Resources > Family Research > German EWZ Records
German EWZ Records
One of the Nazi goals was to conquer all of European areas of the Soviet Union and thereby create "living space" for Germanic peoples. When the Nazi's invaded southern Russia in June 1941 (Operation Barbarossa) they confiscated the Russian passports from ethnic Germans and issued them German passports.
In August and September of 1941, ahead of the advancing German army, Stalin began a systematic program to deport several ethnic groups, including the estimated 439,000 Volga Germans.
Operation Barbarossa ultimately failed due to military defeats at Kursk and Stalingrad. The Nazi army was forced to retreat from the Soviet Union beginning in 1943, evacuating with them many of the ethnic Germans who were living in southern Russia. To control and manage the immigration and naturalization of such a large group of people, the Nazi's set up the Einwandererzentralstelle (Immigration Control Center) or EWZ.
The EWZ records were captured by U.S. forces near the end of WWII and later microfilmed. The originals are held at Berlin Document Center and microfilm copies at the U.S. National Archives in College Park, Maryland.
The immigration records which came into existence because of the EWZ are a wealth of information for those searching to find their ancestors who were caught up in this mass relocation. There are over a million registered Germans whose records are included in this collection.
Although the Nazi army never reached the Volga German settlement area, there are EWZ records for many people who indicated that their birthplace or last residence was Norka. It is possible that these people had migrated to the German settlements in southern Russia or they may have been attempting to escape from the Soviet Union during this tumultous time. A list of those records is shown below:
In August and September of 1941, ahead of the advancing German army, Stalin began a systematic program to deport several ethnic groups, including the estimated 439,000 Volga Germans.
Operation Barbarossa ultimately failed due to military defeats at Kursk and Stalingrad. The Nazi army was forced to retreat from the Soviet Union beginning in 1943, evacuating with them many of the ethnic Germans who were living in southern Russia. To control and manage the immigration and naturalization of such a large group of people, the Nazi's set up the Einwandererzentralstelle (Immigration Control Center) or EWZ.
The EWZ records were captured by U.S. forces near the end of WWII and later microfilmed. The originals are held at Berlin Document Center and microfilm copies at the U.S. National Archives in College Park, Maryland.
The immigration records which came into existence because of the EWZ are a wealth of information for those searching to find their ancestors who were caught up in this mass relocation. There are over a million registered Germans whose records are included in this collection.
Although the Nazi army never reached the Volga German settlement area, there are EWZ records for many people who indicated that their birthplace or last residence was Norka. It is possible that these people had migrated to the German settlements in southern Russia or they may have been attempting to escape from the Soviet Union during this tumultous time. A list of those records is shown below:
For the query, Norka, category War Records:
File: 240,465 Deutsches Auslands-Institut T81-609 (E. Wise)
Kinzel, Wilhelm 1854 Norka
609/DAI 1470/1 5 400172 Ahnentafel
File: 502,976 DAI Film - Misc 5xx and 6xx of Series T81 Index (E. Wise)
Gibelaus, Jegor 1904 Norka/Wolga
CH5 606 5396633 Nowatschicha-prisoner
Gibelgash, Jegor 1901 Norka/Palzew/Saratow
CH5 606 5396634 Chwotschtewka-prisoner
File: 327,951 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 8 (E. Wise)
Schleicher, Wilhelm 3 Mar 1903 Norka
A3342-EWZ57-R147 0170
File: 90,213 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 110 (A. Marthaller)
Herdt, Katharina 7 Aug 1874 Norka
A3342EWZ50-C071 2216 geb. Liebhardt, verschleppt 1941
File: 179,147 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 112 (E. Bischoff)
Bauer, Konrad 12 Aug 1917 Neu-Norka A3342EWZ50-A033
2626
File: 235,015 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 115 (E. Wise)
