my german rootsmy german roots - ags edmonton · 2018-02-23 · newsletter of the german special...

My German RootsMy German Roots

Meine Deutschen Meine Deutschen WurzelnWurzeln

Newsletter of the German Special Interest Group of the Edmonton Branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society

Volume 5 Number 3 December 2014

Newsletter of the German Special Interest Group of the AGS

Our German SIG Notice Board

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German SIG Meeting Agenda for December 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in

the AGS Library, 162, 14315 - 118 Avenue NW,

Edmonton AB.

“Summon the Genie” a panel Bring your

German family history questions, dilemmas, and

roadblocks to our December meeting and ask the

“genies”, a panel of those who have done Ger-

man genealogy for suggestions and possible an-

swers to these quandaries. The genies will in-

clude individuals who have done work on gene-

alogy within Germany and outside of it as well.

“Christmas Mixer and Social” Come and

enjoy the fellowship of the members of our

group with a glass of juice and some finger food.

Network and share ideas with others.

“Contribute” We need members to step for-

ward to act as chairmen or chairwomen for our

future meetings. We also need individuals to

make presentations or design activities for them.

If you are able to help here, please sign up.

Meeting Dates for 2015

February 4

April 1

June 3

Our Next Meeting Contents Article Pg

Meeting Agenda /

Contents 2

From the Editor 3

Our Oktober German

Gen Fest 4

The Picture in the Trunk 10

Can You Help? 14

Become a Webmeister 18

A Gift of Genealogy 20

Local Questions; Local

Answers! 21

Cover photo: a family believed

to be that of Johannas and Elisa-

betha Ruhr of Kranzburg SD cir-

ca 1909 from the photo collection

of John Althouse.

August 5

October 7

December 2


On the photo on our cover, we see a large group of people who have come together for a significant

occasion, one worthy of celebration as their clothes indicate. They have come together for some common pur-

pose. Much can be accomplished when a large group of people sharing such a purpose come together. In addi-

tion, it is in these settings where a person often finds the greatest enjoyment through what he or she shares

with others. In our German Special Interest Group, we come together in our mutual pursuit of discovering

more about our German ancestry whether it occurred within Germany or outside of it elsewhere in Europe. In

this setting, we come together to share our gifts and talents including what we have learned that has taken

each of us closer to our ancestral families. We have listened attentively and learned from each other. We have

all had something significant to say and to share. What we have learned through our experience, may be the

very thing that may ignite the research of another member. It may provide the information enabling us to re-

move a longstanding “road block” that has stalled our research. It may be the piece that provides with the in-

sight into a new technology, a new resource, or a new skill that will make us better in our work. It is through

dialogue, interaction, and networking that we are enriched as genealogists and as people.

In this issue of our newsletter, we will focus on a number of articles that can show what can happen in

a genealogy group when the members come together in positive ways to pursue a common purpose. Recently,

our group has been involved in several such events. These events have provided a good deal of enrichment to

both our members individually and to our group as a whole. The greatest gift that we have is the wonderful

store of knowledge that we collectively possess and in our willingness to share what we know. This type of

sharing is very common in family celebrations such as the one shown in the cover photo. This is the type of

sharing that a family experiences in abundance during the holiday season. It leads to wonder and awe of dis-

covery, like that of a child who discovers a special and meaningful gift. As genealogists, every day can be

From the Editor: The Gift of Family by John Althouse

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Christmas as we often are able to benefit and grow through shar-

ing, and are able to experience the childlike wonder and awe of an

unexpected discovery. Genealogy is a gift of family!

We wish you all a Merriest Christmas and a Happy New

Year! May 2015 be a year in which your discoveries are many,

one in which you experience awe and wonder through your dis-

coveries, and one in which your road blocks melt away. It is hoped

that the cooperative and enjoyable atmosphere in which these dis-

coveries have been made will continue and even be enhanced!

May the Holidays and the New Year bring you many blessings!

Ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und alles Gute zum neuen Jahr!


At our October German Special Interest Group meeting, we tried something new. Members were

asked to prepare a display board on some aspect of their family history at the meeting. They set the displays

up on tables around the perimeter of the AGS Library. Early into the meeting, we did a “walk-about” where

all present at the meeting would visit each display in turn at which time the member who had created the dis-

play gave a brief (10 to 20 minute) explanation of the display to the members. Five people generously an-

swered the call for displays which turned out to suit the time extremely well. Each presenter provided an ex-

cellent display. Each display presented some important concept related to genealogy. In this article, I will pre-

sent a guided tour of these wonderful and enriching displays. At the end of each description, I will ask ques-

tions that the displays raise that you should consider in your genealogy.

