JOURNAL Of the American Historical Society of from Russia

Vol. 1, No. 2 Fall 1978 TABLE OF CONTENTS Tenth Anniversary Convention June 20-25, 1978 Lincoln, Nebraska MEET AHSGR'S PRESIDENT ...... i

THE COVER STORY ...... ii NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ADDRESSES Keynote Address: The First Decade - For AHSGR It is Only The Beginning Ruth M. Amen ...... 1 The Present Condition of the Russian Germans and the Problems of the Returnees Dr. KarlStumpp Translated by Emma S. Haynes...... A GENEALOGY SESSIONS Researching the First People Who Came to America From Our Ancestral Village Pauline and Norman Dudek...... 9 Who Is Writing Your Family History Gerda S. Walker...... 16 The Consulting Workshop ...... 16 Naturalization Records in Genealogical Research Gerda S. Walker...... 20 FOLKLORE SESSIONS Dialects, Dimensions, Folk Music and Proverbs: Folklore at the 1978 Convention Timothy J. Kloberdanz ...... 26 German Proverbs, Folk Expressions, and Jingles from the Colony of Dreispitz Mary Koch ...... 28 FOLK FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWDS A Picture Story ...... 33 GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AMERICA ...... 36 INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GERMANS FROM RUSSIA Mrs. Theodore E. Heinz...... 38

THE OFFICIAL CONVENTION PICTURES ...... 40 THROUGH THE YEARS WITH GERMANS FROM RUSSIA A history in dialogue and song ...... 42 EVERYTHING WAS SPECIAL FOR THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY A Picture Story ...... 46 MEET OUR AUTHORS ...... 48 (Continued on inside back cover)

Published by American Historical Society of Germans from Russia 631 D Street . Lincoln, Nebraska 68502 Editor for this issue: Ruth M. Amen © Copyright 1978 by the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. All rights reserved. AHSGR GOES TO THE GREAT NORTHWEST for the Tenth International Convention Sea-Tac Motor Inn Seattle, Washington June 26,-July 1,1979 Plan now to attend.

82 S141 Mrs. Helen Stone, 1380 C Spear Ave., Arcata, CA 95521 (CLUES Correction) 5149 Edmund G. Schafer, RR 2, White, SD 57276 5150 Mrs. Cheryl (Flohr) Schaneman, Box 62, Melbeta, NE 69355 S 151 Henry & Sandra Kay (Hill) Schmidt, 1024 New Hampshire, Lincoln, NE 68508 5152 Charles & Katherine (Damm) Stiverson, 3832 Everett, Lincoln, NE 68506 5153 Donald Schimpf, 472 Westview Ten-., Arlington, TX 76013 Sl 54 Mrs. Sheila M. Saxelby, 4682 N. Callisch, Fresno, CA 93726 5155 Michael J. Schrant, 501 N. Madison, Ellis, KS 67637 5156 Victor Sokolowsky, 2551 Fir Ave., Bremerton, WA 98310 5157 Will Schuh, P.O. Box 30082, Billings, MT 59107 Sl 58 Mrs. Susan (Rauh) Switzer, 790 Lemon Ave., Vista, CA 92083 5159 Mrs. Lucille (Luckenbach) Shaffstall, 12233 3rd SW, Seattle, WA 98146 5160 Mrs. Phyllis M. Stewart, 2435 Galway Dr., Davison, MI 48423 Sl 61 Mrs. Edna (Pandrich/Ketterling) Schmunk, 5905 NE 18th Ave. Portland, OR 97211 (Replaces K62- Edna (Fandrich) Ketterling)

T16 Miss Bunnie Timmons, P.O. Box 252, Montrose, MN 55363 (Address Change) T17 Mrs. Linda Thompson, 8915 S.E. Colvos, Olalla, WA 98359

U3 Erwin Ulmer, 2210 West Q, Apt. 2, Lincoln, NE 68528 U6 Miss Florence Uhrich, Rt. 3, Box 203, Wood River, NE 68883

VI 1 Mrs. Irene (Salway) Van Dyke, P.O. Box 978, Crescent City, CA 95531

W3 Mrs. Roseann (Stroh) Warren, 3 Aguila Ct., Box 1000 East Helena, MT 59635 (Address Change) W37 Samuel A. Walter, 807 N. El Dorado St., Apt. 301, Stockton, CA 95202 (Address Correction) W60 Mrs. Beulah (Dufloth) White, Box 42 A. Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871 (Address Change) W87 Ms. Anna Marie Weber, 3728 South 52 #1, Lincoln, NE 68506 W88 Mrs. Edith (Schenk) Wright, 11210 So. 2820 West, South Jordan, UT 84065 W89 Frederick Worster, 1249 So. 48th St., Lincoln, NE 68510 W90 Immanuel & Johanna (Henke) Weiss, RR 4, Decorah, IA 52101 W91 Mrs. Lorraine (Engel) Werner, 3709 No. Orchard, Tacoma, WA 98407 W92 Mrs. Grace (Dumler) Wilkerson, 1720 N. Maple St., Russell, KS 67665 W93 Bill Waltz, 970 Meadow Oaks Lane, Auburn, CA 95603 W94 David K. Wittman, 1935 Burlington, Billings, MT 59102 W95 Mrs. Mary (Geier) Wunder, 1136;Claremont, Lincoln, NE 68508 W96 Roy and Jean (Frank) Williams, 1820 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT 59102 W97 Prof. Hugh Winter, Box 14812, Albuquerque, NM 87191 Y9 Car] R. Yost, 718 E. Hillcrest, Lincoln, NE 68510 Y10 Mrs. Barbara A. Yerich, 4512 Garfield Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55409

Z5 Dennis Zitterkopf, %Ben Zitterkopf, 433 East D., Kingman KS 67068 (Address Change) Z13 Mrs. Lillian (Steier) Zuck, 1166 Reynolds St., Regina, SASK., Canada S4N 3M2 Z14 David & Nancy (Hill) Zimmerer, RR 1, Lingle, WY 82223 Z15 Alma E. Zechmeister, 315 Olive Ct., Lodi, CA 95240

81 K69 Mrs. Renee J. (Balliet) Kmnear, 14535 27th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98155 K70 Arnold C. Koch, 3964 Mt. Everest Blvd., San Diego, CA 92111 K7I Sister Anna Marie Kaeberle, 111 W. Cameron, Hanford, CA 93230 K72 Raymond & Gertrude (Stading) Koch, 1103 Clark Ave., Billings, MT 59102 K73 Karl H. Kraft, 1839 Main St., Delano, CA 93215 K74 Earl E. Kraft, 440 Jeffery Dr., Lincoln, NE 68505 K75 Jacob & Lydia (Becker) Kraft, 302 3rd Ave. South, Greybull, WY 82426 K76 MissMarylyn J. Kraft, 2035 S. Josephine, Apt. 302, Denver, CO 80210 K77 Miss Christina Mollie Kaiser, 2751 South 11th St., Lincoln, NE 68502 K78 Mrs. Peggy (Weber) Koepke, 15 Lower Dr., Mill Valley, CA 94941

L9 Mrs. Barbara Lamson, 6905 Annapolis Quay, Stockton, CA 95209 (CLUES correction) L31 Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Lysinger, Jr., 17601 Lassen St., Northridge, CA 91324 (Address Change) L45 Monte W. Lung, 225 Coggins Dr., #203, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (Address Change) L53 Alvin & Helen (Scherger) Leichner, 121 SE 199th Ave., Portland, OR 97233 L54 David & Lydia (Jurk) Lorenz, 715 W. Jamison St., Flint, MI 48504 L55 Mrs. Mildred (Weitzel) LeFant, 6100 W. Mansfield #28, Denver, CO 80235 L56 Mrs. Geraldine (Obrist) Lemmon, 8301 Dellwood Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 L57 Richard L. Lenz Sr., 1111 Avon, Sheridan, WY 82801 L58 Mrs. Gloria (Emineth) Loughney, Box 532, Red Lodge, MT 59068 L59 Norman H. Lebsack, 9670 W. 63rd, Arvada, CO 80002 L60 Paul & Charlotte (Higgins) Leinweber, 3061 10th St., Boulder, CO S0302 L61 Daryl A. Lederhos, 2035 So. Mosley, Wichita, KS 67211

Ml 7 Mrs. Esther L. Miller, P.O. Box 921, Independence, KS 67301 (Address Change) M88 Thorlough F. L. Meier, 612 17th Ave., Bloomer, WI 54724 M89 Miss Brenda D. Markgraf, RR 2, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314 M9Q Mrs. Mary (Michel) Martini, 24530 Fairmount, Dearborn, MI 48124 M91 Mrs. Dorothy Ann (Sieben) McRae, 7619 88 Ave., Edmonton. Alta, Canada T6C 1K6

N15 Mrs. Christine M, Neigel. 4122 NE 79 Ave., Portland, OR 97218 (Address Correction) N30 Miss Betty E. Niederhaus, 4025 N.E. Garfield Ave.. Portland, OR 97212 N31 Reuben E. Nearing, 10711 59th Ave., Edmonton, Alta, Canada, T6H 1E8

016 Henry Oswald, 171 Rancho Villa, Walla Walla, WA 99362

P48 Donald H. Piserchio, 10405 Becker Dr. SW, Tacoma, WA 98499 P49 Mrs. Clara H. Paulette, 1800 West Gramercy #49, Anaheim, CA 92801 (Address Change) P50 John M. Pjesky, 320 East Fifth St., Halstead, KS 67056 P51 Theodore G. Potter, 306 N. Alder St., Toppenish, WA 98948 P52 Mrs. Delaine (Ruff) Preston, 109 Cascade Dr., Walla Walla, WA 99362 P53 Mrs. Rachel (Gackle) Pribbeno, 7460 Mt. Meeker Rd., Longmont, CO 80501

R13 Dr. Henry Reiff, 226 N. Granger, Granville, OH 43023 (Address Change) R54 Mrs. Karmen (Becker) Rowe, 1345 Paramount, PocatelloJD 83201 (Address Change) R64 Mrs. Irene (Kuntz) Rambow, Pineview Rt., Box 230, Sturgis, SD 57785 R65 Mrs. Rose (Frank) Robinson, 695 Walnut Ave., Eugene, OR 97404 R66 Ms. Mary Jayne Reich, 11161 Wentworth PI., Garden Grove, CA 92643 R67 Mrs. Edith (Elsasser) Reynolds, 5891 Olson Rd., Ferndale, WA 98248 R68 Mrs. Sharon (Kister) Robertson, 3463 E. Kerckhoff, Fresno, CA 93702 R69 John J. Reb, 239 Freeman, Topeka, KS 66616 R70 Gerald M. Riffel, 315 Texas, Woodward, OK 73801

S32 Dr. Arnold C. Schultz, 6948 E. Elbow Bay Drive, Tucson, AZ 85710 (Address Change) S64 Donald & Karen (Gienapp) Soeken, 15702 Tasa PI., Laurel, MD 20810 (Address Correction) SH3 Mrs. Shelly (Lish) Sorenson, 113 Terry Ct., Battle Creek, MI 49015 (Address Correction) S135 William & Wilma (Lenhart) Schmidt, Rt. 1, Box 42, Ritzville.WA 99169 (Name Correction)

80 B101 Mrs,KarenA.Brown,31 W. PennaAve., Beach Haven Crest, N.J. 08008 B102 Alex & MolHe (Stoehr) Bauer, 1400 Van Dorn St., Lincoln, NE 68502

C28 Mrs. Beatrice W. Colvin %Burlington Northern Depot, 3rd & A St. NW, Quincy, WA 98848 (Address Change) C32 Mrs. Therese (Heck) Cacek, Rt. I, St. Stephen, MN 56374 C33 Mrs. Lydia (Busch) Carrick, 809 N. 75th St., Omaha, NE 68114 C34 Mrs. Judith (Johnson) Coto, P.O. Box 424, Upton, WY 82730 C35 Mrs. Francine (Mallet) Cowie, 922 Princess Dr., Stockton, CA 95209 C36 Mrs. Joye Ann (Hepper) Christen, 414 North 35th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902 C37 Mrs. Patricia A, Qubb, 3643 Westward Ho, Eugene, OR 97401 C38 Mrs. Joan Carson, P.O. Box 217, Poulsbo, WA 98370 C39 Mrs. Sharryn (Peck) dark, 4595 So. Eagle Rd., Meridian, ID 83642

D5 Johan & Janis Davis, 46 N.W. Pheasant Ln., Lawton, OK 73501 D44 Dean Alan Deines, R. l, Box 179, Mead, NE 68041 D45 Rudolph Delzer, 3637 Perry St., Denver, CO 80212 D46 Cheri (Niederhaus) Dyer, 401 East 2nd St., Hastings, NE 68901 D47 Herman & Marie (Harris) Debus, 2819 Montego Dr., Lansing, MI 48912

E2 1 Mrs. Irmgard (Hein) Ellingson, 802 State St., Elkhorn, NE 68022 (Address Change) E28 Mrs. Lucille (Kurtz) Eirite, 11632 Bittersweet St., N.W. Coon Rapids, MN 55433 E29 Rev. Edward & Clara (Zwicker) Eslinger, 5101 Eowell Ave., Lincoln, NE 68506

Fl 2 Mr. & Mrs. Dave Fast, 3204 Ortona St., Saskatoon, Sask., Canada, S7M 3R6 (Address Change) F35 Gerhart J. Fandrich, 6940 Jellico Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406

G23 Mrs. Michael (Robin Dee) Gensburger, 2625 B Pennsylvania Ave., Great Lakes, IL 60088 (Address Change) G51 Mrs. Sharon (Leneschmidt) Granger, 117N. Ann St., Byron, MI 48148 G52 Raymond L. Gill, Box 118, Leader, Sask., Canada, SON 1HO

H30 Lewin Hartwig, 7227 Mesa Dr., Aptos. CA 95003 (Address Change) H51 Mr. & Mrs. James H. Hannay, 193 Jackson St., Coalinga, CA 93210 (Address Change) H52 Wilhelm & Rosemary Haar, Rt, 2, Box 769, Delano, CA 93215 (CLUES Correction) H55 Dale W. Hohnstein, 524 1/2 College Drive, Torrington, WY 82240 (Address Change) H60 David & Barbara (Gciger) Horn, 5992 Falling Tree Lane, Alta Loma, CA 91701 (Address Change) H86 Mrs. Elizabeth (Kahler) Hayes, 3113 So. 109th St., Omaha, NE 68144 (Additions to Section) H94 Albert & Minna (Wedmann) Hein, Rt. 1, Box 42, Canton, MN 55922 H95 Mrs. Helen (Harder) Hiebner, 9743 64 Ave., Edmonton, Alta, Canada, T6E OJ4 H96 Chas. & Mary Ann (Schwemmer) Hockenbarger, 741 NW Page Ln., Topeka, KS 66617 H97 Prof. Arthur M. Hanhardt, 48 Lilac Dr., Apt. 4, Rochester, NY 14620 H98 Gary L. Horning, 945 3rd Ave., N.W. Jamestown, ND 58401 H99 Arian B. Hawley, 22077 Peabody Trail No., Scandia, MN 55073 HI 00 Walter K. Heitzmann, 1796 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94303 H101 Leonard & Marguerite (Regier) Heronemus, Box 434, Ness City, KS 67560 H102 Mrs. Elvera (Hepner) Hofmann, Rt. 2, Box 341, Maple Plain, MN 55359 H103 Mrs. Emily (Griesman) Hopkins, 2163 Upper Afton Rd., St. Paul, MN 55119 H104 Adam J. Heintz, 11314 Allendalc Dr., Arvada, CO 80004 H105 Hilmer & Eunice (Griess) Holmann, 423 West 38th St., Apt. 1, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 H106 Mrs. Diane (Beck) Hebert, 2505 E. Sugnct, Midland, MI 48640 H107 Ms. Theresa Hoffart, 13221 113th Crt., E., Puyaliup, WA 98371 H108 John D. Hill, Box 352, Lingle, WY 82223

K13 Eugene & Alma (Walter) Koch, 201 S. Elliott St., #33 Wcnatchee, WA 98801 (Address Change) K45 Norman M, Kirsch, 429 N. Washington St., Owosso, MI 48867 (CLUES Correction) K62 Delete Edna (Pandrich) Ketterling, Replaced by S 161 - Edna (Fandrich/Ketterling) Schmunk

79 SOKOLOWSKY - Sl 56 (Dreispitz/Volga) WAGNER - L57 (Bauer/Volga Region) SPAHN - B84, L59 (Norka/Volga Region) WAHL - H98, H100 (Neudorf/ Area) SPATE - B98 (Bangert/Volga Region) WALTZ - W93 (Klein Neudorf/Black Sea) SPECHT -H101 (Friendenfeld/Volga Region) WASINGER - S155 (Herzog/Volga Region) SPECHT - HI 08 (Merkel/Volga Region) WEBER - F34, W87 (Balzer/Volga Region) SPITZER - E28 (Romansdorf/Kiev) WEBER - K78 (Frank/Volga Region) STADING - K72 (Nova Poltafski/Black Sea) WEDEL-P50() STAHLMAN - M91 (Schuk/Volga Region) WEDMAN - H94 (Maksimowka/Volhynia) STEIER - Z13 (/Black Sea Area) WEIBLE - W93 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea) STERKEL - K74 (Norka/Volga Region) WEINBERGER - L58 (Black Sea Area) STERN - B55 (Alt Elft/Bessarabia) WEISENBURGER - S154 (Gros-Liebental/Black STERTZER - K71 (Mariental/Volga Region) Sea) WEISS - W90 (Wittenberg (Maloj'aroslawetz II) STOEBNER - B78 (Kassel/Black Sea Area) Bessarabia) STOEHR - B102 (Balzer (Golyj Karamysch) WEITZEL - L55 (Norka/Volga Region) Volga) WERNER - W91 (Black Sea Area) STOTZ - A44 (Gluckstal/Black Sea Area) WINDECKER - P48 (Batania/Tiflis/Caucasus) STRASHEIM - B100 (Frank/Volga Region) WITTMAN-W94 STUBERT - S155 (Ober Monjou/Volga) WOHL - K69 (Alexandria/Black Sea Area) SUELZLE - B92 (Black Sea Area) WOLF - L59 (Norka/Volga Region) WOLFF - B84 (Norka/Volga Region) THUM - B99 (Kulm/'Bessarabia) WOLFE - U3 (Black Sea Area) TRUPP - K78 (Frank/Volga Region) WORSTER - W89 (Balzer/Volga Region) WUCKERT - S151 (Balzer/Volga Region) UHL - P52 (Neudorf/Black Sea Area) UHRICH - A10, U6 (Frank/Volga Region) YOST - Y9 (Norka/Volga Region) ULMER - B97 (Black Sea Area) UNRUH - H101 (Alexanderwohl/Black Sea) YUNGMAN - C38 (Jagodnaja Polj ana/Volga) UTZ - B55 (Frank/Volga Region) ZECHMEISTER - Z15 (Black Sea Area) VETSCH - B82 (Selz/Black Sea Area) ZIMMERER - Z14 (Wellending/Wurtemberg/

Germany) VOELLER - B82 (Selz/Black Sea Area) ZITTLAU - C37 (Nowo Szadlo/Gostynin/) VOTH - L56 (Pranztal//Black Sea) ZWJCKER - E29 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea)

WACKER - A42 (Gluckstal/BIack Sea Area)

SECTION II

A10 Jacob J. Amendt, 1391 109th St., North Battleford, Sask., Canada S9A 2E9 A42 Leoran V. Anhorn, 18147 99A Ave., Surrey, B,C, Canada V3T 4W2 A43 Jacob AItergott, 9535 Road 66, Windsor, CO 80550 A44 Mrs. Mabel (Stotz) Armstead, 1706 N. Lafayette, Bremerton, WA 98310

B55 Mrs. Lenora (Ruff) Braithwaite, P.O. Box 917, Moore, ID 83255 B63 William J. Bollig, Rt. 4, 13313 Rd. 37, Sterling, CO 80751 (Address Change) B78 Allyn R. Brosz, 813 College, Norman, OK 73069 (Name Correction) B82 Raymond J. Brossart, 11967 W. 71st Dr., Arvada, CO 80004 (Clues correction) B84 Mrs. Edna (Wolff) Brunner, 2260 Wyandot Dr., Denver, CO 80221 (Name Corrections) B92 Emil Bentz, 1725 Trctheway Rd., Lockeford, CA 95237 B93 Mrs. Sophie (Link) Bessinger, 13815 So. Wabash Ave., Riverdale, IL 60627 B94 Mrs. Florence (Andreas) Bonnett, P.O. Box 167, Cayucos, CA 93430 B95 Mrs. Patricia (Bethke) Bing, 7033 Kinzalon Dr,, Knoxville, TN 37919 B96 DelmarD.Borgens, 14601 24th SW. Seattle, WA 98166 B97 Calvin & Erna (Ebcrtz) Bender, 1475 E. Peltier Rd., Acampo, CA 95220 B98 Mrs. Thelma (Spate) Booth, P.O. Box 27, West Hamlin, WV 25571 B99 Howard & Elaine (Vetter) Bauder, RR 1, Scotland, SD 57059 B100 Mrs. Delorcis (Strasheim) Blunck, Box 429, Creighton, NE 68729

78 MUELLER - G52 (Tarutino/Bessarabia) RUPP - S156 (Holstein/Volga Region) MUELLER -N31 (Poland) RUPPEL - L54, S160 (Reinwald/Volga Region) MUELLER - S156 (Dreispitz/Volga Region) MUNCH (MUENCH) - D45 (Black Sea Area) SALWAY - VI 1 (Selz/Black Sea Area) NAGEL - Tl 7 (Breslau/Berlin/) SANDAU - A42 (Benkendorf/Bessarabia) NAGEL - W94 (Norka/Volga Region) SANDAU - P53 (S oriental/Bessarabia) NATHAN - K69 (Helenental/Black Sea Area) SAWALL - W90 (Katzbach/Bessarabia) NEHRING -N31 (Grabov/Volhynia) SCHAFER - R64 (Krasna/Bessarabia) NEIMAN - N31 (Rudekop/Volhynia) SCHAFER - S149 (Johannestal/Black Sea Area) NEUBAUER - F34 (Volga Region) SCHAFER - R68 (Straub/Volga Region) NEUHARTH - A42 (Black Sea Area) SCHAUB - B96 (Frank/Volga Region) NIEDERHAUS - D5, D46, L55, N30, S151,W95 SCHEMING - H94 (Gliickstal/Volhynia) (Huck/Splawnucha Volga) SCHENK - W88 (Schabolat/Bessarabia) NUSS - HI 05 (Worms/Black Sea Area) (Gros-Lie ben tal/Black Sea) OBERST - K71 (Pfeifer/Volga Region) SCHEIERMAN - K70 (Kolb/Volga Region) OCHSNER - HI 05 (Worms/Black Sea Area) SCHEUERMAN - C38 (Jagodnaja Pol] an a/Volga) OSTER - P49 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) SCHEUFFELE - Z15 (Rosenfeld/Bessarabia) OSTWALD -016 (Hussenbach/Kauz/Volga) SCHIELREFF - K70 (Kolb/Volga Region) OSWALD - W91 (Black Sea Area) SCHIMPF - S153 (Dobrinka/Volga Region) SCHLEICHER - HI 03 (Krasnojar/Volga Region) PERMAN -S161 (Black Sea Area) SCHLEIGER - S151 (Volga Region) PFANNENSTIEL - S155 (Volga Region) SCHLEINING - H86, W94 (Norka/Volga Region) PIESKE - P50 (Chotinna/Rowno/Volhynia) SCHLEPP - S157 (Hoffnungstal/Bessarabia) PJESKE - P50 (Chotinna/Rowno/VoJhyJiia) SCHLOTTHAUER - W92 (Volga Region) POPP - W87 (Batzer Volga Region) SCHMALTZ - Z13 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) PROCHNAU - C37 (Deutsch Sitzk/Gostynin/ SCHMIDT - HI 06 (Messer/Volga Region) Poland) SCHMIDT - L58 (Black Sea Area) SCHMIDT - P50 (Volhynia) QUAST - W88 (Bessarabia) SCHMIDT - S151 (Dietel/Volga Region) RAB - R69 (Kamenka/Volga Region) SCHM1ED - W90 - (Tarutino/Bessarabia) RATH - S 154 (Brilova/Black Sea Area) SCHMIERER - C3 5 (Bere sin a/Bessarabia) RAUSCHER - HI 05 (Rohrbach/Black Sea SCHMOELKE - S161 (Black Sea Area) Area) SCHMULTZ - HI 07 (Black Sea Area) REB - R69 (Kamenka/Volga Region) SCHNEGELBERGER - K73 (Beideck/Volga REGIER - H 101 (Black Sea Area) Region) REHN - K70 (Kolb/Volga Region) SCHNEIDER - E29 (Neuburg/Black Sea Area) REICH - R66 (Norka/Volga Region) SCHNELL - Y10 (Schoenfeld/Landau/Black Sea) REIGER (RIEGER) - S157 (Hoffnungstal/ SCHOENHOFF - C34 (Black Sea Area) Bessarabia) SCHOESAU - K72 (Elbing/Prussia/Germany) REIMER - P52 (Black Sea Area) SCHREINER - R65 (Dietel (Oleschna) Volga) REISWIG - W91 (Black Sea Area) SCHUH "S157 (Hoffnungstal/Bessarabia) RENKE - W97 (Albota/Bessarabia) SCHULER -S161 (Black Sea Area) RETZER - L9 SCHULZ - S156 (Holstein/Volga Region) REULE - C35 (Borodino/Bessarabia) SCHORR - H99 (Black Sea Area) RIDER - U6 (Frank/Volga Region) SCHUTZ - S141 (Volga Region) RIEDE - H99 (Zurichtal/) SCHWAB -W90 (Klostitz/Bessarabia) RIEGER - S157 (Hoffnungstal/Bessarabia) SCHWABAUER - C39, W87, W89 (Balzer/Volga) RIFFEL - R70 (Galka/Volga Region) SCHWABENLAND - R68 (Straub/Volga Region) ROEDER - G52 (Tarutino/Bessarabia) SCHWARTZKOPF - W94 (Norka/Volga Region) ROEMMICH - HI 05 (Worms/Black Sea Area) SCHWARZ - U3 (Black Sea Area) ROH - S152 (Schilling/Volga Region) SCHWEMMER - H96 (Dreispitz/Volga Region) ROSS - F34 (Norka/Volga Region) SCHWINDT - Y9 (Norka/Volga Region) ROTH - B94 (Straub/Volga Region) SEADER - B84 (Norka/Volga Region) RODE - H99 (Zurichtal/Crimea) RUFF - P52 SEIFERT - R64 (Krasna/Bessarabia) (Keneges/Crimea) SERR - HI 05 (Worms/Black Sea Area) SIEBEN - M91 (Schuck/Volga Region) SIMON - H97 (Neu Bauer/Volga Region)

