THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 15
(issued as required by Gerald J. Berghold)
July 14, 1997
(all rights reserved)

This edition of the newsletter contains a potpourri of articles concerning
the Burgenland dialect, sending money to Europe, German language translator,
marriage record headings, Oberwart News 1926-28 and more on food and maps.


QUESTION RE PRONUNCIATION

<< Why do the Austrians pronounce Güssing's name " Gursing" and the
Burganlanders around here call it "Geesing?" On a train going to Vienna, we
told a couple of salesmen that we stayed near "Geesing" and they couldn't
understand where it was that we stayed until someone else on the train said
that perhaps we were talking about "Gursing." >>question from Joe Tanzos

ANSWER
The umlaut " pronunciation is difficult to explain. is supposed to be like
a soft "eei" or our "y" (without the wh in why but with a soft "i"), which in
some people comes out "eeehhh" or "urrhh". The similarity is only approximate
and differs in various locales. There are many different well known German
dialects and both the pronunciation and meaning of words changes. The
Austrian (Viennese-a form of low German) is among the softest sounding
(something like our southern drawl). I think it sounds very cultured and
pleasant. Listen to Viennese radio on short wave. The further north you go,
the harder and more precise the sound. Berlin and Prussian German becomes
almost clipped and guttural. In south Burgenland, German really takes a twist
and almost becomes something new (called "Burgenländisch" or Hianzen from a
12th Century noble who brought the first Germans to the area). I too have
trouble with Germans and Austrians understanding my umlaut pronunciation.
You'd have the same problem in other languages like French and Spanish. Some
Germans-Austrians don't understand each other much less an "Auslander" like
us. Our mouths are not used to forming the particular local sounds. I had a
landlady in Zell am See say "Oh your German is so good, I have no trouble
understanding you!". Turns out she was from the Burgenland and my German uses
the inflections of my Burgenland grandparents. Language experts will tell you
that the most important factor in the development of separate languages is
the "sound shift" which is part of what we're talking about. In other words,
given enough time a language will turn into something new.

I wonder what we'll be speaking worldwide two hundred years from now as the
world shrinks? Of course we have the same problem here. I've been in Virginia
over 12 years and I have trouble understanding certain words used by the
locals. On the Eastern shore of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and in some of
the mountain states they're still using "olde English" words and terms.


SENDING MONEY TO AUSTRIA

Call Ruesch International, 700 Eleventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20001-4507.
Phone 800-424-2923. Tell them you want a check in so many Austrian Schillings
made out to: (the party you owe). They'll ask for your credit card data and
tell you what the charge is. I understand they only charge a few bucks for
small amounts. They'll ask for your address and mail you a check made in
foreign currency (schillings) cashable in Austria.


MORE ON FOOD (from Ernest Chrisbacher)

Enjoyed very much your Burgenland Bunch News No. 14A about food. All of my
grandparents came from Veszprem County, but the food I remember was very
similar. Some of the items that I didn't find in your article are:
1.)Milschgriessuppe (we called it Griesstaetsch or something like that);
2.)Nuckerl Soup (Hühnersuppe mit Griess-Nockerl);-chicken soup with semolina
dumplings- 3.)Brussas ?sp, (potato pancakes). Ed. note:Does anyone have a
good recipe for these?

A pretty good cookbook that I have is: "Kochbuch der Donauschwaben", by Magda
Waigand, 1993, Printed by Emil Sommer, Buchdruckerei u. Verlag, Grünstadt.
(ed. note: the Donau Schwabian migration to Hungary, while primarily to the
Banat along the former Yugoslavian border probably spilled over into the
Burgenland.)


USING GLOBALINK POWER TRANSLATOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE, GERMAN TO & FROM ENGLISH (from Bob Unger)

>>I received my first copies of the Burgenlandische Gemeinschaft. Since it
is in German, I scanned the first page of the January/February issue, #345,
then edited the scanned version to include all the umlauts, and next used my
translator, Globalink Translator 6.0. The translator took about 30 minutes
for that one page and the results were not that great. Have you found any
good technique for computer translations from German to English?<<

ANSWER
No. I get the same garbled translations. It's better going from English to
German if I use simple sentences. Subject, verb, direct object, few
modifiers, simple adjectives and adverbs, no descriptive phrases, etc. German
to English is only a slight help. You must do a LOT of editing. Better than
using just a dictionary though. I also use Globalink, Power Translator
(Windows Version update) and I understand it's the best available. Originally
cost me $250. There is a commercial version at $495. Problems for the
computer software are convoluted or involved syntax, proper nouns, local or
archaic expressions and slang. Also, the software doesn't know how to handle
synonyms. For instance is "column" the architectural noun or the publishing
term? You must be very simple and precise in using Power Translator. I view
it as an electronic dictionary. Unfortunately, German writing is very
convoluted so you do get poor translations.