Mein Stammbaum Jaworski

Larry Jaworski’s display chronicled his

ancestors who came to Alberta from Volhynia

and Galicia. In his display, he provided pro-

files of a number of his ancestors. He has used

these profiles in family history newsletters

which he has distributed to family members in

the past. Distributing such newsletters to fami-

ly members is a great thing to do for many

reasons. It some-

times brings you

information that you

lacked. It is espe-

cially effective in

stimulating and building interest in the history of your family.

Part of his display was a fairly extensive family tree. Family trees for people

from places in Eastern Europe such as Volhynia are difficult to develop. Changing

borders, wars within the region, and sudden migrations have all played a significant

part in obscuring the document trail into the past. Larry is an active member of the

“Historical Society of Germans from Poland and Volhynia”. Societies like this have

played an important role in keeping the heritage and the historic record alive. Larry

has done an extensive research into the history of his ancestors from Eastern Eu-

rope using relevant resources. He has tracked down and used a variety of records to

provide an optimum amount of proof for the entries in his tree.

Our Oktober German Gen Fest by John Althouse

Larry Jaworski with “Mein Stammbaum Jaworski”

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In Larry’s display, there are

several images of trees, not only fam-

ily trees but trees with actual green

leaves. At several places in the histo-

ry of his family, trees have special

significance. At times, we find such

common features popping up

throughout the history and genealogy

of our ancestral families. Pay atten-

tion to these, especially if you have

the intention of writing the history of

that family. These recurring details

may act as a theme which you could

use in developing the history of that

family, or that you could use to de-

velop a main as well as chapter titles. They can act as a means of tying the story to-

gether. What similar links are present in your family history?

Larry Jaworski’s display was one of a family who left Europe long ago. Since that time, their home of

Volhynia has undergone significant change and largely repopulated. In the course of these changes, many of

the documents telling the story of its people have disappeared. In the history of Jaworski Family, we have a

story of a family that began in a homeland and that lived a heritage that have largely vanished. Without family

records such as Larry’s and the societies that have saved these records, prevented their history and heritage

from vanishing. Displays such as Larry’s are the final lines of defence for people whose homeland no longer

exists. Recording this or any history is most important work. Larry has found resources that are not widely

known to do parts of his work. He has found resources that reside in archives and libraries that better help him

discover his family’s story. It is often necessary to venture from the beaten path.

What can you do to keep the heritage of your family alive? What can you do to encourage the

dialogue on your family history? How do you keep the memory of a former homeland that has experi-

enced change? What special resources will help you find your family story? Where can you find them?

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My Recent Discoveries: Beyond the Basic Documents

For many years, Peter von Lipinsky has been

researching his roots in parts of Germany which af-

ter World War II became part of Poland. He like all

genealogists has relied on the basic documentary

building blocks of genealogy - birth, marriage, and

death records; census records (when they are availa-

ble); and immigration records. Recently, he has had

the opportunity examine documents outside of these

categories traditionally examined by genealogists. In

these documents, he found records which have add-

ed significant details to his ancestral record.

Peter set out copies of some of the records

and displayed individual documents with the sec-

tions of interest hi-lighted. These details have added

“flesh to the bones” provided by the basic facts provided by the

more traditional documents. This “fleshing out” of family histories

has become increasingly important recently. To do this, the gene-

alogist must go beyond the documents

which have traditionally been consulted

as Peter had done in his research.

He has also used maps to provide

an image of a place. These resources can

provide a great deal of information and

confirm or refute what we think we

know. They also can be used to enhance

our family histories. Peter skillfully em-

ployed maps of areas of importance in

the history of his family in his display.

What resources can

you locate that will

allow you to “flesh

out” your family

history ?

Peter von Lipinsky found wonderful details

in recently found documents

Several of the panels

from Peter’s display

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Peter’s display is a graphic reminder that all genealogists must be vigilant and look beyond tradi-

tional document sources to locate details that can fill in the gaps and provide added interest in our family his-

tories. These documentary sources can come from a variety sources and assume a variety of forms. They can

enhance our family history writing and add items that may more fully interest the reader of your work.

Two Families; Two Paths - One Destination!

John Althouse developed a

display that revolved around the

distinction between Reichsdeutche

(Germans from within the borders

of Germany as it existed in 1871)

and Volksdeutsche (Germans who

lived in other areas outside of

those borders often for a century

or more). He presents the history

of both his maternal Sattler family

from Volga Russia and his pater-

nal Althaus family who originated

in Saxony.

