Dobrinin Family History & Genealogy

William Dobrinin of California was born on August 1, 1884, and died at age 78 years old in September 1962.

Nadeshda Dobrinin of Mansfield Center, Tolland County, CT was born on August 29, 1884, and died at age 91 years old in February 1976.

Mary Dobrinin of California was born on November 15, 1888, and died at age 73 years old in July 1962.

Alexander Dobrinin of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA was born on May 26, 1889, and died at age 83 years old in November 1972.

Mike Dobrinin of Fresno, Fresno County, California was born on September 23, 1892, and died at age 77 years old in September 1969.

John Dobrinin of San Francisco, San Francisco County, California was born on August 7, 1896, and died at age 69 years old in April 1966.

Ann Dobrinin of Oceanside, Tillamook County, OR was born on September 17, 1905, and died at age 95 years old on March 3, 2001.

John Dobrinin of Berthoud, Larimer County, Colorado was born on May 5, 1907, and died at age 69 years old in January 1977.

John Dobrinin of Montebello, Los Angeles County, California was born on September 5, 1909, and died at age 69 years old in May 1979.

It is difficult to know a lot of details about my grandmother (Oma), Helene, because so much was lost during WWII. But when I was very young she would tell me stories about her life so I will pass along what I can. I was way too young to appreciate what she was saying at the time, sadly. I am 99% sure she was born in Russia, near the Black Sea. She had many brothers and sisters and they were very happy until the war broke out. She talked often of them singing together and playing instruments and dancing after their chores were done for the day. But they were Germans living in Russia so when the two countries went to war, she lost almost her whole family. She was able to rescue a very young nephew and niece, whom she raised as her own children. German soldiers would sneak over the border at night to bring these German people, once happily farming in Russia, but now stranded there, to Germany or Austria. Her then three-year-old nephew, Wilhelm (Willie or Bill) grew up to be my beloved father. Once they were brought over the border to Austria by the soldiers, they ended up in a displaced persons camp in Salzburg. They lived in what had previously been horse barns and families were separated only by blankets hung from the ceiling. Oma was a good mother to my dad and his new sister and they lived together in the DP camp for about 10 years or so. A Russian man, John Dobrinin, had lost his entire family in the war and was working nearby in the American camp, in the mess tent. He saw Helene and fell in love with her. He would send home the scraps left on the soldier's plates after they ate to Helene and her two children. He eventually became part of the family - he became my Opa. There was now a mother, father, brother and sister and they each took the place of those loved ones they lost in the war to make a little family. Finally in 1955, Helene and her family got the opportunity to come to America. They were sponsored by a farmer in Wiggins, Colorado - Mr. Kobobel -and spent some time on the Baer Farm as well. The family had to work for one year to repay their passage to America and were happy to do so. The family eventually met up with others from the DP camp in Salzburg that had come to America which is really quite a miracle - how do you find such people in the 1950's? I don't know how it happened but they were thankful and grateful to find old friends, mostly in Chicago. So they moved to the city, but eventually back to Berthoud, Colorado where Helene stayed for the rest of her life. Helene was an extraordinary seamstress, baker, cook, had a magnificent flower garden, and so many things she taught herself to do to keep some level of comfort during the war for her family. She was a happy person but often suffered terribly thinking about the loved ones she lost during the war. But they had a good life once they came to America and were grateful. Helene was so proud to become and American citizen! I am so thankful and grateful to her for raising my father. God Bless her soul.

Teodosia William Dobrinin of Fullerton, Orange County, California was born on May 28, 1912, and died at age 96 years old on August 28, 2008.

John W Dobrinin was born on July 1, 1913, and died at age 78 years old on February 19, 1992. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember John W Dobrinin.