in your data, and mail to MHSBC.

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The MHSBC / MHM YouTube Videos for the Anabaptist Story

MHSBC Introductory Video with Jennifer Martens: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB87-Sa-T8DmyfVOcIjeTNQ/

MHM Introductory Video with Jenny Bergen: https://youtu.be/C2TnhT5dLzs

Presentation by Richard Thiessen: https://youtu.be/nXuVgWhu15g

Anabaptist History

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