Conrad Brill
Conrad Brill, Konretja, was born in Norka on October 8, 1895.
After having served with the Russian Army during World War I, he left Norka on Christmas Eve, 1921 with his first wife and seven-year-old son, Adam. His wife died of influenza on the journey, but Conrad and his son were able to reach the refugee camp at Frankfurt and der Oder. There he met Anna Becker, who was from Erlenbach. Anna wanted to come to the United States to join her brother and sister. They were married in Frankfurt an der Oder in 1922 and arrived in New York later that year.
In Memories of Norka, Conrad Brill tells of his childhood in Norka, some of his experiences in the Imperial Army, his flight from Russia and journey to the United States, where he resided in Oregon. These memoirs were told to his son, George Brill, who recorded them on paper as a tribute to his father who had a keen interest in preserving the family history.
Memories of Norka provides a unique view into the world of the Volga Germans from Norka.
Conrad Brill also created a map of Norka, as it was in 1921. The map is available for purchase from AHSGR in Lincoln, Nebraska.
1914 photograph of Conrad Brill in Norka