THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Notables > Conrad Brill

Conrad Brill

Conrad Brill, known as Konretja, was born in Norka, Russia on October 8, 1895.

After serving in the Russian Army during World War I, he left Norka on Christmas Eve in 1921 with his first wife and seven-year-old son, Adam. His wife died of influenza on the journey, but Conrad and his son were able to reach the refugee camp at Frankfurt and der Oder. There he met Anna Becker, who was from the colony of Erlenbach. Anna wanted to come to the United States to join her brother and sister. Conrad and Anna were married in Frankfurt an der Oder in 1922 and arrived in New York later that year. They traveled by train to Portland, Oregon where they settled with other families from Norka.
Conrad Brill
Photograph of Conrad Brill in 1914.
In his memoirs titled Memories of Norka, Conrad Brill tells of his childhood in Norka, some of his experiences in the Imperial Army, his flight from Russia and journey to the United States. Brill also tells tales of his new home in Portland, Oregon. These memoirs were told to his son, George Brill, who recorded them on paper as a tribute to his father who had a keen interest in preserving the family history. Memories of Norka provides a unique and valuable view into the lives of the people from Norka.

Conrad Brill also drew a map of Norka, as it was in 1921. The map is available for purchase from AHSGR in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Conrad and Anna Brill on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Courtesy of Suzanne Murk.
Conrad and Anna Brill on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Courtesy of Suzanne Murk.

Sources

George Brill, son of Conrad Brill

Suzanne Murk, daughter of George Brill.
Last updated May 30, 2021.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
    • Reviews
  • History
    • Historical Timeline
    • Migration to Russia
    • Emigration from Russia
    • Settlement in America
    • Migration to Portland
    • Little Russia
    • A Short History of Albina
    • World War I
    • The Volga Relief Society >
      • Portland Volga Relief Society Subscribers 1921
    • World War II
    • Assimilation and Dispersion
  • Beliefs
    • Churches >
      • Albina Seventh-day Adventist Church
      • First United Mennonite Baptist Church
      • Ebenezer German Congregational Church
      • Free Evangelical Brethren Church >
        • German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church
      • Second German Baptist Church
      • St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • Second German Congregational Church >
        • Evangelical Congregational Church
      • Zion German Congregational Church >
        • Rivercrest Community Church
    • Pastors
    • The Brethren
    • Denominations >
      • German Reformed Church
      • German Evangelical Synod of North America
      • Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • German Congregational Church
      • Seventh-day Adventists
      • United Church of Christ
  • People
    • Our People
    • Notables
    • Pioneers 1881-1892
    • Stories
    • Photographs
    • Help Identify These People
  • Community
    • Characteristics
    • Businesses >
      • Bakeries Retailers and Services
      • Garbage Haulers
      • Grocery and Meat Markets
      • Restaurants >
        • Helsers on Alberta
        • McCormick & Schmicks
        • Wildwood
      • Saloons and Taverns
      • Suppliers and Manufacturers
    • Employers
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Maps
    • Documentary
  • Traditions
    • Foods
    • Folk Medicine
    • Expressions
    • Weddings
    • Holidays
    • Folk Music
    • Funerals and Burial Sites
  • Resources
    • Family Research
    • Books and Video
    • Works Cited