Christkindlmarkt

Go to https://www.christkindlmarkt-slc.com/map to find out about the upcoming Christkindlmarkt in Salt Lake City. It will be held December 1st-4th at This is the Place Heritage Park. This is a wonderful event. The site includes a map and list of vendors.

PBS, Finding Your Roots Discovers MHS

One of my favorite shows is Finding Your Roots, which airs Tuesday evening. Dr. Gates and his team have successfully researched numerous family histories for years. The research approaches are fascinating. I am a member of several genealogical societies, including the Montana Historical Society. The latest MHS newsletter featured a crew from the PBS show shooting footage at the Society for the popular show. The team was looking for visually interesting items, but the items won't typically be identified as coming from a specific location. The purpose of the visit is to give everyone an idea of genealogical research and that it is not easy to do. Every record they find for people is very meaningful. They wish to share the idea that there is a vast treasure trove of archived information in multiple locations. I make it a habit to watch Dr. Gates and his team as often as possible, even the reruns. Sessions offer valuable lessons and techniques that I can use with my own research. Good luck with your own search, and please share what you learn. (Dee Hert)

Reminder

Tomorrow's the day! Saturday, June 12, at 10:30 a.m. Mountview Park, 1651 East Fort Union Blvd. Bring you family, friends, and your own picnic lunch. Deserts will be provided. Join us for a fun time and get re-aquainted! Hope to see you there.

AHSGR Virtual Conference

Connections: Keeping our German from Russia Heritage Alive; July 13-15, 2021; check it out at ahsgr.org.

Good News

The Family History Library will be opening soon! Dee Hert is one of many official volunteers working there on Thursdays. Join her and the Germans from Russia research group to work on those brick walls. The library has purchased numerous Volga, Caucasus, and other area's publications. How fortunate we are to live close to one of the world's greatest treasures. If you would like assistance with your research, join Dee at the Family History Library.

Folklore for the AHSGR Convention

The Intermountain Chapter is preparing the Folklore segement for the upcoming convention. Handmade quilts made by Volga German families are needed for display at the event. If you have one of these treasures and are willing to share, please write up an article about the quilt's history and family connection. Include details such as who made the quilt and the family village if known. You can be present at the recording of the project if desired. Further information on date, location, and time will be coming. If you have questions, please contact Dee Hert.

Family History Update

When the library opens you will notice numerous changes; increased number of computers, table space, scanners, etc. The greatest change will be location of materials. 1st. Floor: Is more open. 2nd Floor Home to Canadian and US microfilms along with new and original scanners. 3rd Floor: Additional bookshelves, collection expanded by 40 thousand books. New scanners. B1: British Films: Maps relocated to new map cases. Additional desks, computers, and microfilm readers. B2: International books, no longer housed in high density. Guests may bring personal books in for scanning. Details coming soon. Library opening date remains uncertain. Consideration for safety is a huge factor; all staff must be fully vaccinated. Construction and re-signage must be completed. Websites and social media to be updated. In addition to this heavy staff workload the library continues to offer online classes and webinars. Continual appreciation to the library and staff for their efforts to provide improved service to the public. The services to the Germans from Russia culture are outstanding. Dee Hert

Seeking Donations

We as a group are very blessed and fortunate; we are also aware of others who have great needs.  Tabitha's Way 2021 is in need of donations for the population they serve.

It is proposed that our chapter support those in need. 

Plan A:  We gather numerous items and present them to the Ansley's when/if we have our traditional Christmas Party at the Springville church.

Plan B: We gather extensive supplies.  I propose we load them into my truck and transport several loads before December.  I am willing to come to you if you have several boxes of donated items.

Downsizing- is it time to donate items you no longer need?

Retired-is it time to empty that closet of unused items?  

Outgrown- do you and yours have a ton of clothing that no longer fits?

Children- diapers, food, children's clothing and books.

If you have an item you would like to donate but are unsure if it qualifies, contact Shirley Ansley.  For a complete list of items, contact Dee Hert.  Emails for both are in the in the right hand column of this blog under chapter officers.

Historical Timeline

The following two timelines are part of a presentation by Annette Adams, given at our latest Intermountain Chapter meeting.  You will find the information helpful if you are researching ancestors who came through Lincoln, Nebraska, on their journey in America.  