Doering, Maria 15 Feb 1890 Norka
A3342EWZ50-B013 2980 geb. Bauer, wid. Horst
File: 346,107 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 128 (E. Wise)
Kiltau, Wilhelm 1863 Neu Norka
A3342EWZ50-D063 1446
File: 244,279 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 130 (E. Bischoff)
Krieger, Adam 15 May 1920 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
1724
Krieger, Annemarie 1884 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
1724 geb. Urbach
Krieger, Christine 14 Oct 1895 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
2386 geb. Kaiser
Krieger, Heinrich 12 Dec 1897 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
2386
Krieger, Heinrich 7 Feb 1921 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
2386
Krieger, Johannes 1880 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
1724
File: 369,543 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 132 (MHSBC)
Pauli, Wilhelm 30 Jul 1909 Neu-Norka
A3342-EWZ50-G019 2942
Pauli, Wilhelm 24 Aug 1933 Neu-Norka
A3342-EWZ50-G019 2924 1941 verschleppt
File: 362,841 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 133 (MHSBC)
Scheidemann, Konrad 1874 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-I044 2834
Schleicher, Amalie 1914 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378 geb. Pauli, verschleppt 1941
Schleicher, Elisabeth 1888 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378 geb. Hilser, verschleppt 1941
Schleicher, Maria 25 Jun 1928 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378 verschleppt 1941
Schleicher, Wilhelm 3 Mar 1903 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378
File: 379,803 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 134 (E. Bischoff)
Schaefer, Agnes 1872 Norka
A3342EWZ50-H018 2260 geb. Der
Schaefer, Heinrich 22 Feb 1919 Norka
A3342EWZ50-H018 2260
Schaefer, Philipp 1870 Norka
A3342EWZ50-H018 2260
File: 252,353 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 146 (E. Bischoff)
Reichert, Anna 1889 Norka
A3342EWZ50-G061 0432 geb. Repp
File: 283,559 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 147 (E. Bischoff)
Kaiser, Johann 1893 Norka A3342EWZ50-D059
2362
Kaiser, Wilhelm 2 Apr 1918 Norka A3342EWZ50-D059
2362
File: 222,594 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 150 (E. Bischoff)
Reich, Amalie 1872 Norka A3342EWZ50-H054
2836 geb. Schnell
Schneider, Maria 1897 Norka A3342EWZ50-H054
2836 geb. Reich
File: 325,489 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 152 (E. Wise)
Koch, Heinrich 9 Dec 1865 Alt Norka
A3342EWZ50-I008 1956
Staerkel, Jakob 18 Dec 1915 Norka
A3342EWZ50-I020 0900
Staerkel, Johannes 1887 Norka
A3342EWZ50-I020 0900
Staerkel, Katharine 1889 Norka
A3342EWZ50-I020 0900 geb. Ter
File: 430,883 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 159 (A. Marthaller)
Blum, David [Peter] 27 Dec 1919 Norka, Wolga
A3342-EWZ50-A063 0582 Son of Peter & Anna
Fritzler, Luise 1880 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-B083 2262 geb. Krieger, gest. 1942 Nadeshdine
File: 265,842 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 11 (E. Wise)
Batz, Katharina Marie 24 Dec 1856 Norka A3342-EWZ50-B025
2912 geb. Schnell
Dumler, Emanuel 30 Apr 1885 Norka A3342-EWZ50-B025
2912
Dumler, Natalie 22 May 1890 Norka A3342-EWZ50-B025
2912 geb. Batz, wid. Hartung
File: 285,698 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 14 (E. Wise)
Kniss, Heinrich 1895 Norka A3342EWZ50-E021
0650
Kniss, Konrad 1 Apr 1920 Norka A3342EWZ50-E021
0650
File: 227,856 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 17 (A. Marthaller)
Klaus, Elisabeth 15 Feb 1872 Norka, Balzer, ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-D038 1627 geb. Klaus
Klaus, Johann 8 Nov 1920 Norka, Balzer, ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-D038 1627
File: 184,709 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 52 (E. Wise)
Weizel, Katharina 30 Aug 1883 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1554 div. Kal
Weizel, Katharina 1884 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1588 geb. Jost
Weizel, Philipp 1886 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1588
Weizel, Wilhelm 9 Oct 1910 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1588
