BB News No. 95 dtd 30 Apr 2001

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 95 DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (now issued monthly by Gerald Berghold) April 30, 2001 (all rights reserved) HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY BURGENLAND! 1921-2001! Check out ALL of the lists shown on our homepage at: http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org SEE ARTICLE CONCERNING USE OF EISENSTADT DIOCESAN ARCHIVES AT NEWSLETTER 95C! NEWSLETTERS ARE BEING SENT TO 660 ADDRESSEES & 22 NEW MEMBERS NOTE TO RECIPIENTS. If you don't want to receive these newsletters, use the Membership Forms to update your status. We can't help with non-Burgenland family history. Comments and articles are appreciated. Our staff and web site addresses are listed at the end of newsletter section "C". Introductions, notes and articles without a by-line are written by the editor and reflect his views. This first section of the four section newsletter includes: * Burgenland Emigrant Rail Travel * Districts of Vienna * Virus Warnings and Other Hoaxes * New York Area German Reference Books * Plea for Immigrant Stories (Auswandererschicksal) * Riot in Schattendorf * Kleinmürbisch Records-Güssing District * See Continuation of Rose Marie Duld Diary (Visit) at 95A * See Continuation of "First Immigrants" at 95B * See Ellis Island Record Article at 95C BURGENLAND EMIGRANT RAIL TRAVEL I know most of the story of my grandfather Alois Sorger's emigration from the Güssing area. He was born in Rosenberg-Güssing, went to school there and worked in his father's pottery. At some point he apprenticed as a bricklayer, but from that time until he emigrated to the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, I know least of all. He told me he disliked working in the pottery-his father had many children (10 from 3 wives-2 wives died in childbirth) and was a hard taskmaster. They all worked in the pottery from an early age. His Grandfather Sorger also worked there and a great grandfather died at that address while Alois was growing up. I often wondered how so many people could live in one house (Rosenberg No. 225) until I found out it had been a gasthaus at one time, now in considerable disrepair. I assume the apprenticeship was local and at some point he went to the Szombathely area as a journeyman on construction jobs. There he met friend Stefan Mankos with whom he emigrated. They became lifelong neighbors in Allentown. Their Ellis Island entry cards show Egyhazas, Hungary as their point of departure. I assumed for years this was the last place they lived and worked in Burgenland, not so. I recently was involved in a thread on the WGW Query Board. The subject included possible routes to the ports of departure in Germany. I had occasion to research the existing rail lines from the Burgenland and what did I find but that at the time of his departure (1901) Egyhazas (now Egyhazas-Radoc, Hungary) was on the Kormend-Budapest-Vienna line north and was the closest railroad station to Güssing. In 1901 this was still all in Hungary, so it made sense that Güssing area emigrants would leave from there. I had assumed he left from Jennersdorf or Kormend. So, if you are using data from those ship lists or entry cards for village of origin, they may be misleading. They may show the place where your ancestors boarded a train. I think we can establish the following travel patterns from this. Emigrants would not cross a border until or unless they had to. It could cost money to cross a border and there were other problems and requirements involved like customs, permits, visas, etc. Although Austria and Hungary had formed the Dual Monarchy-customs duties and permits were still often required to cross the respective borders. Emigrants would tend to use Hungarian rail service as far as possible. This would mean going to Budapest (if necessary) or to Ödenburg via Steinamanger and then on to Vienna for the first border crossing, probably at Wiener-Neustadt or Neustadt as it was then called. Leaving Vienna, the next crossing would most likely be Passau, Germany (on the Danube) and then on to Bremen or Hamburg. Train service from Vienna could be either Vienna-Linz-Salzburg-Munich or Vienna-Linz Wels-Passau-Nuremburg. There was also river steamer passage from Budapest to Passau via Vienna (9 to 18 hours from Vienna, overnight plus from Budapest). During periods of plague, border crossings would be sealed and emigrants could not support themselves for too long a period of time waiting for the border to open. In addition, emigrants had to show that they had enough money so that they wouldn't become a burden. Border crossings were thus traumatic for many. If you'd like to try to work out your ancestor's possible route, you might check the following dates of rail network completion and then look for the stations nearest your village of origin: 1846-Vienna to Bruck 1850-Vienna to Ödenburg (Gyor) and Steinamanger via Mattersburg 1850-Kormend to Steinamanger (Sombathely)-north east (Hungarian route) 1856-Bruck to Budapest 1871-Vienna to Neufeld-Wiener-Neustadt 1873-Jennersdorf to Kormend via St. Gotthard 1883-1910-Grosspetersdorf to Aspang via Oberwart 1899-Güssing to Kormend 1910-Connections from Jennersdorf to Vienna via Hartberg north-west (Austrian route) Many if not all emigrants had considerable baggage (steamer trunks) so rail would have been favored. Their route may also have been what their all inclusive ticket may have shown if they had such (available in later periods). In 1900, the route Budapest, Hungary to Graz, Austria (8-10 hours) went through the following stations: Budapest, Raab, Steinamanger, Kis Unyon, Egyhhazas-Radoc, Kormend, Szt. Gotthard, Jennersdorf-Gyanafalva (last Hungarian station), Fehring (first Austrian station), Hartberg, Feldbach, Studenzen, Graz. There were also local stops serving aristocratic estates. Not sure if they could be flagged for emigrants. The route Vienna, Austria to Mohacs, Hungary (16.5 hours) went through Vienna, Neustadt (border) Lajta-Szent Miklos, Mattersdorf, Oedenburg, Steinamanger, (branch line to Güns), Vasvar-Eisenburg, Nagy-Kanizsa, Fünfkirchen, Mohacs. The route Vienna to Budapest (4-8.5 hours) went through Vienna, Stadlau, Marchegg, Pressburg (Bratislava) Tot Megyer, Neuhausel, Parkany-Nana, Wiatzen, Budapest. Sources consulted: The Habsburg Monarchy as a Customs Union, Komlos, Princeton Univ. Press, Baedecker's Austria 1900, Geschichte Des Burgenlandes, Floiger, Gruber, Huber, Lehrbuch für die Oberstufe. DISTRICTS OF VIENNA (FORMERLY VILLAGES) Vienna, of course is not part of Burgenland. It is a province all in itself, the leading city in an Empire which recognized three capitals, Vienna, Budapest and Prague. Surrounding villages were absorbed as the city expanded. Some village names changed or disappeared and others gave their names to today's districts. Many Burgenlanders migrated to Vienna for work and we can find references to various districts in ancestral documents. Member Johannes Graf sends me the following: The Viennese districts and the residential area names, former place names. (District Number, name, former place name) - () not official names) 1, Innere Stadt 2, Leopoldstadt- Leopoldstadt, Unterer Werd, Jägerzeile, Prater 3, Landstrasse- Landstrasse, Erdberg, Weißgerber, (St. Marx, Belvedere, am Modenapark) 4, Wieden- Wieden, Hungelbrunn, Schaumburgergrund 5, Margareten- Margareten, Nikolsdorf, Matzleinsdorf, Laurenzergrund, Reinprechtsdorf, Hundsturm 6, Mariahilf- Mariahilf, Gumpendorf, Magdalenengrund, Laimgrube, Windmühle 7, Neubau- St. Ulrich(90%), Neustift, Schottenfeld, Spittelberg, Laimgrube, Alt-Lerchenfeld(10%) 8, Josefstadt- Josefstadt, Strozzigrund, Breitenfeld, Alt-Lerchenfeld(90%), St. Ulrich(10%), Alservorstadt(10%) 9, Alsergrund- Alservorstadt(90%), Michelbeuern, Himmelpfortgrund, Li(e)chtental, Althan, Am Thury, Roßau 10, Favoriten- Favoriten, Oberlaa, Unterlaa, Rothneusiedl, Inzersdorf(50%), (Wienerberg, Laaer Berg) 11, Simmering- Simmering, (Kaiser) Ebersdorf, Albern, Neu-Albern, Kledering(1%), (Simmeringer Haide) 12, Meidling- Meidling, Wilhelmsdorf, Gaudenzdorf, Altmannsdorf, Hetzendorf, (Am Schöpfwerk) 13, Hietzing- Hietzing, Unter St. Veit, Ober St. Veit, Hacking, Lainz, Speising, (Schöönbrunn, Friedensstadt, Roter Berg) 14, Penzing- Penzing, Breitensee, Unter-Baumgarten, Ober-Baumgarten, Hütteldorf, Hadersdorf, Weidlingau, Hainbach, Hinterhainbach, Steinbach(50%), (Wolfersberg, Hüttelberg, Steinhof) 15, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus- Reindorf, Rustendorf, Braunhirschengrund, Fünfhaus, Neu-Fünfhaus, Sechshaus, (Auf der Schmelz) 16, Ottakring- Ottakring, Neulerchenfeld, (Wilhelminenberg) 17, Hernals- Hernals, Dornbach, Neuwaldegg 18, Währing- Währing, Weinhaus, Gersthof, Pötzleinsdorf, (Schafberg) 19, Döbling- Heiligenstadt, Ober-Döbling, Unter-Döbling, Nußdorf, Josefsdorf, Kahlenbergerdorf, Grinzing, Ober-Sievering, Unter-Sievering, Salmannsdorf, Neustift am Walde 20, Brigittenau- Brigittenau, Zwischenbrücken, (Am Sporn) 21, Floridsdorf- Floridsdorf, Jedlesee, Großjedlersdorf, Neujedlersdorf, Leopoldau, Donaufeld, Strebersdorf, Stammersdorf, (Mühlschüttel, Schwarzlackenau) 22, Donaustadt- Stadlau, Eßling, Kagran, Aspern, Hirschstetten, Kaisermühlen, Breitenlee, Süßenbrunn, Neueßling, Neukagran, (Gänsehäufel, Neuhaufen, Schafflerhof, Mühlau, Heustadlmais, Biberhaufen, Schierlinggrund) 23, Liesing- Liesing, Atzgersdorf, Mauer, Rodaun, Erlaa, Alt-Erlaa, Neu-Erlaa, Inzersdorf(50%), Kalksburg, Siebenhirten, (Kadoltsberg, Rosenhügel, Steinsee, Neustift