The McClelland's of Canada

The Herman family came to Canada either late in 1911 or early 1912 from the Hussenbach, Russia and settled in the Rhein, Saskatchewan area.

The Schwab's, from Wulka, Volynia, Russia, arrived in Canada in 1902, first settling in Manitoba, before moving to the Rhein area of Saskatchewan in about 1906. 

These regions in Russia were very close to each other.

HISTORY OF THE GERMAN MIGRATION TO CANADA

Katherine the Second of Russia, of German descent, ruled as Czar of Russia during the years 1762-1796. During the second year of her reign she had the thought of calling on foreign colonists to inhabit the large southern portion of her great domain to cultivate the land. She issued a  Manifesto on July 22, 1763, and invited people of other lands to immigrate to Russia.

The Seven Years War had just ended in Germany. This war had taken 800,000 soldiers and lives. The end of the war brought peace but there was considerable hardship and suffering. Thus against their own wishes many people thought of leaving the country. Many went to Poland, Austria, and America and thousands looked to new hope in the land near the Volga River in Russia. Thousands of Germans from Hessen, Sachsen Pfalz, Westfalen, Swaben, Wuer^-tembert, Baaerern, Preusen, Schlesien, and Bader came from all walks of life - farmers, tailors, barbers, hand workers, officers, students, carpenters, and those of nobility.

As a result of this Manifesto, 104 German colonies were founded between the years 1764 - 1768, along the Volga River in the area Saratov and Samara. It was the hope of the Russian government that these new colonists would bring higher culture to the land, especially the German farmers and technicians with their modern methods.

 Many things were promised these new colonists, such as freedom of religion, no military service, eighty acres of land per family, their own government, school, and churches. They were to be free but under the Russian law. They were promised a free trip from their homeland to their new home, no taxes for ten years and loan on 500 ruble interest free. They had their rights as citizens, freedom to build their own villages and police courts. The youngest son in the family would receive the inheritance, so that the older brothers would take up a trade. The youngest son was also to take care of the parents and unmarried sisters until death.

The gathering points were; Risslau, Gegensburg and Freiburrg -- they were all shipped to Moscow and Petersburg, from where they went south to Saratov which at that time had about 10,000 inhabitants. Saratov was designated as the capital of immigration. Here the colonists received money and other help, and were taken by wagon to their designated places on the land near the Volga. By 1768, some 104 colonies were organized, 59 east and 45 west, some 29,000 souls.

 Many troubles faced them in this new and uncultured world - a wilderness to say the least. Many government orders given at Petersburg were not carried out at Saratov. Crop failures, sickness, scarcity and often hunger besieged them, so that many perished. But as the years went on, they became more accustomed to this new land. The conditions improved, water mills built in almost every village. Spinning and tanning mills of various descriptions were established so that this once barren wilderness became a land of promise and hope. Wheat, barley, rye, vegetables and fine gardens became the order of the day.

 The years 1797 - 1845 were the prosperous years and it was during this time that many new colonists arrived. Sixty-one new colonies were established, 44 Evangelical Lutherans, the remainder Catholics. 

Dobrinka was their supply centre. It was also a train depot and about 8 miles from Hussenbach.  Holstein  was founded in 1765. Population in 1772 was 202, and by 1912 it was 2549, decreasing in 1926 to 1301..  The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia influenced daily life. Pastors and teachers supervised the study of German. The 1897 census showed that 76% of the people were Lutheran, 78% of the Russians were illiterate yet all the people of the German village could read and write.

After 1871,  self administration of these people almost came to an end, privileges that were promised were rebuked, military service was required so many planned immigration to the USA, Canada, and South America from 1873 - 1939.