An Elementary tutorial on German-Russian History: an Enhanced (Black Sea German) Timeline
The following information is collected both for the beginning
and for the advanced Black Sea German-Russian researcher.
In the 1970s, in the United States and Canada, the two organizations known today as "German-Russian organizations"(1) were formed. Even in those early years some serious scholarly works were being published.
There are 6 basic books used as central to this discussion of the history of the Black Sea German-Russian people. These six books are available today at our GRHS bookstore:
- from Catherine to Khrushchev by Adam Giesinger
- The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862 by Karl Stumpp
- Homesteaders on the Steppe - The Odyssey of a Pioneering People by Joseph S. Height
- Paradise on the Steppe - The Odyssey of a Pioneering People by Joseph S. Height
- Russian-German Settlements in the United States by Richard Sallet. Translated by LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer
- The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas by George Rath
Prior to discussing the history of the Black Sea German people, it is helpful to glimpse these great books via each table of contents as follows:
Adam Giesinger, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Copyright © 1974
Chapter | Page | |
1 | Seventeen Sixty-Three | 1 |
2 | New Homes on the Volga | 9 |
3 | Russian Expansion Westward and Southward | 23 |
4 | Germans to New Russia | 29 |
5 | Colonists, Not Peasants | 45 |
6 | Land Hunger | 57 |
7 | The Empire They Built | 81 |
8 | German Servants of the Tsars | 139 |
9 | The Protestant Majority | 155 |
10 | The Mennonite Commonwealth | 183 |
11 | The Diocese of Tiraspol | 201 |
12 | Broken Promises Spark Emigration | 223 |
13 | Before the Storm | 235 |
14 | War and Revolution | 247 |
15 | Communist Paradise | 275 |
16 | Liquidation of the Colonies | 299 |
17 | Survivors in Russia | 315 |
18 | Relatives Overseas | 337 |
in the Years 1763 to 1862
Karl Stumpp, Tübingen, Germany
Copyright © 1978
PART I
Chapter | Page | |
1 | History and Causes of Emigration | 15 |
2 | Family and Ancestral Research | 40 |
3 | List of Places of Emigration | 48 |
4 | List of Mother Colonies | 66 |
5 | Emigration to Hungary and on to South Russia | 102 |
6 | Emigration to Poland, Prussia, Mecklenburg, Silesia and on to South Russia, Especially to Bessarabia | 106 |
7 | Alphabetical Index of the Emigrants From Germany to Russia | 117 |
Chapter | Page | |
A. | Revision Lists | 499 |
A1. | Immigration Lists | 958 |
B. | Passport Lists | 973 |
C. | List of the Mother Colonies | 1015 |
The Odyssey of a Pioneering People
Joseph Height
Copyright © 1975
Chapter | Page | |
1 | The Call of New Russia | 1 |
2 | The Franconian Migration | 13 |
3 | The Swabian Expedition of 1817 | 24 |
4 | Diaries of the Danube Journey | 40 |
5 | Impressions of the Pioneers | 49 |
6 | Homesteading on the Steppe | 59 |
7 | The Identity of the Pioneer Settlers | 77 |
8 | Pioneer Personalities and Events | 97 |
9 | A Visit to the Colonies in 1838 | 117 |
10 | Adventure in Agriculture | 133 |
11 | The Community Chronicles of 1848 | 148 |
12 | The Glückstal Chronicles of 1848 | 186 |
13 | The Beresan Chronicles of 1848 | 207 |
14 | The Administration of the Colonies | 227 |
15 | The German Dorf on the Steppe | 234 |
16 | The Church in the Colonies | 245 |
17 | The Village School | 253 |
18 | Mother Tongue and Mother Wit | 267 |
19 | The Tradition of the Folk Song | 280 |
20 | Folk Festivals and Customs | 297 |
21 | The Growth of the Daughter Colonies | 313 |
22 | The Quest of New Land | 321 |
23 | The Flourishing of Liebental | 330 |
24 | Glückstal's Golden Years | 347 |
25 | The Beresan Blossoming | 355 |
26 | Hoffnungstal in Flower | 361 |
27 | The Blight of Bolshevism | 368 |
28 | Under the Tyranny of Power | 376 |
29 | Victims and Witnesses | 392 |
30 | The Fateful Flight to Freedom | 403 |
31 | Pioneers in the Dispersion | 419 |
Joseph S. Height
Copyright © 1972
Chapter | Page | |
1 | The Call of Novija Russija | 1 |
2 | Exodus from Elsaß | 23 |
3 | The Trek to the Black Sea | 37 |
4 | The Kutschurgan Settlement | 53 |
5 | The Beresan Settlement | 71 |
6 | Adventure in Agriculture | 86 |
7 | The Administration of the Colonies | 101 |
8 | Episodes in the Pioneer Era | 106 |
9 | The Look and Life of the Steppe Village | 119 |
10 | Aspects of Colonist Character | 132 |
11 | Mother Tongue and Mother Wit | 148 |
12 | The Tradition of the Folk Song | 160 |
13 | The Round of Folk Festivals | 175 |
14 | Customs of Christmas and Easter | 186 |
15 | The Colonist Wedding | 197 |
16 | The Ways of the Village School | 209 |
17 | The Church in the Colonies | 219 |
18 | The New Landseekers | 237 |
19 | The Flourishing of Liebental | 247 |
20 | The Kutschurgan Climax | 263 |
21 | The Beresan Blossoming | 291 |
22 | The Blight of Bolshevism | 322 |
23 | Under Soviet Serfdom | 333 |
24 | Victims, Victors, and Witnesses | 349 |
25 | The Trek of Tribulation | 370 |
26 | Pioneers of the Diaspora | 391 |
in the United States
Richard Sallet
Translated by LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer
Copyright © 1974
Chapter | Page | |
1 | The Participation of the German Groups in Russia in the Russian-German Settlements of America |
19 |
2 | The Evangelical Black Sea Germans | 21 |
3 | The Catholic Black Sea Germans | 35 |
4 | The Evangelical Volga Germans | 42 |
5 | The Catholic Volga Germans | 58 |
6 | Emigration and Immigration. The Dates of the First Settlements. Russian-German Names. |
63 |
7 | Colonizers, Customs and Life | 79 |
8 | Churches, Newspapers, Politics, Clubs | 89 |
9 | World War. Years of Distress in the Old Homeland | 100 |
10 | Americanization | 106 |
in the Dakotas
George Rath
Copyright © 1977
Part I
South Dakota
Chapter | Page | |
1 | The Origin of the Black Sea Germans | 1 |
2 | Short Cultural Review | 22 |
3 | Emigration of the Odessa Group | 30 |
4 | The Real Emigration Begins | 52 |
5 | Enroute to the Dakotas | 67 |
6 | Settlements in the Southern Part of South Dakota | 86 |
7 | Settlements in the Central Part of South Dakota | 101 |
8 | Settlements in Northern South Dakota | 104 |
9 | Settlements in Western South Dakota | 126 |
10 | The Economic Situation | 133 |
11 | The Work of the Lutheran Churches in South Dakota | 141 |
12 | The Work of the Reformed Church, The Work of the United Church of Christ |
166 |
13 | The Work of the United Methodist Church | 193 |
South Dakota
Chapter | Page | |
1 | Conditions and Settlements in Eastern North Dakota | 203 |
2 | Further Settlements | 221 |
3 | Further Settlements | 233 |
4 | Conditions and Settlements in Western North Dakota | 247 |
5 | Further Settlements | 262 |
6 | The Work of the Lutheran Churches in North Dakota | 273 |
7 | The Work of the Reformed Church | 287 |
8 | The Work of the United Methodist Church | 296 |
9 | The Work of the Catholic Church Among the Black Sea Germans in North Dakota | 309 |
Religious and Cultural Aspects
Chapter | Page | |
1 | Denominations, Pietism, Changes, Administration, School, Colleges | 321 |
2 | Publications of Germans from Russia and Germany in South and North Dakota | 333 |
3 | Religious Literature of American Denominations Read by Black Sea Germans | 347 |
4 | Fate of the Black Sea Germans During the First World War | 350 |
The Founding of the Colonies
In the earlier decades, before the major waves of German emigration from the German states to the Volga region and the Black Sea area, there was some German presence around two of the major cities of Russia.
The first notable emigration of Germans to Russia occurred during the rule of Ivan the Terrible between 1533 and 1584. These were German military officers, technicians and craftsman, merchants and scholars who were invited to help build the early city of Moscow itself. Thus a German colony was formed outside the city walls of Moscow, and a German suburb did indeed exist there until World War I.(2)
During the rule of Peter the Great between 1672 and 1725, a large number of German families arrived in the city of Petersburg.(3)
Then, in the 1763 to 1764 time frame, yet another major wave of Germans answered the call of Czarina Catherine II.(4) The settlement of the Volga area occurred during this early chapter of the German-Russian history.(5)
A few years after the settling of the Volga Germans, Jekaterinoslaw and some scattered colonies in the northern part of the Black Sea area were founded. Some, but not all, that were founded prior to 1804 are represented here.