Saratow, Russia

1762: Catherine the Great issues first manifesto inviting foreigners

to settle Russia. No response.

1763: The second Manifesto issued. Thousands of colonists come

from Germany.

1764- 1768: German colonies are founded along the Volga River.

1861: Emancipation Reform of 1861 in Russia abolishes serfdom.

1871: The Imperial Russian government repeals the manifestos

of Catherine the Great and Alexander I. The German colonists

were to lose their special status and privileges and become subject

to Russian military service after a ten-year grace period.

1872- 1873: Several groups emigrated from the Odessa area to

Nebraska and the Dakotas. Scouts from other Black Sea

colonies and the Volga Colonies investigate opportunities in

America.

1874: The Imperial Russian government amends the 1871

decree and institutes compulsory military conscription

of German colonists immediately. 375,000- 400,000 died.

1914: World War I begins.

1917: Political unrest in Russia leads to two revolutions

and the beginning of Soviet communist rule.

1920- 1923: Famine in Russia. Over 150,000 Volga

Germans die of starvation.

Historical Timeline

Lincoln, Nebraska

1760s:  Thirteen British Colonies contained 2.5 million people.

1776:  Founding of America.

1860s - 1870s:  Federal Policy favored immigration.  

1862:   Lincoln, Nebraska was founded on the wild salt marshes of Lancaster County.

1870:  Burlington and Missouri River Railroad’s first train arrived June 26^th.

1871:  Midland Pacific

1872:  Atchison and Nebraska

1872 – 1885:  About 30 Germans from Russia arrived per year.

1877:   Union Pacific

1886:  Chicago and Northwestern and Missouri Pacific

1886 – 1887:     Severe Winter of the Great Plains

1886 – 1892:     Opportunities arose in America.

1892:  Lincoln became a rail hub.

1893:  Worldwide Economic Depression            

1893:  US Depression

1898:   Floodgates opened with 100-576 Germans from Russian individuals

1907:  Naturalization Records

1909 - 1913:  3000 Germans from Russia arrived.

1914:  The First World War begins.

1919:  The United States Government enacts strict immigration laws which

greatly slow the tide of immigrants.  Canada continues to receive German

immigrants from Russia.

1920:  End of German publications.  Twenty-five percent of Lincoln population

are Germans from Russia.

February Chapter Meeting

 Saturday, February 20th, 10:00 a.m.

All current members will receive a zoom contact address.  If you are new and would like to join us, please text (319) 631-9701 for the link.  We hope to see you all!

I'm Still Here

Today I started reflecting and realized that I miss my Intermountain Chapter family.  It's been such a crazy year, something out of the Twilight Zone or Jumanji.  Spending so much time at home has made me aware that I need all of you and what you've added to my life.  It has given me time to dig into my research and get to know my ancestors better.  I have become grateful for all of you for the information you've shared with me.

If I'm honest, I had only small and occasional successes until I joined AHSGR.  Without all the work of others, I'd still be stumbling around in the dark.  Having the resources available through the organization has helped me locate censuses and church records. I better understand the social history of my people.  

In a more personal way, even very brief associations have enriched my life and research.  At the convention in Kansas, I met a man whose great-grandmother was a sister to my great-grandmother.  I'd known of the sister and had so many questions.  He filled in the story for me and went home for pictures that he gave to me for keeps.  I discovered a distant relative, related through both my German Russian heritage and my LDS pioneers.  What fun that was for me.  One chapter member, Sharon White, is related through several lines.  She freely shares information, allowing me to make breakthroughs. She and many others have contributed so much to other's research.  

I could mention many chapter members who helped reorganize and bring back the Intermountain Chapter, but I'd surely miss someone.  Please, know how much you are appreciated. Thanks for all of your continuing hard work and effort.  I am anxious for the day that we can meet together in person and enjoy the fellowship face to face.   

Before this all gets too sappy, I'll stop.  Just a bit of information first.  I've been using my time at home to take genealogy courses online through Salt Lake Community College.  It's opened up some new interests and filled a lot of skill gaps for me.  If you're looking for something extra, check into it.  Even better, if you are of retirement age and live in Utah, classes cost a whopping $10 for a semester.  Here's hoping that you stay healthy, happy, and productive.