OUR PURPOSE:

The purpose of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia is to bring together people interested in the history of Germans from Russia.  Through a better understanding of Germans from Russia we will promote a better appreciation of their history and the preservation of their culture through their descendants.

AHSGR BENEFITS:

Benefits to be gained from participation in AHSGR activities:

• Preservation of history and culture of Germans from Russia.
   

• Climbing your family tree!  With information presently available, your ancestral tree may possibly be traced back to Germany.
   

• Find relatives presumed lost in Russia.  Many have located lost relatives within Russia or who have returned to Germany.
   

• Meeting and sharing experiences with others who share your heritage.
   

• Travel to areas in Russia to visit ancestral villages.  See where your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were born.

GOLDEN WHEAT CHAPTER OFFICERS and COMMITTEES

President: Karen (Suderman) Penner
1st Vice President/Program Chair: Harold Popp
2nd Vice President/Ways & Means Chair: Sondra Schimming
Recording Secretary: Joan Breit
Corresponding Secretary/Publicity: Leann Strobel
Treasurer/Newsletter Editor: Dennis Zitterkopf
Assistant Treasurer: Karen Calkins
Membership Chair: Karen Calkins
Historian: to be assigned
Registration: Rachel Smith
Hospitality: Fay Foos, Rosemarie Vogel, Lee Heinrichs
Nominating: Ella Frederick
Photography & Video: Leann Strobel
Obituary: Karen Penner
Library: Karen Penner
Meeting Set-up: Shad Valentine, Pat & Ralph Engelken
Folklore: to be assigned
 

GOLDEN WHEAT CHAPTER HISTORY

The Golden Wheat Chapter was organized in 1978 to help us discover our heritage and to pay tribute to our German-Russian ancestors.  It was the second local chapter organized in Kansas.  There are presently six chapters in the state.

The name Golden Wheat was chosen because the Germans from Russia were largely farmers whose wheat helped to make Kansas a great state.  Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat, introduced over 120 years ago into South Central Kansas by Mennonite pioneers, produced abundantly on the Great Plains and gradually turned the "Great American Desert" into the Nation's "bread basket".

Activities attempt to provide a balance between social and historical research and inspirational activities.  The general meetings provide speakers, slide presentations, musical programs, historical documentaries or reports on travel in Russia by our members.  Many of our Golden Wheat Chapter members have published family histories and other books.  Several organize tours to visit ancestral villages in Russia.

Ours is a diverse membership with many religious groups and vocational areas represented.  We work on a variety of fund raising activities to continue our support of AHSGR national headquarters and assist in the preservation of our heritage.

2010 GOLDEN WHEAT CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP FORM:

Please click on the link below, "2010 Membership Form" , to download membership form  for the National Society and for our chapter.  Please fill out the form, enclose your check for the dues and mail to the address given on the form.  Please make out checks to "Golden Wheat Chapter of AHSGR".

2010 MEMBERSHIP FORM

GOLDEN WHEAT CHAPTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

General membership meetings are held five times a year.  The January, April, picnic, and October Chapter meetings are held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 909 South Market, Wichita.  A potluck dinner precedes the meetings and program.  Registration begins at 1 p.m.  The August Family Picnic.  Convention reports are given at this meeting. 

The annual Christmas Party and fun raiser drawing is a festive for families and friends and is held at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Finger food, cookies and punch are plentiful during the social hour beginning at 2 p.m.  Special music is provided, and Christmas Carols are sung in both German and English.  Santa Claus makes his visit with gifts for the children.  The chapter should be advised in advance of the names and ages of the children (up to and including 12 years old) attending so Santa will be prepared to greet them.

GOLDEN WHEAT CHAPTER LIBRARY & GENEALOGY

Our library contains many books, AHSGR journals, Clues, and other resource material.  Chapter members are invited to browse through the material and are able to check out books for their research projects.  The Library is open on meeting days and members may make appointments to use the library at other times.

A genealogy workshop is held yearly to assist our members in areas of research.  Golden Wheat Chapter members are always willing to answer questions and offer suggestions on research projects throughout the year.