The Bottoms

This was so interesting to me.  When our Germans from Russia ancestors settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, they settled in the bottoms.  It was an area that was in the flood plain, so they were occasionally flooded.  They settled there because the land was cheaper.  Their lots were very narrow because two houses would share a single lot to save money.  I loved seeing the tidy little homes built by them.

Top Pick

The food demonstrations are always a favorite for me.  This one was so entertaining that I think these men should be on television.  Truly. Not only that, but they shared the top secret family recipe along with family stories.  I loved it!  Steve Loos shared some of the following memories, which are retold with his permission.  

His recipe for Blinna was given to him by his 11 year old sister when he returned from the Navy in 1968.  It was handwritten by her. The recipe is from his grandmother, Katherine Loos, from Norka, Russia.  Steve remembers special family breakfasts with many people, where the Blinna was served. In fact, they still have them about five times a year. The sponge would be started on Christmas Eve so it would be ready for Christmas morning. His aunt would also take a big cast iron skillet to the park in the evening and cook Blinna for the family.

Blinna

1 cake yeast
1/4 cup warm water
4 cups flour
3 cups warm water
2 beaten eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.  Add flour and three cups warm water.  Let sponge stand four hours.  Add the remaining ingredients. If mixture is too thick add warm milk to thin.

They were artists at cooking this.  When they poured the batter in the hot pan, they rolled it around till it came up a little on the side.  Then when it was ready to turn, they just flipped it.  Amazing and delicious!

* Just as a note of interest... Steve, Nancy, Jake and Kelly Loos have an antiques business, Loos Antiques, in Lincoln, Nebraska.  They sometimes obtain items of the Germans from Russia.  If you are interested in finding something or just want to learn from them, they would be a good resource.

Highlights from Lincoln Convention

German Research Classes

You need to preregister for these classes at 801-240-4950 or e-mail

FHLClassReg@familysearch.org.

Saturday, June 28 at 9:15 A. M.: 

German Research Series:  U. S. Immigration Sources

 

Saturday, June 28 at 10:15 A. M and 11:15 A. M.:

German Research Series:  German Emigration Sources

German Language Book Online

Topographisch-medicinische beobachtungen über den südlichen Theil des Saratowschen Gouvernements

The title translates roughly into "Topography and Medicine Observations of the Southern part of Saratov province".  It was published in 1836.  The fact that it is in German leads me to think that it might be focused on the German colonies.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Kz4gAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP9#v=onepage&q&f=false

Shared by Dee Hert

Looking for Information

Neudorf, Odessa, Russia.
Researching this village for the surnames of Walz and Guthmuller.
Jacob Walz was reportedly born, 25 March, 1858, in Neudorf, Russia, and death date unknown.
Jacob married Christina Guthmuller who was born 1853, in Neudorf.
The religion of Neudorf was Evangelical, and the Russian name was Grigoriopol.
If anyone has any knowledge of this village and these families, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Dee Hert deee@sisna.com

FamilySearch Records Update

Nearly 4.2 Million New Indexed Records and Images for Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and the United States. FamilySearch has added close to 4.2 million indexed records and images to collections from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.

FEEFHS Annual Eastern European Research Workshop

August 12-16, 2014, Salt Lake City, Utah

This annual workshop focuses on the records, tools, and methodologies needed to conduct research in Eastern European records- online, in microfilm, and on site. Additional Research Essentials track provides skills and background. Country tracks to include Germany, Poland, Russia, and more. Opens with an orientation of the Family History Library; closes with a banquet and keynote speaker. Includes individual consultation. Call for presentations soon going out.

Mark Your Calendars for the Research Workshop

More info is available on the FEEFHS website: http://feefhs.org/

South Davis Family History Fair

The South Davis Family History Fair is April 25-26. There is information about the classes at the website:
http://fair.ugagenealogy.org.  Dee Hert has suggested that our chapter members attend and wear our AHGSR shirts.

