American Historical Society

of from Russia

Work Paper No. 8 May 1972

(WP8, front cover) Table of Contents

Page President's Letter 1

From the Editor's Desk 3

The 1972 Edition of German Migration to Russia 5

Germans From Russia in the Dobruja Dr. Adam Giesinger 7

The German-Russians and Their Immigration to South Dakota John E. Pfeiffer 13

Report From : "The Soviet Germans Today" Mrs. Emma S. Haynes 31

Middle European Migrations Arthur E. Flegel 40

Genealogy Report Mrs. Gerda Walker 50 A Numbering System for Genealogies Dr. Solomon L. Loewen 51 Microfilm Copies of the Federal Population Censuses Mrs. Alex Kildow 54

Genealogical Records of Bessarabia at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Courtesy of the Genealogical Society-LDS 56 Russian Birth Certificates Roseann Stroh Warren 59

Can You Help? 60

Surname Exchange 62

About the Cover: The Village Band of Frank, Saratov, Russia circa 1908-10 From the Fred J. Lebsack, Sr. Memorial Collection

(WP8, inside the front cover) American Historical Society of Germans from Russia 1004A NINTH AVENUE - P.O. BOX 1424 TELEPHONE 303-332-9467 GREEI.EY. COLORADO 80631

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: H. J. Amen, Honorary President 601 D Street PRESIDENT'S LETTER Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 Dr. , Honorary Chairman 74 Tuebingen Autenrieth Strasse 16 West Germany Fellow Members of AHSGR: David J. Miller, President Post Ofiice Box 1424 Greeky, Colorado 80631 Publication of Dr. Karl Stumpp's migration lists has begun. You Miss Ruth M. Amen, Vice-President 601 D Street may still become an honorary contributor by sending us a check Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 payable to AHSGR for $28.00 or more. Any amount that you Chester G. Krieger, Vice-President Major U.S.A.F., Ret. can give will be greatly appreciated. Arthur E. Flegel, 1895 3380 Moore Court Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 Oakdell Drive, Menio Park, California 94025, has done an Mrs. Emma S. Haynes, Vice-President Hq. V. Corps SJA Section outstanding job as chairman of the committee. I urge that you APO New York 09079 make payment of unpaid pledges either directly to him or to our Dr. J. Robert Lebsach, Vice-President 4500 19fh Street Apartment 280 office. This publication culminates a lifetime of work by Dr. Boulder, Colorado 80302 Mrs. Clarence T. Olson, Sectetary Stumpp and will be of benefit to all of us regardless of the area 650S East Bethany Place Denver, Colorado 80222 from which we come. John L. Long, Jr., Treasurer 2123 26th Avenue Court Greeley, Colorado 80631 While the book cannot include all of the church lists from the Mrs. Rachel Amen area, it does include a good part of them. We must also Route 1, Box 209 Loveland, Colorado 80537 remember that many migrated from the Volga Colonies to the Arthur E. Flegel 1895 Oakdell Drive other areas and you may be able to pick up your name in the list Menio Park, California 94025 Judge Kay E. Friederich of the Caucusus, the area, Bessarabia or Volynia. District Court Rugby, North Dakota 58368 Prof. Adam Geisinger Dr. Stumpp's arrangement with AHSGR is very favorable to us. 645 Oxford Street We will actually receive books equal in number to the Winnipeg 9, Manitoba, Canada Mrs, Mane Gilbert prepublication price of the books. These books will be the 1410 Chester Street Aurora, Colorado 80010 property of AHSGR and the money from the sales will go Lester Harsh toward establishing a fund for the preservation of our heritage. I 2205 Norris Avenue McCook, Nebraska 69001 urge you to do what you can immediately. Prof. Joseph S. Height 1221 East Adams Drive Franklin, Indiana 46131 Miss Ruth M. Amen and her convention committee, including Mrs. Theodore E. Heinz 1913 15th Avenue Dr. J. Robert Lebsack, have done an outstanding job in preparing Greeley, Colorado 80631 for the Third International Convention to be held at the Harvest Jerry Lehr 2850 Hudson House on June 7 through 10, 1972. I urge as many as can afford Denver, Colorado 80207 it to register at the Harvest House because staying there will John E. Pfeiffer 215 North Kline Street make available to you the ability to meet members from other Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401 states and other committees who can be helpful in solving your Raynold A. Schmick 918 Thurman Street own problem. Saginaw, Michigan 48602 Edward A. Schwartzkopf To our many members and friends in Northern Colorado within 2020 Park Avenue Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 driving distance of the Harvest House, you are welcome to any Miss Ruth K. Stoll and all sessions without registration at the hotel by payment of 2150 South. Avenue A Greenwood Village No. 28 the registration fee. We urge that you complete the registration Yuma, Arizona 85364 form and attach the proper check to it and mail it to Miss Ruth Mrs. Gerda S. Walker 1840 South Utica M. Amen. Denver, Colorado 80219 Mrs. Albert W. Wardin Any change of address must be given to us immediately 807 S. W. Troy Street Portland, Oregon 97219 on your moving. Work Papers and Newsletters will not Col T. C. Wenzlaff, USA.Ret. reach you at your old address. Any mistake in name, or Post Office Box 26 Button, Nebraska 68979 names, Raymond S. Wiebe (WP8, p.1) 510 East First Street Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 should be corrected by writing AHSGR, P. 0. Box 1424, Greeley, Colorado, 80631.

The Third International Convention at the Harvest House, Boulder, Colorado, June 7 through 10, 1972, is an open convention. Anyone who wishes may register, whether a member or not. Tell your friends and urge them to come.

To the hundreds of persons who have worked on the many committees, helped circulate brochures and solicit members, your officers, your board and I extend to you our sincere appreciation.

I hope to meet at you the Convention.

Cordially yours,

President

DJM; ow

(WP8, p.2) From the editor’s desk…….

This issue of the Work Papers contains several articles of more than usual interest to our readership. Mrs. Haynes' Report From Germany is unusually rich in detail concerning the conditions of life of our friends and relatives still resident in the . It also gives us our first introduction to Reverend Sweicker who will be the honored guest and speaker, at our Third International Convention to be held in Boulder in June. The Genealogy section has its first name exchange and an expanded list of members who are seeking to exchange information concerning families and information about villages of origin. We have been experiencing problems of mail delivery, and of record keeping. Our membership is growing so rapidly that keeping an accurate mailing list is difficult. Part of the problem can be traced to the fact that our membership year is from Jan. 1 to Dec. 30. Some members who joined late in the year thought that they would be in good standing into 1972. If you have had any difficulty in receiving your Work Papers or Newsletter, or know of someone who has missed an issue, please write to the Greeley Office, with complete name and address, and all combinations of names that may have been used before, with zip code, so that we can verify membership lists and mailing addresses. Our next Work Paper, in mid-summer, will contain the papers presented at the International Convention, and some very interesting newspaper articles from the turn of the century.

(WP8, p.3) THE 1972 EDITION OF GERMAN MIGRATIONS TO RUSSIA A "Must" for All Researchers Interested In Their Heritage By Dr. Karl Stumpp

During 1961, Dr. Karl Stumpp published a book entitled, "Die Deutsche Auswanderung Nach Russland 1763--1862" (The German Migrations to Russia 1763-1862). This edition comprised 146 pages and included hundreds of family names. It has been helpful to many towards tracing their ancestry from Russia to a specific locality in Germany. Since that date. Dr. Stumpp has acquired considerable additional information covering German Migrations into Russia. Now in process is his Revised and more Comprehensive Edition which will contain 1,000 pages, not only of names of families, but individuals, including dates of birth and death. Recent finds such as lists of Emigrants from Switzerland for the Volga Region and later immigrations into Bessarabia will be included. From wherever your ancestry may stem in Russia—Volga, or the various districts of the Region--your area will be represented, some, perhaps, more fully than others, because of conditions beyond anyone's control. Nevertheless, by searching through the entire list of familiar names, you may uncover delightful results borne out by the knowledge that most of the German immigrants to Russia came from common localities in South Germany, although they resettled in various sections of Russia. This Work climaxes a total of 30-plus years of effort on the part of Dr. Stumpp. His great hope, throughout many years -- he has passed the three-quarter century mark -- was to prepare a volume of information that would be of enduring service to those of our heritage. Since his personal fortune did not permit private publication, he requested assistance from Die Landsmannschaft der Deutschen Aus Russland in Germany, and the American Historical Society of Germans From Russia in the United States and Canada. Our Society accepted this unique opportunity and set our goal at raising $10,000.00 of the approximately $18,000.00 necessary to assure publication of this vital work. It is estimated that the normal selling price of such a volume would be $25.00 to $30.00. It is the aim of Dr. Stumpp, working with your committee, to hold the price at about one-half that figure. Dr. Stumpp and your Fund Raising Committee are deeply grateful for the heartwarming response to this appeal. Arthur Flegel. Chairman of the Fund Committee and Mrs. Emma Schwabenland Haynes, AGSGR Vice-president, living at Frankfurt, Germany, are in continual contact with Dr. Stumpp relative to production of the book. Every effort is being exerted to finalize the publication by the end of 1972. However, the typesetting and proof-reading must be very meticulously done and are therefore exceedingly time-consuming. Regretably, this may prevent our having the completed volume prior to early 1973. At the present rate of exchange, our $10,000.00 Goal will net approximately 32,000 DM which is considerably less that the 40,000 DM of recent years. Providing the dollar does not decrease further, that amount should assure final publication of the Book. To avoid further possible loss, we now call upon our membership to; (1) Cover the remaining $1,000.00 deficiency in pledges still needed; and (2) Honor all unpaid pledges at the earliest possible date. AHSGR members are reminded that due to Dr. Stumpp's foresight in planning this venture, our Society stands to gain in two major ways: (1) We all hold great interest in our heritage. This book will be a ready reference source for names relative to our ancestry. (2) Our tax-deductible contributions will be directed exclusively toward publication of the Volume. If our established Goal is attained, all publication costs will have been served. Thus the proceeds from the sale of the book will totally revert to AHSGR for the advancement of our Cultural Research activities. In other words, our gifts will serve a double purpose. Remember, a gift of $28.00 or more will entitle your name to be included in the Ehrenspendliste (Honorary Contributor's List). We will appreciate hearing from you. Respectfully, Arthur E. Flegel, Chairman Fund Raising Committee.

(WP8, p.4) 162 CONTRIBUTORS TO THE STUMPP PUBLICATION FUND AS OF APRIL 1, 1972

In the event your name does not appear on the following list of contributors, and you have mailed your gift for the Stumpp Fund, we urge you to immediately contact Arthur E. Flegel, Chairman of the Fund Committee at Menlo Park, California. Msgr. George Aberle, Hague, No. Dakota Sister Perpetua Haag, Humboldt, Capt. N.C. Altenhof, Moosejaw,Saskatchewan Mrs. Helen Hall, Hutchinson, Kans. Mr. & Mrs. Carl Amen, Loveland, Colo. Heinie H.H. & Sybil L.Hartwig, San Jose, Cal. Frances D. Amen, Lincoln, Nebr. Sister Veronica Heit, Koeln, Germany Miss Ruth Amen, Lincoln, Nebr. Miss Helen Heuser, Lincoln, Nebr. Miss Alma E. Hanneld, Sioux City, Iowa John Baab, Berrien Springs, Mich. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. Haynes, APO New York Dr. Harold Bauman, Salt Lake City, Utah Louis &. Kathleen Helbert, Fort Collins, Colo. Dean C. Batt, Marion, Kans. Harry C. Helm, Cheney, .Washington A. Becker, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Arthur R. Henke, Sgt. USA.Ret. Washington;DC Dr.& Mrs. Norman Bitter, Fresno, Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Harold Henkel, Brighton, Colo. Mrs. Al Blessing, Hastings, Nebr. Lydia Hock, Anaheim, Calif. Georgs G. Brunta, Los Gatos, Calif. Helmuth E. Hoff, Lodi, Calif. Beverly J. Burres, Fresno, Calif. Michael J.& Nancy (Bernhardt) Holland, Martha Miller Campbell, National City, Calif. Scottsbluff, Nebraska Mrs. Virginia Stenzel Casten, Windsor, Colo. Dr.Wilbert & Selma(Tieszen)Hieb, Henderson, Mrs. Mary A. Crouse, Eagle River, Alaska Nebraska Clara K. Horn, Longmont, Colo. Jack C. Deines, Portland, Oregon Ervin D. Huber, Mandan, No. Dakota Rev. Oliver F. Dewald, Hazen, No. Dakota Mr. & Mrs. Rueben Huether, Dickinson,No.Dak. Rev. Edwin Doraweiler, Anapolis, Maryland Alexander Dupper, Lodi, Calif. Dr. R. C. Jahraus, Pierre, So. Dakota Mrs. George Johnson, Lincoln, Nebr. Mrs.George Eisenach (OlgaGrauman)Yankton,S.D. Mr. Warren F. Jones, Van Nuys, Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Walter Essig, Denhoff, No. Dakota Mr. & Mrs. David Kaufman, Lincoln, Nebr. Marie Buxman Evins, Vista, Calif. Kenneth D. Kauk, Saronville, Nebr. Mr. Kermit B. Karns, Kansas Gity, Mo. Mr. & Mrs, Dewey Farmer, Caldwell, Idaho Dorothea P. Kerr, South Gate, Calif. Fred Fleck, Rugby, No. Dakota JoAnn Kleim, Fresno, Calif. Arthur E.& Cleora Flegel, Menlo Park, Calif. John V. Kramer, Linton, No. Dakota Anna Marie Foltz(Bartholoma) Denver, Colo. Maj.& Mrs. Chester G. Krieger, Wheatridge, Colo. Ray R. Friedrich, Rugby, No. Dakota Adam Krell, Riverdal®, Illinois Mr. & Mrs. Phil Kruse, Lincoln, Nebr. Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Gabelhaus, Lincoln, Nebr.Ca Mr. Jacob Kuhn, Pacoima, Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Gebhardt, Sacramento, Mr.&Mrs.Richard K.Lackmann, Moorehead,MN Dr.. William F. Gerringer, Lutherville, Md. Mrs. Barbara Mae Lamson, Manteca, Calif. Glendive Public Library, Glendive, Montana Mr. & Mrs. Gus. Lebsack, Loveland, Colo. Alfred H. Griess, State College, Pa. Dr. J. Robert Lebsack, Boulder, Colo. Mrs. Gloria Yost Griess, Aurora, Nebr. Leonhard Laton, Rochester, New York Adam Giesinger, Winnepeg, Manitoba Mr. & Mrs. Carl Leffler, Greeley, Colo. Mr.& Mrs. Reuben Goertz, Freeman, So. Dakota Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Lehr, Denver, Colo. Mrs. Elsie M. Goss, Longmont, Colo. Mr. & Mrs. Carl Lichtenwald, Saginaw, Mich. Rev. & Mrs. Fred Gross, Sacramento, Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Herbert B.Loeffelbein, Stockton, Ca. Mrs. Madeline Volk Grosser, Edmonton, Alberta Lincoln Nebraska Chapter AHSGR,Lincoln, NE Richard Guthmiller, Medina, No. Dakota Mr. George P. Loos, Redlands, Calif.

(WP8, p.5)

( --CONTRIBUTORS LIST CONTINUED--

Lydia REisig Machelski, Bay City, Michigan John C. Sell, Lincoln, Nebr. Melvin Maier, Elgin, No. Dakota Mrs. Mollie Skillman, Spokane, Mich. Jacob Michel, Saginaw, Michigan Edith D. Spady, Milwaukee, Oregon Mr. & Mrs. David J. Miller, Greeley, Colo. Glen T. Spahn, Culbertson, Nebr. Lydia Beck Murphy, Chicago, Illinois Jonn Spies, Grandview, Missouri Gary K. Stark, Buena Park, Calif. Ruth K. Stoll, Yuma, Arizona Robert & Roswita Niessner, Hillsborough, Calif. Theodore F. Straub, Eureka, So. Dakota Magdalena Lebsack Novak, Lincoln, Nebr. John G. Stroh, Longmont, Colo. Mr. & Mrs. Ferdinand Nuss & Adell, Lincoln, Neb. Molly Sturtz, Saginaw, Michigan Miss Betty Ohlhauser, Calgary, Alberta Rachel A. Sullivan, Oakland, Calif. Col. & Mrs. Clarsfice T, Olson, Denver, Colo. John F. Thomas, Killdeer, No. Dakota Mrs. Ruth Schell, Overholser, Bowie, Maryland Gabriel Tuchscherer, Rugby, No. Dakota Lillian Bechthold Palmer, Stockton, Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Conrad, Urbach, Western, Nebr. Raymond H. Pfau, Bottineau, No. Dakota William & Theodosia Urbach, Denver, Colo. Johann Philipps, Oakland, Calif. Katherine Z. Uhrich, Loveland, Colo. Richard Propp, Nipawin, Saskatchewan Lenore Uhrich, New Rochelle, New York

Irene M. Rader, Gilroy, Calif. Ida A. Van Natta, Seattle, Washington Mrs. A.F. (Henrietta) Rasmussen, Union Grove, Wisc. & Hulda (Flegel)Vowel, San Mateo, Calif'. Paul E. Reeb, St. Francis, Kansas Clara & Amelia Rehn, Lincoln, Nebr. Mrs. Isaac H. Wagner, Wolsey, So. Dakota Henry Reiff, Arlington, Virginia J.C. Wagner, Longmont, Colo. Jake W. Wagner, Culbertson, Nebr. George H. Reinschrmidt, Dallas, Texas Mr. & Mrs. Dan Walker, Denver, Colo. Mr.^ & Mrs. Clarence P. Reinhardt, Bartlesville,0kla. Albert & Anna(Klem)]Wardin, Portland, Ore. Mr. & Mrs. Samuel G. Reisbick, Denver, Colo. Katherine Bauer Weber, Lincoln, Nebr. David G. Rempel, Menlo Park, Calif. Lydia Weimer, Ft. Morgan, Colo. Victor A. Reisig, St. Joseph, Missouri Theordore C. Wenzlaff, Col.USA.Ret.Sutton, Nebr. A. Curtis Rena, Ames, Iowa Elsie Lorenz Whittington, Lincoln, Nebr. Edward B. Rogel, Olympla, Wash. Raymond F. Wiebe, Hillsboro, Kans. William Rueb, St. Francis, Kansas Carl A. Wishek, Lodi, Calif. Fred Rueb, St. Francis, Kansas Donald A. Wolf, Monte Sereno, Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Rudell, St. Joseph, Mich. Ernest A. Wutzke, Concord, Calif. Herman & Lydia(Haller)Wildermuth, Yucca Valley, J. D. Samler, Bakersfield, Calif. Calif. Herman Wildemuth—In Memoriam-- Mr. & Mrs. George H. Sauer, Waco, Texas (Wilhelm & Christina(Zacher)Wildermuth) Harm H. Schlomer, Cheney, Wash. (Herr Daniel & Augusta(Heer) Kube) Raynold & Lydia Schmick, Saginaw, Mich. (John & Luisa(Schmidt) Haller) Rev. H. G. Schultz, Orange, Calif. Harry Schultz, Dalhart, Texas Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Younger, Lincoln, Nebr. E. A. Schwartzkopf, La Crosse, Kans. Edward S. Schwartzkopf, Lincoln, Nebr. Mrs. Roland Zehr, Oakland, Calif. Reta Seiffert, Lincoln, Nebr. Henry Zeiler, Lovaland, Colo.

The above listed names comprise slightly over one-half the number of those who have made pledges. We extend our sincere thanks for the gifts received thus far, and will be very grateful to have the remaining outstanding pledges honored at the earliest possible date.

