Arzis, Bessarabia 2001 - Grhs

August 2003 Volume 7 Issue 2 

Heimatmuseum 

der Deutschen aus Bessarabien 

Florianstrasse 17 

D-70188 Stuttgart GERMANY 

If you have information 

about your Bessarabian 

ancestors that you’d 

like to share in this 

newsletter, contact 

the editor 

(see page 2 for 

contact info) 

Inside this issue…. 

Additions Odessa Library 7 

Arzis Descendent, Grieb 4 

Arzis Photos 8 

Bessarabian Census Status 6 

Sharing Research 5 

Tech Talk & Tips 2 

Watermelons 12 

GRHS Convention in the Black Hills 

Greetings from the Black Hills Chapter of GRHS: 

Members of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS) will be 

holding their 33rd Annual International Convention at the Ramkota 

Convention Center in Rapid City, SD, September 4—7, 2003. 

As Convention hosts, the Black Hills Chapter has arranged a program 

that should be of interest to anyone with German-Russian ancestry. This 

is an excellent time to learn about your genealogy and history, sing, 

dance, listen to speakers, eat kuchen, socialize at lunches and dinners, 

and meet other people of similar heritage from across the United States 

and Canada. We are laying out the welcome mat for everyone, members 

of GRHS or non-members, to attend four days or one day. The Black 

Hills of South Dakota are calling you. 

Workshops include “The Story of Our Ancestors’ Epic Journey”, 

several on genealogy software and technology, Germans who immigrated 

through Poland, and German and Ukrainian history. A computer lab 

will be available for a small fee. 

The keynote speaker is Inna Stryukova, an Ukrainian university 

professor. 

See photos from last year’s convention at: http://www.grhs.org/ 

docs/conv2002.html 

To obtain a registration packet contact Dick Hoff, 605-718-4116, or 

Bob Schneider, 605-722-7712; or, send an e-mail to: 

verahoff@rushmore.com. 

Bessarabian Agriculture 

Translated by Darla Lee, with special assistance given by 

Dr. Elvire Necker-Eberhardt for some specific words in this article. 

Our homeland was farm land, and the Bessarabian farmers were 

outspoken farmers. Many that came from the old homeland to 

Bessarabia were craftsmen. This is evident from our old church records. 

When they were given the opportunity to own property, they gave up 

their crafts and became farmers. 

There was enough land at their disposal and it is clear that they made 

use of the Russian government’s offer. Their children also became 

farmers. Naturally, in the early years, it was extremely difficult. They 

had only wooden plows. Even these were of little help without draught 

cattle. They had to clear and trench the land by hand, enduring the 

hardest work, in order to put seeds in the ground. In a few years things 

got better, with cattle or horses pulling the wood plows. The colonists 

Bessarabian Newsletter 

(Continued on page 9)

Terms, Shorthand & URLs 

Organizational 

Village Coordinator .........................VC 

Village Research Project ...................VRP 

German Russian..............................GR 

GR Heritage Society .........................GRHS 

American Historical Society GR........AHSGR 

Internet 

Odessa Digital Library (aka “the pixel”) 

http://pixel.cs.vt.edu/library/odessa.html 

Bessarabian Web Site 

http://www.bessarabia.com 

GRHS homepage 

http://www.grhs.com/ 

AHSGR homepage 

http://www.ahsgr.org/ 

NDSU Libraries Ger-Rus Heritage Collection 

http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/grhc 

US GenWeb homepage 

http://www.usgenweb.org/ 

Bessarabian Organizations in Germany 

http://www.bessarabien.de/bess/start.htm 

Genealogical Shorthand 

* birth/born + death/died 

oo m a r r i a g e 

Suggested dating convention - 23 Jan 1876 

Page 2 


Volume 7 Issue 2 

This newsletter is put together for Bessarabian researchers by Bessarabian researchers. There is no profit for 

any person, group, or organization. 

