Memoirs of Johann Georg Schleuning
Important dates in the life of Johann Georg Schleuning:
Johann-Georg Schleuning was born June 17, 1912 in Norka. He was confirmed on June 6, 1927. In 1936, he was married to Maria (they had no children). In 1937, his father Georg and older brother Andrey were arrested. Up to the summer of 1941 he worked in a collective farm. In 1941, he was deported to Altai territory, and was forced to serve in the Worker's Army (Trudarmee). In 1942 he was sent to the labor camp near the city of Kopeisk, in the Chelyabinsk area. In May, 1943 he began work in a coal mine. In 1946 he was released from the labor camp and in August, 1947 he married Minna Кеmmel. In 1962 he became a pensioner. In April, 1992 he emigrated to Germany.
About Norka:
In the village there was a big pond. From the pond, a pipe carried water to the village. In each wide street there were water wells that were closed by heavy covers.
In the village there were two churches. One church was used only in the summer. In the winter, it was closed as there was no heating. Near to the main church stood a tower with three bells.
In the church there was also a school. Our house was constructed from bricks and covered with a metal sheet roof and was located near the church. The small children slept six together in one bed. Before the Revolution, my father worked for a weaving company owned by Paramonov.
In the 1930's, the government started to create collective farms. Before our property was collectivized, we had 6 bulls, 4 horses, 2 cows, some pigs and sheep. After collectivization, there was only one cow and a pig.
In 1930's, the church was closed. The church was then used as the state grain warehouse.
Between 1935 and 1937, many men in Norka were arrested. My father Georg was arrested because he read a prayer at the wedding of his daughter, Каtharina Elizabeth and Johann Schlidt (Schlitt). Someone told the NKVD (Soviet secret police) about the prayer and he was arrested in 1937 and along with my brother Andrey. Father did not return from prison, but my brother survived. Andrey now lives in Hanover, Germany.
In 1941, we were deported from Norka to the Altai territory. The family was large. My grandfather, his wife Maria, grandfather's sister-in-law Katherina Schleuning, her three children: Georg, Heinrich, Natalia and grandfather's sister Amalija and her son Klaus.
Johann-Georg Schleuning was born June 17, 1912 in Norka. He was confirmed on June 6, 1927. In 1936, he was married to Maria (they had no children). In 1937, his father Georg and older brother Andrey were arrested. Up to the summer of 1941 he worked in a collective farm. In 1941, he was deported to Altai territory, and was forced to serve in the Worker's Army (Trudarmee). In 1942 he was sent to the labor camp near the city of Kopeisk, in the Chelyabinsk area. In May, 1943 he began work in a coal mine. In 1946 he was released from the labor camp and in August, 1947 he married Minna Кеmmel. In 1962 he became a pensioner. In April, 1992 he emigrated to Germany.
About Norka:
In the village there was a big pond. From the pond, a pipe carried water to the village. In each wide street there were water wells that were closed by heavy covers.
In the village there were two churches. One church was used only in the summer. In the winter, it was closed as there was no heating. Near to the main church stood a tower with three bells.
In the church there was also a school. Our house was constructed from bricks and covered with a metal sheet roof and was located near the church. The small children slept six together in one bed. Before the Revolution, my father worked for a weaving company owned by Paramonov.
In the 1930's, the government started to create collective farms. Before our property was collectivized, we had 6 bulls, 4 horses, 2 cows, some pigs and sheep. After collectivization, there was only one cow and a pig.
In 1930's, the church was closed. The church was then used as the state grain warehouse.
Between 1935 and 1937, many men in Norka were arrested. My father Georg was arrested because he read a prayer at the wedding of his daughter, Каtharina Elizabeth and Johann Schlidt (Schlitt). Someone told the NKVD (Soviet secret police) about the prayer and he was arrested in 1937 and along with my brother Andrey. Father did not return from prison, but my brother survived. Andrey now lives in Hanover, Germany.
In 1941, we were deported from Norka to the Altai territory. The family was large. My grandfather, his wife Maria, grandfather's sister-in-law Katherina Schleuning, her three children: Georg, Heinrich, Natalia and grandfather's sister Amalija and her son Klaus.
Source
Written by Inga Harder, the granddaughter of Johann Georg Schleuning and used with her permission. Translated by Alexander Schreiber, Moscow.
Last updated April 22, 2016.