Güssing PICTURE COMMENT (from John Unger)

<<The graphic of Güssing you sent me brings back fond memories. I remember
my father having a similar photo, and being the amateur painter that he is,
scanning it using an eyepiece to enlarge the houses and landscape. He then
sketched it on a canvas and eventually painted it in oil. It still hangs in
his living room today. Thanks for the memory >>

REPLY
The comment about your father making a painting of Güssing is wonderful. I
had a cousin who did the same thing and then gave it to my grandmother for a
Xmas present. I just wonder how many paintings or pictures of Güssing can be
found hanging in homes in the US. Mine is a framed color photo from an
Austrian calendar. I also have an aerial photo of Eltendorf which was given
to me by the Gemeinde Amt secretary when I was there last. Pre WWII, there
was a series of Austrian postage stamps showing some of the historic sites of
the Burgenland.


QUESTION RE HUNGARIAN & LATIN HEADINGS ON RC MARRIAGE RECORDS

<< I finally got to the LDS center here in Pittsburgh and looked for the
records suggested. I didn't get too far. I'm stuck on the headings on the
first film (0700669/0700670) Do you know any of the following?<< (from Joan
Straub)

ANSWER
You are looking at the Jennersdorf RC church records. Well, I'll try! In my
answers below, L means Latin, H-Hungarian. Generally, any Hungarian church
marriage record shows: (1) number of entry, (2) date of occurence, (3) name of
bride & groom, (4) age, (5) their birth place and/or residence, (6) occupation
or status, (7) name of parents (sometimes), (8) place of birth and or
residence, (9) names of witnesses, (10) place of residence of witnesses
(sometimes), (11) question as to publishing of bans, (12) name of officiating
priest, comments. The order in which some items appear may be switched or
omitted. Your questions follow that pattern. It appears you are reading
across the page, so you can almost guess at the answers. If you're looking
for the marriage of one your ancestors and don't know the date, look at the
records from the year they were 16 (very few married before then) and work
forward looking for their names. Somewhere between 16 and 25 you should find
them (unless there was a second marriage). In your case start with 1875 and
look for the marriage of Alois Knauss and Anna. Following are the items which
you mentioned:

NRUS CURRENS-L-abbreviation for numerous, "current number". Most priests
numbered their entries. It's the first entry to the record, generally before
the date. It's a way of counting (they report the total number of weddings,
etc. at the end of the year) and use it for indexing and referencing.

FOLYO-H-record (number), folyho means "on the 15th"

SZAM-H-number

ANNUS MENSIS ET DIES COPULATIONIS-L-year, month and day of the marriage

AZ ESKETES EVE ESKTES A NAPJA-H-what is the month and day of the marriage

NOMEN ET CONDITIO SPONSI ET SPONSAE-L-name and status (standing, occupation)
of the bride and bridegroom
NEV S POLGARI SORSA A JEGYESNEK-H-name and status of ?

LOCUS ORIGINIS ET DOMICILLE NUMERUS DOMUS-L-place of birth and residence and
house number
SZULITESUK S LAKASUK-H-place of birth

HELGE HAZAZAMUK-H-? I don't think this is spelled right, ház is house,
házasság is marriage, haza is native country; hely is place

AETAS-L-age
KORUK-H-aged

NOMEN ET CONDITIO TESTIUM-L-name and staus of witnesses
A BEZONYSAGOK NEVE N POLGARI SORSA-H-?-as above?, name and birthplace of
witnesses?

NOMEN ET OFFECIUEM LANTIS -L-name of officiating (Lantis?-priest?)

AZ ESKETO NEVE ES HIVALALA-H-esketo means marry, neve is name, hivatal is
office-rest? (if you're going across the page, this would be the same as the
above)

NUM PROMILGIT VEL PESPENSATI EN BANUIS VEL ALIQUO IMPEDEMENTS-L-were the bans
(wedding) published (and was there) any impediment (to the marrige)

OBSERVATION-L-comment
ESZREBETELEK-H-observation

LDS microfilm no. 0700297 has Jennersdorf Civil marriage records 1895-1920.
You don't have to look at them unless they are in your research time frame.
Death and marriage records are most helpful if they show any of your people
(siblings, etc.)


ORDERING BURGENLAND MAPS (from Dale Knebel)

Earlier this year, the newsletter told of a map supplier, Omni Resources,
that I had found on the Net. I ordered two for the areas of Burgenland in
which I focus and am very pleased with them and recommend them. It took
since February to get mine but I have been assured that my experience is the
exception, not the rule. My original shipment was lost in the mail. The maps
are 1:50,000 topographical. The legend is in German but I can understand
that they show cities, roads, bridges, churches, castles, etc. They also
show smaller villages that are not on travel maps. The website for Omni
Resources is http://www.omnimap.com.

>From the homepage, go to the On-line Map Catalog. From there, go to
International Maps. Select Austria. Scroll down to Austria Topographic
Quadrangle Maps which has a catalog number of 16-1452. Check the Index Map
for your area. Add the map number to the catalog number when ordering. I
purchased 78 and 79. 78 covers as far as Sommerein on the north, a bit of
Podorsdorf on the east, Morbisch and Illmitz on the south and a bit of Hof on
the west, plus the bulk of the Neusiedler See. 79 covers as far as Purndorf
on the north, Nickelsdorf on the east, Tadten on the south, and Podorsdorf on
the west.


OBERWART SUNDAY NEWSPAPER 1926-27-28

Albert Schuch who supplies these delightful excerpts (I've found relatives
mentioned, how about you?) asked me if they'd be acceptable in German. He's
been laboriously translating them in addition to keying to computer. I told
him it wouldn't hurt to learn a little German, so in the future that's how
they'll be presented. We'll translate some of the words (in parens).

