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Volga German Russian | Individual Volga Villages | Family Histories | Miscellaneous

Books on Volga German Russians

1798 Census of the German Colonies along the Volga: Economy, Population, and Agriculture by Brent Mai.

From 1764-1772, thousands of German families left war-ravaged Central Europe and accepted the invitation of Catherine the Great to start new lives on the Russian steppe. By 1798, there were more than 38,800 individuals living in 101 German-speaking colonies along the Volga River near Saratov. In this year, the Russian government conducted a household by household census of these colonies, enumerating the economy, population, and agriculture of each colony. The American Historical Society of Germans from Russia purchased copies of these documents along with the right to translate and publish them. Now, all parts of the census have been translated into English and are available in a 1,500-page, 2-volume cloth-bound set that has been edited by Professor Brent Mai of Purdue University

 

 

The Czar's Germans by Hattie Plum Williams.

A recent edition of the history of the Germans from Russia (begun about seventy years ago and left incomplete at her death in 1963) by Professor Williams concentrates on the Volga Germans, giving scrupulously researched and highly detailed descriptions of conditions in Germany during the 18th century that made emigration so attractive. Also discussed are the activities of the Russian immigration agents, the trek of the immigrants to the interior of Russia, the difficult early years, eventual prosperity, and final decline following the outbreak of hostility against the colonists, their immigration to America, and the difficult pioneer years. The book includes fifty-three rare pictures, two maps, and an index.

 

The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763-1862 by Karl Stumpp.

Professor Stumpp's monumental work is the fruition of forty years of research. It is of inestimable value to genealogical researchers, since it contains alphabetical lists of thousands of names of German immigrants to Russia, many with vital statistics, place of origin in Germany, and locality of settlement in Russia. The information is nearly complete for Black Sea immigrants, less definitive for Volga Germans. Most valuable is a list of mother colonies of the Volga and Black Sea, giving both the German and Russian name of each village, its governmental district, religious denomination, year of founding, and population statistics. The book also includes fifty pages of compact and authoritative history of unser' Leute and a packet of eight 16" x 20" maps.

 

From Catherine to Khruschev by Giesinger, Adam

Professor Giesinger's book is the most complete, authoritative, and well-written history of the Germans from Russia to have appeared in English. He deals in detail with all German settlements in Russia and all religious groups among them from 1553 to the present. The final chapter covers emigrants from Russia to the Americas. The book includes a useful chapter locating individual colonies within their geographical and governmental districts, twenty-seven pages of maps, and a bibliography of nearly 200 items.

German Colonies on the Lower Volga by Gottleib Beratz.

This English translation is a must for those interested in the proud Volga German heritage. First published several decades ago, it has been described as the most reliable work on the early years of the German Volga Colonies, based on materials in the Archives at Saratov and in the Colonies.

 

German-on the-Volga colonists' record lists of 1767 by Dr. Igor Pleve.

The 1767 colonist record list is included for the following Volga Villages: Anton, Balzer, Bangert, Bauer, Boregard, Bettinger, Boaro, Brabander, Caesarsfeld, Chaisol, Degott, Dehler, Dietel, Dinkel, Dobrinka, Doenhof, Dreispitz, Enders, Ernestinendorf, Fischer, Frank and Franzosen. Purchase directly from Dr. Igor Pleve, written in Rusian and German.

Germans in the Land of the Volga by Peter Sinner.

The Volga German schoolteacher, Peter Sinner, published this collection of short articles, personal reflections, and poems about the history and development of the German colonies in the Volga Region in 1927. It was created expressly for the young people and introduces them to their heritage from the first arrival of Germans on the vast steppe to the establishment of the Autonomous Volga German Republic. The book includes an autobiography of Peter Sinner, translated by Adam Giesinger, and a bibliography of Sinner's writings.

 

Russian-German Settlments in the United States By Richard Sallet.

The book provides a historical background and a sociopolitical study of the Germans from Russia in America. It includes details on customs, beliefs, organizations, and German-language newspapers. Final chapters discuss the difficulties of the German Russians during the First World War and the pro- cess of assimilation into the surrounding American culture. New material added to Sallet's original thesis includes a description of German-Russian architecture, lists of place names, twenty-one maps, and more than sixty illustrations.

