German-Russian Stories Continued....

White and Wolves

by

Jammie McEvoy

In a message dated 4/15/02 10:42:00 AM, salmonandcrow@hotmail.com writes:

<< One of my ancestresses was a mid-wife, both in Bessarabia and in Canada. Wilhelmina (Erdmann) Littke no doubt delivered many of your ancestors in places they lived, like Taratino and Kloestitz. She wore white when travelling to do midwifery at night, to be more visible to the wolves. She was sometimes followed by a pack led by a female. Her husband, my ancestor, left letters in which it was mentioned. I will get back to you on this after I have a look. The letters also mention military service, a diptheria epidemic, poverty, and some other aspects of life.

Jaimie McEvoy

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada >>

Midwife, Christina Welz Warnke

by

Pat Dunn

In a message dated 4/15/02 10:56:14 AM, patd@proaxis.com writes:

<< I will be greatly interested in learning more from Jaimie McEvoy. My gt-grandmother was from Tarutino and Danielsfeld, Bessarabia. She came to the Tripp SD area in 1876. She was a midwife and (doctor?) for many years. She is credited with delivering over 3000 babies in a biography written for a SD Dept of History Report and Historical Collections, vol. 33, 1966. A longer, unpublished version is available. I don't think I ever heard if she practiced her skills in Bessarabia or not. Her name was Christina Welz Warnke and her name in her second marriage was Bucholz.

She died the year I was born and my mother, who could recall some stories about her, has passed away. I have an aunt who is living who might remember some things.

Pat Dunn >>