In WWII 1946 when the Russians came into Harkau to liberate and expel the Nazi influence, many local families fell victim to the purging of the German 'Harkauan' locals who had been there for generations. My own family (Reitter) had resided in Harkau for over twelve generations. Their farms and homes were confiscated and they were displaced to live in Germany. I am looking for these families.
I would like to connect with any Harkau families involved particularly in this relocation to Germany. Family names REITTER, MAHDER, TRACKL, PAYER, TRIMMEL, ECKLE, BINDER, WILFING and other family names. My great-grandparents were Michael Reitter (1860-1942), and Susanna Mahder (1863-1938), lifelong residents for over 12 generations in Harkau. Most were German Lutherans. Would like to find connections to any of these families, particularly hoping for pictures of 1946 families involved.