My Ratzlaff family origins

As far as we know at this point, the Ratzlaff family originated near Schwetz, which today is in central Poland, in the early 17th century.  Ratzlaffs lived in the Mennonite villages of Przechowka, Beckersitz, Jeziorken, etc., along the banks of the Vistula River.  Because of migrations and the destruction of records, I lose track of my Ratzlaff ancestors during the 18th century.  The 19th century, however, finds my great great great grandfather Ratzlaff, Heinrich, living in Karolswalde, Russia.  Karolswalde, along with several adjacent small villages, was a german colony founded in the early 1800s, just south of the city of Ostrog, Russia.  Heinrich's son, Jacob Ratzlaff, was born in 1842 in Karolswalde and emigrated to Marion County, KS, in 1893.  Jacob's son, Andreas (my great grandfather), was born in 1869 in Leeleva (Fuerstendorf in german).  Leeleva lies several miles SW of Karolswalde and can be found on a current map of Ukraine under it's modern name, Lesna.  Andreas Ratzlaff and his family emigrated to Marion County, KS, in 1907.

If you are interested in Ratzlaff (or Ratzloff) family history and want to know more, please visit the blog and website of my 3^rd cousin, Gordon Ratzloff, at http://fammail.blogspot.com/ and http://ceilingunlimited.com/fammail/.  Gordon is the great grandson of Henry J Ratzloff.  Henry was the eldest brother to my great grandfather, Andreas Ratzlaff.  Gordon’s website and blog contain a lot of personal information that gives a wonderful feel to the Ratzloff/Ratzlaff family.  Gordon shares photos and anecdotes in an attempt to personalize his Ratzloff, Ratzlaff, Holdeman and Nightengale (Nachtigal) families.  Particularly if you are descended from Jacob Ratzlaff (1842-1926) you should visit Gordon’s site and check out his information.