Published three times a year in April, August, and December 

Newsletter can also be viewed at www.bessarabia.com 

Subscription Information 

In USA, send $3 (US) to: In Canada, send $5 (Can) to: For Back Issues: 

Dianna Moran Ralph E.Schlinker Carol McCormack 

PO Box 799 224 Millrise Drive SW NE 24170 Highway #3 Apt #2 

Brewster, WA 98812 Calgary, AB T2Y 2S6 Belfair, WA 98528 

Outside North America, send $6 (US) to Dianna Moran 

Back issues are $3(US)/year or $1(US)/regular issue or $1.50(US)/year-end issue 

Lead Editor: Carolyn Schott Other Newsletter Volunteers: 

13702 Densmore Avenue North Connie Meyer 

Seattle, WA 98133 Horst Gutsche 

cgschott@earthlink.net 

Contributing Editor/Advisor: Dale Wahl 

dwahl@kendaco.telebyte.com 


Tech Talk and Tips 

Have you discovered these 

handy places? 

Charles Upson Clark's 1927 book, Bessarabia: Russia and 

Roumania on the Black Sea, at the University of 

Washington website. A detailed look at Bessarabian 

history and several illustrations, many from the 1830’s: 

http://depts.washington.edu/cartah/text_archive/clark/ 

toc_pag.shtml 

List of North Dakota Genweb files archived, listed by 

county: 

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nd/ndfiles.htm 

An online article, A Success Story: The German Colonists 

in New Russia and Bessarabia 1787-1914 by Professor Dr. 

Detlef Brandes, Dusseldorf, Germany: 

http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/grhc/history_culture/ 

history/brandes.html 

Indexes to FANA (Familienkundliche Nachtrichten), a 

German genealogy publication: 

http://cefha.org/de/gi/fana/fana-idx.html

Volume 7 Issue 2 Page 3 

Festival for Ger-Rus in 

Alberta 

A festival for all Germans from 

Russia is being planned for 

September 5—7, 2003 at the 

Cypress Centre in Medicine Hat, 

Alberta. 

The weekend festival includes 

plenary and breakout sessions that 

will cover genealogical information, 

sociological and historical 

backgrounds, personal 

experiences, entertainment and an 

interdenominational church 

service. The keynote speaker will 

be The Right Honourable Edward 

Schreyer, former Premier of 

Manitoba, Governor General of 

Canada, and Canadian High 

Commissioner to Australia. 

Medicine Hat was settled heavily 

by Germans from Russia. Even 

today, 40% of the population is 

estimated to be of Ger-Rus 

heritage! 

For more information and 

registration: http:// 

www.geocities.com/ 

germansfromrussia/index.html 

SCHNEIDER LLC is planning two 17-day, 

personalized and affordable tours to Ukraine/ 

Crimea/Moldova in 2004. 

For tour information e-mail: 

rschneider@rushmore.com, or click on web site: 

http://members.rushmore.com/~ukrainetours, or 

phone 605-722-7712. 

A SCHNEIDER LLC Tour to Ukraine is an 

experience you will never forget. 

Bob Schneider, president, Black Hills Chapter of 

GRHS 

News and Notes 

A Tip From a Newsletter Reader 

I am one of the readers who suddenly couldn't open the 

digital newsletter, after not having any trouble for years— 

an “improvement?” You probably read on the Beresan list 

that other people were having trouble too, and several 

people responded by giving the very simple method of 

downloading and opening pdf files. 

I think that it would be a good idea to print the scheme 

in the paper version of the Bessarabian newsletter. It 

might eliminate a lot of frustration for some people. The 

one scheme that works for me is to right click on the pdf 

file and click on "Save Target as" and then specify where 

you want it saved. Once saved, disconnect from the 

Internet and then open the pdf file by double clicking on it. 

If you don't have a lot of RAM, the opening may take a 

little time, especially if there are pictures. 

Tours Offerings for 2004 


The North Dakota State University Library is 

pleased to announce sponsorship of the Journey to 

the Homeland: Germany & Ukraine Tour for May 

25 - June 7, 2004. 

The tour includes Hungary; Odessa, Ukraine 

and the former Bessarabian, Black Sea and 

Crimean German villages; and Stuttgart, Germany 

and Alsace, France. 

