Histories

  • Education,  Europe,  Tips & Opinions,  WW2

    WW2 American Nazism

    German American Federation/Bund Quoting the US National Archives: “The German American Bund was an unincorporated voluntary national association established on March 29, 1936, to spread the philosophy of National Socialism and to carry out Adolph Hitler’s program insofar as it affected the United States. The leadership of the Bund attempted to meld Nazi racial theories with American patriotic values. Headquartered in New York, the Bund was a nationwide organization having three departments and approximately seventy local chapters throughout the United States, as well as numerous organizations which were directly or indirectly affiliated with it.” The FBI investigated the Bund’s relationship to the Nazi Party of Germany. The FBI records release…

  • Education,  Europe,  Study Aids,  Tips & Opinions

    British (UK) Nazism

    Quoting from: Martin Pugh https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199594788.013.0027 Pages: 489–506 Published: 18 September 2012 Traditionally, fascism in Britain has been seen in fairly narrow terms as a phenomenon of the 1930s associated with Sir Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists (BUF). This approach to the subject made it easy to account for the fortunes of fascism as a movement essentially marginal to British society and thus of limited significance. The Union Movement that Mosley founded in 1948 campaigned for imperial control of Africa, a united Europe, and an end to coloured immigration. But this did not amount to a full fascist programme; the movement found itself caught halfway between the conventional…

  • Thiensdorf Mennonite Church- Source Wikiwand
    German Genealogy Pointers,  Mennonites,  Search Tricks & Tips

    Researching Mennonite Regions of Damals Preußen (former Prussia)

    For those who research the Mennonite areas of what was once Westpreußen (West Prussia) and Ostpreußen (East Prussia), you know it can be very frustrating. For numerous years I have performed these searches in what can be best described as: the best way I knew how! Recently due to a client opportunity, I decided to establish a more thorough, exhaustive, and rigorous approach to conducting my Mennonite research. Do not confuse this approach with being easy, simple, or highly automated. It is, rather, much more disciplined and focused. To begin with, I use three major Genealogical Resources for obtaining Mennonite source material(s). I have listed them below in order of…

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  ManyRoads,  Mennonites

    Researching the Eastern European German Diaspora (Tutorial)

    ManyRoads is pleased to provide this free Eastern European Diaspora “self-help” to individuals researching those regions. Hopefully, you will find the materials below to be of interest and assistive. By way of introduction, this ‘tutorial’ focuses on the populations of Germans in Eastern Europe which reached more than 18 million people scattered in former German communities. Their settlement area was roughly bounded by the Oder-Neisse River (West), the Ural Mountains (in the East), the Baltic Sea (in the North) to Turkey (in the South). Be advised, this tutorial only covers research in the former German Eastern European settlement regions (described above). The Americas, Australia, New Zealand, etc. are not covered.…

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  • Quebec & Canada

    1666 & 1667 New France Census

    If you research New France, as I do; you may find our new ‘sub-site’ of value (link below). The ManyRoads’ 1666/1667 New France Census site focuses on gathering and providing to combined content of both the first and second Censuses of New France. These enumerations were taken by intendant Jean Talon.  He conducted the census largely by himself, traveling door-to-door among the settlements of New France. He did not include Native American inhabitants of the colony, or the religious orders such as the Jesuits or Recollets. The initial census was taken during the winter of 1665-66. But because the first census missed as many as 25% of the colony’s French…

  • ManyRoads,  Shoah

    Leo Hubert & Hedwig Schülein (Their Life and Fate)

    The following post represents the latest information I have on my partner and friend’s grandparents, mother, and uncle. May they never be forgotten. Leo Hubert, merchant, was born on 14 November 1891 in Cronheim, Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen, Bayern, Germany to Ruben Hubert and Emma, née Ebert. Leo fought with distinction in the First World War and was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class, the Bavarian Military Cross 3rd class, and the insignia of the wounded. (Military records are available from Ancestry.com or from the author, if requested via the ManyRoads contact page.) On 16 May 1922 he married Hedwig Sara Schülein. Hedwig Sara geboren Schülein was born 25 Feb 1901 Thalmässing, Regensburg,…

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  • Frisches Haff Flucht 18 Feb 1945
    Expulsion - Vertriebenen

    Soviet Aerial Attacks (2 partial Reports)

