Victoria32
Creative Challenge Team
Registered: January 2009
Posts: 1,587
|
Credits:
Regina by Theresa Lindamood Designs
Mother Word art by Victorian Rose Designs
Template by Rumki Designs
Fonts: Adler and FG Bunnigrrrls handwriting
Journalling Reads:
Maria Flaming was born to Johann Flaming and Katharina Schroeder on Nov. 11, 1879 in Schardau, Molotschna, Russia. She was the 2 nd of 3 daughters born to the family. Little is known about her, as the family moved to Siberia and she was left to live with her grandparents. When she was 16, her parents came for her, but by then she has established roots in Schardau and chose to remain there. She married David Jacob Balzer in the Mennonite Conference church around 1901. Together, they moved to the Terek setlement, Village number 3, Talma. Here they built their home and farmed their land and their children were born. Their children were Katerina, 1903; Sara, 1905; Maria, 1907; Jacob, 1908; Margaret, 1910; Johann, 1911; David, 1912; Aganeta, 1915; and Liesbeth, 1918
When World War I broke out in 1914, David was again required to do alternative duties in the army. Life was difficult for Maria during the war years, as her children were still very young, and she would have to do the seeding, irrigating, weeding, and harvesting alone, with only the help of the older children who were only 12 and 13 years old.
When David was discharged from the army in 1917, the Russian Revolution had begun. Plundering and raiding by the Tartar bands was common. The village united to try and protect themselves. David was shot and killed by the bandits on Jan. 30, 1918. On Feb. 8, 1918, the entire village had to flee for their lives. Maria was able to sell a few of the cattle and some goods during the night, and this money kept the family from starvation during the long trek. In August of 1918, the youngest daughter was born. In August, 1919, they finally were able to get on a train which would take them back to Schardau and Jacob Balzer's (David's father's) home. After their arrival, the baby Liesbeth passed away.
In 1920, Maria married David's youngest brother Daniel. 1921 was a year of starvation for the family. The crops failed due to a lack of rain, and what little grain was harvested was conscripted by the government.
Maria passed away on April 23, 1925 and is buried in Schardau.
|