For 2004 tour registration information, contact 

Michael M. Miller, NDSU Libraries, PO Box 5599, 

Fargo, ND 58105-5599 

(Tel: 701-231-8416; E-mail: 

michael.miller@ndsu.nodak.edu).

Page 4 


Arzis Descendant, Gebhard Grieb, Represents Western Canada 

at 2003 PAN AMERICAN GAMES 

Gerhard Grieb, son of Olga Herrmann and Adolf Grieb (descendant of Christopher Grieb who was one of 

the founders of Arzis, Bessarabia in 1816), will represent Western Canada at the PAN AMERICAN GAMES 

this year at Mt. Adams, Montana, September 6 - 14, 2003. 

Gerhard (Gerry) and his determined wife, Audrey, are truly an amazing example of a successful amateur 

team who have made headlines in sport magazines and news over the last 30 years, specializing in the 

typical Western Canadian Sport of Endurance Riding. Gerhard arrived in Canada some 50 years ago and 

succeeded in breeding and coaching Arabian racing horses. As a result of his love and enthusiasm for this 

vocation, he has become one of the most successful breeders in North America. For many years U.S. horse 

owners have entrusted their valuable horses in Gerhard’s and Audrey’s care. Doing so has helped these U.S. 

owners to catch a glimpse of success in the North American Endurance Riding arena. 

Gerhard and Audrey usually finance their participation at championships through private funding. For 

this upcoming event, they are seeking sponsors. If you are interested in helping sponsor Gerhard this year, 

contact Christiane Grieb [247 Huntridge Way, NE, Calgary, AB T2K 4C4, Canada] Phone: (403) 275-2868 or 

e-mail christiane.grieb@web.de or info@lawbridge-ltd.com. 

The Horse 

- Special Delivery - 

- 11 year old gelding in 

the prime of his life 

- Provincial Champion 

2001 & 2002 

Sire: top race horse 

Dam: top race and 

competitive trail horse 

Nine national or provincial 

champions in the blood line 

Meet the Winners! 

The Rider 

- Audrey Grieb - 

- born and raised in Alberta 

- 25+ years competitive 

experience 

- ridden in the Nationals 

FIVE times 

- Provincial endurance 

champion in 2001 & 2002 

- unbeaten in endurance 

competitions in 2002 

- Competitive Trail, 

Provincial Champion 

- as buddy of Special "D" a 

guarantee of success 

The Coach 

- Gerry Grieb - 

- 25+ years riding & 

coaching experience 

- ridden or coached in FIVE 

Nationals 

- '94, Alberta team took the 

Silver Medal, Bronze for 

Gerry as individual in 

Canada 

- Canadian Champion in 

Competitive Trail 

- bred, raised and coached 

many champions of 

Canada and the United 

States 

- he stands for success 

“In Bessarabia the horse is like family...love and care are given 

to the horse ahead of all other animals.” 

(Source: Diary of the Village Assessor of Hoffnungstal, Bessarabia. 

Hoffnungstal Newsletter 3-3.) 

Bessarabian Newsletter


Dear Colleagues, 

An Offer to Share Ger-Rus Genealogy Research 

My ancestry extends back from Canada, through Bessarabia, Poland, and into Wuerttemberg (especially 

the Black Forest region), as well as other parts of today’s Germany. In some cases, these lines have been 

traced back to the mid-1500s. 

I have spent the past few years re-entering my extensive genealogical data from an old, rare software 

program into Family Tree Maker. Just recently, I finished an important milestone on my paternal lines: 

adding further names and data, checking/adding sources and writing family group biographies (some of 

which are up to 5 or 6 pages long). I thought that some of you might be interested in this and other 

information from my database. Perhaps you would like to exchange information, as well. Below is a short 

summary of these family surnames for both the paternal and maternal sections of my ancestry. (For each 

surname, I’ve also indicated their specific villages in Bessarabia. Villages for pre-Bessarabia periods are 

not included below, but are available from my database.) 

