Acknowledgments

I am grateful to Lawrence Klippenstein, archivist of the Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, for first drawing the exist- ence of the Jacob Epp diaries to my attention, making them available to me in photocopy, and commenting on drafts of the introduction and translation. For help in research I also thank Ken Reddig, archivist of the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the staff of the Bethel College Historical Library, North Newton, Kansas, the Conrad Grebel College Library, Water- loo, Ontario, the John Robarts Library, University of Toronto, and the Rosthern () Museum. The Office of Research Administration and the Centre for Russian and East European Studies, both of the University of Toronto, generously provided funds for research and travel. The maps were prepared by William Schroeder, Winnipeg. Over the last eight years I have met and corresponded with many descendants of the Jacob D. Epp family, whose help I warmly acknowledge. They shared memories and sat with me over kitchen tables poring over family copybooks, Bibles, and photo albums. Scouring attics and phoning or writing to one another, they tracked down sources I could use. They lent me precious family records and photographs, took me to the Eigenheim, Saskatchewan, Museum and cemetery and provided introductions. I would mention in particular: Otto Andres (Toronto, Ontario), Anna Dyck (Leaming- ton, Ontario), David C. Epp (St Catharines, Ontario), the late Mr and Mrs David G. Epp (Eigenheim, Saskatchewan), Dick H. Epp (, Saskatchewan), Ewald Epp (Rosthern), the Murray D. Epp family (Waldheim, Saskatchewan), Justina and Heinz Heese (Steinbach, Manitoba), Mary Heinrichs (Toronto), Aaron Klassen (Kitchener, Ontario), Bernard and Henry Pauls (Leamington), and Mr and Mrs Wilmer H. Roth (Rosthern). Katherine Penner (St Catharines) and Peter Rempel (Toronto) lent me valuable photographs. x / Acknowledgments

The following offspring and relations of the Epp family also graciously contributed to the costs of including in this volume the rustical, bright, and evocative water-colour paintings of Jacob Epp's one-time pupil and later brother-in-law, Cornelius Hildebrand: Otto Andres, Clarence Epp (Saskatoon), D.H. Epp (Saskatoon), Ewald Epp, Leona E. Epp (Saskatoon), Oscar Epp (Rosthern, Saskatchewan), Paul W. Epp (Saskatoon), Peter A.F. Epp (Regina), William H. Epp (Saskatoon), Cornelius Goerzen (Saskatoon), Martha Grams (Cal- gary, Alberta), Victor Heinrichs (Toronto), Robert D. Jantzen (Rosthern), Peter P. Janzen (Saskatoon), William Janzen (Rosthern), Jacob W. Klassen (Rosthern), Carl Krause (Saskatoon), Eldon Krause (Rosthern), Helena Krause (Rosthern), Adella Regier (Rosthern), George Riekman (Saskatoon), Henry Riekman (Rosthern), Robert Riekman (Hague, Saskatchewan), Ed Roth (Rosthern), Elsie Roth (Rosthern), and Wilmer H. Roth. I am much indebted to the following colleagues and friends who commented on drafts of the volume and gave encouragement and advice: Peter Brock, Leonard Friesen, Herman Konrad, Jacques Kornberg, David G. Rempel, and John Thomas. Members of my own family know Jacob Epp almost as well as I do, referring to him on occasion, perhaps too familiarly but warmly, as cjake baby.' They have shared in diary discoveries, told me to cut when I grew too attached to particular entries and phrases, read drafts, and made suggestions. I thank Maria, Toozie and Alexander for their interest and encouragement and Toozie also for her skill in keeping my style 'correct and consistent.' Loving thanks go to my wife, Anne Konrad, for repeatedly urging me to 'let Jacob Epp tell it himself and for her sharp, and helpful, editorial eye. Walking together in Sherwood Park, or through the meadows and woods of Purple Valley, we talked and tested ideas. We also took trips together, in Ontario and Western , to 'meet the Epps,' and, in the Soviet Union, to visit the former Mennonite Old Colony and the former Judenplan. These shared experiences have given to years of hard work moments of great satisfaction and delight.