Hi Marie Schmalz,

There are two Josefstals/Josephstals. One in Grossliebenthal, Odessa, and the other in the Volga area. The German Russia Heritage Society has the most information about the Grossliebenthal, Odessa area and sstanger 1 gave you the link to the Josephstal, Volga website. The American Historical Society of German Russians also has Volga family research.

Some of my Leibels married Schmalzs/Schmaltzs. Josef Schmalz and his family were Catholics from Kandel, Kutschurgan, Odessa, Russia and emigrated to North Dakota, USA and then to the Beiseker area near Calgary, Alberta. Butch gave you the link to find the local history book for that Schmaltz family.

Enjoy your Genealogy Research!

Tanya