    The content and material for this post came to my possession via a recommendation of a very good Polish friend who lives in Elbląg, Polska (formerly Elbing, Westpreußen). The Soviet military text was generously translated by Irina Yanushkevich (retired Linguistics Professor and ManyRoads partner). The original source material was sourced and posted on facebook by Szymon Gieryga. English translation of the two Soviet documents (contained in the above folder). Frisches Haff Flucht-Report-1 (English Translation) 3) ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST THE ENEMY TROOPS RETREATING ALONG ICY ROADS ACROSS THE BAY OF FRISCHES HAFFOn the 18th the division was to perform a special task: to destroy the enemy troops retreating along the spit…

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  • Mennonites

    West Prussian Mennonite Church Records & Land Records

    In an effort to simplify and gather crucial West Prussian Mennonite Records, I have developed this small list. Most of the pointers come from Forums and Listings associated with Bethel College, MennonteGenealogy, and Dr. Tim Janzen. Genealogical Resources for the Low German Mennonite Researcher Prussian/Polish Mennonite church record books: Alexanderwohl/Przechowka Danzig/Gdansk Mennonite congregation Elbing/Elblag Mennonite congregation Fürstenwerder Mennonite congregation Heinrichsdorf, Volhynia, Mennonite congregation Heubuden Mennonite congregation Karolswalde, Volhynia, church book notes Königsberg congregation Ladekopp Mennonite congregation Michalin-Gnadenberg-Grace Hill Mennonite congregation Montau Orlofferfelde Rosenort Schönsee-Kulmer Niederung congregation Thiensdorf-Markushof Tiegenhagen Tragheimerweide Land Records: Graudenz and Schwetz land records Mennonite Villages in the Danzig District in 1820 Mennonite villages in the Marienwerder District, West Prussia 1820 West Prussian…

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  • Deutsche Reichsgründung 1871
    German Genealogy Pointers,  Prussia

    Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte (German Administrative History) 1871-1990

    One of the Internet’s most valuable German research websites has been removed from service, Dr. Michael Rademacher’s: Deutsche Verwaltungsgeschichte von der Reichseinigung 1871 bis zur Wiedervereinigung 1990 (German administrative history from the Reich Agreement of 1871 to reunification in 1990). I do not know the reason for the site’s (and its related facebook site’s) removal; but I happen to have a copy of the original site (reconstructed from the Wayback Machine) and present it here in memory of its author: Dr. Michael Rademacher M.A.. I make no claim of ownership, nor do I acknowledge responsibility for the original site’s content. As per the original site: alle Rechte vorbehalten (all rights…

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  • Yellow star- Jude-Jew
    ManyRoads,  Shoah

    Shoah Statistics

    ManyRoads is extremely pleased to announce the pre-release of our new Shoah Statistics website. ShoahStatistics is ManyRoads’ largest, most historically significant, genealogical work effort and publication, to date. The main focus of ShoahStatistics.com is the systematic, disciplined compilation of the statistics (and source documentation) of the German Jewish population (as well as the other victims of National Socialism) at the time of national socialism. ShoahStatistics is in a pre-release state (today) and remains a work in progress. Our new site is not finished; however, I do believe that we have enough primary source Holocaust content online to be useful. Rest assured more content is on its way. To view the…

  • A group of Roma in an open area in the Belzec extermination camp (1940)
    Shoah,  WW2

    Victims of National Socialism

      ManyRoads’ recent client work has resulted in the identification of Information Resources on the victims of National Socialism (Nazism), 1938- 1945. These resources include information and data on those people(s) persecuted on political grounds; on grounds of religion, nationality, sexual orientation; for their physical or mental handicap; for accusations of so-called asociality; those who otherwise fell victim to Nazi injustice; or left their homeland to escape persecution. These sites include information on Sinti and Roma (Gypsies), Intellectuals, Homosexuals, Catholics, political opponents, and, of course, Jews. If you have other links you would like us to share, please use our contact page to notify us. The links on this page encompass…

  • WW2

    World War II: “The Resistance”

      In conducting a client search recently, I had need to unearth information regarding Nazi Resistance and Group Membership. As part of my effort, I elected to gather and archive many of the links I used to help me conduct my investigation. The links are listed below, perhaps you will find them useful. Perhaps you have others you would like to share. Should you be seeking additional guidance and help in conducting European genealogical research, you will find help on our Prussian-German Free Genealogy Help page. WW1 & WW2 (Links)

