Fonds PP - Isaak Reimer fonds

Identity area

Reference code

CA MHC PP

Title

Isaak Reimer fonds

Date(s)

  • 1967-1978 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

33 cm of textual material

Context area

Name of creator

(1898-1987)

Biographical history

Isaak Johann Reimer was born on October 24, 1898 in Einlage (Kitchkas) Ukraine. He was born the youngest son of 12 children to Johann J. and Elisabeth (Ens) Reimer. He attended the Kommerzschule (school of commerce) in Alexandrowsk, and was married to Olga Winter on November 7, 1921 (or 1922). They had two sons: Peter and Cornelius. Isaak taught school in various communities, including Einlage, Kronstal, Schönwiese, and New Chortitz. Between January 1930 and August 1941, he worked as the head bookkeeper in a factory and sawmill in Dneprostroj. In 1943, the family fled westward with the German army, but were overtaken by the Russians in Poland. Olga was taken to Siberia, in the Irkutsk Region near the Chinese border, and Isaak was taken north to the coal mines in the Ural Mountains. They endured 10 years of forced labour. Then they were reunited and with the assistance of relatives, were able to move to Canada in 1966. Their sons had immigrated to Canada earlier. They settled in Saskatoon, but had difficulty finding employment due to language barriers. Isaak therefore applied himself to recording his memoirs and the family history. He also enjoyed collecting stamps. Olga died in 1983, and Isaak died of a heart attack on August 22, 1987.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Isaak Reimer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

This fonds consists of two sets of manuscripts of Isaak's writings. The first manuscript contains his memoirs from his life in exile in Russia, and the second is a history of the Mennonite colonies in Russia. The manuscripts are primarily handwritten.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

"Under the shadow of the almighty: eleven years in exile 1945-1956, Workuta, Siberia" (Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan).

Related descriptions

Publication note

Bergen, Heinrich. Verbannung Unschuldig nach Sibierien ins Verderben, 1935-1955. Regina, Saskatchewan. (See CMU library)

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

By Joanne Moyer in March 2007

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area

Related subjects

Related people and organizations

Related genres

Related places