52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 5 Prompt - Influencer

2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 5

Prompt – Influencer

I have only learned of this noun in the past few years. Usually it has to do with the internet and social media. I think in its most simplistic form, it is a person of some credibility and expertise who has the ability to influence another person.

This week I will blog about Catherine The Great of Russia. The influencer of the late 1700's.

Catherine became the Empress of Russia in 1762. Europe was in turmoil following The 30 Year War and The Seven Year War. Germany felt the results of the political strife from the thousands of principalities, each with their own rulers. The Catholics and Protestants were in constant conflict. Protestant Germans bore the brunt of higher taxes to help pay for the war that just ended. In addition land was not available for expanding families.

At the same time Russia was acquiring land through war. In particular the southern area of Russia which was acquired from The Ottoman Empire. Catherine saw the land along the lower Volga River as somewhat of a lawless wasteland ruled by roving bandits. She wanted to colonize this area to solidify it as her Russian Territory and have the colonies work the land for Russia's gain.

The marriage between those who had and those who did not was formed.

On 22 Jul 1763 Catherine The Great sent out her manifestos to those in Europe but in particular she wanted the German-speaking lands to be targeted. She sent her agents out into Europe to post leaflets and spread the news of the great opportunities for those wanting to move on to something better.

Empress Catherine offered up such incentives as; religious freedom, they could keep their own language, no taxes for 30 years, land at no cost, travel to the new land was paid for by the Russian Government. Also loans would be granted interest free for their dwellings, equipment for farmland and livestock. They would not be drafted into the military against their will. Education could be done in their language. And further that these privileges would extend to their children and descendants despite being Russian born.

It is little wonder that Russia saw 30,000 Germans immigrants between the years of 1763 to 1766.

Or to put it in “Influencer” language, she had 30,000 followers!

This is how my Krikau genealogy line came to be Germans from Russia.

There is a site online called The Volga German Institute of Northern Florida. It is their mission “to document the cultural manifestations of the German-speaking minority that lived along the Volga River in Russia from 1764 – 1941 and their descendants.”

Within this website is a category of surnames. I found the name “Krickau” and was fascinated in what they had written about this family – my ancestors.

“Krickau

 Spelling Variation: Krikau

Settled in Following Colonies: Warenburg

Pre-Volga Origins: Wolfenhausen, Kr. Limberg-Weiburg, Hessen

Discussion & Documentation

 "Phillip Jacob and Maria Christina Krikau had at least two children: (1) Johann Georg was born 20 October 1721 in Wolfenhausen; and (2) Maria Catharina.

Daughter Maria Catharina Krikau married Jacob Spath and settled in the Volga German Colony of Balzar. [see Spath Family].

Son Johann Georg Krickau, married Maria Kunigunda [surname unknown]. The baptisms of the following children are recorded in the parish register of Wolfenhausen: (1) Johann Wilhelm baptized 7 September 1749; (2) Maria Katharina baptized 31 October 1751; (3) Maria Magdalena baptized 27 July 1753; (4) Johann Adam baptized 7 September 1765.

Johann Georg Krickau, a farmer, his wife Kunigunda and children (Johann Wilhelm, age 16; Maria Katharina, age 14; Maria Magdalena, age 11; Anna Elizabeth, age 7 1/2 ;Johann Adam, age 1) arrived from Lubeck at the port of Oranienbaum on 4 July 1766 aboard the ship Die Neue Freiheit Von Brenen under the command of Skipper Steingrawer.

Kunigunda died after they arrived in Russia, and Johann Georg remarried to widow Maria Katharina Gilau who was on the same ship arriving at Oranienbaum with them. The combined Krickau / Gilau family settled in the Volga German Colony of Warenburg on 12 May 1767. Johann Georg Krickau and his wife Maria Katharina. Children from his first wife ( Johann Wilhelm, age 18; Maria Katharina, age 16; Maria Magdalena, age 8; Johann Adam, age 3, and step-children (Anna Maria Gilau, age 16; Johann Georg Gilau, age 13) are recorded there on the 1767 census of Warenburg in Household No. 156.

The Oranienbaum passenger list records Johann Georg Krickau came from the German region of Runkel. The 1767 census records that he came from the German village of Wolfenhausen in the region of Runkel.”

 

Andreas Krikau is my maternal great-grandfather. Me,Wendy Hoffart (Peters), my mother, Vivian Peters (Sullivan), her mother, Mary Sullivan (Krikau) and her father, Andreas Krikau.

In 1767 my ancestor, Johann Georg Krikau decided to immigrate to Russia from Wolfenhausen, Germany to Warenburg, Russia. Of course, not all of the privileges promised came to be. They arrived and were forced to settle not in any land in Russia, but the site chosen for them along the Volga River. The area was described as a sea of grass as far as the eye could see. The lumber promised never did come. There was no farm implements or even livestock. They were not allowed to be anything but farmers despite the colonists knowing so little about farming because they were artisans in Germany. They were not allowed mingle with the other colonies. The money promised came in very small amounts and not in the amounts promised. Although there is some rumours that the appointed Russian leaders in Volga helped themselves first. The colonists were poor and very homesick for what they had left behind. They couldn't leave Volga because of poverty. 1773 to 1775 the German Colonists were the target of Pugachev's Rebellion which was headed by a disgruntled ex military Russian portraying himself as The Czar attacking the colonies, killing the colonists, taking farm implements, livestock and most often burning the entire village. Essentially those that survived were left to start over again.

The hardships were unfathomable but they survived against all odds. Sadly due to Russification and compulsory military enlistment, the Germans found themselves on the move again but this time to The Americas with so many of the same privileges promised. 

Wendy