Using photographs and maps, he attempts to show who

they were, where they lived in Europe, how they travelled to

North America, and where they lived here. In spite of what were

obvious differences, these two families did come together with the

marriage of Carl Althouse (Althaus) and Mary Sattler in 1940.

Their family is the single common destination at which these two

families arrived. What is unusual in your family story? What

connects it and what separates it?

John displays the paths taken by two families

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Brant, Foerster, Meihm, and Schneider Families

Before a person can write a family history, it is essential that he

or she have a direct family line starting with himself or herself and go-

ing as far back as it possible to take that line with the documentary evi-

dence available to him or her. Such “trees” often appear well pruned,

and they should be as the researcher does not need to be distracted by

radiating lines initially or by unproved lineage at all. Elizabeth Crosbie

and Kaylynne have developed a simple direct line in their display and

that is what they displayed for four ancestral families at the meeting.

Once they had produced a basic line back as far as they could go

with what they currently had they moved on to the next step. Here, they

developed “family unit sheets” for each of the individuals shown on the

chart. As they did this, they became better able to situate these individu-

als in place and time. It is essential to have the basics soundly in hand

before one moves on to more complex genealogy.

It is also important to note that this was an intergenerational project;

one that a grandmother and her granddaughter could and did do together. If we involve our youth in meaning-

ful projects like this, they are more likely to become interested in their family and their past. Elizabeth has had

Kailie help in an active way in this project and allowed her to form here own perception of the history of the

four families. In essence, two generations not only found parts of their family past but also shared a meaning-

ful family experience in the present. What basics do have in place in your family history, which need fur-

ther work? How can you share your family history in a meaningful way?

Elizabeth Crosbie and Kaylynne Dallas with their family tree

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“Every Family Has One

Weird Relative”

Joyce Willard had a little fun

with her project. On it, she displayed the

sentence, “Every family has one weird

relative. If you don’t know it is, then its

probably you!” As we look through our

families, we all discover “the family

characters”. They are the people who led

unconventional lives, “coloured outside

of the lines”, and perhaps precipitated

events that awed or perhaps embarrassed

others in the family. We all have them,

and they are indeed interesting! Yet, they

may be just the people that we need to

find to add a little spice to a family histo-

ry. Joyce’s project follows one such member of her family.

Photographs coupled

with an episode of family his-

tory can often create a strong-

er bond with the story. Joyce

used family photographs span-

ning several decades to assist

in telling of her relative. Over

the span of time and with in-

creased life experience, we

become better able to under-

stand why they may have be-

haved as they did, although

this is by no means a certainty.

Documents and newspaper

reports often provide not only

proof of your assumptions but also wonderful details. Joyce has

found these details here.

Who are your “weird relatives”? How will you handle them in

your writing? How can you make each person memorable?

Joyce’s relative marched to the beat of his own drum

- 9 -


This summer, it was time to clean up a few things. Among these things in need of neatening was my

personal storage unit. It was slowly becoming an avalanche hazard that was worthy of any to be found in the

Himalayas. I needed to repack and reduce all that had collected there. Among the items in the unit was a large

metal trunk which I quite quickly decided would be a victim of this cleaning purge. I suspected that most of

what was in would be junk. But before throwing out the trunk’s contents, I needed to check just what it held. I

was right; most of it was indeed junk. However, among this refuse was genealogical gold consisting of some

documents and a number of photographs, some that I had not recalled ever seeing I gathered them up and add-

ed them to my family history materials.

As I studied them, one picture in the collection in particular caught my eye. It appeared to be the oldest

of the bunch and could have come from either my maternal or my paternal family. It was a photograph of a

large group, perhaps a family, at some significant event. I did not initially have time to pursue the identity of

the family in this photo. When I did finally pick it up a few days later, a cursory examination told me that this

photograph was very likely taken between 1900 and 1914. I very quickly decided that it was not a photograph

of my mother’s family as they did not arrive in Canada until late November of 1911. In addition, the clothes

worn by those in the group in the photo were beyond anything that they would be able to purchase for some

time. In addition as I studied it, I realize that the family in it was not my father’s either. There was nothing on

the photo or on the cardboard frame around it that provided even the slightest clue. So, who was the mysteri-

ous group in this photo? (Stoermede or Stȏrmede is 25.1 km SW of Paderborn and 11.7 km SE of Lippstadt.)

