Heinrich and Elizabeth Dirks were among the 1874 migrations from Karolswalde, located on the Ukraine/Russian border to the United States. After leaving Karolswalde, Ukraine by wagon to the nearest train station, they arrived at Hamburg, Germany. From here they sailed to England where they departed from Liverpool for America. They sailed on the SS Kenilworth and arrived in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania on January 9, 1875.
On the manifest of the SS Kenilworth is mentioned Heinrich, Elizabeth and their two children Hein and Susan.
Heinrich and Elizabeth remained in Pennsylvania for several years to work off their passage to America, before moving to Avon, South Dakota

Heinrich's parents were Benjamin and Katharina Dirks
Heinrich was one of 9 children.

Katharina Unruh Dirks parents were Andreas and Anna Unruh.
She was one of 7 children.

From records available they had 9 children.
Heinrich and Elizabeth were both born at Karolwalde, Russia, and were married October 24, 1869 at Karolswalde, Russia

1/ Peter Dirks married Eva Bowman and raised his family in Pennsylvania
2/ Heinrich Dirks came to America but family history is unknown.
3/ Susanna Dirks married David Ratzlaff and settled at Avon, South Dakota
4/ Mary was born in 1876 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and married Benjamin Boese and settled at Vona, Colorado
5/ Elizabeth was born in 1877 in Pennsylvania. Married Benjamin Boese and settled at Vona, Colorado
6/ Benjamin Dirks married Sophie Failes and settled in Flordia. He was born about 1880 in Pennsylvania
7/ Emma Dirks was born about 1884 in Pennsylvania and married Henry Ewert and settled at Avon, SD
8/ John Dirks was a Minister born in 1886 in Pennsylvania. He married Ethel Plummer and settled at Sioux Falls, SD
9/ Harry Dirks was a Minister born in 1888 in Pennsylvania. He married Kathryn Boese and settled at San Bernadino, California