I just finished reading The Last Train to Leningrad by David Funk, who lives in Abbotsford. I found it interesting because he tells of the hardship that our grandparents faced in Russia before they were miraculously given permission to leave. The story he tells is of his own family (who happened to go through Leningrad before moving on to Prussia and to Canada) but they intertwine with other families in such a way that my own family history comes alive.
When David Funk's grandparents and family left on November 1, 1929 there were thousands still left behind in Moscow, waiting and hoping for emigration papers, many being sent away and never heard from again. My great-grandparents were given permission to leave at the end of the same month as did my H's grandparents along with their children. By that time South America had opened its doors for these refugees and that is where they went after a short stay in Germany.
This book gave me a glimpse of how this event in history has determined the course of my life, the fact that I'm here, and makes me ever so grateful!
My aunt recently sent me a photo she found while trying to find out more about our past. It was one that I had never seen before and sums up so much of what I have written about earlier.
Study it a bit with me here:
It is 1930 - and the inscription reads that the Neufelds are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary. I went to check my own records and saw that they were married in 1905 in Russia, so it made sense.
What I am intrigued with is all the rest that this photo tells ...
It's the year that my Oma (my maternal grandmother, age 16, siblings and parents) immigrated as refuges from Russia to Paraguay. They came by ship and went by river boat, train and then by ox-drawn carriage to this barren wilderness where they set up camp with many others in the same boat, literally. The makeshift shelter shows that they have not been there long. Yet, they have made tables, and stools and decorated for this occasion. The table has a white tablecloth and everyone is dressed in their best.
Great grandma and grandpa Neufeld are sitting at the head of the table. My grandmother is standing closest to her father, leaning against the shelter. Some siblings are married, others are younger. Friends have also joined them, the older ones dressed in their dark warm clothing from Russia. I was able to zoom in and see that they have Zwieback on the table! It amazes me that everything they needed to celebrate was taken care of.
One of Oma's brothers became interested in photography while still in Russia and did his own photo processing. Photo credit goes to Jakob Neufeld.
For more background you can read http://foreverythingaseason.blogspot.ca/2009/11/from-russia-to-paraguay.html
8 comments:
What an amazing picture Anneliese!! Is your grandmother the one in white? If that is her - she looks exactly like my older sister Marie. I love that you could see what they were eating and that it was your traditional Zweiback!!!! Such a treasure to find!
Yes, Rosella, she is the first person to my great-grandfather's left, against the shed. He is sitting at the end of the table with great-grandma. I think she looks older than 16. I have a photo of her wedding day three years later and she looks the same.
What an amazing picture that as you mention, tells so much!
What a treasure, for you now, and your children and their children. So moving.
Sharon
What a treasure, to find a photo like this! So interesting to get a glimpse of your family history and to see how these pioneers lived.
Dave is my cousin through marriage...and I've really enjoyed his books. How neat that they helped you trace more of your heritage. I loved that photo....what a treasure. It's amazing how beautifully dressed they are and the table set so lovely...and here we think we need so much to make that sort of celebration happen. Really enjoyed your post.
Amazing history, Anneliese. Wonderful to read some details of what it was like. Great photo!
This is a gem! How priceless to be able to have a tangible reminder of generations past.
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