77 HOHNSTEIN - B84, D44, K77 (Norka/Volga) KOENIG -- M91 (Rosental/Crimea) HOLSTEIN - R67 (Galka/Saratov/Volga) KOLKE"H95(Volhynia) HOOPER - U3 KOPPER - L56 (Black Sea Area) HOPP - S153 (Kraft/Volga Region) KOTROSKEY - S161 (Black Sea Area) HORCH - W88 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea) KRAFT -- K73 (Pommerama/Germany) HORNING - H98 (Neudorf/Black Sea Area) KRAFT - K75, K76 (Rosenfeld/Volga) ILGNER - P53 (B ere sina/Bessarabia) KRAFT - K74 (Balzer/Volga Region) ISLEY – U3 KRAFT - Z13 (Black Sea Area) JACOB - B82 (Black Sea Area) KRAMER - G52 (Tarutino/Bessarabia) JACOBSKI - B101 (Black Sea Area) KRASS - B93 (Stahl/Volga) JARGER - S158 (Dietel (Oleschna) Volga) KRAUSE - K72 (Elb ing/Prussia/Germany) JAWORSKE - H94 Maksimowka/Volhynia KREACHBAUM (KRISCHBAUM) - U3 JERKE - E29 (Dennewitz/Bessarabia) KREIZER - P51 (Hussenbach/Volga Region) JESKE - M88 (Lush(?) Lodz/Poland) KRIEGER - L59 (Norka/Volga Region) JOBS - B101 (Chikastov (?) Russia) KRIEGER - P50 (Alexander/Volhynia) JUNDT - B82 (Selz/Black Sea Area) KUNTZ - R64 (Krasna/Bessarabia) JORK - L54 (Reinwald/Volga Region) KURTZ - E28 (Zhitomir/Volhynia) JUST - M88 (Radomsyl/Volhynia) LANGE - N31 (Rudekop/Volhynia) LEBSACK - A10, L59 - (Frank/Volga Region) KAEBERLE - K71 (Pfeiffer/Volga Region) LEDERHOS - L61 (Rohleder/Volga Region) KAHLER - H86 (Norka/Volga Region) LEHMAN - W96 (Sussanental/Volga Region) KAHLER - W91 (Tamtino/Bess., Kronental No. LEHR - HI 06, W9 5 (Messer/Volga Region) Cauc.) LE1CHNER - L53 (Huck/Volga Region) KAISER - B99 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea Area) LEINWEBER - L60 (Frank/Volga Region) KAISER - K77 (Norka/Volga Region) LENESCHMIDT - G51 (Huck (Splawnucha) Volga) KALLENBERG - S159 (Saxony/Germany) LENZ - L57 (Bauer/Saratov/Volga Reg.) KAMMERZEL - L60 (Frank/Volga Region) LIND - A43, B95 (Denhof/Volga Region) KAN2LER - S159 (Kolb/Volga Region) LINDEGRON - B93 (Stahl/Volga Region) KARG - HI 02 (Stahl/Volga Region) LUNDNER. - H95 (/Poland) KASPER - L56 (Black Sea Area) LINK - B93 (Stahl/Volga Region) KAUFMAN - S 152 (Schilling/Volga Region) LINK - D45 (Black Sea Area) KETTERLING - S161 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) LOFING - N30 (Huck (Splawnucha) Volga) KIEHLBAUCH - B99 (Neuberg/Black Sea Area) LORENZ - L54 (Warenburg (Priwalnoje) Volga) KILHOFFER - L60 (/Lorraine/France) LUCKENBACH - S159 (Stein Nassau/Hesse/Ger- KINZEL - R68 (Warenburg/Volga Region) many) KIRSCH - K45 (Neusatz/Black Sea Area) LUTHER - L53, N30 (Huck/Volga Region) KISTER - R68 (Dinkel/Volga Region) LUTZI - S151 (Dietel (Oleschna) Volga) KLAIBER " C35 (Wittenberg/Bessarabia) KLASSEN - C34, H95 (Romanovski/Black Sea MAIER - G52 (Gluckstal/Black Sea Area) Area) MARKGRAF - M89 (Reinwald/Volga Region) KLAUDT - G52 (Paris/Bessarabia) MARKUS - B98 (Lauwe (Jablonowka) Volga) KLAUSS - B84 (Norka/Volga Region) MATTERN - S160 (Boregard (Beauregard) Volga) KLEIN -S 156 (Volga Region) MAUCH - H98 (Kassel/Black Sea Area) KLINGENBERG - C34 (Russia & ) MEIER - M88 (Black Sea Area) KLUG - L58 (Munchen/Black Sea Area) MERMIS - L61 (Herzog /Volga Region) KNAUB - R65 (Kauz/VoIga Region) METZLER - R68 KNOBLICH - W93 (Black Sea Area) MICHEL - M90 (Huck (Splawnucha) Volga) KNOP - L56 (Black Sea Area) MICHEL - W96 (Nab (Rezanowka) Volga) KOCH ~ D5 (Huck/Volga Region) MICHAELIS - HI 01 (Krazke (Potschinnoje) Volga) KOCH - K70, S159 (Kolb/Volga Region) MILLER - L60 (Frank/Volga Region) KOCH - K72 (AlexanderfeId/Black Sea Area) MILLER - S157 (Hoffnungstal Bessarabia) KOCH - U3 (Black Sea Area) MILLER - T16 (Neu Bauer/Volga Region) KOEHLER - S160 (Boregard (Beauregard) Volga MINICH-P5 2 (Crimea) Reg) MOCK - HI 04 (Blumenfeld/Wesselyj Kut/Volga KOEHN - L56 (Black Sea Area) Region) MOGCK - W90 (Wittenberg (Malojaroslawetz II) Bessarabia)

76 BUSCH - C33 (Dietel (Oleschna) Volga Region) GEIER - M90, W95 (Huck/Volga Region) BUSCHOLL - Z 13 (Nikolovitch(?) Black Sea Area) GEILE - P49 (Hamburg/Germany) BUSICK - B93 (Stahl/Volga Region) GERLOCK - P48 (Norka/Volga Region) GERRINGER - B98 (Lauwe/Volga Region) CRANE - U3 GERSTNER - K71 (Mariental/Pfannensti el/ Volga) GILL - G52 (Tarutino/Bessarabia) DAIS - G52 (Gluckstal/Black Sea Area) GORTE - M89 (Reinwald/Volga Region) DALLMANN - W90 (Kulm/Bessarabia) GRADWOHL - R65 (Kauz/Volga Region) DAMM - D47, S152 (Schilling/Volga Region) GRIESMAN - HI 03 (KrasnoJar/Volga Region) DEBUS - D47 (Kukkus/Volga Region) GRIESS - H105 (Worms/Black Sea Area) DEINES - D44 (Norka/Volga Region) GROH - S150 (Grimm/Volga Region) DELZER - D45, S149 (Johannestal/Odessa/ GROSS - R64 (Krasna/Bessarabia) Black Sea) GROSSMAN - K69 (Rohrbach/Black Sea Area) DIEBERT ~ VI 1 (Selz/Black Sea Area) GRONEWALD - K75, K76 (Beideck/Volga DIETZ - K70 (Kolb/Volga Region) Region) DITTOS - P53 (Alt Postal/Bessarabia) GUMESCHEIMER - HI 01 (Neu Bauer/Volga DOLLINGER - A44 (Gluckstal/Black Sea Area) Region) DUMLER - W92 (Volga Region) HAGEL - K74 (Straub/Volga Region) HAMBLOCH - C32 (Germany) EBERTZ - B97 (Pie ttenb erg/Germ any) HAMBURGER - Y9 (Norka/Volga Region) EHNIS - S161 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) HAMMERSCHMITT - S155 (Remmler/Volga) EISNER - L54 (Warenburg/Volga Region) HANDEL - W90 (Teplitz/Bessarabia) ELSASSER - R67 (Saratov/Volga Region) HANHARDT - H97 (Kutter (Popowka) Volga) EMINETH - L5S (Rastadt/Black Sea Area) HARDER - H95 (Scho en feld/Black Sea Area) ENGEL - W91, Y10 (Landau/Odessa/Black Sea) HAUF - HI 08 (Merkel/Volga Region) ERBELE - F35, S161 (Teplitz/Bessarabia) HARDT - G51 (Saratov/Volga Region) ERNST - HI 05 (Worms/Black Sea Area) HARRIS - D47 (Schilling/Volga Region) ESSLINGER - B97, C35, E29 (Alt Postal/Bessarabia) HECK - C32 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) FANDRICH - P35, S161 (Arcis/Bessarabia) HEGWALD - K75, K76 (Rosenfeld or Neu Norka/ FANDRICH -W91 (Tarutino/Bess.,Kronental/No. Cauc.) Volga) FEHR - H98 (Worms/Black Sea Area) HEHN - W88 (Plotzk/Bessarabia ) FEIST - M91 (Djurmen/Crimea) HEIN - H94 (Dobra Wola/Polish Vohynia) FERTIG - T16 (Neu Bauer/Volga Region) HEINTZ - HI 04 (Volga Region) FLACK - D47 (Yost/Volga Region) HEITZMANN - HI 00 (Neu Freudental/Black Sea FLECK - Y10 (Landau/Black Sea Area) Area) FLOHR - S150 (Merkel/Volga Region) HELD - B101 (Veltheim/Germany) FLOTH - B84 (Norka/Volga Region) HEMPEL - D46 (Volga Region) FRANK - B95, R65, W96 (Kauz (Werschinka) Volga ) HENKE - W90 (Kulm/Bessarabia) PREY - C37 (Kanturow (?) Black Sea Area) HEPNER - HI 02 (Laub/Volga Region) FREY - K72 (Neuburg/Black Sea Area) HEPPER) C36 (Taganasch/Crimea) PRICK - B100 (Frank/Volga Region) HERGENRADER - S151 (Huck/Volga Region) FRICK - L55 (Huck/Volga Region) HERONEMUS - HI 01 (Warenburg/Volga Region) FRICKEL - L57 (Bauer ( HERRSCHAFT - R64 (Krasna/Bessarabia) FROSCHEISER - K74 (Volga Region) HERZOG - B 102 (Balzer (GolyJ Karamysch) FUCHS (FOX) - H86 (Norka/Volga Region) Volga) FUCHS - K72 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea Area) HETZEL - S158 (Dietel (Oleschna) Volga) FUCHS (FOX) - 016 (Hussenbach/Volga Region) HIEB - H98 (Neudorf/Black Sea Area) FUEHRER - A 42 (Black Sea Area) HILDERMAN - C33 (Dietel (Oleschna) Volga) FULLMER - L55 (Norka/Volga Region) PUSS - U6 HILL - H108, S151, Z14 (Walter/Volga Region) (Frank/Volga Region) HOCKMAN - U3 HOERSCH - K72 (Johannestal/Black Sea Area) GACKLE - P53 (Alt Postal/Bessarabia) HOFP - H98 (KasseI/Black Sea Area) HOFFART - HI 07 (Mannheim/Black Sea Area) HOFFERBER - P51 (Frank/Volga Region) HOFFMAN - G23 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) HOFMANN - H105 (Rohrbach/Black Sea Area)

75 LUNDGRUN / Xch info on SIGMOND LUNDGRUN (BINGRUN) w, JULIANNA SCHMIES (JUAALA BINGRUN SCHMUEZZ) Dreispitz; ca 1855-1910; daus: MARRICK OPHER; SCHMIES/ JULIANNA WOLLERT (WELLERT); ANNA ELISABETH (LUNDGRUN) KLEIN, 1870-1946, SCHMUEZZ w of GOTTFRIED KLEIN Glenn Mueller, 3169 So. Woodward, Tulsa, OK 74105

GOTTFRIED KLEIN, 1863-1941, op flour mills for(unkel) GEORG(E) FRIEDRICH EHRLICH SCHIERACH, Kamyschin, Volga 1880; GOTTFRIED BAJ (BYE) Dreispitz 1882; BAJ (BYE) PETER EHRLICH, Tscherbakowka 1883. Desire info on these families, cities and milling SCHIERACH operation; pos. related; how? Glenn Mueller, address above.

Info re anc of JOHANNES MARKGRAF b 18 Dec 1887 Reinwald Volga, mar ELISABETH MARKGRAF KATHERINE GORTE, b. 1 Jan 1887 Reinwald. Brenda Markgraf, RR 2, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314 GORTE

SURNAME EXCHANGE

The Surname Exchange is designed as a research tool to enable AHSGR members who are researching similar names to engage in correspondence that can be mutually beneficial. It is composed of two parts: Section I, names under research; Section II, names of researchers. Section I is an alphabetical listing of all surnames actively under study, with a corresponding alphabetized numerical Index Key to the names and addresses of researchers in Section II . Both Sections I and II of the Surname Exchange should be used in conjunction with CLUES 1978.

SECTION I

ADRIAN - L56 (Black Sea Area) BENTZ - B92 (Neudorf/Black Sea Area) ALTERGOTT - A43 (Doenhof/ Volga Region) BENZ - L61 (Rohleder/Volga Region) AMEN - U6 (Prank/Volga Region) BERRETH " A42, S154 (Helental/BIack Sea Area) AMENDT - L59 (Frank/Volga Region) BETTGER (BOETTCHER) - K72 (Waterloo/Black ANDREAS - B94 (Warenburg/Volga Region) Sea Area) ANHORN - A42 (Eigenfeld/Bessarabia) BIEKER - S155 (Ober-Monjou/Volga Region) ANHORN - B97 (Eigenfeld/No. Caucasus) BIERKHOLTZ - W90 (Kulm/Bessarabia) ARNDT - T17 (Norka/Volga Region) BOERK - B98 (Bangert/Volga Region) ASCHENBRENNER - 016 (Kauz/Volga Region) BOETTGER (BOETTCHER) - K72 (Waterloo Black Sea) BACKER (BECKER) - R66 (Norka/Volga Region) BORGENS - B96 (Frank/Volga Region) BAER - H99 (Kir Bailar/Crimea) BOSTRON - P51 (Frank/Volga Region) BALLIET - K69 (Rohrbach/Black Sea Area) BRAUN - R64 (Krasna/Bessarabia) BAR - H99 (Kir Bailar/Crimea) BRAUN - H108, Z14 - (Walter/Volga Region) BASHANS-P5 2 (Crimea) BRAUST - B55 (Lilienfeld/No Caucasus) BASTIAN - E29, W93 (Rosenf eld/Black Sea Area) BREHM - Y9 (Norka/Volga Region) BATT - W96 (Frank/Volga) BRENNING - W95 (Kutter/Volga Region) BAUDER - B99 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea Area) BRETZER - S151 (Beideck/Volga Region) BAUER - B102. C39,W87 (Balzer/Volga Region) BRIEHER - E29 (Gros-Liebental/Black Sea BAUER - W93 (Black Sea Area) Area) BECKER - K75, K76, (Rosenfeld/Volga Region) BIEKER - L61 (Neu-Obennonj our/ Volga Region) BECKER - R66 (Norka/Volga Region) BRIESE - W92 (Volga Region) BECKER - S154, W91 (Black Sea Area) BROSSART - B82 (Replaces B77 CLUES 1978) BEIERLE - U3 (Rohrbach/Black Sea Area) BRUMM - S152 (Schilling/Volga Region) BELL - H52 (Volga Region Replaces N52) BRUNNER - R70 (Galka/Volga Region) BENDER - B97 (Odessa/Black Sea Area) BULLER - H101 (Alexanderwohl/Black Sea Area)

74 QUERIES A "CAN YOU HELP?" GENEALOGY SERVICE

In an effort to help you achieve maximum success in your search for information, we ask you to please observe the following suggestions and requirements for insertions. 1. Copy must be neatly submitted and as accurately detailed as possible. 2. Copy should be typed or legibly handwritten to avoid error in transcription. 3. Copy should be brief and specific. It is better to have two insertions than one that is too lengthy and involved. 4. Copy should make use of abbreviations as recommended in Work Paper # 17, 5. The Genealogy Committee must reserve the right to edit copy submitted. 6. QUERIES are accepted at the rate of 5< per word, and. will appear in two consecutive Work Papers.

Info re CLYDE CHERRIHILL b abt 1879 as CHARLES KIRSCHBERGER, Cedar Co, Neb. Parents: ALBERT CARL KIRSCHBERGER b abt 1832 Prussia; BARBARA ALBERT b abt 1850 Russia. Three child, CHERRIHILL b to Carl & Barbara in Russia; one, Rudolph, bap. Luth Ch Alt Schwedendorf/ 11 Mar 1873. KIRSCHBERGER Fam mig to Cedar Co Neb. abt 1876; homesteaded at Hay Springs, Sheridan Co, Neb. Eight children total, Mrs. R. J. Barker, 1240 Knollwood Rd., Apt 38L, Seal Beach, CA 90740

Info re HEINRICH BAUER & fam, HEINRICH M. (MICHAEL) REHN, HEINRICH THIEL, BAUER HEINRICH KOCH to WA 1882; HEINRICH ACHZIG, CATH. ELIZA. BARTH & s JACOB, REHN FRIEDRICH HERMANN, CHRISTOPH BETZ to USA 1876. All imp data for upcoming book. Mrs. THIEL Pauline Brungardt Dudek, Route 1 -Box 18A, Bladen.NE 68928 KOCH ACHZIG BARTH HERMANN BETZ Need Ances. birth & Mar of CHRISTIAN & ROSINA (HEIL) HUBER, b Gluckstal/ Odessa/Rus; both d Irvine Alta Can; he 1912, she 1914; II children; immig Dakotas, Sask & Alta. Reuben N. HUBER Huber, Box 146 Rosemary Alta Can. TOJ 2WO HEIL LISSMANN Info re 1st wife and ances of PETER LISSMANN b 12 Oct 1854 Donhof/Volga. Mrs. Evelyn Lovell, 905 Antelope, Riverton, WY 82501

MUEHLBEIER Info re ances. TOBIAS MUEHLBEIER Sr. b 1780 Germany, w. KATHARINA b 1782; mig to Worms/Rus 1809. Also info re Descen. of TOBIAS MUEHLBEIER jr. b 1803 Germ; FRIEDRICH b 1809, KONRAD b 1811, both in Worms/BIk Sea Area. John Muehlbeier, 7221 South St., Unit #12, Lincoln, NE 68520 Info needed re JOHN ADAM NIEDERHAUS and ELIZABETH L1CKEY of Huck, Russia. Mrs. Cheri Dyer, 401 East Second Street, Hastings, NE 68901 NIEDERHAUS L1CKEY Info re JACOB DICK, Mennonite, d 28 Apr 1909; emig fr Russ to Manitoba 1870's. wife ANNA FROESE, b 2 Feb 1846; dau KATHERINE b 31 May 1880,marJOHANN DYCK 6 July 1896 DICK Rhineland, Sask; need info on par, bro, sis; Russ & emig details. Eva Dyck, 86 Cameron Rd. S.E. DYCK Medicine Hat, Alta, Canada TIB 1L2 FROESE SUSANNA PETERS, Menno, b 14 Apr 1880, d 14 Nov 1918 Sask.; mar 1899 JOHANN FROESE; need info par, bros, sis; emig Russ to Manitoba 1870's. Mrs. Eva Dyck, 86 Cameron Rd. S.E., PETERS Medicine Hat, Alta, Canada TIB 1L2 FROESE

73 One-Year Terms David J. Miller, Greeley, Colorado Mrs. Rachel Amen, Loveland, Colorado Miss Ruth M. Mrs. Emanuel Reisbick, Denver, Colorado Amen, Lincoln, Nebraska Mrs. William Cook, Dr. Solomon R. Schneider, Port Couins, Colorado Wheatridge, Colorado Reuben Goertz, Freeman, South Edward Schwartzkopf, Lincoln, Nebraska Dakota Mrs. W. E. Hieb, Henderson, Nebraska Kermit Dr. John Siemens, Kentfield, California Karns, Kansas City, Missouri Mrs. Clarence T. Olson, 3-Year Terms Littleton, Colorado David Schletewitz, Sanger, California Arthur E. Flegel, Menio Park, California Charles L. Gordon L. Schmidt, Henderson, Nebraska Herman D. Gebhardt, Citrus Heights, California Ralph L. Giebelhaus, Wildennuth, Yucca Valley, California Lincoln, Nebraska Adam Giesinger, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2- Year Terms Canada Mrs. Nancy B. Holland, Riverdale, Nebraska Michael Anuta, Menominee, Michigan Victor E. Timothy J. Kloberdanz, Moorhead, Minnesota Mrs. Mary Bonnet, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Mrs. Emma S. Martini, Dearborn, Michigan Jake Sinner, Lincoln, Haynes, Arlington, Virginia Alvin A. Kissler, Nebraska Miss Ruth K. Stoll, Yuma, Arizona Mrs. Elsie Seattle, Washington Monte Lung, Pleasant Hill, Whittington, Lincoln, Nebraska California Editor's Note: The slate proposed by the Nominating Committee was accepted unanimously. In the meeting of the newly- constituted Board of Directors which followed, these officers were elected. Dr. Adam Giesinger, President Mr. Arthur E. Flegel, Vice-President Mr. Reuben Goertz, Vice-President Mrs. Emanuel G. Reisbick, Vice-President Mrs, W. E. Hieb, Secretary Mr. Ralph L. Giebelhaus, Treasurer

REPORT ON CONVENTION REGISTRATIONS

Attendance at AHSGR annual meetings continues to grow. There were 988 registered for the Tenth Anniversary Convention, 382 of them full time. Thirty-three young people ranging in age from 3 weeks to 18 were in the group. Those who were at least 6 years of age participated in a special program, designed especially for them. Dr. Mariene Bieber served as convention chairman and coordinated the distribution of materials as people arrived with her efficient crew who were on duty each day beginning at 7:30 A.M . A special name tag was awaiting each registrant. Designed for the tenth anniversary it showed the commemorative medallion produced for the occasion. Included, too, was the name of the ancestral village which always proves a good conversation opener.

Tenth Anniversary Convention Lincoln, Nebraska June 20- 25, 1978

KRISJERKE-3weeks Tripp, South Dakota Teplitz, Dennewitz, Postal, Besserabia

72 There was discussion concerning charges for genealogical services. It was suggested that Mr. Art Flegel and Mrs. Gerda Walker develop a fees schedule to be recommended to the board at the June meeting. Ruth M. Amen reported the bylaws for the following new chapters are in order: Arizona Sun, Olympic-Peninsula, Northern Illinois and North Star of Minnesota. Adam Giesinger moved that these chapters be granted charters. There was discussion about changing the title of the Work Paper. Emma Haynes suggested the title be changed to Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. The board voted to accept this recommendation. It was agreed the best time to make the change would be with the next issue which would be the first issue of 1978. The fifth meeting of the board was held June 19-20, 1978 at the Hilton Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bylaws revisions limiting board tenure to two three — year terms and providing for an Executive Director were adopted. A schedule of charges for genealogical services was presented by Arthur E. Flegel, Genealogy Chairman, and approved.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Be It Resolved: That the thanks and appreciation of the membership of AHSGR be extended to the Lincoln Chapter for their work in making the 9th International Convention a tremendous success. Special thanks are given to Mary Froscheiser, Convention Chairman, and her convention committee. Whereas: This is the 10th year of existence for AHSGR and whereas, it is a time to reflect on the past. Be It Resolved: That the heartfelt appreciation of the membership of AHSGR be extended to Past President David J. Miller, to President Ruth M. Amen, to all who have served or are serving on the Board of Directors, and the Board of Trustees of the AHSGR Foundation. Be It Resolved: That our sincere best wishes for health and happiness be extended to Dr. for his long and untiring dedication to the cause of all Germans from Russia. Whereas; 32 chapters have already been chartered and whereas 10 chapters received charters during this Tenth Anniversary Year and at this Convention. Be It Resolved: That an expression of appreciation be given to President Ruth Amen, Membership Chairman Elsie Whittington, to Chapter Organization Chairman Ruth Stoll and to all those others who have done such an outstanding job of new chapter organizing during the first ten years. Be It Resolved: That since the Board of Directors has accepted the invitation of the Greater Seattle Chapter to host our I Oth International Convention in 1979, that we all make plans to attend and participate. Resolutions Committee Charles L. Gebhardt, Chairman Mrs. Marie Schuster Reinhold Eichler

NOMINATING COMMITTEE Adam Giesinger, Chairman

The following persons have been nominated for election to the International Board of Directors of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Ten have been nominated for a one-year term to expire in 1979; ten have been nominated for a 2-year term to expire in 1980; and, ten have been nominated for a 3-year term to expire in 1981. This slate brings us in line with a change in our bylaws which says that board members will be elected for a three-year term and may be re-elected for a second three-year term.

