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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
<strong>Volume</strong> XIV <strong>Issue</strong> 2 Gladys Schmidt, Editor March-April 2013<br />
CHAPTER MEETING<br />
Sunday, March 24, 2013<br />
St. John’s Lutheran Church<br />
1701 L Street<br />
Sacramento, CA<br />
1:30 P.M.<br />
Program<br />
The March meeting will be given by George Niesl and<br />
Don Schell. Sometimes people learn a new language in<br />
order to travel, and other times it’s to study their history<br />
or heritage. This time it’s to illustrate how foreign words<br />
find their way into places you would least expect them.<br />
You will enjoy how words are not going to be thought of<br />
the same by two people. You will enjoy this<br />
presentation. Don Schell<br />
President’s Message<br />
CUSTOMS AND LIFE,<br />
RUSSIAN-GERMAN COLONISTS*<br />
For a long time, American cooking did not<br />
become fashionable among the Russian-Germans and<br />
tracing the Russian-German menu to its historical<br />
origins could be interesting. “Borscht”, i.e. cabbage<br />
soup with mutton (Krautsupp mit Schofflaasch) seems to<br />
show a Russian influence while “Krapfen”, i.e.<br />
doughnuts or fritters (“Kreppel”) remind one of the<br />
Hessian origin of the Volga Germans and “Spaetzele”<br />
i.e. dumplings are reminders of the Swabian origin of the<br />
Black Sea Germans. Very seldom did I get an<br />
American breakfast on my travels in the Russian-<br />
German areas, for usually fried sausage (Bratwurst) and<br />
bread were eaten according to the custom of the old<br />
homeland. Autumn is the festive season among the<br />
Russian-Germans. On every farm a major event is the<br />
butchering of pigs and the making of sausage. After<br />
this, the last pleasant weeks are spent in visiting from<br />
house to house. Also, weddings are usually postponed<br />
until this time of year.<br />
Since retirement usually brings with it some<br />
form of sickness, this is a fertile field for doctors, of<br />
whom some have been traveling and practicing in the<br />
Russian-German territory for years.<br />
George Niesl<br />
2013 OFFICERS<br />
President: George W. Niesl -- 916-447-7508 Email:<br />
g_dniesl@yahoo.com (Underscore between g & d)<br />
Vice President: Donald M. Schell-- (916) 428-6495<br />
Email: donnorschell@att.net<br />
Secretary: Harvey Schmidt -- (916) 771-5105<br />
Email: hngschmidt@comcast.net<br />
Treasurer: Gladys Schmidt -- (916) 771-5105<br />
Email: hngschmidt@comcast.net<br />
Member at Large and Librarian: Duane W. Bittner<br />
(916) 331-9725; Email: gerusbit@comcast.net<br />
Hospitality & Refreshments: Beverly Grubbs –<br />
916-682-8074 Email: beverlygrubbs@frontier.com<br />
Chapter Meeting Dates for <strong>GRHS</strong><br />
(Mark your calendars)<br />
March 24, 2013<br />
May <strong>19</strong>, 2013 (Note change)<br />
September 22, 2013<br />
November 24, 2013<br />
CONDOLENCES TO:<br />
Hilda Bauman Schaefer, Lodi, CA on the death of her<br />
sister, Rosina Bauman Stiegelmeier, Bismarck, ND<br />
formerly from Selby, SD
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
<strong>Volume</strong> XIV <strong>Issue</strong> 2 Gladys Schmidt, Editor March-April 2013<br />
GERMANS FROM RUSSIA HERITAGE SOCIETY<br />
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Minutes of Jan. 20, 2013<br />
The Northern California Chapter of Germans from<br />
Russia Heritage Society met on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 at<br />
St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento. Pres.<br />
George Niesl called the meeting to order at 1:45.<br />
George then led us in the flag pledge and an opening<br />
prayer. We had <strong>19</strong> in attendance. Dorothy Niesl was<br />
unable to be with us and so we did not have our usual<br />
song fest.<br />
MINUTES. Pres. George called attention to the<br />
minutes of our last meeting on Nov. 25 which were<br />
published in the chapter newsletter.<br />
TREASURER’S REPORT. Gladys Schmidt gave her<br />
report which showed the following: Beginning balance<br />
$885.26; Receipts of $205; and disbursements of $40<br />
leaving a year end balance of $1050.26. The report was<br />
approved.<br />
MEMBERSHIP. Gladys is happy to accept your $10<br />
for the 2013 membership and reminded everyone that<br />
the dues for the national <strong>GRHS</strong> are $50 and can be<br />
mailed to headquarters in Bismarck.<br />
OLD BUSINESS. Duane Bittner brought up the idea of<br />
a flag stand and also additional cabinet storage for our<br />
use. Pres. George will look into this and report at our<br />
next meeting,<br />
NEW BUSINESS. Irma Lowe would like to see us get<br />
out more publicity for our chapter. We established a<br />
committee of Irma Lowe, Pat Pederson and Cindy Jones<br />
