[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Deportations to Siberia

[Sig Matt]

Hello Kyle,

I have no specific information re your EWZ questions. But here are some thoughts
about the "Siberian salt mines".

My father, who was born 1899 in Volhynia, and his family were relocated to the Omsk Region of Siberia 
in about 1915. He worked 1 year at a flour mill who's owner had a German name. The mill was located 
in a small village some distance from Omsk. After WWI the family moved back to their homestead
in Volhynia. Later my father moved to Germany, married, and all us children were born in Germany. 

During WWII  5 second cousins of mine, who had also been living in Volhynia, with their families
relocated to the Warthegau through the EWZ system. In late 1944-45 they fled farther west as the 
Russian front approached from the east. One family made it as far West as Leipzig, which eventually 
was occupied by British troops. British Authorities handed them back to the Russians who stated they 
would be going back to their home, but all 5 families landed in Siberia. One husband, who had become 
separated from his family during the chaos of the invading Armies, on learning that his family had been
sent back to the promised land (Russia), returned voluntarily. They luckily reunited some time later in Siberia.

After the political change in Russia all 5 families relocated to Germany in the early 1990's.
Through a miraculously lucky incident we became reconnected in 1996. We had been unaware of each 
others existence for over 60 years.    
One aunt, who accompanied her extended family to Germany, praised God to allow her to breath freely.
She was laid to rest in German soil a year later at age 91.  
In conversations with my relatives and my own research I have not run across anything that would indicate
any specific Russian Salt mines in that area. I believe the expression is a "figure of speech",
'Eine Redensart'. 
If not, perhaps some experts will provide clarification.


While I am familiar with Saskatchewan winters,
Greetings to all from California

Sig Matt



----- Original Message ----
From: Kyle Sattler <kylesattler at sasktel.net>
To: ger-poland-volhynia at eclipse.sggee.org
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:23:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] EWZ Files & Deportation to Siberia

Hello SGGEE members,

    I am asking for some help on my Zietz family from Ekaterinoslav,
Russia (southern Ukraine).  They were German Russians.  My great-great
grandfather, Bernhard Zietz (originally Sietz?) and his family
immigrated in December 1923-January 1924 as I have mentioned in previous
postings.  His father, Peter, died in 1916 in Russia.
  
    Bernhard's mother and siblings were still in Ekaterinoslav during
WWII.  I was wondering what records might be available for deportations
to Siberia or EWZ files.  I am not really familiar with EWZ files but I
believe that they were recorded for German Russians during WWII?  Did
they include the German Russians that got deported to Siberia to work in
the salt mines?

    I have been told that one of Bernhard's brothers, Aloysius, was
killed by revolutionists during the Russian Revolution as he was a
student at the university of Moscow.  I understand that they were prime
targets for Revolutionists.  Another brother, George, died at a young
age.  Bernhard helped George's widow immigrate to Canada.  From her he
found out that his mother, Regina (Malinovsky) Zietz and a brother,
Joseph, were sent to Siberia to work in the salt mines there. 
Bernhard's mother, Regina, was 71 at the time of her deportation.  I
would think that she would be unable to do much labour in salt mines at
that age?

    If someone could help me out on this subject, that would be greatly
appreciated!

    Greetings from the Saskatchewan winter,

    Kyle Sattler

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