How much can we learn from a list? This image is from a list of Mennonite immigrants from the Soviet Union (Russlaender) living in Vineland, Ont., in 1924. We can see family groupings along with church affiliations. In these early years, Mennonite Brethren and United Mennonites worshipped together. We can also note their housing situation, with many living on the farms of their employer. The final column shows the instability of immigrant life; all of the families on this page departed at some point, possibly hoping for better prospects in Waterloo or Reesor. More Russlaender immigrant lists are posted on the Mennonite Archives of Ontario website, with more tales to tell.
For more historical photos in the Mennonite Archival Image Database, see archives.mhsc.ca.
More moments from yesterday:
Gilbert Snider
La Crete river landing
CMC Yearbooks
Henry Gerbrandt, missionary to Mexico
Gift for the Queen
(Photo: Vineland United Mennonite Church / Mennonite Archives of Ontario)
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