© Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Last updated March 27, 2007)

  • Baerg, Anna, 1897-1972



    • Retrieval numbers: Volume 1720-1723

    Title: Anna Baerg fonds
    Dates: 1913-1959 , predominant 1916-1926
    Extent: 30 cm of textual records
    Repository: Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives

    Historical note

    Anna Baerg was born on January 28, 1897, in Bijuk Busow, Crimea, Russia, the oldest child of Gerhard and Anna (Mathies) Baerg. She lived in the Molotschna Mennonite colony in the Ukraine until emigrating to Canada in 1924. During her early life in Russia, she experienced the First World War, the Communist Revolution and the civil war that followed. Anna was prevented from pursuing formal education by both her fragile health and the unsettled political situation, but she recorded her thoughts and experiences in a diary. Because paper was scarce, much of the diary was written on labels from relief foods sent by the Mennonite Central Committee. Upon her arrival in Canada, Anna lived at first with her widowed mother, and then with other relatives in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. As her health permitted, she helped with Sunday School and church women's groups, writing worship material, among other things. She died after a lengthy illness on February 16, 1972, in Clearbrook, British Columbia.

    Scope and content note

    This fonds contains photocopied originals and typed transcripts of the diaries, poetry and other writings of Anna Baerg. Clara K. Dyck transcribed the diaries and some of the other writings, and also provided some interpretive commentary. The diaries, which include the years 1916-1926, and 1959, detail the every day life experiences of a young woman in a Mennonite community in Russia during the years of war, revolution, and civil war, followed by her emigration to Canada.

    Index terms

    Subject terms

  • Baerg, Anna

    Creators

  • Baerg, Anna, 1897-1972

    Authors

  • Dyck, Clara K.

    Adjunct descriptive data

    Finding aids

    Inventory file list available

    Related material in this repository

    Peters, Gerald, translator and editor. Diary of Anna Baerg 1916-1924. Winnipeg: CMBC Publications, 1985.

    Notes

    Custodial history

    The original diary was separated and resided in the homes of various relatives. A large portion was discovered in the home of Anna's sister, Cornelia Jantzen, in Waldheim, Saskatchewan, in the fall of 1972, and other parts were found later.

    Language

    Primarily German with some English translation and commentary.

    Arrangement

    Description completed by Joanne Moyer in January 2007.

    Location of originals

    The original diary manuscripts are at the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Winnipeg, MB.

    Restrictions on access

    None to access.

    Inventory File List

    Volume 1720
    1. Complete transcription of the diary of Anna Baerg, 1916-1926, and 1959
    Volume 1721
    1. Photocopies of segments of original diary from 1923-1924, handwritten on evaporated milk tin labels.
    2. Photocopies of Russian work permit with German translation (6 copies).
    3. Maps: Mennonite Settlements in European Russia; Molotschna Mennonite Settlement; and Chortitza Mennonite Settlement
    4. Selected entries of transcribed diaries from 1916 to 1923 with introduction and explanations by Clara K. Dyck. Also includes table of contents. Some commentary and diary entries in English.
    5. Selected entries of transcribed diaries from 1924 to 1926, and 1959 with explanations by Clara K. Dyck.
    6. Transcribed diary excerpts from 1923-1924; some entries summarized, some English translation.
    7. Transcribed diary excerpts from 1925 to 1926.
    8. English summaries of selected diary entries with some quotations of original German text from 1916 to 1926 and 1929.
    Volume 1722
    1. The Peerless Exercise Book: photocopies of handwritten poetry and other writings from 1926 to 1948.
    2. The Peerless Exercise Book: typed transcriptions of poetry and other writings from 1926 to 1948, table of contents included.
    3. Gedenktag der Concordia: typed poem.
    4. Am Wegesrand: typed transcriptions of poetry and other writings from 1925 to 1926, table of contents included.
    5. Steppenblumen: photocopies of handwritten poetry and other writings from 1921 and 1927, typed table of contents included.
    6. Steppenblumen: typed transcriptions of poetry and other writings from 1927.
    7. Poetry: typed transcriptions with English translations from 1926 to 1928.
    8. Blue Book: photocopies of handwritten poetry and other writings from 1929 to 1932 and 1937.
    9. Blue Book: typed transcriptions of poetry and other writings from 1929 to 1932 and 1937, table of contents included.
    10. Booklet dedicated to her sister and brother: photocopies of handwritten poetry from 1932.
    11. Booklet dedicated to her sister and brother: typed transcriptions of poetry from 1932, table of contents included.
    12. The Madison Exercise Book: photocopies of handwritten poetry from 1953 to 1959.
    13. The Madison Exercise Book: typed transcriptions of poetry from 1953 to 1959, table of contents with English descriptions included.
    14. Big blue book No. 34: photocopies of handwritten writings.
    15. Big blue book No. 34: typed transcriptions of writings, table of contents included.
    Volume 1723
    1. Booklet of poetry: includes handwritten original, photocopy of original and typed transcription, table of contents included.
    2. Collection of writings: typed transcriptions.
    3. Black book No. 3: photocopies of handwritten poetry and writings from 1924.
    4. Poetry selections: typed transcriptions, from 1929, 1932 and 1957.
    5. Poetry: typed transcriptions, table of contents included.
    6. Poetry: typed transcriptions, table of contents and brief explanatory notes included.
    7. Poetry: typed transcriptions, table of contents and brief explanatory notes included.
    8. Poetry: typed transcriptions, from 1918.
    9. Poetry: typed transcriptions, table of contents and brief explanatory notes included.
    10. Poetry: typed transcriptions, from 1920 to 1924, table of contents included.
    11. Poetry: typed transcriptions, from 1917 to 1921, table of contents included.
    12. Poetry: typed transcriptions, from 1913 to 1917, table of contents included.