[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Re:Zyrardow, church records and Amalia Meissner Dreger

[Karl Krueger]

Hi Janine,
Getting on this listserve was like hitting the accelerator in your family research. You said it took you 12 years to get someone to translate some documents for you. At SGGEE there are plenty of us that can manage German, Polish, and to varying extents Russian documents - at least some of us have other native speakers that we can go to for the troublesome documents. As you have seen just in this week, we can process these European documents pretty quickly.
 
Because you have given us more information on your maternal lineage, it didn't surprise me that Al finds some of your ancestors in the SGGEE pedigree database. Now that you see what SGGEE has at its disposal  you might consider becoming a member. As you can see, many of us have become specialists in researching the Germans of eastern European history.
 
I think I understand why your g-grandparents arranged the marriage of Amalie. They clearly had some concerns about her being among the German farmers and working hard in the fields. You will find this often where parents can arrange to have cousins get married. Looking back now you can see how advantageous it was they had her leave for the US. Who knows where she what would have happened during or after WW II.
 
I find these notes your g-grandfather wrote very informative. Do you know when he wrote them? How did your grandmother get them? Do you know how she made and maintained contact with her siblings after the war?
 
Edward's #2 is inconsistent with #4. Who is he referring to as "Grandmother". If he lived in Zyrardow since he was a small child, he would not be settling there in 1893.
 
I would welcome a scan of the picture you talk about. My prediction is that would be the work camp. If you want to send a scan of the handwritten notes I could verify if those translations are correct. Perhaps the camp was in Zyrardow and in July 1944 they took these "prisoners" to Germany. I also wonder whether the Nazis had an interest in using the factory for their own interests so maybe they "used" the German factory workers to keep it running. But I wouldn't expect them to treat the Germans roughly and they surely would have allowed them to live together as a family if they went along with the regime. Another tell tale sign that something was wrong here is that they did not take Hugo and Edi (Eduard) into the military.
 
The Oct 12, 1940 document on his birth would correspond to a German certified birth record (translated from the original Cyrillic records) to verify his ethnicity. I have several of these from my family.
 
JanKohl57 at aol.com wrote:
Thank you all you wonderful, helpful people.Rose, Bob and Karl. My 
grandmother Amalia MEISSNER, b. in Zyrardow and was baptised Evan.Luth. One part of the 
document says in Wiskitki 20 Mar. 1910. Her future husband who was also her 
cousin Rudolph DREGER was also b.in Zyrardow. Their mothers were sisters 
Paulina and Florentina WENDLANDT. Amalia was sent to the U.S. in 1913 to marry her 
cousin and also her parents did not want her to be put out in the fields to 
work for the germans! Amalia's parents: Edward MEISSNER b. Nov 2 1876 to Johann 
MEISSNER and Julianna(nee DRABERT) of Feliscdorf. Don't know were this place 
is. I don't have the actual birth cert. but have ledger #190-year1870. Strange 
that it is dated Oct 12, 1940 Zyrardow. Edward married Paulina WENDLANDT 
daughter of Michel and Justine(nee WENDLANDT).? I have written info on Paulines 
birth and baptism.. "the city is in poland bei Peterkau." , according to ledger 
#7557 in Eichstadt. Pauline WENDLANDT b. in Piaski Sept. 5 1871, bapt.Sept 
17 1871 Augsburger Evan. ch. This is taken from ledger # 191 1871 on June 18, 
1940. I have found so far 4 different Piaski towns. I also have marriage info 
of Edward and Paulina's marriage on Feb 12, 1893 dated Oct 12 1940. Was 
there a time in 1940 that they all had to prove their ethnicity with these 
documents? As I noted in my original inquiry Edward and Paulina and two of my 
grandma's brothers named Hugo and Edi were all supposedly put in work or 
concentration camps, but escaped. It' s not known where or when. Paulina died after the 
war in Feb 6 1946. My mother said she had been very sick and "they would'nt 
give her the medication she needed" Edi died shortly after also Mar 10 1948. I 
have a picture of him with several other men dressed in what looks like striped 
prisoner garb, sitting on cots. Could this have been from a hospital or work 
camp? Another paper that I have written by my grt grdf Edward says: #1 
Grandmother settled in Zyrardow on 9-30-1887, #2 I settled there as well on 
6-10-1893, #3 THE GERMANS TOOK US FROM ZYRARDOW, POLAND TO GERMANY ON 7-30-1944***** 
#4 Ever since I was a small child I lived with my parents in Zyrardow, #5 For 
40 yrs. I worked in a factory in Zyrardow. My wife worked there as well. She 
put in 46 years of work. We are retired and receive old age benefits. What do 
you think # 3 means? It's taken me 12 years to find someone to translate 
these papers that I have. Most are in German, Russian or Polish. I want you to 
know that I really appreciate your assistance on this. Sincerely Janine 
Kohlhorst jankohl57 at aol.com 

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