Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was for centuries the home of people of German origin. All changed dramatically starting 1939, when the exodus of Baltic - Germans began.
As a result of the Hitler-Stalin Pact of Aug. 23, 1939, which delivered Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to the Soviets, Germany concluded agreements for the resettlement of Germans. Although there was theoretically an option right to remain, given the imminent Soviet annexation of the independent Baltic republics in June 1940, the overwhelming majority of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Germans decided to relocate. The treat was real, and many of them had no second thoughts about leaving everything they owned behind. All they took was a small suitcase, etc. as much they could carry on precious belongings and valuables. According to Eduard Otto Berggrün, his father Eduard Rudolf Berggrün was 73 years old when he left his house and land. All he carried was the list of belongings and the memories of a place which was the family's home for generations. After arriving in Germany, he decided to go back. When he came to Svobiskis his home was seized and occupied.  He went back to Germany and spent some years in a DP camp ( displaced person camp) before he died in 1949 in Gustävel/ Mecklenburg. At times the two old people, Eduard Rudolf and his second wife Natalie had barely enough food to eat and they always were grateful for the care packages they received from their family.

In 1945 was severe chaos in the Baltic States, East and West Prussia. It was the last chance for the refugees from the Baltic States to get to the west unharmed. Family members like Vale Berggrün ( the wife of Artur Berggrün, son of Eduard Rudolf Berggrün ), was with her three children in West Prussia when Russians advanced to the west. In the chaos she was separated from her children and it wasn’t long before the Red Armee captured her. Kind people took the children into their care and evacuated. The children made it to Germany but were then separated and placed like thousands of other children in an orphanage until they were able to be reunited with there father Artur Berggrün. Their mother Vale Berggrün remained missing. After years passed and there were no signs of Vale being alive, Artur and his children Wanda, Aldona and Eduard moved 1950 to Australia. Vale did survived the deportation and lived her remaining life in Panevėžys, never be able to see her husband and children again.

Going to Germany was a dangerous journey especially for the Berggrüns. It was the surname of Jewish families as well. Caring proper identification, church records, etc. was most important. In the chaos, some family members coming from Riga/ Latvia were not prepared and found themselves in the ghetto Litzmannstadt.  They were able to survive.

The Grube Family - Bertha Grube ( sister of Eduard Rudolf Berggrün)  and her children Georg, Bertha, and Gerda settled in Schöningen/Germany.  Artur Berggrün ( son of Otto Wladislaw Berggrün, nephew of Eduard Rudolf Berggrün ), his wife Gertrude and their sons, Egon, Ernst, Wilhelm and Harry settled in Braunschweig/ Germany.

In 1956 the brothers Harry and Emil Berggrün, sons of Eduard Rudolf Berggrün, left Germany with their families and emigrated to the United States of America. Eduard Otto Berggrün and his stepmother Natalie were the only ones left in Germany of the family of Eduard Rudolf Berggrün.

Eduard Otto Berggrün was looking for year for missing family members with the help of the Red Cross. The day of joy came when he found out that his sister Ida Emma Berggrün, his first wife Olga and his children were still alive. They arrived in Germany 1961 and were placed in a refugee camp for the next weeks. After they were released Ida Emma Berggrün moved to Frankfurt/Main, Olga and the children Siegfried, Reinhold, and Ingrid moved to Butzbach/Hessen.

The family ones so close and rich on traditions faced now great distance.  While the younger generation adjusted quickly to new places and the changes, the older family members left their hearts in Lithuania. They longed for their family and the traditions, their country and the way of life. Some of them remained a displaced person all their lives. The beloved home and country was gone but never forgotten.

" Home is where the heart is! "
 

Please click on each picture to view the slide show