On the cover: Certificates of death can be requested by immediate descendants of a citizen of the former Soviet Union from the regional ZAGS (Bureau of Registry of Civilian Acts) in which the person lived/died. This death certificate is for David Andreyevich Fischer, father of Friedrich Davidovich, whose story is found pages 1-4. A translation of the certificate reads as follows: CERTIFICATE OF DEATH Citizen Fischer David Andreyevich died on 10 November 1937 [in letters and figures] at the age of 66 according to the registry book of deaths, [Extract #12 made] 26 September 1990. Cause of death: shot Place of death: Engels Region: Engels Oblast/krai: Saratov Republic: Russian S.F.S.R. Place of registration: Marxstadt, bureau of ZAGS Saratov Oblast Date of issuance: 26 September 1990 Signed and sealed by bureau director III RU No. 368618 Published by American Historical Society of Germans From Russia 631 D Street • Lincoln, Nebraska 68502-1199 • Phone 402-474 -3363 Edited by Jo Ann Kuhr ©Copyright 1992 by the American Historical Society of Germans From Russia. AH rights reserved. 1SSN 0162-8283 The Society does not assume responsibility for statements made by its contributors. CONTENTS UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTERS ............................................................................................................................... 1 Nikolai V. Titov Translated by Elena Petrovna Mikhailova and Lawrence A. Weigel EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Nina Berend Translated by David Bagby UNCLE JACOB'S WILD RIDES ...................................................................................................................................... 8 Alexander Dupper VOLHYNIAN GERMAN BAPTISTS IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA ............................................................................ 11 Richard Benert THE MATRON WHO WOULDN'T BE A MAID .. ........................................................................................................ 30 Ralph G. Bennett UPDATE: THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON'S .................................................................................................. 32 FAMILIAL ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PROJECT Thomas D. Bird, M.D. WE FULFILL OUR LIFE-LONG DREAM! ................................................................................................................... 35 Esther Beltz Trekell, et al. NEW ADDITIONS TO THE AHSGR LIBRARY .......................................................................................................... 49 Michael Ronn Members of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia receive the Journal quarterly in addition to a quarterly Newsletter and an annual genealogical publication, Clues. Members qualify for discounts on materials available for purchase from AHSGR. Membership categories: Student, $20.00; Individual, $30.00; Family, $30.00; Contributing, $50.00; Sustaining, $100.00; Life, $500.00 (may be paid in five annual installments). Memberships are based on a calendar year, due each January 1. Dues in excess of $30.00 are tax deductible. Applications for membership should be addressed to: AHSGR, 631 D Street, Lincoln, NE 68502-1199. Telephone (402) 474- 3363. FAX: (402) 474-7229. UNFORGET TABLE ENCOUNTERS: People from the Past and Thoughts on the Future Nikolai V. Titov Cultural and Historical Museum , Marks, Russia Translated from Russian to German by Elena Petrovna Mikhailova and from German to English by Lawrence A. Weigel. Edited by Fr. Blaine Burkey, O.F.M.Cap. In Down the Volga (HarperCollins, 1991 }, the fascinating Such an encounter occurred at our museum in the report of a 1990 journey down Russia 's greatest river, Marq summer of 1990. It was an ordinary sunny morning, with de Villiers devoted a marvelous chapter to Saratov and few visitors , when a man of medium height entered. His Marks {formerly Katharinenstadt), in the course of which he appearance differed little from any other person's—a wrote, ". ..the prospect of Germans returning to Saratov had pleasant, sunbu rn ed face, eyes faded by time, and silver- set off widespread racist hysteria in the region. " [p. 251] The gray hair. He offered me a sultry hand that had once held an present story, which gives a d ifferent perspective to the ax, a crowbar, and a hatchet, as well as tweezers and a return of the Volga Germans, was written by 65-year-old surgeon's knife. Nikolai Vasilevich Titov, an ethnic Russian , historian , and "Friedrich Fischer," he said gently, "I come from former regional newspaper editor who directs the museum Shakhtinsk (near Karanganda, Kazakhstan). Here, I brought something along." Caref ully he laid the contents of his in Marks. Bishop Joseph W erth of Novosibirsk , Siberia, son briefcase on the table. There were various papers, an of a native Volga German, helped T itov contact the Volga- inkwell, a penholder with a "Rondo" pen, a note holder, a German Society of Ellis and R ush Cou nties, Kansas, for horn knife for cutting paper, a cast-iron ashtray shaped like assistanc e in rest oring the Marks museum's coverage of an oak leaf, an unexplained match box, photos, various Volga German culture and history. Titov wrote in February documents, and a photo album from early-day Marxstadt. 