[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Mass Migration, Schadura to Brazil, 1886

[Ron Neuman]

Several of these families who migrated to Brazil from Volhynia from 
the mid 1880's to 1891 eventually ended up making another major 
migration from Brazil to western Canada (specifically Alberta).  I 
have found several families who made this second migration; however, 
I can only remember one family name.  I'll try to find the others in 
one of the local history books.

The first source that mentions the migration from Volhynia to Brazil 
is found in the writings of Bishop Clemens Hoyler of the Moravian 
Church.  The following paragraph is found in his article entitled "A 
Brief Introduction to the History of the Moravian Church in Western 
Canada."  This article was published in the Transactions of the 
Moravian Historical Society (Volume XIV, Parts V and VI) in 1951.

"When it became evident that the Moravians could not establish 
independent churches in Russia, their leaders began to cast around in 
other lands where there were no government or ecclesiastical 
restrictions.  Those in Schadura were attracted to South 
America.  Under their minister, Brother Lange, they settled in Brazil 
and founded a colony which they called 'Bruederthal' in the state of 
Santa Catharina.  The climate, though considerably warmer than that 
of Volhynia, was fairly pleasant, but coffee culture on the mountains 
was a new and somewhat doubtful venture for the Volhynians.  After a 
few years their settlement broke up, their minister entered the 
service of the Lutheran Church, and several substantial families 
joined their brethren in Alberta."

A second paragraph later in the document states "By the time 
Bruderheim and Bruederfeld [Note:  These settlements were in western 
Canada near Edmonton] were organized, their numbers reached a total 
of 228 souls.  Some of the later arrivals came directly from Poland, 
and a few even from Brazil, whither they had first emigrated from 
Volhynia under the leadership of the Rev. Wm. Lange in 1885.  Their 
colony, located near Joinville, in the Province of Santa Catharina, 
was called Bruederthal.  It was not a success."

My second source is from a local history book (South Edmonton Saga) 
for the farm area on the south boundary of the City of Edmonton, and 
some of the area is currently part of the housing subdivisions of 
south Edmonton.  One family who came from Brazil is listed here - the 
Wolfram family.  The eldest son of Jacob and Eva (Schlender) Wolfram 
was Ludwig Wolfram.  Ludwig immigrated to Brazil with his parents at 
the age of 19 (he was born in 1872).  He married Ottilie Albrecht in 
Brazil, and their oldest son, Alfred, was born on January 7, 1902 at 
Joinville, Santa Catharina Province, Brazil.  In 1903 Ludwig, Ottilie 
and their son, Alfred, were forced to leave Brazil due to ill 
health.  They immigrated to Canada to join Ludwig's parents who had 
immigrated to Canada in 1900.

Since Ludwig Wolfram married Ottilie Albrecht in Brazil, it would 
appear as if an Albrecht family was also part of the emigration to 
Brazil from Volhynia.

Ludwig's parents, Jacob and Eva Wolfram, also followed the same 
migration path.  The following is a brief excerpt from their family 
story in South Edmonton Saga.  "The Jacob Wolfram family left Russia 
in 1891.  The long journey was via Germany to Brazil.  After arrival 
in Brazil, the family spent many months in an immigration camp in Rio 
de Janeiro before being allowed to settle in Joinville, Brazil.  In 
1900 the family packed their belongings and immigrated to the North 
West Territories where they had friends and relatives."

For those who are not aware of western Canadian history, the 
provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were formed in 1905 from land 
that was formerly part of the North West Territories of Canada.

As I mentioned previously, I do recall that there were at least two 
other families who came to Alberta from Brazil in the early 
1900's.  If anyone would like to have me find those families, please 
contact me and I will try.








>  Dear All,
>
>      I decided today to look for a several-greats aunt (Blondina
>  Wagner, geb Gruenke) who, according to family tradition, left
>  Volhynia to go to Brazil, and later moved  on to Uraguay.
>
>      I found her in the Hamburg passenger lists: What surprised me was
>  that she was part of a very large party, all giving their last residence
>  as Schadura, Russland (near Volodarsk-Volinsky).
>
>      There were 111 Germans from Schadura, all on the ship "Buenos Aires",
>  leaving Hamburg on the 19th May 1886, heading for the port Sao Francisco
>  in Brazil, led by the preacher Wilhelm Lange.
>
>      With the help of friend google, I think I've found out where they
>  ended up, in a place called Bruederthal:
>
> 
><http://www.ieclbhistoria.org.br/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2794&Itemid=40>
>
>     Has anyone previously come across this particular migration before?
>     Can anyone suggest sources for finding out about the general
>  history of Bruederthal, or the destiny of particular families in
>  Brazil?
>
>             Thanks,
>                 Paul Rakow
>
>
>
>
>
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