Village Coordinators from the Intermountain Chapter

Brad Hertz  (Fisher)
Sharon White (Warenburg and Straub)
Darrell Weber (Balzer)
Joe Gertge (Rothammel)
Gwen Oryall (Gueldendorf)
Dee Hert (Alexanderdorf)
Shirley Ansley (Neu-Hussenbach)
Carol Harless (Dennewitz)
Suzanne Heinitz-Dodge (Eckheim, Muller, and Holstein)

We have some wonderful resources in our chapter!

April Meeting

Our next chapter meeting will be April 12, at noon. 

3285 E.Ruskin Court, Sandy, Utah  

Gwen will give "Family Tree" for Bits and Pieces.

I have added a new article in the Pfeifer link.  Please remember to send me any of your information or stories you'd like to share for your villages or family lines.  I have recently heard from someone who shares one of my lines because they saw an entry on the blog.  It's a great way to make connections!

 

German Proverbs

A book is like a garden that you can put in your pocket.

Early marriage, long love.

Beauty is a good letter of introduction.

Saving is a greater art than gaining.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, not today, all the lazy people say.

It usually rains where it's already wet.

War is pleasant for those who have not tried it.

Better an unjust peace than a just war.

When God means to punish a nation, he deprives the rulers of wisdom.

Who bows to might loses his right.

War is like a lottery- you never know who will win.

Check This Out

The Riverton FamilySearch Library will host a free seminar on Saturday, March 15th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. that will offer help to genealogists of all skill levels.

 

Taking Your Family History Electronic-Creating Your Own Amazing E-book:

E-books are gaining favor with genealogists and family historians for their readability, look, and convenience. Learn how to take your written family history from paper to electronic format. You can even add photos and embedded videos. Using Sigil, a free open source software program, and a few publication tricks, you will be up and running in no time. Share your family stories in multiple formats to be read by computer or one of the many readers on the market, including the iPad, iPhone, Nook, Kindle, or mobile device.

Luana Darby, MLIS, is a professional genealogist based in Salt Lake City. She specializes in the U.S. Midwest, Palatine German, LDS, and American patriot research. She is working toward receiving her AG and CG credentials. She has been working with clients for over 20 years under her company, Lineages by Luana, and is a frequent speaker at conferences, workshops, and institutes. She is past president of the Utah Genealogical Association. Following the keynote presentation from 9:00 to10:00 a.m., two blocks of four classes each are offered that cover topics of interest for beginning, intermediate, and advanced family history enthusiasts.

10:10 a.m. Choose one of the following four classes:

•    "My Ancestor's Piece of Earth-Learning about My Family through Land Records " Jill Shoemaker

•    "The ABCs and 123s of Genetic Genealogy" Angie Bush

•    "Bite-size Pieces-How to Write Your Personal History" Rose Ann Fisher

•    "How to Save Your Life-One Chapter at a Time" Tom Taylor

11:20  a.m. Choose one of the following four classes:

•    "Evidence Analysis: Looking for Hidden Clues in Your Family History" Kathryn Moore

•    "Story Triage-How to Tell the Ten Best Stories of Your Life" Alison Taylor

•    "Regional Differences in Genealogy" Duncan Kuehn

•    "Puzzilla: My Work Is Done? or, We've Only Just Begun!" Bill Harten

Registration is not required for this free seminar. The Riverton FamilySearch Library is located in the LDS Riverton Office Building at 3740 West Market Center Drive. The facility is near the intersection of Bangerter Highway and 13400 South, just east of The Home Depot

February 2014 Chapter Meeting

Just a reminder that our next chapter meeting will be February 22, at noon. The meeting will be held at the home of Sharon and Bill White, 3285 E. Ruskin Court, Sandy. Bring food to share.

 

The planned presentation is about Beginning Research in Germany. 

If you haven't paid your 2014 chapter dues of $10 per family, send to Darrell Weber, our chapter treasurer, or bring to the meeting.

 

If you have any donations for The Road Home (homeless shelter), please bring them.

Let Sharon know if you are coming.