Sunday, June 2, 2019

Annotated Inventory of the Cases Handled by the Saratov Office of Foreign Settlers


Annotated Inventory of the Cases Handled by the Saratov Office of Foreign Settlers
Edited by I.R. Pleve
Translated into English by Dr. Mila Koretnikova
English Editing by Prof. Brent Mai
1723-1868
The inventory consists of the captions and information on the date and number of pages of the lost cases handled by the Saratov office of foreign settlers. The inventory contains short but very valuable precise information on the life of the German colonies, on the relations between colonies, their relationship with the surrounding settlements and the state, on the personal life of the colonists.
The compilers are hopeful that this publication will be interesting for historians and helpful for researchers who could derive a more truthful picture of historical events by collating the laconic information of the captions and the information in the fully-preserved documents.

An example of particular interest to me is case number 5830, page 209. Case of the drowned colonist, Heinrich Weiderspahn, from the colony of Walter, date July 28, 1826. It is noted that the case contained 9 pages.

I recommend this publication to anyone with research interest in the Volga area.  Keep in mind the colonists moved frequently, I noted mention of the Caucasus which was no surprise.
The villages are numerous; many chapter members will locate families.  I see names such as Dellos, Herdt, Stark, Gebel, etc.  Orphans are mentioned surprisingly often; keep in mind the death may only be that of the father, not both parents.

Permission was required for numerous activities, such as building a barn, relocating, and prohibition to sell certain merchandise. Deaths from drowning were frequent, summer and winter.

When I first started reading this material I noticed the village of Katharinenstadt mentioned often. I was hoping to locate the surname of Herdt, which would answer some long overdue questions.

The book was purchased at the AHSGR bookstore and is available for $20.00.

Dee Hert
Chapter Membership and Activities Chair

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