Andrew Hamm (1875- ) was the original author attributed to this fonds. However, over the years it has become unclear who Andrew Hamm (Andreas Hamm) truly is and should all the diaries be attributed to the same individual. We know that the original card catalogue for the fonds identifies that the diaries record economic as well as personal matters, for the years 1881-1893, 1905-1916, 1963-1966. Additional information provided is the author was from the village of Neubergthal, Manitoba.

Andrew Hamm (1875-1944) is the son of Gerhard Hamm (1844-1905) and Anna Knelsen (1849-1916). Andrew was born in Rosenthal, Chortitza, South Russia, immigrated to Canada in 1892, was married in Eichenfeld, Manitoba, then moved to Rosthern, Saskatchewan where his children were born and he later died. However, this Andrew Hamm’s life and immigration dates do not match up with what is described in the diaries.

Another Hamm family in Neubergthal, Manitoba at the time was Andreas Hamm (1826-1892), his son Andreas Hamm (1863-1936), and his son Andreas Hamm (1898-1976). When doing research for this fonds, Alf Redekopp spoke with life-long resident of Neubergthal Ray Hamm. Ray remembers Andreas Hamm (1898-1976) and it is because of this connection that we have decided to attribute the diaries to Andreas Hamm (1863-1936).

There are three distinct time frames that the diaries cover: 1881-1893, 1905-1916, 1963-1966. The first section (1881-1893) is before any of the people we are considering to have created the diaries came to Canada. Yet, the content of the diary in this section discusses buying and selling material, travelling to Winnipeg, and comments on the weather. Meaning the author lived in Manitoba at the time. The last section is written after both Andrew’s we are considering to have written the diaries had passed away. Meaning the diaries from the 1960s must be written by a different author. The authorship of these materials remains unclear.

This fonds consists of a photocopy of a diary written by Bernhard Hamm which describes the journey to Canada, settling on the East Reserve and then moving to the West Reserve to the village of Neubergthal. A portion of the diary has been transcribed.

This fonds consists of a diary written by Peter Hamm describing the life of his parents and grandparents and documents births, marriages, and deaths of family members. Portions of this diary related to the journey from Bergthal Russia to the East Reserve, Manitoba were copied by his son Bernhard Hamm.
Bernhard’s journal is in Mennonite Heritage Archives Volume 2047.2. Another family member whose materials are also at the Mennonite Heritage Archives (Volume 1748) is Peter’s first cousin, Andreas Hamm (1863-1936).