oder Straßenhäuser, Neu-Steinhof) bibliography: Stadtchronik Wien, 1986, Verlag Christian Brandstätter VIRUS WARNINGS & OTHER HOAXES With email we have people who don't have anything to say and invent things like false rumors and ask others to pass them on. I guess they get some weird enjoyment out of this. Unfortunately, many believe those rumors (thinking every one on the net is honest) and pass them on to friends. Soon the net is clogged with trash. The worst hoaxes are the virus rumors. They have us believing that a virus lurks within every email. Many of our members unknowingly pass these rumors on to other BB members. This is not a good idea unless you are certain there is such a virus. How do you know? Check an expert source. Charles Wardell supplied one recently when he was advised of the "Virtual Card" virus rumor. He writes: 99.9% of these virus warnings are hoaxes -- which is dangerous because one then doesn't believe real ones when they come (Peter and the wolf). Re: "A Virtual Card For You" please see: http://vil.nai.com/vil/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=3D98893 Before forwarding warnings, please ALWAYS check with a formal site such as http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.asp NEW YORK AREA GERMAN REFERENCE BOOKS (from Margaret Kaiser) (ED Note: Numerous Burgenlanders settled in New York City. Finding them can be a chore. The following may help.) Margaret Kaiser tells us that Kathleen Schilling, German Genealogy Group, sent her this message: The New York G&B has two new books available. 1. The German Churches of Metropolitan New York - A Research Guide by Richard Haberstroh, C.G. 2.Index to Marriage and Death Notices in the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung 1836-1870 by Frank A. Biebel Contact the following for more info: http://www.nygbs.org/info/publications.html Margaret also writes: More information on the book "The German Churches of Metropolitan New York"- Dr. Haberstroh has identified over 400 Protestant and Catholic churches which have served the German communities in the present five boroughs of New York City, as well as Jersey City and Hoboken, NJ, from the 1600's to the present. For each church he gives the year founded, location, whereabouts of records, and for Protestant churches, names of pastors. Introductory chapters consider the history of Christian denominations in Germany, the development of the German-American communities and churches of Metropolitan New York, and the nature of German church records. There are illustrations of selected churches and church records. Maps assist the researcher in identifying churches in a particular neighborhood at given dates. Indexes to church names and Protestant pastors, complete this indispensable guide. (For more information) German Genealogy Group, P.O. Box 1004, Kings Park, NY 11754. PLEA FOR IMMIGRANT STORIES We have almost 700 members. Each received a "Welcome Letter" which included the following paragraph: "At some point in your research we would appreciate receiving an article ("auwandererschicksal-immigrant's story") concerning what you know of the emigration of your Burgenland family. We would be pleased to edit and add such to our newsletter and send a copy to the Burgenland for publication in the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft Newsletter (German language newsletter being distributed to descendants of Burgenland emigrants). A sample "auswanderer" article can be found in our archives in newsletter no. 39A. We've found that these articles frequently result in local contacts." To date we've received about a dozen stories. While under no obligation to do so-sending your story would be a nice way to thank us for our efforts on your behalf. Stories from north and middle Burgenland are particularly needed. Let me emphasize that data concerning Burgenland immigrants is very scarce. The respective governments did not keep records. What is available has been uncovered through the efforts of organizations like the Burgenlandische Gemeinschaft and the Burgenland Bunch. We now have listings of almost 3000 family names, their villages of origin and in a few cases the story of their emigration. We receive more names every day, but many facts are lacking. If you'd like to memorialize your immigrant ancestor-send us a story (Auswandererschicksal) of what you know. EARLY RIOT IN SCHATTENDORF (DISTRICT OF MATTERSBURG) From Chuck: Dear Mr. Berghold: Thank you for putting my question to the members. I have since received 3 replies. It seems that the Austrian Consul General misunderstood, and was talking about a town by the name of Schattendorf, also in Burgenland where an older man and boy were killed by the police, and when the police were tried they were found not guilty, and the citizens burned down the courthouse, and in the melee 80-100 people were killed by the police, causing civil unrest. So you have an extremely informed membership, and I appreciate the fast response. Charles Stuparits (ED. Note: It appears riots following unpopular judicial decisions are not restricted to modern times. What is new is the way in which they are handled!) KLEINMÜRBISCH (FELSOMEDVES-DISTRICT OF GÜSSING). Fritz Königshofer to Anne (ED. Note: Our editors often help members in their research. I am frequently copied. I wish I could publish them all, but space just doesn't permit. On occasion I select those which I think are of particular value-those which provide clues as to how to conduct your research. This one involves a small village in the south of Burgenland. It just happens to be the birthplace of my Mühl-Sorger grandmother. Inhabitants went to church in St. Nikolaus) Fritz writes: Anne, I had a chance to look through the records of the St. Nikolaus parish near Güssing, and found the following regarding your ancestors. Marriage on May 18, 1884. Groom: Joannes Thomas, 24, single, domunculus, born and living at Kleinmürbisch no. 40. Bride: Agnes Kroboth, 24, single, born in Kleinmürbisch, and living in the same village, house no. 45. Best men: Joannes Mulczet, farmer, and Joannes Semler, domunculus. I believe that domunculus means a homesteader, German term "Söllner," i.e., a person with a house but little or no land; a cottager or cotter in English. For this ancestral couple of yours, I found the following births in the same records: May 1, 1885, at Kleinmürbisch 45. Birth of Joannes [John]. Parents: Joannes Tomas, domunculus, from Kleinmürbisch, and Agnes Kroboth, from Kleinmürbisch. Godparents: Christian Joszt, domunculus, and Agnes Szommer. October 17, 1886, at Kleinmürbisch 46. Birth of Josephus [this is your direct ancestor]. Parents: Joannes Tamás, domunculus, and Agnes Kroboth, of Kleinmürbisch. Godparents: Josephus Nikischer and Agnes Hütter, both single and rom.-cath. September 5, 1888, at Kleinmürbisch 46. Birth of Hedwig. Parents: Joannes Tomás, domunculus, and Agnes Kroboth. Godparents: Christian Jost, domunculus, and Agnes Szommer. November 16, 1892, at Kleinmürbisch 46. Birth of Edmund. Parents: Joannes Tamás, domunculus, and Agnes Kroboth. Godparents: Joannes Marksz [Marx], domunculus, and Anna Gröller. The church records end in September 1895. For other births, one would need to review the film with the civil records of Güssing, or of Güssing environs, which start in October 1895. It seems clear that the Kroboth family lived at Kleinmürbisch no. 45, because that's where John and Agnes married and initially lived, before they moved to, or built, house no. 46. At house no. 45, there was a marriage on Feb. 17, 1889, of a Joseph Kroboth, domunculus, age 24, perhaps a brother of Agnes, with Anna Pfeifer, 22, single, of Grossmürbisch. The records also list a couple Paul Kroboth, a cobbler, married with Anna Jost. Interestingly, the records state that Paul Kroboth originally hailed from Szent Groth [Gerersdorf], while Anna Jost came from Békafalu (Krottendorf bei Güssing]. The records also show a couple Aloysius Tamás, perhaps a close relative of John, married with Maria Kurta from Borosgödör [Inzenhof], living at house no. 40 in Kleinmürbisch. In my relatively quick review, I believe I also found the records of the births of your ancestors John Thomas and Agnes nee Kroboth. The entries are as follows [again from the St. Nikolaus parish]: October 24, 1860, at Kleinmürbisch 45. Birth of Agnes, daughter of Michael Kroboth and Maria nee Niklesz. Godparents: Paulus Thomann (?) and Barbara Hamedl. December 23, 1861 at Kleinmürbisch 40. Birth of Joannes, son of Joannes Tamás and Anna nee Sommer. Godparents: Paul Hamedl and Julianna Sommer. Anne, this is all I found for you and I am not sure whether I'll have the time to look for more information. However, I know you have ordered the film yourself, and you'll find much more when you take the time to check the film more closely. By the way, there are other Burgenland Bunch members who search for the names of Sommer (including one in Kleinmürbisch) and Nikles. Just go to the BB member list and do a search for the two names. Newsletter continues as no. 95A.