Dear Relatives, Our great-grandfather, Gerhard Willems, was born in Holland (or Prussia) on Oct. 3, 1820. He was married to Katharina Rempel in 1841. They spent some years farming in Russia. Great-grandmother died in Russia in 1875 at the age of 52. [1] Gerhard Willems (1820-1900) and Katharina Rempel Willems (1823-1875) are my paternal great-great-grandparents. … Continue reading Ukraine, pt 3: Gerhard & Katharina Rempel Willems
Mennonite History
Ukraine, pt. 2: The Steppe
Note: The following piece was written in 2013 while I was researching the history and geography of the land north of the Black Sea where my Mennonite ancestors sojourned before migrating to North America. This is the land Russia is trying to take back from Ukraine. Photo from the Mennonite Library and Archives collection with … Continue reading Ukraine, pt. 2: The Steppe
Ukraine
Ukraine is not just a place on the map to me; it is a land that carries deep, personal meaning. My Grandmother Willems was born in southern Ukraine, in a small Mennonite village on the east bank of the Dnieper River about 200 miles from where that river’s waters empty into the Black Sea. Her … Continue reading Ukraine
Chapter 12: Reedley
Promised Land Oregon seems to have attracted the first M.B. families moving westward, but California soon became the “promised land” for most Mennonite Brethren. The first church to be organized was the Reedley congregation in 1905. This church, beginning with fourteen charter members, has grown to be not only the largest Mennonite congregation in California, … Continue reading Chapter 12: Reedley
Chapter 10 (con’t): The Zimmermann Clock
Grandma’s Clock The clock in the photo above hung on the wall in the dining room of my grandparents' house on Academy Way in Dinuba, California. Each morning Grandpa Willems would lovingly wind it, pulling each of the brass weights up to the top so they could begin their daily descent, the time weights … Continue reading Chapter 10 (con’t): The Zimmermann Clock
Chapter Ten: Waldheim
Note: To read earlier chapters, click on the desired title in the "Chapters" list in the right sidebar or at the bottom of this chapter. Recreating a sense of the past involves many things: memory, family stories and records as well as much original source material as one can find. This chapter pulls together the … Continue reading Chapter Ten: Waldheim
Chapter 9: The Zimmermanns 1903-1905
Note: This is the second part of the Zimmermann history. The story begins in Chapter 8: Russia 1866-1903. It can be read by clicking on that title in the list of Chapters in the sidebar on the right or bottom of the page. “In the year 1903 [Heinrich H. Zimmermann] emigrated to America with his … Continue reading Chapter 9: The Zimmermanns 1903-1905
Chapter 8: Russia: 1866-1903
Note: To read earlier chapters click on the desired title in the "Chapters" listed in the sidebar on the right or at the bottom of the page. “Mrs. Lena Zimmerman Willems was born in South Russia in the Firstenland in Syejowka on February 6, 1893, to Rev. and Mrs. H. H. Zimmerman, and departed this … Continue reading Chapter 8: Russia: 1866-1903
Chapter 6: Mountain Lake, Minnesota 1875-1900
Note: To read earlier chapters click on the desired title in the "Chapters" listed in the sidebar on the right or at the bottom of the page. “Our father, Jacob C. Willems, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 8, 1964, in the Dinuba Convalescent Home, at 1:35 p.m. He was the son … Continue reading Chapter 6: Mountain Lake, Minnesota 1875-1900
Chapter 5: How We Got to Russia
Note: To read earlier chapters click on the desired title in the "Chapters" listed in the sidebar on the right or at the bottom of the page. “Mrs. Lena Zimmerman Willems was born in South Russia in the Firstenland in Syejowka on February 6, 1893, to Rev. and Mrs. H. H. Zimmerman, and departed this … Continue reading Chapter 5: How We Got to Russia
Heritage 