71 THE AHSGR SECRETARY'S REPORT Edward Schwartzkopf

The International Board of Directors of AHSGR met five times during our 1977-1978 year. The first meeting was held June 18, 1977 at the Jack Tar Hotel at 3:30 P.M. The following officers were elected: President...... Miss Ruth M. Amen Vice President...... Mr. Arthur Flegel Mr. Adam Giesinger Mr. Jake Sinner Secretary...... Mr. Edward Schwartzkopf Treasurer...... Mr. Ralph Giebelhaus Plans were made to have the fall board meeting in Denver. The second Board of Directors meeting of AHSGR was held October 6-8, 1977 in Denver, Colorado. Mr, Art Flegel, Convention Chairman for 1977, presented a report indicating a net registration of 761. Mrs. Elsie Whittington, Membership Chairman, gave the following report: 10-1-76 10-1-77 New Memberships for year to date 698 915 Total Memberships 2,538 3,155

The restated bylaws of AHSGR were presented to members. These had been approved by the Board at San Francisco and needed to be ratified by the new Board in applying for tax deductibility status. Board members then proceeded to Denver Metro Bank where a Notary Public was available to witness signatures on restated Articles of Incorporation. At this meeting it was agreed that our AHSGR Board of Directors request the Foundation Board of Trustees to develop guidelines to be followed by our chapters in their fund raising projects for the Foundation and any grant requests they might be receiving. Discussions followed on German Russian studies in institutions of higher learning. Among activities mentioned was the new Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska. Timothy Kloberdanz has been invited to speak at the 1978 spring conference to be held in Lincoln, Nebraska. Roger Welsch, a member of our society, is a part of this project and two of his students will be working with Ruth Amen. Timothy Kloberdanz announced that the University of North Dakota has received a $50,000.00 grant for studies on Germans from Russian and Norwegians at the elementary school level. The goal is to interest young people in this study which will be oriented to North Dakota but should be of interest to other states. Most of the work will be done by volunteers. Discussion centered on the need to record the history of AHSGR. President Ruth M. Amen suggested that we have members qualified to author such a treatise. Board members present were in total agreement that Dr. Adam Giesmger was eminently qualified for the task. Dr. Giesinger asked that we not place a deadline on the publication. The third International Board of Directors meeting was held January 26, 1978 in the Leme Palace Hotel, Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The membership report was reviewed showing 3,261 memberships at the close of 1977 compared to 2,607 at the close of 1976. 322 new members had enrolled by January 18, 1978 compared to 288 by January 27,1977. Bylaws of our proposed Yellowstone Valley, Western Idaho and Flint, Michigan chapters were discussed and it was determined that they met the requirements for chartering. It was announced that organizational meetings were being planned for Phoenix, Arizona and Minneapolis — St. Paul area. Revision of our bylaws was discussed. Board members questioned length of term and tenure on the Board. It was concluded that members and board members would be solicited for suggested changes and that they would be submitted to the Revisions Committee. This announcement was to be included in our next Newsletter so proposed changes could be considered and submitted for action at our convention to be held in Lincoln, Nebraska. The fourth meeting was held April 13-15, 1978, in Washington, D.C.

70 6. Michigan 134 230 7. Oregon 156 205 8. Montana 78 76 9. Minnesota 43 10. Wyoming 67 We now have 104 members in Canada 132 6 States leading in new memberships: 160 50 1. California 134 2. Washington 66 110 3. Nebraska 55 101 4. Colorado 48 95 5. Michigan 48 46 6. Minnesota 48 7. Kansas And now as our 10th anniversary has become a reality, do not forget the formula of insuring membership growth. 1. Just ask a relative or friend to join. Bring them to a chapter activity. Show interest by listening to their family histories. Tape them or write them down. 2. Give a gift membership. 3. Recruit new members and seek out those who need to be reinstated. 4. Get involved in community activities and let them know of AHSGR. 5. The formula of membership success bears repeating. I say again, invite your relatives and friends to join. Our membership accomplishments have been outstanding this year. Keep the momentum going! Keep AHSGR growing!

Elsie Whittington presents the Membership Report. Since 1974ReinholdD.Amenhasbeen encouraging conventioneers to join the growing group of life members. This year more than ever before signed up—swelling the total to 96.

69 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Mrs. Elsie I. Whittington, Chairman

Membership is the foundation of our organization and what an impressive year this is turning out to be! Lest we rest on our laurels we must remember that our goal is to reach all those of our heritage, and, all those interested in our heritage. Let's tell them about the benefits of AHSGR and in return get them to join us and share their talents with us. Our effectiveness as an oganization certainly depends upon a growing membership. You memebers must be doing something right in your meetings, programs, parade floats or related activities. All these things are like a chain. Each membership is a precious link in that chain. Let's take a look at the statistics A comparison of membership totals: June 6,1978 Junel, 1977 3,743 June 8,1976 2,717 (3,261 on December 31, 1977) June 15,1975 2,173 1,914 A comparison of membership groupings 6-1-77 6-6-78 6-8-76 569 1,082* New Members 425 50 69** Life Members 17 50+ 57 $25 Supporting 63 1++ 2 $50 Contributing 1 1 $100 Sustaining 0 2,047 2,530 ;l;:i:;): $12 Renewals 1,663 4 4 Exchange 4 Total 2,173 2,717 3,743

Non – Renewals In Chapter Areas 257 268 252 Outside Chapter Areas 109 184 196 366 452 448 A Institutional and Organizational Memberships — 50 (31-June 1, 1977) No. of States represented - 49 (Also Washington D.C.) Canada - 104 (41 new in 1978) Germany - 8 South America -- 3 Israel - 1 Korea - 1 Norway — 1 Spain - 1 Western Samoa - 1

10 States with the most memberships: 6-1-77 6-6-78 1. California 586 746 2. Colorado 439 524 3. Nebraska 382 520 4. Washington 185 336 5. Kansas 197 235

68 FOLKLORE COMMITTEE Timothy J. Kloberdanz, Chairman Folklore (as Professor Welsch* pointed out in his excellent presentation earlier) is something that all of us can recognize, react to, and appreciate. Its careful preservation is a primary goal of this international committee. However, we do not seek to merely collect the widely scattered items of folklore related to the heritage of the Germans from Russia; we also seek to disseminate the results of our research in an organized fashion. Since 1975, we have published an annual "Folklore Forum" in the AHSGR Journal (formerly the Work Paper}. This "Forum" customarily includes articles and essays by researchers, translators, and AHSGR scholars, as well as numerous contributions submitted by AHSGR members. Our last "Folklore Forum" dealt with childbirth and childhood customs among the Germans from Russia and touched on practically everything, ranging from the knee-bouncing rhyme "Tross, Tross Trullche” to how to prepare dill seed tea for colicky babies. Our next "Folklore Forum" will focus on the traditional proverbs and folk expressions of the Germans from Russia. Although it will not appear in the AHSGR Journal until Spring of 1979, we already laid some important groundwork at our open committee meeting at this convention. We hope all of you will contribute by using the folklore data cards and sending us German proverbs and expressions that you know and remember-including those expressions some of you might consider "shady." While we respect anyone's wish to remain anonymous, we do request that some of these taboo items be properly identified in regard to their place of origin in Russia. These special expressions (if the contributors so designate) will not be published but will be placed in a separate folklore file labeled "Verschlossen." Some recommendations from this committee for the following year include; 1. Increased communication between the international Folklore Committee and all AHSGR chapters. 2. More cooperation with other international committees, such as that of Translations, in order to encourage the translation and eventual publication of important non-English folkloristic sources. 3. The creation of a special collection of original tape recordings and record albums representative of the folk songs and folk music of all Germans from Russia. These will become an integral part of the AHSGR archive in Greeley. While we have a few such items in our present library collection we do not have a substantial number to warrant a separate listing in the Society's annotated bibliography of materials. 4. A long-lasting and cooperative relationship with our newly formed sister committee on "Dialects." Lastly, sincere thanks are extended to those individuals who so kindly participated in the Open Committee Meeting and Folklore Session at this year's convention; Dr. Charles L. Gebhardt of Citrus Heights, California; Dr. Iris Barbara Graefe of Vienna, Austria; Miss Mary Koch of McMinnville, Oregon; and Professor Roger L. Welsch of Lincoln, Nebraska. We also extend our deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the work of this committee thus far.

^Roger L. Welsch's presentation will appear in the Spring, 1979 Edition of the AHSGR Journal.

Roger Welsch addresses the conven tion during the folklore session.

67 GENEALOGY COMMITTEE Arthur E. Flegel, Chairman

The past year has been unusually productive for the Genealogy Committee. We are greatly encouraged by the high degree of research activity that has been manifest. Many letters have been answered in response to genealogical inquiries. Listings in Section II of Clues 1978 Surname Exchange increased by 235 names and addresses over the previous year, indicative of an animated interest m genealogy. Pertinent to this, we believe, was the initiation of the Consulting Workshop in Genealogy at the previous year along with the development of extensive genealogy and obituary files. The three genealogy forms designed by the Society are enclosed with every new membership packet. People have been very responsive in their filling out and return of the forms. The Membership Data Form specifically requests that members indicate their willingness to have their names appear in the Surname Exchange, thereby providing assurance that they are agreeable to the exchange of information with others. The completed Family Group and Ancestral Charts are edited and submitted to volunteer typists who transcribe the data to two sets of Genealogy Cards, one for Headquarters at Lincoln and the other to be with the Genealogy Committee. Some of these dedicated people have been most generous with their time and effort contributed in behalf of the Society. Augmenting the Genealogy Card File, are the rapidly expanding Obituary Files. Development of these files has been an on- going project of the Golden Gate Chapter as its unified contribution for the benefit of the Society over the past two years. During recent months, helpful members all over the country are supplementing the content of the files by providing obituaries mounted on 5 x 8 cards in the prescribed manner. Most of the recently received obituaries reflect deaths that have occurred during current years. Especially helpful are those of older dating, as illustrated by the excitement generated when people are able to find obits of grandparents, great or even great-great grandparents most of which have thus far come from old copies of the defunct German Congregational Kirchenbote. It would be commendable if other chapters or individuals would make it their special projects to research old church records and newspaper files and photocopy the obituaries which they can then mount on 5 x 8 cards in the customary manner. This would give a very positive thrust to the extension of this effort in behalf of the Society. Instructions pertinent to proper procedures will gladly be provided upon request. Clues 1978 contains a variety of articles designed to give genealogical research aid. It is our intention to continue with this emphasis and also encourage our members to submit personal research experiences as a basis of help for others. The third printing of Dr. Karl Stumpp's book, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763-1862 is currently in process. When correctly used, this book has been and continues to be an outstanding genealogical help. It is exciting to note the interest evidenced at our genealogy meetings and at the Consulting Workshop during the course of this convention. Innovations in the areas of research and preservation of records are being explored. Members are being encouraged to write personal histories as well as family and kinship accounts. With a look towards the positive commitment of individuals and chapters whose cooperation we dearly need, we can anticipate unprecedented achievement in the development of this important and meaningful program of our Society.

Emma S. Haynes who is active in the Nation's Capital Area Chapter addressed the convention on "Researching in the National Archives."

66 TRANSLATION COMMITTEE Herman D. Wildermuth, Chairman

During the year, the committee translated personal letters and stories sent in by members, five documents in Russian, a family excerpt from a Bible and one obituary which, as far as we could ascertain, had been printed in Russia. From translation costs quoted by a professional translator, the minimum cost of translating the obituary would have been $56.00. Many members worked on personal projects, such as family research and translations, and some work was done in connection with articles in the Work Papers (now the Journal of AHSGR). A copy of a 1785 document from the Court of King Priedrich of Prussia, apparently certifying the inheritance of some land and "A Krug" (a Jug), was also sent in to us. This was originally written with a quill pen, in fracture. Unfortunately, many of the words were only a series of Mm's and the copy was too faint in the most critical places, so that, reluctantly, we had to give up trying to decipher all of it. The translation of an account of a 1976 trip back to a home village (Lichtental, Bessarabia) was delayed because of the translator's essential involvement with the Symposium on the Texas Germans at Southwest Texas University at San Marcos, Texas. Happily, it is now complete and ready for Publication Committee disposition. The editing of the book, The History of the Colony Teplitz, is completed and the manuscript copy is ready for the printer. Mr. Thomas J. Schmierer, Albuquerque, New Mexico had this translated at his expense. We have received several other documents and one long article in Russian which we could not get translated, at this time, as our translator of Russian has had a very serious bout with pneumonia and has not been able to work on these. We have since received a copy of the translated article from Mr. Michael Anuta, of Menominee, Michigan who sent it to us originally. He has had it translated privately and has sent a copy to Dr. Adam Giesinger for the analysis of the Publications Committee and, I believe, for possible publication in the Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Also, in progress are two English translations by Timothy and Rosalinda Kloberdanz: Emily Liphart's Dorfgeschichten (Chicago, 1924) and Edward Seib's "Der Volga ~ deutsche im Spiegel seines Brauchtums" (Heimatbuch 1967/1968, pp. 145- 209).

RELIGIOUS HISTORY COMMITTEE Dr. Charles L. Gebhardt, Chairman The committee members wish to renew the call for the preservation of church records. It was at the 1977 convention in San Francisco that the call first went out. All members of AHSGR who have in their possession or who know of the existence of records from Russian German Churches which are no longer functioning are asked to fill out a file card (available from me) giving such data as name, location, and denomination of the church. It is felt by committee members that AHSGR should become the repository for such records only if the records are in immediate danger of being destroyed. For records which are safely housed, copies should be made and made part of the AHSGR Archives. Committee members also felt that members of existing churches should be encouraged to make every effort to record the history of those churches in as much detail as is possible using existing records as sources. Another concern expressed by committee members was that while it is generally known that the denominations represented in the colonies included Catholic, Mennonite, Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed, many AHSGR members know little of denominations other than their own. While the various denominations have been described in detail in scholarly works, often in German, the need exists for short articles written by members of the society to be published in the Newsletter or Journal.

65 ARCHIVES COMMITTEE Mane M. Olson, Chairman

From statistics sent to me by Miss Esther Fromm, the AHSGR Archivist, I can report continued and rapid growth of the collection and of its use. One hundred and nineteen items have been cataloged since January 1977, plus others very recently received and not yet cataloged. Among the latter is a purchase of photocopies of 34 items from Dr. Peter Klassen of Fresno, California, which he made of material found in the Bundes Archive in Koblenz, Germany. The use of the collection has grown in even greater proportion. Between January and May 30,1978,204 interlibrary loan requests have been filled, while in 1977 there were 201 in the entire year. The requests are for books, photocopies of pages of items and answers to specific questions. In addition to the above mail requests, the use of materials in the library has increased greatly, particularly by college students. The above tells of the increased work load for the staff. I wish to thank Mrs. Emma Haynes and Dr. Adam Giesinger, the other committee members, for their continued searching for material to be added to the collection. And, on behalf of all AHSGR members, I wish to extend to Miss Fromm and members of her staff a sincere thank you for their service to AHSGR.

RESEARCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY COMMITTEE Emma Schwabenland Haynes

. There were thirty-five members of AHSGR who attended the Research and Bibliography seminar. Mrs. Haynes .reported on the differences between passenger lists of ships that arrived in the 1870's as compared with those after 1900. In the 1870's the only questions which people had to answer were: name, age, country of origin, and destination, but in 1912 they were asked twenty-nine questions including whether they were anarchists or believed in polygamy, how much money they had, what relative or friend was sponsoring them, did they have a job waiting for them, etc. An animated discussion then ensued over the amount of money that our Russian German ancestors brought with them. Most people who arrived in the years 1872-1875 seem to have been wealthier than those who came later. At least, it was only in these early years that many people arrived first or second class, Religion also played a role in the early years. One hears of "Tanzbruder" (dancing brethem), "Fuss" wascher" (feet washers), various Pentacostal sects, 7th Day Adventists, Baptists, and Mennonite Brethern, in addition to the more traditional Reformed, Lutheran and Catholic groups. Dr. Adam Giesinger then reported on the material which Dr. Peter Klassen of the University of California at Presno discovered recently in the archives of Koblenz, Germany. This includes village reports from colonies lying east of the River. Not even people in the Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus RUssland knew of this material. Along with the village reports was also a letter from Heinz Homeyer to Alfred Rosenberg protesting against the treatment of the Ukrainian people by the S.S. Another letter with an illegible signature warns the S.S. not to offend the Russian German people in the Ukraine as far as religion is concerned. The writer points out that they can be very useful to Nazi Germany by writing letters to friends and relatives in the United States portraying conditions in Russia in a favorable light. .Our:library in Gleeley now has 225 new items since the 1976 Bibliography was printed. Included are the following well- written books: The by Fred Koch, The Wanderers by Ingrid Rimland, The White Lamb by Mela Meisner Lindsay, An Angel on My Shoulder^ Paul Kalmbach, The Meek and the Mighty by Hans Brandenburg and A Song in by Anita and Peter Deyneka, Jr. In addition, there are many family histories such as the ones written by Ethel Lock on the Brack family, by Paul and Helen Hile on the Neu family, and by Barbara Shaw Bittel on her Rohr ancestors. Mrs. Leon Scheuennan showed four volumes of material and many pictures which she and her husband had collected on the Scheuennan family. The following recommendations were made: Members of AHSGR are encouraged to continue writing down their own memoirs or family histories, a supplement to the 1976 Bibliography should be printed as soon as possible, and the Hattie Plum Williams 1914 census should be prepared for publication.

64 of magic, and he and the boy would be one. His son could still be taken by the hand, be led into the woods and stand in awed reverence while he, his father, would break off a twig from a fir tree and put a match to it and have him smell the sharp, pungent scent of the spark-throwing needles, and tell him in a voice raw with emotion: "This, David, is the smell of Christmas in the Vaterland . . . /' Throughout the book, one finds similar references that allude to the deep-rooted pride so characteristic not only of the South Russian , but also of other German groups from Russia as well. The ramifications of such ethnic pride might be questioned but who can argue that it was not essential? In order for the Russian German colonists to have maintained themselves as veritable islands in a great Slavic sea, pride was vital to the preservation of their distinct subculture. At one point in The Wanderers, the stem patriarch Johann Klassen tells his children in Russia; "We are of German origin. And we are Christians. And that is the alpha and omega of our nationality" (p; 24). And at another point in the novel (and still another generation later) a Mennonite father states: "We are no people without our German bonds. If we deny ... if we forget from where we came, the wellspring of our essence will dry up" (p. 90). Is it any wonder then that towards the close of the novel-deep in the jungles of Paraguay—we find the white-haired Katja voicing these same sentiments as she attempts to quell the rebellious spirit of her granddaughter Karin? But the granddaughter, wishing to sever her bonds to the Mennonite Gemeend forever, is tired of old people's talk and defiantly tells the aged Katja: "... Your story means nothing to me. Russia means nothing to me. Germany means nothing to me, for that matter, except hunger and cold and death and some other memories I would just as soon forget. Listen to me carefully, Oma dear! I have chosen my own life . . . ." (p. 311) Kami's statement is more than the disheartened plea of one young Mennonite; it is a voice that has been heard and reckoned with not only by scores of Germans from Russia, but by emigrants from many lands who became strangers not only in their New World home but also in the presence of their own children as well. Thus, while the book relates to a relatively small proportion of humanity, it ultimately involves itself with a theme that is truly universal. Subsequently, The Wanderers is destined to occupy a significant place in ethnic American literature, for it concerns the interpersonal conflicts that haunt us all. Editor's Note: The book is available for purchase from AHSGR , 631 D Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502. $8.95 per copy plus 50 cents for postage and handling.

Two bands provided music for the Tenth Anniversary Ball. Darryl Hadcock and Company and Ray Stahla's Polka Group took turns so there was no let-up in tripping the light fantastic. We really didn't need the reminder, "Let's meet in Seattle in '79." We'll be there! You can depend on it/

63 credit that she succeeds so thoroughly in bringing Katja, Sara, and Karin to life. These characters will loom like ghosts in the reader's mind long after The Wanderers is relegated to the library bookshelf. Perhaps one reason for the novel's excellence is its honesty. In the past, books have been published about various ethnic groups that tended only to glorify the past and gloss over certain unattractive attributes of those portrayed. (This is especially true of ethnic novels written by "insiders" who actually come from the communities they describe.) But The Wanderers, although authored by a Russian-born Mennonite, does not depict Mennonites as saintly representatives of a higher social order on earth. While Ingrid Rimland does present many praiseworthy features of Mennonite culture both in Europe and the New World, she also balances the picture by citing examples of Mennonite chauvinism and intolerance. In other words, the author treats Mennonites as a very human group-prone to the same weaknesses and pitfalls that all men and women have experienced to at least some degree—and as a result the reader feels greater empathy for the characters. A specific illustration of the book's honesty is the author's portrayal of the novel's antagonists. While the reader may grow to hate the book's villains, the reader will also grow to understand what motivated these characters to behave so callously. For example, in the early part of the book, the Russian anarchist Nestor Razin leads a brutal raid on the Mennonite colony of Waldheim. During the raid, Katja Klassen is raped by Razin and her parents and twin brothers are savagely murdered. Yet the author informs the reader that this same Nestor Razin (perhaps patterned after the real-life Nestor Makhno who terrorized German Mennonites in the Ukraine?) was, as a child, beaten by Katja's father and repeatedly humiliated by his Mennonite classmates who dubbed him "Russefung." While any reader can hate Nestor Razin without effort, it is hard to overlook the forces that shaped such a cruel and violent personality. Although The Wanderers describes many of its characters fairly and forcefully, this is not to say that all who read the novel will agree with the author's page by page interpretation of certain events in the lives of the German colonists in Russia. Some readers will wince (as this reviewer did) while reading the section in the book about the Nazi occupation of the Ukraine during World War II, True, many German villagers (and even some disillusioned non-Germans) in South Russia greeted the Nazi invaders as liberators. But the author's references to the Nazi soldiers as "archangels sent straight from the hand of the Lord," "knights come alive," and "loyal friends . . . of German women and children" will prove bothersome until the reader realizes that the author is describing the invaders as the distraught Mennonites in Russia first saw them. In an ensuing chapter of The Wanderers, when many of the Mennonites set sail from post-war Germany for the Gran Chaco of Paraguay, the painful realization becomes all too clear that the refugees had "been bewitched by the swastika flag" and been caught up in a nightmarish "whirlpool of madness" (p. 212). Need the author say any more? The Wanderers is masterfully organized and the writing style is clear and refreshing. (The author's finely polished prose is all the more impressive when one remembers that she learned English less than a dozen years ago.) Consider, for example, the opening paragraph of the book that serves not only as an introduction to Katja's father, Johann Klassen, but also includes a capsulized version of history as well: When Johann Klassen communicated with his God, he always did so in High German. He would have thought it sheer heresy to talk to his Lord in the Low German that his forefathers had brought to Russia more than a century ago when they had followed the beckoning of . Even though twelve decades of close-knit living in the Ukraine had polished these dipthonged sounds into a smooth and comforting language, Low German was reserved for everyday use—to speak to Susanna, to admonish his children, to chat across the neighbor's fence when the day's work was done and twilight lingered for hours m the pungent air. But High German was the language of the Creator—the language of the Bible, the hymnbook, the daily discipline calendar sheets with which to start the day-a mighty and impressive language that wielded power and determination and was as sharp and cutting and as upheaving as the blade of his plow which furrowed the land. (p. 9) There are other passages in the book that will demand re-reading for their exquisite beauty alone. No one can easily forget the following excerpt (p. 93) about a Mennonite father on the steppes of South Russia who tries to convey to his young song something of the essence of their proud Germanic heritage: ... He and the boy would sit on the doorsteps and he would pass on to the child his hopes and his longings, and the child would whisper back to him those precious sounds

62 AN ADDITION TO THE LOAN COLLECTION The Wanderers: The Saga of Three Women Who Survived, by Ingrid Rimland. St. Louis, Missouri: Con-cordia Publishing House, 1977. 323 pp. Reviewed by Timothy J. Kloberdanz How long has it been since you leisurely picked up a new book that became so engrossing it had to be finished in one long sitting? The Wanderers, a deeply moving and beautifully written novel by Ingrid Rimland, will demand your complete attention until you turn the final page. So prepare yourself before even starting this book by reserving a secluded spot, a comfortable chair, and an evening during which you can afford to turn loose your imagination and emotions. After finishing this remarkable novel, you may well need to simply sit back and slowly recover from the exhilarating experience of having read it! Since its initial publication, last December, The Wanderers has been the recipient of literary awards and critical acclaim. (Alex Haley, author of the best-selling Roots, personally presented the 41-year-old Ingrid Rimland with a recent award designating her book as the "best first novel of 1977 by a California writer"). Plans are underway to publish a Bantam paperback edition of The Wanderers and at least two motion picture companies are exploring possibilities of bringing Ingrid Rimland's poignant story to the screen. There is little doubt that more rave reviews and even international attention will follow in the coming months. The success of The Wanderers will please AHSGR members for two major reasons: first, it is a story about an important segment of the Germans from Russia; and second, its author is herself a Russian-born German Mennonite who lived much of the story that she so expertly tells. Undoubtedly, these facts will prompt many in AHSGR to buy and read the book but the novel deserves to be purchased on its literary merits as well. Of the few English language novels published about the Germans from Russia thus far, The Wanderers is destined to rank with the very best, if not at the top. The opening chapters of the novel are set in the Molotschna area of the Ukraine, where Low German-speaking Mennonites had established agrarian villages in the early nineteenth century. By 1914, most of the Mennonite colonies in South Russia had become quite prosperous and consequently were the envious targets of less affluent neighbors. In The Wanderers, Ingrid Rimland paints an all-encompassing picture that effectively captures not only the unique life style of the Russian Mennonite colonists but the historic events that would forever change their once peaceful existence: World War I and the Russian Revolution; civil war and Soviet collectivization; World War II and the Nazi Blitzkrieg, the long trek of many Russian Mennomtes into war-ravaged Germany; the Battle of Berlin and the ultimate defeat of the Third Reich; and finally the emigration of numerous hope-filled Mennonite refugees to the South American jungles of Paraguay in 1948. As the book's sub-title indicates, The Wanderers focuses on three Mennonite women who survived not only a threatening series of external conflicts but varying degrees of inner turmoil as well. The fact that this latest novel about the Germans from Russia is written primarily about three women is of special-interest if one compares it to other English language novels that relate to Russian German life. Nearly all have been written by and about women! (In 1935, Hope Williams Sykes published a Colorado novel about the Volga German beet worker Hannah Schreissmiller entitled Second Hoeing; in 1937, Miss Sykes immortalized the peasant woman Katharina in The Joppa Door; in 1956, Mary Worthy Brenneman's novel, The Land They Possessed, dealt with Michal Ward her secret love for a young Black Sea German homesteader named Karl Gross; and in 1976, Russian-born Mela Meisner Lindsay authored Shukar Balan: The White Lamb, a compelling story that revolves around Evalis, whose dreams as a young girl on the Volga steppes finally are fulfilled on the plains of Kansas.) The major characters in The Wanderers represent three generations of the same family and include: Katja Klassen; Katja's illegitimate daughter Sara (resulting from a rape incident during a bloody rebellion in Russia); and Sara's daughter, Karin. Yet it is the unforgettable and powerful figure of Katja who dominates practically every page of The Wanderers. Katja (in her later years) is described by the author as "the very epitome of a Mennonite matriarch—a stately woman , . . tall, white-haired, high-cheeked, with a face forbiddingly reflecting centuries of Mennonite inbreeding" (p. 251). Katja exhibits extraordinary perseverance by-doing everything she humanly can to keep her family together and to preserve the Mennonite heritage she holds so dear. Her task is no easy one for Katja must counter not only the pressures and senseless violence of the outside world but also the weak nature of her daughter Sara and the rebellious spirit of her granddaughter Karin. Thus, against a multi-faceted backdrop of revolution, war, and pioneering hardship, the reader is forced to concentrate on the intricate relationship that binds the novel's three major characters together. Such elaborate characterization is nothing unique in good literature, but it is to the author's

61 WE CELEBRATE OUR HERITAGE Rev. Edwin 0. Berreth

As my text I have chosen Hebrews 11:8: "Abraham trusted God, and when God told him to leave home and go far away to another land which he promised to give him, Abraham obeyed. Away he went, not even knowing where he was going." To me this verse rings a bell as applying to those of our ancestors who migrated to Russia from Germany, and then across the Atlantic Ocean. I say, "Thank God my grandparents migrated to America." And I say, let's CELEBRATE our being here, and also CELEBRATE the heritage we have. I would even go so far as to say that if I didn't want to celebrate, I'd be a heretic! As long as we care and appreciate our background and our culture it will live on. Civilization, and our heritage will die when or if we no longer care. Our sons and daughters are watching us! We are children of hope because we believe God is in control. Referring to the Bible again, not only was Abraham a man of faith, trusting God, and moving out when things weren't going right, culture-wise. We also have Simeon as a man of hope. In Luke 2:25ff. we find Simeon believing in the Christ even before his own death. After having seen the Christ child, he said, ^Now Lord you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace." In my own heritage I remember being told about my four grandparents, how they prayed and migrated in faith to their Promised Land. Who's to say God didn't answer their prayers. They must have known he did; how else could they have endured the hardships of that trip, by ship and train, seeing some dying enroute. I, too, have memory tapes: moving to North Dakota in two freight cars with Mother and Dad; the great depression; the Russian thistles; grasshoppers, etc. I have vowed that in a few years when I retire, I will write it all down! It is a rich heritage that I hadn't particularly appreciated until I started attending these AHSGR Convention. They have turned me on' Let us remember: God was at work in history- AND STILL IS. God has helped them, and will help us. We need a turned-on generation that will change the lives of those who follow us. Our heritage is not finished. We are a part of it and we can continue not only to celebrate what we have, but also to create more. To change the world, to make it what we want it to be, calls for tough-minded and competent persons. We can do it, because God is with us. We celebrate by our actions, as have so many in the past. Many died before they were free. I just read of someone being crucified on a cellar door during such a migration. They didn't get to enjoy life as we have it. We must go on that they might not have died in vain. Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to preach the Good News to the poor . . . and to announce the year when the Lord will save his people." (Luke 4:18ff.) I wonder: He wants us to do that too, and to be IN CELEBRATION when we do it!

