American
Historical Society of Germans From Russia
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AHSGR Archives Committee Attendees: Velma Jesser (Chair), Elizabeth Barker, Nicholas Bretz, Ed Hoak, Leona Mann, Patti Sellenrick, Jerry Siebert, Ed Wagner, Yulia Tsymbal with guest Nina Vaschau, and guest Doris Evans Absent: Irma Eichhorn (NBM), Leona Janke, Kevin Rupp (Vice-Chair), Ron Rutz After Call to Order at 9:45 a.m., Introductions, and a review of the Agenda and Goals of the Committee, Beth reported Otto Pohl and the Bishkek records project. His publication, “Katherine’s Grandchildren” was declined for publication by the Publications Committee. The group recommended that the Publication Committee reconsider the decision. “The Lost Files” documents files destroyed and court records that documents arrests and actions taken in those cases. Ed Hoak reported that Mila Koretnikov is translating this work with funding for ¼ of the book (400 pages); more funding is needed. The Historical Research Committee is supervising this project. Jerry discussed a recent email from Kenny Stugart complaining about treatment at the Saratov Archives when he asked them to contact the Engels Archives. Yulia reported that she has recently been in contact with the Engels Archive and they continue to be on solid ground. On September 6, there was a Grand Opening of the Engels Archive, including new furniture and records restoration equipment funded by the German Government. Nick reported that his sister was there in May, and communications were quite positive. The group felt no action is necessary in this matter; an article in the newsletter about coordinating efforts with AHSGR when individuals travel to Russia with plans to go to the Archives would be helpful. Doris Evans presented her research for the villages of Kraft, Kolb, Frank, Hussenbach, and Walter. Her current acquisitions include 200 pounds of paper at a cost of $35,000 to date. She asked ASHGR to partner with her to get records. She feels there is a three-year window of opportunity before Russia ceases cooperation in obtaining their records. Her payments through Western Union posed a risk they were unwilling to take; she has been making wire transfers which must be kept to $10,000 or less. She requested matching funds of equal amounts from AHSGR. The records she has are digitized and have been translated; translators receive a DVD with tiff files. She showed a sample of a birth record which was 2 pages long; she has paid $2 per page for the records. She has no records as of yet for Walter. For Kolb she has Birth/Death/Marriage records. Kraft and Dietle records are mixed. Hussenbach records are on the way (1839-1889 – 1,658 pages, marriages 1878-1908 – 585 pages, deaths 1839-1858 and 1862-1908 – 1,973 pages. Records are in bad shape. Death records show diseases such as measles and scarlet fever, including children 2-4 years old with symptoms. Nick suggested that village descendants should pay for specific village records and that several Village Coordinators and individuals (Ted Gerk, Ed Ruff, Brent Mai, Terry Helzar, and others) are also doing similar projects. The group declined funding for specific village records and recommended that Doris work with the Foundation to seek funding through fundraising efforts. Brent Mai is publishing the 1834 Census himself and will cross file results with AHSGR. The group would like to meet with Brent during the convention; Nick will set up a meeting with Brent and committee members (Ed Hoak, Velma, and Ed Wagner). A subcommittee was established to work with the Foundation regarding fundraising efforts for projects such as this one for specific villages. Ed Hoak will arrange for a meeting with the Foundation, including committee members Beth, Leona Mann, Nick, and Jerry. The committee needs to clarify its Mission and Goals to address where its funding should be used: What are we going to do with these records? Who are we helping as a big picture for the organization (AHSGR)? Fundraising is beyond the scope of this committee. Work with the Foundation on this goal? (issue pending subcommittee report) Need new committee objective: Establish a fundraising campaign The committee discussed how restricted funds and Spady account funds should be spent. We need to support people/individuals equally and not one specific village. VCs have the option of donating materials for a tax write-off. The restricted funds and Spady funds ($30,520.83 and $16,437 as of December 31, 2007) are a “drop in the bucket” compared to the records out there to be purchased. Leona Mann reported that the University of Calgary has a huge collection of German-Russian information and World War II data. She currently receives their newsletter and will work with their History and Library groups in conjunction with the Calgary Chapter. GCRA has a new book published and for sale at convention. Beth indicated no news from the University of Kansas activities. Nina Vaschau took notes of the meeting and reported that she is happy to find people devoted to German-Russian interests. She stated there are records in St. Petersburg of famous people but not so many of common people. Now they are finding family information that we want such as birth-death-marriage records. Volgograd is 8 hours by train from Saratov so she centered her research on the Volgograd area only. She has published a new monograph for Hussenbach, Serepta Colony. It is based on over 100 interviews of people from that area who went to other areas and then returned and their life stories. Before getting on deportation trains, lists were made of people to get on the trains; and she arranged meetings and corresponded with these people. She got classified documents declassified. She presented this book, published only two weeks ago, to the Archives Committee. It includes lists of people and families in the Serepta Colony and Kamenka Region, including documents and lists of residences as well as social aspects of life in this area. This can be used for research to 1941, beginning with the 1899 revision lists; and the publication includes some family pictures from 1907 forward. Nina is researching Volgograd Archives about life in the villages and economic development in 1908. She has 200 pages, including business pages with owners of companies and also 1918 Soviet lists of stores and what happened to the business and business owners in a time frame of 1918-1941. In addition, she is researching families later in the 1970s going to Germany. Nina assured the group that she is eager to cooperate in any form with German-Russian research interests. She is teaching a class of graduate students in research. Velma thanked Nina for coming and for the presentation of the book to committee. The committee discussed the possibility for telecommunications to be used by the Board of Directors for its meetings. No consensus was reached due to limited time, but comments were made that the technology seems conducive to Board meetings but not for committee meetings. Too many unanswered questions remain about costs, potential equipment, etc. The meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Velma Jesser, Chair Post Note: At the end of convention, I gave the book Nina presented to the group to Diane White for safekeeping to go to Headquarters. I asked Diane to put a note in the front of the publication that indicates the date and place that it was presented to the Archives Committee. Velma |
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