1991, "About 5,000 Germans live in our city and region. "These all belonged to my father. My children don't Their relations with those of other nationa lities are good and want to give them away because they are all that is left of peace ful. Yet the city officials are agitating an anti - their grandfather. Believe me, it isn't easy for me to part autonomy state of mind . I believe the re-establishment of with such relics; but I want the people to know what it was the Volga Republic would improve the lives of the entire like then." population of the region. "——Fr. Burkey At first I couldn't understand what this was all about, A person's mind is a vessel one can neither see nor but gradually Friedrich Davidovich unfolded a vast facet of hold in one's hands. One can only stir up recollections, the past in a tragic story of the older generation. This is a excite them, and thus bring to light things hidden for heretofore untold story of the suffering of those who decades, yet preserved in the corner of the mind. These disappeared as well as those still living today. recollections have indeed faded, have been blotted out, and It is impossible to measure the suffering, the sorrow, have been pushed backwards by various events; but from and the grief of such destiny. No, people can't comprehend generation to generation they shall endure. it. Time alone will judge it all, and then on its own merits. Once in a while one meets a person , a complete The large Fischer family always lived in stranger; after spending time with him , one touches a tense Katharinenstadt. One of them was Friedrich Davidovich 's string of his soul, and a lively picture escapes, bringing the father, David Andreyevich, who was born in 1871. From past so close as if it had just happened yesterday. One even childhood on he had lea rn ed the feels like a participant in such events. AHSGR Journal / Winter 1992 2 UNFORGET TABLE ENCOUNTERS: story of religion. For twenty-one years he assisted the While he was relating the tragic fate of his father, sexton-schoolmaster at Unterwalden. Soon thereafter he was Friedrich Davidovich sighed and wiped the sweat from his allowed to lecture on the word of God in the school. brow. It was very difficult for him to speak about this. He Within two years, the young , hardworking schoolmaster showed a photo of the house he lived in before they were had become the sexton-schoolmaster, organist, and church deported and said sof tly, "They took our father away on choir leader at the Lutheran church in Katharinenstadt. He August 5, 1937. The Chekists (forerunners of the KGB) said also kept the church books, and from 1924 until 1930 he no more than they had to. He knew he would never return was schoolmaster in Rosenheim (Podstepnoye). and would never see his dear ones again. He was tried by a In his later years, David Fischer served as schoolmaster tribunal and judged to be an enemy of the people. What in his hometown. When the new authorities closed the happened to him, none of us knew until the end." church, he held services in his home, and the people joined Friedrich Davidovich was quiet. We looked at the him. It was forbidden , but he continued to hold religious documents by which his father had at various times been services. He carried his cross and was convinced that he had distinguished. These time -yellowed papers thanked him for to help the people lighten their suffering and do good. Many good service. A document of the Moskow Evangelical inhabitants of the city can remember how nicely the choir Lutheran Consistory said in part, "Dear Schoolmaster. For sang with his direction and organ playing. twenty-five years you served our congregation and led the singing by playing the organ. The congregation members thank you .... You conducted the services faithfully and full of devotion. We hope the Lord will always give you spiritual strength." This wish was fulfilled throughout his life, until the very last hour. Even in his most difficult moment of his life, his spirit wasn't broken. This photo of the Evangelica l Lutheran Church in Katharinenstadt (now Marks) was taken in August 1992. The building is now being used as a recreation center. The This photo