  • Behringersdorf Juden Raus
    Shoah

    Racial & Citizenship Laws in the Third Reich

    First, let me provide you with a bit of context. Currently, I am engaged in a very significant holocaust research and website development effort. While conducting my research and developing the related websites, I have come to believe that many people today have an extremely limited understanding of the legal background and governmental frameworks constructed by the Third Reich to legalize and justify the abomination that was the Holocaust (or Shoah). Be advised, I in no way condone or approve of the underlying laws and/or government actions mentioned in this article. I offer this information for informational and understanding purposes only. This human tragedy did not happen by accident; it…

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  • Jewish forced Laborers in a water works camp (Wasserwirtschaftslager) in the Lublin District, IPN Lublin 500-44
    Shoah

    Add’l Holocaust Resources Uncovered

    For those of you who are seeking good sources of information regarding the Holocaust- Shoah, hopefully you will find the following sites of value. While conducting a Holocaust- Shoah site development activity with a colleague from Germany and in performing Shoah client work, I have recently uncovered several extremely valuable websites. Included among these are: The International Tracing Service “ITS Digital Collections Online“ The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI)-Countries A general introduction to the EHRI country reports can be found on the EHRI project website. The EHRI also has three very interesting recent BLOG entries: Forced Labourers and the Water Works Camps in the Lublin District Online Finding Aid on…

  • Thiensdorf Mennonite Church- Source Wikiwand
    Mennonites

    Recent Mennonite Record Discovery

    If like me you are always in search of new Prussian Mennonite records, my recent discovery of Mennonite Church records located in Berlin may be of interest. The records are I stumbled upon are located in the Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz in Berlin (The Secret State Archives of Prussian Cultural Heritage). The archives offer online (Free) access to the Kirchenbücher von Mennonitengemeinden (Church Books of the Mennonite Communities); they cover the years 1661 – 1905. The communities included in this archive are those Mennonite Communities formerly in Königsberg, Markushof, Montau und Gruppe, Thiensdorf. All of these communities were ethnically cleansed of Mennonites following WW2 by the Soviets and their allies;…

  • WW2

    GULAG

      Many families, like mine, were victims of the Soviet GULAG system. My oma (maternal grand mother) spent more than two years in a Central Asian Gulag from 1945 to 1947. You may read her story in an earlier post on ManyRoads: Frieda Senger- Post WW2 Gulag. To celebrate 70 years since her release, I have gathered and provide the following listing of GULAG related Internet sites: Gulags (Links) Should you be aware of additional Internet GULAG resources, please contact me with requisite ‘link information’.  

  • Luftgaukommando Munchen about 1938
    Senger,  WW2

    Luise Senger WW2 and after

    Now that my mother is no longer with us, I think it is safe to share her WW2 and post-WW2 military career(s). This written remembrance of Luise Senger’s Military Service was related to Mark Rabideau by Luise (Senger) Rabideau in December of 2005 and was approved by her for publication in our family history after her death. Luise Senger was a Lieutenant in the Deutsche Luftwaffe during WWII. (This is extraordinarily rare as there are essentially “no records” of female officers in the WW2 Deutsche Luftwaffe.) She served in Berlin, Bromberg, Munich as well as other German Air Force bases. On January 14, 1945, she departed Fliegerhorst Bromberg and was…

  • Three chiefs of the Huron
    Active Research,  New York- New England,  Quebec & Canada

    Native Peoples & Indian wars of 1665-1779

    I am in the process of gathering materials related to the North Eastern (New England/ New York & Bas Canada) Native Peoples, plus the wars between those Native Peoples and the European invaders encroaching upon them. My family, perhaps like yours, comes from both sides of that invasion. The libraries referred to on this page will change and evolve in the coming weeks. Currently our library is approaching 50 Documents (texts), images, etc., with more than 5,000 pages of information. I will publish another notice, both here and on social media, when I feel I have found the bulk of what I am likely to uncover.  As with most of…

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  • Fort Orange on the Hudson
    Active Research,  New York- New England

