This book contains a reproduction and compilation of Russian Mennonite genealogical data originally collected and carefully preserved by individuals in the Neumann and Toews families.  It contains 211 pages, including pictures.  All information is provided in both the English and German languages.  It has gone through extensive editorial review to ensure that the size of the images and the details in the tables and figures are as clear and consistent as possible.

This book will appeal to a wide range of readers for a number of reasons.

Some readers will find it useful simply to extend their personal family trees.  Others will find it a great resource for exploring the GRANDMA genealogical database.  The addition of GRANDMA numbers to a large number of names will make the work of serious genealogical researchers faster and easier. 

Reproduction of the original records in colour is especially interesting because it shows the aging of the paper with time, and that, together with the different colours of the inks - as actually written over a hundred years ago - really brings the records to life.

Many readers will be familiar with the book "Letters from Susan" by John B. Toews.  For any that are not, It has generously been made available On-Line by Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas with the link,

 http://mla.bethelks.edu/books/wedel_series/letters_from_susan.pdf, 

These readers may be interested in seeing pictures of the characters in that book, such as father Jacob, daughters Susan, Elisabeth, Maria and Agnes, and the children Lieschen, Leni, Peti and Marianchen (as grownups).

Another important feature of this book is that it provides an introduction to the old German script called "Kurrentschrift".  The authors often encounter people with old handwritten German letters or family records that they cannot decipher.  With the conversion table included in this book and the deciphered Kurrentschrift records serving as examples, readers should soon be able to explore their own original records.

Finally, for readers of Russian Mennonite background, the appearance of script and text in the original languages, Low German, German, Russian and English will be a poignant reminder of their heritage and the Russian Mennonite diaspora.

Sample pages are given below.

Excerpts / Ausschnitte

Page 45 - English Translation