1. JA(H)NKE – Canada>Bessarabia (Katzbach)>Poland, to 1781. 

Also includes: Kuck/Keck – Bessarabia (Kloestitz)>Poland, to 1799; KRUEGER – Bessarabia (Brienne) 

>Poland, to 1782; Hildebrandt – Bessarabia (Brienne). 

2. SANDAU – Canada>Bessarabia (Katzbach)>Poland>Prussia, to 1770. 

Also includes: Schwab(e) – Bessarabia (Katzbach)>Prussia, to 1815; Kleiss – Bessarabia (Katzbach, 

Wittenberg)>Poland> Wuerttemberg, to 1750; Kohler – Bessarabia (Krasna)>Poland, to 1792; 

Heinzelmann – Poland> Wuerttemberg, to 1750. Also includes: FINKBEINER – Canada>Bessarabia 

(Katzbach/Alt Postal, Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1570; Riedel – Bessarabia (Katzbach, Krasna) 

>Poland, to 1795; Schill –Bessarabia (Katzbach)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1770; Grimm – Bessarabia (Alt 

Postal, Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1758. 

3. STICKEL – Canada>Bessarabia (Albota, Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1565. 

Also includes: Mack – Bessarabia (Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to pre-1763; SULZ – Bessarabia 

(Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, pre-1782; Hach – Bessarabia (Wittenberg, Kloestitz)>Poland, to pre- 

1817; Flaig – Bessarabia (Wittenberg, Alt Postal>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1760; Hafner – Bessarabia (Alt 

Postal)>Poland>Wurttemberg, to 1692. 

4. SEITZ – Canada>Bessarabia (Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1662. 

Also includes: Majer – Wuerttemberg, to pre-1735; Staeb – Bessarabia (Wittenberg) >Prussia/ 

Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1768; Hildwein – Bessarabia (Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to pre-1700s; 

Mueller – Bessarabia (Wittenberg)>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1767; Bohnet – Bessarabia (Wittenberg) 

>Poland>Wuerttemberg, to 1581. 

If any of this information interests you, please let me know. I can then e-mail a Word document that lists 

the names of the more than 800 deceased individuals in my family tree, including birth, death and place 

names for each one. If you see something of interest in that list, I can supply family group sheets by email, 

as well. (I could also provide hardcopies of this information for the cost of materials and postage.) 

Dwayne Janke 

4304 55 St. NE 

Calgary AB T1Y 4B7 

Canada 

E-mail: dwayne.janke@3web.net 


Page 6 

Status of Bessarabian Censuses 



More censuses are being extracted and prepared for publication—here’s the current status 

1835 1850 1858 1859 1860 1861 

Alt Arzis X X 

Alt Elft X X 

Alt Posttal X X 

Beresina X X 

Borodino 5 X 

Brienne 2 X 0 

Dennewitz na X 

Friedenstal X X 0 

Gnadental 2 X 0 0 

Hoffnungstal na X X 

Katzbach 0 na 

Klöstitz X X 0 

Krasna 3 6 

Kulm X X 0 

Leipzig 3 X 0 

Lichtental X X 

Neu Arzis 3 X 

Neu Elft X X 1 0 

Paris 3 X 0 

Plotzk na X 

Sarata 1 X 

Schabo 1 1 

Tarutino X X X 

Teplitz X 0 

Wittenberg X X 

0 = To be extracted 

1 = Extracted, to be input 

2 = Input complete 

3 = First review 

4 = Second review 

5 = Final review 

6 = Proofing 

X = Published 

Na = None available


Recent Additions to the Odessa Digital Library 

3 Jul 2003 sarata.txt Sarata Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 parusch.txt Paruschofka Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 pawlow.txt Pawlowka Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 plotzk.txt Plotzk Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 popasdru.txt Popasdru Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 raska.txt Raskajetz Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 reul.txt Reulingen-Reiling Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 risch.txt Rischkanowka Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 romana.txt Romanowka Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 romano.txt Romanowo Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 rosenf.txt Rosenfeld Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 sanger.txt Sangerowka Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 mcphersd.txt McPherson County SD Cemeteries (E. Morrison) 

