Janz, Jacob B. (1884–1972)
Proper Title
Jacob B. Janz fonds
Dates of Creation
1950s to 2004
Physical Description
12.5 cm of textual records and photographs
Biographical Sketch
Jacob B. Janz was born on June 13, 1884, in Conteniusfeld, south Russia, to Benjamin and Helena (Penner) Janz. His goal in life was to become a teacher, which was realized when he was nineteen years old in Fischau. Later, he also taught in Ohrloff. At the age of twenty four, he was baptized, becoming a member of the Mennonite Brethren church. In 1908, he married Aganetha Wiens from Sparrau. Six children were born to this couple. He remained a teacher for twenty-one years, interrupted for a time by the First World War. New regulations imposed by the Russian government did not allow him to continue in his profession. As a landless family, the Janzes decided it was best to immigrate to Canada.
In 1924, the family arrived in Canada and lived in southern Ontario. Unable to find work as a teacher, the family moved to Coaldale, Alberta, in 1927 to take up farming. In Coaldale, the family was also closer to family, such as Jacob's brother, B.B. Janz.
In 1946, Jacob and Agnes retired from the farm and moved into the town of Coaldale. Agnes died in 1971 and Jacob in 1972.
Custodial History
The custodial history of this collection stems from various donations from Agnes Hubert and Henry Hubert, both are grand-children of Jacob and Agnes.
Scope and Content
The contents of this collection consists of three types of files. One is the story of the Janz family’s immigration to Canada and the arrival in Ontario. The second is a collection of letters to and from the Janzes, dating from the 1960s. The third is a collection of detailed genealogies, one of Jacob B. and Agnes Janz, and one of the wider Janz clan going back to 1767. The fonds documents the assumptions, motivation, vision, and everyday life of one Mennonite family that immigrated to Canada from Ukraine, the Jacob B. and Agnes Janz family.
Notes
- Volume 977.
- Described by Conrad Stoesz October 29, 1999; updated by Jon Isaak, Sept 2023.
- Accession nos.: 2015-07, 2023-08, and previous accessions.
File List
Volume 977
- Jacob B. Janz, Up and Away to Canada, the story of how Jacob and Agnes came to Canada. -- [ca. 1950].
- Jacob and Agnes's collection of letters and newspaper clippings. -- [ca. 1960s].
- Genealogy of Jacob B. and Agnes Janz with obituaries, letters, and funeral announcements. -- 2004.
- Janz genealogy beginning in 1767, written in Gothic script, with updates. -- 1950.