Rohrbach and Worms Now

In circa 1929 the names of these villages were changed to Russian names. Rohrbach became Novosvetlivka. Worms became Vynogradne. When looking from Google Earth, the latter is located close to the highway, the road to Novosvetlovka is little more than a dirt path. The place is still very rural, but one can somewhat see the same land divisions that showed in the earlier aerial photos I saw which were taken during World War II.

Rohrbach - The Early Years

The first German families began to arrive in the fall of 1809 following land grants under the reign of Czar Alexander I. They built houses and planted vineyards and orchards. Apple, pear, plum, cherry and apricot trees. Wells were dug which provided plentiful water. The villagers were generally poor and indebted, but money allowances were provided by the local administration. Aside from occassional outbreaks of German measles and similar children's diseases, the village was generally spared of catostrophic events such as floods, epidemics and earthquakes. Illiteracy, graft and alcoholism was reported since schools, churches and law enforcement was a bit slower to follow the settlements. A minister was received in 1812, but died after two years. Not until 1820 did a significant improvement begin to occur when a firm commissioner was appointed to enforce the law, followed in 1824 by a respected minister and in 1826 by a schoolmaster.