Heinrich William Janzen

Origin of the surname Janzen : This particular Janzen family is originally from the Netherlands; they were Dutch Mennonites. The people of Molotschna Colony, in South Russia were followers of a man named "Menno Simons" (1496-1561) whom the Mennonite faith is named after. Menno Simons was originally from Holland, and was influential in both Holland, and northern Germany.

In 1878 The Heinrich W. Janzen family crossed on the ship "Vaterlandt" (S.S. Vaterland, named after the German word for fatherland) boarding at Antwerp, and arriving in Philadelphia. From there they traveled by rail to Burrton Kansas, joining other Mennonites in the region. View more pictures of this ship, and other items by clicking on the Media tab.

The S.S. Vaterland was built in 1873.

Construction data

Vaderland (1873-1888)

Ship: Vaderland Type: Three masted steam

Built: 1873

In service: 1873

Master: Additional info: 1888 sold to French company, renamed Géographique, lost 1888 Out of service: 1888 (sold) Former name: Renamed: Picture: Anuta: Peabody Source: Kint, Vervoort This was the VADERLAND, built by Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co, Jarrow-on-Tyne. She was a 2,748 gross ton ship, length 320.5ft x beam 38.5ft, one funnel, three masts, iron construction, single screw and a speed of 13 knots. Unusually for this time, she had her engines (and funnel) aft and was designed for the bulk carriage of petroleum and passengers but never carried the former. There was accommodation for 30-1st (later increased to 70) and 800-3rd class passengers. Launched on 21st Aug.1872 for the Red Star Line of Antwerp, she sailed from Antwerp on her maiden voyage to Falmouth, Halifax and Philadelphia on 20th Jan.1873. On 25th Mar.1873 she started her first Antwerp - Philadelphia direct sailing and on 29th Nov.1876 commenced her first Antwerp - New York voyage. Between 1877-87 she sailed between Antwerp and New York or Philadelphia, starting her last New York voyage on 26th Oct.1887, subsequently sailing to Philadelphia until in March 1889 she was sold to French owners and renamed GEOGRAPHIQUE. She was sunk in collision in Oct.1889.[North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.2,p.849-50] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Janzen is one of the most widespread Mennonite family names of Dutch-Prussian background, derived from Jan (Johann, John) a given name, to which is added "zon" (zen, sen, etc.), the combination meaning "son of John." The name was very common among the Dutch Mennonites and found its way into the congregations bordering the Netherlands such as Krefeld , Gronau , and East Friesland. It was also common in Schleswig-Holstein and Prussia , where it was represented in the congregations of Elbing , Königsberg , Tiegenhagen , Ladekopp , Rosenort, Fürstenwerder , Heubuden , Tiensdorf, Orlofferfelde, Schönsee, Jeziorka, Deutsch-Kazun , etc. The name appears first on record in Danzig in 1568. From Prussia it was transplanted to Russia and later to North America, where it is found in most of the settlements started after 1874, and, later still, to South America. A branch of this name was transplanted from the Lower Rhine to Pennsylvania , where it was changed into Johnson. Jacob H. Janzen (1878-1950) was an outstanding church leader (General Conference Mennonite Church) and teacher both in Russia and Canada . He was also a pioneer Mennonite author composing at least 38 published writings.

Krahn, Cornelius. "Janzen (Jantzen, Janssen, Jansson, Jansen, Johnson, Jansz, Janz, Jantz, Jans) family." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1957. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 26 November 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/J3692ME.html> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Read more on Molotschna Colony: http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/M6521.html visit Find A Grave memorial: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35894121