Is It Worth Finding Family? A Journey Through History and Heritage

Helena Koffler, née Philipps, was born around 1888 in Stanislawow, a town in Galicia, which at the time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, Austrian Galicia became part of Poland, and after 1945, it was incorporated into the USSR. Today, it is in Western Ukraine.

Note: Do not confuse Austrian Galicia with the Spanish province of the same name (home to cities like Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, and A Coruña).

Her birth took place during a period when Poland did not exist as an independent nation, having been partitioned by Austria, Prussia, and Russia at the end of the 18th century. Helena’s family background, with her father Johann Philipp born in 1863 and her mother Jozefa Gorska in 1869, places them squarely within this multi-ethnic empire, where Poles, Ukrainians, Jews, and other groups coexisted under imperial rule.

Helena married Anton Kofler from Austria (Bozen, South Tyrol) in the early years of the 20th century, a time marked by growing nationalist movements across Europe. The couple had two daughters, Elena and Anita, amidst the backdrop of World War I (1914–1918) and the subsequent collapse of empires, including the Austro-Hungarian one. Bozen in South Tyrol became Bolzano, Upper Adige in Italy after the war.

This tumultuous era saw the re-establishment of Poland as an independent country in 1918 after more than a century of partitions. Helena lived through both World Wars, witnessing the interwar period of Polish sovereignty and the devastating impacts of World War II, including the Holocaust and the Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe. She passed away in 1975 at the age of 87 in Bolzano, Upper Adige, Italy, a region with its own complex history of shifting sovereignties. It was annexed by Italy from Austria after World War I and underwent intense Italianization efforts under Fascist rule. By the time of her death, Helena had witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the horrors of war, and significant changes in Europe’s political landscape.

Elena Koffler, their daughter, born in 1920 in Bolzano, married an Italian, Salvatore de Franco, and lived in Italy, in Azzate. They had four children: Franco, Irene, Maria, and Mila. Mila de Franco currently lives in France. Her date of birth suggests that her mother, Helena Philipps, met Anton Kofler towards the end of World War I, possibly when he was a soldier in the Austrian army stationed in Austrian Galicia.

Anita Koffler, the other daughter, married Katryniuk and emigrated to Argentina around 1945, settling in Cordoba.

Helena Koffler (née Philipps) had several siblings:

- Katharina Elisabeth Zika (née Philipps) born in 1889

- Emilia Maria Harz (née Philipps) 1892–1963

- August Philipps 1896–1979

- Johann Philipps 1905–1997

- Franz Joseph Philipps born in 1909

- Zofia Kamiński (née Philipps) 1913–2002

- Edward Philipps

- Adelaida Skrynek (née Philipps)

- Wilhelm Philipps.

After 1945, part of the family lived in Poland, and others resided in Germany (Jena, Gera). Some older branches of the family are known to live in Germany, Canada, and the USA.

Franz Joseph Philipps is my grandfather, who arrived in Buenos Aires in 1946, and his subsequent fate remains unknown.

Everything written here I have uncovered myself, searching archives and the Internet. Although this information can be found on numerous genealogy sites and my blogs, no one from the family has ever reached out to me. I have wondered why. The reason is probably quite simple: for example, Elena de Franco’s children were born between 1941 and 1948, so her grandchildren, whom I don’t know, were likely born after 1960 (making them around my age). Their kinship to me is already quite distant. Elena’s daughter, Mila de Franco, shares 4% of my DNA (as shown by MyHeritage results), but despite my request for contact, she has never responded. Is it even worth trying to connect?

Exploring the History of the Danube Germans

 The journey into the past can often reveal more than just names and dates; it can uncover layers of personal connections, family ties, and shared histories that intertwine with the broader strokes of national narratives. As I delved into the extermination of the Danube Germans, my interest deepened when I came across the tragic story of Anna Philipps, who died in 1946 at the Rudolfsgnad concentration camp. Her fate opened a portal into the harrowing experiences endured by the Danube Swabians during and after World War II.