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 95A DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (now issued monthly by Gerald Berghold) April 30, 2001 (all rights reserved) This second section of the 4 section newsletter contains: * An Unforgettable Visit To The Burgenland * Ethnic Card Game? AN UNFORGETTABLE VISIT TO THE BURGENLAND (from Bob Loeffler) Continued from Newsletter No. 94A dtd March 31, 2001. This visit took place between June 28, 1939 and October 19,1939, spanning several weeks before and after the start of World War II. In this section, we conclude the diary of ROSE MARIE DULD (mother of Bob Loeffler) written during her visit to Kukmirn, Burgenland, the village of her birth. Her father was MATHIAS DULD, and her mother was JULIA nee PUMMER. (diary continues) Aug 23rd: Today we went to LACKNER'S to say goodbye. I had a lot of fun with the TWINS and they wanted to go to America with me. HANNA was there. Also SAMUEL. Everyone was lovely and good. I spent the next day also seeing more neighbors to say goodbye. I still had lots to do. Tomorrow at 5:30, I will leave by bus to Fürstenfeld. Mother is busy packing for me. She packed food and all the neighbors came to say goodbye. Also LAURA and JOSEPH. Aug 25th: This morning I got up at 3AM. One hour before I had to leave Mother, we had what we thought to be our last breakfast together. Mother and SAMUEL went with me to Fürstenfeld, and Laura went with me to Vienna. ROSI and KARL also were at the train station. I left at quarter to ten from Fürstenfeld and was in Vienna at 3:30PM. We went to HANNA's sister-in-law's home at 4:45PM. They were very friendly, and put us up for the night. Aug 26th: Today I woke up at 6AM. I slept very well. HANNA, ELLY and I went to the agency USA Line. They told me that I cannot sail on the ship President Roosevelt. I have to wait for an answer from Hamburg on Monday, to see if I can get booked on a German ship. I am very tired and disgusted. I was sorry I didn't stay with my family in New York, but I also wanted to see my dear Mother. I went back to HANNA's sister-in-law garden house. I am going crazy trying to get back home. Every one is scared that the war will start. Aug 27th: Got up at 8AM and had breakfast. ELLY's husband came and went to Heiligenkreuz. HANNA stayed with me until the next day. I will probably find out then if I can go home and when my ship will leave. I wish only one thing - to be home with my family and celebrate. I'm already sick. Maybe tomorrow. Now I must go back to my Mother. But with God's help I will get back home soon. The people here are very friendly and they want to go for a walk, but I didn't want to go. Hope with God's help everything will be OK. Aug 28th: Today I went to my agent again for the latest information. They said I CANNOT GO TO THE USA AND I MUST GO BACK TO MY MOTHER. THEY WILL LET ME KNOW WHEN I AM AT MY MOTHER'S HOUSE IF I CAN GO HOME TO THE USA. It was hard to get back to Mother's house because all the trains were used for the military. But today HANNA and I were able to get on a train to Fürstenfeld, but had to change trains three times. My luggage was very heavy. I am hoping I will get home very soon to my dear family. I'm sick but there is nothing I can do. Aug 29th: Today HANNA and I are at RESI HAFNER'S in Fürstenfeld. We arrived from Vienna last night at 11PM. Everyone was waiting for me but I didn't think I would make it. Later my Mother came. I was sorry that she was very upset about my situation. We both went home to wait for the time for me to go to the USA. SAMUEL was here. He had a very bad cold and could hardly speak. My only wish was to go home soon if it's God's will. Aug 30th: Today I should have been on the ship leaving Hamburg. Instead, I am sitting here writing about my misery. Mother says some day everything will be OK. She just can't give up hope. Mother is cooking dinner but I am not hungry. SAMUEL and the rest can't sleep very well. I am still waiting to hear from the agent. Aug 31st: This morning I got up very early and made breakfast because Mother is feeling dizzy. Mother stayed in bed until noon and felt better. Today I went shopping for Mother. We got ration cards for food because all the rich people were buying everything up, and the poor people had nothing to eat. So, everyone got ration cards. Rich or poor now get the same. Today the people have more hope, and I hope there will not be a war so I can go home. If I can't go home, I don't know what I will do here. Sep 1st: This morning at 3 AM the war started. All the people are so disgusted. They don't want to work. Many men went away (drafted-?). Everybody hopes the war won't take too long. Sep 2nd: Today it rained. Many airplanes are flying around. The Hungarian border is closed and we are afraid they will bomb us. I AM A PRISONER HERE AND I AM SICK. I'm praying that I can go home with God's help. Sep 3rd: It was still raining. Mother cooked dinner because it's Sunday. After dinner, she laid down for a while. She is still in very good shape for her age. I don't know what I would do without her. Sep 4th: Today I got up early. The French and the English declared war on Germany and it looks pretty bad. I know God will do the right thing. Sep 5th: Today I got some milk for Mother. She cannot sleep very well because she worries a lot. I wish everything would come to a fast end so I could go home to my family. This is my great wish. Sep 6th: Today I went again for milk for Mother. I did a little work for Mother. I was also worried. Today some neighbor boys went somewhere (drafted?) and now it's very quiet in the village. I just hope I won't get sick. I'm so lonely. I'm so far away from my family. I hope God will take good care of my family, and that I can soon get back to them. Sep 7th: Today Mother and I spent all day with SAMUEL. The time went by very quickly while visiting them. I miss my friends. The next day I went to the village to buy things for Mother so she has it for the future. After, we stayed home all day. Sep 9th: I did some cleaning for Mother. I miss the warm weather we have in America. We listened to the radio again. Today is the day I should have arrived in New York. Celia would have been on the pier to pick me up. And I'm not there. I wish I can get home soon with God's help. Sep 10th: Sunday and we stayed home to wait for RESIE SCHOBER. We had a lot of pears and plums and she promised to come and pick some up. But she didn't come because she couldn't get on the autoban because of the military traffic. So mother and I went to MR FUCHS. While there, we listened to the news on the radio. Everything looks worse than before because the French are now fighting in the war also. I'm so tired. I want to go home to my family. Sep 11th: Today I went to my brother to help him harvest potatoes. I'm helping him because I don't have anything else to do while I wait for news of my ship. The next day I received a letter from my family from America. I went to the village because it's such a beautiful day. On the radio today they, the Germans, said "good things" about the war. I hope it won't take too long anymore. Sep 13th: I wrote to Cilly. I feel sick because I miss my children. Today and tomorrow, I will go to FUCHS to listen to the radio and get the latest news of the war. Everything is still the same. Sep 15th: Today is my birthday. Mother made apple strudel for us. We went to _____?______ and it rained hard. I got all wet. In the evening I went back to FUCHS to listen to the radio. Sep 16th: Today I went to SAMUEL to help him with the potato harvesting. Now they are finished with everything. Today I tried to find out if I could go through Holland to New York. They said in a few days I will find out. Mother takes little naps every day so she keeps up her strength. I listened to the radio again and the German's said "it looks pretty good and that they are making progress." Sep17th: It is Sunday, and I don't feel very well. I have a chest cold. I did drink some Chamomile tea. I feel a little better now, but I'm very tired from all my worries. I hope to hear in a few days if I can get on a ship out of Holland, with the line Antworpen. Today is a beautiful Sunday. I didn't go to church because I am still not well enough. Later we went to FUCHS again, and drank 1/2 liter of wine. We listened to the radio again. I want to go home to my family. Sep 18th: I am sick today, have a lot of pain, and cannot move very well. I'm not doing any work today. I'm listening to the radio again, while Mother made plum cake. I don't know what I would do without Mother. The next day it was raining again. I listened to the radio again. HITLER spoke for almost 1 1/2 hours. Sep 20th: Today was not nice and was still raining. The farmers didn't like it. I went to FUCHS to listen to the radio again. I still don't feel well and have pain in my chest. I pray to God to get better soon. I got an answer from the Holland Line, and I wrote right back to them. Sep 21st: I did some shopping for Mother. We have to conserve soap, but I did buy some. Also I bought other groceries. I went to listen to the radio again hoping the news is good and that I can soon go home. I don't want to think about the whole thing or I'll make myself sick again. Sep 22nd: Today I went to Samuel to help with the potato harvesting. I ruined my shoes. I feel very sick. I have stomach problems and headaches. I'm lonely for my family. I hope it will be very soon that I'll be going home. Sep 23rd: Today is Saturday. I did some housework for Mother so the time went fast. I'm going to FUCHS to hear the radio again. No news about the war. No news from England. I want to go home to my husband and children in New York. Sep 24th: I don't feel like doing anything. Looks like rain again. The village looked like everyone died because it is so quiet. In my mind I am with my children in New York. I'm always thinking what this war might do especially to my son Robert. Sep 25th: Today it's very cold. I'm almost frozen. I went to FUCHS and the radio says