Always we sing "So Nimm Den Meine Haande," our closing benediction, and take our leave with plans to see each other next June.

So nimm denn meine Hande So nimm denn meine Haende und fuehre mien. Wenn ich auch gleich nichts fume Bis an mein selig Ende und ewiglich. Von deiner Macht, Ich kann allein nicht gehen, Du fuehrst mich doch zum Ziele Nicht einen Schritt. Auch durch die Nacht. Wo Du wirst geh'n und stehen, So nimm den meine hande und fuehre mich Da nimm mich nut! Bis an mein selig Ende und ewiglich!

60 OUR ECUMENICAL SERVICE

It is a tradition at AHSGR Conventions to join in an ecumenical service on Sunday morning before going our separate ways. To AHSGR members it is fitting to close our program on a spiritual note, remembering that it was the strong religious faith of our forefathers that carried them through such trying times, making it possible for them to create for all of us a better and happier world. In our worship we sang, again, some of the beautiful German hymns: "Gott 1st Gegenwartig" and "Gott ist die Liebe." At this year's service Debra Philson, one of AHSGR's secretaries sang "Fairest Lord Jesus." G. "Scotty" Kaufman presided. There were two speakers and the presentations follow.

WE HONOR OUR HERITAGE THROUGH FAITH Irmgard Ellingson

Heute is ja Sonntag, die schfinste Tag die ganze Woche. (Today is Sunday, the most beautiful day of the entire week.) It is the day of our Lord's glorious resurrection, and a day of rest and renewal for Christians everywhere. We are privileged to be able to gather in this lovely hall, with the chandeliers, carpet, and comfortable chairs for our worship today. We need not worry that during the course of our worship, armed men will enter and say that we must stop what we are doing or be severely punished. The freedom of worship is ours, and we must give pause to consider what a blessing it is, and how much we have taken it for granted when there are so many places in the world where people must silently and secretively read their Bibles, and whisper famuiar hymn passages behind tightly closed doors. Our ancestors did not always have the opportunity to worship freely but through it all, they have been a people who never doubted the existence of God. As they left Germany, they did so in faith that there was a better land waiting for them, and God went with them. Even when there were no churches, the people made it a point to gather to give thanks to God for His love. It must have been very difficult to give thanks while famine, war, and sickness were rampant, but we have evidence that the Germans from Russia never forgot their God. The tradition of faith in our people has made us people who are active church members, working in missions, benevolences, and charities throughout our country and abroad. We find Germans from Russia involved in projects ranging from aid to the Third World nations to local self-help agencies such as the United Way. And yet, we are overlooking something. Last night, at the banquet, Art FIegel was referring to the South American tour when he said that we have now become real to the Germans from Russia there, and that we are no longer just people off somewhere. But there is a large group of people to whom we remain unfamiliar, and to whom we owe our Christian love and support. In his address to us, Dr. Stumpp spoke of the necessity of repeating the ancient words of Moses in relation to the Germans still remaining in Russia. The Lincoln daily newspaper gave his story the headline of "LET MY PEOPLE GO". Do we realize that there are as many, if not more, "Russlandsdeutsche" still in the U.S.S.R. as there are in the United States? And what are we doing for them? What do we know about them? As our ancestors migrated from Germany, they took God with them, so to speak. We know that throughout our history, our people have remembered their God. Even in this tradition, present-day "Russlands-deutsche" in the U.S.S.R. pray to God for deliverance and for guidance. They do not doubt that their God exists, even through the trials of having the young people mainlined into Russian lifestyles, of not being allowed to have church services, of not being able to actively retain their Germanic traditions. In our involvement with church and government, we often overlook the necessity of helping our own people. We need to pray for them, and we certainly must actively support them through letters to our senators and representatives, government agencies, and church relief agencies. We dare not forget that we are so fortunate to live in a free society that we must help our brothers and sisters who are still in bondage. They share our heritage, and they must be set free to join us in praise to God for ancestors who courageously sought peace and a homeland. Let us echo the words of Moses in this quest; let us tell the world to let our people go.

59 A TOAST TO OUR FUTURE Timothy J. Kloberdanz

In numerous conversations with older Germans from Russia, I have often asked them if they knew ways to foretell the future. Evidently, they had a few in the Old Country. Unmarried women, for example, sometimes went to bed on the opposite side in hopes of seeing their future husband in a dream. On Christmas Eve, many German colonists placed twelve slices of carefully salted onion near a window to foretell the following year's weather. When all else failed, some of the more determined souls in the village paid wandering Gypsies a few kopecks to gaze into a crystal ball or read an outstretched palm. Contrary to what so many observers may think, Russian Germans did not live entirely in the past. True, they were conservative in many areas of life, but they always looked to the future. They were and remain a people of many migrations, many moods, and many dreams. If things appeared bleak, they sang as they packed what they could carry and moved on in search of a more certain future elsewhere. Whenever I think about the future of our people (and of this society) I grow optimistic, for I believe that enthusiastic workers, capable scholars, and new leaders will continue the important work of this organization. I like to think that perhaps even this very evening in Russian German settlements outside cities like Tashkent, Alma Ata, Buenos Aires, Chicago, and Saskatoon, future Karl Stumpps are discovering the story of our people with fresh insights and with eyes still young. And hopefully another potential leader with the same self-sacrificing spirit as Ruth Amen is taking her first steps tonight in Lodi or Greeley or Lincoln's South Bottoms, a child's steps that eventually will lead to this convention podium a whole generation from now. Yes, I have reason to be optimistic. Our numerous accomplishments (as members of AHSGR) should make us very proud but they should also inspire us to achieve even greater things. These first ten years, when judged even by our severest critics, will prove to be glowing ones. My dear people, all of you realize that no one can be specific about the years ahead but I do want to conclude with something from the past that all of you can take with you into the future. This has been an extraordinary convention, and an especially fruitful one for hearing and collecting proverbs. Thus, it is an Old Country proverb that I offer and ask you to remember. It was often spoken by my maternal grandmother, Anna Margarete Sewald, whom I never knew and who now sleeps beneath the Colorado prairie she helped tame. I am told she would utter it whenever people complained about all the hard work and responsibilities that lay before them. If she were here tonight I am sure she would stand before you with her toil-worn hands and softly exclaim in her Volga dialect: "Der Herrgott macht dem Fuchs sei Schwanz net longer wie der Fuchs 'n trage' kann^ (The Lord God makes the tail of the fox no longer than it can be carried), Indeed, the challenges and goals before us are not too great for this society. We have already accomplished far more than many ever dreamed possible. Like the fox that carries its bushy tail always behind it, we must carry our proud past into a beckoning future ... a future that glitters with the promise of still brighter things to come. Ladies and gentlemen, to our future!

58 members visited several South American countries. Those who participated will never forget the unique experiences along with the warm hospitality demonstrated by Germans from Russia, our "landsleute" south of the equator. Finally, it is essential that I mention the extensive genealogy and obituary files that have been developed as a special project of the Golden Gate Chapter for the society and have subsequently been augmented by typists and obituary contributors from all over the country. Following the example of the Lincoln, Nebraska Chapter whose dedicated members have done so much towards the advancement of this Society, the Golden Gate Chapter has tried to emulate this devotion to our ideal by undertaking this on-going project. Considering what has been accomplished during this past decade of AHSGR's existence, we can look forward with great anticipation and enthusiasm to the opportunities and challenges that await us in the course of the next ten years. Join me, now, as we toast our achievements.

57 WE TOAST OUR ACHIEVEMENTS Arthur E. Flegd

To speak conclusively and in detail about the achievements of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia over the past 10 years would certainly require more than the 3 minutes allotted to me. To begin, we must honor the fact that we were indeed organized as a Society in 1968. Following a series of exploratory meetings in the fall of 1968, a timely manifestation of a dream was realized on the part of Theodore Urbach, David Miller and others to see the creation of this viable organization that has experienced such an unprecedented growth. As of this convention, we can boast memberships which comprise nearly 10»000 individuals and encompass 32 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. An early achievement of course, was the creation of a headquarters staffed with volunteer workers, at Greeley, Colorado. This was shortly followed by the development of an archival library housed at the Greeley Public Library. Without fear of contradiction, I can safely state that today the library contains the largest and most complete collection of books, articles, pamphlets and documents about Germans from Russia that exist anywhere. There are some of our heritage, such as certain Mennonite groups who have been very thorough in establishing archives that relate to their special interests. But, we chose to be a society of Germans encompassing all areas of our Russian backgrounds; geographically, religiously, culturally and economically. In this, we have achieved remarkable success, for our Society identifies with every type of Christian belief that exists in the United States and Canada. I reiterate, this is in itself an achievement of unusual proportions when we as a non- sectarian body can gather at an occasion such as this wonderful convention week to work in unity and harmony towards the extension of a very unique ethnic heritage. In a short while, it became apparent that our normal development would be enhanced through the creation of an AHSGR Foundation. This aim of the Society is a means for our people to demonstrate their affection for their heritage in a very tangible way. Transfer of our headquarters to Lincoln has placed the society in the most central location in the continental United States that claims a remarkable connection with Germans from Russia. A large corps of volunteer workers under the able direction of our dedicated President, Ruth Amen, has made possible the outstanding growth that we are enjoying. In terms of publications, our periodical, the Work Paper recently renamed the AHSGR Journal, has always reflected scholarly articles designed to enhance our knowledge of the history of our people. The Newsletters keep us abreast of current events concerning our Chapters and the Society in general. The publication, Clues, is a substantial aid towards simplifying our research activities. All three can be regarded as exemplary in their historical context and professional in appearance. They are meaningful vehicles that bind us together in one common appreciation of our heritage. Our Society has become known as a publisher of books. I challenge any organization to show greater achievement that has been ours in the brief span of our existence. Following our second International Convention in June of 1971 right here in Lincoln, when we also had Dr. Karl Stumpp as our guest, we embarked upon a program of raising $ 10,000 to assure the publication of his world famous book, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the years 1763 to 1862. For the $10,000 we received 1,000 copies of the English Edition which had been sold on a p re-publication sales promotion at a price of $12 per book. By the time the 3 gigantic cases arrived in Menlo Park, California from Germany, nearly all of the 1,000 books had been pre-sold. In a short time we engaged in a second printing of 1,000 copies, this time in the United States and financed by the proceeds from sale of the first printing. A few weeks ago, we were completely sold out of the second edition and the third 1,000 is now in the printing process. Proceeds from these book sales have made it possible to initiate other publications such as the fabulous Kuche Kochen, another tremendous success. In addition, The Czar's Germans, the scholarly book edited by Emma Haynes, Gerda Walker and Phil Legler, along with the beloved Shukar Salon—The White Lamb by Mela Meisner Lindsay are noteworthy representations of our image as a publisher. Most recently, we have purchased the total rights to the popular book The German-Russians: Two Centuries of Pioneering by Dr. Stumpp. This has now been reprinted under our auspices. Not to be overlooked are the positively outstanding International Conventions that we enjoy so much. This marks the ninth, and like each of the previous ones, it is the best ever. Our most recent unified activity was the organizing of two AHSGR Tours , whereby a number of our

56 A TOAST TO OUR CHAPTERS Ruth K. Stoll

There's a "sprichwort" or adage in our culture that says; "Eine hand washt die andre und beide das gesicht" or "one hand washes the other and together the face." The true meaning of this, of course, speaks to the spirit of cooperation, and the analogy seems well taken as applied to the relationship between the chapters and the parents body. As we revel this evening in this tenth anniversary celebration to mark the achievement of our successful organization of 32 chapters across this great nation and Canada, we also look to the expectant future. It has taken hard work, dedication, optimism, leadership, and especially faith on the parts of many people to bring us this far. You'll recognize those same traits as basic to our rich heritage. It has been applied again and again by people who gave willingly of their little talent in seemingly insignificant ways. Many of you here tonight, as well as those back home in chapter areas awaiting news of this week's endeavors made all this possible. No one person could have done it alone. Lots of them never got their names on the printed program; some were embarrassed to be singled out for praise; others could only lend an encouraging word, but each helped in his own inimitable way to bring us where we are in 1978. This organization thrives on challenges. When there were 3 chapters by 1971, we wanted 6 by 1972-we got 8! By the 1976 Bicentennial year we wanted to double that number and got to 21. This year we said; "Ten new chapters for the 10th anniversary" and we met that challenge also, and in so doing, we also became truly international. I wish to propose an especially joyous toast to all of those 32 chapters that represent the willing hands that together make the shining face all of us recognize as the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Double numbers intrigue me; the challenge this evening is "66 by '88."

WE TOAST THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION Mrs. Theodore E. Heinz

Tonight it is our privilege to toast the International Foundation of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. We would first salute those loyal members and friends who dared to accept an idea and with pride and loyalty gave the International Foundation the chance to become. The time of progress was not long and we salute all of you who warmed our hearts with generous donations which in turn gives financial support to the work of our heritage we believe in. Only you could make this possible. Many, many caught the fire and became Lamplighters. You honored your loved ones with Memorial donations. Many became "TORCH BEARERS" and have worked to keep our lamps burning. We have carried the light only a little way but there are those who wait for it, and it is with firm confidence that we believe our Lamps will keep burning for the lasting values of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Ladies and Gentlemen, will you join me in offering a toast to the International Foundation.

55 WE TOAST OUR MEMBERS Edward Schwartzkopf

Some time ago our president, Ruth Amen, asked me if I would prepare a toast to our AHSGR members. As is so often the case when the event seems to be a long way off, I accepted the assignment and then began wondering why on earth I ever consented to take on such a responsibility. I began casting about for a theme and thought that I could write something to meter or rhyme. This Just didn't seem to work for me. So, when you're in trouble there are several things that usually will stand you in good stead. First, tell the truth. Second, search the scriptures of Holy Writ or check the writings of the masters. I went first to the Good Book and turned to Matthew 18, verse 19, which reads: "Again I say to you, If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven." You know very well the problem with this verse as it relates to our members. Anytime you have two of them meeting you immediately have three opinions! I continued reading Matthew 18, verse 20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." This dinner certainly meets these criteria. I then turned to Aesops Fables in quest of a suitable passage and found one entitled "United We Stand," which, appears extremely appropriate for this time in the history of our organization. "A husbandman who had a quarrelsome family, after having tried in vain to reconcile them by words, thought he might more readily prevail by an example. So he called his sons and bade them lay a bundle of sticks before them. Then having tied them up into a fagot, he told the lads, one after another, to take it up and break it. They all tried, but tried in vain. Then untying the fagot, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest of ease- Then said the father; "Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for all your enemies; but differ and separate, and you are undone." So it is with our Society on this our Tenth Anniversary. If we as members remain united, we can overcome all adversity. We have great precedence for unity through our heritage. Had our ancestors not remained united, they all would have perished. Many years ago Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company, said, "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success!" Join me in a toast to a United AHSGR Membership-for m unity there is strength!!

54 WE TOAST OUR FOUNDERS Dr. Adam Giesinger Some of the facts surrounding the founding of this society have been in dispute, but the records show that five men, with the help of some wives, were the prime movers in the founding. Their contributions varied. Three of them were active in arranging the early meetings, a fourth attended and participated in some of them, the fifth gave his encouragement and advice from a distance. Their becoming acquainted and subsequent collaboration was something of a miracle. As late as 1966 none of the five knew each other or of each other. They lived in different parts of the country and belonged to different professions: a retired YMCA executive in Hampden, Connecticut; a lawyer in Greeley, Colorado; a businessman recently moved to Greeley from Ft. Collins; a retired army officer in Sutton, Nebraska; and a college professor in Franklin, Indiana. They were men of different interests and different temperaments, perhaps even incompatible to some degree. A series of unconnected events brought them together. One of them translated a book on the Germans in Russia, news of which somehow reached the others. Another wrote a family history, which he placed in certain Nebraska libraries, where two of the others found it and contacted him. A third made trips to Russia in 1966 and 1967 and on his return showed slides in church halls and wrote an account of his visit to relatives in Russia. Word of this got around to the others. By March 1968 all of them knew of each other. They had one thing in common which served as an attractive force: they were all descendants of Germans from Russia and were keenly interested in the history of their forefathers. This led them to correspondence and eventually to meetings to discuss the founding of a society to preserve their heritage. And it kept them together until the society was well launched. Only one of the five is still active among us: our first president, David J. Miller. William Urbach died in September 1971. John Wemer, Theodore Wenzlaff and Joseph Height retired from activity in the society several years ago. These five men drew in others who played important roles in the early months. One such who deserves special mention is the late Chester Krieger, who became our first secretary. These men built better than they knew. No one of them in his wildest dreams would have predicted the success that AHSGR has attained in its first ten years. Please join me now in toasting our Founders.

53 A TOAST TO OUR FORBEARS Emma Schwabenland Haynes I consider it a great honor to be asked to give a toast to our forbears. Their story differs from that of most Americans in that there is a double migration in their history: first to Russia beginning with the year 1763, and then to America after 1872. They came to Russia, as Dr. Stumpp often reminds us, not with a sword, but in response to invitations issued by Catherine II and Alexander I. Volga Germans were the first to arrive. The trip from their native villages usually took an entire year. The disillusionment which they felt after being shown the treeless steppes which were to be their future homes has often been described. Difficulties were caused by lack of housing, the bitterly cold winters, hunger, sickness, and the attacks of nomadic Asiatic herdsmen. Volga Germans were followed by Mennonites who settled primarily in Chortitza and the Molotschna area of south Russia. established villages near Odessa. Germans also settled in the Crimea, in Bessarabia, the Caucasus, and Volhynia. In 1872 the trek to America began. Black Sea Germans arrived in Yankton, South Dakota in April 1873 during one of the worst blizzards that the territory had ever known. But they remained there, took out homesteads and planted fields of grain on virgin soil. Throughout the following years they were joined by thousands of other settlers who moved across North Dakota into Canada. In the summer of 1874, Jacob Wiebe arrived with his Mennonite followers from the Crimea. In spite of the fact that a terrible grasshopper plaque had taken place in Kansas just a few weeks previously, he bought land near Peabody. It was unbearably hot, and everything was dry and withered. One day Wiebe was so disheartened, worrying about the future, that he sat on the steps of a store building which he had rented and began to weep. A woman came by and asked what was wrong. Mr. Wiebe told her of his concern and she answered, "Do you see those stones? They are sometimes entirely under water. It will rain again soon. Such people as you will make their living." Her words proved to be prophetic. It did rain again, and what the Mennonites contributed to Kansas agriculture is well known. In the spring of 1876, Volga German Catholics founded the town of Catherine, Kansas. Men built sod houses three feet under the ground and three feet above. When they were through, their wives were so happy to have homes of their own that they said they preferred these sod houses to the most elegant rented houses in Topeka. In the year 1882 about twenty families of Volga Germany Protestants left Culbertson, Nebraska, and travelled by covered wagon down the legendary Oregon trail to Walla Walla and Ritzville, Washington. Many young married couples took part in this adventure, and three women in the party gave birth to babies as the trek passed through Oregon. During this period and on into the 1900's, there was a certain condescension and at times an antagonistic feeling expressed towards Germans from Russia. A friend of mine, Mrs. Goldie Shaw, often heard these rhymes when she was a child attending school in Sutton, Nebraska. Rooshun, Pooshun, Ice cream, cake, Ha! Ha! Ha! Potatoes, mutton. 't know nothin All the Rooshuns But Ja! Ja! Ja! Come from Sutton.

In the 1880's sugar beet seed was introduced into the Platte River Valley. Sugar beets demanded much hand labor and Germans from Russia were just the people needed to do it. Hundreds moved every year from Lincoln to sugar beet fields near Saginaw, Michigan, western Nebraska, and eastern Colorado. Many Germans from Russia decided to stay permanently in these areas, after renting and then buying land. The first people to arrive in any new settlement always felt most completely alone. This was also true of that group of about thirty men, women and children who came to Fresno, California on June 19, 1887. There was no one to greet them and they themselves were unable to speak English. Similar conditions were repeated in all the other cities and villages to which Germans from Russia came. And so - I salute our forbears, to whom we are eternally grateful for their courage and fortitude in coming to North America. They possessed a stamina which matches that of any other pioneer of the American frontier.

52 THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET

It was a festive evening when 755 members assembled at the University of Nebraska Student Union to celebrate AHSGR's Tenth Anniversary. There was fun and laughter mixed with a serious look at the history and accomplishments of a society that had grown to numbers far exceeding anyone's expectations. Tables had been beautifully decorated with flowers that symbolized an organization that had blossomed from the nurture of caring and dedicated volunteers. It was the end of a 5-year term as president for Ruth Amen, who gratefully received an orchid corsage and gold watch and it was the beginning of a new administration with Dr. Adam Giesinger of Winnipeg at the helm. We were celebrating a birthday — our tenth — and twelve new life memberships were enrolled, one for each year, one for the celebration, and one to grow on. The two past presidents of AHSGR, David J. Miller, 1968-1973, and Ruth M. Amen, 1973-1978, shared the toastmaster's honors and Edward Schwartzkopf was called on to give the invocation.

THE INVOCATION Eternal Father of all ethnic groups; grant to the members. Board of Directors, and officers of this great ethnic society a sacred moment of quiet before we take up the responsibilities of a New Year in AHSGR. Turn our thoughts to Thee and open our hearts to thy spirit that we may have wisdom in our decisions, understanding in our thinking, love in our attitudes, and mercy in our judgments. Let us not think, when this prayer is said, that our dependence upon Thee is over and forget Thy counsel in days to come. Rather, from these moments of heart-searching may there come such a sweetness of disposition that all may know that Thou art present at this convention. From this Holy interlude may there flow light and joy and power that will remain with us until night shall bring Thy whispered benedication, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

A special guest of note was introduced after the prime rib dinner fit for a king. Dr. Kari Stumpp of Stuttgart, Germany, the world's foremost researcher on Germans from Russia had been with us throughout the week at our invitation. It was the second time and 7 years since AHSGR had brought him to the United States to share his knowledge with them. Standing on a chair to demonstrate the height of his spirit and joy on the occasion he spoke in heartwarming terms of the love he felt for his friends in AHSGR. Then it was time to think what the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia had meant to people of this heritage and to pay homage to those who had made these first ten years so meaningful for us all.

Dr. Karl was in excellent form at the banquet. In the picture with him are the two toastmasters. 51 UNIVERSITY STUDIES ON GERMANS FROM RUSSIA

A very informative session was given to hearing reports on what is happening on the college and university level with respect to studies related to Germans from Russia. The four speakers pictured here outlined programs at their respective institutions. These reports, along with new developments in other colleges and Universities will be presented in a future issue of the Journal.

Timothy Kloberdanz, Professor, University of North Mrs. Leona Pfeifer, Associate Professor, Fort Hays State Dakota, Fargo, North Dakota. University, Hays, Kansas.

Dr. Frederick C. Luebke, Professor of History, University of Dr. Sidney Heitman, Director, Colorado State Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. University Project on Germans from Russia, Fort Coltins, Colorado.