1779
- Josefstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rübalsk (Fischerdorf), Jekaterinoslaw
1780
- Kronsgarten, Jekaterinoslaw
1781
- Alt Schwedendorf, Swedish Colonies
1786
- Alt Danzig
1789
- Chortitza, Jekaterinoslaw
- Dnjeprowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Insel Chortitza, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kitschkas, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kronsweide, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neuenburg, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neuendorf, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosental, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schönhorst, Jekaterinoslaw
1790
- Alt-Kronsweide, Jekaterinoslaw
- Chortitza, Jekaterinoslaw
- Einlage, Jekaterinoslaw
- Insel-Chortitza, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neuenburg, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neuendorf, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosental, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schönhorst, Jekaterinoslaw
1792
- Jamburg, Jekaterinoslaw
1797
- Kronsgarten, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schönwiese, Jekaterinoslaw
1802
- Temesch, Crimea
1803
When Czar Alexander I, the grandson of Catherine II, assumed the imperial throne in 1801, he also found the need his grandmother had experienced, i.e. the need to develop new territory, this time in three provinces in the south of Russia: Cherson, Nikolajew and Taruida.
Alexander I of Russia was the nephew of King Frederick I of Germany who highly favored Russian emigration. Because of royal intermarriages, this imperial linkage between the German and Russian kingdoms was favorable to recruiting in Germany, much as Catherine II had done before him.(6)
Successful recruiting to bring Germans from southwest Germany began during the summer of 1803.
As his grandmother had done forty years earlier, Alexander I published a manifesto in February of 1804 in which he invited foreigners, in particular Germans, to come and settle the virgin steppes of the "New Russia."
Privileges of the Colonists that
Settled in the Southern Provinces of
The Russian Emporium
- Freedom of religion in all ways.
- Ten years freedom of taxes and other such obligations.
- After the ten free years, they will be equally subjected as the other Russians of the Empire, with the exception that they are not subject to provide quarters for soldiers except when they are marching through.
- They are free from recruitment as well as civil service; however, they are at liberty to enter services for the highest crown, but it will not free them from having to repay the debt to the crown.
- Each settler will receive an advance here in the country and is to repay that within ten years after the ten free years expire.
- Each family may bring their goods (furniture) free of toll, and also may bring with them goods for resale, total value not to exceed 300 rubles.
- The tradesmen may enter legal contracts and guilds. Each may do his trade throughout the Russian Empire.
- All the suffering has ended in the Russian Emporia State due to the generosity of His Majesty, the Russian Emperor.
- Each family receives usable acreage of 30 to 80 dessiatines free to their use from the Highest Crown. Each family can use the land without payment to the Highest Crown. The tax each family has to pay after the ten free years is, next to police affairs, the basic tax, a yearly amount of 15 to 20 kopecks per dessiatine. A dessiatine is about a yoch or morgen by German measurement. A kopeck is a little less than a kreutzer.
- Those who want to leave The Russian Emporium to go back to their homeland will have to pay the debts to the crown and a three year tax for the use of land.
Signed in Lauingen, 20 April 1804
Russian Emporia
Colony Transportation Department
Signature unreadable
as translated by Elli Wise 1996
(German data provided via Ralph Ruff)
Alexander I desired and pursued a practiced policy which required that only those who were capable agriculturists and artisans would be admitted in order that he could use them as models. One circular can be found on page 3 of Height's Homesteaders and Paradise books.(7)(8)
The czar sweetened up the offer of his grandmother's manifesto by promising each family 30-60 hectares of land, considerably more than Catherine II had offered earlier.(9)
The three prime points of these manifestos provided: (10)
- Freedom to practice religion for all settlers who would establish themselves in the Russian Empire
- Freedom from taxes for the duration of a period from ten to thirty years
- Freedom from civil or military service during the time they would live in Russia
We now see that these enticements did not always occur as earlier promised. The first remained in place, more or less, until the era of the communist controls. The freedom from taxes turned out to be, more or less, a no-interest loan that was expected to be paid back after a certain time had elapsed. And the third one was changed by laws that were adapted in the 1860s and 1870s.
On page 36 of Giesinger's book,(11) we note that 400 families arrived in South Russia during 1803; more than 800 families in 1804; 250 families in 1805; a lull of only 60 families in 1806 and 130 families in 1807.
During the years of 1808 to 1810, about 2,000 families arrived in South Russia.
Although some of the villages were settled earlier, the Berislaw group, a small cluster of Swedish and German villages, was settled around 1805-1806. These colonies suffered greatly during the first years of their existence because of great drought, locusts and various epidemics. Their numbers during this period were reduced greatly, taking many years to recover from these effects.(12)
Sorting out the history of Krim, Crimea, Taurida and Taurien is very difficult as it becomes hard to understand how, over time, they all fit together geographically speaking.(13) We can see on pages 95 and 98 of the Stumpp book (14) that the early villages are listed, and we can study the map, but it does not clear up that history.
When Alexander I decided to settle the Crimea with farmers and develop it economically, the decisions stirred up those people already living there. Many of the Tartars left who were not willing to live under a "Christian" ruler, and they emigrated to Turkey.
A "must read" for anyone interested in Crimea and Taurien, is on pages 9 through 12 of the Rath book.(15)
Jekaterinoslaw, also known as Ekaterinoslaw and Dnjepropetrowsk, is to the far north of the Black Sea but was considered part of the Black Sea German settlement.(16) We can see the many earlier villages of the Jekaterinoslaw listed with notes on pages 93 and 94 of the Stumpp book.(17)
We should note that of the Jekaterinoslaw, there were two groups of villages that are worthy to study: the Chortitza(18) and the Planer or Mariupol(19) both of which date back to the very early years of the Black Sea German history.
In the Stumpp book,(20) on pages 88 through 99, we can see many early villages founded during these early years by our German-Russian ancestors. The following list is representative, but not complete, of these earlier settlements:
1804
- Altonau, Taurien
- Blumstein, Taurien
- Fischau, Taurien
- Friedental, Crimea
- Grossliebental, Odessa
- Halbstadt, Taurien
- Klein Liebental (Ksenjewka), Odessa
- Lichtenau, Taurien
- Lindenau, Taurien
- Münsterberg, Taurien
- Muntau, Taurien
- Neuburg, Odessa
- Neusatz, Crimea
- Schönau, Taurien
- Schönsee, Taurien
- Zürichtal, Crimea
1805
- Alexanderhilf (Alexejewka), Odessa
- Blumenort, Taurien
- Feodosia Herzenberg, Crimea
- Friedental, Crimea
- Heilbrunn, Crimea
- Klosterdorf, Odessa
- Ladekopp, Taurien
- Lustdorf, Odessa
- Neusatz, Crimea
- Orloff, Taurien
- Otus, Crimea
- Petershagen, Taurien
- Peterstal, Odessa
- Rosenort, Taurien
- Sudak, Crimea
- Tiege, Taurien
- Tiegenhagen, Taurien
1806
- Freudental, Odessa
- Fürstenau, Taurien
- Mühlhausendorf, Swedish Colonies
- Schlangendorf, Swedish Colonies
1808
- Baden, Odessa
- Elsaß, Odessa
- Kandel, Odessa
- Mannheim, Odessa
- Selz, Odessa
- Straßburg, Odessa
1809
- Bergdorf, Odessa
- Franzfeld, Odessa
- Glückstal, Odessa
- Grigoriopol, Odessa
- Kronstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mariental, Odessa
- München, Odessa
- Neudorf, Odessa
- Rastatt, Odessa
- Rohrbach, Odessa
- Simferopol, Crimea
- Speyer, Odessa
- Sulz, Odessa
- Worms, Odessa
1810
- Fundukly, Crimea
- Josefstal, Odessa
- Kassel, Odessa
- Kronental, Crimea
- Landau, Odessa
- Rosental, Crimea
We should take a moment here to focus on a few thoughts relative to the names of villages and their founding dates. The precise dates or years that refer to the founding of some of these villages can easily become confusing.
Historical notes have sometimes reflected different dates for some of these villages. The reasons for this are beyond the scope of the intent of this paper, but we need to be aware that this might occur, and not be surprised when it does.
Let us consider one example, however: what if the new village was approved by the government in the early winter of 1818, but it was spring before the new families could actually start the building and organizing of their village? What date would you record as the founding date if you were the first village historian?
In a few instances, over the years, the village name may have been used for more than one village in one geographic area.
We also know that there were a few villages that disappeared during the early years because of water problems and similar situations, only to be rebuilt a few years later in a different location. Waterloo in Odessa is one such example. In some instances, when a village disappeared for some reason, it was not re-founded somewhere else.
These occurrences, along with changing of village names over a period of time and the renaming of some villages, is something that a new or seasoned researcher must expect to encounter. There will appear many instances where the village names are confusing, and it will not always be easy to sort out the history concerning a particular village. One such instance is in the Odessa area where the village of Berlin and Neu Berlin were one and the same.
So, when researching the names and founding dates of these villages, we must take good notes and keep an open mind.
Now back to the weaving together of the early history for our German villages in the Black Sea area, also known as "South Russia."
The early villages of the Odessa area are worthy of special consideration as we have a significant portion of our GRHS membership with interest in these ancestral villages.