to look into how to get out more publicity and they will<br />
report at our next meeting on March 24.<br />
PROGRAM. V. Pres. Don Schell spoke briefly saying<br />
that our plan for the day was to present ideas on<br />
genealogy and research. Duane Bittner and others will<br />
help with this. Duane B. also discussed the Stump book<br />
which is a large book with a great deal of information<br />
about our ancestors in both Germany and in S. Russia.<br />
He much prefers this book on a CD which is available<br />
from the office in Bismarck. More information about<br />
this will be presented at our March meeting,<br />
We adjourned the meeting at 3:30 after which we had<br />
our usual time of food and fellowship. Under the<br />
leadership of Bev Grubbs, everyone was encouraged to<br />
bring an “ethnic dish” such as were enjoyed by our<br />
grandparents. We especially want to thank Marlene<br />
Strand for her Halupsey; Ingrid Azevedo for her<br />
Koenigsberger Klapse; Sauerkraut and Sausages by Pat<br />
Pederson and Cindy Jones and Sauerkraut and Ribs by<br />
Duane Bittner. Thanks to Bev Grubbs and Margaret<br />
Chamberlain for all the work of setting up and cleaning<br />
up after this most enjoyable adventure in great food from<br />
the “old days”.<br />
Our next meeting will be here on March 24. Mark your<br />
calendars now.<br />
Respectfully submitted,<br />
Harvey Schmidt, Secretary<br />
43nd Annual<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage<br />
Society International Convention<br />
July 17-21, 2013<br />
at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel<br />
Bismarck, ND Seeking Convention Volunteers!<br />
Volunteers are at the heart of the Germans from<br />
Russia Heritage Society, and the convention is<br />
no exception.<br />
If you would like to volunteer to help at the<br />
convention please contact Rachel at <strong>GRHS</strong><br />
Headquarters.<br />
Looking forward to seeing you there!
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
<strong>Volume</strong> XIV <strong>Issue</strong> 2 Gladys Schmidt, Editor March-April 2013<br />
www.grhs.org<br />
Membership Renewals<br />
Please remember that in order to be active, voting<br />
members of the No. Cal. Chapter, you must also be<br />
members of the International <strong>GRHS</strong>. Thus, all persons<br />
who are friends of the chapter are encouraged to be<br />
members of the <strong>GRHS</strong> in Bismarck, ND.<br />
<strong>GRHS</strong> Northern California Chapter ...... $10.00*<br />
*(SEE FORM ON back page)<br />
<strong>GRHS</strong>……………………………….......$50.00<br />
(Mail the <strong>GRHS</strong> dues directly to 1125 W. Turnpike<br />
Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501);<br />
Glückstal Colonies Research Association …$20.00<br />
(Mail to GCRA, 48<strong>19</strong> W. Seminary Avenue, Richmond, VA<br />
23227); Email: gcra31@aol.com or hrudolf@richmond.edu<br />
Currently the <strong>GRHS</strong> database contains:<br />
939,524 individuals<br />
324,777 families<br />
78,218 unique surnames<br />
Welcome New Member<br />
Pamela Jean (Parten) Atherstone – Modesto CA<br />
Ancestor Surnames: Jahnle, Krebs, Lutz,<br />
Kinnley<br />
Ancestral Villages: Sophienthal, Friedenstal<br />
HAPPY BIRTHDAY<br />
March Date<br />
Phyllis DeLoe 4<br />
Edith (Groshans) Gruebele 4<br />
Janis Leigh (Schimpf) Smith 9<br />
Delores Claire Stamps 9<br />
Margaret (Marquardt) Chamberlain 18<br />
Fred E. Bazlen 20<br />
Irma (Wutzke) Lowe 23<br />
Norene C. Schell 23<br />
April<br />
Donald H Englund 9<br />
Connie Rae (Babitzke) Schweigerdt 23<br />
Peter J. Baer 29<br />
(Editor’s note: I have had several requests to<br />
mention the birthdates of members. I will publish<br />
them each newsletter, however, if I don’t have your<br />
information, I will not be able to include you,)<br />
New Cookbook on Sale<br />
FOOD AND HISTORY - by Germans from Russia<br />
Heritage Society, June 2012. In honor of the 40th<br />
anniversary of <strong>GRHS</strong>, this cookbook records the<br />
past history of our heritage and the organization.<br />
This cookbook will also help preserve some of our<br />
food traditions for future generations. Includes<br />
index. Soft cover - 247 pages.<br />
Member Price - $30.00<br />
Non-Member price - $45.00
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
<strong>Volume</strong> XIV <strong>Issue</strong> 2 Gladys Schmidt, Editor March-April 2013<br />
Who are the Germans from Russia?<br />
History & Culture<br />
Before a unified Germany existed, countless Germans were demoralized by years of religious<br />
strife, political chaos and economic hardship. In 1762, they received an enticing offer from the<br />
Russian Czarina Catherine the Great, a former German princess. She promised colonists<br />