(WP8, p.6) GERMANS FROM RUSSIA IN THE DOBRUJA

Dr. Adam Giesinger

The lower Danube, on its eastward course toward the Black Sea, forms the southern boundary of Rumania for more than 300 miles. After it passes the Bulgarian city of Silistra, about 70 miles from the sea, it swings northward and runs more or less parallel to the coast for 100 miles before turning eastward again to empty its waters into the Black Sea. The coastal strip of Rumania south of the Danube delta, thus cut off from the rest of the country by the wayward course of the river, is the Dobruja, whose chief city is the Black Sea port of Constanta. Until 1878 the Dobruja was ruled by the Turks, but it became part of Russia as a result of the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78. It had a mixed population: Turks, Tatars, Rumanians, Bulgars, Greeks, as well as Germans in significant numbers. When the Nazis undertook the repatriation of Germans from southeastern Europe in 1940, they found 15,000 Germans in the Dobruja. (1) Almost without exception, they were Germans from Russia, (2) who had been migrating into this obscure little corner of Europe since the 1840's.

(WP8, p.7) By 1840 the German colonies in Bessarabia and the Odessa region, which were to supply the Dubruja settlers, had existed for a generation or more and had developed a considerable landless population. The Russian colonization law, as it applied to the Black Sea settlers, did not permit a father, who had received a crown land allotment when he came to Russia, to divide his land among his sons. Instead he had to pass it on in its entirety to the youngest son. Reserve lands, given to the colonies at the founding to provide for older sons, had long since been allotted. A few new land grants made possible the founding of daughter settlements here and there, such as Neu-Freudental (1826) and Helenental (1838) in the Odessa region, both founded by sons of the Liebental colonies, and Neu-Danzig (1839) on the Ingul river, founded by sons of Alt-Danzig and the Beresan colonies. But most of the mother colonies had not yet developed the resources to undertake the founding of daughter colonies and few fathers had acquired sufficient wealth to buy land for their sons independently. The landless sons, if they were not content to work as day laborers or as tradesmen in their home villages, had to find suitable land to rent, which often took them far from home. By the 1840's it was common to see them migrating in groups from one area to another, within Russia and beyond its borders in the Turkish-ruled Balkans, living now here, now there, eventually perhaps making their permanent home in a new land. (3) Such were the Germans who first found their way into the Dobruja. It was in the summer or fall of 1841 when a group of Bessarabian Germans from Beresina and Leipzig crossed the Danube to land in the Dobruja town of Macin. After spending the winter there, they moved on to the Turkish village of Acpunar, about 20 miles to the southeast, where they decided to stay, thus founding the first German settlement in the Dobruja. In 1846 they were joined by another group of their compatriots, who had been wandering about the Balkans for some years and had been settled briefly in Jacobsonsthal, north of Braila, on the other side of the Danube. In 1848, however, the young German colony at Acpunar was dissolved and its German settlers to a man moved a few miles farther on, away from the Turks, to found a new independent settlement. The earliest founded Dobruja German colony which survived down to our own day was Malcoci, just northeast of the city of Tulcea, founded in 1843 by Catholics from the Odessa region, from the colonies Josephstal, Mannheim, Elsass, Landau, Katharinental, Speyer and others. Most of these had left their homes in 1841 and had wandered about Bessarabia, Moldavia and Wallachia for two years before crossing the Danube into the Dobruja. They came to Tulcea, where a few families decided to stay, but the majority accepted the Turkish government's offer of free land some miles from the city. The land was heavily wooded and very laborious to clear, unaccustomed work for people from the steppes, but there were special incentives to spur them on. Each colonist was offered ownership of as much land as he could clear and, in the meantime, sale of the lumber he cut provided his family with a living. In 1847, when a Catholic parish was set up, Malcoci had 28 families, with 134 persons. The second oldest German colony in the Dobruja was Atmagea, about 15 miles west of Babadag, founded in 1848 by the Bessarabian Germans who had been

(WP8, p.8) settled briefly at Acpunar. They were Platt-speaking North Germans, from , Brandenburg, Pomerania and Mecklenburg, all of them Lutheran Protestants, whose fathers had settled in several different Bessarabian colonies in the years 1814-16. Like the Malcoci colonists, they were given heavily wooded land, of which an individual colonist could acquire whatever area he could clear. There were 35 families at the founding. By 1857 the number had grown to 58 families. A new restlessness developed in the South Russian German colonies as a result of the Crimean war of 1853-56. Again groups of young families left their home villages to seek better living conditions elsewhere. Some of these, along with older wanderers who had left their Russian homes in the 1840’s, became the founders of two new Dobruja settlements. Kataloi, about 8 miles south of Tulcea, was founded in 1857 by 40 German families of various backgrounds. The majority were North Germans from the Bessarabian colonies, but there was a strong Swabian group, some of them probably originating from the Beresan colonies. All were Protestants, predominantly Lutherans of a pietistic tendency. The other new colony founded at this time was Ciucurova, a few miles to the southeast of Atmagea, in which 30 families, mainly Platt-speaking North Germans from Bessarabia, settled in the years 1857-58. Among the founders occurred many of the same family names as in Atmagea, indicating that they came from the same villages in Bessarabia and ultimately from the same parts of Germany. There was, however, a minority of South German origin. All the Ciucurova settlers were Protestants. In 1858, as the result of an appeal to the church authorities in Berlin, a pastor was sent from Germany to Atmagea to serve the German Protestants of the Dobruja. The pastor was stationed at Atmagea but served also the people of Ciucurova and of Kataloi. Soon after this establishment of regular Protestant church services, however, the even tenor of religious life in the Dobruja was disrupted by the arrival from Russia of zealous missionaries of the Baptist faith. This faith was brought to Russia in the early 1860's from Germany. There were Baptists among the new settlers in Volhynia at that period (4) and Baptist missionaries began to appear here and there in all parts of the Black Sea and Volga regions. (5) Johann Gerhard Oncken, the leader of the Baptist movement in Germany, himself visited Russia and one of his chief lieutenants, August Liebig of Hamburg, spent some years there.(6) Baptist views strongly influenced the Mennonite Brethren movement, then in its beginnings among the Black Sea . The earliest Baptist success among the Lutheran Protestants was in Alt-Danzig and Neu-Danzig, where there appears to have been a mass conversion in 1864 and where, a few years later, in 1869, the first Baptist parish in Russia was formally set up.(7) The success of these foreign missionaries of a new faith alarmed the leaders of the established German Protestant Church in Russia, as well as the Russian government. Repressive measures were introduced to discourage the movement, including the banishing from Russia in the mid- 1860's of seven of the most zealous members of the Danzig Baptist congregation.(7)

(WP8, p.9) It was 1879 before Baptists were officially tolerated in Russia.(8). The Baptist leaders exiled from Russia, Stulberg, Heringer, Edinger, Leitner and three others, went to the Dobruja, where they settled in Kataloi.(7) Here they appear to have found kindred spirits (and perhaps also earlier acquaintances from the Beresan colonies, and rapidly made many converts to their faith. The German Baptist missionary, August Liebig, came from Russia to help them set up the first Baptist congregation in the Dobruja.(7) By 1872 Kataloi was almost completely Baptist and there were converts in both Atmagea and Ciucurova, where the loyalty to the traditional Lutheran church proved stronger. The Dabruja Germana experienced a period of special trial during the 1860's. The settlers in Kataloi and Ciucurova had not yet adjusted to the hard life of hewing farms out of the forest and even in Atmagea, which was ten years older, there was a restlessness which threatened to bring the Dobruja adventure to an end. In 1861, having heard rumors that there were free lands and more attractive living conditions in Moldavia, nearly all the colonists of Atmagea, Kataloi and Ciucurova suddenly took off across the Danube and wandered about for several months in their former style. Not finding the paradise they were seeking, most of them returned in the next year or two. They had barely got their farms operating again, when a new and menacing problem appeared. The Turkish government had generously offered a new home in the Dobruja to Moslem Cherkesa tribesmen from the Caucasus and in 1864 had settled some of them near Atmagea. These new neighbors were a lawless, thieving lot, who "carried off everything except millstones and red hot iron." For years these brigands harassed and robbed the colonists and kept them at the poverty level. The unhappy state of their temporal condition at this time undoubtedly contributed greatly to their ready response to the other-worldly fervor of the Baptist missionaries. The 1870's, well known as the era in which large scale emigration of Russian Germans to America began, saw also a new surge of immigration into the Dobruja. The movement in both cases was the result of the Russian government's abrogation of the special privileges which German colonists had enjoyed since the days of Catherine II. Two changes especially annoyed the colonials, their incorporation into the general network of Russian local government in 1871, to replace their traditional local governmont system, and the abolition of their exemption from compulsory military service in 1874. As early as the summer of 1872 delegates from some of the Bessarabian colonies visited the Dobruja to find land and to negotiate with the Turkish authorities. They seem to have been successful, since in the following year Germans began to arrive from Russia to settle on the grassy steppes of the central Dobruja. Three new colonies were founded in the years 1873-74, mainly by Protestants from Bessarabia, but including some families from the Odessa region; Cogealac, half way between Babadag and Constanta; Tariverde, just northeast of Cogealac; and Fachria, almost due west of Constanta, near the town of Cernavoda. All three of these became relatively prosperous later.

(WP8, p.10) In the spring of 1876 a new group arrived from Bessarabia, 25 - 30 families from the Catholic colony of Krassna. After many vicissitudes, some of them resulting from the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-78, the main group, shortly after the war, settled in Caramurat, northwest of Constanta, and the rest, a little later, combined with compatriots from Mannheim in the Odessa region to found Culelia, farther north. Also founded by new immigrants from Bessarabia in the immediate postwar years were Anadolchioi, Horoslar and Coqeala, all near Constanta, and Ortachioi, a few miles north of Atmagea. During the Russo-Turkish war the Dobruja became a battleground, bringing much suffering to the inhabitants of the province. The Germans of three colonies particularly, Atmagea, Cogealac and Fachria, lost almost all their possessions and had to start afresh after the war. As a result of the war the Dubruja in 1878 became part of Rumania. The easy-going Turks, who had permitted the Germans to run their affairs as they pleased, so long as they paid taxes, were replaced by the much more exacting Rumanians. The new masters put a Rumanian "Primar" in each village to head the local government in place of the elected German "Schulz". This official rarely understood the language of the colonists and imposed his will on them with little understanding of their needs. Laws of 1882 and 1884 brought a new subdivision of the land, making 10 hectares the norm for the individual farmer, rather than the unlimited possibilities permitted under Turkish rule. The arbitrariness of the new officials in applying the laws led to bitter resentment. Colonists who could not show titles in documentary form from Turkish days were dispossessed. Land acquired by the government in this way, and by seizure for non- payment of taxes, was given to Rumanian war veterans, who were introduced into the German villages against the wishes of the inhabitants. Very annoying too, after their complete freedom in this respect under Turkish rule, was the Rumanizing of their schools. In 1884, even earlier in some cases, a Rumanian teacher was imposed on each village and the German teacher was restricted to teaching only German and religion for an hour a day. The dissatisfaction engendered by the arbitrariness of the new regime gave the impetus to an emigration movement from the German Dobruja colonies to America, which began in the early 1880's. The growing land shortage and religious animosity between Baptists and Lutherans living in the same village also played an important role. The first seven families to go to America are said to have left Kataloi in the year 1882 and to have settled in North Dakota. By 1884 the movement was general, every German village contributing its quota. Baptists especially left in large numbers. Most frequently the destination was North or South Dakota, but some groups went to Canada and some of the Catholics to Argentina. The founding of new German settlements in the Dobruja had come to a stop soon after the Rumanian regime took over. There was, however, a brief resumption of immigration from Russia in 1890-91, as a result of the harsh Russification measures of Tsar Alexander III. Two of the German villages founded in the Dobruja by immigrants at this time survived: Cobadin and Sarighiol, both in the southern part of the province. A few daughter colonies, also in the south, founded from the old colonies in the 1890's

(WP8, p.11) and later, were also relatively successful, particularly Mamuzlu and Mangeapunar. When the Dobruja became Rumanian, the province is said to have had about 3,000 Germans. In spite of relatively large families, there was no rapid population increase, because the natural increase was partially offset by a steady emigration to America. By the turn of the century the number of Germans in the Dobruja had increased to about 5000.(9) In 1921 a count showed 8,534. When the Dobfuja colonies were dissolved by the Nazis in 1940, 15,000 Germans were repatriated to the Reich.

References: (1) Schieder, Theodor, ed., Documents on the Expulsion of the Germans from Eastern-Central-Europe. Vol. III, The Fate of the Germans in Rumania. A selection from the German version, translated into English. Published by the Federal Ministry for Expellees, Refugees, and War Victims, Bonn, 1953. Pages 48-52. Deals with the repatriation of the Dobruja Germans to the Reich. A useful map of Rumania, showing areas formerly German, is included.

(2) The story of the Dobruja Germans is told in some detail in: Traeger, Paul, Die Deutschen in der Dobrudscha. Stuttgart 1922. Ausland und Heimat Verlags-Aktiengesellschaft. This book, which includes a map showing the German colonies in the Dobruja, was the basic source of material for this article. (3) The Gemeindeberichte of 1846 of Rohrbach, Waterloo, Johannestal, Friedenstal and Leipzig mention such groups. These Berichte are given in: Leibbrandt, Georg, Die deutschen Kolonien in Cherson und Bessarabien. Stuttgart 1926. Ausland und Heimat Varlags-Aktiengesellschaft. (4) Rink, Friedrich, “Die Wolhyniendeutschen”, Heimetbuch der Deutschen aus Russland 1959. Page 45. (5) Baptist activity in the Russian German colonies in the 1860's is mentioned in, among others: Bonwetsch, Gerhard, Geschichts der deutschen Kolonien an der Wolga, Stuttgart 1919. Verlag von J. Engelhorns Nachf. Page 92. Isert, Wilhelm, “Statistisch-historische Beschreibung der Kolonien im schwedischen Gebiet”, Heimatbuch der Deutschen aus Russland 1958. Page 55. Keller, Konrad, Die deutschen Kolonien in Suedrussland. Band II. Odessa 1914. Kommissionsverlag des Klemensvereins. Pages 64-67. (6) Friesen, P. M., Die alt-evangelische mennonitische Bruderschaft in Russiand (1789-1910). Halbstadt, Taurien 1911. Verlagsgesellschaft "Raduga". Pages 281, 291-292, 382-386, 435. (7) Friesen, page 281. (8) Friesen, page 398. (9) Handbuch des Deutschtums im Auslande. Berlin 1906. Dietrich Heimer. Pages 155-156, 467-468. Gives some facts regarding the Germans in the Dobruja at the turn of the century. (WP8, p.12)

BY

John Edward Pfeiffer

"Reprinted by permission of the South Dakota

Department of History, COLLECTIONS, Vol. 35, 1970.”

(WP8, p.13) 304 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

John E. Pfeiffer

About the Author: John Edward Pfeiffer, son of Walter and Elizabeth (nee Miltenberger) Pfeiffer, was born in the German-Russian settlement in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on October 18, 1924. He received his education at St. Mary's School and Central High School in Aberdeen; and at Northern State Teachers College, the Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.), St. Jerome's College (Kitchener, Ontario), the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Pfeiffer served as an FBI employee; taught history and English in high schools in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; and was textbook promotion copywriter for the Bruce Publishing Company of Milwaukee. He is a life member of the South Dakota State Historical Society, a director and charter member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, an American Legionnaire, a member of the 16th Armored Division Association (World War II), and a Knight of Columbus. For the past several years, Pfeiffer has been engaged in private historical research on the German-Russian ethnic group, and recently donated his German-Russian Collection to the South Dakota State Historical Society.

(WP8, p.14) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 305

I. THE GERMAN-RUSSIANS If ever a group of immigrants to the United States was subjected to misunderstanding, it was the minority group which bore the ambiguous appellation of German-Russians. Being neither Germans from Germany nor Russians from Russia, who then were these people who, from all outward appearances seemed to be Russians, but whose mother-tongue was German? The answer is so simple as to be misconstrued as an understatement. As unassuming as the people themselves, the German- Russians were simply Germans from Russia. But even that uncomplicated explanation has seemed to baffle most of their American neighbors since their arrival almost a century ago, and ". . . probably accounts for the fact that American historians have never given proper credit to the valiant role played by Russian-Germans(1) as pioneer settlers of the mid-western prairie states.”(2) Because they considered themselves a distinct group from the Germans of or from Germany, whom they called Deutsch-laender (people of Germany) or "Reichsdeutsche”(3) (Germans of the Empire, which to their forefathers meant the , but to them meant the German Empire of the Hohenzollers), they referred to themselves as unser Leute (our people), by which they meant the German people in or from Russia; or Russlaender (people of Russia), a term which somehow seemed to differentiate them as being distinct from Russe (Russians). Depending upon the specific region in Russia from which they came, they also referred to themselves as either Volgadeutsche (Germans of the Volga) or Schwarzmeer-deutsche (Germans of the Black Sea). In Germany they were know as Russlanddeutsche (Germans of Russia). In Russia, because they were privileged "Colonists", they were always considered a foreign element and were called Njemzi (Germans)(4)'" in general, or Swobui (from the German Schwaben) in particular, by their Russian fellow countrymen. Having disassociated themselves from their ancestral German states, and having never been truly assimilated in their Russian homeland, placed them in a peculiar and even precarious position. Thus it is understandable that their identity was a conundrum even among the conglomeration of peoples who make up the population of the United States of America. Up to this point, it should be somewhat clear as to who

(WP8, p.15) 306 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

the German-Russians were. But how and why it happened that Germans lived in the land of the Czars needs further clarification. Dr. Karl Stumpp, who is considered to be the foremost living authority of his people, tells us that: Czar Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) and Peter the Great first called foreign specialists, especially German engineers, scientists, officers, merchants, and administrative officials, to Russia, to build up the cities, and modernize the army and the administration. Particularly in Moscow, Petersburg, and later Odessa, the Germans played a decisive role in all spheres of life. About one hundred thousand lived in the cities. A much greater number of settlements spread over extensive land areas were called into being by the manifestos of the Empress Catherine II (issued July 22, 1763) and Alexander I (issued February 20, 1804). An intensive emigration began from Hessen, the Rhinelands, southwest Germany and West Prussia.(5) The Russian government granted the immigrants great privileges and large areas of land for settlement. Thus, near Peters- burg, on the Volga, around the Black Sea, in the South Caucasus and in the approximately three hundred primary settlements were established. From these mother colonies over three thousand secondary settlements originated, until 1914, and, in more recent times, until 1941; first in the vicinity of the mother colonies, and later in the Don District, in the and in .(6)

However, the distinction must now be made between the urban- German and rural-agricultural German elements in Russia. For it is the latter with which we are particularly interested here since it was almost entirely from the rural-agricultural group that those who settled on the great plains of North America came. The rural-agricultural Germans of Russia can be considered as a unique group. Their history goes back to the manifesto of mentioned above. It was by this manifesto that Russia invited foreigners, particularly Germans, to come to Russia as colonists. There were two basic reasons for this invitation: "On the one hand, it was necessary to cultivate vast areas of unfilled land and introduce agriculture;

(WP8, p.16) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 307 on the other hand, the German colonists were to provide a protective wall against the Asiatic tribes. . .”(7) The points of greatest importance in this colonizing program were briefly: "Each settler was to receive 162 acres of free Crown land, a loan of 250-300 rubles, and rations until his first harvest. The Colonists were also promised 'exemption for ever from military service,' freedom of religion, and the right of local self-government.”(8) The German states, which were at that time so disrupted, were the primary target of Catherine's solicitors, and it was there that they met with their greatest success. Anticipating a better life for themselves and their children, thousands of German farmers and craftsmen made the long and arduous journey to the vicinity of Saratov on the Volga, where 104 primary colonies were eventually established; to Tschernigow, Voronesh, Zarizyn, and Saporoshje.(9) This emigration movement reached such frightening proportions that many of the German states forbade or greatly restricted further emigration. "After an interruption of thirteen years (1790-1803),”(10) a new wave of emigration from the Germanies and the province of in France to Russia was given impetus by Alexander I’s decree of February 20, 1804. This reiterated the enticing conditions of colonization(11) set forth by Catherine's manifesto except that it provided for settlement of large areas in the Black Sea regions, only recently (1781) wrested from Turkish control, ". . . by a limited number of such immigrants as can serve as models for agricultural occupations and handicrafts. . . .”(12) Consequently 181 primary colonies were founded in the Chortiza, Halbstadt, Prischib, and Odessa districts as well as in the Crimea, the South Caucasus, and Bessarabia. Stumpp estimates that, during the colonization period (1763- 1862), some 100,000 Germans immigrated to Russia.(13) And Schock states that "it was a unique type of colonization without any resemblance to other colonial movements in history.”(14) "Although Russia was for the German immigrants, their adopted country and true homeland, and for their descendents their native land,”(15) and although their accomplishments in all areas of life were often singled out for praise and even special recognition by the Czars, ". . . it was precisely this progress that became a thorn in the eye of panslavic circles.”(16) And so, because of the nature of having been settled in colonies

(WP8, p.17)

Map of Black Sea German Colonies. From Heimatbuch Maps, 1956.