(21) starting on page 88, we can see the "Gebiets" (Districts) of Odessa as follows, with the early villages in these districts grouped as follows:
Grossliebental District
Alexanderhilf, Franzfeld, Freudental, Grossliebental, Güldendorf, Helenental, Josefstal, Kleinliebental, Lustdorf, Mariental, Neuburg, Neu Freudental and PeterstalGlückstal District
Bergdorf, Glückstal, Kassel, Neudorf, Grigoriopol and HoffnungstalKutschurgan District
Baden, Elsaß, Kandel, Mannheim, Selz, and StraßburgBeresan District
Johannestal, Karlsruhe, Katharinental, Landau, München, Rastatt, Rohrbach, Speyer, Sulz, Waterloo, and Worms(The villages of Güldendorf, Helenental, Hoffnungstal, and Neu Freudental are perhaps out of place on Stumpp's lists)
The villages listed above for the Districts of Grossliebental(22) and Beresan(23) were a mixture of Evangelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic faiths. The Kutschurgan villages(24) were of the Roman Catholic faith while the Glückstal colonies(25) were essentially of the Lutheran faith. We should note that in later years Reformed churches were established in Worms, Neudorf and the city of Odessa.
We should discuss another aspect of religion in the villages. While a village may have been thought of as adhering to a particular faith, not every family or person in the village was of that faith. For example, a small village in Bessarabia that was considered to be Lutheran had some Mennonite, some Catholic and some Separatist folks, but the majority and the village church were Lutheran.
In some instances, where the village may have been more like a small city with stores and government or parish administrative offices, there may have been residents of other faiths, including Jewish and Russian and/or Ukrainian Orthodox.
We have been told over the years that the people of different faiths did not mix nor marry. However, if one takes the time to study the old "Welfare Records" or the church records that are available, we must conclude that this was not the full truth of the matter. A good exercise for anyone who might doubt this would be to review the St. Petersburg annual Evangelical Lutheran parish reports for the period after the Crimean war. There we can note the various religions of those being married. Again, as we research our German-Russian history, we must keep an open mind.
This brings us to subjects that we must consider: the terms of "mother colony" and "daughter colonies," and an understanding of the relationship of the village to the parish and government.
A mother colony is normally one of the earlier original colonies such as those listed above as having been founded between 1804 and 1810.
With time, and the growing population of a village, it became desirable for the families of a village to help spread the village roots to new land. In some districts of the Odessa area, that extra land was not always available within the district itself, so the new daughter colony would have been started in another district (government). This then resulted in the founding families of some daughter colonies being in a new district as well as a new parish. We see some of the daughter colonies of the Grossliebental District actually being in the Beresan District. Examples are the villages of Neu Freudental and Helenental.
At the end of the 1850s and early 1860s, the sons who could not expect to gain a portion of the land within their own community left their villages and founded these daughter colonies. Often the fathers would provide a couple of horses and a cow, as well as a wagon and plow, and a start of seed grain and basic implements. These new, young farmers who ventured forth often joined forces and thus were able to lease land or, in some cases, purchase land outright. This spreading and quest of the new lands is very important to understanding our ancestors' history in the Black Sea and it is highly recommended that further reading on this subject be pursued.(26)
Güldendorf is a good example of a village that over time was changed from one parish to another. Many of the original families of Güldendorf were of the first Waterloo, and as time moved forward, the village was in parishes of the Beresan District and the parish of the city of Odessa.
Again, as we study all of this we must keep an open mind as the facts can be very confusing if we allow them to be.
Then on to the next years of the founding of German villages and subsequent emigration to the New World:
1811
- Rückenau, Taurien
- Yushanlee, Taurien
1812
- Fabrikerwiese, Taurien
- Felsental, Taurien
- Neu Osterwick, Jekaterinoslaw
- Steinbach, Taurien
1813
- Rosental, Crimea
1814
- Borodino (Saok, Alexander), Bessarabia
- Krasna, Bessarabia
- Tarutino (Anschakrak), Bessarabia
1815
- Klöstitz (Tschaga), Bessarabia
- Kulm (Paulsberg), Bessarabia
- Leipzig (Skinos), Bessarabia
- Wittenberg (Malojareslawetz I), Bessarabia
1816
- Alt Elft (Fere-Campenois, Michaelsruhm), Bessarabia
- Arzis, Bessarabia
- Beresina (Kogelnik), Bessarabia
- Brienne (Peterwunsch), Bessarabia
- Paris, Bessarabia
- Schönberg, Jekaterinoslaw
The years of 1814 to 1816 saw the coming into existence of the first German villages of Bessarabia. (27) In November of 1813, Alexander I published another invitation similar to that of 1804 as was discussed above.(28) This invitation contained 21 points. The most significant of these were:
- It grants to the immigrants all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the native people.
- The settlers are expected to devote themselves to the cultivationof improved vineyards and orchards and to the development of the silk industry.
- The immigrants are to enjoy freedom from taxes for the duration of ten years [note the difference here from the earlier 1804 Manifesto].
- Each family is to receive sixty dessiatines of land.
- Those without food are to receive a food allowance of 5 kopecks per day until the first harvest.
- They will be free from military service.
- The money lent by the government is to be repaid after twenty years.
The invitation to settle in Bessarabia was heard in Germany and Poland, and they came by three primary routes:(29)
- From Radzivil and Tiraspol
- From Württemberg over Lemberg and Radzivil
- On boats from Ulm via Vienna, Budapest and Ismail
We can note that these first Bessarabian villages were mostly of the Evangelical Lutheran faith. However, in about 1821 or 1822, the village of Krasna became a Roman Catholic village, and the Lutherans from that village were transferred to Katzbach.
The emigration from Poland(30) has made it very difficult to follow the trails of many of our Bessarabian ancestors because many (probably the majority) of the records only reflect "Poland", "Prussia", "Lemberg" or "Posen" or other similar general information. The members of GRHS continue to spend great energy into building data so these trails can better be defined, as many of those who came from Poland and Prussia were earlier families of Germany.
1817
- Güldendorf (1st), Odessa
- Karlsruhe, Odessa
- Katharinental, Odessa
- Teplitz, Bessarabia
By 1818, the number of the German colonies in South Russia had grown in number to more than one hundred scattered across the Black Sea region.(31)
In 1818, the government created a special organization called the "Board of Social Welfare." Today we normally refer to it as the "Welfare Committee."
The Welfare Committee was to administer over the colonists according to the separate colonial laws. They were to look after their interests, and also to their obligations towards the host government.
We can find throughout the many historical works of our German Russian ancestors that the Welfare Committee was deeply involved in our peoples lives, much more than many of us realized for many years. A student of this history must read Rath (32) and Giesinger(33) to gain basic insight into the work of the Welfare Committee.
The Welfare Committee of the Black Sea area was designed for the colonists of Bessarabia, Kherson, Jekaterinoslaw, and Taurien. This included not only the German people, but also the Jewish and Bulgarian people. In the 1850s, of the 217 colonies administered by the Welfare Committee, 205 of them were German. The duration of the Welfare Committee in the Black Sea area was from 1818 to 1871.
The documentation of the administration of these colonies during this period is found in the State Archives, City of Odessa, in Fond 6 and Fond 252.(34)
1819
- Hoffnungstal, Odessa
- Lichtfelde, Taurien
- Margenau, Taurien
- Neukirch, Taurien
- Waterloo (1st), Odessa
1820
- Alexandertal, Taurien
- Franztal, Taurien
- Großweide, Taurien
- Johannestal, Odessa
- Kirmantschi, Crimea
- Kirmatschi, Crimea (1)
- Kirmatschi, Crimea (2)
- Kuru Djaga Scheich, Crimea
- Mariental, Taurien
- Pastwa, Taurien
- Pordenau, Taurien
- Rudnerweide, Taurien
- Schardau, Taurien
- Schekisek, Crimea (1)
- Schekisek, Crimea (2)
- Ssekisek, Crimea (3)
1821
- Alexanderwohl, Taurien
- Fürstenwerder, Taurien
- Gnadenheim, Taurien
- Katzbach, Bessarabia
1822
- Neu Hoffnungstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Sarata, Bessarabia
- Schabo Kolonie, Bessarabia
- Tiegerweide, Taurien
1823
- Adamowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alt Posttal (Malojareslawetz II), Bessarabia
- Elisabethtal, Taurien
- Kamenskolje (Kampenau), Jekaterinoslaw
- Liebenau, Taurien
- Listwjanka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Marianowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Marienpolje, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mirskoje (Mirau), Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Dworowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Raigorod (Rosengarten), Jekaterinoslaw
- Swjatotroizkoje, Jekaterinoslaw
- Tiegenort, Jekaterinoslaw
- Wischnjewataja, Jekaterinoslaw
- Zarskoje, Jekaterinoslaw
1824
- Blumengart, Jekaterinoslaw
- Bogatowka (Reichenberg), Jekaterinoslaw
- Friedensdorf, Taurien
- Jassinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kasjanoselsk, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kusnezowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Arzis, Bessarabia
- Neuhorst, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Neuhorst, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Prangenau, Taurien
- Rosengard (Rosengarten, Rajgorod), Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosowka (Rosenberg), Jekaterinoslaw
- Wernersdorf, Taurien
By 1824, there were 209 German villages in the Black Sea area; the number of families are estimated as being a little over 9,000 with a population of about 50,000.(35)
1825
- Elisabethdorf (Jelisawetowka), Jekaterinoslaw
- Grunau (Alexandronewsk), Jekaterinoslaw
- Kischinew, Bessarabia
- Neu Elft (Fere Champenoise II), Bessarabia
1826
- Petro Pawlowka, Jekaterinoslaw
1828
- Ludwigstal (Romanowka), Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Freudental, Odessa
- Sparrau, Taurien
A milestone worthy of our note occurred in 1828: it was the founding of the first Black Sea German daughter colony. Less than two and a half decades after the original settlement, forty-three landless families from Freudental founded a new settlement seventy-five versts north of the city of Odessa.(36) (37) The village was first called "Klein Freudental" but later was known as "Neu Freudental."