The Picture in the Trunk by John Althouse

Information on Johannas and Elisa-

betha (nee )Ruhr Provided on

<ancestry.com>

Johannas b. 17 January 1836,

Stoermede, Westphalia

m. 29 July 1859, to Elisabetha

Kuhle in Stoermede Westphalia

Elisabetha b. 14 October 1837,

Stoermede, Westphalia

Elisabetha d. 19 September 1910

in Kranzburg SD

Johannas d. 14 April 1917

- 10 -


As I continued to study it, I noted that the group appeared to

gathered around three oldest people in the picture who were the only

ones ceremoniously seated. They appeared familiar but at first I

could not say how or why. A little later, I had a sense that I had seen

these people while studying local history books in South Dakota six

years ago, but this was just a feeling, no more. Who would I have

studied in enough detail that I would vaguely recall their appearance

yet detached enough that I would not have copied their photo? Then,

I believed that I knew who those people might be.

My grandfather had only two sisters who both married short-

ly after 1900 and remained in South Dakota for the rest of their lives.

They had married brothers, two of the sons of Johannas and Elisa-

betha Ruhr. I believed two of the older people in the photo were

these parents. Now, all this was based on

what I thought I remembered from six

years before. How could I check and per-

haps see if was right in part or in total?

Here, <ancestry.com> came through with

the needed help. “Ancestry” has a section

containing “Public Photos” on their site

on which clients may place photographs of

their dead relatives. Is it possible that there

would be pictures of Johannas and Elisa-

betha Ruhr on the site. It was a wild gam-

ble but I believe that it did pay off. I found

a portrait of Johannas and one of Elisa-

betha on the site. Looking at these ancestry photos, I was even more certain that I had correctly identified the

central figure who were the focus of the photo. Could this lead me to more?

“Ancestry” allowed me to also locate certain relevant information about the couple. Elisabetha ac-

cording to this information died in 1910. This cut four years off the time frame in which the photo was taken. I

also noted that this couple was married in Germany in 1859. What might bring a family together donning their

best clothes for the occasion? A golden wedding anniversary might well be that. Could this have been the fifti-

eth wedding anniversary of Johannas and Elisabetha? If it was, this photo may well have been taken in the

summer of 1909. If that was the case, there would likely be several relatives of mine in this photograph. These

would include my grandfather’s two sisters, their husbands, and one sister’s three children who had been born

by that time and an orphan child taken in by the other sister. This all appears very reasonable, but how could I

find out if I was on the right track? There was also so much more that I wanted to know.

The photos of Johannas and Elisabetha from

<ancestry.com>

- 11 -


Here, I faced a problem. I was not in touch with anyone who might be able to provide the answers that

I needed about this ancient photograph. But I had some ideas on how I could connect with them. Watertown,

South Dakota is less than 10 miles from Kranzburg where I believe the photo was taken. Through the Coding-

ton County Gen Web, I discovered that Watertown has a Genealogical Society. In addition, Holy Rosary Ro-

man Catholic Church which our

family and the Ruhr family at-

tended is still an operating and

vital parish. I also knew where

the Lenzmeier family had set-

tled. Marie Lenzmeier was the

orphan who I mentioned earlier.

I had met her when she visited

my grandfather in the mid -

1950’s. The Lenzmeier family

had moved from Kranzburg to

Wahpeton, North Dakota in the

mid - 1930’s. While I again did

not have any contact infor-

mation, I knew that the family were contributing members of St. John’s Church there.

I had copies of the photo made and drafted a letter to the

Codington County Genealogical Society, one to Holy Rosary Par-

ish, and one to St. John’s Parish. In each, I asked if anyone might

be able to confirm or refute my conclusions about the photo, if any-

one could identify people within the photo especially my grandfa-

ther’s two sisters, their husbands, and their children both natural

and adopted. I harbored the hope that someone in the area would

have a copy of the photo with all the members of the group in it

identified by name. I mailed the three letters with a two copies of

the photo, one with the frame, and one slightly enlarged just show-

ing the assembled people in the photo. I also stated in the letter that

if more than one person wished a copy of the photos that I would

be willing to provide a photo disk with the images on it. I also pro-

vided my contact information in the form of an e-mail address and

a post office mail address. I mailed the letters and waited.

I had one more idea about a contact that might prove bene-

ficial. Watertown has its own newspaper “The Public Opinion”. It

has been published for many years. It appears to have an interest in

Photo of Holy Rosary Church,

Kranzburg SD, September 2014,

taken by Gloria Cathcart

- 12 -


the area’s past even having a regular column titled “This Date in History Events of Local Interest”. I believed

that the newspaper might not only be helpful in locating information related to the photograph but might also

have a copy of a story of the event as well. However, I decided to wait until I saw what the other three more

private contacts might yield before send-

ing a letter to the newspaper in Water-

town. This project is now well under

way.

