The purpose of this web page is to make available translations of the original documents related to the establishment and early history of the Chortitza Mennonite settlement. These translations have been done by Edwin Hoeppner and several volunteers at the Mennonite Heritage Archives (formerly the Mennonite Heritage Centre or MHC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba over the past 20 years.

A project to gather and translate early Chortitza documents was started about 20 years ago by Edwin Hoeppner of Winnipeg. When Ed’s health began to fail about 10 years ago, the project was taken over by Lawrence Klippenstein, who was the retired director/archivist at the MHC. In 2018, Lawrence passed this project on to me, Glenn Penner.

Part 1: Documents Related to Georg von Trappe

Georg von Trappe’s invitation to the Mennonites of the Danzig area (1786)

For a copy of the original see the Mennonite Library and Archives website here: sa_2_55 (bethelks.edu) 

First Letter from the Dutch Mennonites to the emigrating Prussian Mennonites, at the instigation of Georg von Trappe. Dated 15 May 1788.

Second Letter (Missive) from the Dutch Mennonites to the emigrating Prussian Mennonites, at the instigation of Georg von Trappe. Dated 31 Jul 1788.

Georg von Trappe’s Letter to Johann Bartsch. Dated Spring 1788.

Georg von Trappe’s letter to Johann Bartsch. Dated 8 Aug 1788.

Georg von Trappe’s letter to Johann Bartsch. Dated 30 Sep. 1788.

Georg von Trappe’s requests for reimbursement from the Russian government and their reply. 1797, 1798.

Death Record for Georg von Trappe. Dated 21 Nov. 1806.