Mennonites in Early Modern Poland and Prussia

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments One of the rewards of writing a book that is based on sources found in several countries and in numerous libraries and archival collections is the opportunity to meet and work with an amazing array of competent, helpful historians, librarians, and archivists. This study would not have been written without the knowledgeable assistance and advice of an impressive array of professionals who provided the kind of help that makes historical research and writing a rewarding pleasure. Much of the material in this book is based on sources found in Poland and Germany, so I begin by expressing my deep appreciation to Dr. Aniela Przywuska,recentlyretiredarchivistoftheStateArchivesinGdańsk,and her staff; Dr. Maria Pelczar, Director of the Gdańsk Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences and her helpful assistants; Dr. Wojciech Bonisławski, Director of the Gdańsk National Museum; mgr Wiktoria Blacharska and Ewa Gilewska of the Ethnographical Museum, Gdańsk; and Dr. Peter Letkemann, former reference librarian at the Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin. The assistance given by these scholars and their associates, including providing access to documents even when a repository was closed, is legendary. I am also indebted to the following institutions: California State University, Fresno for a research grant, and the German Academic Exchange Council (DAAD) for a grant that supported my study and research at the University of Tübingen. Throughoutmypreparationofthemanuscript,Ihavefoundthatexpert guidance in finding often obscure documents has been cheerfully given. Among those whose help has been invaluable are archivists and librarians xviii N acknowledgments M in the British Library; California State University Library, Fresno; Gemeetearchief Amsterdam; Hamburg Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek; Library of Congress, Rare Books; Hauptstaatsarchiv Düsseldorf; Stanford University Library; University of California Library Berkeley; Widener Library, Harvard University; and Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart. I am also grateful to colleagues and friends who have provided various documents and suggestions: Professor Karola Ciesielska, Toruń; the late Pastor Peter Foth, Hamburg Mennonite Church; Professor Abraham Friesen, University of California, Santa Barbara; Dr. Anna Mazurkiewicz, University of Gdańsk; Professor Janusz Mal⁄l⁄ek, Toruńń; Professor Edmund Kizik, Gdańsk; Gary Waldner, Director, Mennonitische Forschungsstelle Weierhof; Dr. Horst Gerlach, Weierhof; Kevin Enns-Rempel, Archivist, Mennonite Historical Library and Archives, Fresno Pacific University; John D. Thiesen, Mennonite Library and Archives, Bethel College (Kansas); Prof. Piet Visser, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; and Professor George Williams, Harvard, who provided advice even when he was already in a convalescent facility. For professional preparation of the photographs, I owe special thanks to Robert Friesen, Fresno. WhileIwaswritingthisbook,severaldearfriendsdidmuchtohelpme understand and appreciate the present culture of the Vistula Delta. Bolek Klein, Director of the Zul⁄awy Museum, Nowy Dwór Gd.; Dr. Arkadiusz Rybak, former Director of the Agricultural Experimental Station, Stare Pole; and Tomek Kwoczek, Director of Gimnazjum Nr. 2, Nowy Dwór Gd. have spared no effort in helping me gain a feeling of affinity with the people and pulsating life of the Vistula Delta and beyond. Through their kindness, I have moved from interested observer to grateful participant. This study has also benefited greatly from the careful review and excellent suggestions of two superb editors, Jennifer Schrock and Elizabeth Yoder. Above all, I am indebted to my wife, Nancy, for her careful reading of the manuscript, constant encouragement, and unfailing patience in this labor of years. Mennonites in Early Modern Poland & Prussia This page intentionally left blank ...