8 Jun 2003 zionhist.txt History of Zion American Lutheran Church, Eureka SD, 1964 

8 Jun 2003 ewzmsc58.txt EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 58 (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 ewzmsc60.txt EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 60 (E. Wise) 

8 Jun 2003 ewzmsc61.txt EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 61 (A. Marthaller) 

26 May 2003 flug1.txt Flug, Rath, and Bogner GEDLIST (R. Roth) - Tarutino 

18 May 2003 ntarut.txt Neu Tarutino Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 nusstal.txt Nusstal Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 olone.txt Oloneschti Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 parapara.txt Parapara Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 Paris.txt Paris Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 nmath.txt Neu Mathildendorf Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 mortonnd.txt Morton County ND Cemeteries (E. Morrison) 

18 May 2003 nodessa.txt Neu Odessa Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 nonescht.txt Neu Oneschti Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 nstrymba.txt Neu Strymba Bessarabia - a Koblenz Extraction (E. Wise) 

18 May 2003 dai353-4.txt DAI films 353 & 354 - Report of Contents (R. Benert) 

18 May 2003 ewz50b.txt EWZ Index for A3342-EWZ 50-H056 (S. Schochenmaier) 

18 May 2003 ewzmsc55.txt EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 55 (E. Bischoff) 

18 May 2003 ewzmsc56.txt EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 56 (E. Bischoff) 

14 May 2003 eisen.txt Eisenbeisz Family Genealogy (C. Eisenbeis) 

10 May 2003 sherind.txt Sheridan County ND Cemeteries (E. Morrison). 


Sign with town name on the road into Arcis 

Photo by Elli Wise. Used with permission. 

Page 8 

Arzis, Bessarabia 2001 

View of a typical house in Arcis, taken from the street. 

Photo by Elli Wise. Used with permission 



German church—being renovated in 2001 

Photo by Carolyn Schott


made complete farm implements in their living rooms during the long winter evenings. The seed had to be 

scattered by hand. It was a difficult and arduous farm duty. With time, things improved. The plow had 

originally only a wooden Grindel. (1) By and by, this also disappeared and was completely replaced by the iron 

plow. 

In later years, the farmers had the famous Eberhard plow from Wuerttemberg. The farmers mostly made 

the harrows themselves. They were wooden at first, but later were made of iron. Seeding was done by a driller 

instead of by hand, and eventually by tractor. In the early years, mowing was done with sickle and scythe. 

Later this was accomplished with rake and reel machines. For threshing one used a flail brought from the 

homeland. A threshing stone place was prepared, the grain was spread out; horses were tied to the “threshing 

stone” and made to go around in a circle. Thus the grain was threshed. In later years a threshing machine 

was used. The “Wiesbaum” wagon evolved into the “harbie” wagon, a big cart with a sparred frame. The 

broken grain was originally cleaned with a winnowing shovel. This was replaced by a cleaning mill. 

The first settlers had only primitive farm implements at their disposal, so they had to leave much of the land 

unplanted in the early years. In these “Heuschlag” (2) pastures, the big herds of cattle, horses and sheep were 

grazed. The horses that were not needed for farming were also brought to the pasture. Later more and more 

land was farmed, as the farmers improved their equipment. The pastures became smaller. In order to 

maintain the number of their herds and be able to bequeath their sons a relatively good farm, they began to 

buy land outside of the village district from their foreign neighbors. In those days the governmentapportioned 

land was no longer sufficient, the land that they had greatly enlarged despite difficult times, 

pestilence and epidemics. 

About 8,000 persons in total came to Bessarabia during the settlement times. Some 92,000 people returned 

to Germany in 1940. Added to this were about 15,000 who emigrated to Dobrudscha and 20,000 that moved 

to America (3). 

Bessarabian Agriculture (Continued from page 1) 

The emigration occurred in the years between 1857 and 1927. We can see from these numbers 

how prolific our ancestors were. There were families with 12 to 14 children, even up to 18 children. 