(WP8, p.18) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 309 separated and even isolated from the Russian populace, and although they had no intention or desire of becoming a "Little Germany” the German colonists in Russia were, a hundred years after settlement, still Germans ethnically as well as in speech, traditions, religion, and temperament. Stumpp tells us that "the German minority was regarded as a foreign factor of a cultural and economic kind within the national body politic, and this, it was felt, had to be opposed.”(17) Consequently, on June 4, 1871, the Codex of the Colonists, which had assured them certain rights, was revoked by Czar Alexander II. Although this deceitful blow was not entirely unexpected,(18) it ". . . left them only the choice to either accept it or leave the country.”(19) Many did, in fact, resign themselves to it, but just as many others, unable to reconcile themselves to such bad faith, now longed to emigrate from their beloved colonies. To add insult to injury, the Crown, which was interested in the settlement of Siberia, made overtures to lure them to that primeval land(20) ”. . . where cheap land could still be acquired and where the new laws were not so strictly enforced”(21) But the Americas —the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Uraguay, and Paraguay— were also eager to have such an industrious people settle in their countries, and it was to those lands that the German-Russians immigrated. According to Stumpp, "the great emigration movement of the German-Russians began in 1873 and lasted until the beginning of the second World War.”(22) Because of their conscientious objection to the military service, to which they would now be subjected, "the German Mennonites uprooted themselves en masse in 1874; their departure was unmistakeably a blow to the Russian economy. It is reported that Czar Alexander III was brought visibly to tears in losing such exemplary citizens.”(23) It has been estimated that the number of German-Russians in the New World in 1940 was as follows: United States, 350,000 to 400,000; Canada, 200,000; Mexico, 30,000; Brazil, 250,000; Argentina, 150,000; Paraguay, 4,500; Uruguay, 2,500.(24) After years of painstaking research, Dr. Karl Stumpp has compiled a monumental bibliography(25) of about 2,400 titles about and by German- Russians. Almost all of these works are in the . Because there has been little knowledge of or interest in the German-Russians in the United

(WP8, p.19) 310 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

States, few books about them have been written. Emma Schwabenland Haynes, herself the author of a master's thesis (German-Russians on the Volga and in the United States. Department of History, University of Colorado. 1929) on the subject, lists the following better known ones: George Eisenach's Pietism and the Russian-Germans, Hattie Plum Williams' A Social Study of the Russian-Germans, and Richard Sallet's Russlanddeutsche Siedlungen in den Vereinigten Staaten.(26) Haynes then makes this observation: ". . . Just when it seemed that knowledge of the Russian-German element was about to completely disappear [in the United States], a very amazing thing happened. Between the years 1963 and 1968 five English-language books dealing with Russian-German history were written by Russian-German authors and distributed in North America.”(27) Three of these were original works, viz., George P. Aberle's From the Steppes to the Prairies, Adolph Schock's In Quest of Free Land, and Toepfer and Dreiling's Conquering the Wind. The other two were A. Becker's translation of P. Konrad Keller's first volume of Die deutschen Kolonien in Suedrussland, and Joseph S. Height's translation of Stumpp's Die Russlanddeutschen: Zweihundert Jahre Unterwegs. At least two more very important contributions in English are the soon-to-be-published works by Adam Giesinger of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Joseph S. Height of Franklin, Indiana.

II. THEIR IMMIGRATION TO SOUTH DAKOTA One need only glance at the chart (based on the 1920 United States Census) on pages 106-107 of Sallet's invaluable study(28) to see that German-Russian immigrants to the United States settled in every state and the District of Columbia. "But the wide prairie between the Mississippi- Missouri and the Rocky Mountains is the proper new home of the German- Russians in Amerca.”(29) However, we are concerned here with only those German-Russian immigrants who chose to come to South Dakota. Of the total of 303,532 German-Russians listed by the 1920 U.S. Census, South Dakota claimed, after North Dakota and Kansas, the third largest percentage with 30,937.(30) Of these, 10,538 were born in Russia;(31) the chart following enumerates by county and town those born in Russia.

(WP8, p.20) . GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 311

SOUTH DAKOTA BORN IN COUNTY TOWN RUSSIA Hutchinson ….. Freeman, Menno, Tripp, Parkston, etc. .... 1,529 McPherson ..…. Eureka, Hillsview, Leola, etc...... 1,455 Edmunds ...... Ipswich, Roscoe, Hosmer, Bowdle, etc...... 1,201 Walworth ...... Java, Selby, Akaska, Lowry, etc...... 900 Campbell ...... Herreid, Artas, Mound City, etc...... 847 Brown ...... Aberdeen, etc...... 807 Bon Homme .... Scotland, Tyndall, Avon ...... 494 Gregory ...... Fairfax, Herrick, Dallas, etc...... 434 Turner ...... Marion, Parker, Dolton ...... 421 Corson ...... McLaughlin, Wakpala, Thunder Hawk ...... 224 Yankton ...... Utica, Lesterville ...... 204 Perkins ...... Lemmon, Bison, Ellinson ...... 192 Douglas ...... Delmont, etc...... 191 Tripp ...... Colome, Millboro, Carter ...... 191 Beadle ...... Hitchcock, etc...... 169 Butte ...... Belle Fourche, Nisland, Newell ...... 129 Charles Mix .... Wagner ...... 121 McCook ...... Bridgewater ...... 115 Dewey ...... Isabel, Timber Lake ...... 110 Faulk ...... Onaka ...... 91 Mellette ...... Schamber, Wood ...... 88 Pennington .... Creighton ...... 88 Jerauld ...... Alpena, Wessington Springs ...... 81 Ziebach ……. Dupree ………………………………………. 74 Grant ………… Big Stone City …………………………………… 71 Lyman ………. Reliance ………………………………………… 71 Hanson ...... Emery ...... 65 Potter ...... Tolstoy, Hoven ...... 65 Hand ...... Ree Heights, Miller, Bayland ...... 57 Todd ...... Okreek ...... 29 Meade ...... Faith ...... 24 10,538

Of the 30,937, the overwhelming majority (26,000) were Black Sea German-Russians followed by 4,200 Mennonites, 637 Volgas, and 100 Lithuanian and Volhynian German-Russians.(33) Because the German colonies in Russia had originally been settled with colonists of like religious convictions, i.e., Evangelical, Catholic, or Mennonite; and because those who immigrated to America tended to settle in like manner here, of the

(WP8, p.21) Sonderkarten fuer die Staaten: Nord-u.Sued-Dakota u. Nebraska

(WP8, p.22) 314 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

above 26,000 in South Dakota, 20,000 were Evangelicals and 6,000 were Catholics.(34) The first Black Sea German-Russians came to the United States from Johannestal, Worms, and Rohrbach in 1847-1848 and settled on Kelley's Island in Lake Erie near Sandusky, Ohio, and also at Burlington, Iowa.(35) But it was not until 1872, after their Colonial Codex had been abrogated, that any serious and organized emigration movement from Russia began. In that year four families from Johannestal left for Sandusky and were followed shortly after by thirty-five more families from Johannestal, Worms, Rohrbach, and other villages. "In the spring of 1873, twelve delegates were sent out to search for land on which to settle.”(36) They traveled through Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, but could find no available lands which were suitable to build the closed colonies which they had in mind; they finally reached Nebraska where the land was suitable, but the free homestead lands were no longer available.(37) Thus it was that four of the delegates went as far as Yankton, the capltol of Dakota Territory ". . . because it was the end-station of a railroad which had been completed in March of 1873.”(38) There they found that scattered homesteads were not only still available, but the soil and the lay of the land were practically identical with the "czernozem" (black soil) and the wide open steppes of their Black Sea homeland. By April of 1873 all but four families arrived from Sandusky, and southeast of what is now the town of Scotland they took up homesteads. Because they had all come from colonies in the vicinity of the Black Sea port of Odessa, they also named their settlement Odessa.(39) Later in the same year, another group from Worms and Rohrbach arrived in the Odessa settlement via Burlington, Iowa, and Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1874 the area around Menno and Freeman was settled, and in the same year, the first families from Kassel arrived in the vicinity and founded the settlement of Kassel which adjoined that of the Mennonites who likewise settled there in 1874. The first immigrants from the Crimea also came to the Freeman area in 1874. In 1876 a group from the colonies of Alt- and Neu-Danzig arrived and founded Danzig near Avon. In 1877 a group of about twenty families came to the vicinity of Tripp. And in the following years, immigrants from Kulm and Postal in Bessarabia settled in the area southwest of Parkston. In 1880 the area north of Delmont was settled. In a few years, all available

(WP8, p.23) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 315 homestead land in Yankton, Bon Homme, Hutchinson, and Douglas counties was settled by Black Sea German-Russians. It should be pointed out here that most of the towns mentioned above did not exist at the time, but like most towns of the American west were founded as the railroads were built. Because the middle and northeastern sections of what is now South Dakota had been settled predominantly by Scandinavians, there was only one settlement of German-Russians in that area near Alpena which dated back to 1883. The settlement at Akaska dates back to 1896, while later settlements in the vicinity of Wessington Springs, Ree Heights, Highmore, and Harrold received German-Russian settlers between 1904-14. But the homestead lands west and northwest of what is now Ipswich were still largely unclaimed. Thus incoming German-Russian immigrants used the old settlements near Yankton as a base from which to travel to that area by whatever means possible.(40) In 1884 Black Sea German- Russian immigrants from Glueckstal were homcsteading the area around present-day Hosmer, while those from Neudorf and Hoftnungstal were settling in the vicinity of present-day Eureka. In 1885 German-Russians from Bergdorf took up claims in the area around present-day Leola, and others from Glueckstal located around present-day Bowdle. Homesteads between present-day Artas and Herreid were taken by ten families from the old German-Russian settlements near Scotland. Also in 1885, a group of some twenty-nine families from Worms and Rohrbach, who had been temporarily quartered at Freeman, made their way to the land around Greenway. In 1889 seven Black Sea families came to Walworth county and settled in the vicinity of Java. Thus by the time that Dakota Territory was divided into two states, the counties of Edmunds, McPherson, Campbell and Walworth were well-populated with German-Russians. In 1890 the first Black Sea German-Russian settlement on the west side of the Missouri River in South Dakota was established when immigrants from Rohrbach and from the Crimea homesteaded near Fairfax in Gregory County and in a northwesterly direction from there.(41) In the summer of 1904, many Black Sea German-Russians homesteaded on former Indian lands in the western part of Gregory County, and by 1905 there were settlements near Herrick, Gregory, Dallas, and Carlock; as well as Millboro, Colome, and Carter in what is now Tripp

(WP8, p.24) 316 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

German-Rusian Immigrants Arriving at Eureka. From Schell’s “History of South Dakota”. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1961) [the image in the Workpaper is also faint and washed out] (WP8, p.25) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 317

County. In 1893 a group from Rosenfeld in the Kuban District of Russia came to Chamberlain in search of land, and the settlement at Reliance by immigrants from Neudorf also dates back to that time. In 1906 a group of Crimean German-Russians from Freeman and Tripp settled near Creighton in Pennington County. And the settlement of the area around Isabel, Timber Lake, and Lantry received German-Russians when the Indian lands in the Northwestern part of the state were opened to homesteaders in 1909- 10. Since the individual German colonies in Russia were originally settled with people of the same religious affiliation, "there were no interdenominational German villages in all of Russia [there were some mixed villages on the Volga], but only Catholic, Evangelical, or Mennonite ones.(42)"" And in America, as Schock observes, "an outstanding characteristic of the Black Sea immigrants was their clanishness in retaining their purity by preferring colonists only from the same colonies in Russia.(43) Thus far, all of the Black Sea German-Russian settlements in South Dakota mentioned above have dealt with the Evangelical immigration in particular although "at first the Catholic and Evangelical colonists were intermingled in their course to the U.S.A. Afterward, however, they came separately and remained distinct after finding their trail in America.(44) The first Catholic families came from Rastatt in 1873 and settled temporarily at Freeman.(45) In 1875 a group of Catholics from Zuerichtal in the Crimea came with Evangelicals to Yankton and then to Freeman. In 1882 a number of Black Sea Catholics from Strassburg, Selz, and Baden located at Scotland, but in 1885 they relocated on homesteads southwest of the newly-founded railroad town of Ipswich. Ten miles northeast of Ipswich, the Catholic Neu-Strassburg settlement was also founded. Numerous immigrants from Kleinliebental were also among the early settlers in the Ipswich area. In the following years, their course continued north, west, and southwest from Ipswich, and they shared some settlements with their Evangelical brethren at Roscoe, Bowdle, Hosmer, Hillsview, Leola, and Eureka. Franzfelders from Ipswich established Loyalton in 1890, while Kleinliebentalers and Marientalers settled Neu-Russland, later renamed Onaka, in 1910-15. The Catholic German-Russian settlement in Aberdeen gained momentum in 1887 when a Kleinliebentaler from Ipswich walked barefooted, to Aberdeen in search of work, and Aberdeen subsequently became a "Gateway" of German-Russian immigration westward to the coast and northward into Canada

(WP8, p.26) 318 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

Catholic Black Sea Germans located west of the Missouri River near Trail City, Glen Cross, and westward to Timber Lake and Isabel where they intermingled with their Evangelical brethren. The Bison,(46) Lemmon, Faith, Dupree, and McLaughlin areas also attracted German-Russians, particularly from Ipswich and Aberdeen, when Indian lands were opened to homesteaders. Because an extensive Mennonite literature exists in the United States (e.g., Henry C. Smith. The Coming of the Russian-Mennonites. Berne, Indiana, 1927), and because the Hutterite Brethren have been the subject of a recent report (Marvin P. Riley. South Dakota's Hutterite Colonies. Brookings: South Dakota State University, Bulletin No. 565, January, 1970), these people's immigration to South Dakota will be reluctantly bypassed in this investigation. In regards to the small number of Volga German-Russians who settled in South Dakota, suffice it to say that "in the years 1900-03 came to Marion," and "about 1905, when an irrigation project was begun near Belle Fourche, we find there and near Nisland and Newell Volga Germans on the sugar beet lands.”(47)

CONCLUSION Although German-Russians have been in South Dakota for almost a century, and although they have contributed inestimably to its settlement, development, and. growth, it is difficult to understand why their fascinating and unique history has been given only superficial treatment by historical writers in this state. In Russia today, those German-Russians who did not emigrate have been forcibly dispersed into Siberia and . Their once thriving and beautiful colonies have been dissolved; their history methodically destroyed (e.g., grave markers have been removed and the cemeteries plowed over(48)). Fortunately, a few Americans of German-Russian descent have neither been content to let their heritage remain dormant, nor willing to let it be destroyed as in Russia. The publication of the books already mentioned, the founding of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, the donation of a German-Russian Collection to the South Dakota State Historical Society Library, and much enthusiasm have

(WP8. P.27) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 319

not only awakened many of German-Russian ancestry from their lethargy, but have also given other Americans an appreciative awareness of these people. It is unfortunate that the "melting pot" theory should have made any American immigrant loath to admit being whatever he was. Perhaps today's identity crisis in the United States has its roots in that unwise philosophy. Like many other American immigant groups, the German- Russians also felt the sting of ridicule, supercilious condescension, and they especially resented being called a "dirty Rooshun". America's crowning glory should be that it is a Nation of Nations (an idea which Louis Adamic tried so hard to promote), and the rainbow of racial and ethnic cultures and creeds that is America should never have been allowed to have been so completely overwhelmed by the graying process of "Americanization".

(WP8, p.28) 320 SOUTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

FOOTNOTES 1. "Russian-German" seems to be the popular phrase used by those Germans from the Volga who settled in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado; German-Russians is the familiar terminology used in the Dakotas where Germans from the Black Sea settled. Actually the correct designation of these people should be Germans from Russia. 2. Emma Schwabenland Haynes. "The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia," Volk auf Dem Weg (Stuttgart, Germany), March and April, 1970. 3. Ibid. 4. Msgr. George P. Aberle. From the Steppes to the Prairies. Bismarck, North Dakota: The Bismarck Tribune Company, 1963, p. 20. 5. It should be remembered that at that time the Germanies were a loose confederation of several hundred small kingdoms, duchies, principalities, free cities, etc., known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation; it was not until 1871 that they were unified as the German Empire under the Hohenzollerns. 6. Dr. Karl Stumpp. The German-Russians: Two Centuries of Pioneering. Trans. Professor Joseph S. Height. Bonn-Brussels-New York: Edition Atlantic Forum, 1967. 7. Ibid., p. 9. 8. Joseph S. Height. History of the Mannheim Heidt Kinship, 1786-1966. Franklin, Indiana: Joseph S. Height, Editor and Publisher, 1966, p. 3. 9. Stumpp, op. cit., p. 10. 10. Ibid. 11. "The traditional meaning of colonization, ie., a state enterprise to send groups of citizens to a less developed land for economic but non-political purposes did not apply to the German colonists in Russia." Adolph Schock. In Quest of Free Land. San Jose State College, California, 1967, p. 44. 12. Stumpp, op. cit., p. 11. 13. Ibid., p. 26. 14. Schock, op. cit., p. 13. 15. Aberle, op. cit., p. 11. 16. Stumpp, op. cit., p. 28. 17. Ibid. 18. Priests of the Society of Jesus, which had been banished from the in 1820, had forewarned their colonial charges that Russia would not be their permanent home. 19. Aberle, op. cit., p. 69. 20. A number were gullible and did migrate and settle there, including, temporarily (1898-99), the writer's grandfather. 21. Stumpp, op. cit., p. 29. 22. Ibid. 23. Schock, op. cit., p. 103. 24. Stumpp, op. cit., p. 31. 25. Dr. Karl Stumpp. Das Schriftum ueber das Deutschtum in Russland. Stuttgart, Germany: Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Russland, 1958. (Note: a new and enlarged edition of this bibliography is expected to be published before the end of 1970.) 26. Haynes, loc. cit. 27. Ibid. 28. Richard Sallet. Ruslanddeutsche Siedlugen in den Vereimgten Staaten. Chicago: Deutsch-Amerikanischen Historisehen Gesellschaft von Illinois, 1931. 29. Ibid., p. 6. (Note: this and all other quotations from or references to Sallet are translations from the German by the writer.)

