This is an advanced tutorial for researching the genealogy and history of Germans from the Volga and Bessarabia (often grouped as Germans from Russia, or Schwarzmeerdeutsche). These research paths are complex due to political upheavals, record loss, and the Russian language.
🗺️ Germans from the Volga & Bessarabia: Advanced Genealogy Tutorial
The research for Volga Germans (Povolzhye) and Bessarabian Germans requires knowledge of German, Russian/Cyrillic, and access to specialized archives in North America, Germany, and the former Soviet Union.
Phase 1: Foundational Research & Organizations
Unlike typical German research, where you start with a German town, here you must first identify the specific Russian Colony (Mother or Daughter Colony) your ancestors lived in.
Essential First Steps
- Identify the Colony Name: This is the most crucial piece of information. The town name must be known in both the German name (e.g., Kutter, Borodino) and the Russian/Cyrillic name (e.g., Volgograd, Akkerman).
- Determine Religion: The major groups were Evangelical (Lutheran), Catholic, and Mennonite. This determines which records (Church or State archives) you will search.
- Consult Published Sources: Before searching archives, check the major historical compilations, as much is already transcribed or indexed:
- Karl Stumpp's The Emigration from Germany to Russia in the Years 1763-1862: Essential for finding the original German place of origin (Herkunft).
- Georg Leibbrandt's Origin and Ancestry of the German People of Russia.
Key Genealogical Societies
These organizations are the primary holders of transcribed and digitized records outside of the original archives. Membership is highly recommended for advanced researchers.
| Society | Focus | Key Resources |
|---|---|---|
| American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR) | Primarily Volga Germans (but covers all) | 1811 Census (Volga), Surname Charts, Archives, Village Coordinator system. |
| Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS) | Primarily Black Sea Germans (Bessarabia, Crimea, Kherson, Glückstal, etc.) | Black Sea German Database (extensive), Census transcriptions (Bessarabia 1835, 1850, 1859), Village Coordinator system. |
| Volga German Institute (at UNF) | Exclusive focus on Volga Germans | Online gazetteer, surname index, and history of Volga Colonies. |
Phase 2: Record Groups and Online Databases
The most valuable genealogical records are Revision Lists (Censuses) and Church Records.
1. Revision Lists (Censuses)
These are tax censuses conducted by the Russian state and are essential for tracking families. They are usually found in the original Russian State Archives.
| Region | Census Years Available | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Volga Germans | 1767 (First Settlers List), 1798, 1811, 1816, 1834, 1850, 1857 | The 1767 Census is crucial for linking to the German origin. The 1811 and 1816 lists are valuable for growth and migration. |
| Bessarabian Germans | 1835, 1850, 1859 | Census records are more complete for Bessarabia than other Black Sea regions. They track families' internal migration. |
- Access: Many are transcribed by AHSGR/GRHS. Original images (especially for Bessarabia and some Samara/Volgograd lists) can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog under Moldova or Russia, Samara.
2. Church Records (Kirchenbücher)
Records were kept by Lutheran Consistories and Catholic Dioceses.
| Religion | Record Locations | Online Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lutheran/Evangelical | Originals are scattered; many duplicates were sent to the St. Petersburg Consistory Archives. | FamilySearch has microfilmed the St. Petersburg duplicates. Many are also transcribed in the Odessa Digital Library (ODL) and society databases (GRHS). |
| Catholic | Tiraspol Diocese records (for Volga and Black Sea) were often centralized in Russian archives like Saratov. | Very limited online access. Some are available on FamilySearch films from the Samara archives. |
| Mennonite | Primarily held by the Mennonite Archives in North America and often transcribed by societies. | Accessible through various Mennonite genealogical websites and resources listed by GRHS. |
3. Resettlement Records (EWZ Files)
These records are vital for Bessarabian and Black Sea Germans whose families were resettled by the German government in 1940-1941 (known as Heim ins Reich).
- EWZ Records (Einwandererzentralstelle): Applications filed by Germans migrating into the Reich. They often contain detailed 3-generation pedigrees, birth certificates, and church records to prove German lineage.
- Access: These files are held in the German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv) in Berlin and are subject to German privacy laws. Researchers must often apply to access them, and AHSGR/GRHS can provide guidance on the process and accessing indexes.
4. Special Bessarabia Resources
Bessarabian research is uniquely simplified because the region's pastors often took the original village church books with them during the 1940 resettlement.
- Christian Fiess Files: A significant private collection of Bessarabian documents and extracts now on microfilm at FamilySearch and sometimes indexed by GRHS.
- Koblenz Records (Exodus Questionnaires): These were pre-EWZ questionnaires completed by the resettlers, providing similar valuable family detail. Access is via the German Federal Archives (Bundesarchiv).
Phase 3: Russian Archives & Advanced Techniques
To find records not online or transcribed, you must consult the Russian State Archives.
| Region/Group | Primary Archival Location (Russia/FSU) | Record Type & Language |
|---|---|---|
| Volga Germans | Saratov, Engels, Volgograd, and Samara State Archives (Russia). | Original Revision Lists, parish registers, land records. Cyrillic (Russian) and German (sometimes Gothic script). |
| Bessarabian Germans | Chișinău (Moldova) National Archives (formerly Kishinev). | Civil records (after 1870), some church records. Romanian/Latin and Russian/Cyrillic. |
| Black Sea (Kherson, etc.) | Odessa (Ukraine), Nikolaev (Ukraine), and St. Petersburg (Russia) archives. | Church records, school records. Cyrillic (Russian). |
Translation and Script
Advanced research requires proficiency in:
- Reading German in Gothic Script (Kurrent/Sütterlin).
- Reading Russian in Cyrillic Script (especially handwritten census records and later church records).
- Understanding Russian Genealogical Terms (Revizskaya Skazka for Revision List, Metricheskaya Kniga for Church Book, etc.).
Tip: Few Russian archives have digitized records online. You must generally hire a qualified professional researcher in the relevant country to access the originals.
Recommended Genealogical Resources
- Odessa Digital Library (ODL): A massive digital repository with numerous databases, St. Petersburg archives extractions, and compiled Bessarabian data.
- FamilySearch Wiki - Germans from Russia: Comprehensive guides and links to microfilmed records and training materials.
- Surname Charts/Coordinators: Check AHSGR and GRHS for your specific surname and colony. Often, other researchers have already compiled extensive family data for your line.
Credits and Licensing
Compiled by Mark Rabideau, Opa & Professional Genealogist.
All materials licensed: CC BY-ND 4.0 by eirenicon llc.