Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies

The Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies is your resource center and archives for information about the Mennonite Brethren, Tabor College, and related subject areas. The Center at Tabor College was organized in response to the resolution adopted at the 1974 U.S. Conference at Henderson, Neb.

CMBS Genealogy Workshop Series

March 11, 2017 “Deciperhing Old German Text and Handwritten Script” with Steve Fast, presenter.  Fast is an oil and gas consultant with a passion for Mennonite genealogy.

Contact Peggy Goertzen at 620-947-3121 ext. 1211 or peggyg@tabor.edu to fine out more.

CMBS Event Pictures

Click here to view the recent event pictures.

Christian Leader Inquiry Form

Check out the new Christian Leader Inquiry Form.

Christian Leader Index

Download the first and second volume of the Christian Leader index.

Vol. 1 Christian Leader Index

Vol. 2 Christian Leader Index

New and Used Book Order Form

Order new and used books, as well as cassette tapes, CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs and Mennonite Ancestry Data Bases from the CMBS New and Used Book Order Form. The complete list is viewable at the top of the form page.

• New Book Reference and Order Form
• Used Book Reference and Order Form

New Book

Katie Funk Wiebe’s newest book, A Strong Frailty, Aganeta Janzen Block, has recently been published by CMBS, Tabor College. It is available for $18.99, plus shipping/handling of $3.50 and Kansas tax where applicable. Stories from the life of the author’s Aunt Neta fill this exceptional biography of a life lived in forced labor for 11 years in Stalin’s northern regions in extreme working conditions. Marlene Epp, Conrad Grebel Univesity College, Waterloo, Ontario, describes this book as “a story of family and faith, and despite the book’s title, also one of fortitude more than frailty.” A historical read and an inspirational read. You can order your copy now by filling out the New Book Order Form.

CMBS Newsletters

Back issues of the CMBS Newsletter are available for a donation of six dollars each and current issues for a donation of eight dollars each. Some issues are very limited in supply. View a listing of lead articles for each newsletter.

Mission

• To acknowledge the work of God in the history of the Mennonite Brethren Church
• To nurture a continued sense of Anabaptist-Mennonite identity
• To establish a testimony for future generations of God’s dealings through the Mennonite Brethren Church

Materials

Search Cataloged Records

• Historical records of the United States Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches
• Historical records of the Southern and Central District Conferences of the Mennonite Brethren Church and its congregations
• Historical records of Latin American and North Carolina Conferences of the Mennonite Brethren Churches and its congregations
• Historical records of the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Conference and its congregations
• Historical records of Tabor College
• Newspaper and periodical collection, both German and English
• Paul Wohlgemuth hymnal and songbook collection
• Genealogical and manuscript collections of families and individuals
• Records of Marion County, Kansas including cemetery database for county
• Records of Hillsboro Historical Society

Historical Online Resources

Five record books of Prussian Mennonite churches have been translated from German into English and typed into manuscript form. The books include records of baptisms, marriages and deaths, with some occasional supplemental data regarding church elders, teachers, membership transfers and excommunications. These translations were made possible and donated by James and LaVerna Shaw of Hutchinson, Kan., to the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College. These translations are critical resources for those involved in Prussian Mennonite research. The titles of the individual record books as presented by the translators are as follows:

Elbing-Ellerwald, West Prussia Church Book 1788-1880

Church Record of the Mennonite Congregation in Koenisberg 1794-1832

Church Record of those in the Ladekop District, Marrieges, Births, Deaths and Communicants… 1775-1829

Marcushof, Kreis Marienburg, West Prussia Church Record 1754-1834

Church Directory of the Mennonite Church at Oriofferfelde 1800-1818

Heritage Quest

Major online genealogical/historical database including PERSI (Periodical Source Index) subject index to genealogical/historical articles from 10,000 titles of local history and genealogy; complementary book index (25,000 family and local histories); digital collection of U.S. Census (1790-1930); Revolutionary War materials; Freedman’s Bank records, and U.S. Serial Set (U.S. Congressional memorials, petitions and private relief acts).

• Search Heritage Quest

How can the Center help you?

• As a resource center for research regarding Mennonite Brethren history and related areas of study
• As a safe depository for congregational and family records
• As a consultation service regarding the keeping of church records, writing church histories, local histories and genealogies
• As a consultation service in planning workshops, seminars, historical celebrations and publications related to Mennonite Brethren history, life and thought

How can you help the Center?

• By being aware of the need to maintain and preserve the records of congregations, committees, conferences, institutions, families and individuals
• By submitting your contributions of historical and archival materials to the Center
• By becoming a supporter of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies
• By contributing funds for specific research projects, seminars or publications

The Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies is located at the south end of the Tabor College Library. We are normally open 9 a.m.-12 p.m., 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m., five days per week, with reduced summer hours, to students, faculty, visiting scholars and the public. CMBS is administered by an advisory board together with Tabor College. Your contributions of historical and archival materials are welcome.

CMBS Staff:

• Peggy Goertzen, director, (620) 947-3121 ext. 1211
• Anita Boese, administrative assistant, (620) 947-3121 ext. 1212

CMBS Advisory Board