1829
- Plotzk (Draguli), Bessarabia
1830
- Gnadental (Neu Sarata), Bessarabia
- Güldendorf (2nd), Odessa
1832
- Bjetowesch, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kaltschinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Konteniusfeld, Taurien
- Lugansk (Rundewiese), Jekaterinoslaw
1833
- Kronsweide, Jekaterinoslaw
- Waterloo (2nd), Odessa
1834
- Dennewitz, Bessarabia
- Friedenstal, Bessarabia
- Lichtental, Bessarabia
1835
- Gnadenfeld, Taurien
1836
- Bergtal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Friedrichstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Heubuden, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schönfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schöntal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Waldheim, Taurien
1837
- Ksenjewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Danzig
1838
- Helenental, Odessa
- Nowo Romanowka, Jekaterinoslaw
1839
- Landskrone, Taurien
1840
- Schabolat, Bessarabia
1841
- Sergejewka, Jekaterinoslaw
1842
- Bohemka, Crimea
- Hoffnungstal, Bessarabia
- Jekaterinopol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Marinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Krassnowko, Jekaterinoslaw
1843
- Friedental, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mirowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowgorod (Darmstadt), Jekaterinoslaw
- Serebropole, Jekaterinoslaw
1845
- Tatarbunar, Bessarabia
1846
- Sagornoje, Jekaterinoslaw
1847
- Islutschistoje, Odessa
- Kamenka, Odessa
- Nowo Konno, Odessa
- Nowo Podolsk, Odessa
- Nowo-Radzivil, Odessa
1848
- Hierschau, Taurien
Some of these histories were published over the next few years in a German Odessa newspaper, Unterhaltungsblatt für deutsche Ansiedler im südlichen Russland. It is thought that this was Hahn's original intent. However, in 1854, with the majority still unpublished, the newspaper stopped carrying them. They then lay forgotten in the archives of the former Supervisory Office in Odessa for about five decades.
Konrad Keller,(44) a Catholic priest, is credited for discovering this valuable historical material early in the twentieth century. Keller used these histories in his two volumes , with Volume 1 being published in 1905 and Volume 2 in 1914. We should take special note that Keller's work does not contain these histories verbatim as written in 1848, but they are included with material obtained from other sources as part of his work.
In 1904, Pastor Jakob Stach used these histories in his book, The German Colonies in South Russia, and later edited a large number of these Gemeindeberichte for publication in German newspapers in the Black Sea Region.
In 1926 and 1927, Dr. Georg Leibbrandt and a Catholic Priest, Dr. Josef A. Malinowsky, published fifty-nine of these Gemeindeberichte in Germany.
In 1941, Margarete Woltner published 114 of the Gemeindeberichte. Eight of these were previously unpublished while the other 106 were reprinted from Russian German periodicals, many of which had been edited by Stach.
With the work of Leibbrandt, Malinowsky and Woltner, we can account for about 173 of the original 203 villages histories. When we also consider the reports of seventeen other colonies that Keller used in his work, we can account for about 190 of the 203 village histories.
Some of these histories contained in Leibbrandt's work have been published in English. On page 149 of Homesteaders on the Steppe, Height(45) reports that all nineteen of those in Odessa were Lutheran, and that he included all of them in the book, although only sixteen of the nineteen appear.
Some English-translated Gemeindeberichte have been filmed by the LDS, and some have been re-translated and published in the GRHS Heritage Review. We knew of only one other report that had been translated into English when we started the GRHS Clearing House project (to eventually share these histories in our Odessa Digital Library). A goal of this project has been to search out copies of those Gemeindeberichte that have been translated into English, and also to go forward with volunteers to translate as many more as possible.
During these efforts it has become obvious that the original work was written in different styles and with different intents. To translate these works can be difficult because of some of the authors' methods of reporting the history. Some are nearly impossible for an American-thinking German-fluent person to translate. Searching for other 1848 histories and translating them is an ongoing project of the GRHS Clearing House.
A major crop failure occurred in 1848.(46)
1849
- Freudental, Crimea
- Neudorf, Crimea
It appears to be in agreement that at least a portion of them first settled on Kelley's Island on Lake Erie, near Sandusky, where they engaged themselves as wine growers.
1851
- Liebental, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolaidorf, Taurien
1852
- Neu Hoffnung, Crimea
- Paulsheim, Taurien
1853
- Rosenfeld, Odessa
1854
- Kleefeld, Taurien
1855
- Klein Neudorf, Odessa
1856
The Crimean War (1853 - 1856) temporarily entirely halted the growth and expansion of the German Russian communities in the Black Sea area. It brought a severe economic depression to the entire area. Effects of this war on our people is well detailed in Giesinger's book (50) on page 68.- Hoffnungsfeld, Odessa
- Jaworskoje, Jekaterinoslaw
1857
- Alexanderkrone, Taurien
- Friedensruh, Taurien
- Gnadenfeld, Odessa
- Mariawohl, Taurien
- Steinfeld, Taurien
1858
- Georgental, Odessa
- Mathildendorf, Bessarabia
- Neusatz, Odessa
- Schönbrunn, Crimea
1859
- Grünental, Crimea
1860
- Airt Karaktschura, Crimea
- Alexandrowka (Billersfeld), Jekaterinoslaw
- Annental, Odessa
- Demir Chadschi, Bessarabia
- Eigenfeld, Crimea
- Gerhardstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Grünfeld, Crimea
- Kitai, Crimea
- Kontschi Schawa, Crimea
- Neu Glückstal, Odessa
- Neu Strymba, Bessarabia
- Neu Zürichtal, Crimea
- Sarjari, Bessarabia
- Sirt Karaktschura, Crimea
- Termentschi, Crimea
1861
- Byten, Crimea
- Eigenheim, Bessarabia
- Gerhardstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Marienberg, Odessa
- Neu Lustdorf, Odessa
- Woinskaja Potschta, Odessa
1862
- Blumenfeld, Odessa
- Dschurtschi, Crimea
- Gnadental, Taurien
- Karasan, Crimea
- Mannsburg, Bessarabia
- Temesch, Crimea
- Tersanka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Tschemtschelly, Bessarabia
1863
- Alexandrowka, Crimea
- Benkendorf, Bessarabia
- Felsental, Taurien
- Hamberg, Taurien
- Klippenfeld, Taurien
- Neu Schönwiese, Jekaterinoslaw
- Sofiental, Bessarabia
- Zarekwitsch, Crimea
1864
- Georgstal, Taurien
- Hoffnungsfeld, Bessarabia
- Johannestal, Odessa
- Neu Posttal, Bessarabia
- Olgafeld, Taurien
1865
- Adamsfeld, Crimea
- Ebenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Felsenbach, Jekaterinoslaw
- Hamburg, Jekaterinoslaw
- Hoffnungsort, Jekaterinoslaw
- Josefsdorf, Bessarabia
- Kalau Kara, Crimea
- Kir Bailar, Crimea
- Michaelsburg, Taurien
- Neu Beresina, Odessa
- Neu Bergtal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolaital, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowosofijewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Olgino, Jekaterinoslaw
- Ryschkanowka, Bessarabia
- Scholtoi, Bessarabia
1866
- Alexanderfeld, Odessa
- Alexandropol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alexandrowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Jekaterinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mariapol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Marjino, Jekaterinoslaw
- Petrowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosenbach, Taurien
1867
- Alexandertal, Taurien
- Eigenfeld, Odessa
- Friedensfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Hoffnungsburg, Odessa
- Klein Bergdorf, Odessa
- Krontal, Odessa
- Lichtenfeld, Odessa
- Messit, Crimea
- Neu Baden, Odessa
- Neu Berlin, Odessa
- Neufall, Bessarabia
- Seimeny, Bessarabia
1868
- Blumenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Blumenheim, Jekaterinoslaw
- Eigenfeld, Odessa
- Essen Elly, Crimea
- Karlowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Katerinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Krassnopol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mintschuna, Bessarabia
- Miropol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Orlinskaja, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosenhof, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schönfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Sergejewka, Taurien
- Tschistopol, Jekaterinoslaw
The Founding of Neufall, Bessarabia
DAI film T81 624, frames 5420917 - 5420923
Akkermann, 30 August 1868
I, at the end undersigned citizen of Reval, Andreas Adam Hellberg, and proxy of her Highness, the Princess Kotschubei, born Countess Benkendorf, as filed in the ______ district court on 27 June 1860 sub No. 75 confirm the contract with the colonists of the Akkerman District:
From the Colony Teplitz: Friedrich Bender, Konrad Weidenbach, Gottlieb Krämer, Andreas Krämer, Gottlieb Schuh, Johannes Fälchle, Georg Schmauder, Leopolt Stäub and Simon Kurz.
