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Block, Isaac H. (1905–1997) and Ella Derksen Block (1909–1997)

Proper Title

Isaac H. Block and Ella Derksen Block fonds

Dates of Creation

[196–?]–1993

Physical Description

6 cm of textual records

Biographical Sketch

Isaac H. Block was born on May 24, 1905, in Egoropol to Heinrich J. Block (1867–1928) and Katharina Van Kampen (1872–1934). He came to Canada in 1926 and married Ella Derksen on June 8, 1930, in Borden, Saskatchewan.

Ella Derksen was born on November 19, 1909, in Borden, Saskatchewan to Gerhard G. Derksen (1866–1933) and Anna Pantkratz (1871–1969), who came to Canada from Russia in 1905.

Isaac H. Block was a farmer and lay minister (preacher). He was ordained to the preaching ministry on October 20, 1944, in the Mennonite Brethren Church at Borden. Block was active in various conference committees, especially MCC Canada. In 1996, the Blocks lived at the Central Haven Personal Home in Saskatoon. Isaac and Ella Block had 12 sons and 1 daughter.

Both Isaac and Ella passed away in 1997.

Custodial History

Permission to photocopy the Block and Derksen family histories was given to the Centre for MB Studies by Isaac and Alvina Block of Winnipeg, Manitoba in August 1993.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of photocopied family history and genealogy of the Block and Derksen families. These photocopies are from textual records consisting of diaries, memoirs, records of financial expenditures, and genealogical records created or acquired by persons such as Gerhard G. Derksen (1866–1933), his wife Anna Pankratz Derksen (1871–1969), Ella Derksen Block (1909–1997), and Isaac H. Block (1905–1997). Some of the family history was originally created by Block’s ancestors in the nineteenth century. Most of the history was written by Isaac H. Block in retrospect, after 1960. A small part of this fonds is a genealogy created by Henry J. Block of Campden, Ontario, after 1980.

Notes

  • Volume 918.
  • Title based on the contents of fonds.
  • The accession number is 1993–34.

File List

Volume 918

1. Block family history.
2. Derksen family history.

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