Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1929-1953 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
17 cm of textual records.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Anna Sawatsky was born in Fargo, North Dakota on August 29, 1884 to Maria (Falk) and Cornelius P. Sawatsky while the family was immigrating from Russia to Canada. They settled on the family farm near Rosenfeld, Manitoba. Anna married Abraham K. Friesen (1881-1963) on June 29, 1902 in Rosenfeld, Manitoba. They moved to Gretna, Mb. where Abraham attended school for another two years. Then, they lived in Lowe Farm from 1904 to 1907 where he was a teacher. They moved to Winkler on August 7, 1907 where they raised their family of six children: Cornelius, Marie, Lena (Helen), Harry, Eleonora, and Evelyn. Abraham was the manager of Monarch Lumber Co, Winkler, for 44 years. They were active members of the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Anna passed away in Winkler, Manitoba on Dec 2, 1953. Abraham re-married Nettie Toews in 1959.
Repository
Archival history
After Anna Friesen's death, the materials were given to her youngest daughter, Evelyn Janzen. After Janzen's death, the materials were given to Anna's grand-daughter, Myrna Penner of Winkler.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Carole Grier, a granddaughter of Anna Friesen borrowed them from Myrna Penner.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Fonds consists of 25 diaries recorded by Anna dated from 1929 to 1953. The originals were scanned and then returned to the family. In this fonds are colour prints of the diaries. Personal records also include newspaper clippings, poems and some photos. The diaries, mostly in English with some German, are usually written in 7 by 9 inch scribblers. The first was written in a proper diary given as a gift to Anna by her son, Cornelius. Later entries were hastily recorded on whatever was available, with a few by her daughter, Evelyn. Anna writes about day-to-day activities which centered around their growing family, Abraham’s work and hobbies, their church activities, health issues and the influence of world events on their daily life.
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
Generated finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Accession number 2019-003.