From the colony Dennewitz: Michael Freitag, Martin Jörke
From the colony Beresina: Andreas Fregin with colleagues to have this contract finalized under the following conditions:
- I, Hellberg, have handed over the parcel of land assigned by the Princess Kotschubei to the above named colonists. It is in the Akkermann District in the Province of Bessarabia, consisting of 2,230 dessiatines including any establishments, all wells and a windmill located within the below defined borders and for lease for twelve years. Namely calculated from 23 October 1868 to 23 October 1880 for the founding of a colony with the name "Neufall."
In the east this land borders a furrow passing through the Budak Plantation, beginning at the dam to the orchard, then to the woods and to the estate of owner Mosarowitsch. On the other side, beginning with the farm of the Budak Economy, to the land parcels of the Princess Kotschubei, which she leases to the inhabitants of the Budak villages Kleinbalabanka, Kajabei and Adamowka.
Princess Kotschubei keeps three hundred dessiatines during the first years of the existence of this contract until 23 October 1869, namely the land between the new koscharen [sheep pens], the land of the Budak proprietor and the land in the Budak valley. The therein located new koscharen [sheep pens] and trees are available to them for herding cattle, horses and sheep. It is established under No. 2 in this contract with the conditions and a lease payment in the amount of 600 rubles and a fee of 15 rubles.
- We, the above named colonists, commit ourselves to each pay to the princess during the first six years 1 ruble, 75 kopecks annually for use of the land and after six years each year the amount of 2 rubles, 25 kopecks for each dessjatin semi-annually in advance. Namely to pay the first half on 23 October and the second half on 23 April.
- We colonists commit ourselves until the end of this contract to take care of all the basic fees in connection with the leased land willingly. Also to annually deposit 5 kopecks per dessiatine payable to Princess Kotschubei at each pay period for fees and lease.
- We colonists are bound during the first four years of the lease by this contract to build thirty-two houses, each measuring 7 Faden, 2 Arschin long; 4 Faden and 4 Arschin wide. In one half of the loft to make two rooms for foot baths painted with oil paint. In the middle, an add-on for a kitchen and in the other half, a room made of stone or trampled dirt. The building made of trampled dirt is to have a stone foundation in the height of one Arschin. The outer walls have to be covered with wood slats for support. The Princess Kotschubei gives each colonist the right to take down the sheep pens in the Budak and use the materials to build the houses. All other necessary materials are to be acquired at our own expense. The colonists also are obliged to plant no less than forty trees per house at their own expense and to take care of them.
- The colonists do not have the right to open a tavern in Neufall nor are they permitted to allow themselves to do so in another colony.
- The colonists are committed per enclosed description to properly maintain those items received from the estate owner, as well as colonist established household goods, buildings and the planted trees under No. 4 above. At expiration of the contract to submit all to Princess Kotschubei in same properly maintained condition in accordance to the terms without any compensation, with the exception of any mills they built to which they have the right to disassemble and take with them, should they leave Neufall.
The rooms with the appropriate floors are to be furnished nicely and the colonists are committed to keep them clean. During the summertime, when the people visit the beaches at the liman and at the ocean, the bathing rooms are to be leased to such persons under a special agreement between them and the colonists.
- Because of such conditions, the colonists have the right to use the land they lease for farming, grazing and sheep raising, to plant vineyards and orchards as well as to construct other technical facilities, i.e. arts and crafts shops. They can use the income of such for their own well being and need not report it to the estate owner. However, only with her permission can they hand over this leased land to other persons to benefit.
During the last four years of this contract, the above mentioned colonists do not have the right to use more than 1250 dessiatines of land for seeding. The rest of the land has to be returned to the estate owner as four-year fallow (land). If they farmed more land, they are obligated to pay 4 rubles for each dessiatine to Princess Kotschubei.
- The colonists are permitted to farm and seed land from 15 August to the beginning of the term of this contract. They, or persons they have authorized to use the land, are obliged to the princess to report the income of the used leased land as of 15 August. If, however, more land is to be leased out, the above colonists have first choice up to 23 October 1879 to lease under the same conditions.
- Princess Kotschubei reserves the right to leave her supply of hay and straw on the leased out land until such is used up by her. Also to leave the sheep pens which are marked "New" and an iron repository in the village yard, until such are unassembled and removed.
- The colonists are obliged to not let any cattle, horse or pig onto the other half of the Budak plantation. Should that happen there will be a penalty of 1 ruble per each cattle, horse or pig.
- Half of all expenses incurred have to be paid by both parties involved at finalizing of the contract.
- For completion and punctuality of all conditions in this contract each colonist is responsible for all, and all are responsible for each colonist to pay the lease moneys on the agreed date. Should that not be the case, Princess Kotschubei reserves the right to remove them without any excuse and retain their goods until all the losses incurred are paid in full.
- The colonists are obliged to give Princess Kotschubei a deposit of 400 rubles at the time of signing of this contract. This money can be subtracted from the payment due on 23 October. Should the colonists become lewd until such time, the Princess Kotschubei keeps such deposit and has the right to dissolve the contract.
- Should there be bad harvests during the first ten years of the lease, God forbid, the colonists will only have to make half of a payment during such years, and the other half is to be paid semi annually during the period of two years in addition to the regular lease payment.
- This contract is to be kept respectful and unalterable. The original will be with Princess Kotschubei and a true copy with the colonists on which the term and signatures will be on the first page.
In authority as proxy for Princess Sophia Alexandrowana Kotschubei to this contract have the following affirmation:
Citizen of Reval, Andreas Adam Hellberg.
With permission of the colony authorities, the colonists of Colony Teplitz: Friedrich Bender, Konrad Weidenbach, Gottlieb Krämer, Andreas Krämer, Gottlieb Schuh, Johannes Fälchle, Georg Schmauder, Leopolt Stäub and Simon Kurz.
Colony Dennewitz: Michael Freitag, Martin Jörke.
Colony Beresina: Andreas Fregin.
Russian Translation of these names: Peisach Lewit.
At request, to sign for Gottlieb Krämer from Colony Teplitz and Martin Jörke from Dennewitz, who cannot write: Akkermann citizen, David Kersner.
To verify that this contract is undersigned in German by the mentioned colonists and translated into Russian, signed for the illiterate colonist Gottlieb Krämer and Martin Jörke by Akkerman citizen David Kersner, the Akkerman City Police Administration applied signature and seal on 30 August 1868. The original is undersigned by City Registrar Krischanowsky and Secretary Fadulow.(MN)
City of Akkermann on 1 September 1868 acknowledges that this contract has been duly reported and is logged in the Journal under No. 168. The same is duly undersigned by the above mentioned thirteen persons and that for the two illiterate colonists Gottlieb Krämer and Martin Jörke was signed on their behalf by David Kersner. Also that it was duly undersigned by Reval citizen Andreas Adam Hellberg as proxy and that I received 264 rubles, 60 kopecks for the city fund. Certified as Akkermann broker and notary: K. Dykobuw. (MN)
To certify that this copy of the contract and the contents therein are true and are entered in the journal under No. 168, word for word matching the original and undersigned personally by both parties, I hereby undersign and apply the seal. Akkermann, September 1, 1868, Akkermann broker and notary: K. Dukowitsch. (SG)
I verify that I received the security deposit of 400 rubles on 31 Aug 1868 as delegate of Princess Kotschubei: Andreas Adam Hellberg.
Between 1869 and 1873, the Kronau-Orloff (53) group of villages came into existence. This group was concentrated along the Inguletz River west of Nikopol and 115 miles north of Cherson. These were Evangelical and Catholic villages (daughter colonies from the Prischib) as well as Mennonite (daughter colonies of the Molotschna). There were seventeen Mennonite and eleven Lutheran and Catholic villages here during the early period.
Around 1879, there was a major exodus of the younger families of the Kronau-Orloff villages to the North Caucasus. Again, about 1907-1908, some of the younger Mennonite families went to Siberia to settle in the district of Barnaul. The history of the brutal treatment of these families who went to Siberia is one of the sad chapters of our German Russian history.(54)
1869
- Ablesch, Crimea
- Adelsheim, Jekaterinoslaw
- Agjar Dschirin, Crimea
- Dolinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Dubowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Eichenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Franzfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Halbstadt, Odessa
- Hochfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Iwangorod, Jekaterinoslaw
- Jelenowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolaifeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolaipol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Zarizino, Crimea
- Paulsheim, Jekaterinoslaw
- Petersdorf, Jekaterinoslaw
- Reinfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Scheich Eli, Crimea
- Steinberg, Odessa
- Warwarowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Werbowskaja, Jekaterinoslaw
1870
- Alexandergrad, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alexandertal, Crimea
- Alt Dschankoi, Crimea
- Andreasfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Blumenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Blumenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Dolgenskoje, Jekaterinoslaw
- Eugenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Hochheim, Crimea
- Krasna, Odessa
- Neu Schönwiese, Jekaterinoslaw
- Samau, Crimea
- Saurtschi, Crimea
- Sebastianfeld, Odessa
- Starosawodskaja, Jekaterinoslaw
- Steinau, Jekaterinoslaw
- Telentschi Dschurt, Crimea
- Wilhelmstal, Odessa
1871
- Alatai, Crimea
- Christiansfeld, Crimea
- Gnadental, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolajewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Alexandrowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Chortitza, Jekaterinoslaw
1872
- Alexanderfeld, Odessa
- Djapar Jurt, Crimea
- Friedensfeld, Odessa
- Gnadental, Jekaterinoslaw
- Grünfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Keneges, Crimea
- Morosowo, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Chortitza, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Kandel, Odessa
- Neu Liebental, Odessa
- Neu Halbstadt, Odessa
- Neu Schönsee, Odessa
- Nikolaifeld, Odessa
- Orloff, Odessa
- Sargil, Crimea
- Tali Iljak, Crimea
In June 1871, a Ukase by Alexander II defined that in ten years the freedom from Russia military service would end as the German colonists had enjoyed since they first came to the Black Sea area.(55) This act, and others to follow, were key events in the history of our ancestors in the Black Sea area.
