[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Escaping from Volhynia

[AlbertMuth at aol.com]

This is a stab in the dark, since my Muths came from Lublin province, on
the West side of the Bug river.

In the pre World War I period, there was no Volhynia-Poland "border".  We 
are dealing with abutting provinces (gubernia) in the Russian empire.  
In the postwar period (same war), Wolyn was one of the Polish provinces, so
still no international border.  I believe it is in this interbellum period 
that one 
refers to Polish Volhynia and Russian Volhynia.  If we are talking about
Eastern Volhynia in the post 1919 (?) time period, then "escape" may 
be a different story.

I have been following the recent discussion with interest because my 
grandfather Michael Muth 1862-1937 fled Russian Poland with his wife 
and two infants to avoid military service.  This basic fact coincides with
some of what I have been reading.  From family lore, I know that 
two unmarried men, Eduard Gabert (born about 1869) and Friedrich 
Tullke (born 1866), accompanied them; this story has been borne out 
by the Hamburg passenger list (sailed 15 May 1886 on the "Polynesia"--gee, 
what a cruise!).

In my possession, I have a passport allowing for internal travel between 
provinces within the Russian empire, dated 1886.  In his case, it allowed 
passage from Lublin gubernia to Warszawa gubernia.  Ostensibly, though 
it is not so stated, he was going to visit relatives.  The family story 
includes 
few details, but one of them is that they crossed the border hidden in a 
hay wagon.

Times change, we are dealing with slightly different geography.  I offer my
own family story in the hope that it can shed some light on the manner of
"escape".  SGGEE has several members who have visited (will visit) Volhynian
archives and may still maintain contact with them.  May I suggest, for the
benefit of all, that internal passport records be explored?  I find it hard 
to 
believe that any relief was felt upon entering "Poland", that is, West of the 
Bug
River, since this was still part of the Russian Empire.  

How far we are from today's travel itineraries!

More chatter on this issue is needed if it is going to benefit those who can
do the primary research in the archives.

Al Muth