While researching, I stumbled upon a memorial page dedicated to Anna Philipps. The site not only provided insights into her life but also served as a reminder of the countless individuals whose stories have been lost or forgotten. Anna’s tragic end in a concentration camp epitomizes the suffering inflicted upon the Danube Germans after the war, when many were expelled or killed due to their ethnicity. You can find more about her memorial on https://www.findagrave.com/

 

As I continued my research, I discovered the extensive history of the Danube Swabians, a group of Germans settled along the Danube River in the 18th century. Their story is one of resilience amid adversity, marked by forced migrations and cultural dislocation. The more I read about the experiences of the Danube Swabians, the more I realized how interwoven their histories were with places like the Banat and Bačka (Batschka).

A fascinating source I found discusses this history in greater detail, highlighting various aspects of life and struggle for the Swabian community. You can explore this resource here Three villages in the Banat 

Among the historical narratives, I was thrilled to uncover connections to my own ancestry. My research brought me back to Johann Adam Philipps and his journey to the Banat in 1786. He settled in Kirschker after emigrating from Pfalzweyer in Lothringen. Interestingly, my lineage also traces back to Lothringen, specifically to the village of Zilling, located just five kilometers from Pfalzweyer. This discovery prompted me to consider the various ways our family lines may have intertwined, especially as Johann Nikolaus Philipps departed from Zilling in 1778.

It is compelling to think that Johann Adam and Johann Nikolaus may have been separated during their respective migrations through Vienna, with the former sent to Batschka and the latter to Galicia. Their paths, shaped by the political upheavals of their time, undoubtedly affected the fates of future generations.

I also found poignant stories in my family tree, detailing the lives of other Danube Swabians like Katharina Phillips (born Becker), who was born on August 3, 1888, in Bocar, located in present-day Serbian Banat, and was married to Rudolph Philipps, originally from Ugartsthal in Galicia. Their migration to Los Angeles is a testament to the far-reaching consequences of historical events, as families sought out new beginnings far from their homeland.

The list of the deceased includes many individuals bearing the name Philipps, further illustrating the vast network of families affected by the tumultuous history of the Danube Swabians. Notably, I stumbled upon Elisabeth Schmidt, born Philipps, who tragically died in 1945 at the Konz lager Jarek, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by this community.

                     

My exploration of the Danube Germans has been both enlightening and heartbreaking. Learning about individuals like Anna Philipps and others within my family tree has deepened my understanding of the past and its lingering impact on future generations. The stories of the Danube Swabians are not just historical footnotes; they are personal narratives that deserve to be remembered and honored. By sharing these stories, I hope to contribute to the collective memory of a community that has persevered through unimaginable trials, reminding us all of the importance of understanding our histories and the connections they create across time and space.

 The Philips family history - Galician German family story is available to buy on EBAY

See the link here: The Philips family book

You may also order it from the author: andreyplz@gmail.com

Also e-book is availabe.

The book describes the history of the family andother settlers during the Josephine colonization (German: Josephinische Kolonisation or Josephinische Besiedlung) in the new Austrian lands, especially Austrian Galicia and Bukovina. The pictures on ebay show the book content and a list of names mentioned in the book.

A perfect souvenir or Gift for Galician Descendants

 A MUG with the coat of arms of Galicia and the inscription GALICIAN DESCENDANTS

High-quality ceramic mug with a durable, wash-resistant print. Orders here: andreyplz@gmail.com

The mug is a great souvenir as well as a practical and original gift idea.

Capacity 330ml

Material: Ceramics / White gloss

Durable, indelible print in full color

Dishwasher safe

Can be heated in a microwave

From Zilling to Ugartsthal

The colonist Georg Wenzel e.g. took in 1783 the following way into the Sendomir (Sandomierz) area: Bielsko - Biała, Kęty, Zator, Skawina, Brzesko, Tarnów, Dąbrówka, Mielec and Jeżów . Probably my ancestor - Johann Jacob Philipps from Zilling in Lotaringia, together with his family, spent the same time and manner travelling. Maybe, he travelled together with Wenzel... The picture shows the possible route of Johann Jacob Philipps from Zillingen to Ugartsthal - all rights reserved ! Publication authorized by quoting sources.