50

Ingrid Rimland Harley Stucky The Wanderers A Century of Russian Mennonite History in America Mennonite Ship List Swiss (Volhynian) 1874

Authors - translators who spoke but are not pictured were: Dr. Adam Giesinger From Catherine to Khrushchev Dr. Amiand Bauer, tr. Russian German Settlements in the United States Emma S. Haynes and Gerda S. Walker, ed. The Czar's Germans Dr. Karl Stumpp The German Russians.' Two Centuries of Pioneering The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862 49 MEET OUR AUTHORS

Sales in the convention bookstore were lively after a session during which our authors were introduced and spoke briefly about their particular book. It is an imposing list and AHSGR is fortunate and pleased to have among its members so large an array of researchers, historians and translators. An autographing session followed.

Mela Meisner Lindsay at right autographs a copy of The book store opened Tuesday morning and drew The White Lamb for The White Lamb for Martha Kolb continuous crowds of members. Here John Eurich of of Phoenix, Arizona. Plainfield, Vermont is flanked by two unidentified members.

Dr . Arnold Marzolf Dr. A. Becker, tr. Prairie Poems The German Colonies in South Russia

48

Ruth K. Stoll, chapter organization chairman, awarded ten charters to new chapters organized in the past year.

Elsie I, Whittington, far right at the podium, presented life membership certificates.

47 EVERYTHING WAS SPECIAL FOR THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY

The governor came as did the Mayor of Lincoln, the "All American City," ten chapters were chartered and twenty-two received their life membership certificates at the Fellowship Breakfast. Leading off everything was the Reunion Banquet for all who had served on the International Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Trustees.

From left at the Reunion Banquet are Cleora and Arthur Flegel, Alice Amen Heinz, Ruth M. Amen and David and Lydia Miller.

GovernorJ. J. Exon extends greetings. Others from left are Ralph L. Giebelhaus, treasurer, Ruth M. Amen, Alice Amen Heinz, parliamentarian and Edward Schwartzkopf, secretary. Mrs. Katharine Grenemeier of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is surrounded by her family, all of whom were at the banquet. She is proudly displaying her new life member certificate having been honored in this way by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Henry (Mot-lie) Grenemeier who is seated at her right. Her son Henry is also next to her. In the second row, from left are Martha Grenemeier, Helen Graver and Mane Stein-brenner, all daughters, and Kate Grenemeier and Betty Grenemeier, daughters-in-law. In the third row from left are sons Victor and Pete and sons- in-law, Bob Graver and August Steibrenner. Picture courtesy Bob Sith.

46

45

THE MUSICAL SELECTIONS

Prelude ~ Intrada a Fanfare John Hotchkis (Organ, Brass and Timpani Ensemble) Hymn - "Lobe den Herren" Hymn - "Gott ist die Liebe" Folksong - J. Neander Volksweise "Tranen hab* ich viele, viele vergossen" Hymn - "Befiehl du Kol. Mannheim M. deine Wege" Teschner John Hotchkis Hymn — A Festival Arrangement of "Bin' feste burg ist unser Gott" Song - Folk tune F. Silcher "Wie Schon 1st Das Landliche Leben Hymn — "So nimm denn meine Hande" Kol. Schaffhausen Folk Song — "Das Manifest (Edward Crafts, Bass — baritone) Hymn - "America, the Samuel A. Ward C. La Vallee Beautiful" Hymn - "0 Canada!" Mennonite Emigration Song — "Jetzt ist die Samuel Friedrich Sautter Zeit und Stunde da" Russian Folk Tune (Trio: Sally Hieb, Diena Schmidt, Ruby 'Waltner) South Unknown American Emigration Song ~ "Die alte Hehnat war zu enge" Folksong — "Nach Sibirien muss ich reisen" Swedish Folk Melody John (Edward Crafts, Bass - baritone) Hymn - "Wie gross bist Du" Hotchkis Hymn — A Celebration Arrangement of "Nun Danket Alle Gott"

THE CHOIR

Frieda Alt Elsa Mary Ann Hahn Amen Frances Amen William Hahn Ruth Schaefer James Amen Marie Scheidt Wilbur Amen Sally Hieb Scott Schleicher Katherine Becker Betty Schleiger Donna Hurst Ann Berreth Barbara Schmidt Diena Schmidt Edwin 0. Berreth "Scotty" Kaufman Paul Stoehr Raymond Bieber Martha Kaufman Ruby Waltner Marie Collins Clara Alma Kehling Deines Lois Graber Ardyce Welch Cheryl Koch Mary Wunder anet Young Lillian Loos

Gina Paul

Debra Philson

Esther Rohn

THE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE Trumpets Dean Trombones Haist Dana Vemon Forbes Stevens Brian Terry Rush Dave Grasmick Mike Wampler Brownson

Timpani Richard Jones * * ^

Carillonneur Raymond Johnson

45 The Lincoln, Nebraska Chapter of the

American Historical Society of Germans from Russia presents

Through the Years With Germans From Russia A History of the Past Two Centuries in Dialogue and Song written by

Barbara Alice Amen

Narrators...... Dorothy Filley Schwartzkopf Ralph L. Giebelhaus Choir...... Members of the Lincoln Chapter Organist and Music Coordinator ...... John Levick Conductor, Brass and Timpani ...... Jack Snider Soloist...... Edward Crafts, Bass — baritone Tableaux directed by...... Mary Alice Snider Irene Gabelhaus Mary Froscheiser Program Coordinator...... Ruth M. Amen

THE TABLEAUX

Catherine the Great Issues her Manifesto Departing from their Native Homeland The Colonist Beseeching God in Song and Prayer An Encouraging Letter is Written To the New World It Was AHSGR Members "Meet the People" in South America

Characters in order of appearance: Elsie Whittington, as Catherine the Great The Nuss Family "- Ferdinand, Ruth and grandchildren Tyson and Tasha The Schmidt Family - Henry, Sandra and children Heidi and Marcus Andrew and Marie Beltz Marie Willis Diane and son David Slama Caryl and son Jim Weitzel Christy Pardee and Mark Slama, Flag Bearers Tourists — Mary Froscheiser and John Welch South Americans - Irene Gabelhaus and Don Weitzel

44 The program was designed to tell the history of our people during the past two centuries through dialogue and song. From the first fanfare by the organ and the brass and timpani ensemble to the final chords of "Nun Danket Alle Gott," the audience was spellbound by the beauty of it all. As the history unfolded through the speeches of two narrators, the audience, too, joined in the singing of the inspirational hymns many had learned as children. Tableaux also helped to tell the story and there was hardly a dry cheek as the tale of our immigrant forefathers was reviewed.

John Hotchkis of Kent, England, a very successful composer and conductor, had been commissioned to compose the special arrangement of "Nun Danket Alle Gott" for the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. His autographed manuscript will be placed in our archives. Also a part of the program was his festival arrangement of "Ein' Feste Burg 1st Unser Gott." Edward Crafts thrilled the audience with his portrayal of the immigrant as he sang "Da s Manifest," and later "Nach Siberian muss ich reisen." But for the exciting patriotic hymns, "America the Beautiful" and "0 Canada!" when the respective flags were brought in, all the songs were sung in German. One will long remember the stirring "Wie gross bist Du" and "Lobe den Herren" which opened the program. A few excerpts from the printed program will record in this AHSGR Journal the names of those who participated in the production and performed that memorable Thursday evening, June 22, 1978.

43 THROUGH THE YEARS WITH GERMANS FROM RUSSIA

The carillons were playing the familiar German hymns as members and friends entered the door of First-Plymouth Congregational Church over which are inscribed the words "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." The magnificence of the sanctuary led one to say, "If the evening's program is as beautiful as this church, this will be an unforgetable experience." The church was filled long before the appointed hour. By "togetherness" and extra seating on the stairs and in the aisles, 1,350 individuals were priviledged to take part in Through the Years with Germans from Russia along with another 72 performers. It was the largest audience ever at First-Plymouth Church.

42

.ELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY .IETY OF GERMANS FROM RUSSIA - 25, 1978 - Lincoln, Nebraska

Ako honored at the convention were the above members of the AHSGR who were born in Ru^ta

9TH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION C OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOC Lincoln Hilton Hotel - June 20

The members of the Board of Directors and Foundation Trustees who served during the first decade of the AHSGR gathered for this picture at the convention 40 Retiring members of the Board of Trustees are: Dr. John L. Dietz Mrs. Chester Krieger Victor Reisig Mrs. Raynold Schmick New officers of the Foundation Board of Trustees 1978-1979 are: Gordon L. Schmidt Don C. Vowel Dr. S. R. Schneider Edward A. Schwartzkopf Progress necessarily also President Vice brings change. New ideas and new input are good. Our wishes for a successful future for the President Foundation are sincere. Secretary "To everything there is a season, and a time to every Treasurer purpose under the heavens" (Eccl. 3:1)

Gordon Schmidt of Henderson, Nebraska (far right) was introduced at the banquet as the new president of the Foundation. Diena Schmidt is at his right along with Reuben Goertz, (AHSGR Vice-President) and Florence "Jimmy " Goertz of Freeman, South Dakota.

Mrs. Theodore (Alice Amen) Heinz of Greeley, Colorado, President of the International AHSGR Foundation since its beginning, retired from this position at this annual meeting and was named President Emeritus. She was presented with a corsage and an engraved silver tray in appreciation for her service to AHSGR and, in particular, her success in making the Foundation a strong, viable organization.

39 INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION of the AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GERMANS FROM RUSSIA

Mrs. Theodore E. Heinz, President

The International Foundation of AHSGR is pleased to report another good year. Surely, all of our members and friends know the purpose of the Foundation, i.e. to create a trust fund to be used for educational and historical projects, and to assist with a Headquarters Building and Repositories where precious papers, artifacts, books and other publications pertaining to Germans from Russia can be housed and preserved. We are most anxious to assure all of our members and friends that without their support of promotion as well as substantial donations of funds, the Foundation would not and could not exist. We could not possibly have made some substantial grants to Headquarters for equipment, facilities, the taping of important records, the printing of materials and the making of substantial grants for historical research. Many, many of you are Lamplighters in the Foundation. Our memorial donations honoring your loved ones continue to grow. A permanent record will be available and a treasure in our future permanent Headquarters. This past year there were over 380 donations to the Foundation. Many of these involved more than one member. This in itself tells a very important story. Counting the many involved in the Lincoln Chapter sponsored quilt-drawing project to benefit the Foundation we must realize that over a thousand persons did something to support the International Foundation of AHSGR. Many of you have been repeaters. We bless you for this interest and hope a new thousand will support us this coming year. Note a few statistics regarding our assets which are very encouraging: June 1, 1978 Deposits in Savings Accounts $31,164.00 June 23, 1978 Response to Luncheon Appeal: Cash donations 2,246.50 Pledges 250.00 Donations for Lamps 162.00 Quilt drawing receipts 1,200.42 The Convention enrichment total: $3,858.62 We salute everyone for their loyal support. Expenditures-are kept to a minimum. Only interest may be used for expenses. However, grants of funds may be made after careful evaluation to worthy projects. This year these were: Donations designated for Headquarters $ 1,486.00 CSU Germans from Russia in Colorado project 4,115.00 There were four scholarships included in these grants. Surely we are making progress. Much credit must go to our Vice-President Don C. Vowel of San Mateo, California for his work again this year as chairman of Fund-Raising. We are also indebted to Headquarters in Lincoln for their mailings and keeping of records. The cooperative services of the entire members of the Board of Trustees have been great. Special recognition must surely go to Mrs. Clarence Olson who has so efficiently served as Secretary the past five years. We welcome the following new members to the Board of Trustees: Miss Ruth M. Amen Edwin A. Beisel Mrs. Norman Dudek Dr. S. R. Schneider Miss Ruth K. Stoll was reelected for another term.

38 This picture accompanied the letter (opposite). It brings back memories of pleasant days on the AHSGR tour in Entre Rios.

Pictured are the directors of the Commission of the Parana Society, Seated from left are Federico Graft, Emma Baron de Dening, Prof. Nicolds Dening, Carlos Wendler, Margarita Friedmann de Novella, Edith Friedmann, and Juan Luis Stang. Standing are Ricardo Novello, Maria Alva Hermann de Gagion, Emma Klausser de Friedmann, Sra. de Von Felheissen, Armando Von Felheisen, Dr. Estelio Folmer, and Vicente Stang.

37 GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AMERICA

Lasting friendships were made during the tour to Argentina by 61 members of AHSGR when they attended the centennial celebration of the arrival of the first Germans from Russia in that country. Through correspondence and promised future tours to South America these ties will undoubtedly be strengthened. A letter of greeting to the Tenth Anniversary Convention from the Commission of the Parana Society of Entre Rios of the Argentina Association of Volga Germans addressed to Ruth M. Amen said in part. On the occasion of the annual convention of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia which you will be having in your country during June and which you will be in charge of as president, it is our privilege as the Directors of the Commission of the Parana Society of Entre Rios of the Argentina Association of Volga Germans to extend very special brotherly greetings. For us it was a wonderful unforgettable experience and there remains a heartfelt thankfulness that we could join hands with our American brothers who came to us from a distance of thousands of miles. Two bonds join us together: We are all Americans (South and North) and secondly, we all stem from a common tree-Germany. We observed that both groups of our American brethren who visited us in February— the first under the direction of Mr. Ernst Harder as interpreter and led by you, President Ruth and Mr. Arthur Flegel as vice-president and the second under the direction of Mr. Gordon Schmidt-were very friendly and congenial. We noted, too, that in your land you have become integrated and have made significant contributions in educational, scientific and technical fields. But what was particularly important to us is that you continue to preserve the language and customs of your forefathers. The letter goes on to mention especially the humor and wit of Peter Koch of Portland, who is Russian born and who delighted them with his wit and humor and dialect. They tell us too that, while we are celebrating at our convention, they are celebrating in their country the World Championship Soccer Competitions. They note that if so many can gather for a sporting event, should not we who are related by heritage and tradition be even more tightly bound together? In closing the letter says: And now we hope that your convention this year will be a real success and that your members will experience wonderfully happy days together. That is the greeting and wish of the Volga Germans in Argentina expressed through our Parana Society in Entre Rios. Allow us also. Miss Ruth, a brotherly embrace for each and every single person in your organization. The letter was signed by Emma B. de Dening, Secretary, and Professor Nicola's Dening, President.

Those who were on the tour to South America gave the program at the Thursday luncheon. Reuben Goertz delighted and informed the audience with his, as usual, excellent slide presentation. Then a panel gave its impressions of the experience. At far left is Ernst Harder -who led the first group and at far right is Gordon Schmidt who was tour coordinator and led the second group. Others on the panel were Ardyce Welch, Victor Reisig, Sr., Peter Koch, Barbara Amen, and Jacob Amendt.

36

35 LeRoy Graber of Marion, South Dakota explains some of the details of the art of basket weaving to Mollie Bauer. Husband Alex is looking ahead to the next exhibit.

When she was 83 years of age, Mrs. Mary Linnert, Evelyn Amen's grand- mother made the top for this double wedding ring quilt. Now, many years later, it is being quilted by Lincoln members. Among those who worked on it at the folk festival were Katherine Wilcox, left, and Mane Scheldt at the right, Quilting is one of the methods Lincoln Chapter members use to raise funds.

Soap like grandma used to make is described by Betty Younger who had made samples for everyone. The recipe was also available for those wishing to try a hand at creating a good later.

34 FOLK FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWDS

The folk festival which was in progress from 3 o'clock until 9 o'clock on Friday, June 23, offered everything from crocheting to schnitz suppe and grebel. A crew of Lincoln Chapter members with Ed Klein's help and supervision made 1,080 kraut runza. Margaret Roh made 2,000 butter balls, and Sally Hieb and Diena Schmidt with others in Henderson made 2,000 verinike. To all this Ed added 1,000 grebel, coffee cakes, honest-to-goodness German Russian rye bread to go with the butter ball soup and sausage. It was good and plenty eating, to be sure. Booths planned by chapters around the country and demonstrations arranged for by the Lincoln group made for a busy and interesting festival that reminded conventioneers of days gone by and tales told them by their parents and grandparents. Winding it all up at 8:30 in the evening was the drawing for a beautiful hand made quilt the top for which was donated by Margaret Roh. Quilted by Lincoln Chapter members, all receipts which amounted to $ 1,200.42 were donated to the International AHSGR Foundation.

Tipi, mumble peg, whizmo, the orange crate express, galloping horses, hoop and tee, hockey sticks, sling shots, abra cadabra — did you play these games as children? Kids made their own fun in days gone by. Step on a couple of condensed milk cans so they fit tightly around the shoe and you're a real galloping horse. Roller skate wheels on a 2 x 4 and an orange crate and you have "express" transportation. Two boards (one short and one long) put together as a tee and a hoop and you're ready to whoop it up racing down the sidewalk. Ed Schwartzkopf of Lincoln had an interesting display of these and more, some of which he "lost" to very interested children who left proud and happy with the gift. Here Ed is describing his handwork to Carl and Lydia Lichtenwald of Saginaw, Michigan.

33 (In other words, "don't ask me to do your menial Ich bin krank, Die Nas im chores." The Eschepuddel [or Aschenpudel} is what Schrank, Des Maul im the German colonists on the Volga used to take the Butterdippe, Wo die gute Kreppel ashes out of the brick ovens, done from the alley side sticke. of the cottage.) I am sick, With nose in the cupboard, (And) mouth Traditional New Year's Wishes in the butter dish, Where the good Ich wuensch euch ein roter Tisch, "Kreppel" are. Aufjedem Eck ein gebackner Fisch; (Said when someone pretended to be sick but was In der mit ein Brand\vein, Sol! feeling well enough to eat the goodies.) euer Neufahr sein. I wish you a red table, In each Wer lange schlaeft, Den corner a fried fish; Gott ernehrt. Werfrueh In the middle a bottle of brandy, This aufsteht. Sein Gut shall be your New Year. verzehrt.

Ich wuensch eich, He who sleeps late Is Geb mir'sgleich, nourished by God. He who Lasst mich net so long stehen, rises early consumes what he Ich will ein Heischen weitergehn. has. I wish for you, Je groesser Kreutz, Je Give it to me at once, naeher Himmel. Wer Don't let me stay so long, ohne Kreutz, Istohne I want to go to the next little house. Gott. The greater the cross, The nearer Ich wuensch eich ein neues Haus, Voter heaven. He who is without a tu den Geltsack raus! cross, Is without God. I wish for you a new house. Father, get your purse out! Kinder, lernt die Ordnung fassen, Die zum Seligwerden fuehrt; Ich wuensch eich ein Ochs mit dreizehn Hoerner, Dem muss mann sich ueberlassen, Der Draus die "Granary" voll mit Knupperkerne! die ganze Welt region. I wish for you an ox with thirteen horns; Children, learn the commandments, Your granary full of sunflower seeds! That lead to eternal life; One must commit one's self to Him Jingles and Religious Verses Who rules the entire world. ffier komm ich geschritte, Hette ich Pferde, so kaem ich geritte, Habe ich keine, so komm ich zu Fus, Bring euch ein herzlichen Hochzeitsgrus. Here I come walking. If I had horses, I would come riding. Since I have none, I come on foot, To bring you hearty wedding greetings. (Said when a child started walking, and you would walk it along, holding its hands, and say the jingle.)

32 Ach, die is in der Buttermilch versoffe. You dance around the work like a cat around the hot If they did not want to say where someone was, they said mush. "she drowned in the buttermilk." (When you don't know how to do a job or how to get Der ist ins Hem geschluppt. hold of something.)

He crawled into his shirt. Du muss mer Wasser uf der zwa Schiller drage. (Another way of not telling where someone had gone-just a In this case you have to carry water on both shoulders. silly answer.) (In other words you had to be very tactful or careful. If you carry water on both shoulders, you would have Was gibst zu essen? Spritz gebackenes, durch to walk carefully not to spill it.) den Besen gejagenes. What's for dinner? Mit dere ess ich net lang Kersche. Something squeezed, baked, and chased through With her I won't be eating cherries for long. the broom. (I won't be getting chummy with her.) (A way of not telling.) Du stehst do wie die Kuh vor dem neue Dor . Du griest, wann der Gikel des erste Eig legt. You'll get it, when the rooster lays his first egg. You are standing there like a cow before a new door. (In other words, you will never get it), (Said to someone who didn't know what to, do in,a Du gukst wie die Grossmotter. situation. A cow in front of a new door would not know where to go.) You look like your grandmother. Die Liegt staerker wie ein Gaul zieht. (It was a way of saying nuts to you-you weren't going to do She lies more than a horse pulls. what they asked you to.) Lass dir drei Kartoffen ins Hem nehe. Dere ihr Maul is mit Genzfett geschmiert.

Let somebody sew three potatoes into your shirt. Her mouth has been greased with goose grease. (She is a smooth talker.) (Like telling someone to go fly his kite or go peddle his papers.) Gut Morge', Supp, wo is mem Leffel?

Ich wusst das die schwartz Kuh der Good morning, soup, where is my spoon? Schleifstah gefresse hat. I knew that the black cow had eaten the grindstone. (When you greeted the same task you left the day (A humorous way of saying that you knew this was going before.) to happen.) Wenn du des net willst, kannst du Geh wo der spanische Peffer wachst. mit dem dicke Michel esse. Go where the Spanish pepper grows. (Like telling If you don't like to eat this, you can eat with fat Michel. someone to get out of here.) Heft's du mich gestert gemiet, wer Du musst der Docket druf due. ich heit dei Mad. If you had hired me yesterday, I You have to put the lid on it. (You had to would be your maid today. tell the whole thing.) (I am not going to do your chores for you.) Was denkst du das ich wer, dein Eschepuddel? Do danzt om die Arweit wie die Katz um der hase Brei. What do you think I am-your ash shovel?

31 Folk Expressions Schwacher Mann, der keine Ausrede weis. Ich wer gern still, wenn's nur alle Lett wissten. It's a bad man, who can't even think of an excuse. I would gladly be still, if only everyone knew it. (Said when someone offered a lame excuse for something.) (Sarcasm, when someone could not keep his mouth shut and Du kannst froh sei, wann die Leit froh just had to tell.) sin. Du kommst immer hinne drei, wie dem You can be glad, when the people are glad. (You have Dode Lamb sei Schwantz. nothing to complain about.) You are always behind, like a dead lamb's tail. Mit der Bratworst nach dem Schinken schmeisen. (A humorous way of telling someone they were always behind. A live lamb's tail is behind also.) Throwing at the ham with the bratwurst.

Des anzige was fehlt sin die lange Ohre. (Trying to get something better with something of lesser value.) All that's missing is the long ears. The hams hung on a rod, and sometimes they had to reach (A nice way of saying you are a jackass.) up with something to get the ham down. Alle Augen warten auf den Herrn. Wann er net kommt, kann er um Tisch danze.

All eyes are waiting for the Lord. (Sarcasm, when If he doesn't arrive, he can dance around the table. someone kept a group waiting.) Der esst wie ein "BUschickf" Besser ich heb dich als ich grie dich. He eats like a Bilschickl (This is a Russian word. A Better I have you than I get you. Bilschick worked at a sawmill, and he would have a hearty appetite.) (Another way of saying that a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush.) Mir schmekt keine Arheit, und Essen bleibt nichts iwrig. Frag mein Bruder Liegner, ob er net ag so sagt. No work tastes good, and no food is left over. Ask my brother the liar, and he will tell you the same thing- I don't feel like working, but I haven't lost my appetite.) (When someone is obviously lying and says to ask so and Komm ich heit net, so komm ich Morge. so, who would then tell the same lie.) Du musst der Katz die Schell anhengen. If I don't get there today, I will get there tomorrow.

You have to put the bell on the cat. (Making fun of someone who went at his work not caring when it got done.) (When you put the bell on the cat, the word gets around everywhere.) Liegen mag ich nicht, und die Du musst der Stempel druf dricke. Wahrheit schadet mir. I don't like a lie, and the truth hurts me. (Said You have to put the stamp on it. (Have to when you hedge.) finish it-tell all of it.)

Frueh gesattelt und spaet geritten. Das werd die Katz hinner dem Ofe net weis. The cat behind the stove won't find out about this. Saddled early and rode late. (The cat would be close to the action, and not much would escape its attention.) (When you get ready early but don't get away on time.)

30 Der kluegste gibt nach. Der Apfel faellt nicht weit von dem Stamm. The wisest gives in. The apple does not fall far from the tree. (A child is like its parent, or not much different.) Wer net hoert muss fiele. Jede Mutter hat sieben Sorten Kinder. If you don*t listen (or take heed), you must feel (or take the consequences). Every mother has seven kinds of children. Die Liege hin karze Bah. (Each one is different.) Lies have short legs. (They Kinner Wille is Dreck wert. can't go far.) A child's way is worth dirt. (Obviously a child's

Do hat sich schon ein mancher den opinion was not worth much.) Kopp geschmiert und wollt in die Flasch schluppe. Wann mer den Kinner ihr Willen gebt, Many a person has greased his head, wanting to climb kreine sie net. into a bottle. If you let children have their own way, they won't cry. Kommt die Brueh teurer wie die Brocke. (This was said when someone gave in just to keep the child from crying, even though it was not right to give The broth will cost more than the meat. in.) (The end result would not justify the means or the Wer der erst kommt, mahlt der erst. cost.) He who comes first, grinds first. (First Dem wer die Kuh is, come, first serve.) muss sie am Schwantz greife. The guy who owns the cow has to grab it by the tail. Wann die Meis satt sin, (The one who is responsible has to take care of the schmekt's Mehl bitter. problems.) When the mice are full, the flour tastes bitter. Des Kriggelche geht so lang zum Alles was Lefel lecke kann, muss mitheife, Born. endlich bricht das Ohr ab. Everyone who can lick a spoon must help. The little pitcher keeps going to the brook until at last the handle breaks off. (In other words, everyone can lick a spoon, so no one is exempt from helping with a task.) (A warning not to overdo. You keep going and going, and one day you break down.) Wer net kommt zur rechte Zeit, Muss esse was iwrig bleibt, Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute, He who doesn't come on time has to eat what is left sagen alle faule Leute. over. Tomorrow, tomorrow, not today, say all lazy people. Wenn man nicht wetter was, Der Verstandt kommt net vor der Johre. schmekt's Brot wie's Flasch. If you don*t know any better, Sense does not come before the years. bread tastes like meat.