Transport of the Volga Germans from Oranienbaum to the Colonies on the Volga 1766-1767 By Brent Alan Mai

This book is a compilation of nine transport lists of early German colonists to Russia. The lists cover the years 1766 and 1767. There are a total of 7,501 individuals mentioned on the lists. These lists were compiled upon the colonists arrival in Saratov and before their departure to their specific village.

The Volga Germans In Russia and the Americas, from 1763 to the Present by Fred. C. Koch.

 

Coming to the U.S. from the Volga German colony of Kolb, Mr. Koch tells the entire history of his ethnic group in this well-documented narrative. He paints a vivid picture of their pioneering activities, meeting the challenges of a hostile environment and raids by brigands, their subsequent adventures in the Americas, and the story of those who remained in Russia. Chapter VIII provides informative insight into such areas as folklore, superstitions, medicine, games, marriage and funeral customs, and holidays. Includes a valuable chapter entitled "A Bibliographical Survey."

Books on Individual Volga Villages

These books are written about specific Volga villages, most will be available for purchase from AHSGR. A few are self published and not available from AHSGR, and direct e-mail contacts are provided for information or purchase.

Einwanderung in das Wolgagebiet, 1764-1767 (Band 1)
Immigration to the Volga Region, 1764-1767 (Vol 1) by Dr. Igor Pleve

This book addresses the earliest period of German settlement in the Volga Region of Russia for which information is available. Volume 1 contains the long-awaited lists of original settlers to the Volga Region as compiled in 1767-1768 for the following villages:
Anton, Balzer, Bangert, Bauer, Bettinger, Boaro, Boregard, Brabander, Cäsarsfeld, Chaijsol, Degott, Dehler, Dietel, Dinkel, Dobrinka, Dönhof, Dreispitz, Enders, Ernestinendorf, Fischer, Frank,and Franzosen.
This is groundbreaking research, containing information never before published. This book, printed in German and Russian, is available for purchase through AHSGR.

Einwanderung in das Wolgagebiet, 1764-1767 (Band 2)
Immigration to the Volga Region, 1764-1767 (Vol 2) by Dr. Igor Pleve

This book addresses the earliest period of German settlement in the Volga Region of Russia for which information is available. Volume 2, now available, contains the long-awaited lists of original settlers to the Volga Region as compiled in 1767-1768 for the following villages:
Galka (Ust-Kulalinka), Goebel / Göbel (Ust-Grjasnucha), Graf (Krutojarowka), Grimm (Lesnoj Karamysch), Herzog (Susly), Hildmann (Panowka), Hoelzel / Hölzel (Kotschetnaja), Holstein (Werchnaja Kulalinka), Huck (Splawnucha), Hussaren (Jelschanka), Jagodnaja Poljana / Yagodnaya Polyana, Jost (Popowkina), Kamenka, Kano (Caneau), Katharinenstadt, Kauz (Werschinka), Keller (Krasnorynowka), Köhler / Koehler (Karaulnyj Bujerak), Kolb (Peskowatka), Kraft (Werchnaja Grjasnucha), Krasnyj Jar, Kratzke (Potschinnoje), Kukkus (Wolskaja), and Kutter (Popowka).
This is groundbreaking research, containing information never before published. This book, printed in German and Russian, is available for purchase through AHSGR.

A Voice from the Past "Eine Stimme aus der Vergangenheit" by Pauline Dudek.

The foundation for this book is translation of articles written by Heinrich H. Rehn who was part of the first group to come to America in 1876 with Scout Franz W. Scheibel.. These articles gives an insight into the lives of the early immigrants to America. Copies of original documents are included. It also contains background material of the Germans from Russia as well as information about the first group from Kolb. A short article about the Bruederschaft, selected census records, the churches in Campbell, Nebraska, etc. Lastly there are pictures of Kolb and the Rehn family. If there are any persons who have connections to Campbell, Nebraska or the first group from Kolb, this is a must book. Contact Norman & Pauline Dudek for purchase.

Return to Berry Meadow (Yagodnaya Polyana) by Richard Scheuerman.

A colorful collection of stories about the dramatic experiences of the Germans from Russia, gleaned from the writings of the author and other historians. Contains the account of Scheuerman's remarkable journey to the Volga region in the fall of 1990 as the first westerner since the 1920s allowed to visit the old German colonies.

