Harold/John Gerlitz

[J.J.]

http://genforum.genealogy.com/russia/messages/9111.html
http://www.genealogyunlimited.com/market.html
http://www.ahsgr.org/links.htm

and since your surname & it's derivatives was concentrated in Alberta in that time period.... http://www.grhs.org/
Lower Volga Villages
http://www.webbitt.com/volga/lower/villages.html

If German Volga, where they may have originated from in Germany
http://pta6000.pld.com/skmug1/ypfound.html

There are archives in Saratov Russia, but they don't seem to advertise their existence online...
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/VALib/v49_n1/beier.html

[J.J.]

Do you know if any of the other Goerlitz in Calgary were related, as they may hve been more specific on their census entries...
Also when they were naturalized, they may have given more information...although it was up to the individual to fill in fully.

re: 1940 National Registration file...we were once able to reach them but on new site http://www.statcan.gc.ca
 they've changed all addresses & links as Gov't sites loive to do and I can't see a link to it anymore 
     argh....    
Here's the form, so hopefully the address hasn't changed...who knows!!!
http://www.dpcamps.org/1940%20registationCensus.pdf

costs money but the information could contain the following....
    *  name;
    * address;
    * age;
    * date of birth;
    * marital status;
    * number of dependents;
    * place and country of birth of individual and his or her parents;
    * nationality;
    * year of entry into Canada (if an immigrant);
    * racial origin;
    * languages;
    * education;
    * general health;
    * occupation, employment status, farming or mechanical skills; and
    * previous military service

[Perrin Dixon]

I believe I've now found John and Sophia!!!

Now I can't decide where to go... I'm pretty sure they're from the Yagodnaya Polyana area of Saratov, but I can't find any records of them any further... oh well!!!

[J.J.]

http://www.webbitt.com/volga/neuyag.htm
American Historical Society of Germans From Russia there's a contact, maybe they might know more...
http://www.ahsgr.org/surname_charts_A_G.htm

Don't give up...J.J.