Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1882-1928 (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
2 cm of textual records
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
David Bräul was born in Ohrloff, Molotschna on September 8, 1861 to Johann Braeul and Katharina Huebert. He started to teach in Friedensruh, Molotschna, in 1882, where he worked for two years. After some problems with the village, he was dismissed. In 1886, Bräul started to teach in the school of Wernersdorf, Molotschna, Russia, where he taught for 38 years, until 1924. In August of 1893, Bräul married Eliese Harder. In this marriage, nine children were born. Eliese passed away in 1916 in Wernersdorf.
In 1924 Bräul migrated to Arnaud, Manitoba, where he married Agatha Nickel (1862 – 1935) in April of 1926. He wrote his “Lebensgeschichte” (life story) in 1928. In October of 1933 Bräul passed away in the Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 72 years. He died exactly 9 years after immigrating into Canada. His obituary was published in the Mennonitische Rundschau on November 15, 1933
Repository
Archival history
David Braeul’s autobiography was collected, by Delbert Plett in his role as researcher, editor and publisher of the Hanover Steinbach Historical Society’s newsletter in Preservings. These memoirs came to the Mennonite Heritage Center Archive in 2004 as part of Plett’s research collection.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This fonds contains a photocopy of the hand-written memoirs of Teacher David Bräul, written in German Gothic Script. The autobiography covers the period from 1882 to 1928, emphasizing Bräul’s experiences in Russia and Ukraine. The story starts in 1882, when Bräul went through a difficult time because he failed the Russian language exam, which he needed for his teaching certificate. In other stories, Bräul tells about his visit to a synagogue and a holiday trip to Crimea in 1887.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Described by Rodger Toews, March 2014
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
Notes area
Note
Accession Number 2004-039