Oberwarther Sonntags-Zeitung 1926
- -------------------------------
Feb 31st-Danksagung: Ich unglcklicher Blinder, Stefan WEIS, 24 Jahre alt,
aus Aschau Nr. 17, in Sdamerika durch eine Explosion um das Augenlicht
gekommen danke auf diesem Wege allen meinen Brdern und Schwestern in
Nordamerika fr ihre Spenden.

Jun 6th-Unfall in Chicago: Der Magazinsarbeiter Alois SCHIPITZ (geboren
{born} in Sankt Michael) ist beim Abladen von Frucht aus einer Hhe von 8
Metern gestrzt, er war Protokoll- sekretr des Burgenländer
Kranken-Untersttzungs-Vereins, hat Frau und Kind in der Heimat.
Aug 8th-(Markt) Allhau: Begraben (buried) wurde Franz UNGER. Er war vor 3
Jahren nach Amerika ausgewandert. Seine Witwe kam mit seiner Asche zurck.
(widow returned his ashes)

Sep 5th-25-Jahr-Jubilum (25th Anniversary) einer Ordensschwester in Amerika.
Schwester (sister) Maria Bertwina nahm den Schleier (viel) 1901 in
Philadelphia, wo sie mit 16 Jahren in den Konvent eintrat ... dann Easton,
Pa. ... dann als Oberin nach Bally, Pa. Sie wurde in Rudersdorf als Julianne
KÖNIG geboren, wanderte 1892 nach Amerika aus, hat 2 Schwestern in Allentown
(Mrs. Andrew FRANK, Mrs. John P. BRUCKER)

Oct 10th-Im Allentown Hospital ist Josef FLEISCHHACKER, Eigentmer des
American Hotel in Fogelsville, an den Folgen einer Schusswunde gestorben. Er
war 37 Jahre alt, stammte aus (came from) Inzenhof.

Oct 17th-Verschollen (Aufenthalt unbekannt) ist Johann HUBER: geboren 1882 in
Riedlingsdorf, 1906 nach Amerika ausgewandert.

Dec 5th-Louis UNGER, 40 Jahre alt, wurde in Allentown erschossen.

Oberwarther Sonntags-Zeitung 1927
- -------------------------------
Mar 13th-Am 23. Feber wanderten aus (emigrated from)Aschau 10 Burschen, aus
Buchschachen 4 Mnner und 2 Frauen nach Kanada aus. Unter Musik und
Glockengelute marschierten sie aus dem Dorf hinaus.(to the sound of music
and bells they marched out of the village)

Apr 17th-Ehrenerklrung: Ich, Matthias ZWITKOVICS von 5360 So. Wells St.
Chic. Ill., bedaure gegen Herrn Alois SCHIPITS von 5255 Princeton Ave. Chic.
Ill., ehrenrhrige Aeusserungen getan zu haben ...Chic., Ill., am 24.3.1927
M.Z. Zeugen: Frank KREMSNER, Ed. MATISCHOWITS

Sep 4th-Oberdorf: Verabschiedung eines Heimatbesuchers (Josef KONRATH,
Chicago) mit Fackelzug der Feuerwehr; die Musik spielte das Lied "So leb'
denn wohl du stilles Haus"

Sep 4th-Ehrenerklrung: Ich, Nikolaus KREMSNER (6052 Kenwood Ave, Chic.,
Ill.) erklre, dass die gegen meinen Bruder Franz KREMSNER (5351 So. Wells
St. Chic. Ill) im Jahre 1924 gemachte Beschuldigung, da er in
widerrechtlichen Beziehungen zu meiner Frau gestanden hat, nicht der Wahrheit
entspricht. Chic, Ill. am 13. August 1927; N.K. Zeugen: Konrad BERZKOVITS,
Ed. MATISCHOVITS

Oberwarther Sonntags-Zeitung 1928
- -------------------------------
Jan 15th-Der Burgenländer Mnnerchor in Chicago veranstaltet am 7. Juli 1928
einen Ausflug ins Burgenland (Abfahrt in New York mit einem Dampfer
(steamship) der Hamburg-Amerika-Linien)

Mar 25th-Gestorben (died) in Allentown mit 44 Jahren: Franz OBERECKER,
geboren (born) in Heiligenkreuz, vor 27 Jahren ausgewandert; Er hinterlaesst
(leaves) seine Gattin, 2 Shne, 4 Tchter, 1 Bruder und 1 Schwester in
Allentown; seine Mutter und 1 Schwester in Heiligenkreuz.

Apr 1st-Die Hamburg-Amerika-Linie hat eines ihrer Schiffe Burgenland'
benannt (named one of their ships Burgenland)

Apr 29th-Gestorben in Passaic mit 21 Jahren: John FRHMANN, vor 3 Jahren von
Urbersdorf.

Jul 29th-Neumarkt im Tauchental: Heimatbesuch (journey home) von Johann
LIEBENTRITT; nach 26 Jahren in Pittsburg besuchte (visited) er seine
80jhrige Mutter.