To get a better idea of the population mixture and the rise in population, I present the following statistics 

(from Pambook’s The Homecoming of the Bessarabian Germans): 

Total population in 1861---1,026,346 

1891—1,641,559 

1897—1,935,412 

1919---2,631,000 

1936---2,863,409 

German (population) 1861---33,501 

1891---42,681 

1897---59,998 

1919---79,000 

1936---2.8 % (4) 

Rumanian (population) 1861---692,000 

1891---1,089,995 

1897---921,256 

1919---1,683,000 

1936---52.2% 

Ukrainian (population) 1861---162,252 

1891---223,251 

1897---379,341 

1919---254,000 

1936---11% 




Russian (population) 1861---162,252 

1891---34,473 

1897---158,704 

1919---134,000 

1936---12.3% 

Bulgarian (population) 1861---25,684 

1891---85,361 

1897---102,577 

1919---Not available 

1936---5.8% 

Jewish (population) 1861---91,590 

1891---141,175 

1897---228,379 

1919---267,000 

1936---7.2% 

Gypsy (population) 1861---18,983 

1891---16,415 



1936---0.5% 

Page 10 



Various (population) 1861---336 

1891---8,208 (3,283 Armenians, 3,283 Greeks, 1,642 Poles and Swiss) 

1897---85,157 (36,127 Gagauz (6), 3,806 Poles, 23,224 Others: Gypsies, Greeks, 

and Armenians) 

1919---214,000 (147,000 Bulgarians and Gagauz, 67,000 others) 

1936---4.9% (Polish: 0.3%; Gagauz: 3.5%; Gypsies: 0.5%; other 0.4%) 

Density (5) 1864---Not available 

1891---36.9 

1897---43.5 

1919---59.2 

The above clearly indicates that the Rumanians in Bessarabia had the greatest population. 

Our forefathers received 147,705 hectares of land from the Russian state. They acquired land totaling 

182,295 hectares. Besides this amount, they leased a considerable amount of land (24,177 hectares). The 

land was generally very fertile. The condition of the soil differed. As well as the rich humus (black earth), a 

small range of soil with salt peter, clay and sand was also found. 

Farming 

During the immigration years, our forefathers planted mainly summer wheat (Arnaut, red rotation 

wheat) and rye. Later they went to winter wheat, barley, some oats and a lot of maize (field corn), because 

these types of grain produced well here. The “six-row barley” brought an especially high yield. This was also 

true of the maize. The barley and oats served as food for the horses. The colts were raised mostly on oats. 

Maize was the best fattening diet (for animals). 

In the final years that we were there, the export trade had intensified and soybeans, sunflowers, and 

sugar cane were also planted. These things brought the most money into the household. One must not 

forget the wonderful water and musk melons. Rapid development was also experienced in wine growing and 




it became a major industry for the Germans in South Bessarabia (Schabo). 

The “three-field harvest” system was used. In the first year land was seeded with maize (also called 

Welshcorn or “Popschei”). Afterward, barley or winter wheat usually followed. In the third year, oats, winter 

wheat or barley was planted. Then without fail maize was planted again in order to keep the land free of 

weeds. 

Because of frequent crop failures, the so-called “Magazine” was soon built. These were high grain 

elevators that were erected by the people. In record years, grain was stored there for protection against poor 

harvest years. Manure was not used. The virgin earth was fertile enough without it. 

Tree Growing 

Trees were highly regarded by many of our ancestors. They were used to them back in their old homeland 

of Wuerttemberg. When someone who was born and raised in the Steppes experiences spring in the old 

homeland, he will well understand this love of trees, because spring in Schwabia is a garden; indeed, a 

paradise! Everything is blooming. Trees border the streets, farmyards, fields and meadows. Can anything 

else be so beautiful? From this garden our ancestors came to the almost treeless region of Bessarabia. It is 

understandable that they immediately reserved a large area of land near the village for woods and fruit trees. 

Just as in other areas, the trees were planted in an orderly fashion. The orchard had apple, pear, plum, 

apricot, peach and cherry trees. In the “little forest” there were primarily acacias, elms and alder trees. The 

orchards were especially well cared for. They were regularly pruned and weeded. The trees were trimmed, 

sprayed, and the trunks whited, so that no harm could come to them. In time the old trees were replaced. 