they are still fighting. I didn't hear from the Holland Line and I am very unhappy about it and don't know what to do. Joseph had a stroke. He was a soldier on the Hungarian border. They had a beautiful funeral, but I didn't go because it made me sick. Today I also got a letter from the cruise line. Now I have a little more hope that I can soon go home, through Holland or Italy. In a few days I have to go to Vienna to find out what will happen. Sep 26th: Today I went to Fürstenfeld and brought a plum cake to RESIE HAFNER. I went by foot and was very tired. It rained very hard so I caught a cold again. The next day I went to HAFNER's. They also want to go through Italy. This way I won't be alone. The Allies are having meetings for ending the war. But if it doesn't happen, the war will accelerate. Sep 28th: Today I went to Rudersdorf to MRS WORLLITSCH (WOLITISCH-?). She is also from New York with her two children. She will go by way of Italy. She's very scared. Sep 29th: I did some gardening for Mother. Mother went to the village shopping. She came with me to listen to the radio. I hope the end is near or I will get sick from worrying. I cannot write to anyone. Sep 30th: Today the Allies will decide about the war. I will stay home all day and wait for the letter from the cruise line. I will listen to the radio again, and hopefully I will hear something good. Oct 1st: In the afternoon I went to Fürstenfeld to RESIE HAFNER and we ate plum cake and other foods. Then we went to Köenigsdorf and from there by car to Fürstenfeld. MR HAFNER was very nice to me. He tried to cheer me up and told a lot of jokes. Oct 2nd: I went by train to Vienna to find out about ships leaving Italy bound for New York. While in Vienna we stayed at KOREYCIK (?). They told me I had a chance to go to America. I sent a telegraph for more money for the tickets because the ocean crossing takes longer from Italy. I am very happy about going home to my family. I hope tomorrow that everything will be finished. Then I will go to Mother for a few days until I must leave. Right now I am sitting by MRS KOREYCIK in Vienna listening to the radio. She is very friendly. Oct 3rd: Today I had to run around and finally got the tickets for the Ship (SS George Washington.) But I can not go right now because I must first get permission from the New York Ship Line, and they wanted to know if I already paid the money for the ticket. Oct 4th: I stayed in Vienna all week. I wrote a card to Mother but she didn't receive it until Friday. Mother was very worried about me. Mother was baking. RESIE and ____?____ both helped her. Now I regret that I can't stay longer. In the evening all the neighbors came to say goodbye. Everyone was so friendly and kind. Mother and I talked all night. Mother prayed all night for me. The next day we got up at 4 o'clock. We went to FRANZ for a short while. I kissed them all goodbye, and my heart was breaking because I will probably never see them again. (No entries for Oct 6-7) Oct 8th: This morning we got up at 7AM. It broke my Mother's heart. I made the goodbye very short, gave her a goodbye kiss, and left very fast. My heart was breaking. It made me cry too because I don't think I will see her anymore. We only have one Mother in this world. It was very hard for SAMUEL and family too. RESIE cries a lot and very hard. JULIE went with us to Fürstenfeld. We went to HAFNER's and ate there for the last time. RESIE drove me to Graz. In Graz I had to go to the police so they could check all the papers. Then I went to the Italian consulate for a visa. I had to stay overnight because we couldn't get to the consulate on time. (No entry for Oct 9) Oct 10th: I went to the travel office, and the agent there was so friendly. He helped me because I couldn't get to the ship on Oct 13th, so he phoned Vienna to straighten everything out. They wanted to know AGAIN if the money was paid. Oct 11th: Today I left Graz at 9:30 AM and went to Rome, Italy. From there to Naples and there I got another fright. This agent hadn't been told that everything for the trip was paid. (No entry for Oct 12) Oct 13th: I didn't sleep all night, but finally found out that I could board the ship in Naples. The ship was scheduled to depart from Naples at 12:30 today. I arrived at, and boarded the ship with 3 hours to spare. The next day we arrived at Algiers. The ship was stopped there at 10:10AM to 10PM because the French took all the German men from 18 years old to 50 years old off the ship. The women could stay on the ship but not the men. Oct 15th: Today at 2PM we passed Gibraltar. On the left side was Morocco and Africa. On the right side was the Spanish coast. It was very interesting. On the ship I made a friend that was on the ship coming over. Her name was KATRINA MEYERS. She is very nice and full of jokes. It is now 4:45PM and we are finally on the Atlantic Ocean. The ship goes very fast. I am almost dizzy and seasick. With God's help, we will be in New York the 21st of Oct. I can hardly wait. Oct 16th: Today I am seasick. I took a cup of coffee in the morning but it didn't stay down. The waves are so high the ship was going up and down. My friend MRS MEYERS was also very sick. Most of the people were lying down in their cabins. There were 225 people on the ship, minus 18 Germans taken off and arrested by the French. Oct 17th: Today I am a little better. Today we passed the Azores, which are Portugese Islands. At night we had a storm. There was a lot of noise during night and it was very cold. We almost fell out of bed, so they gave us life jackets. We stayed in bed two days. I think I am deaf and dizzy from all the noise. But in 3 1/2 days we will be, with God's help, in New York. We are just coming to the Gulf of Biscay. They say there are always a lot of storms there. Oct 18th: I got up late today and had a little breakfast. The ship is shaking and it's cold, even in the living room. It will soon be dinner but I don't have an appetite. The weather is storming. Oct 19th: Today the weather is nice but the ship is still shaking. I feel like I'm drunk and dizzy. My friend is still sick in bed. She is so anxious to get home she can't wait. It is 6PM and the storm is a little calmer. Only one more day and we will be home. Dear God, help us to get home safely! Footnote: Ironically the ship my Mother came home on was the same ship that I, a combat infantryman with the First Division, The Big Red One of Omaha Beach fame, was transported to England with about 5,000 fellow soldiers. Because of its speed and ability to outrun any German U-boats, the ship made a ten-day solo run zig-zaging across the North Atlantic. That was in the middle of a stormy winter, after the U.S.A. entered the war. I was berthed near the bow of the ship, and that was like riding an elevator up and down a 20 story building continuously for ten days. In a way, I was looking forward to possibly being able to see my relatives in the Burgenland. But that was cut short after our troops captured the Ludendorf railroad bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen. I was wounded on St Patrick's Day, 1945, in that Remagen Bridgehead, and was eventually shipped back to the good old U.S.A. on a U.S.Navy Hospital Ship. We arrived at Staten Island's Halloran General Hospital on my birthday. Next to my mother's return to the U.S.A., this was the greatest birthday present I ever received! Bob Loeffler. ETHNIC CARD GAME? (Ed. Note: On one trip to the Burgenland, rain set in and the wife and I decided to play some Rummy so I went to a local tobacco shop in Moschendorf and bought a deck of cards. When we got back to our gasthaus and opened the deck, it was like no other deck we ever saw with less than 52 cards (28?). We left them at the gasthaus. Maybe Zsiros? If you go to Austria you may want to bring your own pack of 52 cards. Can someone explain?) Gus Gyaki sends the following: Hello! In researching for my husband's ancestors, we found a deck of cards that his cousin remembers playing but has forgotten the rules to the game. We wonder if anyone in the BB would remember a card game called ZSIROS. We would appreciate hearing from anyone that may know this game. Also would like to know if you can still buy this special deck of cards. Thanks for any help and thanks also for the Newsletters. Newsletter continues as no. 95B.