Aug 5th-Gestorben (died) in Coplay Lena FEILER (44), geborene BODISCH aus
Neustift; sie hinterlaesst (leaves behind-is survived by) 9 Kinder, 8 davon
leben (of which live) in Amerika.

Aug 12th-Autounfall (auto accident) nahe Kirbyville, bei Reading: Gettet
(dead) wurde Anton PILLER, 47, aus Northampton; schwer verletzt John SIMON,
218 Spruce St., Allentown; unverletzt blieb John PREINSBERGER, der
Schwiegersohn von Anton PILLER, Lenker des Autos; alle 3 waren auf einer
Baustelle in Reading beschftigt, waren unterwegs dorthin.

Oct 21st-Todesfall in West Coplay: PAMMER, 15 Jahre alt, Eltern aus (parents
are from) Tschanigraben und Eltendorf.

Nov 25th-Gestorben in McKees Rocks mit 31 Jahren Alois MAYER aus Neustift (1
Bruder und 2 Schwestern in Allentown)

Dec 2nd-Gestorben sind in Amerika: auf einer Farm bei Beersville: Marie
FLAMISCH, geborene TAPLER, 71 Jahre als, aus Neustift bei Güssing (wohnte bei
ihrem Sohn Josef); in Allentown

Anna POELTL, 75, geboren in Rosenberg bei Güssing, seit 21 Jahren in
Allentown; in McKees Rocks: der Eigentmer des Zentral-Hotels, Louis MAYER,
42, vor 16 Jahren ausgewandert;
in Coplay: Rudolf STRANZL, 68; geboren in Rosenberg; seit ca. 29 Jahren in
Amerika; Tochter Theresia Holler in Allentown, 3 Kinder im Burgenland.

Dec 9th-Hochzeit (married) in McKees Rocks: John DEUTSCH aus Weichselbaum,
und Pauline LUSSER aus Eberau.

END OF NEWSLETTER-EDITED & DISTRIBUTED BY GERALD J. BERGHOLD


THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 15A
(issued as required by Gerald J. Berghold)
July 23, 1997
(all rights reserved)


SPECIAL EDITION CONCERNING RIEDLINGSDORF

The following history, written to commemorate the 660th year of this
Burgenland village, was sent to me by Burgenland Bunch member Lee Keippel,
to whom we owe our thanks. It is a document which is important to the study
of Burgenland genealogy in that much of the history applies to other
Burgenland villages, particularly those in the south. If you read no other
village histories, read this one. The German-English translator was
obviously a professional; however he was unfamiliar with some
Austrian-Hungarian words and terms and local geography. I've attempted to
expand definitions where I thought it was needed. Some items are questionable.

For those who are unfamiliar with this area, Riedlingsdorf (Rödöny=Hungarian)
lies just northwest of Oberwart and is at the northern limits of what is
considered southern Burgenland. It is a Katastral (land office) Gemeinde (locality)
in the Bezirk (district) of Oberwart, has 1551 inhabitants and 597 houses.
Burgermeister (Richter) names since 1919 are ZAPFEL, BRUCKNER, SCHUH, ARTHOFER,
WOHLMUTH, BINDER, SCHADEN, BUNDSCHUH, SCHRANZ, and KAIPEL. It was part of the
Herrschaft (domain) of the Batthyánys. Both RC's and Lutherans attended church
in Pinkafeld. Being close to the Styrian border, it would have been as strongly
inflenced by Austrian politics and customs as it was by Hungarian. LDS film nos.
are 0700710-11 Lutheran; 0700707-9 Catholic and Civil Records 0700455-461.

HISTORY OF RIEDLINGSDORF

Title "660 Jahre Riedlingsdorf". The inside page reads: Riedlingsdorf
1331-1991 FESTSCHRIFT zum 660-Jahr-Jubilaum der ersten unkundlichen Erwahnung
der Germeinde Herausgegeben von der Germeinde Riedlingsdorf 1991"
(Anniversary of the 660th year of the first mention of the village in
extant records). Translation was by David Pendlebury (edited by G. J. Berghold)

Traces from Pre-history and Antiquity

The fact that the region of the Pinka valley round about Riedlingsdorf was
already frequented during the Neolithic period (c.8000 until 1700 BC) has
been established by finds that have been made in the area. Of special
interest among these are indications of activity in a courtyard (Hof) in the
Lampelfeld area of Pinkafeld, which borders directly on Riedlingsdorf.

There, too, remains can be found of iron-smelting activity dating from the
late La Tene period (i.e., the final two centuries BC). This is already a
clear indication of permanent settlement in our area. The representatives of
this civilization were Celts.

Already at the start of this present century Johan Posch investigated some of
the burial mounds on the town borders of Riedlingsdorf, which should be
considered in conjunction with those that are to be found in large quantities
in the upper Pinka valley, particularly in Pinkafeld. These burial mounds
have a diameter of up to 7 meters (approximately 23 feet) and are
occasionally more than one meter (approximately 39 inches) high. From pieces
of metal, pottery and coins we may conclude that these graves were
established in the period when present-day Burgenland was part of the Roman
province of Pannonia, that is to say, about the first four centuries AD.

