The University of Debrecen has launched a new research initiative focused on the history of Hungarian immigrants in Montreal. The project combines archival work, oral histories, and digital storytelling to document the community’s contributions, challenges, and cultural life over the past century.
Expanding the Narrative of Hungarian‑Canadian Migration
Until recently, the story of Hungarian Canadians in Montreal had largely existed in fragmented personal accounts and community newsletters. By securing key primary sources – hand‑written memoirs, original correspondence, passports, and parish records – the University is creating a continuous historical record that can be accessed by scholars, students, and the broader public.
Archival Discoveries and Personal Papers
Central to the project is the return of the papers of Mihály Fehér, a former student of the Reformed College in Debrecen. Fehér founded the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Montreal in 1926 and served its congregation until 1967. The documents include letters to church elders, pastoral records, and community notices, offering insight into the religious life and social networks that supported Hungarian migrants in a new country.
These papers are valuable in three ways:
- They document the personal journey of an immigrant who bridged two continents, illustrating the role of faith in adaptation.
- They reveal the administrative processes of immigration and integration during the early 20th century.
- They connect the Hungarian diaspora to academic institutions in Debrecen, underscoring sustained ties between homeland and homeland‑based scholars.
Institutional Partnerships Strengthen Scholarship
In 2023 the Consulate General of Hungary in Montreal signed a cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Debrecen. The partnership has since expanded to include Concordia University’s Oral History and Digital Storytelling team, as well as several cultural organisations. Together, the groups are coordinating research methodologies, sharing archival materials, and co‑creating a multilingual volume that will mark the centennial of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Montreal.
Assessing partnership outcomes, Balázs Venkovits – head of the research team – notes that collaborative work leads to richer, more diverse interpretations of migration history. The intercultural dialogue nurtured by these ties also informs curriculum development in migration studies across the university’s faculties.
Digital Storytelling and Interactive Mapping
Understanding the geographic and temporal breadth of Hungarian life in Canada requires more than traditional narratives. The research team is developing an interactive map that will plot approximately 170 locations tied to Hungarian‑related organisations across Montreal over the last hundred years. The map will feature bilingual (English and Hungarian) information, context‑sourced photographs, and oral‑history excerpts, making the history accessible to both researchers and community members.
Explore the University of Debrecen’s digital archives to view early digitised correspondence and church records related to Hungarian immigration.
Oral Histories Capture Living Memory
While archival documents provide a factual backbone, oral histories give voice to lived experience. Interviews conducted with long‑standing community members of Montreal are being transcribed and integrated into the digital platform. These narratives cover themes such as:
- First‑hand encounters with cultural loss and preservation.
- Community support systems during economic hardship.
- Shifts in identity over successive generations.
Future Directions for Hungarian Diaspora Research
Looking ahead, the University of Debrecen intends to broaden the scope of its research to cover other Canadian provinces and to publish a multilingual volume documenting the life of Mihály Fehér and his congregation. The study will serve as a model for diaspora research in other regions, demonstrating how archival recovery can build stronger identities and inform policy.
In addition, the Faculty’s Center for International Migration Studies plans to prioritize the historical mapping of Hungarian emigration, using the Montreal project as a foundation. This strategic focus aligns with the centre’s long‑term goal of disseminating migration knowledge to academia, policy makers, and the public.
Call for Collaboration and Engagement
Researchers, historians, and community members are encouraged to participate in ongoing efforts. If you have archival materials, memories, or scholarly interests related to Hungarian migration in Canada, please contact the university team to share resources.
Community‑Driven Events and Resources
To celebrate the forthcoming centennial of the Hungarian Reformed Church, the University will host a series of seminars, panel discussions, and cultural events. These gatherings aim to honour the community’s heritage while fostering academic discourse. More details can be found in the University events calendar.
Engage with Our Archives
If you are interested in exploring Hungarian‑Canadian history for personal or academic reasons, we invite you to browse the digital archives. The collection is available in Hungarian and English, ensuring broad accessibility.
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