Wilhelm Baerg (1842–1902)
1860,1866,1882–1883,1902,1922, photocopied [ca. 1995,1997,1999].
1 file of textual records.
Biographical sketch
Wilhelm Baerg was born September 2, 1842, in the village of Fürestenau. He was married to Katherina Hiebert. They lived for a time in the village of Tiegerweide where a son Wilhelm was bon on August 7, 1868. Thirteen children were born to this couple, five of whom died early in life.
In 1881, they followed Klaas Epp and began the journey east into Asia where “The Christ” was to appear, according to Epp. Disillusioned with Epp, the family moved to America in 1886. While in America they continued their travelling life style. They settled in Kansas for five years after wich they moved to Colorado. After two years here they moved back to Kansas where Wilhelm lived for another seven years. He died early in 1902.
Scope and content
There are two main pieces in this collection. The first piece consists of genealogical information on the Baerg family that was begun by Wilhelm Baerg in 1860. Information was added after 1860 up to 1924. The second item is a translation of Heinrich Janzen’s report recorded in Baerg’s diary of the trip to Asia 1882–1883. Other material includes an obituary and a passport. Except for the translation piece, the material is handwritten German Gothic script.
Custodial history
The material in this collection has come to the archives in two stages. The first material, Zum Andenken and the passport, were brought to the Centre by Alvina Block in the spring of 1995. It was originally from Sara Jantzen of Waldheim Saskatchewan, who received it from her father Gerhard H. Baerg (1884). The second donation was also made by Alvina Block in 1997. She received a letter from Joanne (Baerg) O’Brian in 1995 with a translation of Heinrich Janzen’s report, as recorded in Wilhelm Baerg’s diary, of the trip to Asia. It was translated by Wilhelm’s grandson Irwin Baerg. (Wilhelm (1842–1902) – Peter – Irwin – Joanne). It is unclear whether Wilhelm Baerg (1842–1902) or his son Wilhelm (1868–1922) kept the diary. The obituaries were added after the material arrived at the Centre.
Notes
- Volume 912.
- Title based on contents of the fonds.
- Described by Conrad Stoesz October 14, 1999.
- Accession nos. Unknown, 1997–024.
Textual file list
Volume 912
- Zum Andenken. – 1860, photocopied [ca. 1995].
- Wilhelm Abraham Baerg’s passport. – 1886, [photocopied ca. 1995].
- Translation of Peter Baerg’s diary of the trip to Asia in 1882–1883 by Irwin Baerg. – [ca. 1995].
- Obituaries. – 1902,1922, photocopied [ca. 1997], 1999.
CDS.