The large number of burial mounds from the Roman period leads one to the
conclusion that a road passed through the district of present-day
Riedlingsdorf. Paths were generally built along ridges in order to avoid the
danger of flooding and getting bogged down. The Romans liked to place their
graves alongside such roads. From this one can deduce that there was a road
link running between Steinamanger, Rechnitz, Rotenturm, Pinkafeld, Friedberg
Mönichkirchen and Anspang. It is conceivable that the Romans developed an
already existing road dating from the Celtic period. There was very probably
still a road link between Steinamanger and Pinkafeld in the early middle
ages, since both settlements were in the possession of the bishopric of
Salzburg.

First Documentation of a Settlement at Riedlingsdorf

Very seldom is it possible to determine the exact year that a village was
founded. When the name of a settlement appears in a document, that merely
means that the village has been in existence for some time: it could be
years, decades or even centuries. This is also true of our own community,
which in view of this did not celebrate 660 years of existence on September
1st 1991, but simply commemorated the first documentary reference to it.
Here, too, the greatest care is required, for it is entirely possible that a
document will be found at some time in the future which mentions
Riedlingsdorf in a year prior to 1331. Indeed until a few years ago a list
dating from the year 1388 contained the first known reference to our locality.

A highly-placed Hungarian administrative official, Gespan (title-like a
county sherrif) Stephan von Eisenburg (Vasvar in present-day Hungary),
commissioned his notary Paul and the Supreme Judge [Adelsrichter] of the
Eisenburg Komitat (county), (a man) called Lukas to inspect the boundaries of
the estates of Buchschachen and Allhau, together with neighbouring
settlements.

The two men carried out their task on August 21st; and the chapter of the
Church of St Michael in Eisenburg drew up a document concerning this on
September 1, 1331. The original has not survived. A copy made in the 17th
century was found in the family archives of Count Batthyány. This is now in
the Hungarian state archives, where it was discovered a few years ago and
published in Austria in a work by I. Lindeck-Pozza, "Urkundenbuch des
Burgenlandes" (Burgenland Documents), vol. 4, Vienna 1985, No. 171, p.95ff.

Let us now examine the place in the text where our locality is indicated for
the first time in closer detail. The two gentlemen start with their tour of
inspection along the boundary between Loipersdorf and Grafenschachen, until
they reach the border of Pinkafeld. At which point the document states: [see
Latin text in original not included in this copy] In the translation, for
which we are indebted to Heinz Hafner, from Oberschutzen, we read:

"From this boundary marker, indicated by a cherry tree it (i.e. the boundary)
leads, after climbing a hill, back to a district lying to the south, then
descends to a large ancient road and forms on the eastern side the boundary
with RIEDLINGSDORF. If one continues along the same long road, one reaches the
valley of Kvessf (Weisfleck?), and two border markers of earth with two oak
trees growing on them, where Oberwart to the east adjoins Buchschachen to the
west." Concerning our community, this document does not say much more, other
than that it was already in existence at that time. To those familiar with
the district, however, it will be apparent that the border line of the
village can hardly have changed during these 660 years, since the description
matches excellently with the way the modern boundary runs between
Riedlingsdorf and Loipersdorf, starting out from the point south of
Niklashof, where the borders of Pinkafeld, Loipersdorf and Riedlingsdorf
meet. It then runs on in a fairly straight line through the district of
Laimbach, until one reaches the Buchschachen border line in the Tellwald
district, and then comes to Roan. To this day one still travels along the
borderline of the village at this point, until eventually one arrives at the
border line conjunction, where Oberwart to the east adjoins Buchschachen to
the West.

There have been and continue to be many speculations concerning the origin
and meaning of the place-name "Riedlingsdorf". The recent appearance of the
hitherto unknown form "Radomfalva" in the 1331 document has thrown into
question all the attempts that have been made until now to interpret it. Thus
further reflection is going to be needed before anything valid can be said on
the subject. One problem lies certainly in the variety of forms that have
developed in the course of time:

1331: Radomfalva (early Hungarian); 1388: Rodinstorff; 1392: Reudenstorff;
1435: Rudingstorff; 1569: Riegerstorff; 1648: Riedlingstorf. Since then there
have been several other ways of spelling it; however, this was the first time
it was named in the manner that ultimately won through. In Hungarian the
forms Rödöny or Rödön evolved.

Admittedly the origin of the settlement Riedlingsdorf is obscure; and yet
there are possible explanations. Pinkafeld, which was already mentioned for
the first time in 860, was a fortified town in the 13th century, and probably
held sway over a domain of its own. The owners were the Counts of Güssing,
who at that time were the most powerful nobles in what is now southern
Burgenland and western Hungary. At the time of the colonization (12th & 13th
Century) carried out by them in this area, sparsely populated by
border-guards, our own village could have come into being. The Güssingers
recruited settlers in Lower Austria and Styria.

Developments and Setbacks in the Middle Ages

In the course of the Güssing quarrel (with the crown), the defenses at
Pinkafeld were destroyed, when the Hapsburg King Albrecht I led his army
against the Güssing contingent and their allies. However, the west
Hungarian nobles were able to hold on to the stronghold of Bernstein; and the
now defenseless Pinkafeld was annexed to the power prevailing in the region.
This state of affairs persisted into the 17th century. The Güssingers
remained in possession until about 1339, after which they were succeeded by
the Hungarian kings, who in 1389 initially pledged (mortgaged?) the castle
and dominion of Bernstein to the Kanizsy family, but three years later
transferred ownership to them.