Norka: A German Village in Russia by Marie M. Olsen and Anna M. Reisbick.

A description of Norka and some reminiscences of individuals who lived in the village during different time periods. This is not a definitive work, but a compilation of research done by these village research coordinator.

 

Frank: A German Village on the Volga by Igor R. Plehve.

 

Kolb: A German Colony on the Volga by Igor R. Plehve.

This volume lists information on various German Russian families from the Volga colony of Kolb, based on censuses from 1798 to 1858. The material has been gathered, compiled, and edited by Dr. Igor R. Plehve of Saratov State University, Saratov, Russia.

Kukkus, a German Village on the Volga by Betty Engel Muradian

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The contents include the history of Kukkus, personal stories, customs, maps, photos of Kukkus, photos of artifacts, documents from Kukkus, and much more. It can be purchased from the Central CA Chapter of AHSGR.

Unsere Leute von Kautz

by Elaine Frank Davison.

These 10 volumes of books spans research from 1979 through 1989 on the descendants from the Volga village of Kautz, Russia (Russian name is Werschinka). Contact Julie Loiacono directly for purchase.

Muhlberg by V. Durov Wasenmueller.

The first 40 pages of the book translated into English by Werner & Ella (Wasenmiller) Wadewitz, gives facts and historical information, a narrative of the mind and soul of the Germans from Russia people living in the village of Muhlberg (aka Shcherbakovka and Tscherbakowka), a Volga village in the Saratov district of Russia. Contact Janet Laubhan Flickinger for purchase.

Yagodnaya Polyana, Daughter and Granddaughter Colonies by Kris Ball.

This comprehensive resource book on Yagodnaya Polyana and its daughter colonies will help any researcher of these villages. Topics covered include: history, daughter colonies, destinations the Americas, resources, books & indexes, family histories, emigrant to Y.P. and list of current researchers by surname. Contact Kris Ball directly for purchase.

Books on Family Histories

The Ehrlichs, Volga German Millers, from Shcherbakovka, Russia to Marion, Kansas by Kathy O'Malley.

Contact Kathy O'Malley for purchase.

 

Papa, How did you say Goodbye? by Emma Wassenmiller Kerbs.

This is a 76 page transcript taken from audio tapes done by Emma for her children. It is the story of her early life in Tscherbakowka (Shcherbakovka/ Muehlberg) and her family's escape from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution in 1921-1922. Contact Kathy O'Malley for purchase.

Miscellaneous Resource Books

The Story of Lehigh (KS) by Loren Weinbrenner.

A settlement of Germans from Russia in Kansas, Lehigh was a booming little town founded in 1877. The manuscript written as a research paper and edited by Janet Flickinger, includes 1895 census records, market prices in 1906, church & school history, early day business owners & more. Contact Janet Laubhan Flickinger for purchase.

St. John Lutheran Church - Russell, Ks 1900-1951

200 pages including a general index; 1928 picture of the sanctuary; list of pastors; limited "Family Register"; "Marriage Register"; "Baptism Register"; "Confirmation Register"; and "Death Register." Contact Janet Laubhan Flickinger for purchase.

Trinity Lutheran Church - Bender Hill, Ks 1883-1955

60 pages including index; list of pastors; a "Chronicle" of the church; early communion lists; limited "Family Register"; "Marriage Register"; "Baptism Register"; "Confirmation Register"; and "Death Register."

Declaration of Intentions filed in Russell Co., KS (1876-1943)

52 pages. Contact Janet Laubhan Flickinger for purchase.

Declaration of Intentions filed in Marion Co., KS (1907-1950).

24 pages

Contact Janet Laubhan Flickinger for purchase.

Colorado & Nebraska Church Books

Numerous church books for the towns of Berthoud, Brighton, Brush, Denver, Eaton, Fort Collins, Fort Morgan, Fruita, Greeley, Loveland, Milliken, Sterling, Sugar City, Windson and McCook, (NE). Order form. Prepared by the AHSGR Denver Metro Chapter.

Germans from Russia in Colorado, 1910 US census

Order form. Prepared by the AHSGR Denver Metro Chapter.

Colorado Naturalization Records of Immigrants from Russia

Order form. Prepared by the AHSGR Denver Metro Chapter.