Things to Remember

Our chapter Christmas party will be December 7th at noon at the home of Bill and Sharon White, 3285 E. Ruskin Court, Sandy.  We will collect items for the Road Home homeless shelter and Utah Book Bank if you want to contribute anything.

The Festival of the Trees will be December 4th-7th at the South Towne Expo Center, 9575 South State, Sandy.  You can find information here:  www.festivaloftreesutah.org

Tabitha's Way in Spanish Fork is having a dinner December 20th for the homeless or for families that need food. Would you like to help with food, supplies, toys, or by being a volunteer?

Kolb

The village of Kolb is also known as Peskovatka, Peskovka, and Peskowatka.

Location: 51º04' N 44º59' E
History: Established 13 May 1767
Religion: Lutheran, part of the Frank parish

Members of the Benzel family resided in Kolb for generations, beginning with Johann Ulrich who was born in Kautz, Russia in 1773 and died in Kolb 1847. Johann married Maria Dorothea Achziger, who was born 1775 in Kolb and also died in Kolb in 1850.

Known children of Johann and Maria are:
Friedrich, born 1795 Kolb, and died 1850 in Kolb
Johann Adam, born 1806 in Kolb
Johannes, born 1809 in Kolb
Georg Adam, born 1814 in Kolb
Dorothea, born 1818 in Kolb and died 1888 in Kolb

Johannes Benzel (1809 -) married Barbara Adler and their known children are:
Maria, born 1833 in Kolb
Friedrich, born 1835 in Kolb
Peter, born 1837 in Kolb
Heinrich, born 1840 in Kolb
Dorothea, born 1842 in Kolb
Barbara, born 1845 in Kolb
Georg Heinrich, born 1848

Georg Heinrich was born 1848 in Kolb and died about 1920. Georg married Maria Katrina Schmidt (1848-1920.) Known children of Georg and Maria are:
Conrad, born 1865 in Kolb
John Peter, born 1879 in Kolb
Heinrich, born 1881 in Kolb
Maria K, born 1881 in Kolb
Anna Maria, born 1885 in Kolb
Friedrich, born 1885 in Kolb
John, born 1888 in Kolb
Georg, born 1892 in Kolb
Katrina, born 1896 in Kolb
Emma, born 1898 in Kolb

Friedrich (1885 – 1973) married Marie Kathryn Schmidt (1889 – 1965.)   Both were born in Russia, immigrated to the US in 1912, and died and were buried in Hardin, Big Horn, Montana.

Surnames of interest: Achtziger, Adler, Benzel Koch, Scheibel, and Schmidt

Neu-Messer

Maria Kathryn Schmidt was born 2 August 1848 in Neu-Messer and died 2 August 1889.  Her parent may have been Heinrich Schmidt, born about 1866, and her mother Katrina Scheibel.

Maria had a known sister, Katherine Marie Schmidt born 2 April 1893 in Neu-Messer and died 1957 in Billings, Yellowstone, Montana. Katherine Schmidt married Jacob Lehr who was also from Neu-Messer, born 1885 and died 1971 in Billings, Yellowstone,Montana. Katherine and Jacob immigrated separately, approximately 1913-1914.

Maria K. Schmidt married Friedrich Benzel in Kolb, Russia. Fred was born 14 June 1885 in Kolb and died 3 November 1973 in Hardin, Big Horn, Montana. Maria and Fred immigrated in 1912 aboard the “Brundenburg.”  Fred and Maria are  buried in Fairview Cemetery, Hardin, Big Horn, Montana.

Family lore states that the Benzel-Schmidt family members were shot and killed at the local Kolb school among other local prominent citizens in about 1920. A Schmidt family owned and operated the local flour mill; perhaps our Schmidt’s were part of this family group.