A document dating from 1388 names the localities that belonged to Bernstein
at that time: Rettenbach, Stuben, Redischlag, Grodnau, Goberling,
Jormannsdorf, Mariasdorf, Tauchen, Aschau, Schmiedrait, Willersdorf,
Riedlingsdorf, Pinkafeld, Sinnersdorf, Wiesfleck, Schreibersdorf and Hof,
which stood in the place of present day Neustift near Schlaining. In 1392
Oberschutzen and Unterschutzen were added to the list.

When trustees were appointed to administrate the possessions of the as yet
under-age Kanizsai sons, these attempted to enrich themselves, thereby
disregarding the rights of citizens, peasants and subjects. Consequently
three men from Pinkafeld and a certain Thomas of Rundingstorff lodged a
complaint with King Sigismund, who called the accused (trustees) to order.
With this Thomas we encounter an individual person from Riedlingsdorf for
the very first time.

In the 15th century a significant change took place when the German King
Friedrich III gained control of the area and had it administered by Austrian
nobles, even though it was actually in Hungary. Before it came to this,
however, there was a murderous battle between Hapsburg troops and a rival
army fighting for Matthias Corvinus (Matyas Hunyadi, King of
Hungary, 1458-1490). This confrontation took place at Lampelfeld before
sunrise on April 14th 1459. Through the mediation of the Pope a treaty was
settled; however, this did not bring an end to the vicissitudes in the
history of control in Bernstein. It was only after 1517 that continuous
development returned, when the Königsbergers moved into the castle, which
they were to retain for more than a hundred years.

This period was marked by the attempts of the Turks to bring the whole of
Hungary under their control, and if possible also parts of Austria,
particularly its most important towns. In 1529 Ottoman hordes on the retreat
from Vienna ravaged many settlements in eastern Styria and the adjoining
Hungarian territories. In 1532 the Turks attempted a renewed attack, which
also entailed besieging Güns (Köszeg, Hungary); this certainly lasted a
long time, but in the end it came to nothing and had to be called off.

During this operation on August 20th 1532 about 3000 men under the command of
Ibrahim Pasha undertook a campaign in eastern Styria, as a result of which
many villages from St Lorenz to Stegersbach were destroyed. Given that
Pinkafeld and Buchschachen now lay in rubble and ashes, it may be assumed
that Riedlingsdorf, too, felt the terrible effects of this war. Just how high
the number of casualties was in these various attacks is hard to estimate.
However, since the approach of a fairly large military unit cannot take place
unnoticed, most of the people managed to hide in the surrounding woods; some
hid in the granaries of their farms, and yet others sought refuge in nearby
castles or more distant locations in Lower Austria or Styria.

The oldest document that has come down to us concerning the domain of
Bernstein dates back to the year 1569. In this are listed all the villages
and houses belonging to it, together with their inhabitants and their tax
liabilities. At that time there were 90 inhabited buildings in Riedlingsdorf,
including two complete farms, 74 "half-farms" and three "quarter-farms". In
addition there were another 11 farm dwellings, which had no land attached to
them, but whose tenants could obtain such by clearing areas of the forest for
cultivation.

One of the two major farmers was called Zenz Neidt (Neid). He worked about
2.5 hectares of arable land, 1.5 hectares of pasture and a kitchen garden.

That he both cultivated the land and bred cattle may be deduced from the
taxes he paid to the landlord. On both St George's day (April 23rd) and St
Michael's day (September 29th) he paid a considerable sum of money. At
Carnival time he had to deliver two hens, at Easter a dozen eggs and a
cheese. At Christmas he delivered 90 litres of grain and 90 litres of oats,
plus two cart-loads of wood and some money for wheat seed. In addition of
course he had to perform other tasks (robot), using his own hands or his
cart, as and when these were required by his landlord.

In the region [Rieden p 15?] of +denberg (Odenberg?), Lalmbach and Fu_berg
there were vineyards which in part belonged to Riedlingsdorf farmers; but the
Church and in particular the citizens of Pinkafeld also numbered among the
owners. From the taxes prescribed it is possible to make a tentative estimate
of the average harvest yields. These amount to approximately 25,000 litres of
wheat, 28,00 litres of corn, 37,00 litres of oats and 5,000 litres of wine.

Of the names mentioned in this document there are eight that are still found
in Riedlingsdorf: Neid, Piff, Schaden, Lang, Kirnbauer, Schuh/Schuch, Steger
and Posch. There a few others that are retained in house names, such as
Wurzer, Prodl and Jocl.

"Priested to Pinkafeld" [nach Pinkafeld gepfarrt]

These words from the 1569 document characterize the ecclesiastical situation
in Riedlingsdorf up to the present day. Since the middle ages Pinkafeld was a
patronage parish; that is to say the landlord decided who was to be the
parish priest. The congregation had hardly any say in the matter. On the
other hand the patron was liable for the support of the priest and the
expense of maintaining the building. The members of the community paid the
fees for official duties. A further source of income for the church was the
yield from fields, meadows and vineyards.

