Collection C0045 - Southern Alberta Hutterian Brethren collection

Original Digital object not accessible

Identity area

Reference code

CA ACU GBA C0045

Title

Southern Alberta Hutterian Brethren collection

Date(s)

  • 1527-1971, predominant 1527-1825, 1924-1971 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

10 microfilm reels.
9 audio reels.
35 cm of textual records.
143 photographs.
3 film reels

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Hutterian Brethren is a sectarian group which lives communally on farms or colonies, as they are called. Hutterites date back to 1528 when a group of about 200 Anabaptists formed a communal society in Moravia (now in Czechoslovakia) to escape religious persecution. The basic Hutterian beliefs, which are still held today, were established at that time under the leadership of John Hutter. These beliefs include the separation of church and state, pacifism, adult baptism, and communal living and ownership of property.

Over their history Hutterites have been subjected to periods of persecution which resulted in migration from Czechoslovakia to Hungary, Romania, Russia, the USA and to Canada. Because of persecution in the USA over their refusal of military service, the group emigrated en masse to Canada in 1918, settling in Manitoba and Alberta, and later in Saskatchewan. Some Hutterites subsequently returned to the USA. Colonies in southern Alberta include: Red Willow, MacMillan, Stand Off, Lakeside, Rosebud, New Rosebud, Wolf Creek, Cayley, New Ulm, Hand Hills, and Minburn.

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Gifts of Jacob Walter, Dr. Karl Peter, E.J. Spiteri, and Red Willow Colony, and purchased from John Wipf, New Ulm Colony, Cayley Colony, Wolf Creek Colony, New Rosebud Colony, and Brigitte Peter-Cherneff, 1962-2018.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The collection consists of Stand Off colony records: recording of church service (1963) and singing (1971); photographs (1940s-1964); recorded interview with Jacob Walter on early history of colony (1971); sketches of early buildings; ethnological study, recorded observations and films by Dr. Karl Peter on colony life; microfilm of early religious writings (ca. 1550s-1560s), chronicle of Hutterian history (1527-1665, 1947- 1960), and legal agreements with government authorities (1782-ca. 1960) (predominantly in German); articles of association for Stand Off colony (1924-1956); and genealogy of Jacob Walter family (in German). Also consists of records from a number of southern Alberta colonies, especially Red Willow: German songbooks (1800s-1955, and some microfilmed from 1696-1825); medical book (1612, in German); microfilm of religious writings (1696-1875); recorded songs and interviews; and photographs (1961-1964). Includes microfilm of correspondence between Russian Hutterite colonies (1800s).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Photos cannot be published without archivist's approval.

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

    Script of material

      Language and script notes

      The material is in German and English.

      Physical characteristics and technical requirements

      Finding aids

      Allied materials area

      Existence and location of originals

      Originals of early religious writings (ca. 1550s, 1560s), Hutterian chronicle, legal agreements, Stand Off colony articles of association, and Walter genealogy are held by Stand Off colony. Originals of religious writings (1696-1875) and songbooks (1696-1825) are held by Paul Stahl. Originals of Russian colony correspondence held by Minburn colony. Some religious writings (1795) are held by MacMillan and Red Willow colonies; also includes research materials of Karl Peter.

      Existence and location of copies

      Related units of description

      Related descriptions

      Notes area

      Note

      Title based on contents of records.

      Note

      Photos were allowed to be taken by Dr. Karl Peter on the understanding that those with faces clearly visible would not be published.

      Note

      M 3552 is missing.

      Note

      Microfilm-Hutterian Brethren

      Alternative identifier(s)

      Access points

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      Description control area

      Description identifier

      Institution identifier

      Rules and/or conventions used

      Status

      Level of detail

      Dates of creation revision deletion

      Language(s)

        Script(s)

          Sources

          Digital object (Master) rights area

          Digital object (Reference) rights area

          Digital object (Thumbnail) rights area

          Accession area