    Beverwyck, Rensselaerswyck, Fort Orange Research

    Long ago and far away, in an alternate universe, there were nascent Dutch Communities in what is today’s upstate New York. These were the communities of Beverwyck, Fort Orange, and Rensselaerswyck, all parts of New Netherland. My family (the Rabideau- Deyos) are directly descended from members of those early Hudson and Mohawk Valley European settlements. As with many communities which were absorbed and subsumed by others, plus with the advancement of time, materials and data become increasingly rare. Because I am actively researching this region, as well as, my ancestors of those times and places, I have scoured the Internet for useful materials. In order to make access to these materials…

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  • Pioneers,  Quebec & Canada,  Rabideau

    Marie Olivier Sylvestre (Manit8abe8ich – Manitouabeouich – Manitouabewich)

    Source: article from America-Canadian Genealogist, Issue #96, Vol 29, 2nd Quarter, 2003 found on Rootsweb (here) Author: Lucie Bisson Morency #4893   Posting revision(s): 13 Feb 2021 Introduction Who is this Marie Olivier Sylvestre Manit8abe8ich? At the Bisson Family Reunion in August 2000, professor Marcel Clique, announced that the Bissons have an Indian in their genealogy and her name is Marie Olivier Sylvestre Manit8abe8ich. She was a young Huron Indian or maybe Algonquin. This seems to start us with a little problem that could prove difficult to affirm. In most genealogical and historical sources that I came across during my research at the American-Canadian Genealogical Society, Marie Olivier Sylvestre is acknowledged as…

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  • WW1

    Casualty Lists of World War I Austria-Hungary 1914-1919

    A century ago, Austro-Hungarian forefathers fought, lived, and died in the horrors of World War I. Many sons, brothers and fathers were drafted into the military. Millions were wounded, captured or died. Their fates were published in the casualty lists of Austria-Hungary. Unfortunately, there is no effective index for these lists. Any full-text search yields unsatisfactory results due to the poor print quality of the lists. Therefore, GenTeam has decided to create a fully searchable index for these records. This enormous task cannot be accomplished without your help. Will you, please, help the GenTeam through your assistance? Please help keep these soldiers from being forgotten. Particulars on how you can help are available from the…

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  • Shoah,  WW2

    The beginning of World War 2- Beginn Zweiter Weltkrieg

    Adolf Hitler: Reichstagsrede mit Kriegserklärung an Polen vom 01.09.1939 Abgeordnete! Männer des deutschen Reichstages! The recording of Hitler’s address is below. Note: Adolf Hitler is first introduced and begins speaking about 55 seconds into the recording. Seit Monaten leiden wir alle unter der Qual eines Problems, das uns auch der Versailler Vertrag, d.h. das Versailler Diktat, einst beschert hat, eines Problems, das in seiner Ausartung und Entartung für uns unerträglich geworden war. Danzig war und ist eine deutsche Stadt.Der Korridor war und ist deutsch. Alle diese Gebiete verdanken ihre kulturelle Erschliessung ausschliesslich dem deutschen Volke. Ohne das deutsche Volk würde in all diesen Östlichen Gebieten tiefste Barbarei herrschen. Danzig wurde…

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  • Mennonites,  Shoah,  WW2

    Mennonites, Zeyer, and the Holocaust

    Sometimes genealogy research leads to unexpected places. It can dash assumptions and destroy illusions; such was the result of my casual search for information and photographs from the ‘former’ area of Zeyer in Kreis Elbing. I had hoped to find photos of churches and hidden information about the community; instead I uncovered something more ominous and disturbing. Perhaps like many of you, I had always assumed that Mennonites did their best to avoid military service as well as political involvement in more ‘earthly’ pursuits. I had assumed Mennonites were people of peace. I even have their pages labelled as such here on ManyRoads. But, I was wrong. The first revelation…

  • Kreis Elbing,  Shoah

    Demise of the Elbing Synagogue and Jewish Community

    November 9-10, 1938 – “Kristallnacht” Elbing, Germany (today Elbląg, Poland) On the night of 9 to 10 November 1938 in the presence of the Mayor (Johannes O. H. Woelk), of Elbing, Germany officials of the Gestapo, the SS, the Elbing Fire Brigade, set fire to the Elbing synagogue and Jewish community house. Jewish men were arrested, beaten and robbed of their property. Windows were broken in all the Jewish shops in the city. At two o’clock in the morning, Elbing was steeped in a damp darkness and fog. Lantern light barely broke through the darkness. A large portion of the city was awake. Dressed in long military coats, people marched…