During the period of the Reformation this situation hardly changed at all.
Already in 1541 Ehrenreich von Königsberg appears on the scene as an
adherent of the Lutheran doctrine. Exactly when he appointed the first
Protestant priest to Pinkafeld cannot be determined. At all events in 1576
Jeremias Dissinger was installed in office (as pastor), a man who had
listened to Luther and Melanchthon during his theological studies in
Wittenburg. Up until 1632 there are still records of evangelical preachers;
and in fact it was only after the rule of Bernstein passed into the hands of
the now Roman Catholic Batthany family that a Catholic priest could once
again be installed. Evangelical worship continued in the form of household
prayers.

Even in Riedlingsdorf copies of the Bible, books of sermons and uplifting
texts dating from the 17th and 18th centuries are still to be found in many
houses. The Batthany family proved to be tolerant towards the Protestants;
so that the measures taken by the Hungarian King from 1671 onwards to
reinstate Catholicism among the nobility hardly produced any results. This is
also one of the most important reasons why the proportion of Protestants in
the Riedlingsdorf population is still so high even today. After 1681 the
situation in Hungary relaxed as a result of a decision taken by the
parliament in Ödenburg (Sopron, Hungary), according to which Protestants
were permitted to retain their faith, and they were able to a small degree to
build up an ecclesiastical organization. However, the nearest Lutheran church
was situated in Nemescso (Hungary), in the neighbourhood of Güns (Köszeg,
Hungary). And so the Catholics were also once more able to attend church
services in Pinkafeld. Florentius de Trudis was installed as priest by the
Landlord and was active for about thirty years. In 1674 the congregation was
inspected by an Archdeacon from Eisenburg . In his inspection report there is
no mention of Riedlingsdorf, presumably because as yet there was no church
there. But already in 1698 there is talk of a house of worship with a wooden
steeple and a bell, dedicated to St Urban and situated within an enclosed
churchyard in the south of the village. Until 1816 mass was celebrated there.

The relative numbers of members of the Protestant and Catholic congregations
varied in the 18th century, as can be seen from three esquires (vistations or
Urbars?) during this period:

Year    Catholics  Protestants Total
1697    130 18.57% 570 81.43%   700
1713-14 233 33.3%  467 66.7%    700
1772    182 21%    680 79%      862

As a result of the 1781 Charter of Toleration of Kaiser Josef II, new
perspectives were to arise in church life.

From Königsberg to Batthyány

In the 17th century the dividing line between the Turkish and the Hapsburg
sphere of influence ran through the middle of what is now Hungary. On top of
that there were three confessional (religious) groups in the country:
Catholics, Lutherans and Calvinists. Thus the relatively powerful barons
stood in the force-field between politics and religion, economic and national
interests. It is no wonder that this should prove to be a suitable breeding
ground for numerous disputes, in the course of which allies often became
enemies and vice versa.

The same could be said of the Königsbergers and the Batthyány family, with
their rich possessions in the region of Schlaining. (Stadt and castle).
During the rebellion (against the Hapsburgs) instigated by Boccskay Istvan
(Stephen Bocsky, Prince of Transsylvania) and supported by the Turks, both
groups initially took the side of the Kaiser. When the opportunity presented
itself Batthyány aided the insurgents to destroy the villages of the
Königsbergs who became his antagonists from that moment onwards. Acting on
instructions from the highest quarters (perhaps the crown or the Pope);
however, they both became reconciled once more. In the process countless
families were left behind, their houses burned down and their fields
trampled. For many communities, this year, 1605, brought more distress than
the Turkish years of the previous century. Riedlingsdorf, too, was severely
affected, and only recovered very slowly.

In 1644 Ehrenreich Christoph von Königsberg sold his domain of Bernstein to
Adam von Batthyány, who immediately set about transferring it out of Austrian
and into Hungarian jurisdiction. When this was accomplished in 1644, he had a
document drawn up; and we shall now look in greater detail at those parts of
it concerning Riedlingsdorf.

In the village, which had now grown to 104 houses, fourteen families were now
living, including those already mentioned in 1569. Among the new names the
following were added which are still encountered in these parts to this day:
Bruckner, Fleck, Zapfel, Keippel, Arthofer, Ziermann, Rehberger, Hofer,
Brunner. These changes are attributable to the heathen invasion (Turkish and
Hungarian revolts) [Heiduckensturm] , the consequences of which were to be
overcome by the settlement of new inhabitants. (ed. note; in other words,
these Germanic names are attributable to settlers arriving from elsewhere
after the period of trouble, probably the time 1690-1800). The nobility were
now demanding considerably higher taxes than they had done eighty years
before, although there had been hardly any change in the economic capacity of
the farmers.

In 1659 and then again ten years later the administration of Bernstein was
divided in such a way that Pinkafeld became an administrative center in its
own right. Riedlingsdorf was thus ceded to Pinkafeld. During the war against
the Turks, 1663-4, which ended in the victory of the Kaiser's forces at
Mogersdorf, there was also an engagement at Pinkafeld, in the course of which
a number of Turkish raiding parties were successfully repelled.

When the city of Vienna was besieged for a second time in 1683, Count
Batthyány was compelled to pay homage to the Turks in order to avoid the
devastation of his possessions.