In 1872, the first German colonists (56) migrated to USA and in 1873, fifty five families from Rohrbach and Worms emigrated to the Sutton, Nebraska area.(57) (58)
1873
- Altonau, Odessa
- Blumenort, Odessa
- Fontal, Odessa
- Hoffnungstal, Crimea
- Jakobstal, Bessarabia
- Nesselrode, Odessa
- Nikolaidorf, Odessa
- Peterstal, Bessarabia
- Steinfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Stepanowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Tiege, Odessa
1874
- Eigenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Jaluntusch, Crimea
- Kamenopole, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kleinfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mengermen, Crimea
- Münsterberg, Odessa
- Neu Grüntal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Bajaut, Crimea
- Rappheim Chutor, Crimea
- Seebach, Odessa
- Seljenopolje, Jekaterinoslaw
- Sofiental, Odessa
1875
- Kutjewka, Crimea
- Rosenort, Odessa
1876
- Dschambuldy Konrat, Crimea
- Gnadenfeld, Odessa
- Neu Elsass, Odessa
- Schottenruh, Crimea
- Wygoda, Odessa
1877
- Schönau, Odessa
1878
- Johannesruh, Crimea
- Kutjuki, Crimea
- Neu Rosengard, Jekaterinoslaw
- Samau, Crimea
- Siebenbrunn, Crimea
- Straßburg II, Bessarabia
- Tokoltschak, Crimea
1879
- Aschaga Djamin, Crimea
- Aschaga Dschamin, Crimea
- Botschala, Crimea
- Bulatschi, Crimea
- Friedensfeld, Bessarabia
- Honenberg, Crimea
- Kart Myschik, Crimea
- Kijabak, Crimea
- Michailowka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Michailowka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Neu Friedental, Crimea
- Neu Odessa (Olgental), Bessarabia
- Sarona, Crimea
- Steinfeld, Odessa
- Tarchanlar, Crimea
1880
- Adshai Kat, Crimea
- Agai, Crimea
- Albota, Bessarabia
- Annenfeld, Crimea
- Balmas, Bessarabia
- Bek Bulatschi, Crimea
- Bijetsch, Crimea
- Dschuma Ablam, Crimea
- Ebenfeld, Crimea
- Eigenfeld, Bessarabia
- Felsenbrunn, Crimea
- Fernheim, Crimea
- Freudenfeld, Bessarabia
- Ismai Abai, Crimea
- Kambar, Crimea
- Karatscha Kangil, Crimea
- Kentugai, Crimea
- Makarowka, Odessa
- Maraslienfeld, Bessarabia
- Meschewaja, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nemezkij Ischun, Crimea
- Neu Rohrbach, Odessa
- Otar Petrowka, Crimea
- Tohoily, Crimea
- Westheim, Crimea
- Wiesenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Wilhelmstal, Crimea
1881
- Beschu Elly, Crimea
- Blumental, Bessarabia
- Fernheim, Crimea
- Gnadenfeld, Bessarabia
- Kurudschika, Bessarabia
- Nowo Nikolajewka, Crimea
- Strymbeni, Bessarabia
1882
- Alabasch Konrat, Crimea
- Altschin, Crimea
- Barak, Crimea
- Barin, Crimea
- Dscharkui, Crimea
- Jargara, Bessarabia
- Johannestal, Crimea
- Juchari Djamin, Crimea
- Marienfeld (Marinopolje), Jekaterinoslaw
- Menglertschik, Crimea
- Molla Elli, Crimea
- Neufeld, Crimea
- Reinfeld, Odessa
- Romanowka, Bessarabia
- Spat, Crimea
- Tabuldi, Crimea
- Werbowka, Jekaterinoslaw
Later, in 1885, some of these settlers moved on to Ipswich, Dakota Territory.(68)
1883
- Adik, Crimea
- Alexanderkrone, Odessa
- Alt Kerleut, Crimea
- Argantschik, Crimea (1)
- Argantschik, Crimea (2)
- Bekassi, Crimea
- Berlin, Crimea
- Hebron, Crimea
- Hoffnungstal, Crimea
- Kajasta, Crimea
- Kankrinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kocktein, Crimea
- Listowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Ludwigstal, Crimea
- Mirno Pokol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Darmstadt, Crimea
- Neu Kerleut, Crimea
- Neu Schampoli, Odessa
- Nowosolennaja, Jekaterinoslaw
- Oloneschti, Bessarabia
- Schiban, Crimea
- Schöntal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Sorotschino, Jekaterinoslaw
- Steinbach, Jekaterinoslaw
- Wassereich, Crimea
1884
- Abuslar, Crimea
- Bai Kogenly, Crimea
- Elisabethpol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Fürstenfeld, Crimea
- Karangut, Crimea
- Karlowka, Crimea
- Katagai, Crimea
- Neu Dschankoi, Crimea
- Nikolajewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Okus Tebe, Crimea
- Tschiligider, Bessarabia
A group who had first migrated to Canada near Winnipeg, from the Rumanian Dobrudscha villages, relocated in March of 1884 to the area of Melville and then on to Carrington, and finally settled on homesteads near Cathay in present day Wells County.(75)
Families from Hoffnungstal (Odessa) arrived at Hays Center, Nebraska and Ashley and Wishek, Dakota Territory.(76)
1885
- Alexandrowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alt Oneschti, Bessarabia
- Asan Hadschi, Crimea
- Beschewli Ilak, Crimea
- Bezilowa Wikowa, Odessa
- Deutsch Dshankoi, Crimea
- Kalinowo, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Kalinowo, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Karlsruhe, Crimea
- Karpowka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Karpowka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Kitai, Crimea
- Kongrat, Crimea
- Kotiarjewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Lessowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Liesowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Marianowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Memrik, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Memrik, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Michailowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Helenowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolajewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Orlow, Jekaterinoslaw
- Pascha Tschokmak, Crimea
- Saja, Crimea
In 1885, we see significant numbers of Catholic families moving into the area around Ipswich, Dakota Territory. Many of these settlers came from Klein Liebental. (79) (80)
In the summer, families from Selz came to the vicinity of present-day Hague, ND.(81)
Also in the spring of 1885, four unmarried sons of Speier left their homeland to avoid military service under the new laws. They first went to Menno where they bought their provisions and then traveled to the Hebron area with seven Johannestal families before settling at Glen Ullin, Dakota Territory.(82) (83)
That year found a large wave of folks arriving in the USA: from Bergtal and Glückstal to Leola, Dakota Territory; from Rohrbach and Worms to Greenway and Artas, Dakota Territory; from the Glückstal colonies to Ashley and Wishek, Dakota Territory; from Hoffnungstal (Odessa) and Neudorf to St. Frances, Kansas and to McCook, Nebraska and from Kassel and Glückstal to Zeeland, Dakota Territory.(84)
Families from Selz and Elsaß went to Hague, Dakota Territory in 1885. (85)
1886
- Balmas, Bessarabia
- Bugajewka, Odessa
- Dschaga Scheich Eli, Crimea
- Emmental, Bessarabia (1)
- Emmental, Bessarabia (2)
- Kaban Achtatschi, Crimea
- Krontal I, Bessarabia
- Neu Liebental, Crimea
- Raskajetz, Bessarabia
- Schachowo, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schobach Eli, Crimea
- Schochta Er, Crimea
- Sobach Eli, Crimea
The first families from the Crimea, mostly from Friedenstal and Kronental, settled in Mercer County, Dakota Territory.(87) A small number of settlers from Leipzig, Bessarabia homesteaded south of Glen Ullin, Dakota Territory.(88)
During the years of 1886 to 1888, several families from Klein Liebental, Mariental, Josefstal and Franzfeld settled at Wathena, Kansas, just across the river from St. Joseph, Missouri.(89) (90) Families from Elsaß came to Hague, Dakota Territory, and to the Placidus community.(91)
In 1886, families from Josefstal and Mariental came to settle in Balgonie, Saskatchewan.(92)
1887
- Ass Dscharaktschi, Crimea
- Beschui Kodschamback, Crimea
- Brinnowka, Odessa
- Dscharaktschi, Crimea
- Ebenfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Friedenfeld, Odessa
- Hirtenheim, Bessarabia
- Jeremejewka, Odessa
- Kodschamback, Crimea
- Manwillenhof, Jekaterinoslaw
- Medowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nowo Telentschi, Crimea
- Rohrbach, Bessarabia
1888
- Alexandropol, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Alexandropol, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Alexandrowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Ashtatschi Busau, Crimea
- Augutscha, Crimea
- Bijuk Busau, Crimea
- Dschara Schech Eli, Crimea
- Freidorf, Odessa
- Johannesfeld, Crimea
- Kaschary, Odessa
- Kaspir, Crimea
- Kopan, Crimea
- Kosinka, Odessa
- Kotschalk, Crimea
- Kudahul Donahusaka, Crimea
- Kudaihull, Crimea
- Neufeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Nikolajewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Orlow, Jekaterinoslaw
- Pawlowka, Bessarabia
- Ponjatowka, Odessa
- Schiban, Crimea
- Tegesch, Crimea
- Temir Bulat, Crimea
- Ungut, Crimea
In 1888 and 1889, the first families from Speier were settling northeast of Mott, Dakota Territory. They founded the Parish of St. Plazidus there.(99) Then, more Speier families arrived to settle northwest of Mott and Mandan, Dakota Territory.(100)
1889
- Aitugan, Crimea
- Alexanderheim, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alexejewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Baronowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Berestowo, Jekaterinoslaw
