The Beginnings of the Donauschwaben Banat

Many people in the United States today are of German heritage.  Some of them trace their roots back to Russia and call themselves the Volga Germans.  Their history includes stories of immigration and broken promises.  Our history is very similar but we come from an area to the south, the Banat province of Austria-Hungary.

The history of the Banat is as difficult to explain as it must have been, at times, to live there.  Over the years it has held many names in many languages. Today you will find our ancestral home, Georgshausen, is Velida Greda in the South Banat District of the province of Vojvodina, Serbia.  

Schwabia was one of the provinces of the southern and western part of Germany where the German who traveled to the Banat originated.  They were called Schwabians. Later the term Donauschwaben came to be used to distinguish the Schwabins from southeastern Europe.  Donau meaning Danube (as the river Danube) and Schwaben meaning the people of Schwabia.

There was much to attract these hard working Germans to the Banat.  Land was free, they were promised self-governance and were guaranteed protection under the Hapsburg Emperor.  They became the first free peasants in Hungary if not in all of Europe.

In three Schwabenzug, or Schwabia Migrations, our people traveled to the area north of the Danube river to establish settlements.  The first Schwabenzug was from 1722-1726.  The second, under Empress Maria Theresia, from 1762-1769.  The third, under Emperor Josef II beginning in 1780.  By that time descendants of the first and second migrations were forming  new villages.  Georgshausen was established in the winter of 1787 through the spring of 1788.

Heading Away From Home to a New Land

The Andreas Arnusch family leaving for the United States.

Sometimes you must leave a place before you can look back and appreciate it, question your life there and move on.

In our family this photo is famous.  It has come to represent everything that has happened since their arrival in the United States.  It also represents the bravery and strong will of people who choose to make a new life in a new land.

This photo was taken of the family aboard a train at Bremen, Germany.  Left to right are Andreas Arnusch, his sons Nikolaus, Hans, Franz and his wife Katharina.  In their eyes you can see many of the emotions they were feeling; a little joy, a little apprehension, and certainly hope.  They were leaving behind them, as much as anyone can, the fear and uncertainty of World War II, but also family and friends many of whom they would never see again. 

I often wonder what the boys must have been thinking, but they don't talk about the past very much.  Nik was 16, Hans 10 and Franz just 2. 

This is their story.  Through pictures and words I will share what I know of their past and where this train trip ultimately led them.