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New Book Traces History of
Langham, Saskatchewan and District
For Immediate Release - August 1,
2007
A new local history book has been published for the
Langham, Saskatchewan area. The book, entitled “Langham & District History,
1907-2007” traces the history of the community from its origins as a small
prairie railway siding, through its incorporation as a town, to its development
into a modern centre.
The book, published by the Langham & District History Book
Committee, outlines the early tide of immigration, land surveying, and settler
groups that arrived in the area at the turn of the last century. It then follows
the footsteps of the dreamers, visionaries and entrepreneurs who established
Langham and district. An extensive section details the biographies of local
families. Memories of the rural and town schools are vividly recalled in the
book. The many places of worship and prayer are also well described. The story
traces the social and political evolution of the town, the development of local
services and institutions, along with details of memorable local events. The
book closes with an album of memories containing beautiful historic photographs
of Langham and district.
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Main Street, Langham,
Saskatchewan, circa 1907.
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The Doukhobors, one of the original settler groups in the Langham area, are well
represented in the book. Writer and historian Jonathan J. Kalmakoff contributed
an article outlining the history of the Doukhobors, from their origins and
beliefs in Tsarist Russia, through to their arrival and settlement in the
Langham district. Copies of early Doukhobor immigration documents are included,
along with surveyors’ maps of Doukhobor villages, village histories and lists of
the original Doukhobor pioneer settlers.
Kalmakoff became involved with the local history book when he
was contacted by the organizing committee to provide an overview of the
Doukhobors. “I am excited and honoured to have contributed towards this book”,
said Kalmakoff. “It is important that the Doukhobor contribution to the history
and development of Langham is documented. This book tells their story for
present and future generations.”
The book contains a number of detailed biographies submitted by local Doukhobor
families, including the Antifaev, Bludoff, Bondaroff, Boulanoff, Chudyk,
Demoskoff, Fedosoff, Givotkoff, Harelkin, Holoboff, Kasahoff, Nemanishen,
Osatchoff, Ozeroff, Perehudoff, Popoff, Rebalkin, Sherstobitoff, Shukin,
Stushnoff, Tarasoff and Woykin families. Many other Doukhobor families are
referenced throughout the book.
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Kirilovka Doukhobor village
near Langham,
Saskatchewan, circa 1907.
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A history of the Langham Doukhobor Prayer Home, along with detailed
transcriptions of the Bogdanovka (Ceepee), Kirilowka (Epp), Pakrowka (Henrietta)
and Tambovka cemeteries by Jonathan J. Kalmakoff also commemorate the Doukhobor
settlers of the Langham area.
Readers with a general interest in the area will find this well-illustrated book
a welcome addition to their coffee table or reference library. Genealogists and
family historians will find it useful for its biographical information,
summaries of the area’s settlement, details of where people came from and how
they arrived, and information about community institutions.
 “Langham & District History, 1907-2007”
is a 703-page hardcover book available for $50.00, tax included. A limited
edition of 500 books have been published and 450 have already been sold.
For further information about the book, or to
order copies, visit the Town of Langham web site at:
http:/www.langham.ca/html/centennial.html.
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