47. Prenzlau (Brandenburg, Germany)

            The immigrants were taken to Prenzlau, a town 60 miles north of Berlin, Germany.  The German government provided temporary quarters for the Mennonite refugees from Russia while they waited for permission to go to their permanent new home.  Funds for these immigrants were also sent by Mennonites in Canada and the US through the Mennonite Central Committee.

The Army Barracks in Prenzlau  

 Mary, Katherine, a friend and Anne in Prenzlau

            The family spent the next six months with many other families waiting to go to their next destination.  They lived in huge army barracks.  They had metal 2 or 3 level beds with 2 families in one room.  A cooking kitchen was in another area where they were served by German government helpers at feeding stations.   They brought their food – usually soup - to their room to eat.  Everyone wanted to go to Canada, but most of these immigrants went to Brazil and Paraguay.  People left at different times depending on when a ship was leaving and whether or not the family were all healthy. Young Peter got diphtheria, and also had a throat operation because his throat closed and he couldn't swallow, so the family had to stay until he was well.

Mary, Anne, Katherine and Peter are all on this picture of children at the barracks.

            They set up a school, and they all went to school.  Anne went to kindergarten, the rest were in an ungraded school.  In the German town close to the barracks 3 young 15 year old girls took Betty and Mary to town and to their beautiful homes.  It was a small city, very tidy.  They went for walks with their teachers to parks and the forest of Schwartzwald.  They were given used clothing to wear. 

            Another very important event happened during their stay in Prenzau.  Another little brother was added to the family.  John, know as Jack, was born on March 19, 1930.

This picture is dated 11 March 1930 in Prenzlau