Speaker: Perry R. Buffie

Perry R. Buffie has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University. He was trained as a medic by the U.S. Army Academy of Health Sciences.

A long-time history enthusiast, Dr. Buffie has returned to university, where he has obtained a master’s certificate in European History and is now nearing completion on a Master of Arts degree in European History from American Public University. His interest lies primarily in Eastern Europe.

He currently serves as the president of Galizien German Descendants, Inc., an international society dedicated to the research of the German colonists in the Austrian crown land of Galicia.

"The Josephine Colonies of Austrian Galicia"

Also known as the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, the Josephine Colonies of Austrian Galicia existed from 1772 until the end of the First World War. Within Galicia were numerous colonies of German settlers, invited by the Habsburg emperors. This discussion will explore concepts such as:

• Where was Galicia and how did it come into being?
• Where did the German colonists emigrate from?
• Why did they emigrate and how did they get to Galicia?
• What was the long-term fate of those immigrants?