autonomy and farm land in Russia should they choose to emigrate. Catherine believed these<br />
highly skilled farmers and tradesmen would promote progress leading to a more modern Russia.<br />
Many accepted her offer and colonized the Volga region first, to be known as the Volga<br />
Germans .In 1804, Germans colonized the southern Ukraine (the Black Sea Germans). More<br />
emigrated from Württemberg and Prussia around 1812 and became the Bessarabian Germans.<br />
Following her defeat in the Crimean War, Russia realized that her outdated system of<br />
government had to be changed into something resembling a modern state. This led first to the<br />
freeing of the serfs in 1861. This in turn led to the "great reforms" which in 1864 reorganized<br />
and democratized local government and reformed the court system, and in 1874 instituted<br />
universal military service. The privileges hitherto enjoyed by the German colonists had allowed<br />
them to run their own affairs. Russian officials now regarded them as inconsistent with the<br />
reforms. In addition, they appeared unfair to the freed Russian serfs who now competed with<br />
the colonists as equal subjects. Thus the privileges were revoked in 1871 in the hope that<br />
Germans would now participate directly in Russian public affairs. A few years later,<br />
Russification efforts under Alexander III made inroads into the colonists' schools and<br />
discouraged using the German language. Treasuring their own identity and culture and seeking<br />
better opportunities elsewhere, many of the German Russians decided to leave. Those<br />
immigrating to North America settled throughout the Great Plains from Saskatchewan to Texas.<br />
Wherever they settled world-wide, the German Russians preserved their distinctive identity,<br />
rich culture and heritage across borders and generations.<br />
Printed with permission of the Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, North Dakota State<br />
University Libraries, Fargo -- www.ndsu.edu/grhc
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
<strong>Volume</strong> XIV <strong>Issue</strong> 2 Gladys Schmidt, Editor March-April 2013<br />
. Northern California Chapter<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
Membership for year 2013<br />
New Member_________________________ Renewal_______________________<br />
Man’s Full Name__________________________________________________________________________<br />
Woman’s Full Name_______________________________________________________________________<br />
Address_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
(Street) (City) (State) (Zip Code)<br />
Telephone (<strong>Home</strong>)____________________________(Business)____________________________________<br />
Email Address____________________________________________________________________________<br />
Birthday (His) __________________________________ (Hers) ____________________________________<br />
His Ancestor Surnames<br />
________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
His Ancestral Villages<br />
________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
Her Ancestor Surnames<br />
________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
Her Ancestral Villages<br />
_________________________________________________________________________________________<br />
I would like to volunteer:<br />
Membership______________<br />
Publicity_________________<br />
Genealogy_______________<br />
Newsletter_______________<br />
Photographer_____________<br />
Program_________________<br />
Scrapbook________________<br />
Refreshments_____________<br />
Make checks payable for $10.00 to <strong>GRHS</strong> Northern California Chapter and mail to Gladys Schmidt, Treasurer, 316<br />
Station Court, Roseville, CA 95747
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER<br />
Germans from Russia Heritage Society<br />
<strong>Volume</strong> XIV <strong>Issue</strong> 2 Gladys Schmidt, Editor March-April 2013<br />
A special note on parking at St. John’s Lutheran Church: There is a parking lot east of our meeting room<br />
Oehler hall, but it may be occupied by others, except for two spots available for any of our members who have<br />
disabled stickers. For others, we recommend using the several stories parking garage on the SE corner of 18 th<br />
and K Streets, which may be entered from K St. Exit the garage from the south side, through the alley to St.<br />
John’s. This garage is available for our members for the duration of our meeting time, from approximately<br />
1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.<br />
Northern California Chapter, <strong>GRHS</strong><br />
Gladys Schmidt, Treasurer/Editor<br />
316 Station Court<br />
Roseville CA 95747<br />
FIRST CLASS MAIL<br />
TIME DATED INFORMATION
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