(WP8, p.29) GERMAN-RUSSIAN IMMIGRATION 321

30. Ibid., p. 108. 31. Ibid., p. 113. 32. Ibid., pp. 112-113. 33. Ibid., p. 108. 34. Ibid. 35. Ibid., p. 9. 36. Ibid., p. 11. 37. Ibid. 38. Prof. Georg Rath. "Die Russlanddeutschen in den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord- Amerika," Heimatbuch der Deutschen aus Russland. Stuttgart: Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Russland, 1963, p. 33. 39. This and the following information is taken from Sallet, op. cit., passim, pp. 11-12. 40. Many traveled to their destinations cross country by ox team. 41. This and the following information is taken from Sallet, op. cit., passim, pp. 17-18. 42. Stumpp, op. cit., p. 15. 43. Schock, op. cit., p. 111. 44. Ibid., p. 110. 45. Sallet, op. cit., passim, pp. 23-25. 46. The author's father and grandfather both took up homesteads in the Bison-Meadow area in 1910. 47. Sallet, op. cit., p. 44. 48. Dr. Joseph S. Height in an address to the first international convention of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Greeley, Colorado, June 20, 1970.

(WP8, p.30) SOVIET GERMANS TODAY

Emma Schwabenland Haynes

On October 30-31, 1971, a "Kulturtagung" of the "Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Russland" was held in the city of Bochum in the Ruhr. Attendance at the meetings averaged fifty delegates and invited guests, but on the evening of the 31st, approximately three hundred Russian-Germans, including eighty who had recently arrived in Germany from the Soviet Union, gathered in a hall for a program of songs, dances, recitations and balalaika music.

Practically all of the lectures given at Bochum revolved around the subject, "Cultural and Educational Life of the Soviet Germans Today". This theme interested me very much, because I had just finished reading a 1968 book entitled ETHNIC MINORITIES IN THE SOVIET UNION, edited by Erich Goldhagen of Brandeis University. Various chapters dealt with the Ukrainian, Armenian, Baltic, Asiatic and Jewish minorities, but, to my disappointment, there were only a few fleeting references in the book to the Soviet Germans. Furthermore, even though Mr. Goldhagen in his Introduction mentions the deportation by Stalin of such relatively smaller groups as the Chechens, , Kalmyks, Karachai and Balkars, he does not refer to the deportation of one million Soviet Germans. (1)

However, in spite of this omission, I was extremely happy to have read the book. Minority groups often become so indignant over injustices inflicted upon their own ethnic brothers, that they ignore the plight of other peoples. The Goldhagen book makes it abundantly clear that all minority groups in the Soviet Union, from the on, face difficult problems in attempting to support their own schools and press, and in trying to preserve a consciousness of their cultural heritage. These problems also exist for the Soviet Germans.

The first speaker on the afternoon of October 30th was the Rev. Heinrich Roemmich, who, in spite of his eighty-four years, remains one of the mainstays of the'"Landsmannschaft" organization. His topic was "Educational Instruction in the Mother Language of the German Minority of the Soviet Union". Rev. Roemmich pointed out that during the years 1941-1955, when most Soviet Germans were treated little better than political prisoners, German children had no opportunity to study their mother language. A period of rehabilitation began in 1955, and in 1957 it was announced that the usual educational laws of the Soviet Union would now apply to the Russian-Germans. According to these laws, classroom instruction can be given in the mother language of any minority group, if the parents so desire. However, this was easier said than done. From the very start it became obvious that it was impossible to organize schools in which all subjects, including history, geography and mathematics would be taught in German. Textbooks were non-existent, and teachers were unavailable.

(WP8, p.31) As a substitute measure, a so-called "Expanded Curriculum" was introduced by which Soviet German children from the second through the eighth grade were organized into special German-language classes held from three to five hours per week. German parents at first welcomed these classes with high enthusiasm, but, according to Rev. Roemmich, the plan has not been a complete success, and the number of children enrolled, is beginning to decrease. He gave as examples the Altay area of Siberia, in which sixty-five schools introduced the "Expanded German Curriculum", but only fifty are still using it today. And in Omsk, where a large German population has lived since the second half of the 19th century, the program began with 4,800 children, but today has only 2,400. (2)

Rev. Roemmich gave five reasons for this development: 1. German language classes are often held at noon or in the late afternoon at the end of the normal school day. This deprives the German children of any playtime, and means that during cold winter months, they are forced to return home in darkness.

2. There is still such a shortage of German language primers and textbooks that in many classrooms two or three children have to share one copy. Even the most tattered book is usually locked up carefully at night, because it is too precious for a child to take home.

3. A shortage of German language teachers continues. In the middle of a school year, a teacher can be transferred to another school, and the whole project dissolves with the children having nothing to show for their efforts.

4. Many officials have no interest in the "Expanded Curriculum", and without such support, the parents are helpless. (On December 22, 1971, an article in the German- language newspaper Neues Leben pointed out that parents are becoming increasingly annoyed at the necessity of having to appear every year before school directors to plead for the maintenance of German language classes.)

5. Career possibilities and admission to institutions of higher education depend upon a knowledge of the . Consequently, some parents have begun to feel that they are interfering with their children's advancement when they insist that time be spent upon German language instruction. (3)

Rev. Roemmich also stated that intermarriages between Germans and non- Germans are constantly increasing and that, in such cases, Russian almost always becomes the family language. He pointed out that before World War I, practically no Russian was spoken in German homes, but in 1959 the Soviet census revealed that 25% of all German families were using Russian, and in 1969 the figure had risen to 33.2%. If this trend continues, the complete assimilation of the Soviet Germans into the surrounding Russian culture seems inevitable.

(WP8, p.32) The second, speaker, at the Bochum conference was Mr. Eduard Marxstaedter, a recent graduate of the University of Munich, who chose as his topic, "Soviet German Literature Today". Mr. Marxstaedter stated that although more than seventy Soviet German authors have been published in various German periodicals, none of them are professional writers. Over half earn their living as schoolteachers, and the others can be anything from factory to farm workers. As might be expected, the literary quality of the published material is often regretably low. Mr. Marxstaedter read several examples from Neues Leben showing how the word order of a sentence was often influenced by the Russian language. He pointed out that very few of these authors had visited Germany, and that because of their isolated position in the interior of the Soviet Union, many of them were still using obsolete words and expressions which their ancestors had taken to Russia in the late 18th or early 19th centuries.

Mr. Marxstaedter also included biographical information on the Soviet German authors. Viktor Klein (born 1909 in Warenburg on the "Wiesenseite" of the Volga) is probably the best known and most highly respected of all. He has been a professor of German Literature at a pedagogical institute in Novosibirsk, Siberia since 1959, and has played a leading role in the introduction of German language instruction in Soviet schools. (4)

A large percentage of Soviet German authors were either born on the Volga or had parents from there. Edmund Gunther comes from the colony of Dehler; Priedrich Bolger from Reinwald; David Jost from Stahl; Robert Weber from Balzer; Dominik Hollmann from Volmar, and Heinrlch Kaempf from the steppes of the Karaman. However, there are also outstanding Soviet German authors with Mennonite names. Johannes Warkentin, a member of the editorial staff of Neues Leben was born in the Crimean village of Spat, and was a university student in Leningrad when the German army invaded the Soviet Union. He immediately enlisted in the Soviet navy, and during the famous "Nine Hundred Days" in which the city was besieged, endured the bombings, the hunger and the cold of that difficult period. The names of Johann Janzen and David Lowen, both from Mennonite colonies of the , are also well- known. Other popular authors include Alexander Reimgen, born 1916 in the Crimea; Andreas Saks from Baku; Herbert Henke who comes from the neighborhood of Kiev; Ewald Katzenstein from the Caucasus; Ernst Konschak from Volhynia; and Rudolf Jacquemien, who was born in Cologne, Germany, but has lived in the Soviet Union since 1952. Eleven of the German authors mentioned above belong to the influential Soviet Writers’ Union. (5) The newspaper Neues Leben plays such an important role in the life of the Soviet Germans that it might be worthwhile to describe it briefly at this point. It is a sixteen- page tabloid, published once a week in the Moscow offices of Pravda. The cover usually consists of a large photograph of one or more Soviet German citizens. Then come about four pages of political news and Communist Party commentary. This is followed by articles

(WP8, p.33) more closely connected with Soviet German life: the current school situation, cultural activities, newly printed books, biographies of outstanding citizens, etc. Considerable emphasis has been given to those Soviet Germans who fought as soldiers or partisans against the Nazis in World War II. One of the best known is Robert Klein (born in the Volga German village of Miller not far from Balzer) who infiltrated German lines as a partisan and was able to do great harm to the enemy by posing as a German officer. For his achievements he was later declared a "Hero of the Soviet Union". (6)

The center pages of Neues Leben consist of poetry, short stories, and excerpts from Soviet German novels. There is also a childrens’ page, which is often used in elementary classrooms as a supplement for insufficient textbooks. Other articles are directed at women readers, such as recent excerpts from Dr. Benjamin Spock’s book on child care. Then come two regular features! "Letters to the Editor" on page fourteen, and, on page fifteen, a "Suchdienst" with the names and adresses of people searching for friends and relatives.

Moments of humor also appear. Thus, on September 29, 1971, at the conclusion of a seminar in which Soviet German authors presented their works for mutual criticism, Ernst Kontschak wrote an amusing parody of the meeting by describing how the animals and birds of the forest gathered in solemn conclave to subject to critical analysis the rhyme: Salz und Brot Salt and bread Macht Wangen rot Make cheeks red. The final page of Neues Leben usually contains cartoons, and puzzles, as well as dialect stories, which are one of the most popular features of the newspaper. For example, on December 8, 1971, there appeared the tale of "Mei Wes Anne" in which a young man comes to see his aged aunt for the first time in ten years, but he is unable to ask any questions about his relatives or to tell anything about himself, because "Wes Anne" monopolizes the entire conversation describing how "dr Buckel werd aam krumm un in alle Seite stict’s." (My back is becoming bent and I ache all over.)

Photographs on the cover of Neues Leben always show happy, healthy, contented-looking Soviet German citizens. That these photographs are truly representative of all Soviet Germans is certainly questionable. Nevertheless, these are real people. Their names and place of residence are always given. Let me mention just a few examples:

1. Two attractive girls named Lydia Nazarenus and Tatjana Heidt are photographed in dirndl-type dresses. The accompanying caption tells that they are members of an "Edelweiss Quartet" at a teachers' college in Slavgorod, Siberia, (Neues Leben, June 30, 1971)

(WP8, p.34) 2. Heinrich Metzler, winner of the Order of Lenin for his accomplishments in mining production, is shown at work. (October 13, 1971)

3. Alexander Baer (born on the Volga but brought up in Siberia) is photographed in Moscow while attending the highest presidium (congress) of the USSR as a delegate from the Altay area of Siberia. (December 1, 1971)

4. David Riegert, a weight lifter, breaks a world record and will represent the USSR at the Olympic Games in Munich this summer. (July 28, 1971)

5. Five smiling schoolteachers named Wiens, Hefke, Siemens, Hildebrandt, and Rempening attend a teachers’ conference in Moscow. (August 4, 1971)

6. Valentina Beier, a "heroine of socialistic labor", who formerly worked in a Karaganda coal mine, is photographed with her husband on a state farm where she is employed in a dairy. (July 14, 1971)

Other photographs from the year 1971 showed Soviet Germans who were soldiers, policemen, construction workers, nurses, drivers of tractors, secretaries, assembly-line workers etc. Pictures on interior pages presented more intimate scenes. Mr. and Mrs. Jakob Weizel celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and Neues Leben reprints their bridal picture of 1921. Dr. Theodor Grasmuck reaches the age of seventy- five, and one reads a laudatory description of his achievements in the field of medicine. A man named J. Kronewald sends Neues Leben a group picture taken in 1924 of a young people's organization in Balzer, and he asks his former comrades to get in touch with him. An eighty-five year old man named Christian Reimer dies, and his obituary mentions that at the age of eighteen he participated in the 1905 uprising in St. Petersburg and was exiled to Siberia by the czar.

None of this material from Neues Leben would be of major importance were it not for one factor. Less than seventeen years ago, these smiling schoolteachers, these admired "heroes of labor" and these prize-winning kolkhoz brigadiers were living in forced labor camps or in restricted "special settlements" where they were subjected to the hostility and abuse of their neighbors and were under the control of the Soviet secret police. In even the best of these areas, it was impossible to travel more than a few kilometres without special permission.

It is only with this thought in mind, that the importance of Neues Leben can be fully realized. Week after week the newspaper projects the image of the "good" German -- of the loyal partisan who fought for his country, of the respected college professor or doctor, of the citizen who contributes to the industrial and agricultural advancement of his nation. There is surely no other single agency which has done so much to restore

(WP8, p.35) a feeling of pride and self-respect to the German-speaking citizens of the Soviet Union, and at the same time constitute such a powerful unifying agent for these widely-scattered people.

However, one must always remember that Neues Leben is also an agent of the ruling party. Communist interpretation of world news is followed implicitly. The United States is represented as a racist nation in which colored people are deprived of their basic freedoms. The battle against religious believers continues without interruption. Nothing which would be politically embarrassing to the government is allowed to creep into the paper. Thus, reference is never made to Stalin’s bloody purges of the 1950's or to the absolute terror in which Soviet citizens formerly lived. Even those German authors who survived the concentration camps of the north, never refer to the years when they too were behind the walls of a Stalin prison.

In the same way, a pall of silence hangs over the inhuman manner in which the deportation of the Volga Germans took place in 1941. It is only from the pen of a western journalist, Edward Crankshaw, that we know how

"these long-settled families (were) suddenly ravished from their homes and driven in draggled, dazed procession to the railways, there to be herded into sealed freight cars, with no room to lie down, with no sanitary arrangements, and with, to say the least, inadequate food. The weaker would probably die where they stood on that interminable journey to Asia …" (7)

Another story which has never found its way into the columns of Neues Leben is of how, on two separate occasions, delegations of Soviet Germans flew to Moscow to plead for the establishment of a Soviet German Republic and of how they were bluntly refused.(8) In fact, as Ann Sheeny points out in her scholarly report, THE CRIMEAN TATARS AMD VOLGA GERMANS: SOVIET TREATMENT OF TWO NATIONAL MINORITIES, the exact location of the Soviet Germans in and Siberia was perhaps purposely kept vague in the 1959 census so as not to reveal that in certain areas they form "a sufficiently high percentage of the population to warrant...some form of autonomy." (9)

------

But to return to the Bochum Conference. On the evening of October 30th, a most unusual lecture "Far Behind the Ural Mountains" was given by Rev. Hermann Zwecker, who was born August 13, 1909 in Lindenhain, Baden (Germany) and is a former teacher of religion in the Karlsruhe public schools. During World War II, Rev. Zweoker served in the German army as a chaplain. With the capitulation of the on May 10, 1945, he was taken

(WP8, p.36) prisoner by the Russians, and for nearly five years shared the lot of other German POWs by working in stone quarries and on state farms. At one point he even belonged to a grave-digging unit. During the five years he learned to speak Russian, and was able to establish friendly relations with citizens of the Soviet Union.

In the years since his release from captivity, Rev. Zwecker has made five trips back to the Soviet Union, and has become acquainted with many Soviet Germans. Included in this number is Rev. Eugen Bachmann, pastor of the Tselinograd Evangelical Lutheran Church, which, in July 1957, became the first legally-recognized Lutheran church of Soviet Central Asia. Rev. Zwecker's beautiful slides also include pictures of the various Asiatic peoples among whom the Soviet Germans now live.

As I sat listening to this lecture, I kept wishing that all members of AHSGR could have been in the audience with me. Consequently, it was with the greatest pleasure that 1 later learned Rev. Zwecker and his wife would be willing to attend the Third International Convention of AHSGR in Boulder, Colorado, this coming June. I can assure my readers that anyone who comes to Boulder and hears this talk will remember it as long as he lives.

Another pleasant moment at the Bochum meeting was the opportunity to hear Dr. Stumpp report on his 1971 trip to the United States. It was very obvious that he regards this journey as one of the highlights of his entire life. He described over and over again the warmth of the welcome which he had received wherever he went, starting with Chicago, Illinois, and continuing through Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, and the two Dakotas. He was full of admiration for the economic achievements of all groups of Russian-Germans in the United States and was particularly pleased over the interest which we are beginning to take in our history.

Dr. Stumpp showed slides of the various places which he had visited. There was universal laughter over pictures of him decked out as a cowboy in Colorado and as an Indian chief in North Dakota. His pictures of Yosemite Park and the Rocky Mountains aroused admiration. However, the largest number of questions from the audience arose in connection with slides showing the irrigation of American farmland. Neither in Russia nor in Germany had the people present ever come in contact with the type of widespread irrigation which is practiced in Colorado and California. Most Russian-Germans in Germany are no longer farmers, but their questions showed clearly that they had not forgotten their childhood on the steppes of the Soviet Union.

Dr. Stumpp ended his talk by saying that wherever he went in the United States, he was treated as though "he were a king". I have assured Rev. and Mrs. Zwecker that their welcome at Boulder will be equally hospitable.

(WP8, p.37) NOTES 1. It is extremely difficult to obtain exact figures on the deportation of the Soviet Germans. Three authors who have written on the subject are Robert Conquest, The Nation Killers (Macmillan, 1970) pp. 64-66; Alfred Bohmann, Vol. III of the series Menschen und Grenzen (Koln, 1970) pp. 70-85; and Dr. Karl Stumpp, Heimatbuch der Deutschen aus Russland 1964 (Stuttgart) pp. 58-45. A compilation of these three sources gives the following statistics: Total population of Soviet Germans in 1959 1,427,000 Estimate of Soviet German population in 1941 1,500,000

GROUPS DEPORTED Volga Germans (1941) 400,000 C* Germans from the Crimea, Ukraine and Caucasus (1941) 200,000 C Germans from other sections of the USSR (1941) 200,000 C Soviet Germans forcibly repatriated from the west (1945) 250,000 S* Total number of Germans deported 1,050,000

GROUPS NOT DEPORTED Soviet Germans in Forced Labor Camps (1941) 55,000 S Soviet Germans living in Siberia and Central Asia (1941) 395,000 S Soviet Germans who remained in the West (1945) 100,000 S Total number of Germans not deported 450,000

* C Conquest * S Stumpp Alfred Bohmann tells that 900,000 Soviet Germans were deported by Stalin in 1941 (page 41); that 341,000 were brought to the West by Nazi authorities between 1941 to 1944 (page 75) and that of this number 150,000 were forcibly repatriated to the USSR in 1945 (page 76). Although his figures are slightly different from the ones given above, Alfred Bohmann also arrives at 1,050,000 for the total number of Germans deported. According to Soviet publications "thousands" of Soviet Germans fought as loyal soldiers and partisans in the Russian army during World War II. No estimate of their number is given in the above tabulation because of the lack of definite statistics. 2. Comparable information can be obtained from Rev. Heinrich Roemmich's article "Der muttersprachliche Deutschunfcerricht in der Sowjetunion,” in Volk auf dem Weg, September, 1971 (Stuttgart, Germany) pp. 3-4. 3. Recent articles in Neues Leben on the difficulties of the expanded German Curriculum include: "Drei Schwierigkeiten" (July 1, 1970); "Was uns freut und was uns aergert" (August 18, 1971); and "Auf Wunsch der Eltern?" (December 22, 1971). However, it

(WP8, p.38) must also be mentioned, that German is one of the most widely-taught foreign languages in Soviet schools and many German children do learn it in this manner.

4. Additional information on Viktor Klein is given in Work Paper No. 1, page 6, and Work Paper No. 6, page 7, of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Greeley, Colorado,

5. On page 183 of the 7th and 8th grade Lesebuch for Soviet German-language students (Moscow, 1971), twelve German authors are listed as belonging to the Soviet Writers' Union: Bolger, Guenther, Jacquemien, Henke, Hollmann, Kaempf, Katzenstein, Klein, Reimgen, Saks and Warkentin. The twelfth author, Sepp Oesterreicher, is, in the opinion of many Landsmannschaft officials, not of German descent.