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 95B DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (now issued monthly by Gerald Berghold) April 30, 2001 (all rights reserved) This third section of the 4 section newsletter contains: * A Post World War II Immigrant-Sopron-Germany-Canada-USA * Vienna - Graz Research * First Immigrants * Myrtle Beach, SC Austrian Restaurant-Source of Strudel POST WORLD WAR II IMMIGRANT (From Donna Steiger) Hello, my name is Julius Karl Steiger, I was born in Oedenburg (Sopron) on January 29, 1944. My family fled to west Germany ahead of the Russian advance towards the end of the war. We settled in Derttingen (village), near Wertheim am Main. After awhile we moved to Wertheim and there I attended the Gymnasium. On April 30, 1957 my family immigrated to Canada, we settled in Kelowna, British Columbia where I grew up. My parents still live there. In 1978 I moved to the USA and lived in several western States. I have lived in Omaha, Nebraska since 1989. My wife is quite an enthusiast when it comes to Genealogy . She started on my ancestors recently. I have quite a bit of information already, but it will take awhile to get things organized. I have recently received a two page photocopy of a letter (a sort of declaration),- that my father sent me. It is written by hand and dated from the middle 17th century. It describes the Knighthood of Anton Steiger, who was a Knight of the Blue Earth. He also had a castle, I believe it was the Amstein Burg, but I am not certain of this ? I have managed to only translate a few lines from this letter because it is written in the Old Style German writing. I can make out several lines fairly easily but then most of it is just too hard to decipher for me. I can make out many names that apparently were guests of Anton Steiger that are listed in History books and were the top of Society and Royalty at that time. My grandmother who fled with us from Oedenburg died in Germany and she told me about Oedenburg and very often about the Burgenland and its beauty, the grapes, the wines etc. She missed her home and the area terribly and died heartbroken never having seen it again. Her wish was to return just once, but she just wasn't lucky enough and she passed away. I was a young boy then, and she told me often about the estate that the Russians just took from us, and how we all had to flee for our lives and so forth. I will send you some material about the past, what I know and what I was told by my grandparents and my parents. I have been thinking about a holiday and would enjoy the land of my birth of that I am certain. Anyway what information if any can you or your readers help me with on this issue of the Knighthood of the Blue Earth of my ancestor and any information on the Castle or estate if it wasn't bombed out ??? Julius Karl Steiger, Bellevue, NE 68123 Fritz Königshofer replies: Dear Julius (and Donna), Gerry Berghold asked me whether I would have an idea for pointing you to information on the noble family Anton Steiger von Amstein, your possible ancestors. Let me first of all say that you are welcome to send me a copy of the two pages you have. I'll be happy to read them for you and let you know what they say (if I am able to decipher them). There is a small hamlet in the mountains west of Weiz (and north of Graz) called Amstein. However, it is so small that I wonder if it could be the place after which the family was named. I am copying Charles Wardell on this message who is not only a member of the Burgenland Bunch, but runs the GenWeb query boards for Austria and knows some excellent links to Internet material on Austrian nobility. Perhaps he might be able to identify something about the family. Further, if you ever have an opportunity, try to get your hands on the Siebmacher Wappenbuch (book of the coats of arms) for Austria, and the general index of all Siebmacher volumes. I'll put this lookup on my list for my next visit at the Hungarian Library in Budapest (though I do not know when that may be). I'll check the Kempelen on Hungarian nobility at my local LDS Library whether the Steigers were also registered as nobility in Hungary (since your ancestors were from Oedenburg/Sopron) and let you know soon in case I find anything. When I searched the web, I found that a Hermann Steiger Edler von Amstein was an explorer of the Hermann's Cave near Kirchberg am Wechsel (which is in Lower Austria, near the border to Styria, and not too far to the west from the Burgenland and Sopron (about 30 miles at most), though the landscape in between is very hilly. The website states that Hermann Steiger von Amstein explored this meanwhile famous cave in 1843 when he was the administrator of the nearby castle of Feistritz (whose owner was a Freiherr von Dietrich). Please check the website yourself at http://www.showcaves.com/english/at/showcaves/Hermanns.html , and (in German) at http://www.cave.at/hermannshoehle/hherf.html , where you will even find a picture of Hermann Steiger. VIENNA - GRAZ RESEARCH (Unger, Königshofer, Schuch) (ED. Note: The Burgenland after all is a small place and population spillover to nearby communities is a fact of life. It's impossible to restrict our research to the confines of today's borders. Quite often we receive queries about Vienna or Graz. Unfortunately, we do not have those excellent LDS church and civil microfilm records for these places, but all is not lost. There are other records. If your search takes you to these cities, read on.) In a message dated 2/1/01 Bob Unger writes: Many thanks for BB newsletter #92. The info triggered a reaction on my part that could possibly lead to finding info about my grandmother, Mary Bernitz Unger. I have been searching for info about her for over 20 years and thus far I still have not learned of her birth place. In the 92 addendum there is a statement: <By the way, I have long since gone through LDS's Vienna residency records for female bearers of the name Juracic hailing from Szentpéterfa...> I was not aware that the LDS had Vienna residency records for females. Do you know the number of those records? The following is what I know about my grandmother Mary Bernitz Unger: 1. She gave birth to a child, Theresa, born 9 April 1888. I don't think that she was married at the time, because after arriving in the USA she married my grandfather and stated on their marriage license that she had not been previously married. However, my grandfather always accepted Theresa as his child. Theresa came to the USA after my grandparents were settled and was always considered part of the family. Until I found their USA marriage license I assumed that they were married in Europe. 2. My grandfather served his apprenticeship in Vienna from the period of 25 September 1887 to 29 October 1889. Therefore it was during his apprenticeship that Theresa was born. I have my grandfather's original certificates, document these dates as fact. He served his apprenticeship for Mr. Schoner, Siebenstern, Nr. 19, 7th district, Vienna. It is now called the Siebenstern-Brauwirtshaus, Siebentergasse 19, 1070 Vienna. I visited that establishment a few years ago and inquired if there were any old records by Herr Schoner and was told that the old owner may have records but they did not know how to contact the old owner. As I recall, I asked Albert (Schuch) if he had any suggestions- he said he would look into it when he had the time, but it possibly fell through the cracks. Thus I conjecture that my grandmother may have also worked at the above mention inn with my grandfather. Maybe the LDS Vienna records can provide some info. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Gerry Berghold replies: The Vienna residency records are quite voluminous and it has been quite some time since I used them. You will find them in more or less alphabetical order. The film nos. I used were number 1327786 and 1327787 (included "L" series) so if you look forward of those numbers (13277XX)you should find the "B" series and of course much higher the "U" series. I would suggest you look under all possible spellings of "Bernitz" like also "Bernits" "Börnits", etc. Unfortunately I don't have the LDS catalog pages for this series copied but you should be able to find them under Vienna in the catalog. I'm copying Fritz Konigshofer to see if he can add anything to your search as he has used this film series extensively and his knowledge of Viennese records is much better than mine. Let me know how you make out. If we have no luck maybe we can pose the question to the membership in one of the future newsletters. Fritz Königshofer writes: Bob, Gerry sent me your message. The Vienna residency records ("Meldezettel") as filmed by LDS are huge but have limitations. First of all, they practically cover only the time between about 1895 and, at most, 1925. LDS have filmed another set of Vienna residency records, and these are the ones covering people who lived in Vienna from 1925 to the end of WW II. In other words, the way I interpret the Vienna residency records so far, they cover people who moved to Vienna or changed addresses between roughly 1895 and 1925, or lived through at least 1938. The 1895-1925 records are sorted into a male and female section. >From your message, it looks to me as if your grandparents may have emigrated before the available Vienna residency records could have captured them. It may still be worth a try to look them up. Do you have an approximate date when Maria Unger left Vienna? When was Maria born? If she was from Southern Burgenland, it might very well be that she first tried her luck with a job in Graz. The City Archive of Graz has very accurate residency records dating back to 1876, and covering the time before 1888 very well, though there may have been several Maria Ungers living in Graz at any time. If you believe it is a possibility (age-wise) that Maria Unger worked in Graz, you could either write to the City Archive of Graz, or I could check their residency records when I get my next chance to visit Graz (perhaps in the coming summer). The residency records of Graz have been filmed by LDS, but I practically refuse to work with the films as they are not 100% complete and much more difficult to search than the paper records. However, this is a possibility. For the 1876-1892 residency records, four separate books were maintained for each starting letter and first vocal, i.e., 4 books for Bi or Sa, etc., i.e., the LDS films must be checked through four sequences of each phonetic two-letter beginning. Another avenue to suggest are the parish records of Vienna, especially since you have a precise birth date of Theresia. Unfortunately, only the male births were indexed by the civil authorities (for reasons of registering the names for the obligatory