As I mentioned earlier, some of

the children in the photo are very likely

children of my grand aunts. If I am right

about the time that the photo was taken,

there would be four children who are part

of our family in it. The elder aunt Maria

Catherine had adopted the first of her

two children by that time. Marie would

have been 11 years of age when the pho-

to is believed to have been taken. The

younger aunt Dorothea had three chil-

dren by that time - Elizabeth, age 5;

John, age 4; and Margaret (Gretchen),

age 1 year. They could be in this photo.

After a couple of weeks, I have

received no response to my initial que-

ries and have just sent out the last of the

packages to the Watertown Public Opin-

ion. I must remember that actions require

time before results are forthcoming.

On another front, there were good and unexpected happenings! As those of you who were at the last

meeting may have noted, I did not have a photograph of one for my grandfather’s brothers, Wilhelm. His

branch of the family had left the fold and there was minimal contact since the 1920s and after his death in

1941 none at all. Facebook allowed me with to contact with one of his granddaughters. My online photo

stirred interest as Dorothy noted my appearance was very similar to that of one of her uncles. I in turn noted

that her father bore a similarity to my grandfather’s eldest brother Nick. One day after my most recent birth-

day, this newly found second cousin sent me three photos that filled in the photo gap. One of these photos fea-

tured Uncle Wilhelm and his second wife Beatrice. As Dorothy had extended this kindness to me, it was only

natural that I return the kindness by sending her a few of our old photos. Of the five brothers, Wilhelm and my

grandfather appear to resemble each other the most closely! If you receive, remember also to give!

“This Date in History” from the Watertown Public Opinion

St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Wahpeton, North Dakota

- 13 -


What Does It Say?

Adele Goa of Camrose sent out this photo over

Shannon’s Facebook page. She is attempting to translate

this inscription. She has much of it but “Poma.” is giving

her problems. How’s your working knowledge of Polish?

Can you give her suggestions on what it might mean? The

dots appear to denote complete units e.g. name, date, and

phrase rather than abbreviations. What are your thoughts

on what “Poma.” (or possibly “Pom.” as it appears on

other tombstones) means? If you have any ideas, please e

-mail me, and I will forward your ideas to Adele.

In Search of Volga German Roots

Hello, My name is Beverly Keller. My husband is Donald Keller. I am working on Donald Keller's family

history. And would like to know if you can possibly help

I am trying to locate the family village/es in Russia. We belong to the Denver Chapter of AHSGR and live in

Colorado, USA.

My husband's grandfather was Peter Keller, born 1885 in Kamychin, (Spelling) Russia. His spouse was

EKaterina. She came to Boston in 1913 on the SS Ivernia. But she did not debark there. (The SS Iver-

nia sailed out of Liverpool, England.) She eventually came to Winnipeg, Canada in 1912 and to the

USA in 1914 to Ordway, Colorado.

This much information we know about the family. Peter Keller passed way in the 1970s and my husband's

father passed way in 1964. Peter Keller's spouse passed away in the 1940s

If you can help locate the village, I am willing to pay a research fee and the postage to send certified copy/es

of the information you can locate.

I did contact the Canadian Embassy here in Denver but they are not an Embassy that issues visas or immigra-

tion help.

I can be reached by e-mail at: [email protected]

Can You Help? by John Althouse

- 14 -


There are not one but three ships’ lists showing

the arrival of Ekatarina and Heinrich (son) Keller. Two

show the pair arriving in Boston. However, the third is

a Canadian passenger arrival list. All were found on

<ancestry.com> The records show that in 1912-13 the

Ivernia was on the Liverpool to Boston run. Two rec-

ords are Boston port arrival records. These two records

both have the names of Ekaterina and Heinrich age 6

months as well as several others crossed off. Note that

each Boston record consists of two pages. There is

also a Canadian Passenger Ship List with no port listed. There was a practice common at the time

of Ekaterina’s voyage on the Ivernia where a

ship would land at more than one port in North

America before arriving at the final destination.

The crossed out names and the Canadian list

suggest that Ekaterina and Heinrich may

have left the ship before it arrived in Boston.

As this is in the early spring, the port would

most likely be Halifax or St. John NB. Howev-

er, in the case of the Ivernia. I can find no infor-

mation indicating what this happened here.

Peter Keller, a farmer age 20 years from

Russia, is shown crossing from Minnesota, USA into Manitoba, Canada on 8 March 1913 at Emerson, Mani-

toba. There is a notation in the final box of the document which appears to read “at the order of the Winnipeg

office”. A Peter Keller from Russia age 19 years is shown departing Glasgow, Scotland aboard the SS Cassan-

dra headed for St. John, New Brunswick, Canada on 16 March 1912. He had travelled from Libau to Grimsby

via ship and then by train to Glasgow.