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  • Histories

    Quick & Easy History

    By way of making history a ‘little bit’ more interesting and fun, here are numerous YouTube presentations. Hopefully they will help provide some historical perspective for what happened to your European/ North American forebears, and when. Be advised the form and format of these videos are ‘diverse’.  Their length and ‘professionalism’ (slickness) also varies greatly. Nonetheless, I hope you find the videos informative with easy to digest data. Contents Culture-Gene Interactions in Human Origins European History 3000BC to present History of Europe (3000 BC – 2013 AD) The Holy Roman Empire 1000 Years Time-Lapse Map of Europe (1000 – 2000 AD) Various Major European/ World Wars The Napoleonic Wars: Every…

  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Polish Genealogy,  Search Tricks & Tips,  Shoah,  WW2

    Shoah Research (Holocaust) Resources

    For those conducting Shoah (Holocaust) research, you know how difficult good resources and information are to find. Recently I came across a number of ‘less well-known’ (to me) web sites that offer a wealth of source and context information.  Hopefully, these links will be of some use in your research efforts. Nazi holocaust documents found: 6,300 files discovered behind wall of Budapest apartment Many educators appreciate the value of using primary source materials in the classroom. The documents selected for this section provide many possibilities for classroom discussion or student activities. The Virginia Holocaust Museum BYU Harold B. Lee Library Shoah (Holocaust) Selected Digitized Documents Related to the Holocaust and…

  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Polish Genealogy,  Prussia,  Search Tricks & Tips

    NEHGS Searchable German Duplicate Records

    Today, I received an email from one of our readers (Beth Golden).  Beth’s note provided the following information: German Church Book Duplicates (Online at American Ancestors- New England Historic Genealogical Society) Germany, Baden, Church Book Duplicates, 1810-1869 Germany, Prussia, Brandenburg and Posen, Church Book Duplicates, 1794-1874 These collections of church records for the territories of Baden, Brandenburg and Posen, Germany, were obtained from church book duplicates that were annually provided to the German state for use by civil authorities. If a particular region had only one religious institution, the clergy often recorded the births, marriages, and deaths of all local individuals regardless of religious affiliation. Microfilm numbers noted in the…

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Polish Genealogy,  Shoah,  WW2

    Shoah Research- Getting Started

      Are you embarking on Shoah (Holocaust) research?  Would you like a little coaching in this area of research? Although I can hardly claim to be a Shoah research expert, I am more than willing to share what I have learned. By way of providing some background, for the past nine months, or so, I have been helping folks attempt to unearth the stories behind their Jewish roots in Poland and Germany,  trying to discover ‘lost’ family records, and more.  It has been quite the adventure. Needless to say, the Shoah is an area of emotion, sadness, mystery, frustration, intrigue, and much more.  I thought that perhaps others might benefit…

  • Mennonites,  Quakers

    Quakers, Mennonites, and the Church of the Brethren

    Today whilst, reviewing my ‘multi-days’ old news feeds, I came across an interesting article with new ‘to me’ information and links. The article mentioned and provided a link to the Friends Collection and Earlham College Archives.  The Friends Collection at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana includes the college’s books and periodicals on Quakerism, manuscripts related to Friends, and Earlham College historical materials. As good fortune would have it, the first page I selected on their website provided the following list of additional links. These links go beyond Quaker information to include information regarding Mennonites and Church of the Brethren. I have added all these links to the ManyRoads Links Library .  …

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Polish Genealogy,  WW2

    Why are so many records missing?

    Why is it so hard to find genealogy information in the areas of Prussia, Poland, and Germany? Where did all the information go? Was the information moved to some safe place? I hear this type of question and discussion often. The answers to those questions are actually quite simple and brief; although achieving an appreciation and understanding of their response is often somewhat more elusive. Question: Where did all the information go? Answer: Much was destroyed or lost, never to be recovered. Question: Was the information moved to some safe place? Answer: The truth is there were few, if any safe places. Early ‘on the eve of destruction‘, many ‘crucial’ records/documents…