military draft at age 18). However, I believe that you could try your luck by writing to the (many) parishes of Vienna, starting with the ones serving the 7th district and surrounding areas. Unmarried mothers often bore their babies at the "Gebärhaus" though I do not know where this was located and which parish served it. Was Maria Unger roman-catholic? In this respect, you should write an e-mail to the City Archive of Vienna describing your search. Tell them that Maria Unger lived in Vienna from about xxx to yyy and had the child Theresia on April 8, 1888. Say the father was likely Mr. Bernitz who worked in an apprenticeship at the inn M.Schöner, Siebenstern No. 17, 7th district, but that Theresia was born out of wedlock. Ask the City Archive whether they have a means to find out the parish where Theresia was baptized or whether they have her birth record, and what parish would it have been if Theresia was born in the Gebärhaus (for uneheliche Kinder). Since there absolutely must be a birth record of Theresia somewhere in a parish or archive in Vienna, I feel that this avenue would be your best bet to also find out more about her mother. Obviously, if there is a chance that Maria Unger was still in Vienna in the early 1890s, you could obtain the relevant residency records from LDS. In this case, I'd be glad to advise you on the most likely film numbers for female Ungers. The Vienna residency films are difficult to identify as the ordering system is phonetic and not always logical (for instance Königshofer comes before König in the male records, but after König in the female records!). I am just mentioning it because there are gaps when searching these records, requiring great patience. Bob Unger replies: Many thanks for the prompt and detailed response regarding my search for information about my grandmother, Mary Bernitz Unger. Unfortunately my grandmother arrived in the USA in 1892, three years before the start of the Vienna residency records. Thus it appears that looking at those records would not be a good option. My grandmother was born on 9 May 1869 - information provided by my grandfather for her death certificate. Her place of birth on that certificate simply lists the country, Germany, with no city or village designated. Since she was born in Germany, the option of looking for her in the Graz records doesn't appear to be a good option. Your suggestion to look at the Vienna parish records appear to offer the best chance for finding information. Both my grandmother and grandfather were Lutherans. I have found my grandfather's birth records for the Lutheran Church in Eltendorf, Burgenland, Austria. Also, both my grandparents were members of the Lutheran Church during their lives in the USA. So there is a good chance that my grandmother was a Lutheran while she was a resident of Vienna. Thus, I will send an email message to the City Archive of Vienna asking for their help. I will keep you informed of my progress. Albert Schuch also writes: Help needed with Vienna Lutheran Church records Bob, Today I phoned the Oberkirchenrat to talk to Ms. Stangl - the lady in charge of the archives. She told me the following: The archives is charging a fee for answering genealogical inquiries, which amounts to 600 Austrian Schillings ($40) per hour. I explained that your inquiry probably would not involve a lot of searching, and she said that a search of e.g. only five minutes would of course not cost 600 Schillings. One can also set a time limit in order to keep the costs under control. I told her that I would forward this information to you and asked if inquiries can also be submitted via email. Ms. Stangl said that she is able to read English but would prefer to answer in German. Do you want to proceed despite the fee? If you do, please let me know if you want me to email the information to the archives in German. In that case please also let me know if you want to set a time limit for the search. FIRST IMMIGRANTS (DON'T LET YOUR ANCESTOR BE MISSED) Last two issues we asked members to provide name, village, year of birth, date of emigration, where settled and source of data for Burgenland immigrant ancestors who emigrated between 1870-1880. We received two and they are listed below (new *). Did we miss any? We'd now like data for any who emigrated between 1880 and 1890 (We expect a large number.) 1777-Neutal- Lorenz Schönbacher-1752-North Carolina 1845-Unterschützen- Grabenhofer 1849-Oberschützen- Josef Mücke-Tennessee 1853-Eisenstadt- Franz Walter 1854-Purbach- Kloiber, Reimer, Trummer-Texas 1856-Bubendorf- Ignatz Koegler (and family). Winsted, Minnesota 1857-Deutsch Gerersdorf- John Sherman (and family). Winona, Minnesota* 1857-Neckenmarkt- Ladislaus Raab (and family)* 1858-Lebenbrunn- Ladislaus Grosinger (and family), Henderson, Minnesota 1874-St. Andrä- Josef Schmidt and family.* Robert Schmidt writes: In response to your request for Burgenland immigrants who emigrated between 1870 and 1880, the following left St. Andrä and settled in McGregor IA in 1874: Josef Schmidt b.1811 Theresia Bacher Schmidt b.1838 Susie Schmidt b.1853 Barbara Schmidt b. 1862 Josef Schmidt Jr. b.1863 Lorenz Schmidt b.1870 Theresia Schmidt b.1872 The sources of this information were LDS MF 0700880/81 and Germans to America vol.31 Heidi Raab-Laning writes: My ancestor, Ladislaus RAAB (born in NECKENMARKT/NYEK in 1824 to Michael RAAB and Klara ECKER. Ladislaus was involved in some measure in the Revolution of 1848 in Hungary--he sided with the Hungarians. By some family accounts, he left the country in early 1857 because he was not happy with the Austrian political situation at the time. He married Maria HUBER (born 1836 in KROISBACH/FERTORAKOS and died in 1927 in Torrence, California) on January 30, 1853, in KROISBACH (today FERTORAKOS) and the couple, with some of her family, immigrated to this country in early 1857. I am not sure the exact date or how the couple ended up in MENASHA, WISCONSIN, but by May 10, 1858, they had their first son, Joseph RAAB, in MENASHA. I do know that by trade Ladislaus RAAB was listed as a mason, but when he lived in WISCONSIN he was listed as a farmer. Family lore states he was also a soldier in the old country. In October, 1861, Ladislaus enlisted in the Union Army; he was mustered into service January 30, 1862, a private in Co. G, 14th WI Infantry. He saw action at Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Iuka, and both battles of Corinth, Mississippi. He was killed in action on October 3, 1862, by a shot to the head defending Battery Robinette during the Second Battle of Corinth and he is buried in an unknown grave at the National Cemetery in Corinth. A marker with his name is present at the cemetery. He was the father of three sons, Joseph, Peter (born June 3, 1860) and John, my g-grandfather, born two weeks after his father was killed, October 17, 1862. All were born in Wisconsin. Maria HUBER RAAB married Joseph GAIRINGER (1822-1889), who was from Bavaria, on July 14, 1863. They had several children. The couple moved to AUBURNDALE, WISCONSIN, where they raised the family. She lived with son John and his family for some years. In the 1910s, Maria moved west with some of her daughters to California, where she lived until her death in 1927. She was 90 years old. Much of this information was compiled from a copy of the widow's pension application information received from the National Archives in Washington D.C. The source of the immigration information came from a copy of Ladislaus RAAB's Reisepass obtained from relatives related through the HUBER-GAIRINGER line. Heidi M. RAAB Hap Anderson forwards the following: John and Rosalia (Fasching) Sherman John Sherman was born January 7, 1854 in Deutsch-Gerisdorf, Austria. He came to America with his parents, Martin and Catherine (Kappel) Sherman in 1857 when he was 3 years old. As a young child, during the Indian uprising, he and his mother had to bury their belongings on the home place and walk to Winona to be with relatives for protection while his father and brother were away Fighting in the Civil War. (His brother died near Fort Rucker, Alabama on June 25, 1865). In 1870 he became a naturalized citizen. On January 27, 1875 he married Rosalia Fasching (born December 20, 1858). Rosalia had come to America from Deutsch- Gerisdorf, Austria with her parents at age 10. John and Rosalie took over the homestead that had been settled by his parents until it was sold to their son Joseph in 1909. At that time they moved in with their son Louis who had purchased a neighboring farm. Shortly after that Louis married Victoria White on May 26, 1914. John and Rosalia stayed with them until their new house in Winsted was completed. John died on October 16,1917 after being ill for 12 years. Rosalia died on May 13, 1938. Twelve children were born to this marriage: Martin, Frank, Louis, William T., Joseph, Agnes, Augusta, John, Mary Louise, Anna and a son William who died in infancy. Louis was born on March 24, 1892 and died on April 8, 1965. Victoria, his wife was born on October 7, 1894 and died on October 8, 1985. They had seven children: Mildred (Mrs. Maurice Waldoch), Philip, Arthur, Eugene, Florence (Mrs. George Rannow), Dolores and Marietta (Mrs. Marvin Neumann). (Page 263 from Winona Church History supplied by Mariette Neumann.) MYRTLE BEACH AUSTRIAN RESTAURANT (from Ed. Tantsits) A few weeks ago my wife & I went to Myrtle Beach SC for some R&R. While there we found a very nice little Austrian restaurant in a small shopping mall. Any BB member going to Myrtle Beach- this is a must place to have lunch. The restaurant Name - Cafe old Vienna small shopping center called - Village Square Shopping Center address - 3901 North Kings Highway (Business 17 highway) As said before it is small and the food is excellent. The owners are Michael & Petra Jerabek. Mike is from Vienna and works the tables with a young waitress from Switzerland. Petra is from Burgenland and works in the kitchen. I spoke my limited Burgenland dialect and Mike knew immediately that my heritage was from there. The restaurant is only open from 8AM - 4PM Tuesday thru Saturday. The menu is not large but varied (American, Austrian, & Hungarian) with daily specials. When I was there the special was cabbage strudel and apple strudel for dessert. I recommend eating at the Cafe for everyone when in Myrtle Beach SC. Newsletter continues as no. 95C