6. The birthplace of Robert Klein was revealed in Neues Leben on May 6, 1970, under the following circumstances. In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Soviet German author Robert Weber asked Robert Klein to recount some, of his wartime experiences. Klein was extremely reluctant to do so. He explained, "Krieg ist etwas ungemein Schreckliches. Grausiger als sich einer denken kann, der ihn nicht gesehen, nicht mitgemacht hat." (War is something more frightful and more horrible than anyone who has not seen or experienced it can imagine.)

At this point it seemed as though the conversation might terminate, but Kobert Weber suddenly asked, "You were born on the Volga?" And he received, the answer, "Yes. In a little village named Miller on the ‘Bergseite’ not far from Balzer -- if that means anything to you." To this Robert Weber replied, "What are you saying? My parents come from Balzer." In the resulting conversation, the two men discovered that their families had formerly been close friends.

7. Edward Crankshaw, Russia and the Russians (Macmillan, 1947). Quoted by Adolph Schock, In Quest of Free Land (The Netherlands, 1964) p. 77.

8. This story was brought to Germany by the so-called "Heimkehrer" (Soviet Germans given permission to re-settle in Germany for humanitarian reasons).

9. Ann Sheehy, The Crimean Tartars and Volga Germans: Soviet Treatment of two National Minorities. Report No. 6 of the Minority Rights Group. (London, 1971) pp. 27-28. At the time of their rehabilitation, all Soviet Germans had to sign a statement saying that they would not return to their former homes or request compensation for the property left behind. Under present circumstances, either Siberia or Kazakhstan would be the logical spot for a new Soviet German Republic. According to the 1970 Soviet census, there are 1,846,000 Germans in the Soviet Union. Of this number, 839,649 live in Kazakhstan and 762,000 in the Russian Soviet Republic, primarily in Siberia.

(WP8, p.39) MIDDLE EUROPEAN MIGRATIONS

A Study of the Migratory Movements of Western European Peoples, Emphasizing The Emigration of German Speaking People to Russia and Their Eventual Removement to the Americas. Arthur E. Flegel

An overwhelming factor for the migrations of Western and Middle European people may well be attributed to the advent of the Reformation movement. Following subjugation of most of Europe by the Romans and subsequent stabilization of Western Europe under the Roman Catholic Church, there was little, if any, motivation for resettlement of large groups of people during this Medieval period. Even though the masses were predominately illiterate, the era leading up to the Reformation was one of an increasing cultural awareness and desire for education. As one may recall such names as John Wycliffe of England (1320-1394), John Huss of Bohemia(1369- 1415), Martin Luther of Germany(l483-1546), Ulrich Zwingli of Switzerland(1484-1531), John Calvin of France and Switzerland(1509-1564) as well as other dominant personalities of the time including Gutenberg with his invention of printing (circa 1440), it is important to consider these events and expression of radical views of the era relative to the eventual need for people to change their place of habitat. Localized support of Martin Luther's reforming policies encouraged the formation of Protestant States within Northern and Central Europe as a possible break-away from the traditional Roman political and ecclesiastical power. As rulers either accepted the newly developing Protestant position, or chose to hold allegiance to Roman Catholic doctrines, so their subjects were required to respond in like theological persuasion. When the church was able to exert sufficient political pressure upon rulers of German States, religious concepts were invariably affected. Those subjects who determined to adhere to their beliefs, be it Catholic or Lutheran, were thus often influenced to change their places of living. This was common within the Rhineland Palatinate Provinces, Hesse, Baden, Wuertteaberg, and extended into Bavaria, Bohemia and the northern Cantons of Switzerland. During 1522, Catholics moved out of the Zweibruecken district of the Palatinate. Later this region reverted to a predominately Catholic community. During the l6th Century, two strong religious movements were the compelling force towards mass migrations. In France, the Huguenot (Reformed Protestant) movement resulted with some 200,000 refugees seeking protection in various countries. From the south-eastern provinces of France, they crossed into Switzerland, settled there, or afterwards proceeded into east or West Prussian States, Holland or Denmark. The greater number of emigrants from the northem and western provinces of France migrated directly into the German Rhineland Provinces or to England, Ireland and America. Succeeding generations saw descendants of these immigrants of the Rhineland included with German emigrants for Russia. This fact is supported through the existence of numerous French surnames among the Volga and Black Sea German speaking people. The second great movement was the formation of the Anabaptist beliefs. First under Zwingli, and subsequently under such leaders as Muenzer, Jacob Hutter and Menno Simons, each group found its individual identity. Persecution by both Roman Catholics and Lutheran adherents led to emigration from Northern Switzerland into Germany and Holland. By special invitation, Mennonites migrated to the Danzig Region from Holland. Oppressive conditions in the Polish area brought about their eventual movement into the Black Sea districts of Russia, and, finally, a century later, their immigration to America.

(WP8, p.40) The Thirty Years War which began as a religious conflict (l6l8-l648), eventually lost its identity as such and emerged as a political struggle which left southwest Germany, especially the Rhine-Hessen and Rhine-Palatinate regions in a state of devastation. Decimation of the population led to a call for immigrants. Response came from the heavy Huguenot and Anabaptist population of Switzerland, and to a lesser degree from distant Italy and Spain. A search through the chronicles of older, long-established communities of the Rhineland, reveals the changes reflected over a period of time by the addition of names of foreign character to those of the lists of inhabitants. Turkish control of the Balkan Regions and Turkey‘s constant conflicts with Austria and Russia generated strong migratory influences. As the Turks were gradually driven from the Danube lands, southwest Germans were invited to settle in the expanding Austro-Hungarian Empire for the purpose of developing agriculture and commerce. The important settlements included the Saxon colony of Transylvania (Siebenbuerger) and the Wuerttembarger communities of the Banat in present-day Hungary and the Bukowina in present-day Jugoslavia, as well as the Dobrudscha in Romania along the Black Sea coast. These settlements established during the reigns of Prince Eugene of Austria (1663- 1736) and Empress Theresa (1782-1866) continued to flourish until disruption by the Second World War scattered the inhabitants across the face of the earth. Today, only a small minority of their descendants remain in these regions as an ethnic group. While Russia was gaining control of more and more Turkish-dominated lands, great need for immigrants to populate these newly-acquired areas with Western European people became evident. The calls for immigrants were met with eager response by many Europeans including a very significant number of Southwest Germans. This topic is to be dealt with in much greater detail further on. As Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia and his successors continued to gain prominence during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, thousands of Germans, French Huguenots, Dutch Mennonites, Austrians and others responded to the beckoning and were resettled in east Prussia, as well as the Polish districts of West Prussia. An especially large number migrated from the Kingdom of Wuerttemberg in West Germany to West Prussia and the Ketze River valley during the years 1776-1786. The devastation brought about by the Seven Years War in the Rhineland Provinces and particularly Hesse, the Rhine Palatinate, and Northern Baden-Wuerttemberg was distinct cause for emigration from these areas. Additional pauperization through exorbitant taxation and military oppression left thousands homeless and destitute. An invitation presented by Catherine II through her Manifesto of 1763 as promoted through her French agents came as an attractive relief to many impoverished young German people from the deplorable conditions existing in their homeland, and brought positive response from some 30,000 to immigrate to Russia, the land of opportunity. Conceivably a much more extensive number of emigrants might have heeded the call of Catherine II at this time, but for the edicts of Duke Carl Albrecht of Hohenlohe/Waldenburg and Ludwig of Hohenlohe which brought the emigrations of 1764-1768 to a sudden halt. Laws forbidding all emigrations were passed in 1768. Penalties for disobedience of these edicts were in the nature of imprisonment or even death if convicted. A most significant factor towards German emigration was the ascendency of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). During the late 1700's and early l800's

(WP8, p.41) rulers of the Rhinelands and southwest German States were soon subject to Napoleon who required from them men for his armies as well as extensive financial support. Exorbitant taxation, corrupt officials, quartering of French troops on their property, plus an unusually inclement weather cycle, rendered conditions so unbearable for the peasant citizenry that thousands chose to emigrate rather than exist under these trying conditions. Such pietistic religious movements as the Separatists and Harmonies (Schwaikheimer) added to the incentive for leaving one's homeland for a place where religious convictions might he practised without political interference or prosecution from other established religious orders. Significantly, not only the peasantry, but also the landed and ruling classes were attracted to the new pietism. Among these was Count Nicholas Ludwig Von Zinzendorf (1700-1760) who dedicated the major portion of his holdings in Saxony to the resettlement of religious refugees from Austria and Bohemia. He initiated the Herrnhuter "Bruedergemeinde" (Brotherhood) and established groups of his followers in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Holland, England, the Baltic Regions and the community, Sarepta, on the bend of the lower Volga River near the site of present-day in Russia. In 1785, Johann Georg Rapp, a weaver from Iptingen near Stuttgart, Germany began his Separatist movement. The mysticism and seemingly fundamental devoutness of his teachings, rapidly brought followers from all southwest German communities. However, the apparent fanaticism of the cult, also caused an unfavorable response from the established churches as well as the Wuerttemberger government. Johann Rapp's efforts culminated in his immigrating to America with a portion of his followers to create Harmonies and an Economy in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The majority of his remaining followers in Germany found their way into Russia under the leadership of the Esslinger or Schwaikheimer Harmonien. Many felt that the piety of brought about his Manifesto of 1804 as a work of God to bring them to a land of freedom. The Baltic (Russian)-born Baroness Von Kruedener (1764-1824) of German descent and Parisian (French) education, became the ardent proponent of Bengel’s and Mueller's Chialistic movement. Travelling about southern Germany, she preached to Alexander I of Russia who was so impressed by her evangelistic ability that he agreed to enable those of her followers who so desired to be resettled at Tiflis in the Caucusus where they would await the event of the Milleniun. The actual numbers of emigrants from the West German States into Russia is unknown. Emigration figures prior to the 1800’s were very sketchy. Available statistics reveal the following: During the period 1763-1767, some 30,000 people emigrated from the Hessen provinces and bordering districts. Of this number, 2,000 settled in the St. Petersberg area; 27,000 were established at the Saratov region of the Volga; and 1,000 founded individual, scattered communities, such as Riebensdorf or Belowesch. One source indicates a population figure of the Volga Colonies in the year 1767 as including 8,000 families consisting of 29,000 individuals. This figure possibly includes the result of a normal population increase through a normal birth rate. Approximately 18,000 Mennonites from the Danzig region established com- munities in the Black Sea district during the years 1788-1804. More followed later. Between 1804-1834, some 60,000 people, comprising 10,000 families emigrated from the Baden/Wuerttemberg Province and surrounding areas of Southwest Germany to create 209 villages along the Black Sea. (WP8, p.42) The following quotation illustrates the changes reflected in emigration patterns which took place in the Wuerttemberg Province during the early l800’s: During the years 1800-1803: 5,314 to Prussian ; 326 to Russia; 431 to Austro-Hungary; 26 to the U.S.A. During the months, March 1 to June 30, 1804: 720 to Prussian Poland; 3067 to Russia; 293 to Austro-Hungary; 234 to the U.S.A. Arthur E. Flegel

1. Settlements in the vicinity of St. Petersburg (today Leningrad) and the Baltic states of , Lithuania and Latvia took place from the 1600's through the 1800's, partially under invitation by the Russian Czars, and partially through a normal population shift from East Prussia north and eastward. 2. The Volga colonization occurred during the years 1763 through 1768. Impoverished craftsmen, teachers, artists, actors, laborers, and even fortune tellers from principally the Rhine Palatinate and Rhine Hessan States extending to a degree into the "bordering regions of Baden Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Saxony, Thuringia, Westphalia and Prussia were eager to take advantage of the choice provisions of Czarene Catherine II's Manifesto of 1763. The primary gathering place was at Luebbeck on the eastern side of Schleswig- Holstein on the Baltic seaboard. People made their way as best they could to the point of embarkation. Some traveled down the Rhine River to Rotterdam in Holland from where they were further transported by boat to Luebbeck. Others made their way of foot or by wagon, all the while assured that their daily stipend guaranteed by the Prench employed agents of the Russian government would take care of their needs. The secondary gathering place was the City of Danzig at the mouth of the Vistula River. From both these points of origin, ships carried groups of immigrants to Kronstadt, the seaport of St. Petersburg. Here they were interned for a time in army barracks and assembled for their eventual resettlement on the Volga River. Even though a small number was permitted to settle in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, the majority was compelled to be transported under army supervision to Saratov on the Volga where they were to be settled as a buffer against the nomadic Kalmuk tribes. Expecting to be re- established along the Baltic, many were greatly dismayed at this turn of events. Their immediate fears were quelled, however, by the assurance that good housing and adequate living conditions would be awaiting them at their ultimate destination. Reaching Saratov on the Volga was accomplished in three different ways: (A) Overland by wagon from Petersburg to Novgorod, Twer, Moscow, Rjazan and finally Saratov, under Military escort. (B) By ship from the Ladoga Sea, down the Vochev River to the Ozero Ilmen and from there the long voyage on the Volga River to the north where it enters

(WP8, p.43) the Sea of Rybinsk and on to the east above Moscow, finally bending south at Kazan to eventual destination Saratov. Enroute, they wintered at Torschok, Twer or Kostroma. (C) By Army caravan to Kolomna or Rjazan on the Oka River, where they were wintered, then by barge to the Volga River and Saratov. Upon arrival at the destinations near Saratov where the settlements had been intended on either the westerly (bergseite) or easterly (wiesenseite) bank of the Volga they saw only very sparsely-populated steppes, and not the satisfactory conditions that had been promised. Discouragement was great, hardships innumerable, but perserverance and industry prevailed. The settlements flourished until they reached an area covering 26,753 square Kilometers (10,329 sq. miles), one-fourth lying on the right and three-fourths on the left bank of the Volga River, from above Katherinenstadt in the north to Kamyschin in the south. Eventual overpopulation encouraged further migrations eastward into Russian Asia and southward into the northern Caucusus, or overseas to the United States or South America. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, this region became the Volga German Republic in 1924. The condition continued until 1942 [sic.1941], when the entire population was dispersed and resettled in parts of Siberia and Kasachstan SSR of Asiatic Russia where they no longer exist as a separate ethnic group. 3. The community, Sarepta was established in 1765 at the bend of the Volga River near Tzaritsin (now Volgograd under the religious orientation of the Moravian Herrnhuter Bruedergemeinde sponsored by the estate of Count Von Zinzendorf of Saxony. The settlers were primarily refugees from Austria and Switzerland who had fled the Catholic counter-reformation movement. Being served by ministers from Switzerland, their principle objective was to act as missionaries to the Kalmuck tribes, many of whom they succeeded in converting to Christianity. Eventually the inhabitants of Sarepta were absorbed into the Volga German community whose colonies continued to extend further south along the Volga River. 4. Mennonites came into Russia during the years 1790 through 1825 from the Danzig region and from along the Vistula River valley of Poland. They were admitted under deputation to Moscow and explored the possibilities of establishing new settlements for their population. To reach their goal, the emigrants from Danzig traveled via Koenigsberg and Memel to Riga where they awaited orders from the General Field Marshal Lord Potemkin who was Governor-General of Taurida and New Russia. They traveled across the region of White Russia to South Russia and the Black Sea where their first community was established on the Chortitza Island at the bend of the River, near the present-day city Zaporozhye. A second, important settlement was on the (Molocnaja) a small river which flows into the sea of Azov. Its principal center was which lies almost directly south of Zaporozhye. Communal-type industry and frugality enabled these colonies to become some of the most affluent of the German-speaking groups in Russia. High acclaim was given the Mennonites by historians who chanced to travel through these regions during the nineteenth century. Even as with the Volga and Black Sea Germans, later overpopulation brought about a need for further migration into newly developing areas of the Russian Empire.

(WP8, p.44) 5. The aforementioned Napoleonic oppression and Separatist religious views generated the most extensive movement of immigrants into the Black Sea Region from southwest Germany, northern Switzerland and northeastern France, as well as from parts of Prussia and Saxony. Under provisions of the new Manifesto of Czar Alexander I, the migrations continued from 1804 through 1841. People from Baden-Wuerttemberg, the Rhine Palatinate, the French Alsace and to a lesser degree from northern Switzerland gathered at Ulm on the Danube River in the cities of Stuttgart or Frankfurt in preparation for the long journey to "New Russia". The routes used by the colonists were as follows: (A) By ship from Ulm down the Danube River, past Vienna and Budapest to Ismail from there up the Dniester River to Dubossary, or on the Black Sea to Ovidopol and Odessa. Mother colonies were initially established in Cherson and Taurida provinces. The Separtists (Harmonier and Schwaikheimer) stopped at Odessa or Hoffnungstal to its north where many of them chose to remain, or traveled on by wagon across Cherson via Taganrog, Rostov, and Mozdok in the North Caucusus, across the Caucusus Mountains to the longed for destination, Tiflis, in the Trans-Caucusus. (B) By ship, Ulm to Budapest, then across land to Lemberg (present day Lvov) and the Russian border town, Radsivilov (present day Chervonoarmeysk) where the immigrants were received by the Russian Army and transported south to Odessa. (C) By ship from Ulm to Vienna, then across land to Krakow in the south of Poland and on to Lemberg (Lvov) and Radzivilev. (D) From Ellwangen northeast of Stuttgart on a land route across Bavaria, past Dresden in Saxony, Silesia and in Poland to Radzivilov, eventually to be settled at Jekaterinoslav and Alexanderowsk near Berdjansk on the Sea of Azov. (E) From Offenbach and Frankfurt/Main a group took the land route in 1809 across Silesia and Poland to Grodno at the north central border of Poland and then south to Jekaterinoslav District and the Molotschna. Although the land routes were most wearisome for the people who lacked the funds for transportation, they ware still considered the most acceptable when compared to the hazards of travel by ship down the Danube River through Mohammedan Turkish- controlled regions where a traveler’s life was in constant jeopardy. Several groups were lost on this route from attack by unfriendly inhabitants along the course, or by shipwreck in the treacherous waters. Thus caravans with many pilgrims on foot, made their way slowly along the tortuous land route under leadership which was directly responsible to the Czarist government which would hopefully bring them to the Russian border where the Czar’s army would take charge of their welfare. At Odessa, the newly-arrived pilgrims were quarantined for a time until they could be settled at villages outside of Odessa, or on the Crimean Peninsula to the south. After the initial settlement had been secured, reports of the extensive opportunities filtered back to the relatives and friends in the homeland villages. A great surge of emigration was generated during the years 1806 through 1812. A majority of immigrants preferred to settle in established communities where their relatives were already resident. A large number, however, remained together as the unit which had been formed at the point