File: 536,193 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 61 (A. Marthaller)
Bergholz, Amalie 4 Apr 1879 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-A049 1220
File: 291,157 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 67 (E. Bischoff)
Nagel, Annemarie 1874 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848 geb. Hingel
Nagel, Heinrich 1874 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Christine 15 Nov 1905 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848 geb. Nagel
Schmidt, Katharina 1868 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848 geb. Glanz
Schmidt, Konrad 1867 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Ludwig 25 May 1904 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Lydia 1 Aug 1924 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Marie 14 Mar 1926 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
File: 259,156 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 69 (E. Bischoff)
Frank, Katharina 18 Sep 1897 Neu Norka A3342EWZ50-B071
2880 geb. Till
File: 218,684 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 93 (A. Marthaller)
Pauly, Emilie 25 Nov 1905 Norka, Krs. Balzer, ASSR d WD
A3342-EWZ50-G021 0508 geb. Albrecht
Pauly, Natalie 8 Mar 1925 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-G021 0508
Pauly, Wilhelm 1 Jun 1905 Norka, Krs. Balzer, ASSR d WD
A3342-EWZ50-G021 0508
File: 262,589 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 98 (E. Bischoff)
Nagel, Alexander 12 Mar 1918 Norka A3342EWZ50F071
2726
Nagel, Alwine 3 Mar 1912 Norka A3342EWZ50F071
2758 geb. Braun
File: 240,465 Deutsches Auslands-Institut T81-609 (E. Wise)
Kinzel, Wilhelm 1854 Norka
609/DAI 1470/1 5 400172 Ahnentafel
File: 502,976 DAI Film - Misc 5xx and 6xx of Series T81 Index (E. Wise)
Gibelaus, Jegor 1904 Norka/Wolga
CH5 606 5396633 Nowatschicha-prisoner
Gibelgash, Jegor 1901 Norka/Palzew/Saratow
CH5 606 5396634 Chwotschtewka-prisoner
File: 327,951 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 8 (E. Wise)
Schleicher, Wilhelm 3 Mar 1903 Norka
A3342-EWZ57-R147 0170
File: 90,213 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 110 (A. Marthaller)
Herdt, Katharina 7 Aug 1874 Norka
A3342EWZ50-C071 2216 geb. Liebhardt, verschleppt 1941
File: 179,147 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 112 (E. Bischoff)
Bauer, Konrad 12 Aug 1917 Neu-Norka A3342EWZ50-A033
2626
File: 235,015 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 115 (E. Wise)
Doering, Maria 15 Feb 1890 Norka
A3342EWZ50-B013 2980 geb. Bauer, wid. Horst
File: 346,107 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 128 (E. Wise)
Kiltau, Wilhelm 1863 Neu Norka
A3342EWZ50-D063 1446
File: 244,279 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 130 (E. Bischoff)
Krieger, Adam 15 May 1920 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
1724
Krieger, Annemarie 1884 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
1724 geb. Urbach
Krieger, Christine 14 Oct 1895 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
2386 geb. Kaiser
Krieger, Heinrich 12 Dec 1897 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
2386
Krieger, Heinrich 7 Feb 1921 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
2386
Krieger, Johannes 1880 Norka A3342EWZ50-E048
1724
File: 369,543 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 132 (MHSBC)
Pauli, Wilhelm 30 Jul 1909 Neu-Norka
A3342-EWZ50-G019 2942
Pauli, Wilhelm 24 Aug 1933 Neu-Norka
A3342-EWZ50-G019 2924 1941 verschleppt
File: 362,841 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 133 (MHSBC)
Scheidemann, Konrad 1874 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-I044 2834
Schleicher, Amalie 1914 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378 geb. Pauli, verschleppt 1941
Schleicher, Elisabeth 1888 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378 geb. Hilser, verschleppt 1941
Schleicher, Maria 25 Jun 1928 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378 verschleppt 1941
Schleicher, Wilhelm 3 Mar 1903 Norka, Geb. ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-H039 1378
File: 379,803 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 134 (E. Bischoff)
Schaefer, Agnes 1872 Norka
A3342EWZ50-H018 2260 geb. Der
