Michael M. Miller, director and bibliographer of the NDSU Libraries’ Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, will lead the 20th anniversary Journey to the Homeland Tour to Ukraine and Germany, scheduled for May 15-25. The tour will include stops at Odessa, Ukraine; the former Bessarabian and Black Sea German villages; Stuttgart, Germany; and Alsace, France.

Joining Miller from NDSU will be Jeremy Kopp, special collections associate; and Ann Braaten, curator of the Emily P. Reynolds Historic Costume Collection.

Braaten said, “Ten years ago, I had the chance to interview families who originated from Alt-Elft, Kloestitz, Tarution and Arzis, Bessarabia. Their ancestors brought a hand-weaving tradition to America when they immigrated. What remains now of this tradition are surviving shawls, blankets and rugs. I look forward to seeing these villages to take in the landscapes that remained etched in the minds of the immigrants while living in America.”

Jocelyn Renner Tang of Fargo, a native of St. Anthony, N.D., along her daughter, Tiffany, will be among the travelers. They will visit their ancestral villages of Speier, Karlsruhe and Kathariental in the Beresan District. Renner said, “This trip is an incredible opportunity to travel with others whose histories are so much like mine. I am particularly excited to see the farmland since I come from a long line of farmers.”

The 21st annual Homeland Tour is schedule for May 14-24, 2015. For more information, contact miller at 701-231-8415 or michael.miller@ndsu.edu, or visit www.ndsu.edu/grhc.

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