Francis Joseph Philips

My Grandfather Francis Joseph Philips (Franciszek Józef) was born on 10 November 1909 in Stanislau (Polish Stanisławów, today Ukrainian Ivano Frankivsk), in Galicia, which was a part of the Austrian – Hungarian Empire. Hence it is easy to guess that the names Franz Joseph was given in honor of the reigning emperor of Austria - Franz Joseph I.
In 1927 he married Wanda Józefa Bartoszewska, with whom he lived in Stanislau in Wyspianski 17 Street Wyspianski 17 (today Odessa Str. in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine).
He was mobilized to the Polish army on Aug. 27, 1939 year, as a soldier of the 48 Infantry Rifle Regiment in Stanislau. From 3 September 1939 to 16 September 1939 he took part in the fighting against German aggressors fighting under Bochnia, Zamosc, Janowiec, Tomaszów Lubelski, entering into the composition of the 16 Tarnów Infantry Regiment. After the aggression of the Soviet troops in eastern Poland on 17 September 1939, he was captured by the Soviet Union and was imprisoned in the camp, where he remained until 1942. On 1st February 1942, he joined the Polish army formed by General Wladyslaw Anders. Since that time he was a soldier of the Krechowiecki Cavalry Regiment. He left in Stanislau his wife and three children, with who he never saw again. In April 1942, he was in the Polish Armed Forces in Iran. March 25, 1942, in the connection with the reduction of food portion of the army, the regiment in the first evacuation sailed from Krasnovodsk (USSR) to Pahlevi (Iran). May 13, 1943 F. Philips comes to Palestine and is then sent in May to the British training base in the village of Abbassi (northern outskirts of Cairo), where he ends the course as a tank and motor mechanic. 11 January 1944 is appointed corporal. From 8 April 1944 to May 8, 1945. takes part in the fighting at the front in Italy, including the battle at Monte Cassino, as a soldier of 2nd Armoured Brigade. For the participation in the Italian campaign is awarded
the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45.

After the war, along with other soldiers of Anders Army found itself in the UK. 10 July 1948 was exempted from the Polish Armed Forces in the UK and he emigrated to Argentina and next to Canada.


Mapa pochodzi ze strony: http://commons.wikimedia.org; autor: Lonio17




 

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On December 6, 2017, the Polish Post together with the Post Office of Kazakhstan issue a new postage stamp of the Anders Army - the Trail of Hope.

Zilling

OVER A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY


In 966, in a document, Zilling is mentioned for the first time under the name Zuselingen. The oldest village called Illingen. It was located a little further north, at a place called "Illinger Bann"

But our area was inhabited much earlier: The "Seeb" or "Mardelles" had set their houses on stilts to protect themselves.

There were also traces of Roman colonization: in 1892, was discovered near the Zinsel a Roman cemetery with the remains of bones, pottery, glass and zinc tip of spear.

A collapse of the Roman Empire, the Franks were established in our region, mingling with the ancient people called "Walen" or "Walchen.

Around the year 1000, the village belonged to the Duke of Bar, later it depended on the Abbey of St.-Mihiel (Meuse) and, in 1285, the monastery near Vergaville Dieuze. It was then shared between the Knights of Castle Lutzelbourg and the Lords of Herangi.

In 1460, Count Palatine acquired 2 / 3 of the village that incorporated the County of La Petite Pierre, the rest went to the Lords of Bourscheid. The French Revolution put an end to this situation.

In 1556, Count Palatine introduced the Reformation and its dependencies and Zilling became a Protestant village.

In 1661, Louis XIV purchased the "Route", a wide corridor that would lead to Alsace. Zilling shared the fate of the County which was annexed to Alsace in 1682.

After the Revolution, by a decree of the National Assembly Zilling was seconded villages "Krumm-Elsass" and attached to the department of Meurthe and later the Moselle.

By 1600, Zilling had a chapel, but the church today was built in 1720 and revamped in 1883.

The old houses built in the 19th century and early 20th century are spacious and have the "Schopf" and often a good frame of carved door.


POPULATION


In 1570 the village had 17 families. The 30-year war has driven much of the population. This will return gradually, since, just before the Revolution, Zilling had 67 inhabitants.

The 1957 census showed 276 inhabitants. This number has steadily decreased until 1982 (225 inhabitants). Since the population has rebounded significantly (259 inhabitants in 1999) with new contructions.

Zillingen - Coat of arms