Submitted by Dee Hert

Watermelon Syrup

One cup of sugar, two hours of boiling, and five small watermelons later, I am the very proud owner of one quart of watermelon syrup! It was a traditional food staple of our German Russian ancestors. I'll let you know how it tastes. (aka watermelon honey)

Research Help Needed

I am searching for more information on my ancestors from Alexanderdorf, Russia. Father: John George Weltz (also found under "Welz"). They left Alexanderdorf in about 1901 for Canada and then changed the surname to "Wells." I can provide more information. I hope to hear from you. Deanne dpwells4u@yahoo.com

Upcoming Meeting and Class

Our next chapter meeting will be Monday, October 14th, at the home of Sharon White, 3285 E. Ruskin Court, Sandy, Utah. The meeting will start at 12:00 noon.  Bring food to share. Bill and Karen Dellos will be back from the board meeting at Lincoln and will let us know the latest from AHSGR. Remember to bring your used ink cartridges so Shirley can recycle them.

Also, for your information there will be a German class at the FHL. You need to register for it because seating is limited:  801-240-4950. The name of the class is Reading German Church and Civil Records. The date of the class is Saturday, October 19th, at 11:15 A. M. in classroom B1.

Many Thanks

I just wanted to thank all of you for your concern and kindnesses during our family tragedy.  Losing our daughter is of course extremely difficult, but having your support has helped us.  Special thanks to Pat and Shirley Ansley who attended the funeral, and also to all of you who sent cards, and for the flowers sent by the Intermountain Chapter.  Most of you didn't know her, so I included this picture so you could see our beautiful girl. You are all an important part of my extended family. Thanks so much.

Resources Added

I purchased a few more resources at the Fort Collins Conventions this year that I am happy to share.  I can bring them out for you to look at when we meet next if you let me know you're interested.

German Migration to the Russian Volga (1764- 1767); Brent Alan Mai

The Volga Germans in Old Russia and in Western North America: Their Changing World View; Timothy Kloberdanz

The Story of the Volga Germans; George J. Walters

The Christmas Keeping Germans; Neita Oviatt Friend

Letters from Hell; Samuel D. Sinner

More of the Convention

Photos by Pat Ansley

Estes Park Convention Tour

Photos by Pat Ansley

Fort Collins Convention Opening Night

Photos by Pat Ansley

AHSGR Fort Collins Convention Opening Session

Photos by Pat Ansley

August Meeting

Our chapter meeting will be Saturday, August 17th, at noon.  It will be held at the home of Bill and Sharon

White, 3285 E. Ruskin Court, Sandy.  We are hoping a lot of you will be able to attend this meeting. Chapter

members who attended the AHGSR convention in July at Fort Collins will be telling about the convention.

Bring food to share. 

Found

So thankful that I finally was able to find the resting place of my great grandparents who came from Warenburg, Russia. They settled in Fort Collins, Colorado, after immigrating from Russia. They were fine and good people who raised a large family and worked hard. This is a beautiful area, so I can understand why they settled here.

Germans from Russia Wedding Customs

It was a tradition for the young couple to choose two men to be their representatives, who went into the Volga River Valley to invite guests to their marriage ceremony.  These men carried with them a cane that the bride-to-be had tied a ribbon on.  At each household, they recited a poem, which was really an invitation to the wedding.  If the family tied a ribbon on the cane, it meant they were accepting the invitation.  Weddings were looked forward to and eagerly attended.  The ceremony must be held in the wintertime, on a weekday, and not during Lent.  Farm work was at its slowest season and there was ample time to prepare for it.  A Dutch Hop was held after the wedding, and everyone loved dancing to the music played by a polka band. The groom would tuck a flower in his left lapel and pin a long, wide ribbon under it.  The light colored sash would drape down the entire length of the dark suit coat. The bride would place a fancy handkerchief on her wedding gown, and as a man would dance with the new bride they would pin money to the handkerchief. The dance would go on until midnight, then begin again the next morning, lasting for two days.

Ancestry's Journey
Susan Davis