German Communities in Russia
Bauer Community (Russia)
The Russian army assisted the new immigrants by scouting out areas that would make good sites for settlements. These site were located close to a source of water, usually a river or stream.
The Russian army platted lots for the arriving immigrants in a grid system. Germans settled as a group in a central location or town and farmed the land surrounding the settlement. Communities were based on religious affiliation, with Lutheran, Catholic and Mennonites being the prominent religions.
The Germans weren’t interested in becoming Russian and were determined to maintain their identity as Germans living in Russia. It was, after all, Russia’s offer to allow them to abide by their chosen faith, set up self-governance, be exempt from military service and be able to continue to speak German, that drew them to the area in the first place.
These communities maintained the German tradition of a strong father who had the last word in family decisions. Marriages were often arranged by intermediaries who knew both families. Intermarriage between the Germans and the local Ukrainians was highly discouraged. Despite living in Russia for several generations, the German communities remained ethnically and culturally German.
Father William Sherman
Father Sherman talks about how the Germans were able to maintain their ethnic and cultural identity after immigrating to Russia.
German Communities in Russia