(WP8, p.45) of departure, creating new family alliances with a mixture of Swiss, Alsatian, Palatinate and Wuerttemberg German backgrounds. About one-half to three-quarters of a century of successful development and resultant overpopulation required that additional settlements be made in distant Asiatic Russia or the North Caucusus. A small number emigrated from the Black Sea District as early as 1850 to settle at Sandusky, Ohio. All Germans of the Black Sea District were dispersed into Siberia and Russian Asia during the 1920's and 1930's. 6. The Treaty of Bucharest of l8l2 ceded the Moldavian (Bessarabian) Region to the Russian Empire. Alexander's Manifesto of 1804 was again purposeful in West Germany, but its greatest successes were evident in the Prussian states of Silesia, Brandenberg, Mecklenberg, Pomerania and Prussian Poland which had recently become West Prussia. Many immigrants to Bessarabia for the new colonization had earlier migrated from various sectors of South Germany, Prussia and Saxony into Prussian Poland to escape Napoleonic military thrusts. A large number could effectively be labeled refugees for they had been compelled to evacuate their homes and carry on their backs or drag by hand-drawn carts such meager possessions as they could quickly gather. By wagon or on foot they made their tedious way to the Russian border. Colonies were established along the Kugilnik (Kogilnik) River to the south of Kishinev (Kisinov) in Bessarbia during the years 1814 through 1832. Immigration into this area continued until 1860. 7. The Separatist, Schwaikheimer groups and Esslinger Harmonier, gathered in the area of Marbach north of Stuttgart to make the journey by land across Bavaria, Saxony, Silesia and Poland to theRussian border. They had gained permission from Alexander I to settle at Tiflis, the Capitol of Georgia in the Trans-Caucusus during the years 1817 through 1820 as a result of the teachings of Bengels and the preaching of the Baroness Von Krudener. Believing the Millenium to be eminent (1836), their religious beliefs led them to settle as near as possible to Mt. Ararat of Noah’s Ark fame, and prepare for the second coming of Christ. Some of their number had chosen not to risk the long trek from Odessa along the Black Sea and through the North Caucusus which was inhabited by fearsome nomadic Asiatic tribes, but decided instead to settle at the earlier- established communities to the north of Odessa. Those who did achieve the ultimate destination, formed the village Helenendorf on the outskirts of Tiflis (Tbilisi). The colony eventually forsook the beliefs which brought it into being, prospered exceedingly in grape and wine culture, increased numerically, so that a number of additional villages came into being, but otherwise remained in virtual isolation for nearly 100 years. It was rediscovered during the First World War by a German Army Officer who commented in his official report that in these communities the Swabian (Schwaebish) dialect was more perfectly spoken than was the case in his native Wuerttemberg from which the ancestors of the inhabitants had emigrated. 8. The Volhynia district of Russia could justifiably be considered the oldest and yet the latest of German colonist regions. As early as the 1300's when the land was under Polish domination, German craftsmen were in evidence. Actual intensive immigration did not take place until the late l8th Century when the region came under Russian control. Even then development was slow, since immigration to the Volhynian and Podolian sectors seemed to be principally an overflow of German immigration into Polish districts. This situation was no doubt brought about by the difference in immigration conditions (WP8, p.46) in this area as compared to the privileges and conditions which the Mainfestos of Catherine II and Alexander X extended to immigrants into the Volga and Black Sea Regions. Instead, immigration into Volhynia was the only one which took place without Czarist government sponsorship of any kind, but was promoted by Grandees and Land Barons who desired to put their huge estates to wider cultivation and much preferred the industrious German farmers for this task. The region extended from Poland as the western border to Kiev in the east; and from Minsk in the north to include the German- speaking communities of Podolia in the south. The great influx of settlers into this district began in 1831 at the time of the Uprising in Poland when the lives of citizens of German descent there were in jeopardy. Hundreds escaped across the border into Russia with only the barest of worldly goods in their possession. Often they came pushing wheelbarrows as the only means of transporting such items as they could rescue. At the time of the Second Polish Uprising (1862) and the co-incidental Freeing of Serfs in Russia (1861) a marked increase of immigrations into the Volhynian area was notable. By the year 1880, the population had reached 100,000 and further immigration was at a stand-still, while the established colonies continued to flourish. As early as 1915 during the First World War, Germans in this region suffered severe persecution and dispersion into Siberia under the most oppressive conditions. A few thousand were able to escape into Canada, to settle in Manitoba and elsewhere. No ethnic group of Germans exists in this region today. 9. An individual isolated settlement, Riebensdorf (translated "fish village") situated on the Sosna, a small tributary of the Don River near Ostrogozhsk, far removed from any other German-speaking village, professed a unique history. The inhabitants were Schwabs from the village Suzfeld near Heilbrunn in Wuerttemberg. Sketchy records reveal the colony's existence since 1765, a date co-incidental with Volga settlement. However, its formation seems to have been entirely separate from the Volga colonies which lay some 400 miles to the east. Actual routes of immigration to this area have been lost through the passing of time. Eventual overpopulation at this location, led to the establishment of daughter colonies in various German-speaking regions of Russia and the assimilation of descendants of this settlement with Germans in the Rostov and North Caucusus areas. 10. Another individual settlement established during the 1763-1824 period was Belowesch near the city Tschernigov (Chernigau) to the north of Kiev and far to the west of the Volga Region. The colony consisted of 70 families principally from the city Gelnhausen near Frankfurt in Hessen Germany. Actual separation from the other immigrants destined for the Volga Region has meant that the manner in which settlers arrived at this locality is again lost to recorded history. Descendants from Belowesch resettled in other areas of the Black Sea, Crimea and the Caucusus. 11. Emancipation of the Serfs in Russia (1861) coincided with the opening of new areas for colonization within the North Caucusus in the districts of Ekaterinodar and Stavropol, as well as the Samara region north of the Saratov district of the Volga and later extension into the Russian areas of Orenburg and Omsk. Overpopulation, resulting in shortage of land in the Mother Colonies was the requirement that young Lutherans, Baptists and Mennonites seeking the advantages of new land brought about an assimilation of people from the Volga Colonies, Bessarabia, Volhynia and the Black Sea Communities. To a minor degree such a transfer of habitat had been going on

(WP8, p.47) for some years. As villages became overpopulated and the land proved insufficient for the adequate support of the inhabitants, it was necessary to establish daughter colonies. However, religious as well as economic reasons prompted movements of individual groups. Emancipation of the Serfs also brought about another significant change in the lives of the German Colonists. The Czarist government decided that the time had come when the provisions of the earlier Czarist Manifestoes should be abrogated, and the German Colonists should no longer be given the consideration of Colonists, but be required to assume the responsibility of full-fledged citizens of Russia. One of the important provisions of the Manifestos was the freedom from forced military conscription. The abolishment of this special privilege created serious concern among the Germans, and especially those of the Mennonite persuasion whose beliefs clearly forbade the bearing of arms against a fellow man. A special protest delegation to Moscow elicited the following response: (l) The "Guarantees" of the Czarene Catherine II Manifesto, having been in effect for 100 years, had now run their course and were no longer valid. (2) All Colonists would henceforth be considered full-fledged citizens and subject to all duties and provisions as prescribed by the Crown, which would include military conscription for defense of Russia. (3) Provision for a ten-year moratorium from legal enforcement of these Acts to permit any who so desired to leave the country. For the majority of the German speaking minority in Russia, this new consideration offered little or no concern, since they had long since lost contact with their German homeland, and citizenship in their adopted country was merely a matter of course. To the Mennonites, however, and certain of the more pietistic "Brethern" the prospect of forced military conscription was unthinkable. During the next few years, the Mennonites sent representatives to the United States with the view of establishing colonies in the mid- western States. Opportunities seemed innumerable, and the delegates returned to the Black Sea communities with glowing reports of the immense area of land available for development and the promise of self-containment such as they had previously enjoyed in Russia. As the emigration movement generated by the Mennonites got under way, large numbers of Lutheran and Roman Catholic adherents chose to also emigrate for the "prom- ised land, America". Expansion of the mid-west United States by means of the railroads was in full swing. The prospect of a potential labor force as well as farmers to till their newly acquired lands, found an eager response among the Railroad Officials. German- speaking agents were dispatched by the Railroad Companies to the Black Sea region for the purpose of enticing people to emigrate for the United States. This initiated a mass exodus among all German-speaking people in Russia which lasted until the advent of World War I. Germans from Russia settlements came into existence from New York in the east to California in the West. Settlements grew in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. Mennonites became dominant in central Kansas while Lutherans and Roman Catholics found Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota more to their liking. The heaviest concentration of Germans from Russia soon could be credited, to these four states. Sutton, Nebraska and Scotland, South Dakota came to be the two principal immigration points for the new arrivals. Further expansion carried into Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Texas in the central States and Washington, Oregon, Idaho

(WP8, p.48) and Montana further west. Lesser settlements were established in Utah, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas. As immigration and expansion continued, it was not long until every western state could boast that some of its citizenry was of the German from Russia extraction. Today, Germans from Russia are prominent in every State of the Union, and Canada, as well as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in South America. Everywhere they have flourished as they have taken an active participation in the development of their adopted lands—a memorable credit to the pioneering spirit of their ancestors. Arthur E. Flegel

(WP8, p.49) Genealogy Report

I hope that you have been making plans to attend the 3rd Annual Convention of the AHSSR at Boulder, Colorado on June 7-11th. The program is filled with many interesting events. We think that you will especially enjoy the Genealogy program on Friday afternoon.

The theme for our two-hour Symposium is: "Locating Genealogical Records of the Germans from Russia." Our featured speaker will be Mrs. Donna Porter, an accredited genealogist. Mrs. Porter will tell us about the genealogy records we may find at the libraries of The Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mr. Art Flegel, Menlo Park, Calif, will speak on the family records of the Black Sea area. Prof. Raymond F. Wiebe of Wichita, Kansas will tell us about the Mennonite groups in Russia and Mrs. Emma S. Haynes of Oberusel, Germany will discuss the research problems of the earlier colonists to the Volga and other areas. Following the speakers some time will be given for questions. We certainly would like to meet you there.

This issue of the WORKPAPER has a number of helpful articles for our members. If you have a considerable number of families to keep track of, some means of identifying each member becomes necessary. There are other systems you might prefer which employ letters of the alphabet or combinations of both letters and numbers but the method explained here by Prof. Solomon L. Loewen of Hillsboro, Kansas is both simple to use and easily understood by others.

In the next article, Mr. T. J. Schmierer practically takes you by the hand and leads you step by step through the National Archives building in Wash. D.C. in order to obtain a copy of the immigration list of the ship which brought your ancestors to America. Be sure to take this article with you should you make a trip to Washington.

I think you will agree with us that Mrs. Alex Kildow’s offer to check the microfilm copies she has of the census rolls free of charge to AHSGR members is a generous one. Be sure to send her a stamped, self-addressed envelope. If you have more than one name to check, I think a bill pinned to your request would be nice.

The Queries and Surname Exchange, under the able direction of Mr. Phil Legler, have become an important tool for many of our researching members. Be sure to read them over to see if you can furnish someone the information they need. If you note any error please let us know so that we may correct them.

Gerda S. Walker, Gene. Committee Chrm. (WP8, p.50) A NUMBERING SYSTEM FOR GENEALOGIES Solomon L. Loewen, D. Sc. Tabor College Hillsboro, Kansas

In writing a genealogy one of the problems is to identify each person or family in such a way so that easy reference to such a person can be made, and to show family relationships quickly. The larger the family the more difficult and the more cumbersome any system of numbering or indicating of persons can become. There is no uniform system that is employed by genealogists. I have used a numbering system suggested by Warren K. Good; with some slight modifications. With this system it is very easy to locate an individual and to show relationships, because each person has a number that is consecutive in a family. I find this method much more precise and systematic than any others that I have seen.

In this system each person in the family has a number consisting of one or more digits. Each digit represents a generation and also the number of order of birth in a family. For example, the first progenitor of a family is No. 1, while his children will be No. 11 for the firstborn, No. 12 for the second child, and so on. Their children in turn would be No. 111, No. 112, ... and No. 121, 122 and so on. These last numbers indicate three generations, the first digit is the grandfather, the second digit the father or mother, and the third digit the son or daughter. When there are ten or more children in a family the double digits are placed within parentheses. When a child grows up and is married an asterisk (*) is placed after his birthday, and his family record will follow in subsequent order.

Let me illustrate this system with my own family record. I can go back to my great-, great-grandfather, Isaak Loewen (1758-18—), the first generation. He became No. 1 in the family record. His oldest son Isaak (1787-1873) is No. 11, the second generation. My grandfather was the fifth child in his family, thus his number is 115 Jacob Loewen (1820-1901), and my father is 1154 Jacob Loewen (1855-1941) , since he was the fourth child in his family. I am 1154(15) Solomon L. Loewen, being the fifteenth child born to my parents. I am also in the fifth generation in our family genealogy.

* “A Number System for Genealogies," Mennonite Historical Bulletin 3(3): 1-3, Sept. 1942.

(WP8, p.51) With this system it is very easy to compare relationship of members of different families. For example, what is the relation of my granddaughter, Mylene Raki Pankratz, to the triplets in a Giesbrecht family? By writing the numbers of one below the other it is a simple matter to check the relationship.

1154(15)43 Mylene Raki Pankratz x 1145 3 613 Karol Sue Giesbrecht 1145 3 614 Kimberly Pay Giesbrecht 1145 3 615 Kevin Quentin Giesbrecht

The numbers for the first two generations are the same, hence they are the same individuals. The two numbers with the x between are siblings (5 and 4), the next two are first cousins, then second, third, and fourth cousins. So Mylene and one of the parents of the triplets are fourth cousins, and the triplets fourth cousins by one removed.

There are other advantages to this system of identifying members of a family, but let this suffice. There are also disadvantages. One is that the numbers can get very large, especially when you cover ten or more generations, they can become very cumbersome. Furthermore there is somewhat a problem of numbering when you discover new progenitors beyond the first generation you have started out with. In such a case it may be necessary to precede the established numbers with some other proper digits.

* * * * * * PASSENGER LISTS

T. J. Schmierer

Work Paper No. 5 included an article on the use of Bureau of Land Management Records and National Archive records. The article included a reference to the passenger lists for persons arriving in the United States through the eastern seaboard ports. Since a major portion of our ancestors arrived through the Port of New York, some of you may be interested in obtaining a copy of the entire passenger list for the ship on which your ancestors had passage or just the page or two with your ancestors' names. There are several ways to obtain this information.

The first thing one must do is to find out as nearly as possible the date when the ancestors arrived. As mentioned in Work Paper No. 5, one way to do this is through the Bureau of Land Management homestead records. Another way to obtain this information is from family records. By providing the National Archives with at least the month

(WP8, p.52) and year, it is very probable that they can provide you with a copy of the passenger list. You must write the National Archives and request the copy and they will search the records for your requested information. For further information, obtain a copy of the Genealogical Records in the National Archives, General Information Leaflet l?o. 5, from the Publication Sales Branch, The National Archives, General Services Administration, Washington, D. C., 20408. There is no charge for single copies of this publication. On page 9 of this leaflet, you will find the information on obtaining assistance from the National Archives.

Should you have an occasion to be in Washington on other business or just for the purpose of visiting the National Archives, I found the Hotel Harrington, Eleventh & E Streets, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20004 to be convenient, reasonably priced and comfortable but not luxurious. It is a three-block walk from the hotel to the 8th and Pennsylvania entrance (rear entrance) of the National Archives. This gives you access to the search rooms on the second and fourth floors. There is a guard near the entrance and he will give you directions in case you have forgotten or misplaced this article. Directly behind the guard you will find two elevators. Take either of them to the second floor and go across the hall to the main reference room where you obtain a permit to use the facilities. This requires filling out a very simple form and showing some sort of identification. You will be issued a billfold-size card immediately and at no cost.

The microfilm readers are on the fourth floor so you get back on the elevator and go to the fourth floor. As you get off the elevator, go to your left to the room at the end of the hall. There will be an attendant to help you find the census or passenger list microfilm rolls and to show you how to operate the microfilm readers. After you have found the page(s) you are interested, in, remove the film from the reader without winding it either forward, or backward and take it to the front of the room where the attendant will make the number of copies you desire. The cost will take $0.50 per sheet and the sheet will be quite large as the 35 mm film is enlarged to the point where writing is normal size. It will be necessary for you to go back down to where you received your search card and pay for the copies. Return to the microfilm reading room, show the attendant your receipt and he will give you your copies. Do not worry about not having enough time because the search rooms are open during the evening, nearly all day Saturday and on Sunday afternoon.

Somewhat off the subject but something you may wish to consider while at the National Archives is viewing the homestead records. See pages 11 and 12 of the above- mentioned publication. This section of the National Archives may not be open as long so you should check the times this portion is open.

(WP8, p.53) MICROFILM COPIES OF THE FEDERAL POPULATION CENSUSES

Mrs. Alex Kildow

Mrs. Kildow has in her possession the microfilm copies of the federal population censuses listed below and is most willing to share them with our members. You may contact her by addressing her at Route 3, Omaha, Nebraska 68123.

Year Roll No. Counties

State of INDIANA 1850 181 Wells, White and Whitley 1880 301 Morgan, .Newton and Noble (Part) 1880 302 Noble (Part), Ohio, Orange, Owen (Part) 1880 324 White (Part) and Whitley State of MICHIGAN

1870 692 Montcalm and Muskegon 1890 19 Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Livingston, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm and Shiawassee -- Enumerating Union Veterans of the Civil War.

State of MISSOURI

1880 686 Franklin, Gasconade (Part)

State of NEBRASKA

1870 890 Lancaster, Lincoln, Hall, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Winnebago Indian Reservation, Madison, Merrick, Johnson, L'Eau qui Court 1880 751 Jefferson (Part), Johnson, Kearney, Keith, Knox and Lancaster (Part) 1880 752 Lancaster (Part), Lincoln, Madison, Her-rick, Nance and Nemaha (Part) 1890 38 Special schedules of 11th Census enumerating Union Veterans and widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Counties of: Cass, Douglas, Gage, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Sarpy, and Saunders.

State of NEW JERSEY

1830 82 Morris, Sussex, and Warren 1830 464 Sussex 1890 41 Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren – Enumerating Union Veterans of the Civil War.

(WP8, p.54) Year Roll No. Counties

State of NEW YORK

1810 29 Montgomery, Niagara and Orange 1830 113 Orange 1850 486 Chemung 1870 914 Chemung (Part) 1870 915 Chemung (Part) 1890 54 Allegheny, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins - Enumerating Union Veterans of the Civil War.

State of OHIO

1820 87 Ashtabula, Butler, Fairfield, Hamilton, and Warren 1820 93 Harrison and Wayne 1820 94 Licking, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Sandusky, Stark and Union 1820 95 Perry, Portage, Preble, Scioto, Shelby, Tuscarawas, Washington. State Recapitulation 1830 140 Sandusky, Shelby, Scioto, Seneca, Stark 1850 730 Stark (Part) 1850 731 Stark (Part) 1850 713 Montgomery (Part) 1850 714 Montgomery (Part) 1890 74 Enumerating Union Veterans and widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Counties of: Ashtabula, Carroll, Columbiana, Geauga, Jefferson, Lake, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Tuscarawas

State of PENNSYLVANIA

1850 825 Pike and Potter 1850 751 Bedford 1860 258 Pha, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, and Schuylkill (Part) 1870 1446 Pike and Potter 1890 85 Bradford, Cameron, Center, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan and Tioga (Special Schedules enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War.)

Note: Mrs. Kildow has also acquired microfilm copies of the census of the German-Russian people living in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the winter of 1915-14 (only those living in the "North" and "South Bottoms") as compiled by Hattie Plum Williams.

(WP8, p.55) GENEALOGICAL RECORDS OF BESSARABIA AT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Below are listed some very worthwhile genealogical records found at the Genealogical Society, Salt Lake City, or at any of its branch libraries located, throughout the world. These records may be obtained by calling the Genealogical Society libraries and ordering them by merely giving the call numbers which follow in parentheses the village name on the first line of each entry. You will be asked for a very small rental fee for the use of these microfilm records. Generally these records are written in long hand and in a foreign language. If you are not certain whether or not your city has a branch library of the Genealogical Society, it would be advisable to contact the Latter-Day Saints Church in your area. Without a doubt, much added information can be received by the use of these microfilm records.

Albota (8440 F Bessarabia A1 Pts. 1-2) Evangelical Lutheran Church Records of Albota, (Kr. Kahul), Bessarabia, from 1893-1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April, May & June 1949. Part 1: Albota Births 1909-1940, Family Group Recs, 1893-1939 & Confirmations 1913-1940 331 Exp. .Part 2: Unter-Albota - Family Group Recs. 1940. 57 Exp.

Alexanderfeld (8441 F Bessarabia A2) Evangelical Lutheran Church of Alexanderfeld, Bessarabia. Births & Deaths 1909-1934. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 168 Exp.

