Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

I don't want romance or anything Amish. I'm more interested in the story of the Mennonites from Russia or Germany. Dutch is also okay.
I honestly have no idea where Mennonites even started from so stories from any era or country would be great actually.

I have found three books so far.

The Russländer by Sandra Birdsell,
My Harp Is Turned To Mourning: A Novel by Al Reimer and
Half in the Sun: Anthology of Mennonite Writing by Elsie Neufeld

I think we posted at the same time. :)

It's the one that looks the best from what I've found so far too.

I saw the new thread titled Mennonites and thought "what the heck is a Mennonite" lol.

Thankyou google and Wikipedia.
For anyone else who hasn't a clue, here you are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennonite

Me, well at least half of me is Mennonite. :)

And honestly, it's all about the food http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/

Though I cannot cook myself, thank goodness for my grandmother, mother and sister, who can.

Which Mennonite background do you come from, Dawn? Russia, Germany or did your family convert?

Reading that Wikipedia page, I am impressed by the Mennonite views on War and pacifism. Good on you all. :-)

Terri wrote: "Which Mennonite background do you come from, Dawn? Russia, Germany or did your family convert?"

We're from everywhere as far as I can tell. Similar to the Jewish who migrated to where they were tolerated, so I know Germany, Russia and Poland for sure. There is a possibility that we started out as Dutch but that's a controversial subject for some of the family.

Definitely at some point the views on pacifism were taken seriously. My great, great, great? grandfather was thrown in prison in Russia for preaching.

But now it's mostly that half of my relatives go to a Mennonite Brethren church but there isn't that conviction of old. It's just another of the many protestant denomination who go to church on Sunday. The big thing is that when Mennonites have potluck there is enough food for 3 times the people who are there. :)

Maybe that's why I loved Eastern Europe so much, I felt comfy there and it is a lot of the same food I know. Except the borscht, yuck!

Oh my gosh, that is so interesting. Especially your 3 x GR Grandfathers story.

Now I know what Mennonites are I will keep an eye out for books for you. :-)

We always say we're German Mennonites. My grandparents generation all speak German and I still have some relatives in Germany.
My aunt Marie thinks the family origins could be Dutch but there is really no proof. Definite proof that time was spent in Poland and Russia though.

I find it surprising how many people have a Mennonite background of some kind. But I guess quite a few migrated to North America.

Dawn and Dutch,
I find this absolutely fascinating.

Not sure I will race out and read anything on Mennonites, but I have thoroughly enjoyed getting my first lesson in Mennonites from you guys.

This is interesting comparing stories. :)

My grandmother speaks low German and my Grandfather spoke high German.
My grandfather was adamant that we were not Dutch Mennonites, I'm not sure what he had against them.

As far as I know my family was also farming stock. I wish I knew more about how exactly all the migrating happened. Before moving to Canada they were definitely in Germany and before that Russia. Russia is where the family bible was always being thrown in the snow or under ashes to protect it from the secret police (that Bible is still in the family somewhere) and, as mentioned, my 2 or 3x great grandfather was in prison. Russia is also where 2 uncles from that same generation were taken by the secret police and never seen again, it's assumed they were murdered.

So if I put together everything all the family members have said. We would have started as Dutch gone to Germany then through Poland to Russia, back to Germany and to the Canadian Prairies.

I'm third generation born in Canada. All my great grandparents immigrated and all my grandparents were born in Canada.
How long has your family been in North America?

Next I think we should discuss food...... ;)

Not far from where I live there are both Dutch and Mexican Mennonites.

As for their food....nomnomnomnoms

Lol. That would be wild. :-)

It would be bloody hilarious actually. :)

D wrote: "As for their food....nomnomnomnoms"

Yep, it's the best part of the mennonite heritage in my opinion. :)

I'll be watching and learning from your discussions. :)

Hopefully I'll learn something new too. :)