The three ships’ documents provide a number of other useful pieces of information. Her father is listed

as Alex Reichenstein of “Kommission” [sic] more likely Kamyshin (various spellings). Her destination is

listed as Winnipeg, Manitoba by the Canadian Pacific Railway. It is unlikely that Ekatarina spent much time

in Winnipeg. Neither she nor her husband Peter appear in the Henderson’s Guides for Winnipeg for 1913,

1914, and 1915 which appear on the Peel Prairie Provinces at http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/henderson.html In

addition, the 1920 US Census which shows the family settled at Crowley, Colorado. It now consists of Peter,

age 24; wife Katie, age 25; Henry, age 7; Aleck, age 5; Mary, age 3; and Pauline, age 10 months. It indicates

that the youngest three children were all born in Colorado. This would appear to indicate that the family

arrived there by 1915. Peter is shown as working for the sugar beet factory. The 1930 US Census also shows

the family to be in Crowley. Peter dies in Ordway, Colorado [not cited and no date].

- 15 -


There are two other great resources for seeking German relatives from Russia in Winnipeg. The Mani-

toba Archives hold the church books of Christ Lutheran Church from Winnipeg’s North End. This was the

German-language church in the area where many Germans from Russia relatives stayed permanently or stayed

for a time before moving on. These records are in German. Manitoba has a BMD website for older listings.

The other matter of concern is the matter of the “place of origin”. It is obvious that “Kommission” as

listed on the ships’ document is incorrect. “Komyshin” is likely the correct place name. However, like many

places in Russia, it has been known by more than one name - Dmitrievski, Dmitriyevsky, Kamyshin, Ka-

myshinka. When I search for families from the Vol-

ga villages, I begin by searching the “original set-

tlers’ lists” and then the 1798 census of the Volga

villages. There were no entries for Komyshin in

either of these volumes. This may be because

Komyshin is not a village but a city. The original

settlers, those coming to the Volga area between

1764 and 1767, were not allowed to settle in the

cities but in the villages. This is very likely why we

do not find entries related to these settlers for

Komyshin.

Does this mean that the Keller family did

not come from Komyshin? The quick answer is,

“no!” Komyshin as we noted is a city, but it also a

district, a “kanton” roughly equivalent to a county. I

have noted that there is very often a tendency for

Germans from Russia to indicate the area or main

city of the area rather than the actual village.

When searching for my kin, I often find the places

recorded as Saratov, the area-city. I heard of those

seeking their ancestral place of origin frustrated be-

cause they were told only that they were from “Wolyn”, again the name of an area. The Keller family may not

be from the city of Komyshin but from one of several villages from the Komyshin Kanton. Several “daughter

villages” formed in the 1850s were formed from Komyshin lands (in lower purple area on map).

The original settlers’ lists and the 1798 Volga villages can provide researchers with records that show

where those bearing a specific name were located. This does not work particularly well in this instance as

“Keller” is a fairly common surname. The Keller surname can be found in the records of many villages on

both sides of the Volga River. These villages include: Doenhof, Balzer, Kȏhler, Keller, Krasnyi Jar,

Leilsinger, Norka, Schilling, and yes, my ancestral villages of origin Dobrinka and Alexandertal.

- 16 -


“Alex Reichenstein” is the name given as that of her father by Ekaterina. Yet, nowhere on the original

settlers’ lists or the 1798 census am I able to find that surname. There are two possibilities here: a. the name is

correct as it is or b. it is not. Is it possible that whoever recorded the name heard it incorrectly and rec-

orded it incorrectly? If it is not the name, what might it be?

There are websites that show other German Russians named “Keller” who has a connection to

Ordway as your Keller family does. Some come from the village of Alexanderthal where my Sattler kin are

from. See this page online for a Keller from Alexanderthal, Russia has a connection to Ordway http://

www.wikitree.com/wiki/Keller-2233 It shows Katharina Elisabeth Keller

Born October 11, 1895 in Alexandertal, Kamenka District, Saratov Province, Russia

Daughter of Heinrich Keller and Katherine E. Strackbein

Sister of Juliana Keller and Heinrich Keller

Wife of Adam Roth — married about 1914 in Ordway, Crowley County, Colorado

[children unknown]

Died February 4, 1974 in Fresno, Fresno County, California

Her father is Heinrich Keller

Born July 28, 1859 in Alexandertal, Kamenka District, Saratov Province, Russia

Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown], [sibling(s) unknown]

Husband of Katherine E. Strackbein — married about 1885 [location unknown]

