Wednesday, February 24, 2016

A Note from Dee Hert

Anton, Russia

Research continues for the village of Anton.  Also known as Antonow, Antonowka, Sadovoye, Sebastinovka, Sebastjanowka, Sebastyanovka, Sewastjanowka, Sevastinovka, Sevastjanovka, Sevastyanovka (after 1941, Sadovoye)

Located at:  51º2' N 45º51' E.  Map #6 at AHSGR

Anton was found in 1764 by 270 Evangelical Lutherans- parish headquartered in the village of Messer.

Movement was recorded between Anton and the following villages: Alexanderdorf, near Tiflis in the Caucasus, Balzer, Franzosen, Kraft, Kukkus, Lauwe, Merkel, and Neu-Straub. As research continues I am sure there will be additional villages with connections to Anton.

My personal interest in Anton are the following surnames: Hert/Herdt, Hart/Hardt/Hard, Stark/Stork.  I am in the process of updating the surname database, which will be available at the AHSGR conventions.

Anton was industrious as it had a sugar beet factory owned and operated by Mr. Sigrist. Researchers have reported that the Anton villagers were originally from Thuringia, Germany. 
  • I am searching for the photo and additional history of the sugar beet factory.

The AHSGR village files index noted an article “History of Anton, by Emilie von Liphart, which is missing. 
  • I hope to locate a copy.

According to an article in “Die Lauwe Lampe”, Spring 2001 a surprising number of arranged marriages were from villages on the west side (bergseite) of the Volga. The colonies of Anton and Balzer were predominant sources for brides.

Die Welt-Post, Thursday, 8 December 1921, reported of hunger and starvation in Russia including the villages of Kukus, Dinkel, New Anton, and New Moor.

I accepted the position as Village Coordinator recently due to the fact that the position was vacant, and I wanted to further the history of my family.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or information to share; together we can answer some questions.

I plan to explore the availability of records in Russia.

Thanks to Sharon White for agreeing to assist!

Dee Hert
President and Membership Chair



February Meeting

This Saturday, February 27, at 10:00 am will be our chapter meeting:
Sandy Library 
10100 Petunia Way 1300 South 
Sandy, Utah

Please bring empty ink cartridges.  The subject is maps, so bring your favorites. 

Any ideas for a summer community project to enhance our awareness and locate other Germans from Russia??

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Center for Volga German Studies is sponsoring a seminar series in Fort Collins, Colorado on 23 July, 2016.  These seminars will feature the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the colonies of Dönhof and Messer.  The event will also include a Deines family reunion, evening banquet and Dutch Hop Dance with The River Boys! Please join us and invite others who might be interested! 

When: 23 July 2016
Where: Colorado State University, 599 South Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80521
What:  Sessions -
·         The History Dönhof
·         The History of Messer
·         A Day-in-the-Life of the Volga Germans
·         The Volga Germans of South America
·         The Volga German Deportation of 1941
·         The Geography of the Volga Germans
·         The Musical Heritage of the Volga Germans
·         The Sugar Beet Industry and Its Connection to the Volga Germans
·         The Volga German DNA Project
·         The Volga Germans Today
·         Genealogical Resources for Volga Germans
·         Famous & Infamous Volga Germans
·         Volga German Resources in the CSU Archives

Registration: $50 per person before July 1st; $65 per person after July 1st  

Additional information and online registration at the CVGS Fort Collins Website:

Friday, February 19, 2016

German Mush
Makes 4 Servings
Try something different this weekend with a hot, comforting breakfast. This recipe takes a delicious twist on traditional Cream of Wheat.
  • 4 cups milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2/3 cup Cream of Wheat
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)
  • Butter 
  • Optional add-ins:
  • Raisins
  • Peanuts
  • Sliced bananas 

Whisk eggs into milk until froth forms on top and no more egg bits can be seen. Whisk in Cream of Wheat, sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. Cook on stove over medium heat, stirring constantly with flat-tipped wooden spoon to avoid clumping. Cook until mixture begins to boil.

Spoon into bowls and add 1 tablespoon of butter to each. Stir in raisins, peanuts, sliced bananas, or other additions, if desired.