  • Mennonites,  Senger

    Thiensdorf Nachfahrenliste- 2015

    ManyRoads Related Materials ManyRoads Articles Cornelius Schepansky Family(ies) Hermann Schepansky Anna Heinrichs Family Hermann Schepansky Marie Claussen Family Source Documents Cornelius Schepansky Families Hermann Schepanski Anna Heinrichs Family Hermann Schepanski Marie Claussen Family credit for the following material belongs largely to: Alfons Szczepanski (the keeper of all things Szczepanski!) … I just added the English ‘bits’, the formatting, the photo, and our Schepansky links (above). Vorbemerkungen/ Introduction: Szczepanski Mennonitenfamilie Geschichte. Nach der mündlichen Familienüberlieferung war der Stammvater ein katholischer Knecht namens Szczepanski (Szepansky), der bei einem mennonitischen Bauern von der Mennonitengemeinde Plauschwarren, Kreis Gumbinnen (Ostpreußen, auch “Preußisch-Litauen” genannt) arbeitete. Dieser Knecht ließ sich mennonitisch taufen und heiratete eine Mennonitin. Als…

  • Expulsion - Vertriebenen,  German Genealogy Pointers,  ManyRoads,  Polish Genealogy

    70 years on…

    As everyone most certainly knows, this year is 2015. 7 May 2015 marks the official surrender date of German forces, some 70 years ago.For those who focus on 1945 as the end of WW2 in Europe, it was.  Sadly, 1945 was not just an ending; it was also the beginning of the total destruction and removal of a ~600 year old way of life, a culture, and the homeland for millions of Eastern Germans.  In the years following 1945, some 12 to 14 million people were forcibly removed from their homes and expelled from the recently surrendered German Eastern provinces. To place these events into a reasonably balanced historical context,…

  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Mennonites,  Polish Genealogy,  Prussia,  Search Tricks & Tips

    Researching “Lost” Eastern German Provinces

    Many people get confused when conducting searches for their Eastern German forebears; this is especially true if those forebears purport to have been from Prussia (Preussen), Pomerania (Pommern), Silesia (Schlesien). Note: I have written a detailed article on helping you determine whether or not your family was Prussian and if so, what type. It might not surprise you that I encounter a lot of people having trouble doing, or trying to do, ‘their’ Prussian research. Given I have fairly extensive research experience in those regions of Europe, I thought I’d put together a quick tutorial, or key, for identifying and finding clues to those Eastern German ancestors ‘of ours’ who…

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Polish Genealogy,  WW1

    ICRC World War 1 Prisoner of War Database

    The International Committee of the Red Cross recently published a Free, online database of WW1 prisoners of war. The ICRC WW1 PoW Database contains some 5 million records and offers exceptional insights into the conditions and circumstances of the time, period and situation. Based on my testing of the ‘tool’, I think a few words of caution are in order: Be certain to read the instructions on How-to use the tool. (It might work in ‘unexpected’ ways; it did for me.) There is a nice tutorial (and it is easy to use). Often the print is faint; look closely at the records. Much of the text is in script; as…

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Mennonites

    Might your family be descended from Prussian Mennonites?

      Do you believe you might be descended of “Prussian” Mennonites?  Are you unsure?  Is it worth a look? To get a good idea of who the Low German Mennonites were (and whether you might be descended of this group) please review the Family/ Surname list provided on MennoniteDNA. If you find one of your family names on that list then please “read on.” For those who research family in West & East Prussia (today the area is in Northeastern Poland) an important, but ‘not very well known’, set of genealogical source documents should be included in your search – West & East Prussian Mennonite church record books .  I…

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  • Kreis Elbing

    When paths cross

    This article is cross posted from the PEP, Inc. website. There are times in life when paths cross.  As many of you may know, among my greatest interests are both process improvement (my ‘day job’) and my family (not just those living but also including my past, meaning my ‘genealogy’). Well, yesterday was one of those days where my day job and my family genealogy passions crossed. A couple of years ago through my genealogy work, I had the good fortune of meeting a young man (by my standards pretty much everyone is young).  His name is Pawel. As it happens, Pawel and his mother attended some of the same…

  • Prussia

    Altpreussische Monatsschrift (von 1864 bis 1913)

    AltPreußische Monatsschrift (original source materials located here – here – here) hrsg. unter Mitwirkung der Königlichen Deutschen Gesellschaft zu Königsberg und des Vereins für die Geschichte Ost- und Westpreußens. – Königsberg, Pr. : Thomas & Oppermann Abkürzungstitel: APM. – Digitalisiert von Google Books. – ZDB-ID: 506912-9. APM Register 1-40, bearb. von Max Perlbach (1905) Almost all are also located at the Biblioteka Elbląska. APM 01 (1864) APM 02 (1865) APM 03 (1866) APM 04 (1867) APM 05 (1868) APM 06 (1869) APM 07 (1870) APM 08 (1871) APM 09 (1872) APM 10 (1873) APM 11 (1874) APM 12 (1875) APM 13 (1876) APM 14 (1877) APM 15 (1878) APM 16 (1879) APM…