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 95C DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (now issued monthly by Gerald Berghold) April 30, 2001 (all rights reserved) CHECK THE BB INTERNET LINKS (URL) MASTER FILE & CHANGES VIA HOMEPAGE HYPERLINKS UPDATED 4/28/01 BY INTERNET EDITOR ANNA KRESH This fourth section of the 4 section newsletter contains: * A MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT -Preview of Possible Publication (from Bob Unger) * Would You Like To See This Book Published? * Ellis Island Records Available * Riedlingsdorf Site & Video Tape * Eisenstadt Diocesan Archives * Burgenländische Gemeinschaft Gleanings-More Reasons To Join *A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT* A BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY OF THE 1890's-1920's (from Bob Unger) Burgenland Family History Book: Throughout years of genealogical research I have often heard of the joy and satisfaction in finding a family history. I have not found one for my family, but I have found the next best thing, a book entitled "Twenty-five Years of My Life In My Homeland." It was written by Robert Unger (no relation to me as far as I know) who, in 1980 - at the age of 83, wrote about the first 25 years of his life in Burgenland. I mentioned this book in the 93C issue of the Burgenland Bunch newsletter - stating that the book was out of print, but that I would try to have it republished and keep the members of the Burgenland Bunch informed. Through correspondence and telephone calls with Robert Unger's son, Rudolph - who currently resides in the Chicago area, I learned that the book was written initially in German and about 25 copies were published. Subsequently the book was translated and 200 copies were published in English. Robert lent me a copy. I started reading the 235 pages and found it so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. I called Robert - telling him how thrilled I was with the book. To make a long story short, Robert gave me permission to copy the book for the sole purpose of allowing Gerry Berghold to read it, and if he was as excited about the book as I was, to report on the book in the Burgenland Bunch news letter for the purpose of determining if there is sufficient interest to have the book republished. An overview follows: Overview of Twenty-five Years of My Life on My Homeland, by Robert Unger, 1980, covering the period of 1897-1922 in Burgenland. The stimulus for writing this book came from the author's son, who, after hearing his father tell tales of his early days, said, "Pa, what if you would write your experiences? You're retired now, you have ample time." The author apparently pondered those remarks and concluded: "The younger generation lacks knowledge and understanding of the lives of the older people - particularly true when their homeland was other than their own" The books' author, Robert Unger, was born in Neumarkt, in the Tauchental (Tauchen Valley) of Burgenland on January 12, 1897, at that time part of Hungary. His ancestors possibly came from Transylvania. He tells about his father working for the Esterhazy family. He provides detail about their house with limited space, but sufficient for family quarters, space for his father's tailoring business, and space for a small grocery store which his mother managed. He tells about the various farming and trade options available for supporting a family in that area; often involving more than one in order to make ends meet. His family subsequently relocates to Kohfidisch, north of Güssing, where they continue their tailor shop and grocery store. He tells about his early years and the interactions between the children of the area, including childhood chores, schooling, and how some children often lived with relatives. During this period Hungary requires six years of elementary schooling, followed by three years of Sunday School. Hungary also makes an effort to stop the use of the German language in schools, replacing it with Hungarian. Under this environment the author tells of his entrance into apprenticeship training at the age of 14. He tells how his father helped in the selection of his apprenticeship, his experiences, and how after 21 months his father had to rescue him. He subsequently switches his training from that of metal worker to tailor and storekeeper. He reaches age 18, completes his apprenticeship and leaves home. After four months as a shipping clerk, Hungary's involvement in WW1 results in the draft age being lowered from 19 to 18, and Robert becomes a member of the Austria/Hungarian army. He discusses his military experiences, his assignment laying telephone lines for military purposes at the Russian front during heavy fighting. At wars end in 1918, Robert finds himself on the Italian front as a corporal, with orders to return home as best he can. He details his effort to get home. He tells of the aftermath of the war, the shortages, the struggles, inflation and smuggling. He explains how barter replaces money. Political struggles evolve as the allies break-up the Austrian-Hungarian empire, and western Hungary is essentially up for grabs. Hungary wants to keep the area within its borders, but because of so many German inhabitants, there is strong desire to become part of Austria. Austria does not feel the same way. One Austrian parliament member remarks, "Burgenland is not worth the bones of one Austrian soldier." The author tells of meeting his wife and his decision to leave Austria and emigrate to the USA in search of a better life. He settles in the Chicago area, stays with relatives, finds work, sends money back to his parents and ultimately has his wife join him. He relates how he made his way in his new adopted country. Through hard work and diligence, he is never out of work even during the Depression. During the darkest days of the Depression in 1932, he acquires a bankrupt grocery and meat market - his first day's receipts total $14.00 - the start of a successful business. He closes his book by telling more about his father. He highlights his father's contribution to his community, Kohfidisch, his election as its mayor, president of the school board, president of the local trade and businessmen's association, and chief of the fire department. Closing with: "There were days in which we looked longingly for the legendary silver lining among the black beclouded days of life." **** I would very much like to have this book republished in both the English and German versions. Before this can happen, there has to be a sufficient number who would buy it. If you want to join with me in this effort, please email me and tell me how many copies you would like to purchase and in what language. At this juncture it is very difficult to put a price on the book - it will depend on the number of copies printed. I estimate that the book may cost in the neighborhood of $30.00/copy - perhaps less if enough copies are requested. Bob Unger-BB Contributing Editor. ED. NOTE: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THIS BOOK PUBLISHED? (Gerry Berghold) Bob sent me a copy of the book. My reaction is reflected in my email reply to him: " Received the book copy yesterday. Many thanks for the pleasure of reading it. What a story! I've looked for one like this for years. It tells the story of the Burgenland in English from the period just before WWI into the 1920's. What incredible detail and for me it has the added pleasure of south Burgenland vignettes. I doubt if we'll ever see anything to duplicate it. The story of Unger's experiences as a child, as an apprentice, his WWI army service, his involvement with post war politics, the emigration to Chicago, each in turn could be a story in itself. Yes this book must be republished! It is a Burgenland treasure. I want at least 12 English copies and also let me know if we don't get many orders. If we need another 20 or even 50 to make this viable, please let me know. I can see where we can provide these to future members. Only "Borderland" and a few of our newsletter stories provide Burgenland descendants with so much detail in English. Bob-it's all there! It covers most of the important "Auswanderer" period. Robert Unger (b 1897) is one of those Burgenland unknown men, whose story should not be forgotten. He was undoubtedly educated a cut above your average "Auswanderer" and a step up from your land worker, which is why he was capable of writing it. Some of his story may be a trifle suspect-a figment of twists in memory in later years-is certainly a possibility, but I found no problems with any part of what he relates. It all hangs together. I doubt if there is any fiction here, it all has the ring of truth. The comments of local