Discover your Mennonite family history.
In partnership with the Mennonite Archives of Ontario, TourMagination presents:
Mennonite Family History Night
Thursday, February 9th, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, followed by refreshments.
Conrad Grebel University College, Community Education Room,
140 Westmount Rd N., Waterloo.
Suggested donation $20.
Proceeds support the Mennonite Archives of Ontario,
Explore your Mennonite roots with archivist Laureen Harder-Gissing from Mennonite Archives of Ontario.
The evening includes tips and tools for researching your family history, audience interaction, and a Q & A with Laureen Harder-Gissing. Also, hear a short presentation about Anabaptist and Mennonite heritage tours to Russia/Ukraine, Poland, Germany/France/ The Netherlands/Switzerland with Wilfrid Laurier History Professor, Leonard Friesen.
Participants will find out how to access the Mennonite Archives of Ontario and see artifacts from this large collection of modern and historic Mennonite-related items such as diaries, letters, institutional records, and photos.
Two major streams of Mennonites—the Swiss Mennonites and Russian Mennonites—came to Waterloo County beginning in the late 1700s. A Swiss Mennonite from Pennsylvania named Benjamin Eby founded Ebytown (present-day Kitchener) in 1807. Dutch and German Mennonites, who had settled in Russia in the late 1700s (Russian Mennonites), fled to this region beginning in the early 1900s.
Today, there are more than 20 different Mennonite groups in the region, from conservative to modern. Mennonites continue to influence the Waterloo Region in all areas of life—from politics, to business, social services, and faith.
All are welcome. Reserve tickets for the Mennonite Family History Night.
Contact TourMagination for more information at 1-800-565-0451 or 519-885-2522 or office@tourmagination.com.
