Uncover the Forgotten Stories of German Communities in the Habsburg Empire

Article submitted by Andrzej Philips in June 2026. Copyright Andrzej Philips.

 

I am pleased to announce my publication of my comprehensive new book, “German Settlement in Central Europe under The Habsburg Monarchy”. This meticulously researched volume is an essential resource for historians, genealogists, and anyone interested in the rich tapestry of Central European history.

This book delves deep into the lives, journeys, and legacies of German settlers across key regions of the Habsburg Monarchy, including Galicia, Bukovina, Transylvania, and Bosnia. Through detailed family histories, archival research, and thematic studies, it brings to light the profound impact of these communities on the cultural and social landscape of Central Europe.

The book is available on eBay: https://www.ebay.pl/itm/137307643609 for 43,50$ (including postage). The  index of names you may see here: https://booksbyandrey.blogspot.com/2026/05/german-settlement-in-central-europe.html

Key Features & Content Highlights:

*  A Unique Genealogical Case Study: Follow the multi-generational saga of the Philipps family—from their origins in Lorraine, through their settlement in Ugartsthal, Galicia, to their diaspora in Canada.

*  In-Depth Regional Histories: Explore chapters dedicated to German colonies in Galicia, Bukovina, and Bosnia, and the story of the Transylvanian Saxons.

*  Institutional & Social Focus: Learn about the Evangelical Gymnasium in Stanisławów, the Lutheran Pastorate in Ugartsthal (with biographies of its pastors), and the philanthropic institutions of Dr. Theodor Zöckler.

*  Innovative Historical Methods: Discover how military records, postcards, and stamps can be used to reconstruct personal lives and historical events.

*  Diverse Community Portraits: Read about the Mennonites, the "Heim ins Reich" experience, and individual stories of colonists, teachers, and pastors.

*  Extensive Reference Tools: The book is supplemented with a comprehensive name index and a detailed table of contents, making it an invaluable research tool.

 

With 316 pages in a substantial large format and hardcover binding, this book is designed as a durable and authoritative addition to any library.

Complete Table of Contents:

 Preface

 

Part I: Foundations and Sources

1.  List of my Articles in “Galizien German Descendants Newsletters” and in “Blickpunkt Galizien – Das Heilige Band”

 

Part II: The Philipps Family – A Case Study

2.  The Philipps Family History

    2.1. Introduction

    2.2. Challenges in Tracing Ancestors

    2.3. The History of the Family in Lotharingia

    2.4. History of the German Lotharingia

    2.5. Trek to Poland

    2.6. Galicia

    2.7. German Settlers in Ugartsthal

    2.8. Polish Families

    2.9. The Canadian Phillips Family

    2.10. Other Families

 

Part III: Institutions and Community Life

3.  The Evangelical Gymnasium (Junior High School) in Stanisławów

4.  Military Listings as a Source of Genealogical Knowledge

5.  The Lutheran Pastorate in Ugartsthal

    5.1. Josephine Colonization

    5.2. Ugartsthal

    5.3. The Evangelical Church in Galizien

    5.4. The Evangelical Pastorate in Ugartsthal

    5.5. Pastors and Parish Administrators in Ugartsthal from 1790 to 1939

    (Detailed biographies of 15 pastors, from Philipp Eberhard Kern to Gustav Kohls)

6.  The Philipps Family from Ugartsthal

7.  Dr. Theodor Zöckler's Stanisławów Institutions – The Forgotten Heritage of Evangelical Galicia

 

Part IV: Methods and Sources: Postcards, Stamps, and Archives

8.  What Can We Learn from Old Postcards?

9.  Talking Postcards: Reconstructing People's Lives

10. Talking Postcards (A Further Study)

11. Stanisławów on Stamps

 

Part V: Regional Studies: Transylvania and Bukovina

12. A Contribution to the History of the Transylvanian Saxons

    12.1. Introduction - German Settlement in Eastern and Southern Europe

    12.2. The Transylvanian Saxons

    12.3. Siebenbürgen – Transylvania

    12.4. Tourism in the Carpathian Mountains

    12.5. The Transylvanian Carpathian Tourists' Society

    12.6. Hotel Post in Hohe Rinne (including stamp issues and the story of Leslie Stephen Ettre)

13. History of Katharinendorf and Alexanderdorf in Bukovina

14. German Settlements in Bukowina

 

Part VI: Community Profiles and Family Sagas

15. Galiciana

16. *Auf dem Treck* by Otto Engelhardt-Kyffhäuser

17. Georg Hilz - From Bavaria to Galicia

18. Blessed Charles – The Last Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia

19. Galician Cuisine

20. Mikulsdorf

    20.1. Searching for Mikulsdorf

    20.2. How the Settlement of Mikulsdorf was Founded

    20.3. Mikulsdorf in My Family Tree

21. The Journey of the Mennonites: From Switzerland to Galicia and Beyond

22. National Minorities in Ukraine – Germans

23. The Story of Neu-Burczyce: A German Colony in Galizien

24. Adam Lisztwan – Pastor and Theologian in the Light of Galicia's History

25. *Heim ins Reich*: Portrayed by Otto Engelhardt-Kyffhäuser

26. The Epplers: A Galician Family Saga

27. Karl Gustav Zipser

28. Johann Georg Kaufmann: Teacher and Colonist of Galicia

29. A Forgotten History: The German Evangelical Settlement of Vrbaska in Bosnia

30. The Langner Family: From Silesian Gardener to Polish Army General – A Genealogical Investigation

 

Part VII: Deep Archival Research: The Settlers of Ugartsthal

31. Jakob Philipps Settles in Ugartsthal

    31.1. Introduction – Archival Research in the Austrian State Archives

    31.2. Josephine Colonists in Ugartsthal

    31.3. Jakob Philipps – from Lorraine to Galicia

    31.4. Peter Müller – Settler from Several Regions of the Reich

    31.5. Johann(es) Merck – from the Palatinate to Ugartsthal

    31.6. Gerhard Dech – A Settler from West Germany

    31.7. Why was Almost Everyone in Germany Named "Johann"?

    31.8. By Horse-Drawn Wagons to Ugartsthal: The Route of the German Colonists