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  • Mennonites

    Des Anabaptistes á Montbéliard

    Anabaptistes á Montbéliard (French only) Les anabaptistes mennonites à Montbéliard Histoire : sur les traces de la petite communauté chrétienne des anabaptistes mennonites  

  • Kreis Elbing

    How I came over from [Zeyer] Germany

    An “old neighbor” from Zeyer, Karl Jochem (deceased), whose descendants now live in the US, wrote the following school assignment, after his arrival in the US in the early 1900s. Because most of my stories are from the period immediately after the Second World War, I thought our readership might enjoy this tale of adventure and exploration from “a better more hopeful time”. Thank you for sharing Dan! HOW I CAME OVER FROM GERMANY (by Karl Jochem for school assignment) I was born in Germany. The village was Zeyer, which is some eight miles north of the city Elbing, West Prussia. My father was fishing. He afterwards bought a farm…

  • Kreis Elbing

    The Elbing Streetcars return

    Der historische Straßenbahnwagen stehen wieder auf dem Alten Markt in Elbing/Elblag. (The historical streetcars are once again in the Elbing/Elblag Old Market.) Click on the following photo to view a live webcam feed of the Old Elbing/Elblag Market.

  • Expulsion - Vertriebenen,  Kreis Elbing

    Grete geb. Roschkowski & Hannelore geb. Petroschka- Remembrances of Elbing

    Hannelore Petroschka and Grete geb. Roschkowski were among the tens of thousands of Germans forcibly removed from their home by the German Expulsion – “Ethnic Cleansing” of  Elbing/Elblag following World War 2. In March of 2013, I was contacted by Hannelore’s grand-daughter who wrote: My Grandmother Hannelore was born in Elbing [West Prussia] in 1923 to Julius Petroschka and Grete Roschkowski (whose family owned a furniture factory in Elbing). After my grandmother died a lot of her belongings were lost but we have recently discovered a box of photographs which included a lot of post cards from Elbing and the surrounding areas. It seems my great grandmother purchased them before…

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  • Kreis Elbing

    Bericht ueber den Untergang der Synagogengemeinde Elbing/ Report on the Destruction of the Elbing Synagogue

    World War 2 and its aftermath was a tragic period for the inhabitants of Elbing Westpreussen (Elblag, Poland, today). It is essential to preserve and honor the history and travails of those people and their times. To quote: “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” Martin Luther King, Jr. “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Albert Einstein It is in this spirit that I am pleased to announce, courtesy of the Leo Baeck Institute, ManyRoads is able to present a transcribed version of the   Bericht ueber den Untergang der…

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  • Kreis Elbing

    Elbing Damals- new photos

    For those of you who might be interested in viewing my latest batch of Elbing “Damals” Photos. (Fals Sie interesse darueber haben, hier sind meine lezte Elbing Damals Fotos) The following images were added today (Die folgende Fotos sind jetzt auf ManyRoads): Alte Giebelhaeuser Alte Haeuser Spieringstrasse circa1935 Alter Markt circa 1935 Blick auf St. Nikolai-Kirche 1940 Blick auf St Nikolai durch die Fleischerstrasse 17.1.13 Blick ueber den Elbing-Fluss Brueckstrasse Fischmarkt Markttreiben mit Geschaefte Friedrichstrasse 1916 Lagerhaeuser am Elbingfluss Marktstrasse mit Friseurgeschaeft und Giesskanne Moltkestrasse mit ober Real Schule 1918 Moltkestrasse Realgymnasium 1927 Patrizierhaeuser Spieringstrasse circa 1935 Rathaus mit Erweiterungsbau 1931 Real-Gymnasium um 1900 Sankt Georgen-Bruederhaus circa 1910 Sankt Marienkirche…