Gleiche Jungen, gleiche Kappen. Speck und Eier in der Pfann, macht ein guter Ackermann. If the boys are alike, their caps are to be alike. Bacon and eggs in the pan, make a good plow (Treat boys without partiality, when they are grown man (a good farmer). up.) (Mother said this when we had bacon and eggs.)

29 VOLGA GERMAN PROVERBS, FOLK EXPRESSIONS, AND JINGLES FROM THE COLONY OF DREISPITZ Mary Koch

(Editor's Note: The following "sayings" originally were recorded by Miss Koch in dialect German, then transcribed in High German, and eventually translated into English. For reasons of space, only the dialect version and English translation of each saying appears below.) Proverbs Die Weft is besser fuer den Schuss. Wann der Bottler uf 'en Gaul kommt, reit Distance is better for aim in shooting. er staerker wie der Edelmann. If a beggar rides a horse, he rides harder than (It was better to judge a thing objectively than from a a nobleman. personal point of view.) (In other words, when a poor man gets at the helm he Wer's lang hat, lasst's lang schlafe. sometimes becomes arrogant and gives more orders than a nobleman.) He who has it long, let's it drag long.

Kommt mer iwer den Hund, kommt mer (The rich had long trains on their dresses. If someone ag iwer den Schwantz. afforded a luxury, it was said that in other words if one had it, one could waste it.) If you can get over the dog, ••-.," you can get over the tail:' - ' , . , Wenn die Not am groeste, ist (If you manage the main part of the problem, the minor Gott am naehste. parts can be solved as well.) When the need is the greatest, God is the nearest. Wann der "wann" und "hett" nicht wer, heft der Bock schon lang a Lemmche. Es werd net so has gesse, wie es gekocht wird. If there were no "if" or "would," the he-goat would have had a little lamb long ago. It is not eaten as hot as it is cooked. (Things cool off, if you give them a bit of time.) Arbeit macht das Leben suess, Faulheit sterkt die Klieder. .. :" Work makes life sweet, Laziness strengthens the limbs.

Wann mir's net im Kopp hat, muss mir's in der Fies hoh. If you don't have it in your head, you'll need it in your feet. (If you don't remember something, you have to walk back after it or do it over.) Langes Faedchen, faules Maedchen. Long thread, lazy girl.

Spahrt mirs in der Zeit, hat mir's in der Not. If one saves when there is time, you have it when there is need.

With pen in hand, Mary Koch was ready to collect new proverbs or "sayings" at the convention.

28

one of two floor microphones and volunteered additional German proverbs and expressions. The remaining portion of Miss Koch's proverb collection will appear in the Spring, 1979 Journal. All AHSGR readers are encouraged to send in any proverbs or folk expressions of their own for possible publication in the forthcoming "Folklore Forum." Each contribution should be written in dialect German (if possible) and information about its origin in Russia should also be included. Readers who do not know German should write out the proverb or expression phonetically and provide an English translation. Contributions should be mailed no later than October 15, 1978 to: Timothy J. Kloberdanz AHSGR Folklore Chairman Sociology-Anthropology Department North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota 58102

Timothy Kloberdanz presided at the open committee meeting on folklore. Every chair was taken as is usually the case. Rosi Kloberdanz is also on stage to take notes so no bit of folklore is lost.

Pictured here is the medallion designed particularly for this Tenth Anniversary Convention. The design was used on program covers. The medallion was cast in a bronze-like metal.

27 DIALECTS, DIMENSIONS, FOLK MUSIC. AND PROVERBS: FOLKLORE AT THE 1978 AHSGR CONVENTION Timothy J. Kloberdanz

The tenth anniversary convention of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was highlighted by a well- received Folk Festival on June 23 and a number of informative folklore presentations. Dr. Charles L. Gebhardt, an AHSGR board member and a professor of Anthropology at American River College in Sacramento, California, discussed the dialects of the Germans from Russia at the Open Folklore Committee Meeting June 21. Using hand-outs and a large blackboard. Dr. Gebhardt explained how to use the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) in recording, transcribing, and preserving the various dialects spoken by Germans from Russia. The popular AHSGR Folklore Session on the afternoon of June 22 included presentations by two well-known professional folklorists. Professor Roger L. Welsch, a faculty member at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, gave an enlightening talk entitled "The Dimensions of Folklore." In his presentation, Professor Welsch discussed various facets of the subject of folklore, while citing many specific and often humorous examples drawn from the experiences of local Germans from Russia in Lincoln. Dr. Iris Barbara Graefe, who returned from Austria for a second consecutive time as a participant in the AHSGR Folklore Session, discussed "Traditional Folk Songs and Music of the Russian Germans in Argentina." Her presentation was based on extensive folkloristic fieldwork among Germans from Russia in South America. Dr. Graefe showed several slides and then played representative selections from the folk music of Russian Germans in Argentina which included the following songs: Kommt ihr Gebrueder, Die Abreis von Riga, Lebet, lebet wohl. Sing mit froehlichem Gemuete, and a traditional Tusch. She also played two songs that exemplified Spanish influence in the lyrics of contemporary Russian German music in Argentina: Drei Ratzen, drei Katzen, and Samba de mi esperanza. The religious music and unusual hymn singing of the Russian German Catholics in Argentina was also discussed by Dr . Graefe and two selections from a Latin "Russemess," the Gloria and Sanctus, were played for the convention listeners. A true highlight of the folklore activities at the Ninth International AHSGR Convention was an excellent presentation by Miss Mary Koch of McMinnville, Oregon, Miss Koch opened the Folklore Committee Meeting on the morning of June 23 by reading the German lyrics to a well-known hymn sung each morning by her mother: Mein Gott! nun ist es wieder Morgen, die Nacht vollendet ihren Lauf, nun wachen alle meine Sorgen, die in und auessern, wieder, auf. Die Ruh ist aus, der Schlaf dahin, nun seh ich wieder, wo ich bin. . . Following the invocation, Miss Koch delighted the audience with a neatly organized presentation based on nearly 180 proverbs, folk expressions, and Jingles (in Volga German dialect) that she had collected while living with her mother. Miss Koch explained: My mother came from the Volga German colony of Dreispitz, her father died when she was five and her mother when she was fifteen or sixteen. After that the family lived in Mueller (Krestovoi Buyerak), where she met Dad. The sayings were her thing—only occasionally one from Dad—so I presume they were passed down to her by her mother. There were nine of us children, and I was the only one who did not marry, so I spent more time with my parents than the others did, a good deal of the time during adult life. By then I had a different sense of values and began to realize there was something unique about these sayings and wrote them on little slips of paper, whenever they came to me. This has been going on for twenty or more years, and when I went to write them up, there were some that had long since been forgotten, had it not been for a little jogger record. Due to time restrictions, Miss Koch was unable to share all of her numerous proverbs, expressions, Jingles, and verses with the convention audience but the seventy-seven items she did present are included in this issue of the Journal. Following Miss Koch's presentation, several AHSGR convention-goers went to

26

The newly elected International Board of Directors lost no time in getting down to business. The first work session was called by President Adam Giesinger for 8 o 'clock on Sunday morning. Before the meeting was called to order, time was taken to pose for this picture. Seated, from left, are Emma S. Haynes, Secretary Sally Hieb, Treasurer Ralph L. Giebelhaus, Vice-President Reuben Goatees, President Adam Giesinger, Vice-President Arthur E. Flegel, Herman Wildermuth and Solomon R. Schneider. Second row, from left are Victor E. Bohnet, Michael Anuta, Ruth K. Stoll, Rachel Amen, Ruth M. Amen, Monte W. Lung, and Mary Martini. Back row, from left are Elsie I. Whittington, Kermit Karnes, Marie Olson, Edward Schwartzkopf, Jake Sinner, David J. Miller, Charles L. Gebhardt, Evelyn Cook, Alvin Kissler, David Schletewitz and Timothy Kloberdanz. Picture Courtesy Kermit Karnes.

Gemutlichkeit was continuous throughout the week. The lobby was the gathering place and the hospitality table had all the answers. Left to right: Frieda Alt, Phil Kehling, Herman Wildermuth (translating). Elsie Whittington and Lydia Wildermuth. Erwin Ulmer (standing) is checking on enrolling a new member.

25 may be requested. Write to the following address for the special request form. Application for Search of Census Records, from: Personal Census Service Branch Bureau of Census, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 Also, see "U.S. Censuses Can Help in Research.", by Carol J. Harless, 1978 Clues, American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Lincoln, Nebraska, p. 43. Another reference is the Guide To Genealogical Records In The National Archives for additional information on census records available. Homestead Entry Files should have a copy of the Declaration of Intention of a foreigner, especially the late-comers. For directions on how to obtain copies of these records see the very excellent article, "The Use of Federal Homestead Records in Obtaining Family History Information," by T. J. Stemware, AHSGR Work Paper No. 9, page 56. Newspapers, especially small home-town papers, often published little items of interest under "Local News" which included news of persons arriving from Russia, people filing for homesteads and citizenship. In time, an annual recognition honored new citizens and these events made the local newspapers. Indexes of naturalized citizens are rare but a few do exist. A good place to start searching for one would be the local historical societies. For further information and help concerning naturalization records see, Locating Your Immigrant Ancestor by James C. Neagles and Lila Lee Neagles, Washington, D.C., 1975, published by the Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah. This most helpful book gives much interesting and valuable information about the naturalization process. Most libraries now carry the book. For Canadian naturalization research see: "Genealogical Research In Canada for G R Ancestors" by A. Giesinger, AHSGR Work Paper No. 13, p. 45. For present-day naturalization procedures, send for this booklet: Form N-17 (Rev. 9-21-7 6)Y, "Naturalization Requirements and General Information," from the United States Department of Justice, immigration and Naturalization Service, Washington, D.C.

NOTES

1. The Hattie Plum Williams Collection 451, Box 8, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska. 2. Olga K. Miller, Migration, Emigration, Immigration, (The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, Logan. Utah 84321), p. 40. 3. Hattie Plum Williams, The Czar's Germans, (American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1975, 631 D Street, Lincoln, Nebraska), p. 18. 4. James C. Neagles and Lila Lee Neagles, Locating Your Immigrant Ancestor, A Guide To Naturalization Records, Washington, D.C. 1975 (The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, Logan, Utah 84321), p. 34. 5. Hattie Plum Williams, "The Russian German And Politics," an unpublished manuscript, (The Hattie Plum Williams Collection, manuscript 1872, Box 18, The Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebraska), p. 133.

24 Before 1906

If it is ascertained that the naturalization was started before September 27, 1906 the researcher is advised to refer to the excellent book, Locating Your Immigrant Ancestor, A guide to Naturalization Records by James C. Neagles and Lila Lee Neagles, Washington, D.C., 1975, published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah. The authors compile-d a seventy- five page catalog, by state and county, of the courts and archives where records before 1906 are kept. When it is determined where the records are located for a certain court, either a personal visit or a letter of inquiry may be made to the Clerk of that court or to the Federal Records Center, requesting a copy of any records found. A small fee is charged for the duplication of each record. No charge is made for a search in the Federal Records Centers. It would be thoughtful to ask about charges elsewhere.

After 1906

The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Service required a copy of all papers be sent to Washington where a file was started. Information about a person who filed for citizenship after September 27, 1906 may be obtained from this agency as well as from the court where the papers were filed. A request for a search of the record of an immigrant ancestor who was naturalized after this date may be made by submitting Form G-641, obtainable from any office of the Service. The form is filled out in duplicate and sent in with a $5.00 fee for each name. Extra searching may be done for an additional charge. The Immigration and Naturalization Service files also contain the information gathered when the applicant was investigated prior to his being granted citizenship. Inspection or making a copy of any part of the files may only be done by Service personnel for a legitimate reason. A person may request such information under the "Freedom of Information Act" of 1966. Inquire at any office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service on how to do this.

The Copying of Naturalization Records

A word should be said about the duplication of the naturalization records because some confusion still exists. Before December 5, 1972 the Immigration and Naturalization Service policy was that naturalization documents could not be reproduced. This was based on Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1426 (h), which prohibited the making of any print of a naturalization document. The law remains unchanged but the interpretation has changed, now uncertified copies may be made without a court order. If anyone runs into a refusal from any source to duplicate a record they should be reported to: Director, Immigration and Naturalization Service 425 Eye Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20536

Other Resources Related To Naturalization

If the time and place where an immigrant ancestor was naturalized is not known a clue may be found by a diligent search of other records. Family papers and mementoes such as passports, the release from the church in the home congregation in Russia and other documents, will establish the time of arrival in this country in order to calculate the time of the filing of the Declaration of Intention. Letters, journals, scrapbooks, clippings from newspapers and periodicals might turn up some information. Even a picture in an old album might show a certificate hanging on a wall and establish a time and place where that important paper was filed. Census records beginning with 1880 are very important for our research. The 1890 census was mostly destroyed by fire, the small portion saved has been indexed alphabetically by name. Some Nebraska records are among these. Beginning with the 1890 census it is noted whether a person is a citizen. The 1900 census has been released for public research at all Federal Records Centers. Orders are now being taken from genealogical societies and other interested organizations for copies of the 1900 census schedules. The 1910, and all later census are not available to the public for research but an individual search for a name

23 Here the researcher should become aware that the naturalization law was at times interpreted to suit the occasion. An ordinance of 1787 gave equal political privileges to "free males of full age" and to all foreigners who lived in our Northwest territories. When in later years states were carved out of this territory they retained this provision in order to attract immigration. This was the chief reason for adoption of alien suffrage by Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Oregon. Most of these states are the ones with the greatest immigration of Germans from Russia. Because the alien suffrage was so lenient in some of these states some foreigners honestly believed that they had become citizens by filing their first papers and the oath which they had taken. Dr . Hattie Plum Williams declared, however, that most of them knew they had not completed the necessary steps. She felt they were indifferent to the filing of the final papers because they already had all the rights of a citizen except those of running for the office of Governor, Lt. Governor, Supreme Court and District judges and Railroad Commissioner. 5 It might be that one of your own ancestors was among those who never completed his citizenship for one reason or another, but did file that one important paper, The second step in the naturalization process was the filing of the Petition for Citizenship, usually called the "second" or final papers. The length of time between the first filing and the second varied from two to three years to no longer than seven years. The applicant again filled out a form with questions similar to the first papers with the addition of the name and birthdate of his wife and children. If he arrived after June 30, 1906 he also had to show proof of arrival. He had to bring two witnesses with him to testify concerning his character. The applicant was now required to be able to speak and read English and have a basic knowledge of the Constitution and government. A fee of $4.00 was paid, but this varied before 1906. The third step usually took place ninety days, sometimes longer, after the filing of the Petition for Citizenship. If everything was found in order the applicant was notified by postcard to again appear in the same court before a judge who made sure all requirements had been met. He was then given a Certificate of Citizenship. The stub from the Certificate was filed at the court. It contained all the information which was on the Certificate.

Where Naturalization Records Are Located

Usually the naturalization proceedings in state or local courts are still in the courts where they were filed. In a few instances the records have been transferred to another court or given to an archive. Records of naturalization proceedings in federal courts are usually in the records of the district court for the district in which the proceedings took place. These court records may still be in the custody of the court, they may have been transferred to a Federal Records Center operated by the General Services Administration, or they may have been transferred to the National Archives. Some courts have good indexing and storage facilities for the records and others utilize any unused space from open, dusty shelves to damp, dark basements. Some clerks are very knowledgeable and helpful about their holdings while others find it too difficult to search for them. Often two or more counties were formed from one large parent county and the records might be found either in the original county or one of the newer counties. A good reference book showing county lines and dates they were formed is The Handy Book For Genealogists, edited by George B. Everton, Sr., and published by The Everton Publishers, Inc., Logan, Utah. A copy of this book is in most libraries, including the AHSGR archives.

Procedures To Find A Record

The original naturalization records retained by the court may be indexed by the name of the applicant or by the number of the naturalization certificate, A record was also kept in the official court journal or court docket. These volumes recorded the filing of the documents as well as the resulting court action. In some courts where there were numerous naturalizations a separate record book was kept, but in most courts these actions were recorded in the regular daily journal.

22 The Civil War freed the African slave and in 1868 the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution declared that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" are citizens. In 1887 the law was again amended to allow Indians of certain tribes who owned land to become citizens. In 1919 Congress gave citizenship to all honorably discharged veterans, Indians included, if they so wished. It was not until 1924, however, that all Indians regained their birthright, years after many of our own immigrant ancestors had the opportunity to become a United States citizen. Finally, in 1940, members of all "native tribes" of the western hemisphere qualified. The Chinese were allowed to petition for citizenship in 1943; the Filipino and persons from India in 1946. In 1952 all racial bars were removed and all laws affecting naturalization and citizenship were combined in a single act. It can be seen that citizenship could have been acquired in a number of ways, but outside of a few veterans and the wives and children of naturalized men, our own ancestors had to appear in some court of law to apply for, and later, receive citizenship in the regular naturalization process. If they did, there is a good chance that the papers they filled out and the records made in court are still in existence. The information on these documents has been called a "virtual goldmine" by some genealogists and may prove to be just that for you too.

The Naturalization Process Before 1906 the federal naturalization laws did not designate specific courts for naturalization. Any court having a common law jurisdiction and a clerk and seal could naturalize foreigners provided they met the federal requirements. Courts used were of all kinds, from the local police court to a United States District court. On September 27, 1906 a federal statute became effective which made far-reaching changes in the ad- ministration of the naturalization laws. This statute created the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Service within the Department of Commerce and Labor. This agency is now in the Department of Justice. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization's responsibility was to design the methods of processing naturalizations and the safe-guarding of records while the courts still performed the work of granting citizenship. Duplicates of the forms now had to be forwarded to the Bureau but the originals were retained by the courts. An index file for each applicant was kept in Washington. After 1906 some courts went out of the naturalization business because they disliked all the extra work and restrictions on fees charged but from then on infractions of the naturalization regulations dropped. From 1906 on, however, naturalization work was a duty of all federal courts.

The Three Steps In The Naturalization Process The Declaration of Intention or "first Papers" was frequently completed and filed with a court soon after immigration. All the immigrant had to do was present himself in court where he was given a form to fill out and sign. If he could not read or write English someone other than the Clerk of the court could fill out the form. In the early 1900's some of the information asked for was: whether the applicant was at least eighteen years old and had a permanent address in this country. Full name, age, complexion, height, weight, hair color, color of eyes, other distinguishing marks. Birth place, day, month and year. Present address, where emigrated from, name of ship, port of arrival and date, last home address before coming to this country, a statement that he was not a polygamist or anarchist, that he renounced all allegiance to his former country and its authority and that he had honorable intentions to become a citizen of this country. This was signed by his name, or an "X" mark, if he could not write. The original was retained by the court and a copy given to the applicant. On occasion, the copy is found filed with the original court record. After September 27, 1906 a copy also had to be sent to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization in Washington. The widow and minor children of a foreigner who had filed this Declaration of Intention, and who died before he received his citizenship papers, could become citizens themselves without filing a Declaration of Intention. The filing of the Declaration of Intention did not make one a citizen. Also, one did not lose his citizenship in his own land. It merely testified that he had intentions to remain in this country and renounce his homeland within seven years and to declare allegiance to the United States. 21 NATURALIZATION RECORDS IN GENALOGICAL RESEARCH Gerda S. Walker

Nearly everyone in North America has immigrant ancestors, only the native tribes who were found here have no recorded immigration history. The European explorers who claimed territories for their countries and the colonists, and others who followed them retained the citizenship of their native lands. If a foreigner wished to participate fully in the rights and privileges of his new home he could become a citizen by complying with the laws of the different countries and taking an oath of allegiance. He did not, however, become expatriated from his former country as its subjects or citizens did not have the right to become denaturalized without special permission. England was the first country to recognize the right of its citizens to change citizenship, but not until after the War of 1812, when one of the causes was that the British seized our seamen who held American citizenship but had been born in England. There are some countries which do not recognize expatriation and will force their former members to remain, especially in time of war. In 1914 Dr. Hattie Plum Williams reported an interview with Mr. J. J. Stroh of Lincoln, Nebraska who told her that both he and Mr. H. J. Amen, on separate occasions, had planned to make visits to their birth place in Russia but were advised against doing so when they learned from the Russian Consul in Chicago that they were considered subjects of the Czar and would be liable for military duty even though both men had been brought to this country by their families. 1 The first known foreigner to be naturalized in America was Augustine Henman, of Bohemia. He became a citizen of Maryland in 1673. It is interesting to note that a citizen of one colony was not considered a citizen of another colony until 1778 when the Articles of Confederation decreed citizenship in America regardless of state. 2 Each colony passed and put into effect its own naturalization laws until a few years after the Revolution. On March 26, 1790 the first federal naturalization law went into effect requiring a one year residence in a state and two years in the United States. Applicants had to be free, white and of good moral character. Through the years the naturalization law has been amended and changed many times. Economics and politics were the two main causes of changes in the naturalization law. The colonists favored immigration to promote growth and strength, but the English officials ruling the colonies often passed restrictive regulations against any foreign group that threatened their own purposes. In 1755 when the German immigrants made up one-third of the population of Pennsylvania and were demanding better treatment of indentured servants, the officials demanded, "among other things that the right of naturalized Germans to vote for members of the assembly be suspended until they had familiarized themselves with the English language; that all legal documents be void until published in English; that all German publications be accompanied by an English translation; and finally that further importation of Germans to the British colonies cease." 3 In 1798 the Federalist Party successfully prevented the large group of Irish Jefferson Republicans (now Democrats) from voting by an amendment requiring fourteen years residence in the United States and the filing of the first papers five years before the final one. In 1808 the other political party was in the majority and the law was changed again to one year in the state and five in this country with a provision for the automatic citizenship of the wife and minor children of a naturalized man. 4 Not everyone was eligible for citizenship; there were large groups of people in this country who were excluded from becoming citizens. Native Indians and Eskimos soon were made wards of the government and not considered citizens. That forced immigrant, the African slave, was barred because he was neither white nor free. In 1882 another race of people was not permitted to become citizens. There were fears on the west coast that the thousands of Chinese laborers who had been brought in to build the Union Pacific railroad from California east to Utah would later flood the labor market and force wages down. The amendment is called "The Chinese Exclusion Act" and only those with family already in the United States were allowed into the country after this. Many people obtained citizenship without having to go through the regular naturalization process. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence automatically gave citizenship to any white person of European descent who had been born in the colonies and who was loyal to the cause of the American Revolution. At other times the people living in the areas purchased by, or ceded to, the United States automatically became citizens, if they so desired. In this way the French, Spanish and all others living in the vast Louisiana Territory, Texas, Alaska, and Hawaii, including all the Chinese living there, became citizens. The residents of Puerto Rico became citizens in 1917. 20

The consulting workshop was always crowded. Maps, reference books, family group cards, obituaries and personal help was available. Ervin Ulmer of Lincoln was responsible for setting up the workshop and worked closely with Arthur E. Flegel, Genealogy Chairman, so that helps were on hand for researchers.

19 THE CONSULTING WORKSHOP

Where would our genealogy program be if it were not for two of our most dedicated members? We could not have achieved what has been done to date without Gerda S. Walker who was instrumental in getting AHSGR members started in researching their family lines. In the beginning she chaired the committee, designed the data forms and responded to countless inquiries for assistance. She merits our everlasting thanks. In the past several years Gerda has continued her work assisting Arthur E. Flegel under whose leadership AHSGR developed its very own genealogical forms. Coordinating the work of typists scattered throughout the country, he has provided the society with upwards of 20,000 family group records supplementing a file of obituaries numbering almost 20,000. It would be hard to keep count of the number of letters Art has written to members requesting specific answers to their genealogical question. We also have Art to thank for preparing the Surname Exchange in our publications.

Gerda S. Walker

Pictures Courtesy Alex Dupper.

Arthur E. Flegel 18 will stir a flood of memories as you talk about some. of the happenings of the past. This may be a good time to sit down with a notebook at your desk or in an easy chair to make a few notes or write a short sketch about the different family members. You can file these biographical notes with the FAMILY GROUP SHEETS until you get ready to combine them into your story. Now with the experience of filling out the records for your immediate family you should be ready to go on to those of your grandparents and their children. Almost everyone should be able to fill out family group sheets for at least four generations, perhaps more. With these family records in front of you it should now be quite easy to fill out the ANCESTRAL CHART of your direct family line, your two parents, four grandparents, your eight great grandparents, and hopefully, further back. As you have been filling out the records of your family, you have also been remembering many things about them. When it comes time to write your history it won’t be hard to find at least a paragraph or two about most of the people in your close family group. If you described their joys and sorrows, their successes and failures, their migrations and work, their character and physical appearance, perhaps even gave some pertinent medical history and enlivened your account with a humorous anecdote or two, you would have such a lively and interesting picture of your family that even someone who is not a relative would find your story enjoyable. Every family group is different in its outlook and experiences, no two families are alike, even though they shared the same backgrounds and similar experiences. Every family also has one or more persons who stand out for some accomplishment. Your first chapter could be dedicated to one of these people. It is only natural that your immigrant ancestor should receive this honor. Regardless of whether he ever achieved anything else he dared to cross continents and an ocean to start a new life. It took courage to sever the ties to his native country, of family and friends, to journey to an alien country whose language he could not understand. The reasons which caused the decisions to emigrate, as well as the migration from the old home to the new should be given. All these events have been of importance to the immigrant and are also of great interest to the descendants as well as historians and others. Following the opening chapter you could arrange all the descendants biographies and if you add a picture of each, with perhaps some of their homes, your family history will be very special. At the end of each person biography add the statistical information and you will have completed the first half, or the American story, of your family history. If you have been able to trace your ancestors further back to Russia, and even to Germany, the second part of the family history could tell the story of those European ancestors and relatives, similar to the history of the American descendants. You may not be able to do this without considerable research and the help of European genealogists but you will find many records of our ancestors have already been microfilmed and printed and are available to us for research here in the United States and Canada. After you have finished the story of your family have copies made for each of your family and place a copy in the AHSGR archives. Be sure to give a copy to your local library. Your story will be as interesting to people years from now as the few accounts we have of our colonists ancestors in Russia are to us. The importance of a family history to its members cannot be valued highly enough. It not only introduces us to our own family and connects us with the past but also bridges the present to the future generations. When your descendants look for information on their ancestors will they find your family's records? No one can know as much about your immediate family as you yourself. No one can write about your family in the same way you can. WHO IS WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY?