- Dikowa, Odessa
- Dulat, Crimea
- Ekaterinowka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Ekaterinowka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Ekaterinowka, Jekaterinoslaw (3)
- Enßlen Müller Gut, Bessarabia
- Gliboko, Jekaterinoslaw
- Ignatjewka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Ignatjewka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Jekaterinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Katerinowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kir Itschki, Crimea
- Leonidowka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Leonidowka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Lesy Alt, Crimea
- Lipowo, Jekaterinoslaw
- Miloradowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Moinak, Crimea
- Nestelejewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Glückstal, Odessa
- Neu Jork, Jekaterinoslaw
- Neu Nikolajewka (Zenseren), Bessarabia
- Neu Sarata, Bessarabia
- Nikolajewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Otar Moinak, Crimea
- Romanovka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schönfeld, Crimea
- Suchezkoje, Jekaterinoslaw
- Ulan Eli, Crimea
Black Sea Germans settled in the vicinity of Linton, ND while families from Neu Freudental settled west of there.(101) (102)
Families from Speier settled at Mandan.(103) Families from Hoffnungstal [Odessa] arrived at Elgin, ND and in Burlington (at the "Settlement") near Bethune, CO.(104)
Families from Grossliebental arrived at St. Frances, KS (105) and families from Straßburg came to settle in Strasburg, ND (106)
1890
- Aikaul, Crimea
- Ak Scheich, Crimea
- Alabasch Konrat, Crimea
- Alexejewka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Deutsch Ataj, Crimea
- Ekibash, Crimea
- Elkeri Ablam, Crimea
- Karahurt, Crimea
- Karlsruhe, Crimea
- Kermentschi, Crimea
- Kirk, Crimea
- Kopitz, Crimea
- Kutschuk Achtatschi, Crimea
- Maier Roth, Crimea
- Messarosch, Jekaterinoslaw
- Moni, Crimea
- Neu Oneschti, Bessarabia
- Otar Mamai, Crimea
- Otar, Crimea
- Reulingen, Bessarabia
- Romanowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosenfeld, Bessarabia
- Scheichlar, Crimea
- Schidlowo, Jekaterinoslaw
- Schirin, Crimea
- Tabor Kirey, Crimea
- Tjumen, Crimea
- Tscherkess, Crimea
- Tschokul, Crimea
- Tschondalai, Crimea
Families from Rohrbach arrived at Onaka and Dallas, SD and Odessa and Ritzville, WA.(110) Families from Worms arrived at Wichita Falls, TX and from Neudorf and Rohrbach at St Frances, KS.(111)
1891
- Basyrjamka, Bessarabia
- Christianowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Larga, Bessarabia
- Lesy Neu, Crimea
- Utscheweli Orka, Crimea
Emigrants from Klein Liebental and Mariental came to Corpus Christi, TX. At the same time, families from Franzfeld and Blumenfeld were settling at Brenham, TX, and two years later resettled at Plantersville, TX.(114) (115)
Families from Kassel arrived in Streeter, ND, and those from Worms went to Eugene, OR.(116)
Kutschurgan families arrived at Vibank, Saskatchewan. (117)
1892
- Andrejewka, Bessarabia
- Faas Chutor, Odessa
- Fundu Sarazika, Bessarabia
- Georgstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kaisertal, Crimea
- Katarhai, Odessa
- Kondratjewka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Kondratjewka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Lyubomirowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Mariewka, Bessarabia
- Miroljubowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Morei, Crimea
- Nikolaipol, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Nikolaipol, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Sarazika Weiler, Bessarabia
- Sofiewka, Bessarabia
- Tschongron, Crimea
- Tschurelek, Crimea
- Wodjannaja, Jekaterinoslaw
1893
- Gerhardstal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Kamtschatka, Bessarabia
- Kopkary, Crimea
- Manukbejewka, Bessarabia
- Oresch, Crimea
- Otesch, Crimea
- Sarybasch, Crimea
- Toi Tebe, Crimea
- Wodjannaja, Jekaterinoslaw
Families from Neudorf arrived at Reliance, SD(122) and families from Franzfeld and Blumenfeld arrived at Plantersville, TX.(123)
1894
- Abakli, Crimea
- Abakly Tama, Crimea
- Besch Pilaw, Crimea
- Halle, Bessarabia
- Kutschuk Abei, Crimea
- Nikolaipol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Pawlowka, Jekaterinoslaw (1)
- Pawlowka, Jekaterinoslaw (2)
- Schabo Possad, Bessarabia
- Tauk, Crimea
1895
- Baschbek, Crimea
- Dietrich Chuto, Odessa
- Dschaitschi, Crimea
- Eigengut Schimke, Bessarabia
- Fürstenfeld I, Bessarabia
- Helenowka, Bessarabia
- Katlebug, Bessarabia
- Kudasch, Crimea
- Romanowka, Bessarabia
- Tamurka, Bessarabia
- Usbeck, Crimea
- Viktorowka, Jekaterinoslaw
1896
- Aksan Atschv, Crimea
- Bratuleni, Bessarabia
- Friedenstal, Odessa
- Hannowka, Bessarabia
- Wyschina, Odessa
1897
- Awell, Crimea
- Bescharan, Crimea
- Franzfeld, Crimea
- Michailowka, Odessa
- Neu Annowka, Bessarabia
- Sochta Er, Crimea
- Taimas, Crimea
- Zentner Chutor, Odessa
1898
- Alt Bajaut, Crimea
- Dschambuldy, Crimea
- Hantscheschti, Bessarabia
- Kitai, Crimea
- Kogendschelga, Crimea
- Kudahul Schischman, Crimea
- Sangerowka, Bessarabia
- Wilhelmsfeld, Odessa
- Wolkowo (Eigenfeld), Odessa
1899
- Balaktschelly, Bessarabia
- Dschailaw, Crimea
- Dschambuldy Konrat, Crimea
- Irion Gut, Bessarabia
- Karlstal, Odessa
- Pharanowka, Bessarabia
- Stanhopka, Bessarabia
1900
- Belyj Kosch, Crimea
- Bondarewka, Odessa
- Hirsch Chutor, Odessa
- Karatsch, Crimea
- Sarybulat, Crimea
- Schardt Chutor, Odessa
- Tschornjy Kosch, Crimea
1901
- Maier, Crimea
- Karatsch, Crimea
- Tschinki, Crimea
1902
- Isbaschua, Odessa
- Kara It, Crimea
- Kildiar, Crimea
- Leowa, Bessarabia
- Singer Gut, Bessarabia
1903
- Konurtschi, Crimea
- Sultan Botschala, Crimea
Beresan Catholic families arrived in Saskatchewan at Maryland and Odessa.(130) Franzfeld families arrived at Holdfast, Claybank and Allan, Saskatchewan.(131)
1904
- Kartschau, Crimea
- Mamut Bai, Crimea
- Nowo Nikolajewka, Odessa
- Volodjewka, Odessa
1905
- Otschakow Chutor, Odessa
- Towmai, Crimea
1906
- Friedrichfeld, Crimea
- Neu Baigantschek, Crimea
- Neu Tarutino, Bessarabia
- Tichij Kut, Odessa
- Wischniowka, Bessarabia
1907
- Faas Gut, Bessarabia
- Gerling Gut, Bessarabia
- Lunga, Bessarabia
- Missowka, Bessarabia
- Neu Mathildendorf, Bessarabia
- Schulzenheim, Bessarabia
1908
- Alexanderfeld, Bessarabia
- Alexanderpol, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alexandertal, Jekaterinoslaw
- Alexandrowka, Bessarabia
- Annowka, Bessarabia
- Asow, Crimea
- Eichendorf, Bessarabia
- Jekaterinowka, Bessarabia
- Kalatschowka, Bessarabia (1)
- Kolatschowka, Bessarabia (2)
- Marusino, Jekaterinoslaw
- Rosalienfeld, Crimea
1909
- Gnadenheim, Bessarabia
- Kisil, Bessarabia
- Kuruschan, Taurien
- Marienheim, Odessa
- Nowo Dimitrijewka, Jekaterinoslaw
1910
- Ackless, Crimea
- Bajusch, Bessarabia
- Kertletsch, Crimea
- Neu Paris, Bessarabia
- Urtschuk, Crimea
1911
- Bogdanowka, Jekaterinoslaw
- Bolgarka, Odessa
- Braun Chutor, Odessa
- Friedrichsdorf, Bessarabia
- Fürstenfeld II, Bessarabia
- Kaschpalat, Bessarabia
- Maltscha Gut, Bessarabia
- Marienfeld, Bessarabia
- Neu Alexandrowka, Bessarabia
- Pomasan, Bessarabia
1912
- Baimaklia, Bessarabia
- Ketrossy, Bessarabia
- Mischeny, Bessarabia
1913
- Neu Dennewitz, Bessarabia
1914
- Ebenfeld, Bessarabia
- Neu Kureni, Bessarabia
- Philippowka, Bessarabia
1916
- Parapara, Bessarabia
1919
- Unter Albota, Bessarabia
1920
- Balaban, Bessarabia
- Enßlen Gut, Bessarabia
- Kuru Djaga Scheich, Crimea
- Neu Borodino, Bessarabia
- Straßburg I, Bessarabia
- Tschibowka, Odessa
If almost 75 years ago, there were over 303,000 persons in this country with this heritage, and if we consider a generation as being every 20 years, we can see that there are in excess of three generations who greatly magnified the German-Russian numbers in this country.(138)
It should be noted that Schock felt that Sallet's numbers for 1920 were conservative.(139)
1921
- Bergdorf, Bessarabia
- Neu Seimeni, Bessarabia
- Paruschowka, Bessarabia
1922
- Hoffmannsfeld, Bessarabia
- Kiewo Alexandrowka, Odessa
- Klein Hoffnungstal, Odessa
- Neu Friedenstal, Bessarabia
- Popasdru, Bessarabia
1923
- Gutheim, Bessarabia
- Neu Josefsdorf, Bessarabia
- Perepletowka, Odessa
- Rosental, Bessarabia
1924
- Michailowka, Odessa
- Wladimirowka, Odessa
1925
- Kagarlyk, Odessa
- Lenintal, Odessa
- Mariental, Bessarabia
- Neu Mariewka, Bessarabia
- Neu Rohrbach, Odessa
- Neu Speyer, Odessa
- Nußtal, Bessarabia
- Reimann Gut, Bessarabia
1926
- Friedenheim, Odessa
- Netusche Weiler, Bessarabia
- Neu Rastatt, Odessa
- Neuhofen, Odessa
1927
- Freudenberg, Odessa
- Hochfeld, Jekaterinoslaw
- Klein Rastadt, Odessa
- Neu Katherinental, Odessa
1928
- Budjonow, Odessa
- Kamenka, Odessa
- Katharinental, Odessa
- Milliardowka, Odessa
- Neu Elsaß, Odessa
- Neu Freudental, Odessa
- Neu Josefstal, Odessa
- Neu Kandel, Odessa
- Neu Peterstal, Odessa
- Neufeld, Odessa
- Nowo Mir, Odessa
1929
