[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Life in Volhynia-Russian Poland

[Ted Belke]

Hi

I do not know what the situation was in Volhynia but during the period 1890 
to 1930 when my family were living in Lublin - Chelm region of Polish Russia 
ownership of firearms was forbidden. Nevertheless my Uncle Julius did have 
one which he used for poaching small game. This was done at night in the 
Gutsbesitzer's forest while the gamekeeper was in bed. This was in 1918 & 
1919 when many people were starving after they returned to their destroyed 
homes, fields and orchards from Russia, Kazakistan, Siberia and other points 
East where they had been exiled during WW I. This was the justification for 
taking the risks involved with gun ownership. As is the case with all 
secrets this one leaked out and the farm was searched several times by the 
police. It was hidden in a hollowed out column in the barn and never found. 
My father, who was the 'man of the house' at the time, finally insisted that 
Adolf must turn the gun in because if it ever was found there would be 
serious consequences and the whole family would be in danger. As it turned 
out the gun was taken to the police and Uncle Adolf was kept in custody for 
only a short time and no other penalties were assessed.

It was told that fresh water fish were readily available. In the spring, 
when creeks flooded pastures and the excavations were peat had been 
harvested, coarse fish similar to our Turbot, Suckers and Eels were easily 
netted and trapped in the shallow water. Apparently lots of fun for all the 
young kids.

Ted Belke
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christopher Menke" <menke5616 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "SGGEE" <ger-poland-volhynia at eclipse.sggee.org>
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2006 10:26 AM
Subject: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Life in Volhynia-Russian Poland


> Hello All,
>  I am working on a family history, and am including a good portion on the 
> history and way of life in W. Prussia and Volhynia. One question that came 
> to mind, and I've never seen discussed (and I understand Volhynia was well 
> forested): Did many of the Germans in Russia have firearms with which to 
> hunt and put extra meat on the table? Were they even allowed to own them? 
> Was there an abundance of deer and other game? How about fishing? My 
> ancestors lived near the Wisla, and later in Volhynia near the Horyn River 
> and I wonder if that was done much.
>  Thanks,
>  Chris Menke
>
>
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