YOUR GENEALOGY COMMITTEE CAN HELP

Some of you have not sent your genealogy forms - the membership data form, ancestral charts, and family group charts to headquarters. Filling these in is a necessary first step to receive help from the AHSGR Genealogy Committee. DO IT NOW.

17 WHO IS WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY? Gerda S. Walker

Watching the interesting presentation by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Dudek I thought how delighted future researchers will be, say fifty to one-hundred years from now, when they view the pictures and hear their voices on tape telling about those early pioneers of Germans from Kolb, Russia who settled in Hastings. How grateful they will be that someone valued their history enough to spend some time and effort in preserving it. They will be so much more fortunate in their research than most of us today who have but the stories our parents and other family members told, with perhaps a few family letters and documents to link us to the past. Besides the government records in the archives of the United States and Canada that will no longer be restricted to researchers, there will be many archives which have preserved the research and records of the Germans from Russia. Among them, the archives of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia will prove the richest in both genealogy and history. Here among the hundreds of storage files are thousands of indexed family group cards and rolls of microfilm recording their family history. On the shelves are hundreds of books and articles chronicling the history of their ancestors. How lucky they are to have such information available! But wait! When your descendants start looking in those index files and run computer checks for their family records and history, will they find them or will they voice the lament we have expressed ourselves, "If only they had written down a few names and dates, a little something about themselves." Our colonist ancestors in Russia certainly did not have much opportunity to record their family history. Their days were taken up with the struggle to grow food and provide clothing and shelter for themselves. Even if they could write, materials with which to write were scarce and fingers unaccustomed to writing. Yet a few records were made during that early period and are cherished by their descendants. We have to thank a few history-conscious priests, pastors and teachers for most of what records we do have of this era. They spent long hours after their regular duties poring over the old, yellowed immigration lists, the census and church records. Some of their work has survived two wars and a revolution, but others have been lost or destroyed. Our pioneer ancestors to this continent also had little time or training to record their history. They did well to write a few letters to their family and friends- Again it was the ministers, priests, teachers and journalists who gathered records and wrote the history. How we pore over every record or account that turns up! We feel that all the dollars spent in restoring old films and reproducing scraps of recorded history is money well spent. How much more convenient it is for us now to prepare a record of our family. With shorter work hours we have time for recreation, for hobbies and travel, for creating a family history as a legacy for future generations. There is an ample supply of writing materials and there are ways to record information. You may choose to write on the lined pages of a journal, a notebook, plain paper, use a typewriter, record your story on tape or dictate to someone. One very interesting history I ran across was told in a series of letters addressed to the woman's grandchildren. Today you have an opportunity to create a recorded history of your family that will give you much satisfaction and will be a joy to your descendants. Perhaps the most difficult part of doing so is the decision that you are capable of writing and completing such a history. Most of us are not experienced in writing much more than letters or short reports. Remember that not all history is written by trained historians, some of the best and most interesting accounts are those Written by people who lived the events they are writing about. Even the writings of a college graduate may have errors in grammar and punctuation; corrections may be made during rewriting and editing. A good way to begin is with your own immediate family, for we know most about ourselves and our children. AHSGR has prepared two special forms for recording your genealogical data, one is the FAMILY GROUP. SHEET and the other is the ANCESTRAL CHART. The FAMILY GROUP SHEET records the full, name, birth date and place, marriage dates and place and death date and place of husband and wife and each of their children. There is a space for the names of the parents of the husband and wife, the past and present church affiliation, when the immigrant ancestor arrived and at what port and name of the ship. All this information is necessary for the location of records. After you have filled out the forms for your own family and those of your children go on to the records of your parents family. Do not guess at any of the information, but rather, take time to look up records, write to your brothers and sisters, or better still, telephone them to verify each date. Visiting with them 16 NOTES 1. Elmer Miller's parents were Heinrich and Maria (Kanzler) Miller. 2. This list is given at the end of this article. 3. There is no Christoph Betz on the ship list, but there is a Christoph Gotz (Getz). See complete ship list at the end of this article. 4. This is an edited version of a translation by Brigitte Ellis. 5. Edited translation by Brigitte Ellis. 6. This is an edited translation by Tophield Reiber.

List of the 43 persons from Kolb who came to America on the ship Donau in 1876 .

Franz Wilhelm Scheibel, age 60 Heinrich Muller 20 Catharine Scheibel 57 Marie Muller 20 Elisabeth Scheibel 19 Carl Scheibel 17 Jacob Scheuermann 37 Jacob Scheibel 14 Elisabeth Scheuermann 38 Marie Scheibel 12 Marie Scheuermann 12 Johann Scheibel 10 Conrad Scheuermann 10 Heinrich Bauer 38 Johann Scheuermann 7 Barbara Bauer 38 Heinrich Scheuermann 4 Catharine Scheuermann 1 Conrad Bauer 14 Johann Kempel 20 Jacob Bauer12 Conrad Bensel 20 Friedrich Bauer 8 Catherine Bauer 4 Valentin Reiber 20 Georg Bauer 2 Heinrich Koch 20 Heinrich Bauer Vi Heinrich M. Rehn 21 Heinrich Koch 21 Helfrich Rutt 20 Friedrich Horst 21

Johann Georg DeWald 20 Catherine Barth 40

Heinrich Rehn 20 Jacob Barth 20 Heinrich Kanzler 52 Christoph Gotz 21 Catherine Kanzler 52 Friedrich Hermann 19 Heinrich Kanzler 18 Johannes Kanzler 16 Susanna Kanzler 12

Arthur E. Flegel (standing). Genealogy Committee Chairman, had a special breakfast meeting with the chapter genealogy chairmen to discuss ways to interest their local groups and to help members with tracing their family lines.

15 The FRANZ W. SCHEIBEL family remained in the Campbell area. Mr. Scheibel died in 1895 and was buried in the Harmony Cemetery near Bladen. At this time only a great-grandson lives near Campbell with his family. HEINRICH H. REHN lived in the Campbell neighborhood at three different times and died at the home of his daughter, Marie Dudek, in Hastings. Rehn wrote the following story to the California Post on July 7, 1917. Last week quite a few Frenchmen and Russlanders from here went to the court house in Bloomington. Many people would like to become citizens of the United States now. The undersigned also joined as a witness for some of them. The ones who are from France or Russia can become citizens . . . The ones from Germany cannot become citizens now; they have to wait until the war is over. Approximately 25 people from here were of the opinion that they had citizenship obtained through their father. But the books didn't show that they are ... Some will say I am a Lutheran or a Reformed or a Methodist or Congregationalist, and so on. No, dear readers, it doesn't help to say to what denomination you belong. You have to know that you come from death into life and you love your brothers and you can sing with the poet, "I have a mark in heaven and I am a child of happiness." 5 On January 15,1930 Mr. Rehn, Norman Dudek's paternal grandfather, reminisced in the Welt Post: I would like to give you a picture of my life that will be of interest to our reader friends. In the year 1876 we settled in the neighborhood of Campbell. There was no railroad or town, near or far. A few farmers lived here. They showed us how to build our sod houses, half in the ground and half above. Some houses were built of loam. Our schoolmaster Scheibel was with our small group of settlers. The readers can imagine how he felt doing his work for his family. In Russia he had a nice home which was prepared for his family by the church group. Even fuel was furnished for him and here he had to chop the wood himself. This change was really hard for him to make. We were about 100 souls out ofKolb, Walter, Neu-Messer and Norka. Sometimes we thought about the children of Israel and wondered and wished that we had stayed in Russia. There we had everything in fullness. About 3 miles from us a farmer had a store of sorts. As we had no horses, my comrade Helfrich Rutt and I went there on foot. This was in the first winter that we were in this country — probably October or November. Here we met Indians. They looked at our sheep-lined coats and went on. We were somewhat frightened. Then somebody told us there were 500 men, women and children camping along the creek, probably the Little Blue River. Now there are about 54 years sunk in the sea forever. I never thought America would settle up so fast. It reminds me of the saying, "Fill the earth and govern over it." Everybody should be thankful that he lives in this blessed land. 6 It was only natural that relatives and friends of the early Volga German pioneers in America would settle in the same general area. Thus we find a large concentration of Volga Germans in Hastings, Campbell, and Culbertson as well as in Lincoln, Sutton, McCook, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska; in Russell County in Kansas; the Ritzville area in Washington; and the Luseland area in , Canada. The newcomers in America often offered steamship tickets, temporary housing and work for their fellow colonists who left their homes in Russia. In later years many of the Germans from Russia extended a generous hand to their relatives still on the Volga in their time of great need.

Happy is the man who fondly thinks of his forbears, who likes to tell the willing listener the tale of their achievements and greatness, and is glad to see himself a link in the beautiful chain. —Goethe

14 remained two years. In 1878 he came by ox team to Culbertson, and homesteaded north of town. He lived north of Culbertson on different farms until he moved into town in 1907, where he resided until his death in 1914. After successive dry years in Hitchcock County the Volga German homesteaders were discouraged enough that they decided to venture west by covered wagon along the Oregon Trail. The year that Adams and Franklin Counties were carved out of their parent county, Whitman County in Washington, the party of Russian German families arrived from Nebraska by wagon train. In September, 1949 there was published a special Adams County Pioneers Edition of The Ritzville (Washington) Journal-Times which carried the following item: But equally important that year was the arrival of a party of 17 Russian German families who had come by wagon train from Nebraska. They supplied the fledgling county with a population group which remains predominant even today. Frederick Rosenoff (who had been at Campbell earlier) had been their leader. The trip over the Oregon Trail had been a long one, marked by hardship and constant vigilance for Indians. They never traveled Sundays, but drew their wagons into a circle and posted lookouts while the rest listened to an elder read church services in German. At each western settlement they reached—Boise, Idaho; Baker, Oregon; and Walla Walla, Washington-they stopped so the men could earn money to replenish their food and supplies. . . . Then the Russian Germans scattered over the rich loams in the Ritzville area to begin proving out their homesteads. They, too, had wheat on their minds. The wagon train included Johann Kempel who had married Dortliss DeWald at Amozon (now Campbell, Nebraska) February 11, 1879, the Heinrich Kanzlers, the Heinrich Bauers, the Heinrich Millers. Others in the group who had been at Campbell included the Thiels, the Schoesslers, and the Oestreichs. Soon after the Volga Germans arrival in Ritzville the first German Church in Washington was formed: In 1888 the Rev. Johannes Koch (who was an evangelist for the Brotherhood in Russia) one of Ritzville's Russian German colonists, organized the first German Congregational Church in the State of Washington. Services had been conducted in Adams County since the group first arrived in 1883, using the John Thiel, Sr. and the Fred Rosenoff homes as meeting places. The Rev. R. F. Fruit of Walla Walla served as both pastor and school teacher until 1885. During the next three years John Jacob Bauer, John Koch, and John Kanzler conducted the services. ... On June 11, 1890, construction began on the first German church building . . . It was located 4V2 miles west of Ritzville on the John Rosenoff ranch. Heinrich Bauer and Heinrich Miller were the chief carpenters. We do find that not all who homesteaded at Culbertson went to Washington. JACOB SCHEUERMANN and his family moved to the Sutton area in 1883 where many of the 845 descendants still live. The VALEN-TIN REIBER family returned to the Campbell area until a tornado demolished their property in 1903. The family then moved to a farm in Southeast Adams County, Nebraska where a grandson, Walter, still resides. Eleven children are still living with many of the descendants still living in Adams and Franklin Counties in Nebraska. Valentin's brother, Henry Reiber, was among the emigrants to Canada. In 1878 HENRY MICHAEL KOCH joined his son, HINRE (or Heinrich) KOCH, who was among Scheibel's original party. Three other brothers and 4 sisters of Hinre had also come over. Hinre farmed all of his life near Campbell and was buried in the "Koch" cemetery. It is not known what relationship there was between the two Heinrich Kochs but they did become brothers-in-law as the second HEINRICH KOCH married Ann Elizabeth Koch, daughter of H. Michael Koch. Heinrich Koch ran the flour mill for a time at Campbell after his brother-in-law, Fred Koch, left for Oregon, in 1925. Both he and his wife are buried at the Mennonite Cemetery, south of Roseland, Nebraska. CONRAD BENSEL also married another daughter of H. Michael Koch. He and his wife made their home in Hastings. He died at the age of 87.

13 FRIEDRICH HORST also returned to Russia after marrying a Katherine Schaefer in Hastings, Nebraska on January 10, 1882. They were known still to be living in Russia in 1921. One child was born to them in Hastings with the other children being born in Kolb. Several died in childhood in Russia. Four children came to this country later settling in Washington. Friedrich Horst became known as the "American" Horst. As it has been written above, JOHN GEORGE DeWALD apparently became separated from Scheibel's party. It is felt that the FRIEDRICH HERMANN, also listed on the Scheibel's group passenger ticket, is the friend mentioned in the DeWald account. So far efforts to locate him have proven fruitless. Also it is known that he is not from Kolb according to Alexander Horst's research. CHRISTOPH BETZ returned to Lincoln, Nebraska where his name appears on the 1880 Census, Lancaster County, as a day laborer for the Railroad. He continued to work for the railroad until he passed away in Lincoln, August 11, 1911 at the age of 56. Chris married and seven children were born to this union. One daughter, Martha, moved to Campbell when she married George Rutt, a nephew of Helfrich Rutt. HELFRICH RUTT was known to have been in the Campbell area earlier but his name does not appear on the 1880 Census for Franklin, Adams, or Lancaster Counties. However, there is an ALFRED ROOT, a boarder in the home of Henry Koch, on the 1885 State Census of Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska. He was issued a mortgage deed for 80 acres, November 22, 1882, North Franklin Township, Franklin County, Nebraska but this was transferred to his brother George Rutt, Sr. on May 23, 1883. It is known that he farmed in the Campbell neighborhood until 1908. At that time he and his family, along with others from Campbell, Blue Hill, Adams County and Culbertson migrated to Saskatchewan, Canada at the inducement of the Luse Land and Development Co. The Campbell Citizen reports on August 20, 1908:

OFF TO CANADA The families of Helfrich Rutt and Henry Reiber left Tuesday for the land of the long night. The women and children took the passenger car from Omaha where they transfer to the land seekers' car of the Lewis Land Company, which will make a very pleasant trip for them. Mr. Rutt and Mr. Reiber go by freight, accompanying their stock. Their journey will be more tedious, requiring about six days for completion. Mr. Rutt has already arranged for the comfort of the families, having spent the summer in Canada erecting buildings and making other improvements necessary. The following account is taken from a family history published by the Helfrich Rutt family as a centennial project in 1967. Helfrich Rutt and family, along with many other residents of the area, immigrated to Canada in 1908. They arrived at North Battleford, Saskatchewan in April in a special train to the Hearts Hill district, a distance of one hundred miles, where they had taken homesteads. They suffered many of the hardships of early settlers, including prairie fires. All supplies and materials had to be hauled in from Scott, about 40 miles away. Most of the land was broken by horses or oxen. In 1911 the railroad came to Luse-land which eased the situation somewhat. Mrs. Rutt died in 1911 and was among the first to be buried in the cemetery, the land of which was given to the town by Mr. Rutt. Helfrich Rutt died in 1926 at Rochester, Minnesota and was buried beside his wife at Luseland. Among Scheibel's original group taking homesteads in Hitchcock County, Nebraska were Heinrich Kanzler, his son George Heinrich, Henry Rehn, Jacob Scheuermann, Heinrich Miller and Valentine Reiber from September, 1878 to September. 1880. Culbertson, the county seat of Hitchcock County, was settled in 1873 as a headquarters for cattlemen. Of this group only one is known to have remained in the Culbertson area — JACOB BARTH. From his obituary in the Culbertson Banner we read: Mr. Barth came to this country in 1876 and settled in Campbell, Nebraska, where he

12 Franz Scheibel formed the St. Paul's Gemeinde at Wilhelmsruhe just outside the village of Campbell. By the time his congregation took their first communion on January 14, 1877, they had been joined by others from Kolb, Neu-Messer and Walter. All five families - Scheibel, Kanzler, Miller, Scheuermann and Bauer — are listed on the first communion record along with seven of the single men — the two Heinrich Kochs, Valentin Reiber, Conrad Bensel, Johann Friedrich Kempel, Christoph Betz 3 and (H.) Michael Rehn. The five young men not listed on the Communicant Record are Heinrich (H.) Rehn, Friedrich Horst, Helfrich Rutt, Johann George DeWald and Friedrich Hermann. It appears that Rehn and Rutt had been there in the fall of 1876, It seems that several of these young men developed romantic interests. Heinrich H. Rehn was married in November, 1879 to Katherine Schafer, originally of Frank. Although he took a homestead in Hitchcock County, Culbertson Precinct, on September 20, 1878, H. H. Rehn appears on the 1880 Federal Census of Adams County, Nebraska as did Friedrich Horst and a Henry Cook (Koch). H. H. Rehn then went to Portland, Oregon, where he was naturalized on March 10, 1884. After being naturalized, he made a trip back to Russia where two daughters were born to Henry and Katherine. An account of the experience is given in Mr. Rehn's The Journey to Russia. Where once my cradle stood there is my real Fatherland, These were my thoughts when I came to this country in 1876. I did not like everything here and had no peace of mind and rest. I could not eat or drink until I was on my trip to Russia. My appetite increased already from Portland to New York. There we took the best German ship and I could eat and drink as could my wife and two children. It was a good trip, no storms or sea-sickness. From Hamburg we proceeded to Berlin where we rested 3 days. German is spoken in Berlin. There I said to my wife, "You know, the written German is spoken here and we will have to change our tongue. Otherwise we will be laughed about." Our host asked us, "Where are you coming from and where to do want to go?" We told him Russia. He asked, "What are you going to do there in that terrible Russia!?" I said, "Where once my cradle stood there is my real Fatherland." We toured and looked over the city of Berlin very well. We liked everything but Russia was what we had been looking to. At the border the Russians looked over our things to see what we had brought with us from the United States. My wife had a dress with string stitches (probably means basting stitches). Even so, we had to pay duty. He who wants to travel to Russia should keep this in mind. If things look like they have been worn, they are duty-free. But if they look like they are new and unused, you have to pay customs. After the Russians had inspected us, they asked us in Russian where we were going. See, you old world! First there is English, then German, and then Russian. Now we had to speak differently again but we did not know how. I said to my wife, "They asked where we are going. Do I say to him, "Saratov Guberne." "Karascho," said the Russian, Then I asked him how much money he wanted. He told us and I said to him, "Karascho." Now I have already learned one word of Russian. Now we went further ahead. When the train started rolling a Russian who had been standing made a cross and prayed, "Gos podi Bomille." I said to my wife, "You can see there is fear of God in Russia," but it did not take very long for us to know we had been deceived. We had a beautiful coffee can brought with us from America and during our first night on the train to Saratov the Russians stole it from between our feet. I told my wife, "Now see, the coffee can went through all of America, over the ocean and then through Germany with us. Now, the first night in Russia the Russians stole it from us." When we arrived at Saratov we journeyed on the Volga River to Schilling, then to Norka, and later to Kolb where we arrived at 12 o'clock in the night. At my brother Johann-George's home we asked whether we could stay overnight. He said, "Ja! Just drive in!" The driver then said, "But this is your brother from America'" In 10 minutes the whole house was full of people. It was as with the prodigal son-one who was dead had come back to life again. This is enough for now. 4 Heinrich Rehn

11 schoolmaster of the above mentioned village, the following testimonial: that he has conducted himself properly, faithfully and diligently during the 30-year administration of his teaching duty in our midst; yes, indeed during his entire residence here, he led a blameless life, and we hold him in the highest regard. CERTIFICATE: The undersigned certify that Franz Wilhelm Scheibel, born in Urthalika (possibly Ust-kulalinka or Galka), served the community of Peskowatka as Schoolmaster-Sexton for more than 30 years, outstanding, conscientious and faithful in his duty, and led a devout and moral life. The day before the group of 75 persons left for America, Scheibel wrote the following letter which was signed by a number of persons in the group; Bremen, 21 July 1876 To our dear countrymen in Russia, Our schoolmaster, Franz Wilhelm Scheibel of Peskowatka, traveled for two years with others of our German-Russian colonists. In Berlin, they became acquainted with Mr. Derik Johanning and Captain Behmer, general agents of the North-German Lloyd of Bremen. Everything that these two told them was thoroughly verified .... Also, Mr. Bruno Reiman, inspector of the German Steamship North-German Lloyd .. . merits the trust of all our people ... In Bremen we found a superabundance of people who knew how to make our stay in the city very pleasant . . . May God grant this; until we meet again . . . tomorrow morning, July 22, we will depart for New York on the steamer Donau. The ship arrived in the port of New York, August 5, 1876. According to Richard Sallet m Russian-German Settlements in the United States and a later article in Adams County: A Story of the Great Plains by Dorothy Weyer Creigh, the first Volga Germans arrived in Hastings, Nebraska in 1876. However Sallet goes on to say: After their arrival in New York these families were persuaded to go as wood cutters into the forests of Northern Wisconsin. But these children of the steppes could stand it there only four days; then they went to Chicago. There the Burlington Railroad recruited them as laborers and brought them free of charge to Hastings. The brief stay in Wisconsin is also confirmed by Elmer Miller in his Master's Thesis and by Eva DeWald in the sketch that she has written about her father. In 1876, John George DeWald and a friend decided to leave for America . . . They arrived at New York . . . and were met by land agents. One land agent took them to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where there was plenty of land available; however, much of the land was timber land and not exactly suited for farming wheat. They stayed in Wisconsin for awhile and found work. In the meantime, they learned that there was open farm land in Kansas, so they worked their way to Lawrence, Kansas. Scheibel's contingent did not remain long in Hastings. Sallet also mentions that "in 1876 colonists from Kolb were the first to homestead at Campbell, Nebraska." Actually the first Volga Germans to come to Hastings were also among the first to come to Campbell. However, we find that not all of Scheibel's original group went to the Campbell neighborhood for the beginning of "Rooshan Town" there. Campbell did not become a town as such until in 1886 when the railroad was completed. In 1870 where Campbell is now situated was a vast expanse of rolling prairie, covered with buffalo grass and blue stem . . . There were very few trees except along the Little Blue (River) which winds its way across the extreme northeast corner of Franklin County. Herds of buffalo, hunted by the Indians . . . roamed the unbroken sod. The four families of the original group were the Scheibel family, the Heinrich Bauer family, the Heinrich Kanzler family, and the John Jacob Scheuermann family. The group also included a young married couple, Heinrich Miller and wife; a widow and her son, Catherine Earth and Jacob; and 12 single young men. It should probably be noted here that many of this group were closely related. The first winter there was very little housing — some dug-outs and a settlement house on the site of the present Doug Zuellner farm — just north of the river and outside the present village itself.