The young fruit trees grew under the care of the people. In the later years, the trees were surrounded by wire 

net to protect them from vandalism by senseless youths or adults. 

A different fate befell the “forest” trees. After many years the people stopped weeding there. The 

couch grass took over and before long the “forest” became a wilderness. Many farmers went to their “piece of 

land,” their “parcel” for needed wood. Later plantings were not successful. In all too few years, the “little 

forest” disappeared. 

During the later years, some community members decided to appoint new land for the purpose of 

planting trees. As a result, a new “small forest” was planted. It grew well because the trees were looked after, 

but during the last war, when we were away, the trees were neglected. Would this be the case today? The 

woods and the orchards were indicative of our neighborhoods. One did not find them in non-German 

colonies. 

Much care was devoted to trees planted in the yard. The acacia grew the best. Poplars were also 

often planted in front of the doors of the houses. The large, leafy crown provided protection against the high 

heat of summer, which rose to more than 104 degrees. The blooming of spring was a lovely time. A pleasant 

scent permeated the area. Bees buzzed through the air, gathering honey. The acacia honey was the favorite 

and the most expensive. 

As with all the previous sketches, we see that our homeland demanded hard work. The abundance 

with which it blessed us, however, made us forget the difficulties and hardships. We loved the soil of our 

homeland. It was our native land. 

Translator’s notes: 

(1) Although the context of this sentence seems to indicate that “Grindel” is a part on a plow, the exact 

meaning of this word is not known. 

(2) "Heuschlag" pastures were the original uncultivated “steppe” land of Southern Russia (similar to the 

prairies of North America). These pastures were used to graze big herds of cattle, horses and sheep. 

(3) It is not known if the original author meant “North America” in using the term “America.” This is 

sometimes the case in Bessarabian-German writings. If so, then this emigration figure would relate to 

both the U.S. and Canada. Other sources for emigration statistics may help clarify this figure. 

(4) The original German version of this article used the figure 28%. However, comparing this with the rest of 

the figures for other years and nationalities, this appears to be a simple typographical error (i.e. it 

(Continued on page 12) 


Page 12 



should read 2.8%, not 28%). This figure would translate into a population of 80,175 Germans in 

Bessarabia in 1936. 

(5) It is not clear exactly what information this section on “density” is trying to convey. In the original article, 

all of the population statistics are organized in a table. The “density” figures 36.9, 43.5 and 59.2 

(without percentage marks) are listed under the figures for 1891, 1897 and 1919 respectively. If these 

figures are meant to be population densities, they are likely conveying the number of people per 

standard area of land (i.e. square kilometer, hectare, etc.). It appears that these numbers may be 

population density figures per hectare, since using the square-kilometer figure from the original 

Heimatbuch der Bessarabiendeutchen in German results in figures that are less than half of those listed 

here, and since hectares are used in other places in this article. 

(6) The name of a Turkish ethnic group. 

Editor’s Note: This article is from the book, Wie’s Daheim War—Der Schicksalsweg der 

Bessarabiendeutschen, by J. Becker, published 1950. This is part of an ongoing series of articles being 

translated for publication in this newsletter. If you would like to help translate other articles from this book 

about Bessarabian-German social history, contact coordinator Dwayne Janke by e-mail at 

dwayne.janke@3web.net. 

Based on how many watermelon recipes appear in Ger-Rus cookbooks and the special mention in the article 

above, watermelons were an important crop for our ancestors. As you can see from this photo, they’re also 

an important crop today! This photo was taken in 2001 along the road just outside Odessa. Produce sellers 

camp out alongside their piles of produce until it sells. 

A close friend (and possible distant cousin—you never know with all these convoluted Ger-Rus 

relationships!) told me that he’d heard that our ancestors didn’t know about watermelons in Germany, but 

only “discovered” them in Russia. Since the word used by Ger-Rus is more often “Arbus” (the Ukrainian 

word) rather than the German “Wassermelon,” this would seem to be a credible story. But if anyone has 

more information, let me know! 

Photo by Elaine Morrison. Used with permission.

Arzis, Bessarabia 2001 - Grhs

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