As a result the attacking troops were able to advance unhindered into the
province of Steiermark (Styria, Austria) in order to obtain provisions, which
was in accordance with the currently prevailing customs of war (living off
the land). Following which, in revenge, the people of East Styria promptly
invaded in order to plunder Pinkafeld and the villages nearby. There were
similar events during the Kuruzzen (Hungarian revolutionary) battles between
1704 and 1709. This time however it was principally Hungarian rebels, under
the leadership of Karoly (Sandor Kaarolyi, who became a leader of kuruc
forces when he joined the Hungarian revolutionary movement started by Ferenc
Rakoczi)) who several times invaded the area around Pinkafeld.

The 18th Century; however, actually did bring a period of economic recovery,
which was also reflected in the growth of the population. The basis for this
was the reduction in the requirement for compulsory service, as well as an
extension of rights to the use of timber (although the landowners kept one
wood out of bounds in the district of Dick). There were 34 Joch [land
measure] of spruce firs and 68 Joch of pine. Likewise between Michelmas and
Christmas the farmers were allowed to sell wine, a privilege which was
otherwise reserved for the landed gentry. A sawmill, a forge, four
flour-mills, a smithy and a butcher shop complete the picture of the rustic
settlement of Riedlingsdorf.

The development of a road (trade route) running from Steinamanger
(Szombathely, Hungary) via Pinkafeld to Friedburg (Styria) had a very
favorable effect. Tolls were raised in Riedlingsdorf. Wine, cattle and
cereals were imported from Hungary into Austria. Textiles from Lower Austria
and herrings from the North Sea went in the opposite direction. Styrian salt
and iron were also transported across the border.

Churches and Religious Schools

In the 17th and 18th centuries there was an attempt in most European
countries to establish a well-ordered education system. In Hungary the main
driving force of this development came from the church communities. In 1759
Riedlingsdorf appointed its first Catholic teacher. Leopold Fleck taught in
house no. 84, which served as a school until the beginning of the 19th
century. It seems that a new school building was also erected at
approximately the same time as the new church; , and this was designated
house no. 154. The teachers were often not very well educated: they had given
up their trade in order to be able to turn their hand to teaching. In 1859,
for example, the blacksmith Hamon was replaced by the clothmaker Gachowitz.

Although the old Catholic church was repeatedly renewed and improved in the
course of time, the need still arose to replace it with a new place of
worship in the center of the village. The foundation stone was laid in 1811,
and five years later the Bishop of Steinamanger performed the consecration
ceremony. In the years that followed the interior was designed anew by the
Italian painter Antonio Riva. Two bells, a glass chandelier and an organ were
also acquired. Initially mass was only supposed to be celebrated here twice a
year, but this figure soon increased. The Charter of Toleration of 1781
brought the Protestant inhabitants of Riedlingsdorf the opportunity to form
their own congregation with the necessary institutions. A prerequisite of
this, however, was that 100 families should declare themselves to be
Protestant. Since this was extremely difficult in the tiny villages of the
period, the Lutherans of Pinkafeld, Riedlingsdorf, Wiesfleck, Weinberg,
Aschau, Schöherrn and Schreibersdorf formed a union. Riedlingsdorf with 112
families provided the largest share; but the church was erected nonetheless
in the political and economic center, Pinkafeld.

In 1795 the daughter community of Riedlingsdorf was able for the first time
to set up a school if one leaves aside previous attempts not covered by the
law. Andreas Portschy from Unterschntzen was appointed teacher, and was
active there for almost half a century. His compensation consisted of living
quarters, money which came partly from the pupils and partly from the
congregation, as well as firewood, wheat, corn and flax.

The new school house, built in 1849 had a tower added three years later.
Religious services were held twice a year. Since the teacher was expected to
instruct up to 150 pupils a second teaching post was created; and after
another school house was built a third teacher was appointed.

Among the teachers active here, one or two deserve special mention: Samuel
Bruckner was a man of many interests; only he had precious little taste for
instruction. His report from 1865 is interesting, in which he writes, among
other things:

"In general the fertility here is middling. The produce consists of wheat,
corn, barley, oats, [Haiden, buckwheat?], vetch, beans, potatoes, turnips,
carrots, onions, garlic, flax, horses, cattle, some of which are excellent.
The inhabitants are physically healthy, strong, persevering and hard-working.
No major crimes occur."

It is noticeable that even at that time onions are mentioned among all the
vegetables. The designations of Riedlingsdorf as the "garden of South
Burgenland" and of its inhabitants as Zwiebler ("onioners") have their
origins at least as far back as the 19th century. The products that
predominate in the fields today, maize and rape, were of no importance a
hundred years ago.

The oldest Protestant inhabitants of the village still remember their
teachers Johann Posch, Adolf Unger and Gustav Bayer. Tobias Bruckner is a
name that means something even to younger people. On the Catholic side, some
still remember Karl Hazivar. The year 1938 brought the annexation of Austria
by Germany and ended church-based education, since any kind of church service
was forbidden to the youth. The school buildings remained in use until such
time as a new school building could be erected after the war.
(END OF TRANSLATED PORTION)


END OF NEWSLETTER-EDITED & DISTRIBUTED BY GERALD J. BERGHOLD