- Glückstal, Bessarabia
- Korntal II (Kantemir II), Bessarabia
- Luxemburg (Hofmannsfeld), Bessarabia
1930
- Felixdorf, Odessa
1934
- Neu Brienne, Bessarabia
Before the 2nd World War, the land holdings of the Black Sea Germans were more than 11 million acres.(140)
During World War II, the Bessarabian Germans were trekked out and resettled in Germany, along with some of the Germans who lived in the western part of present Ukraine. Those east of the Dnieper River were driven out of their villages and were dispersed to the winds (many to Siberia and Central Asia).(141) A must read for this period is Giesinger's book.(142)
Before and during World War II, the Germans had organized into many entities, with often overlapping functions and authority. While we will not be able to get into this organizational understanding, we will share a little insight and also understand a few of the key people who were involved in creating the German-Russian history and records.
We have a film collection at the GRHS library in Bismarck, ND. One set of films with which the Bessarabian and Dobrudscha researcher must become familiar is the "Koblenz" series of questionnaires. These are being indexed and the files are being shared in the Odessa Digital Library.
In the BDC (Berlin Document Center) files, maintained by the United States Government at the National Archives, there are various films that are referred to as "DAI" and "EWZ" files. The explanation of these records is beyond the scope of our focus here, but anyone interested needs to understand that we have major indexing efforts underway for both of these types of records. These indexed files are also shared in the Odessa Digital Library.
________________
These two organizations today are referred to as AHSGR and GRHS. The latter (Germans from Russia Heritage Society) is the organization of the Black Sea German Russians, formerly called North Dakota Historical Society of Germans from Russia. These German families had their own churches, schools, a hospital and their own German language newspaper. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 9. Ibid, 9. Here the number of Germans grew to about 50,000 persons while at Moscow it was about 20,000. Ibid, 9, 10. The history of our German-Russian ancestors often refers to this as being the first migration of Germans to Russia. But as noted, there were already significant numbers of German families in Moscow and Petersburg before the third wave migrated to the Volga area. Adolph Schock, In Quest of Free Land. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 2. Ibid., 1. Adam Giesinger, from Catherine to Khrushchev,. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas,, 6. Ibid., 9. Karl Stumpp, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas. Karl Stumpp, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862, page 5. Ibid. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 12. Ibid., 13. Karl Stumpp, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862. Ibid. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 4. (This should be considered must reading for those of the Grossliebental District.) Ibid., 5. The Kutschurgan villages were along the Kutschurgan River, a tributary of the Dniester River. In later years, two daughter colonies were added: Georgental and Johannestal. (George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 4) Originally the villages of this group were of the Grossliebental District, but in 1813 the Beresan District was formed west of the Beresan River with an area of 56,000 hectares. (George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 4). Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 321. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 7, 8. Karl Stumpp, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862, 107. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 8. Karl Stumpp, The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763 to 1862, 107. Adam Giesinger, from Catherine to Khrushchev, 51. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 22. Adam Giesinger, from Catherine to Khrushchev, 51. Since 1996, GRHS has been working on bringing copies from this Archive, these two fonds in particular. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 23. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 313. The families involved, and the initial history, was found in one of the Welfare Committee records and subsequently published in the Heritage Review, 27-3, page 23. It should be noted that these families coming from the Grossliebental District ended up in the Beresan District. These original families were able to purchase about 7,200 acres of fertile steppeland from the landlord named Marine. The 1848 history of Neu Freudental is found in Height's Homestead book, page 313, and a second translation in the 1848 village histories on Odessa Digital Library. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 313. Adolph Schock, In Quest of Free Land, 37. Ibid, 30. Ibid, 37 Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 315. Adam Giesinger, from Catherine to Khrushchev. Conrad Keller, The German Colonies in South Russia. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe. Adolph Schock, In Quest of Free Land, 37. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 43, 394-398. (This history has also been well documented in the GRHS Heritage Reviews.) Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 21. Sallet describes their arrival as "about the year 1847-1848," whereas Rath writes that they left 1 July 1849 and that the journey took 103 days. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Adam Giesinger, from Catherine to Khrushchev. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 319. According to A. Mergenthaler, HBR 1956, 84-89, in 1859 the German population in the Black Sea area was 143,733, whereas in 1825 it had been 51,014. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 5 Ibid., 6 Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 22. In late summer of 1872, four families of Johannestal sold their crops while still in the field, and in September left for America. A few weeks later, 35 more families from Johannestal, Worms, Rohrbach and other villages set out on that same journey. They met up in Sandusky, Ohio in December of that year. A great view of this history has been published in the BDO (Beresan District Odessa) newsletters. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 22,24. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 35. Ibid., 24. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 35. Ibid., 24. Ibid., 24. Ibid., 35. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe,, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 35. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 25. Ibid., 26. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 27. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 27. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 35. Joseph S. Height, </>Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 36. Ibid., 39. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 26. Ibid., 27. Ibid., 27. Ibid., 40. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Ibid., 246. Ibid., 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 27. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 39. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 36. Ibid., 39 Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 26. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 36. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Ibid., 324. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 36. Ibid., 39. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Ibid., 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 39. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 40. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 36. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 39. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Ibid., 324. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 38. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Ibid., 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Ibid., 246. Ibid., 246. Ibid., 246. Ibid., 246. Joseph S. Height, Homesteaders on the Steppe, 324. Joseph S. Height, Paradise on the Steppe, 246. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 17. Many people have tried to estimate how many German-Russian descendants there are in North America today. It would probably be in the millions. This would be a good subject for study by a college level student. Adolph Schock, In Quest of Free Land, 101. Richard Sallet, Russian German Settlements in the United States, trans. LaVern J. Rippley and Armand Bauer, 4. This can be compared to the 2.7 million acres under ownership by the Volga Germans. The reasoning for this difference in land ownership can be better understood by reviewing page 3 along with page 4. George Rath, The Black Sea Germans in the Dakotas, 28.