Altelft (8442 F Bessarabia A5) Births of the Evang. Luth, Church of Altelft, Bessarabia, from 1841-1842, Family Group Recs. (& of Katzbach) 1841-1860. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April and May 1949. Handwritten. 252 Exp.

Andrejewka (8445 F Bessarabia A4) Births of the Evang. Luth. Church of Andrejewka, Bessarabia, from 1892-1912, & Deaths 1913- 1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, May & June 1949. Handwritten. 125 Exp.

Arcis (8444 F Bessarabia A5) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Arcis (Arzis), Bessarabia, from 1841-1880. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. 606 Exp.

Beresina (8445 F Bessarabia B1 Pts. 1-5) Evang. Luth. Church Records of Bereaina, (Kr. Oetatea-Alba), Bessarabia, from 1854-1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Family Group Eecs. 1834, 1958, 408 Exp, Part 2: Family Group Bees. 1940, ?61 Exp. Part 5: Family Group Reos. 1940, 599 Exp.

Borodino (8446 F Bessarabia B2) Deaths of the Evang. Luth. Church of Borodino, Bessarabia, from 1817-1835, 1847-1872. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. 216 Exp. Brienne (8447 F Bessarabia B3) Births & Deaths of the Evang. Luth. Church of Brienne, Bessarabia, from 1840-1872 & family Group Recs. 1841-1880. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. 499 Exp.

Alt Fere-Champenoise (8449 F Bessarabia F1 Pt.1) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Fere-Champenoise & Environs, Bessarabia, (incl. Paris, Dennewitz, Friedensthal, Katzbach, Plotzk & Neu Sarata), from 1837-1937. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April, May & June 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Fere-Champenoise etc. - Marriages 1892- 1937, Births & Deaths 1837-1841, 415 Exp. Indexed.

(WP8, p.56) Alt Fere-Champenoise, Card 2 (8449 F Bessarabia F1) Part 2, Alt & Neu Fere-Champenoise, etc. - Confirmations 1865-1891 & Family Group Recs. 1861-1880. 268 Exp. Dennewitz (8449 F Bessarabia F1 Pt.1) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Fere-Champenoise & Environs, Bessarabia, (incl. Paris, Dennewitz, Friedensthal, Katzbach, Plotzk & Neu Sarata), from 1837-1937. Filmed, by G.S., Berlin, April, Kay & June 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Fere-Champenoise, etc. - Marriages 1892-1937, Births & Deaths 1837-1841, 415 Exp. Indexed. Dennewitz, Card 2 (8449 F Bessarabia F1) Part 2, Alt & Neu Fere-Champenoise, etc. - Confirmations 1865-1891 & Family Group Recs. 1861-1880. 268 Exp.

Friedenfeld (8451 F Bessarabia F2) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Friendenfeld, Bessarabia, from 1901-1915. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 194 Exp. Friedenthal (8451 F Bessarabia F3) Births of the Evang. Luth. Church of Friedensthal, Bessarabia, from 1850-1854 & Family Group Records 1847, 1861-1880. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April, May & June 1949. Handwritten. 332 Exp.

Gnadenthal (8453 F Bessarabia G1 Pts.1-2) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Gnadenthal, Bessarabia, from 1857-1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1940. Handwritten. Part 1: Deaths 1857-1891 & Family Group Recs. 1861-1880, 1939. 411 Exp. Part 2: Family Group Recs. 1881-1900, 1940. 312 Exp.

Hoffnungsthal (8453 F Bessarabia H1) Family Group Recs. of the Evang. Luth. Church of Hoffnungsthal, Bessarabia, 1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, May 1949. Handwritten. 370 Exp. Jakobstal (8454 F Bessarabia J1) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Jakobstal, Bessarabia, 1939. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 133 Exp. Katzbach (8455 F Bessarabia K1) Deaths of the Evang. Luth. Church of Katzbach, Bessarabia, from 1821-1899. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 160 Exp. Kischineff (8456 F Bessarabia K2 Pts.1-2) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Kischineff, Bessarabia, from 1835-1939. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Marriages 1911-1912, 1920-1925, Births & Baptisms 1835-1869. 446 Exp. Part 2: Marriages 1921, 1933-1939, Communions 1923-1930 & Deaths 1920-1929. 885 Exp.

Kloestitz (8457 F Bessarabia K3 Pts.1-4) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Kloestitz, Bessarabia, from 1830-1909. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April, May & June 1949, Handwritten. Part 1: Marriages 1854-1880. 524 Exp. Part 2: Marriages 1881-1889, 1903-1909. 446 Exp. Part 3: Marriages 1922-1925, Deaths 1830-1842, & Family Group Recs. 1847. 617 Exp. Part 4: Family Group Recs. 1908. 355 Exp.

Kulm (8458 F Bessarabia K4) Births of the Evang. Luth. Church of Kulm, Bessarabia, from 1848-1863 & Family Group Recs. 1861-1880. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & June 1949. Handwritten. 339 Exp.

(WP8, p.57) Lichtenthal (8459 F Bessarabia L1 Pts.1-3) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Lichtenthal, Bessarabia, from 1839-1939. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Births 1839-1897 & Family Group Recs. 1841, 1861- 1880. 477 Exp. Indexed. Part 2: Family Group Recs. 1881-1900, 1939. 614 Exp. Part 3: Family Group Recs. 1939 & Deaths, 1916-1924. 170 Exp.

Leipzig (8460 F Bessarabia L2) Family Group Recs. of the Evang. Luth. Church of Leipzig, Bessarabia, from 1861-1880, 1900. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. 585 Exp. Malojaroslawetz (8461 F Bessarabia M1 pts.1-4) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Malojaroslawetz (Alt Postal), Bessarabia, from 1821-1939. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Part 1: Baptisms 1865-1872 & Births 1901-1909. 149 Exp. Part 2: Family Group Recs. abt. 1821-1938, 214 Exp. Part 3: Family Group Recs. 1910. 561 Exp. Part 4: Family Group Recs. 1848. 185 Exp.

Mariewka (8462 F Bessarabia M2) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Mariewka, Bessarabia, 1959. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, May 1949. Handwritten. 127 Bxp. Mathildendorf (8463 F Bessarabia M3) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Mathildendorf, Bessarabia, 1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, June 1949. Handwritten. 121 Exp.

Neu Borodino (8464 F Bessarabia N1) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Neu Borodino (Kr. Bender) Bessarabia, 1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, June 1949. Handwritten. 71 Exp. Neufall (8465 F Bessarabia N2) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Neufall, Bessarabia, 1859. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 65 Exp.

Paris (8466 F Bessarabia P1) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Paris, Bessarabia, 1891. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 478 Exp. Pawlowka (8467 F Bessarabia P2) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Pawlowka, Bessarabia, 1959. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten. 49 Exp, Plotzk (8468 F Bessarabia P3) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Plotzk, Bessarabia, from 1884-1905. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, May 1949. Handwritten. 43 Exp.

Sarata (8469 F Bessarabia S1 Pts.1-3) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Sarata, Bessarabia, from 1822-1939. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April, May & June 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Births 1822-1855. 1857-1878. Marriages 1834-1855, & Deaths 1822-1856. 471 Exp. Part 2: Deaths 1857-1889, Confirmations 1834-1856, Family Group Recs. 1834, & Membership Certificates of Settlers of Wuerttemberg 1830-1831. 1024 Exp. Part 5: Family Group Recs. 1834, 1861-1900, 1939. 557 Exp.

Schabo Possad (8470 F Bessarabia S2) Family Group Recs. of the Evang. Luth. Church of Schabo Possad (Kr. Cetatea-Alba), Bessarabia, 1939. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April 1949. Handwritten, 53 Exp.

(WP8, p.58) Strassburg (8471 F Bessarabia S3) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Strassburg, Bessarabia, 1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, May 1949. Handwritten. 49 Exp.

Tariverde (8472 F Bessarabia T1) Births & Deaths of the Evang. Luth. Church of Tariverde, Bessarabia, from 1879-1890 & Confirmations 1938-1940. filmed by G.S., Berlin, May 1949. Handwritten. 58 Exp.

Tarutino (8473 F Bessarabia T2 Pts.1-2) Evang. Luth. Church Recs. of Tarutino & Environs (incl. Kulm, Leipzig, & Malojaroslawetz), Bessarabia, from 1824-1940. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April, May & June 1949. Handwritten. Part 1: Births & Deaths 1824-1843 & Baptisms 1844-1852. 259 Exp. Part 2: Banns 1855-1864, Marriages 1855-1864, 1892-1895, & Deaths 1850-1851. 429 Exp.

Tarutino, card2 (8473 F Bessarabia T2 Pts.3-4) Part 3: Deaths 1851-1872 & Family Group Recs. 1861-1880. 426 Exp. Indexed. Part 4: Family Group Recs. 1939-1940. 350 Exp.

Teplitz (8474 F Bessarabia T3) Family Group Records of the Evang. Luth. Church of Teplitz, Bessarabia, from 1841-1860, 1931- 1935. Filmed by G.S., Berlin, April & May 1949. Handwritten. 330 Exp.

RUSSIAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE Roseann Stroh Warren A birth certificate presents proof of birth for someone, somewhere, and is of legal as well as sentimental value. This is true for someone who left Russia many years ago. Upon reading a suggestion to try the Embassy for regular civil records from foreign countries for genealogy records, I wrote the American Embassy, Moscow Division, for the birth certificates of a great grandfather and a grandmother. Both requests were returned marked "no record available." But in an address by Genadii A. Belov, Director General of Archives, Moscow, titled Record Preservation in the USSR, given at the World Conference on Records and Genealogical Seminar in Salt Lake City in 1969, he mentioned that the USSR was doing many things to preserve documents and records. Having learned that the Soviets frown upon checking members of one's family who have been dead for years, it occurred to me that the Soviets may furnish something if I were to send an application for a living person. I did this for my father, who was born in Frank, Russia, in 1905, stating a birth certificate was needed to obtain social security benefits from the U.S. government. Six months later a certificate and letter were received. The birth certificate was in Russian and the date of birth differed because Russia was using the old calendar at the time. We now know that the Frank area has existing records - at least for 1905. I have been told that the Genealogical Society at Salt Lake City hopes to microfilm records of this type in the Soviet Union. To obtain the birth certificate, I wrote to the United States of America Consul, American Embassy, Moscow; Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20521, asking for an application. Upon receipt of the application, I completed it and returned it to the Embassy with a money order for $1.67. A wait of six months followed before the certificate was received. (WP8, p.59) CAN YOU HELP?

Queries are accepted from members for publication at a charge of 5 cents per word. The Genealogy Committee reserves the right to edit. Include at least one date and one location. Answers should be directed to the inquirer, but it is suggested that copies of unusual problems solved should be sent to the Committee also, to be published for the benefit of others. Remember, long and involved queries loose their effectiveness. Be specific. For abbreviation key, please see Page 62 of Work Paper No. 7. An asterisk before the surname indicates that the query is appearing for the first time in the work paper.

* HOPPE Seek info re HOPPE bros Christian, b 1888, and Johannes, b 1890. Both left Reinwald, Rss, 1906 for Chicago, Illinois. - Richard Guthmiller; Medina, North Dakota 58467.

Wish data re FAST and VOTH fam. Left Gnadentau, Rss, abt 3 Jul 1874, for Henderson, Nebr. * FAST - Mary De Busk Voth, 5644 S. Waterbury Rd.; Des Moines, Iowa 50312. * VOTH Want info re my p GRASSMICK, Heinrich, b Balzer, Rss, mar BOEKEL, Marie, b Kutter, Rss, * GRASSMICK came to Saginaw, Mich, 1913 with 3 ch - Minna, Pauline, Victor. Like hear from Heinrich's sis * BOCKEL mar KNAUB of Billings, Mont. - Mrs. R. A. Mueller; 1042 Campbell; Saginaw, Mich. 48601. * KNAUB Need info abt anc of STRICTER, Henry, b 9 Aug 1900, Erienbach, Rss, mar ZIEGLER, Anna, * STRICKER b 22 Mar 1902, Rosenberg, Rss. - Mrs. Karen Spilman; 7915 Pala St.; San Diego, California * ZIEGLER 92114.

Will xch info on desc of WILHELM, Joan Phillip, b 1854(?), mar his cousin NAZARENUS, * WILHELM Katherine. Both b Pobotschnaja, Rss, and bur Greeley, Colo. His F, Conrad, owned flour mill * NAZARENUS near Pobotschnaja. Mrs. Hazel E. Shaw; Box 26; Toquerville, Utah 84774.

Am preparing genealogical index for Mclntosh County (Ashley), N. Dak., and McPherson N. DAKOTA County (Eureka), S. Dak. Desire unpublished data on fam living or having lived there. Will S. DAKOTA xch. " Kermit B. Karns; 5329 N. Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri 64188.

Will xch info on KISTER fam of Walter and Frank, Rss. " Jann Kugler; 1506 S. Van Dyke * KISTER Way; Lakewood, Colorado 80228.

* SPIES Seek info abt SPIES fam of Engels, Rss, and BRUNGARDT fam from Kuybyshev, Rss. - John. * BRUNGARDT Spies; 15410 White Ave.; Grand View, Mo. 64030.

* WEBER Invite corresp re GGP WEBER, Johannes, mar GABEL (Goebel), Catherine, who left Messer * GABEL (?), Rss 1891 for Durham, Marion County, Kans. In Aug 1895 moved, to Fresno, Calif. Ch * GOEBEL were Mary b 1889 in Messer, Bertha b 1893 in Kans, Anna Catherine b 1895 enroute Fresno, John Wm b ? in Fresno. WEBER, Johannes, had siblings Henry in Mont, Jacob and Casper

(Kaspar) in Okla. GABEL, Catherine had bro Jacob in Fresno. - Beverly J. Burres; 2923 N.

Walters; Fresno, Calif. 93703.

BUTHERUS VOIDT Would like to hear from Lincoln, Nebr rel of BUTHERUS, Conrad, and Magdalena nee VOIDT. – Mrs. Geo. W. Collins; 51 Natches St.; Walla Walla, Washington 99362 (Ruth Butherus Collins). PETERSON WULF HIASEL KLEIM Will xch info re PETERSON, WULF, SOMMERS, KLEIM fam of Dinkle, Rss; GLEIM fam of GLEIM Gnadenflur and HIASEL fam of Hoffendahl. All from Volga region. - Irene Boam; 1921 W. SOMMERS Andrews; Fresno, Calif. 93705.

METZGER BITZ Will xch info on METZGER, BITZ, SCHAFFNER fam of Odessa, Rss area. METZGER fam SCHAFFNER came to U.S. and settled in Kans abt 1886. - Mrs. Donna Metzger; Route #2, Box 141; Orland, California 95963.

FAHRENBRUCH Want info on FAHRENBRUCH fam of Frank and Walter, Rss. H. R. Fahrenbruch; 128 Lugar

de Oro; Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

(WP8, p.60) KLEIN Desire info re GGP from Frank, Rss, KLEIN, Henry, mar HORST, Katherine, came HORST to U.S. abt 1888, GOTTMANN (Gettman), Henry, mar WAGNER, Magdalina, to GETTMAN U.S. 1891; WAGNER, Conrad, mar BAUER, Barbara, to U.S. 1890's (?). -Jeanene L. GOTTMANN Klein Euchus; 2574 Marion Avenue; Yuma, Arizona 85364. WAGNER BAUER

BREHM Info on p of BREHM, John, b 4 June 1888 in Brunnental, Rss; mar 1908 in KINSFATHER Brunnental; KINSFATHER, Elizabeth; came to U.S. 1924, accompanied by his bro Alex. In 1924, 2 other "bros, Villiani lived in Denver, Colorado, and. Henry in Nebraska. KAISER Info on p of KAISER, William, b 28 Aug 1862, Donnhof, Rss, d 25 Nov 1955, BECKER Windsor, Colo; 2nd mar BECKER, Eva Katherine, b 28 Nov 1856, d 4 July 1940,

Windsor, Colo. Who was his first wife? Who were his p? How many bros and sis are

there? - Mrs. Robert W. Haslam, Route #1, Box 70-A; Jerome, Idaho 83338. HOHNSTEIN KILDAU/OW WIRT/WERTH HAHN Will xch info on HOHNSTEIN, KILDAU-KILDOW fam from Norka, Rss; WIRT (WERTH), GIEBELHAUS HAHN, GIEBELHAUS fam believed to be from Norka. Desire info abt WEIMEISTER WEIMEISTER (WYMASTER), George, b 4 Feb 1852, Saratow, Rss, mar BANGERT, Elizabeth, from Dittel, WYMASTER Rss. From where in Ger and when did these fam arrive in Rss? In U.S.? - Mrs. Alex Kildow; Route #5, Omaha, Nebraska 68123. BANGERT

LEGLER LECHLER Wish to corresp with anyone who might have info re following fam from Doennhof (Donnhof), BECHTHOLD Rss, (Bergseite of Volga): LEGLER (Lechler), BECHTHOLD (Bechtholdt), ERBES, and BECHTHOLDT HERGENRADER (Hergenroeter or Hergenrader). Much to xch. - Phil B. Legler; c/o Windsor ERBES Gardens, Apt. 7-A; 680 South Alton Way; Denver, Colorado 80231. HERGENRADER HERGENROETER HERGENRADER

WEBER Info on WEBER, SPAETH, GRASSMICK, HEIMBOUCH fam from around Balzer, Rss, esp SPAETH WEBER, John; SPAETH, Katharina, d 1883; GRASSMICK, Wilhelm; HEIMBOUCH, GRASSMICK Elizabeth, b 1830. - Mrs. Gale Weber, 24.9 Mohawk Avenue; Rexburg, Idaho 83440. HEIMBOUCH

PROPP Will xch info on PROPP fam of Hussenbach, Rss. Richard Propp; Box 1254; Nipawan, Sask., Canada *STARCK *STARK *MUELLER Want info re STARCK (Stark) fam of Anton and Alexanderdorf, Rss; MUELLER from Stohl; *RIEDEL RIEDEL (Ruedel) from Beideck; RETCHER from Anton. Will xch. Mrs. Floyd. (Starck) *RUEDEL Buehler; 12186 Texas Drive; Lakewood, Colorado 80228. *RETCHER

Phil B. Legler

(WP8, p.61) SURNAME EXCHANGE

The surname exchange is published, as an aid to those wishing to contact and exchange information with others researching a similar surname. HOW TO USE THE SURNAME INDEX: SECTION I of the SURNAME INDEX lists the surnames upon which researchers listed in SECTION II are working. SECTION II contains the names and. addresses of the researchers of the surnames listed in SECTION I. Look up the family name, or names, on which you are working in Section I. Note the lettered numbers following each surname. These are the keys to the names and addresses of those in Section II who are working on these family names. By way of illustration, let us check the surname of SCHMICK. Under Section I, we find the following entry: SCHMICK - S2, S3. Upon checking Section II, we find two of our members doing research, or are interested in this surname, namely, Mr. Richard. D. Scheuerman of Route 1, Endicott, Washington 99125, and Mrs. Raynold A. Schmick, 918 Thurman, Saginaw, Michigan 48602. A major aid of genealogy research can now be started by the exchange of information by these two researchers through correspondence.

Good luck in tracing your ancestory!

