Hays, Kansas

I was so thrilled to be in Hays for the AHSGR Conference.  We took some time to drive around the city and check out some of the sights.  What a wonderful place!  I especially enjoyed a look at the churches.

A Message from Dee Hert

Let's work as a group towards our research.  Many chapter members have suggested we conduct joint research, so this is not an original idea.  It's just the start of what I hope will be momentum towards a positive direction.

Lets work together towards our common goals.

This is what I propose:

1.  Think about your research needs, what do you want to accomplish?

2. Take notes, make comprehensive lists.

3. To prepare in advance contact me with your lists, such as a need to search a specific village, surname chart, etc.  I am aware of several previous requests to locate German origins. Add skills you would like to learn/perfect.

4. Need Skype?  We can make that available upon request.

5. A list of needed research resources will be composed, in the hope that eventually we can make necessary purchases.  Knowing this might influence purchase decisions.  Individuals are "considering" a generous donation towards record acquisition; their interest may be similar to our interests. 

6. Grants and similar programs wait to hear from us.

7. Caucasus.  Remember my request to share what you have regarding the Caucasus as I am developing a database of this information.

From this material I will determine if my library contains the necessary material, and if not I will contact members who agree to look-ups..  Also, another most valuable location of genealogical real estate is the Family History Library.  As stated before, I try to get to the library at least once a week, for myself and numerous other GR's who do not live in Utah.  My numerous requests for assistance to help other GR's stands, the stack of requests grows rather than diminishes.

I realize many of us do not live minutes from each other, thus I/we will be flexible to accommodate your schedule and needs.   I am finally retired after 30 years, and am willing and able to devote time as an on-going project.

Hopefully this is a long-term project and as we transition to new ideas, we will embrace one another's talents and abilities and leadership.

Family Search

Hey folks, just wanted to remind you to check out Family Search frequently.  It seems like there is  always a fun and new feature coming out, not to mention many new records for your research every day.  My new favorite is the Ancestor Photo Game, where you identify photos of your ancestors.  Of course I got them all right because I seem to spend as much time with the dead as the living!  I love the updates I receive on my pioneer ancestors and any connected stories.  The infographic they have created is fascinating.  It shows the average age your ancestors married, the countries of their birth, most common birth month, least common names, the percentage of ancestors who immigrated to another country, etc.  Also fun, the notifications that tell you that it's an ancestors birthday or anniversary, and includes their relationship to you.  Don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself!

Intermountain Chapter Cookbooks

Let Dee Hert know if you need to purchase Chapter Cookbooks. We have many to sell.  The books make great birthday gifts, hostess gifts, etc.  Keep a few on hand for those unexpected events when you need a gift for someone special.

Interesting Information

Excerpt from “Materialien zur Geschichte und Statistik des Kircheb-und Schulwesens der Ev. Luth. Geneinden in Russland “ by E.S. Busch 1862; translated by Bill Pickelhaupt

My husband, Darrell Hert, has Germans from Russia heritage from both sides of his parents.  So when his DNA test revealed he had Turkish and Greek heritage we were surprised.  I have heard numerous times that Germans from Russia “never” intermarried outside their faith or culture.  So much for “never”.

I am a very curious person and could not rest until I solved this puzzle, so I started to re-read my resource materials.

The sited material stated, “Colonists from the adjacent German villages repeatedly married women from Estonian villages and don’t consider this a “misalliance” even though the Estonians don’t have the privileges of the colonists, but rather only the rights of the crown farmers. For worship and communion the Estonians go to the church in Weizenfeld.

Now I need to locate records pertaining to the Greek Orthodox faith, perhaps at the Family History Library.  The Community FamilySearch site may also be a source as individuals post research questions and challenges.  Responses are always helpful.

The village of Alexanderdorf may have been home to our ancestors, and this information pertains to the Volga area.

Previous researchers and translators deserve much appreciation.

Contributed by Dee Hert

Happy Genealogy

Happy Genealogy

1 cup good ancestors

1 cup interested relatives

1 cup time

2 cups good record keeping

2 cups letter writing

3 cups patience

Mix thoroughly letters of found ancestors, unsuccessful

 replies, uninterested people.  Fold in 4 cups faith.

Blend into daily life.  Bake well with warmth of

 human kindness and serve with a smile anytime.

From CCC newsletter June 1992

REMINDER: AHSGR Storytelling Contest

The entry form for the 2018 AHSGR Storytelling Contest is now posted on the AHSGR website. To find it on the website, go to the dropdown menu under About, then to Storytelling. There you'll also find last year's Storytelling Contest winners.

The entry deadline is May 15. Stories must be no longer than 1,500 words, and video entries (for youth under 14) no longer than 10 minutes. If you have questions, please email Dan Moser, AHSGR editorial and publications coordinator, at danm@ahsgr.org.

Happy storytelling!

Hotels for Convention, July 29- August 2, Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas

 Here are the rates for three hotels in Hays, and they’re a bargain:

• Baymont Inn and Suites, 3801 N. Vine St.; 785-625-8103; $69 plus tax
• Days Inn, 3205 Vine Interstate 70, 785-628-8261; $74.69 plus tax
• Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 4650 Roth Ave., 785-625-8000; $129 plus tax

Get those hotel reservations made and stand by for full registration information. Early-bird registration will be due June 15.

January 2018, Village Coordinator of the Month

Congratulations! 

Francis Eickbush

Neuburg, Neu-Arzis

Entertainment, continued...

Next Chapter Meetings

The next two Intermountain Chapter Meetings will be on February 3, 2018, and April 14, 2018, in the Sandy Library at 10:00 a.m. in the Small Meeting Room. 

International Society for British Genealogy and Family Search

Members who have British, Irish, Welsh, and Scot heritage will be interested in the upcoming International Society for British Genealogy.

Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, SLC  15-19 October 2018

Reading the information I see they provide a quarterly journal, "British Connections" and a "Surname Interest" database.

Registration opens 15 March 2017.

Membership costs:  $25 per person, $30 family and $35 library or society

Watch for other educational opportunities and share what you learn.

More Dancers

Storytelling Contest

Among Germans from Russia, storytelling is an important oral and written tradition that ensures the continuation and enhancement of GR history and heritage among future generations of Germans from Russia.

The annual AHSGR Storytelling Contest invites both adults and youth to participate in this GR tradition by submitting stories related to Germans from Russia. They can be either fiction or non-fiction. Winning stories are presented at the Folklore Symposium at the annual convention and prize money is awarded.

This year, we’re trying something new: For youth (under 14), a video contest. Video stories can be anything from interviews to more produced stories; again, fiction or nonfiction, and up to 10 minutes in length.

Consider entering the 2018 AHSGR Storytelling Contest. The entry form will be available on our website next week; we’ll let you know when it’s there. But in the meantime, start thinking and creating – and pass the word along to others, AHSGR members and nonmembers alike.

If you have any questions, email Dan Moser at danm@ahsgr.org.

Good luck and happy storytelling!

Christmas Party Entertainment