Mennonite Genealogy with Michael Penner

Ladekopp, Molotschna 2007

What used to be Ladekopp is now part of the small city of Molochansk. Numerous Mennonite structures are still standing in this area.

Fortunately, the former school still stands and provides a useful landmark for identifying neighboring houses. What luck to find that the house of my great-great-grandfather (Peter J. Bergmann) still stands!

The locals were interested in talking and came out to see the action of these westerners staring at their houses! Some photos are below.

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Former school in Ladekopp, Molotschna. Now functions as a civic vehicle registration centre. N47º14.055’  E035º40.126’ 

Former Jakob Loewen house in Ladekopp, Molotschna. In the gable you can still see the year the house was erected (1898). This marking was a Mennonite tradition, apparently.

Former Peter Bergmann house in Ladekopp, Molotschna. Roof has been reconstructed. Freshly painted, but presently unoccupied. N47º14.071’  E035º40.174’ 

Former Mennonite house in Ladekopp, Molotschna, likely that of Jakob Janzen. Presently occupied by an elderly Abram Janzen. The best kept house in the area. The locals pointed us to him for answering questions about Mennonites. Abram, born in 1932, told of his memories of Mennonite neighbors. His identification of former neighbors corresponded Helmut Huebert’s Ladekopp map! N47º14.181’  E035º40.323’ 

Most people didn’t have vehicles, but they were very good at improvising.