Father of Juliana Keller, Heinrich Keller and Katharina Elisabeth Keller

Died February 4, 1915 in Alexandertal, Kamenka District, Saratov Province, Russia

Are these names familiar to you? If they are, it might be worth Pursuing them as people from the same

place often settled together. This is very true in the case of most Germans from Russia. In the 1913 Hender-

son’s Guide for Winnipeg, there is a Jacob Keller listed. Might he also be related? Did either Peter or Ekateri-

na have relatives there who they could have stayed with while they were there. As they left at different times,

they may have made their plans in advance of leaving if they were uncertain where they might end up. Here

are a few more “Keller” references which may be of interest http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/e/l/

Will-Keller-CO/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0009.html http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/a/n/d/Merrill-

J-Anderson/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0087.html http://www.photographs.galeymiller.org/Genealogy/

Unterdorf/4214380_xpwzVb This last family is related to a family named “Steinbrecher”.

My grandmother was Paulina (nee Weber) of Dobrnka. Family lore tells us that she had a brother with

a family who first went to Winnipeg and about the same time as your Keller family went to the USA, very

likely Colorado. Do you have any knowledge of such a family there?

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The “Lazarus Maps” (http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/digkonyv/topo/3felmeres.htm) provide a clear picture

of the landscape around the villages of Eastern Europe. They will likely even likely show the area around your

ancestors’ village of origin. However, it can often be difficult to zero in on the exact village that you are seek-

ing. There is a website which makes this easier for you if you are doing research on Volhynia. Go to website

http://www.volhynia.com/topo/me200.html

This page gives you a

number of squares. If you have a

good sense of where the village

is simply click on the square in

which you think it is located. If

you do not have an idea of the

location but have the latitude and

longitude of that place simply

use the coordinates on the side

and at the top of the map to lo-

cate it. Click on the box where

the latitude and longitude inter-

sect.

The box to the left shows

these boxes more clearly. They

cover all of the territory that was

Volhynia, both east and west.

Each square contains the name of

one of the larger centers of popu-

lation. So, if an ancestor said that

they came from near a particular

place that appears in a box just

click on that name as the village

you want may well be in it.

Become a Webmeister Interesting Websites Related to German

AncestryResearch

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When you click on a

square on the grid, a map

like this will appear on your

monitor. It will take a little

time for the entire map to

appear. Be patient. When it

appears completely, you can

download it onto your com-

puter. However, you may

want to check that it is the

map you want before doing

this as such maps may take

up a good deal of storage on

your computer. You can do this by clicking on it with a magnifying glass icon which will bring an enlarged

view of part of the map into to view. By using your horizontal and vertical scroll bars, you will be able to view

the entire map in its enlarged view one section at a time.

This is an enlarged

view of a part of the map

shown on the screen above.

After examining it, you can

decide whether it is what you

need or not. If it, is you can

save it in your files. This too

will take a little time to com-

plete. If it is not the map that

you want, you can search for

the map you need by clicking

on another square.

Once you have the map downloaded, you may want to use a section of it for some purpose. To do this,

you can use a cropped section of it into that project. You will need to have a good sense of where the section

you want is within the whole map as when you attempt to crop it will revert to the full map which is small and

difficult to read. When you crop, it is better to crop too little rather than too much as you can always continue

to crop until you get exactly the portion that you want. When you have the desired view, you should NOT

“Save”. Instead, click one “Save As” and change the file name slightly. This may be done by adding the

word “crop” to the original “File Name” or adding any other word, letter, or number that will signify the

“crop” for you. This will leave the entire map intact under its original “File Name” ready for future projects. If

you had pressed “Save” without changing the “File Name” the full map would have been replaced by the

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The Gift of Genealogy by John Althouse For far too long, genealogy was considered an individual activity best done in isolation. That notion

ran contrary to the essence of the discipline. In a family and especially during the holiday season sharing is

widely practiced. There are numerous examples of how members of our German Special Interest Group and

Edmonton Branch have shared in ways that have benefited individuals or members in general. Such sharing

is something that should be not only acknowledged but lauded.

The first Christmas was blessed by the presence of angel. In genealogy, we too are often blessed with

angels, “genealogical angels”. A little over a year ago, I was fortunate to have such an angel. Marilyn Wales

while on a trip to Korea visited the United Nations Cemetery in Busan. While she was there, she took not on-

ly photographs of this beautifully landscaped site but also some of my Uncle Henry’s grave marker there. She

sent me copies of about 20 photos that she took there. Later, I was able to use them to enhance the short book

that I put together on my uncle’s life.