  • Active Research,  Mennonites,  Technology & Tools

    Anabaptist-Mennonite DNA project participation

    As many of you may have already guessed, our families and ancestries are crowded with Mennonite and Amish peoples- Anabaptists. For years, we knew of the Rich (Henss Family Branch)  connections to the Swiss- Elsass/Alsace,  Montbeliard/ Bern communities. More recently, we have come to understand quite a bit of the Senger (Rabideau Family Branch) connections to the West Prussian / East Prussian Mennonite communities. Because of the smallish nature of these original communities, we (Becky, my wife, and I) have elected to purchase DNA tests from 23andMe and submit our DNA test results for inclusion in the Mennonite DNA Project. This past weekend our 23andme DNA test kits arrived!  Now…

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Mennonites

    “Our” Mennonite Churches in Europe

    As you may have noticed, a “goodly portion” (to quote my father-in-law) portion of both sides of the Henss & Rabideau families have roots in Amish/ Mennonite/ Anabaptist traditions.  Out of curiosity, actually out of a desire to find church building photos, I did a little web research on our families’ past church homes.  As you might have guessed, nothing identifiable remains of our Prussian/ Poland Mennonite congregations, the Second World War took care of that.  However, I have stumbled across a number of our families’ Alsatian congregations on the Internet. It is wonderful to see that many of our predecessors’ beliefs and traditions live on and that our family’s…

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Mennonites

    Swiss- Alsatian Mennonite- Anabaptist Research

    This page contains information regarding source materials I am using from across the Internet to conduct Henss/ Rich family research. These links and pages will change ‘automagically’, over time, as I add, change, and delete materials in Mendeley. If you wish, you may also join the group and contribute to the research library. Related Anabaptist- Mennonite Sources Prussian Mennonite Research Materials Mennonite/Amish/Anabaptist Research Materials  

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  • German Genealogy Pointers,  Mennonites

    Mennonite/Amish/Anabaptist Research Materials

    For those interested in following my Anabaptist information gathering process/ results, I will publish my Mennonite Mendeley related folder contents on this page. Because of the rather extensive listings, over time I will create numerous sub-pages that will be accessible from here. These links and pages will change ‘automagically’, over time, as I add, change, and delete materials in Mendeley. If you wish, you may also join the group and contribute to the research library. Related Anabaptist- Mennonite Sources Swiss- Alsatian Mennonite- Anabaptist Research Prussian Mennonite Research Materials

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  • Luise- Richard- Frieda Senger Zuhause circa 1940
    Kreis Elbing,  Thoughts

    Past to future

      .revised 5 July 2021 Over the past few years, I have been mulling over the significance of history, war, and the ravages of time.  Quite the happy thoughts I know. I suppose this stream of consciousness was initiated by my review of some photos from my mother’s family church in Zeyer, Westpreussen, in what is today Poland.  Then today an Internet friend sent an article from today’s Elbląg, Poland (what used to be Elbing, West Prussia, Germany) regarding their German past. Here are the photos and articles that prompt my thoughts. The first sets of photos focus on the Zeyer Evangelische Kirche- Zeyer Lutheran Church as well as the…

  • New York- New England

    Basketball in Easthampton- one family’s account

    In 2010 I published a posting on pro-basketball in Easthampton, Mass.  Yesterday Jeffrey Baker, a ManyRoads reader, was kind enough to send these images and family story along. Enjoy! James R Knox was my maternal grandfather. Raised in the Easthampton area, went on to work at the Veterans Hospital in Northampton MA in the Personnel Office, eventually becoming Quartermaster. Unfortunately there is no listing of any of the other ruffians pictured…nor of the coaches. The details were noted by George W Knox, brother of James R. “Beaver” Knox. Interesting on how he has the Celtics in Boston in the 1920’s. The other scan is EHS years ’13 – ’14. No…

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  • Expulsion - Vertriebenen,  Senger

    Die Wedhorn Vertreibung (Expulsion)

    Note:  This account is the product of numerous discussions, interviews and writings between Frieda geboren Wedhorn, her son Norbert Grohmann, and Mark Rabideau.  Every effort has been made to remain true to the intent, content and events of this life altering time. During the days preceding Frieda geboren Wedhorn’s capture and deportation by the Soviets, heavy fighting began in and around the Wedhorn family home in Orlofferfelde, Westpreußen.  During this time, around March 1945, Soviet Red Army soldiers came to the Wedhorn farmhouse, took possession and refuge within it and while there they attacked and raped Frieda (geboren Wedhorn). Shortly after the rape, the Soviet soldiers were forced to leave…