10 RESEARCHING THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO CAME TO AMERICA FROM OUR ANCESTRAL VILLAGE Pauline and Norman Dudek

When Catherine the Great issued her Manifesto of 1763 Germany was not a united country but made up of autonomous governments which differed according to each ruler. So the Manifesto with its special privileges and the subsequent migration from the provinces of Hesse, the Rhineland, the Palatinate, Alsace, Baden, Wuerttemburg came at a time when the German people were tired of having their land ravaged by wars whether the wars were political or religious in nature. The most recent war had been the Seven Years War. The colonization in Russia first began in an area near Saratov on the Volga River. The particular colony that we are primarily concerned with here is Kolb which was founded May 13, 1767. Kolb was about 100 versts (verst = 0.66 miles) or about 70 miles southwest of Saratov and just a verst from the Medveditza River. The journey from Germany by land and the Baltic Sea to St. Petersburg, again by land and along the Volga River was probably 1600 miles or more. According to Pisarevskii there were 23 families in Kolb in 1769: 62 males and 45 females. Beratz listed 31 families in 1773: 83 males and 60 females. Although the colonists had been promised housing, neither houses nor lumber for building houses were available to the immigrants. Just so, in America, the German-Russian immigrants encountered the same problems a hundred years later. In fact, much of the first housing in America was similar to that built in Russia a century before. The Kirghiz and Kalmuck tribes resented the newcomers establishing farms on their land, just as the American Indians had resented the coming of the white man. The German colonists were able to retain their German identity, as they lived in closed colonies in which their customs, culture, languages and religion could be preserved. Later, in Russian government circles, there was a movement for reform which affected all foreign nationalities. The "Russification" measures passed by Alexander II meant an abrogation of the terms of Catherine's Manifesto of 1763, particularly local self-government and freedom from military service. This induced migration to the Americas. However, there were additional reasons for migration, especially for the Volga Germans. According to Elmer Miller's* Master's Thesis: Another condition taking place was the gradual exhaustion of the soil. Most of the Germans rotated wheat, flax and rye, year after year, and without fertilizer the Russian steppes began giving out under such a demanding program. Because of this decreasing soil fertility, and also because of an expanding population, the Russian- Germans needed more room. They spread out further along both banks of the Volga, and when the Russian government denied them further land in that area, many of the Germans migrated to Siberia and the Caucausus. Religious freedom also played an important part in the early emigration. George Eisenach in his Pietism and the Russian Germans in the United States writes: An outstanding reason for emigration was the search for religious freedom. During the 3860's the Brotherhood had been growing in influence and numbers. It has been noted that most of the clergy, with the help of local civil authorities, attempted to hold the movement in check by means of persecution. After the Brotherhood Conference was organized in 1871, the clergy became more alarmed than ever. Persecution was now intensified and widened in scope. Meetings were broken up. Elders were subjected to bitter treatment. The result was thousands of Brethren emigrated to "the land of the free" where they would be permitted to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience. How strong this motive was is indicated by the fact that the majority of the early immigrants were converts. Although there were about 75 persons from Russia on the Donau's passenger lists, 2 our concern is with the 43 listed on the group passenger list issued to Franz W. Scheibel, schoolmaster from Kolb. Scheibel had been one of the Protestant scouts to America in 1874, The following are translations by Herman Wildermuth of a Testimonial signed by the Village Clerk and a Certificate issued by Pastor C. David including the church seal: TESTIMONIAL: June 2, 1876. The village government of Peskowatka Village, Medveditza Province, Atkarsk District, Saratov Government, give Franz Wilhelm Scheibel, Disappointments and Difficulties The following are just a few of the disappointments and difficulties which Germans from Russia sometimes feel. 1. Religious Germans who had no churches or pastors in the and who practiced a religious life with great sacrifice and often danger, are bitterly disappointed that they find empty churches in Germany. 2. Teenagers who left close friends behind in Russia, are often tremendously homesick, especially during the first year. A teacher in a youth camp in Germany said to me, "We never ask young people during their first three months in Germany, 'How do you like it here?' " 3. Every unification of families in the west brings with it separation from other members who stay behind in the Soviet Union. Again, parents and grandparents feel homesickness. Let me give two examples. (a) A mother comes to her married daughter in Germany who has two children. She is received affectionately and spends pleasant days with her. Then she declares, "Everything is so beautiful here, but you don't need me. I can do nothing for you or your children. But in the Soviet Union there are also grandchildren who write, 'Oma, come wieder zu uns.' (Grandmother, come back to us.) In addition, it's time to plant the garden again." It is understandable that the grandmother returned to the Soviet Union. (b) A grandmother comes to Germany to be with her daughter who does not have any children. Both the son-in-law and the daughter leave early every morning for work and come back home late at night. The grandmother sits the whole day in an empty house. She does not find congenial friends in the neighborhood and languishes with loneliness for relatives in Russia. Within six months she dies. 4. To a German from Russia it seems as though his whole first year is spent answering questionnaires and filling out forms- This is made more difficult by strange legal terms with which he is not familiar. He often despairs of getting everything right. The camp commanders and Landsmannschaft officials do what they can in giving advice to people. It is true that the forms often seem excessive, but German authorities must take great care in paying out large sums of money, and unfortunately a few Soviet Germans are not always honest. 5. Our people are often hurt by being referred to as Russians, While they were in the Soviet Union they were called Nazis or fascists, but now that they are in Germany, they are called Russians. However, they should realize that not everyone uses this word in a contempuous manner. It simply means that they were born in Russia. 6. Soviet Germans who emigrate to Germany must adapt themselves to an entirely new way of life with different cultural, political, and educational systems. In many cases they don't know what to do with freedom. They expect decisions to be made for them as had been done in the past. 7. And finally, many returnees say that German people are "cold" and inhospitable. It is possible that the tragic years in Russia bound all Soviet Germans closely together, but whatever the cause, they often have difficulty in making new friends after leaving the Soviet Union. However, all of these disappointments can be called "Anpassungsschwierigkeiten" (difficulties of adaptation) and are usually overcome with time. It is a fact that very few people ever desire to return to Russia. No figures exist regarding the number of people who have done so, but it cannot be more than a few dozen families out of the 50,000 Germans who have left Russia between the years 1958-1978. The returnees are being well provided for in every respect. Nobody suffers need. One can say that they are getting along fine. Over and over one hears, "We have never lived as well as we do here." Over 50% of them own their homes. Many have automobiles (something which they could never have afforded to buy in the Soviet Union), television sets, refrigerators, radios and comfortable furniture. In conclusion, there are two themes with which I should like to end my talk. First: if our people could leave the Soviet Union without any danger or personal discomfort, then, in my opinion 60-70% would do so. And second: if closed German settlements should not come into being in the near future, then the Soviet Germans will slowly but surely cease to exist as a separate cultural and political entity. The granting of permission to leave depends upon the arbitrary action of Soviet authorities. One official said to a German, "As long as I sit here, you will never depart for Germany." There are some cities and even areas of the Soviet Union from which no one has thus far been able to emigrate. For a time it was relatively easy to leave from Baltic states and from Moldavia, but these areas have become increasingly difficult in recent years. At the present time, most Germans come from and Kirgisia. The reasons Germans are not allowed to emigrate are: first, they are needed in the virgin territories of Kazakhstan and Siberia where they have a reputation for being industrious and diligent workers. When in 1964 a delegation went to Moscow to see Mikoyan about the restoration of a German Republic, he is supposed to have asked, "Who would work the land and man the tractors if the Germans left?" The second reason is that it would create a bad impression abroad if over a million Germans emigrated from the Soviet Union.

Reception and Assimilation of Russian Germans After reaching Germany, all returnees spend their first few nights in Friedland where they are greeted with the ringing of church bells. Many of them break into tears when they hear this sound which has been denied to them for over thirty years. They are registered here and everyone is placed in one of two categories: those who were declared German citizens in 1944 and other returnees who have never been in Germany before. Special compensation is given to the first group, amounting to as much as 15,000 German marks. The German government has been extremely generous to all refugees from communist countries. Upon arriving in Camp Friedland, each adult is given 150 German marks for small incidental expenses, and everyone is furnished a complete set of clothing from supplies donated by churches, charitable institutions, and clothing factories. From the moment of their arrival, Soviet Germans have all the rights and privileges of normal German citizens. Welfare payments are made to individuals who are sick or in need, and old age pensions are given to men over 65 and to women over 60. Transportation costs to Germany are also usually reimbursed. After spending a few days in Friedland, people go to temporary camps called "Uebergangslager." It is here that most of the papers connected with the above-mentioned benefits are filled out. One of these forms called "Lastenausgleich" has caused dissatisfaction among many returnees. It was designed to equalize the burden of war and to recompense people for the property which they had lost in the war. Those returnees who had been members of a collective farm or had given their land to a collective by 1941 received compensation for it, but the law did not apply to who had been deported during previous years and were working in Russian prison camps in 1941. Landsmannschaft officials have tried repeatedly to have this ruling changed so that the kulaks would be included, but, until now, all their efforts have been unsuccessful. People usually stay in these temporary camps for several months until permanent homes can be found for them. During this period, adults often receive job training or go to special schools to enhance their knowledge of German. There is no charge for either of these services. In the same way, those children who do not speak German well are sent to "Fordereschulen" (improvement schools) until they are able to meet with their peer group. It is unfortunately true that the better educated a person is, the more difficulty he has in entering the German economy. Returnees who have worked successfully in the Soviet Union as doctors, teachers, and engineers, received their training in the and are unfamiliar with German professional terms. For this reason it is often necessary for them to go back to school and receive an additional degree. However, people who worked in the collective farms, in the construction industries, or in factories are all taken care of without difficulty. Germans from Russia are often preferred to native workers because they are industrious and are willing to accept even the lowliest jobs at the start. They have the added incentive that they arrived in Germany without furniture or other necessities of living. German shops offer them an overwhelming number of things to buy, and this also tempts them and makes them work hard at any job they are given. I shall never forget the amazement that my own sister showed when she arrived from the Soviet Union and went to a grocery store with me. Her comment was, "Brother, who can possibly eat all of this food?" or being assigned to inferior work at lower pay. In other cases, people are arrested and sentenced for "making propaganda against the Soviet Union." Between the years 1958-1965 only about one hundred persons per year were allowed to emigrate. After a Red Cross Conference in Vienna in 1965, the figure rose to 1,000. A German-Soviet treaty in 1970 and the visit of Brezhnev in 1973 also had good results. During the last five years more than 5,500 Soviet Germans have arrived in Germany every year. There were 6,065 in 1974; 5,541 in 1975; 9,652 in 1976; 9,140 in 1977; and 8,500 are expected in 1978, making a grand total of 50,000 for the years 1958 to 1978. (See accompanying chart)

Native Germans and Soviet Germans who have returned to Germany 1977 6500

4500

3500

3000

2500

2000 2000

500

1000

500

1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 197;, 1975 1976 1977

The dotted line represents primarily native German citizens such as prisoners of war in Russia. The straight black line represents Germans from Russia. 1978 -8.500 Estimate Altogether for 195 9 - 1978- 50.000 Dr. Stumpp estimates that 8,500 Native Germans and Soviet Germans will be permitted to return to Germany in 1978. Altogether, for the years 1959-1978, this would bring the total to 50,000. prices are much higher than in an ordinary shop. For that reason practically everyone in the Soviet Union trys to own or rent a garden plot upon which he keeps a cow, pigs and chickens and plants potatoes and other vegetables. The greatest deprevation which our people feel in Russia today is the lack of a religious or cultural life. In all of the Soviet Union there isn't a single trained German Lutheran minister, and the only remaining German Catholic priest is Father Michael Kohler whose church in Frunze has been registered by the Soviets.* Church services are often conducted in cemeteries, and every funeral is used as an excuse for religious worship. During the winter months services are usually held in private homes. No children under the age of eighteen are allowed to attend religious services. This is a constant source of concern to Christian parents. Although there are several German-language newspapers, they are not commonly read. Many people who have returned to Germany say that the papers print only "Quatsch" (nonsense), rather than the truth. There are also radio programs in the , but they are government controlled and are monotonous. German is, of course, taught as a foreign language in the schools, but this is a far cry from the purely German schools which formerly existed in the German colonies. In the Soviet Union, it is necessary for both the father and the mother to work. Consequently, children do not have anyone who can speak German with them. Only Russian is spoken on the playgrounds and in the schools. I would guess that: In 10-20% of the homes, German is still spoken by both parents and then- children. In 60-70% of the homes, the parents speak German but the children answer in Russian. In 20-30% of the cases, both parents and children speak Russian. However, these percentages keep changing in favor of the Russian language. In 1960, 75% of all Germans in Russia said that their mother tongue was still German, but in 1969 only 66.8% said that this was the case. In both the schools and in public places, anti-German films of World War II are constantly shown. Germans are usually called "fascists," "Fritzes," and "Hitlerites." All of this has a bad effect upon the children. If, in a classroom, the teacher tells of Nazi atrocities during World War II, all of the pupils look at the German children who sit among them. As a result one hears such statements: 1. Mother, why didn't you marry a Russian? 2. If you call me by my German name, I won't come. 3. A seventeen year old boy doesn't want to depart for Germany with his parents. He remarks, "I don't want to go to fascistic Germany." Recently I wrote to Chancellor Schmidt to ask him to use his influence with the Russians to put a stop to this. It seems grossly unfair that children of German people who had nothing whatever to do with the war should still be persecuted thirty- three years after the war is over.

The Desire to Emigrate It is for all of these reasons that Germans desire to emigrate to Germany. In their letters they say that they want to come to the land of their forbears where they can live in freedom and where they and their children can use the German language. For others, religious freedom is the big attraction. But for everyone it is the wish to again be part of a society. One often hears the expression, "In Russland waren wir immer die Stiefkinder." (In Russia we are always the step-children.) In recent years the Soviet Germans have become very active and show their desire to emigrate by asking repeatedly to do so. However, only those people who have relatives living in Germany who have sent them a "vysov" (invitation) are even considered. It costs 40 rubles to register such a request. This means 200 rubles for a family of five and the money is lost if the request is not granted. Some people have turned in "vysovs" five to ten times. Others travel to Moscow to hand in their "vysovs" personally. Lately it has become common for Germans to turn in their identity passes as well, saying, "We do not wish to remain Russian citizens any longer. We desire to go to Germany." However, this action results in the loss of a job *Father Kohler celebrated his 80th birthday on October 30, 1977. See Heimat im Gtauben for May 1978, p. 3. Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Russland. Stuttgart, Germany. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE RUSSIAN GERMANS AND THE PROBLEMS OF THE RETURNEES Dr. Karl Stumpp Translated by Emma S. Haynes

It is impossible to discuss present conditions among the Russian German people in the Soviet Union without referring to the events of the last two hundred years. Emigration from Germany to the Volga area of Russia took place under Catherine II in the years 1763-1769, and to the Black Sea region under Alexander I after 1803. The original 315 mother colonies gave rise to 3,300 daughter colonies. Until 1914 the population of the Germans in Russia (exclusive of the Baltic and Russian Poland) increased from 100,000 to approximately 1,700,000. However, the road to prosperity led through hardship and hunger. "The first generation faced death, the second suffered want, and only the third had bread." This economic development and expansion of the German colonies was regarded with disfavor by Russian nationalists, and under Alexander II the special privileges granted by Catherine II and Alexander I were gradually annulled. It was especially disturbing to the Germans that their freedom from military service was abrogated. This resulted in immigration by Mennonites, Black Sea Germans and Volga Germans to the New World after 1872. With the outbreak of World War I, events leading to the ultimate downfall of the German colonists passed in rapid succession. 1. On February 2 and December 13, 1915, a law was passed by which the property of all Germans living within 150 kilometers of the border was to be expropriated and they were to be transferred to the interior. This law was carried out only against the Volhynian Germans. Other Germans were spared for the time being. 2. Between the years 1917-1921, a Civil War, which raged in Russia between the "Whites" and the "Reds," resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Germans. Further depredations and murders were caused by the anarchist, Nestor Makhno, and his band. 3. In 1921-1922 a terrible famine, which was particularly severe along the Volga, further reduced the population. 4. From 1928-1939 farmland was collectivized under Stalin, and the richer farmers called "kulaks" were banished. 5. With the invasion of the Soviet Union by Hitler in 1941, the Crimean Germans, the Volga and many of the Black Sea Germans were deported to Siberia and Soviet . This meant an end to most of the former German villages. 6. Those Black Sea Germans who had escaped deportation, fled to Germany in 1944 and were declared German citizens. The majority of them were, however, forcibly repatriated by the Russians. 7. The years 1945-1955 remained a period of tormenting uncertainty in which families were kept divided in prison camps or "closed settlements" without knowing where their relatives were. 8. In 1955 a turn for the better set in, Germans were now granted an amnesty and could leave their prison camps provided they did not return to their former villages or ask to be recompensed for the property which they had left behind. Those Black Sea Germans who had been declared German citizens were forced to surrender all German documents. Then in August 1964, twenty-three years after the Volga Germans were deported, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR promulgated a decree withdrawing the accusations made against them. However, the former Volga German Republic and the other autonomous districts in which Germans had previously lived were not re-established.

Present Conditions of the Soviet Germans The Soviet census of 1969 tells us that 1,846,317 Germans live today in the Soviet Union. Of these, 41.2% are to be found in the Russian Federated Socialist Republic especially Siberia; 53.4% are in central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan; and 5.4% in other republics. About half of all Germans are engaged in farming and the other half in industry. There are two kinds of shops in the Soviet Union. Party members and other privileged characters can buy everything at set prices in special stores, but the ordinary citizen must often stand in line for hours in state stores and then accept shoddy material. This results in the popularity of the black market, where, however, **! hope that very soon we can publish some children's stories as one step in recruiting more young people. ^Within the next five years we should begin computerizing some of our operations. **We need to think immediately of obtaining our own microfilming equipment. We are acquiring and developing more and more information that should be on film. There isn't going to be space to store it in its present form. All of this adds up to a big and, I might add, costly order but we have the capability of acquiring the resources and personnel to get the job done. In 1983 when we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary, I hope we will have 5,000 at our convention and that we can review these items and give ourselves some good if not excellent marks. Let's do it — together!

Dr. Karl Stumpp, 83 years young, Acting as interpreter-translator for of Stuttgart Germany extended Dr. Karl Stumpp throughout the greetings. Through the week he convention was Emma was available to reply to Schwabenland Haynes of Ar- questions about research in lington, Virginia. Germany.

Available to respond to questions about dialects was Dr. Charles L. Also on hand to translate letters and documents for Gebhardt who has been named those engaged in research was Herman 'Wildermuth of Chairman of the newly Yucca Valley, California, who is pictured here with his established Linguistics wife Lydia. Committee.

I remember well the first convention in Greeley, Colorado. We had a registration of 279 with something less than 100 in attendance full time. Our registration at this convention will top 1,000 and more than 500 are attending full time. Five years ago we had less than 1,200 memberships. Today we are approaching 3,700. Among these are 63 life memberships. Our roster of chapters is growing too. During this past year 10 new groups have been organized. On Saturday morning they will be receiving their charters at the Fellowship Breakfast. More areas are waiting for assistance to organize. In this tapestry, too, we see great achievements in publications. The 25 Work Papers produced in ten short years are filled with valuable research. New libraries on our membership roster are so impressed with them that they submit orders for all the back issues. Our Journal which replaces the Work Papers and our annual genealogical helper, Clues, are top-notch. It is a good feeling to know that these excellent materials are reaching more than 8,000 individuals directly and are being read by many thousands more through our member libraries. In addition we have published three books and three bibliographies plus acquiring the rights to Dr. Stumpp's two books, making it possible to keep these always available for historians and researchers. Our genealogical services are also expanding by leaps and bounds. The resources we make available through our family group files, the obituary files, and the family histories in our archives are a source of constant amazement to our members. Another great achievement of this society was our "Meet the People" tour to South America to help our fellow Germans from Russia in Argentina celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Germans from Russia in Argentina, What a thrill it was to visit our people in Brazil and Paraguay, as well. Who would have believed even 5 years ago that our so youthful society would carry out such a successful program with 61 participants? Yes, the story of this first decade as pictured on the tapestry we are weaving must be a source of pride to every AHSGR member. And to think that it has been accomplished by a total volunteer effort is another source of amazement. But, for the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, these first 10 years are only the beginning. I see this society as broad shouldered and strong, with both feet firmly planted on a firm foundation. As I have said, we have only begun. We do a lot of dreaming — sometimes in the middle of the night with eyes wide open- and at this time I'd like to share with you some of my hopes for AHSGR in the next five years. ^Increased membership is always a priority. It doesn't take a calculator to say that we could have a membership of at least 30,000 by 1983. If every individual registered at this convention would recruit one more and that one recruit another "und so wetter" we could have 16,000 memberships in no time. But if every membership in AHSGR would recruit one more every other year we would have 32,000 memberships by 1983. Some will say I'm being too conservative. I believe it is realistic. It can be done and it is needed to do the other things this society should be doing. Are you carrying your weight in offering our program to others? ^Membership growth also means more chapters. The two go together. As a beginning, I'd like to see 11 new chapters charted at the Seattle convention. After all, we chartered 10 new chapters in our 10th year. Why not 11 in our llth? Where should we have chapters? In every city; in every state and province, for Germans from Russia are everywhere. **I hope in five years we will be ready to finance our own headquarters building — that our foundation will have raised the funds and that we will have on the drawing board the plans for a new building or one that is being remodeled for our use. ^We need more headquarters staff. I hope we can add during these next few years - *A full time genealogist. *A full time person handling publicity to get us the visibility we deserve on radio — TV — in publications- Someone who will work with universities on the development of courses and curricula related to our ethnic group. *A full time editor working closely with an editorial committee to produce more and more materials. THE FIRST DECADE - FOR AHSGR IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING Ruth M. Amen, International President

What a year this has been-this year of celebration! Culminating in this Tenth Anniversary Convention, this year has prompted us to look at the first decade of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Viewing our history tells us that we are well on our way to a long and healthy lifetime that should stretch out for many generations to come. Ten years can seem a long time but when they are filled with excitement and accomplishment, they literally fly by. So it seems as yesterday that some of us learned that the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia had been formally organized in Greeley, Colorado. Our history records that there were many who were responsible for bringing this about. Our first president, David J. Miller, who greeted you earlier this morning, was one of these and he would be the first to acknowledge that it took the dedication and help of many. The idea of forming an organization of Germans from Russia had been around for many decades. It has been said that there is nothing new- not even an idea-on the face of the earth. It is the treatment of an idea - putting it to work-that counts. There were indeed organizations of Germans from Russia much earlier than ours. Some were programs of a social nature. The relief societies that many of our parents and grandparents organized were designed to help in a time of dire need. They had their specific goals and, true to Russian German tradition, they accomplished what they set out to do. But it remained for a number of people in the late 60's to center their interest on recording the history of a great people. When we look at the record and review the correspondence we see the development of a remarkable story-unique in the fact that the group that assembled on October 6, 1968 and voted on the name and made the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia a reality was made up of persons, many of whom had been strangers just a few months before. Through a variety of strokes of fate they met each other through letters before they met in person. It is evident that almost simultaneously, in locations widely separated geographically, all these individuals were thinking along the same lines. This common interest brought them together and thus began the weaving of the tapistry that is AHSGR. To create this tapestry has required both warp and woof— two elements that are essential to all weaving. The warp comes first and, long before our time, these threads were strung on the loom by our forefathers— those stalwart, God-fearing and God-loving, devoted, hard working, courageous people who risked everything to preserve freedom for themselves and their families. Pioneers they were, as Dr. Stumpp has written, for two hundred years. Their trek across continents has brought us to where we are today. Their fondest hopes were to provide for their children a better life in lands they helped to build. Make no mistake, the countries in the Americas - Canada, the United States, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina — all are better places to live because Germans from Russia were willing to leave home and family, often times never to see their loved ones again. They reached a strange destination with what they had on their backs not knowing what might befall them. They cleared the virgin lands, broke the sod and fashioned primitive shelters to protect themselves from the elements. Yes, no stronger warp can be found on any tapestry. And what of the woof, those threads that run from side to side across the woven fabric? What of the picture that we see in 1978. Our grandparents and our parents have contributed to this also. They used and we inherited from them the beautiful, colorful yarns. Think for a moment of your own home area, your state, your province, your city, your hamlet. Each of us can name Germans from Russia who have contributed to the development of stable communities. They started by organizing and building their houses of worship even before they concerned themselves with any comforts of home. They became active in governmental affairs; they gave of themselves and their resources and, they tried very hard to instill in us a sense of responsibility to "go and do likewise." It's a rich heritage and we say as is noted on the official program of this Tenth Anniversary Convention that "We are proud of our forefathers." Beginning in the mid-1700's they migrated from Germany to Russia, mastering the vast and treeless steppe. They built stable communities, were strong in their religious faith, and revered home and family. To preserve these ideals, they ventured forth to the Americas where they became respected leaders in all walks of life. We honor our forefathers and at this AHSGR convention pay particular tribute to the rich heritage that is ours." The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was founded to preserve this heritage and to write this history. We feel we have come quite a distance in ten short years. THE CONVENTION IS CALLED TO ORDER Our cover pictures tell, in part, the story of the opening session of the Tenth Anniversary Convention. The ballroom of the Lincoln Hilton Hotel was filled to capacity, after three days of board and committee meetings, when International President Ruth M. Amen (top center) brought the convention to order at 9 o'clock on Thursday morning, June 22, 1978 and called on Dr. Otis E. Young (top right), Pastor of First Plymouth Congregational Church for the Invocation, Following the Flag Ceremony led by Camp Fire Girl Christine Pardee and Cub Scout Mark A. Slama, a memorial service to honor members who had passed away during the past year was conducted by Rev, Edwin 0. Berreth (right center), Pastor of Faith United Church of Christ with Lois Graber of Pretty Prairie, Kansas, singing, "How Great Thou Art." Greetings were extended by Mary Froscheiser (lower right), Convention Chairman and President of the host chapter, and David J. Miller (center left), an AHSGR founder and the first president. The audience also heard greetings from Germany from Dr. Karl Stumpp, the society's honorary chairman and special guest. With Dr . Stumpp on the dais are from the left Rev. Edwin 0. Berreth, Mary Proscheiser, David J. Miller, Ruth M. Amen (partially hidden by the lectern), and Edward Schwartzkopf.

Those on the dais for the opening session from left are: Rev. Edwin 0. Berreth, Mary Froscheiser, Dr. Karl Stumpp, David J. Miller, First President, Ruth M. Amen, President, Dr. Otis E. Young, and Edward Schwartzkopf, Secretary.

n MEET AHSGR'S PRESIDENT

Dr. Geisinger, the speaker Dr. Geisinger, the author

Adam Giesinger is many things to many people. To AHSGR he is an outstanding historian and researcher, a true friend of the member who is seeking hard-to-find information about where an ancestor in Russia lived, a cordial person who is soft-spoken and sincere. We know him to be conscientious and hard working and keenly interested in preserving the heritage of Germans from Russia. His many articles in our publications are evidence of his continuous search for information. He has traveled widely in both Germany and Russia and has authored one of the most authoritative and useful resource books on Germans from Russia, From Catherine to Khrushchev. The book is in its second printing. In Work Paper No. 20 we learn that Adam Giesinger was "born in a soddy, built by his grandfather, on a homestead in central Saskatchewan and traces his ancestry through his mother to Rastadt in the Beresan region of Russia. His parental grandfather was a great-grandson of one of the founders of the Black Sea village of Mannheim, near Odessa, who came here from Alsace in 1808." A charter member, a regular contributor to the Journal and AHSGR Work Paper, a speaker at the society's conventions, a member of the editorial committee, Dr. Giesinger has been a director of the International Board of AHSGR since 1969 and has served as vice-president for several terms. Until 1976, he was a Professor of Science and Dean at the University of Manitoba for thirty-four years. It is AHSGR's good fortune that in addition to writing the history of the society's first decade, Dr. Giesinger is willing to serve this organization as its third president.

Adam, the husband Adam, the friend UNIVERSITY STUDIES O GERMANS FROM RUSSIA...... 50 A Toast to our Forbears – Emma S. Haynes...... 51 We Toast our Founders – Dr. Adam Giesinger ...... 52 We Toast our Members – Edward Schwartzkopf ...... 53 We Toast our Chapters – Ruth K. Stoll ...... 54 We Toast the International Foundation – Mrs Theodore E. Heinz ...... 55 We Toast our Future – Timothy J. Kloberdanz ...... 58

OUR ECUMENICAL SERVICE We Honor Our Heritage Through Faith Irmgard Ellingson ...... 59 We Celebrate our Heritage ...... 60

AN ADDITION TO THE LOAN COLLECTION Ingrid Rimland’s The Wanderers Reviewed by Timothy Kloberdanz ...... 61 AHSGR COMMITTEE ROPORTS Archives ...... 64 Research and Bibliography ...... 64 Translations ...... 65. Religious History ...... 65 Genealogy ...... 66 Folklore...... 67 Membership ...... 68 ADDITIONAL REPORTS TO THE CONVENTION International Secretary ...... 70 Resolutions of the Ninth International Convention ...... 71 AHSGR Nominating Committee ...... 71 Convention Registrations ...... 72 QUERIES – A “CAN YOU HELP” GENEALOGY SERVICE

SURNAME EXCHANGE Prepared by Arthur E. Flegel ...... 74

Many of the pictures in this issue of the Journal were provided by Kermit Karnes of Kansas City, Missouir And Alex Dupper of Lodi, California.

End of Vol 1 No 1 Spring 1978