Peter von Lipinski has been doing genealogical research related to Germany for many years. When he

sees that he can help with the store of knowledge that he has gathered, he does. It was his knowledge which

helped Deb Pietrzkowski discover which of the villages bearing the name “Pferdsbach” was the one her Al-

brecht ancestors left in the 1760s to emigrate to Volga Russia. More recently, Peter provided some useful in-

formation to the person who submitted the article on the German air force pass which appeared in our August

issue. These are but a few random examples of these angels. Many more examples of members who have

acted as “genealogical angels” could be found which like these cited who have acted in the spirit of cooper-

ation, sharing the gifts that they have acquired in their own genealogical pursuits and travels.

Christmas is also a time of gatherings. Likewise, genealogists gather at times. In both, there abundant

examples of sharing. People take the risk and present skills, techniques, information, resources, and technolo-

gy that they have used in their own pursuit of genealogy which they hope will assist other members. Bruce

Boetchler is ready and willing to help people who ask him for help with some aspect of technology. And re-

member, Bruce is not the genealogist; his wife Deb is. Many members have provided enriching presentations

both within our special interest group as well as to larger audiences. These are enriching to all present and

increase their knowledge and expertise. Such sharing makes others better in what they do, and this is a

most excellent gift!

In all situations, there are those who need to do the day-to-day tasks necessary just to operate effec-

tively. Some of these people may be visible, but many are not. They act as volunteers who quietly and very

proficiently do the tasks that they take on. Without their untiring work, we would have no library, no confer-

ence, no gen fair, no special interest groups, no research, no courses, no locally developed resources, and like-

ly no society. We all benefit from their efforts and need to appreciate these positive and unselfish contribu-

tions. We could not exist without them! God bless all our genealogical angels!

- 20 -


Local Questions; Local Answers by John Althouse

From time to time, we receive a query from a person with a question about German genealogy or

heritage. Recently, Walter Epp, Edmonton AHSGR President forwarded these two e-mails and the ac-

companying photos to me. They relate to an object found in a cemetery near Luseland, Saskatchewan.

First E-mail

Hi Walter...a couple weeks ago we drove to St Francis Cemetery at Luseland SK. We were in search of Wes

grandfather Conrad Sperling. It was nice to see he had an iron cross. The cemetery was difficult to find, and in

need of some cleaning up...grass cut etc. When we were leaving, I noticed a wooden box..it was about 3 and a

half feet wide, by about 4 and a half feet long. I have not idea what it was used for, or why it was there. Have

you ever seen anything like that before ? (a wooden box inside the cemetery gates?) I am just curious, thats all.

Paulette (and Wes)

Second E-mail

Hi Walter,

I asked my friend Laurie Bergen from Luseland, "Why is there a big wooden box inside the Luseland St Fran-

cis cemetery grounds?" Laurie went sleuthing and found the answer............. Keith German who owns and

farms the land that borders the cemetery provided the answer. Years ago when they still lived on that land he

and his boys would voluntarily care-take the cemetery, cut the grass and keep things in good repair. In the ear-

ly 1990s the Germans and a group of former residents decided the make more extensive improvements. A

large box of decorative crushed red rock was brought in to spread around the graves. No big mystery. After

the rock was spread the box was never removed! Dave Toews St Albert, AB

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It was interesting here that the answer to

the query came not from far away but from

someone having knowledge of the area in which

the cemetery was located. The photos show that

this cemetery though difficult to find holds some

excellent examples of the traditional “iron cross”

memorials typically chosen by many people of Ger-

mans from Russia heritage. “...wrought-iron cross is

typical of thousands found in cemeteries around the

American heartland--from central Canada to Kan-

sas, from the Mississippi to the Rockies. The cross

represented the sacred; the iron represented strength

--attributes of the pioneers they honored. The iron crosses were particularly suited as prairie monuments: Un-

like wooden crosses, those made of wrought iron or other metals were tough enough to withstand prairie fires,

storms--even time itself..” For more from this article visit the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection at

http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/articles/magazines/articles/winistorfer.html But where exactly is this cemetery?

“The Saskatchewan Cemeteries Project” shows that “St. Francis d’ Assisi” is located near Luseland

in the Rural Municipality of Progress #351 at NW 22-36-23 W3. This is 10 miles NE of Luseland. A list

of the burials in this cemetery may be found at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cansacem/

luseland_stfrancis.html This listing was completed by Paulette Breaks on July 5th, 2006. This list provides not

only name but in many cases dates of birth and or death. The names appear to be arranged in the order that are

in each row which is indicated by number. A listing for “Luseland Catholic Cemetery” is also provided on

this site at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cansacem/luseland.html

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