Schaefer, Heinrich 22 Feb 1919 Norka
A3342EWZ50-H018 2260
Schaefer, Philipp 1870 Norka
A3342EWZ50-H018 2260
File: 252,353 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 146 (E. Bischoff)
Reichert, Anna 1889 Norka
A3342EWZ50-G061 0432 geb. Repp
File: 283,559 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 147 (E. Bischoff)
Kaiser, Johann 1893 Norka A3342EWZ50-D059
2362
Kaiser, Wilhelm 2 Apr 1918 Norka A3342EWZ50-D059
2362
File: 222,594 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 150 (E. Bischoff)
Reich, Amalie 1872 Norka A3342EWZ50-H054
2836 geb. Schnell
Schneider, Maria 1897 Norka A3342EWZ50-H054
2836 geb. Reich
File: 325,489 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 152 (E. Wise)
Koch, Heinrich 9 Dec 1865 Alt Norka
A3342EWZ50-I008 1956
Staerkel, Jakob 18 Dec 1915 Norka
A3342EWZ50-I020 0900
Staerkel, Johannes 1887 Norka
A3342EWZ50-I020 0900
Staerkel, Katharine 1889 Norka
A3342EWZ50-I020 0900 geb. Ter
File: 430,883 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 159 (A. Marthaller)
Blum, David [Peter] 27 Dec 1919 Norka, Wolga
A3342-EWZ50-A063 0582 Son of Peter & Anna
Fritzler, Luise 1880 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-B083 2262 geb. Krieger, gest. 1942 Nadeshdine
File: 265,842 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 11 (E. Wise)
Batz, Katharina Marie 24 Dec 1856 Norka A3342-EWZ50-B025
2912 geb. Schnell
Dumler, Emanuel 30 Apr 1885 Norka A3342-EWZ50-B025
2912
Dumler, Natalie 22 May 1890 Norka A3342-EWZ50-B025
2912 geb. Batz, wid. Hartung
File: 285,698 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 14 (E. Wise)
Kniss, Heinrich 1895 Norka A3342EWZ50-E021
0650
Kniss, Konrad 1 Apr 1920 Norka A3342EWZ50-E021
0650
File: 227,856 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 17 (A. Marthaller)
Klaus, Elisabeth 15 Feb 1872 Norka, Balzer, ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-D038 1627 geb. Klaus
Klaus, Johann 8 Nov 1920 Norka, Balzer, ASSR
A3342-EWZ50-D038 1627
File: 184,709 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 52 (E. Wise)
Weizel, Katharina 30 Aug 1883 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1554 div. Kal
Weizel, Katharina 1884 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1588 geb. Jost
Weizel, Philipp 1886 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1588
Weizel, Wilhelm 9 Oct 1910 Norka A3342-EWZ50-J005
1588
File: 536,193 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 61 (A. Marthaller)
Bergholz, Amalie 4 Apr 1879 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-A049 1220
File: 291,157 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 67 (E. Bischoff)
Nagel, Annemarie 1874 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848 geb. Hingel
Nagel, Heinrich 1874 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Christine 15 Nov 1905 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848 geb. Nagel
Schmidt, Katharina 1868 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848 geb. Glanz
Schmidt, Konrad 1867 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Ludwig 25 May 1904 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Lydia 1 Aug 1924 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
Schmidt, Marie 14 Mar 1926 Norka A3342EWZ50-H043
2848
File: 259,156 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 69 (E. Bischoff)
Frank, Katharina 18 Sep 1897 Neu Norka A3342EWZ50-B071
2880 geb. Till
File: 218,684 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 93 (A. Marthaller)
Pauly, Emilie 25 Nov 1905 Norka, Krs. Balzer, ASSR d WD
A3342-EWZ50-G021 0508 geb. Albrecht
Pauly, Natalie 8 Mar 1925 Norka
A3342-EWZ50-G021 0508
Pauly, Wilhelm 1 Jun 1905 Norka, Krs. Balzer, ASSR d WD
A3342-EWZ50-G021 0508
File: 262,589 EWZ Index for Miscellaneous Films 98 (E. Bischoff)
Nagel, Alexander 12 Mar 1918 Norka A3342EWZ50F071
2726
Nagel, Alwine 3 Mar 1912 Norka A3342EWZ50F071
2758 geb. Braun
Sources
Extraction of the EWZ records performed by Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl
Read the Captured German Records Background Discussion
Search EWZ Film Indices in the Odessa Library
Read the Captured German Records Background Discussion
Search EWZ Film Indices in the Odessa Library
Last updated January 31, 2016.