ALT SCHOWE -- NEU SCHOWE
Batschka
See bottom of Schowe Home Page for information and instructions on the use of the translator.
Welcome to the SCHOWE web pages
On these pages we have collected information about the Donauschwaben villages of Neuschowe and Altschowe in the former Batschka, and about the pioneers who built the community. On Friday, May 26, 1786, the first "Ansiedler" (initial settlers) were shown their lots to build their homes in what was to become the village of Schowe.
So, on this site, we will collect their stories to remember their lives and the history of our Schowe families. If you are a Schoweer - or a descendant of a Schoweer - we hope that you will be able learn much about our history and our people. We will collect as much material as can be found. In this, you may be able to help and share some treasured stories or pictures from your own family. If you have comments or information please click on the Village Coordinator's name below for an email form.
News and Updates
Visit to Schowe / Ravo Selo - June 2014
22 April 2012 - Make-ready for new updates - LJK
2 May 2011 -- Updated for easier searching
18 July 2009 -- Added listing of settlers from the Heimatbuch Schowe 1961 in Resources section - See Settler list.
26 July 2009 -- Added two more books to the Books and Information page.
2 September 2009 -- Added a page showing Emigrants to the Americas.
31 December 2009 -- Added a page showing Schoweer residing outside Schowe.
28 March 2010 -- Added lists of residents, new map: Residents by Address, alphabetical list of residents - see map at bottom of Resources page.
Schowe – Sóvé - Sove - Soove
Altschowe - Alt Schowe - Alt-Schowe - Ó-Sóvé - O-Sove - Stare Sove
Neuschowe - Neu Schowe - Neu-Schowe - Újsóvé - Ujsove - Nove Sove - Nova Sove
So what’s with all these names?
When the German settlers came in 1786, they elected to place their “development” adjoining to and part of an existing Serbian village. That village had existed for centuries and been referred to as Sove, Soove, Soova, and possibly Somva, artifacts dating to Roman times have been found. The Germans called their new home Schowe. As happens in modern times, the new-comers grew and their needs and interests were not the same as the old-timers. To resolve conflicts, in 1819 they split the village into two parts. The older part became “old” Schowe and the newer portion “new” Schowe, Altschowe and Neuschowe. The dividing line is shown in orange in the map on the History page. This was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, formally in Hungary, so the names also appear in Hungarian (Osove, Ujsove). The official language in those days was Latin and names were generally Latinized in official documents (“Joannes Veisz”, “Phillipus Schmidt”). I have come across Latinized versions of Schowe in the 1828 tax census, where the villages are listed as Vetus Soove and Neo Soove. After World War I the Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken into pieces and the southern part of the Batschka, including Schowe, became part of the newly formed Yugoslavia (although it took a while before that name was adopted). So Serbian language names were used, Stare Sove, Nove Sove. All of this notwithstanding, the Germans always referred to themselves as “Schoweer” – although administratively separate, the villages constituted one German community.
Ludwig Keck – Schowe Village Coordinator
When the German settlers came in 1786, they elected to place their “development” adjoining to and part of an existing Serbian village. That village had existed for centuries and been referred to as Sove, Soove, Soova, and possibly Somva, artifacts dating to Roman times have been found. The Germans called their new home Schowe. As happens in modern times, the new-comers grew and their needs and interests were not the same as the old-timers. To resolve conflicts, in 1819 they split the village into two parts. The older part became “old” Schowe and the newer portion “new” Schowe, Altschowe and Neuschowe. The dividing line is shown in orange in the map on the History page. This was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, formally in Hungary, so the names also appear in Hungarian (Osove, Ujsove). The official language in those days was Latin and names were generally Latinized in official documents (“Joannes Veisz”, “Phillipus Schmidt”). I have come across Latinized versions of Schowe in the 1828 tax census, where the villages are listed as Vetus Soove and Neo Soove. After World War I the Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken into pieces and the southern part of the Batschka, including Schowe, became part of the newly formed Yugoslavia (although it took a while before that name was adopted). So Serbian language names were used, Stare Sove, Nove Sove. All of this notwithstanding, the Germans always referred to themselves as “Schoweer” – although administratively separate, the villages constituted one German community.
Ludwig Keck – Schowe Village Coordinator
Have you visited Schowe (Ravno Selo, Serbia)?
If you have been there in recent years, you have experience, knowledge, and maybe photographs. Please share that with your fellow Schoweer around the world. Send a message to the Village Coordinator (at the bottom of this page) and we will get started.
Are you planning to visit Ravno Selo?
We may have information, maps, and tips to make your visit to the old Heimatdorf more rewarding for you. Please send a message to the Village Coordinator.
Using the Translator utility
The translator utility provided on these pages is intended as an aid to non-English speaking readers. Translating machines by their very nature are still very rudimentary. The translated text may be grammatically incorrect, and sometimes even the meaning may be incorrect. To start the translation proceed as follows: If the target language is shown just click the right-arrow, ►. If your desired language is not displayed, click the down arrow,▼, and click on the language of your choice. Move your mouse pointer over a sentence and rest for a moment, the original English text will be displayed in a box.
Village Lookups Guide:
Ursula Wacht
Village Coordinator:
Ludwig Keck
DONAUSCHWABEN VILLAGES Mailing List:
http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/HUN/DONAUSCHWABEN-VILLAGES.html
Remembering our Donauschwaben Ancestors
© 2009 Ludwig Keck – except as noted.