SECTION I ADLER – H3 BREHM - H2 EHRKANTRAUT - M5 ALDINGER - K5 BRENING – W3 EICHELBERG – K5 BRUNGARDT - S8 EICHELE (Aichele) - K5 ALTENHOF - Al BRUNNER – K3 EISELE - J2 AMEN - G2, Sl, W10 BUCHOLZ - R2 EISENACH – L1 AMEND - E3 BUESSIER - J2 ELLS – E3 APPLEHAN - H6 BURKHART - S19 ENGEL – K5 BUTHERUS - C1 ERBES - L2 ARMBRUST – C3 BUXMAN - E4 ESSIG - El AXT – K5 BYERS - S19 FAHRENBRUCH - Fl CHRISTMANN - N1 FALKENSTEIN - H6, S12 BAEZ (Sp ?) – V1 CLARK - S19 FAST - V2 BANGERT - K2 CONRAD - H8 FAUST - D4 BARBEL - H6 FEENEY - W10 BARTELS - S19 DAMSEN (Domson) - Dl, D4 FINK – K5, R5 . BASTRON - W2 DAESCHLE - K5 FISCHER - El BAUDER - H4, W6 DAUNHAUER – C3 FLEMMER - J2, S14 BAUER - D4, E2, H6, S12, S19 DEBOCK – Sl7 FRANTZ - W8 FRASER - S19 BAUSER - S19 DEGENHART - H6 FRIES - W8 BECHLER (Beckler) - H8 DEGENSTEIN – V1 BECHTHOLD (Bechtholdt) - L2 FRITZLER – K3, Sl DENGLER - H4 FYE - Gl BECK – M3, N1 DESCHES - H6 BECKER – D4, H2 DIEGEL - S4 GABEL - B8 BEISEL - Bl DIEL - D2 GAMLOFSKI - H8 BELLINDER - H8 DIPPEL - S2 GANJI – V1 BENDER – D3,El, M3, M7,Sl9,Wl0 DISTEL - H6. S12 GASSMAN - H5 BERATZ - W2 DITLER - H8 GAUPP – K5 BERGER – C3 DOCKTER - K5 GEARHART - K4 GEIST - K5 BERNDT - R2 DOELL - Wl GERLOCK - Gl BESSLER – M7 DOEMSKY - S19 BETZ - B2 GERRINGER - Sl DOERING - HI GETTMAN - E2, G2 BIEBER - K5 DOSS - D4 GIBBELHAUS - K2 BITTER - B6 DOTZLAF - B4 GIES - F2 BITTERMAN – G1 DYCK – B5 GIESS - W9 BITZ – M4 GINGER - J2, K5 BOECKEL - M8 EBERHARDT - K5 GLANTZ – E3 BOLLINGER - K5 EBINGER - W9 GLEIM - B5, K4 BORGENS - W2 EHAUST - G4 (Echaus, BOSCHEE - H4 Echoltz) BOSTRON - W10 BOETTINGER – K5 BRAMER - S13

(WP8, p.62) GOEBEL - B8, G3, K5 ILS HILL - F2 LESSLE - S14 GOERNDT - W10 LETT (Lilt) - W2 GOETTE (Getty) - H8 JACKSON - S19 LIEBERT - K5 GRABER – J1 JESSER – M3 LINGER - G5 GRAF – W7 JONAS - K5 LIPPERT - B4, K5 GRAFF - K5 JOPP (Job) - K5 LITZENBERGER - S2 GRAMENSKE – W7 LUCAS - D4 GRASSMICK - M8, W4 LUFT - S2 GREILIG – W3 KAEBERLEIN - H6 GRIENWALD – L3 KAHLER (SP ?) - K4 MADER - H6 GROSKOPF - W10 KAISER - H2 MAHLER - M6 GROSS - K5 KAMMERER – K5 MAJOR - Bl GUTH - G4 KAMMERZELL - Wl, W10 MARQUARDT - Ml KANZLER - S6 MATTHIAS - K5 HABERER – M7 KARLLA – W3 HABERLACK – P1 MATZA - H6 KAUFMAN - Jl MAURER - H6 HAHN - K2 KAUL - K5 HALL - J2 MAYER – M3 KAUTZ - S14 HANNELD – H1 MEHLHAF - El HANSHU - D4 KEILLMANN - E5 MEHLHAFF - M2 HARDER - W10 KELLER - H5, R2 HEIDINGEE – R3 HARTLAND - S19 KESSLER – G3 MEINTZER - M6 HAUCK (Sp ?) - Tl KIESZ - K5 MERKEL – M3 HAUER - B4 KILBER - W9 MELSON - S19 HAUSH - D5 KILDAU-KILDOW - K2 MERZ (Mertz) - S9 HAZELBACK – E3 KINSFATHER - H2 METZGER - M4 HEIDT (Sp ?) - Tl KINZEL - S10 HEIGHT (Sp ?) - Tl MEUCHEL - C5 KISEAU – M7 MEYER - C2 HEIMBOUCH - W4 KISNER - H8 HEIN - V10 MILLER - Bl, M7, W10 KISSER - W10 HEINZE - Bl MOHR (Sp ?) - K4 HELBERT - H6 KISTER - K6 MOOS - M5 HELM - K5 KLASS - C2 MORAST - W9 HELMUTH - K4 KLEIM - B5, K5 MOTZ – M7 HELZER – E3 KLEIN - B5, E2, K5 MUELLER – B9, J2 HENDERSON " W10 KLING – S11 MUHL - C5 HEPPERLE – H5 KNAUB - M8 HERGENRADER - L2 KNITTEL - K5 NAGEL - W10 (Hergenroetber) KOCH - D5, S6 NAZARENUS - S15 HERTER - K5 KOLB " Dl, D4, S14 NEIDERHAUS (Neiderhouse) D5 HETTINGER - S19 KOELN - B4 NERZ - K5 HEUSEL - K5 KONRAD - K5 NEUMILLER - N1 HEYD – M3 NIELMEIER - K4 KOTH - R2 HIASEL – B3 NIELSEN - K4 HIEB - K5 KRAENTZLER (Kraenzler) - K5 NUSSBERGER – M7 HILL – E3 KRAFT - D4 HILLE – H1 KRAIN (Krein) - K5 OBLANDER - D4 HINTZ - A2 KRAUS (Krause) - R4, S2 OHLHAUSER - O1 HOCK (Sp ?) - Tl KREIGER - W10 OPP - M5 HOERNER - C5 KRELL - K4 HOFF - W10 KRIEGER - W5 PATERSONT - W10 HOFFERBER – H7 KRUSE - D4 PECK - S19 HOEGELE (Hagel) – V1 PERMANN - W6 KUHA – C3 HOHNSTEIN - K2, Sl6 PETERSON – B3 HOLSTEIN - S15 KUNTZ – P1 PFAFF - S10 HOLZMAN - H8 KURZ – M7 POPP (Pope) – L3 HOLZMEISTER - H6, H8 PROCHNAU - B4 HOPPE - C2, G5 LAEMMLE - K5 , PROPP - P2 HORG - B6 LANDENBERGER – K5 HOHST - E2, H3 LANG- HI RAILLE – R3 HOYER –M5 LANGENBERGER - K5 RATH - Rl HRENCHIR - H8 LAUBHAN - D4 REHBERGER - K5 HUBER – M5 LAUER - H6, S12 REISIG - Dl, D4 HUETHER - H5 LAUX - K5 REISWIG - Wl HUMKE - S19 LEBSACK – L1 RENNER – C3 LEGLER (Lechler) - L2 RENZ - R2 LEHL - W5 LEHMAN - K4 REPP – L3 LEHR – W3 " LEOHHARDT - W10 LESSER – L3, S5

(WP8, p.63) RICHTER – E3 SCHWAKTZ - H8 WAGNER - E2, Gl, Sl5 RIEDLINGER - El SCHWARTZWAELDER - K5 WAHL - El RIEKER - Kl SCHWINDT - H6, J2, K5 WALTER - W10 RIES - Jl SEICK - W10 WALTNER - Jl RIFFEL - D4 SEIDEL - S14 WANNER - El ROLL - R4 SHELLEY - W10 WASINGER - H6 ROOK - M7 SIEGMONT - W9 WASSENMILLER – D4 ROSIN - S14 SIPPERT - M5 WEBER - B8,E4,F2,S13,W2,W8 ROSS - W2 SMITH - S16 WEDEL (Wedeln) - W8 ROESSLER - K5 SOMMERS - B5, S7 WEEDMAN – S3 ROTH - H8 SPAETH – W4 WEGNER - B4 ROZLER - B4 SPIES - S8 WEICK - W10 RUDOLPH - H8 STADEL - S9 WEINMASTER - S16 RUPPEL – S17 STAHLICKER - H4, W6 WEINMEISTER - K2 STARCK (Stark) - B9 WEISENBURGER - W9 SAILER - W9 STEIGMEYER (Stigmire)- D3 WEISGERBER – P1 SALWASSER - K4 STEINBAUER – D3 WEISS - K5 SAVAGE - W10 STEINERT - D4 WEISSMILLER - D4. SCHAEFER – C3 STEINMILLER - W10 WEITZ - S2 SCHAFER - D2 STEITZ - K4 WENKEL - R2 SCHAFFER - D2 STEWART - W10 WENZLAFF - Jl SCHAFFNER - M4 STRASHEIM - S5 WIEBE - W8 SCHARER - K4 STRAUB – H5 WIEDMAIER - El SCHAUER - K5 STRICKER - D4, Sl7 WIEDRICH - W9 SCHEIKOFSKY - B5 STROH - W2 WILDERMUTH – W7 SCHEUERMAN - S2 STUCKY - Jl WILHELM - S15 SCHILLING - H4, M7 STUMPF - S10 WILLFORD - W10 SCHLEPP - K5 STURTZ – S11 WINTER - Dl, D4 SCHLOTTHAUER - S13 WIRT (Werth) - K2 THUNK (Turn) - W6 SCHMEIDMILLER - S2 WITZIG - S19 TRAMMELL – T1 SCHMICK - S2, S3 WOHLMAN - M5 TRIPPEL – S7 SCHMIDT - S15, S16, W7, W8 WOLF - W9 TROAST – G4 SCHMIED - W9 WOLFER - R2 SCHNEIDER - D4, M6, VI WULF – B3 SCHNEITMILLER - W10 VEIL - K5 VESSEL (Wessel) – D3 YOST (Jost) - El, S19 SCHOCK - K5 YUNGBLUT (Youngblood.) - Tl SCHOENFELD - H6 VETSCH (Sp ?) - Ml SCHRAG - Jl VIET BIERWIRT - H8 ZIEGLER – S17 SCHREINER - W10 VILHAUER - M5 ZUERGIEBEL - S15 SCHROEDER - W8 VOGELE - K5 VOIDT - C1 SCHUETZLE - K5 VOTH - V2, W8 SCHULDICE - D5 SCHULTZ - J2 VOST - S19 SCHWABAUER - S19 SCHWABENLAND - D2, K4 WACKER (Walker) - S18, W2

SECTION II

A1 N. C. Altenhof, Capt., CFPO 5056 1 GAG, Belleville, Ontario, Canada A2 Jennice Abercrombie, 152 18th Ave., N.W., Great Falls, Montana 59404

B1 Paul B. Beisel, 4836 No. Battin, Wichita, Kansas 67220 B2 Larry Betz, 3446 West 30th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80211 B3 Irene Boam, 1921 W. Andrews, Fresno, California 93705 B4 Mrs. Ernest W. Brice, 3821 So. Findlay St., Seattle, Washington 98118 B5 Alice P. Bullock, 858 Woodrow Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67203 B6 Dr. Norman G. Bitter, 3727 North First, Fresno, California 93726 B7 Gladys M. Buckholz, 1265 East 30th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97405 B8 Beverly J. Burres, 2923 North Wolters, Fresno, California 93703 B9 Mrs. Floyd (Starck) Buehler, 12186 Texas Drive, Lakewood, Colorado 80228

C1 Mrs. George W. Collins, 51 Natches Street, Walla Walla, Washington 99362 C2 Cadet Glenn A. Cantu, Roosevelt Military Academy, Aledo, Illinois 61231 C3 Florence D. Christoffersen, P.O. Box 3058, San Bernardino, California 92404

(WP, p.64) Dl Andreas Damsen or Andrew Domson, 2318, Myfield. Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48602 D2 Margaret L. Diel, 4998 East Butler Avenue, Fresno, California 93727 D3 Miss Marilyn Dobmeyer, Box 322, Wolcottville, Indiana, 46795 D4 Mrs. Yvonne Domson, 2318 Myfield Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48602. D5 Janis B. Davis, 255 West 650 South,. Bountiful, Utah 84010

El Mrs. Walter Essig, Denhoff, North Dakota 58430 E2 Jeanene L. Klein Euchus, 2574 Marion Avenue, Yuma, Arizona 85364 E3 Louise C. England, 2635 Monterey Drive, Sidney, Nebraska 69162 E4 Mrs. Marie B. Evins, 200 Olive Avenue, Sp. R, Vista, California 92083 Fl H. R. Fahrenbruch, 128 Lugar de Oro, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 F2 Mrs. Kenneth C. Fritzler, 306 South Elm, P.O. Box 82, Kimball, Nebraska 69145

Gl Mrs. William F. Gerringer, Green Spring Avenue, Lutherville, Maryland 21093 G2 Daniel Gettman, Pine Tree Trailer Court, Box 42, Moses Lake, Washington 98837 G3 Eldon L. Goebel, Rebgarten 15, 6 Frankfurt, Germany G4 Katheryn Graber, 11625 9th Avenue, Anoka, Minnesota 55303 G5 Richard Guth Miller, Medina, North Dakota 58467

H1 Miss Alma E. Hanneld, 1602 West 14th Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51103 H2 Mrs. Robert W. Haslam, Route 1, Box 70-A, Jerome, Idaho 83338 H3 Alexander Horst, 3410 South G Street, Tacoma, Washington 98408 H4 Donna Hudson, Box 233, Indian Hills, Colorado 80454 H5 Mrs. Rueben Huether, 641 Park Avenue, Bickinson, North Dakota 58601 H6 Louis J. Helbert, Jr., Route 2, Box 219-B, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 H7 Donald J. Hofferber, 116 S.E. 3rd, Guymon, Oklahoma 73942 H8 Mrs. Joan (Rudolph) Hrenchir, 1718 Clay, Topeka, Kansas 66604 Jl Mrs. Peter G. Jansen, 1315 North Oliver Street, Wichita, Kansas 67208 J2 Mrs. Viola B. Jenkins, Box 20, Riverton, Utah 84065

Kl Arthur Kiesz, 4011, Aldercrest Road, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222 K2 Mrs. Alex Kildow, Route 3, Omaha, Nebraska 68123 K5 Emma Kindsfater, 1902 21st Avenue Court, Greeley, Colorado 80631 K4 JoAnn C. Kleim, P.O. Box 2042, Fresno, California 93718 K5 Ernst-Friedrich Kraentzler, 628 South Dickel Street, Anaheim, California 92805 K6 Jann Kugler, 1506 South Van Dyke Way, Lakewood, Colorado 80228

L1 J. Robert Lebsack, 4500 19th Street, #280, Boulder, Colorado 80302 L2 Phil B. Legler, c/o Windsor Gardens, Apt. 7-A, 680 So. Alton Way, Denver, Co. 80231 L5 Fred A. Lesser, 6670 S.E. Stark, Portland, Oregon 97215

Ml Lewis R. Marquardt, 445 West 8th Avenue, Webster, South Dakota 57274 M2 Arlo C. Mehlhaff, Eureka, South Dakota 57437 M3 Ross D. Merkel, Route 3, Box 153, Galt, California 95632 M4 Mrs. Donna Metzger, Route 2, Box 141, Orland, California 95965 M5 Gary E. Meyer, Box 442, Elgin, North Dakota 58533 M6 Roger B. Meinter, 612 llth Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada M7 Mrs. Edwin A. Miller, 1865 Newton Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 M8 Mrs. R. A. Mueller, 1042 Campbell, Saginaw, Michigan 48601

N1 Marilyn Neumiller, 4611 Cooper 5, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506

01 Miss Betty Ohlhauser, 4328 Brisebois Drive N.W., Calgary 48, Alberta, Canada

P1 Carl R. Pohl, Lt. Col., AUS-Ret., 1542 Sherbourne Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90035 P2 Richard Propp, Box 1254, Nipawan, Saskatchewan, Canada

Rl Rev. Theodore B. Rath, 107 Elizabeth Street, Cavalier, North Dakota 58220 R2 A. Curtis Renz, 1815 Northwestern Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010 R3 Mrs. Paul Retslaff, 308 N. 14th Street, Apt. 13, Killeen, Texas 76541 R4 Herbert W. Roll, 1110 5th Avenue South, #404, Edmonds, Washington 98020 R5 Mrs. Wilhelmine Rudoj, 3033 Fremont Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408

S1 Larry and Judy Scheuerman, Route 2, Sterling, Colorado 80751 S2 Richard D. Scheuerman, Route 1, Endicott, Washington 99125

(WP8, p.65) . S3 Mrs. Raynold A. Schmick, 918 Thurman, Saginaw, Michigan 48602 S4 Rev. Benjamin W. Schuldheisz, 904 State Street, Hood River, Oregon 97031 S5 Reta Seiffert, 2540 Randolph, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510 S6 Mrs. Lucille F. Shaffstall, 616 West Yakima Street, Pasco, Washington 99301 S7 Anna Sommers, 4504 East Balch, Fresno, California 93702 S8 John Spies, 15410 White Avenue, Grandview, Missouri 64030 S9 Emil J. Stadel, 1530 S.E. Linn Street, Boone, Iowa 50036 S10 Harvey G. Stumpf, 728 N.E. 153rd, Portland, Oregon 97230 S11 Molly Sturtz, 1532 Maine, Saginaw, Michigan 48602 S12 Irene Schimmel (Bauer), 5931 Helen, Garden City, Michigan 48135 S13 Robert E. Schlotthauer, 5562 North Maroa, Fresno, California 93704 S14 Elinor L. Seidel, 510 10th West, Lemmon, South Dakota 57638 S15 Mrs. Hazel E. Shaw, Box 26, Toquerville, Utah 84774 S16 Edith M. Smith, P.O. Box 536, Talmage, California 95481 S17 Mrs. Karen Spilman, 7915 Pala Street, San Diego, California 92114 S18 Mrs. Bill Svoboda (Kathleen Schreiber), 840 Olive, Hebron, Nebraska 68370 S19 Mrs. Richard A. (June) Schwabauer, 1100 S.E. Waverley Drive, Portland, Ore. 97222

Tl Mrs. Justine Trammell, 410 South Troost, Olathe, Kansas 66061

V1 Mrs. Ida A. Van Natta, 3041 37th Avenue West, Seattle, Washington 98199 V2 Mary D. Voth, 5644 South Waterbury Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50312

Wl Edna Wagner, 108 North Tyler, Pierre, South Dakota 57501 W2 Mrs. Gerda S. Walker, 1840 South Utica Street, Denver, Colorado 80219 W3 Mrs. Roseann S. Warren, 546 Sparta, Helena, Montana 59601 W4 Mrs. Gale Weber, 249 Mohawk Avenue, Rexburg, Idaho 83440 W5 Eugene J. Wegener, 1003 Mercer, Boise, Idaho 83703 W6 Mrs. Adeline M. Weston, 7537 Circle Parkway, Sacramento, California 95823 W7 Herman S. Wildermuth, 7487 Bannock Trail, Yucca Valley, California 92284 W8 Raymond F. Wiebe, 510 East First Street, Hillsboro, Kansas 67063 W9 Donald A. Wolf, 18122 Via Encantada, Monte Sereno, California 95030 W10 Mrs. Marilyn Wright, 1087 East Minnehaha, St. Paul, Minnesota 55106

Phil B. Legler c/o Windsor Gardens, Apt. 7-A 680 South Alton Way Denver, Colorado 80231

Please mail all of your queries to be published under "Can You Help?" and your additions to the "Surname Exchange" to Mr. Legler at the above address. The rate for publishing queries is 5 cents per word. (Do not count your name and complete address.) Make checks payable to AHSGR and mail with your query to Mr. Legler.

(WP8, p.66)

This is the last page of Work Paper 8.