officials during his 1965 return trip adds validity. In translating from the original German, his son has done a great job. I found very little in the way of mistakes, a few alternate spellings of local place names perhaps. Really I see almost nothing requiring change. I read this in one sitting-a six hour marathon-I am a speed reader and I may have glossed over some of the political material, but I was fascinated. I will be reading it again. The notes are also fine. This book could well be the premier Burgenland story-concerning pre emigration-war years (WWI)-aftermath-emigration to Chicago. I' d like Burgenland Editor Albert Schuch to also read the book. I'd like his critique. Count on me to help promote it in any way I can. Bob, you've really pulled one out of the hat this time! I'm excited about the possibilities of such a book. Regards, Gerry" TO ALL BB MEMBERS: If you think you would be interested, please contact Bob as explained above. You'll be glad you did! ELLIS ISLAND RECORDS AVAILABLE (www.ellisislandrecords.org) * Bill Rudy sends the following: Just in case you haven't heard about this, the Ellis Island database is out this week. I've copied part of the LDS church press release on this below. It was announced here in Utah Monday, and I just heard it on National Public Radio this afternoon (Wednesday). I've tried to get on a couple of times, but of course no luck. (Ed. Note-this was copied by most news sources. I too tried to access the site. Recently I tried in the early morning hours, had no problems and found many of my immigrants.) A Labor-Intensive Gift From The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (partial extract) SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - ,,, thousands of volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... helped produce the computerized Ellis Island passenger records database recently contributed by the Church to the National Park Service, for use by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. The Ellis Island database provides easy access to the passenger arrival records of approximately 22 million individuals whose names appear in the original ships' passenger manifests for the Port of New York from 1892 to 1924... "It represents the culmination of a cooperative project of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the National Park Service, and The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, intended to preserve the cultural heritage of the American people." "This was a fairly sizeable project," Metcalfe continues, "accounting for approximately 71 percent of all United States immigration records." Sizeable is right. If stacked flat, the 3,678 boxes of microfilms examined by Latter-day Saint volunteers would exceed three times the height of the Statue of Liberty... The database will also be available free to the public on the Ellis Island web site at www.ellisislandrecords.org. Web site visitors can locate an ancestor, then order a printed copy of the passenger manifest and a picture of the ship... Latter-day Saint volunteers in 2,700 congregations throughout the United States and Canada donated approximately 5.6 million hours to the work of carefully examining the original records on microfilm and photocopies, then "extracting" only pertinent information onto data-entry forms or typing it directly into computers. (end of extract) * Bob Loerzel sends me some extracts and writes: "Gerry, hope these e-mails are not annoying you. I thought you might be interested, in case you're going to put anything in the newsletter about the Ellis Island site. " * My reply: Bob-No annoyance at all, I appreciate being copied. I can well understand your excitement over the Ellis Island records. I've also been pursuing them. The site is still being developed and I don't know the capabilities of their search engine or even if they have one other than the name search. A word of caution. I've worked with the original Ellis Island microfilm as well as ships manifests. As you may know, copies are only as good as the capability of the copier-the Burgenland church records are a case in point-the originals can be considerably different. Many of the Ellis Island originals are in horrible shape-mildewed-bled through-stained-torn-etc. The writing can be atrocious-the spelling even more so-ergo the copiers' interpretation (no matter how hard they try) may be just that-an interpretation. As an example, I pulled all of the 35 Berghold records available. There are many spellings of the village name "Poppendorf"-some you'd not recognize unless you knew what you were looking for, like Poffendorf and Ottendors. Likewise some of the data is garbled. Use them by all means-they're a wonderful source-but link them with other known data-assume nothing. Computer searches must be exact or at least follow some basic characters or wild cards, or you won't get a match. You may never match on a phonetic spelling-I've seen Berghold spelled Bergholt-Burkhalt-Berkalt etc. I can't locate two immigrants who I know came through Ellis Island in 1902-I feel this is the problem. Use the "close" search mechanism. A problem involves passengers who were fortunate enough to travel first or second class-they were processed aboard ship and I don't know where their records may be. They don't appear to be in these records. There's a lot to gain from this tremendous achievement but be cautious-you may well be misled and build your family history on an incorrect base. RIEDLINGSDORF SITE & VIDEO TAPE A number of Burgenland villages are creating web sites. These are a great place to get local pictures, data and other items of value. Many sites use both English and German. One that impressed me recently was Riedlingsdorf. I enjoyed reviewing this site. Heinz Bundschuh writes: There are some new pictures from the "blochziehen" 1994 (an interesting folk custom) on our Riedlingsdorf homepage. Perhaps the pictures are interesting for you. http://members.aon.at/mgvriedlingsdorf/ There is also a new video tape from Riedlingsdorf. On the tape you can see many people from Riedlingsdorf. You can get information about the history, the economy and the societies. The price of the tape is 300 ATS plus postage. Kind regards from Austria, Heinz DIOCESAN ARCHIVES (from Albert Schuch) Ed. Note: We must ask BB members not to contact the Diocesan Archives in Eisenstadt. They are not equipped to process queries. It is possible to visit them however. Following are guidelines as furnished Burgenland Editor Albert Schuch. We strongly urge our members to exhaust the LDS microfilm records before even considering a search of the archives. Albert writes: I was at the Diocesan Archives in Eisenstadt today (with John Lavendoski, who digitally photographed parts of the St. Kathrein records) and asked Dr. Zelfel (Diocesan Administrator) for general guidelines for our members, especially as regards sending inquiries. What follows is a synopsis of his answers: * The Diocesan Archives does not conduct specific genealogical research. Don't send inquiries asking for research, as they will not be answered. * They do however answer general inquiries about the whereabouts of certain records. These inquiries should become obsolete in the near future, as an inventory of the church records stored at the Diocesan archives (currently in the process of revision) will be made available from the website of the diocese later this year. Dr. Zelfel said that we can also use this inventory for the BB homepage once it is available. * They also answer inquiries about the plausibility of a search theory. Example: If someone searches for a Huber family in a Hungarian town named Keresztur, Dr. Zelfel is able to tell whether it is likely to be the Keresztur in today's Burgenland or not. * They will answer "legal" inquiries. Example: A descendant of Burgenland emigrants needs legal evidence to tell the authorities in his country that his name is identical with a different spelling on a different document (e.g. Jurasits / Yurasits). * Inquiries to parishes: The priests cannot be ordered by the diocese to answer inquiries. It is their decision whether they do so or not. Some do not have the time because they have to serve two or more parishes (currently almost 40 percent of all Burgenland parishes are vacant!), some may simply have no interest in answering inquiries. * Does it make sense to send inquiries to parishes? - Yes, but do not be surprised if you do not receive an answer. If you wish to make a donation in exchange for the answer to your inquiry, do not send it with your first letter (as this one may not be answered!). * I asked Dr. Zelfel if he could recommend a professional researcher - one who is a regular visitor to his archives with whom he is familiar. On this he answered that Mr. Felix Gundacker (Vienna) is a very reliable. (See our archives) * What are the alternatives to hiring a professional researcher? You can come yourself or try to get one of your relatives in Burgenland to do this research for you (they should be able to read the old script; Dr. Zelfel's assistance is available for certain difficult records). * When you visit the archives, be sure to make an appointment beforehand. If you want to talk to Dr. Zelfel himself, keep in mind that he is not always there, as he is also responsible for the Diocesan Museum. Dr. Zelfel also gave me a copy of detailed guidelines for users of the diocesan archives which he has just written (2 pages, dated 17 April 2001). I will send a translation as soon as possible. BURGENLÄNDISCHE GEMEINSCHAFT (BG) GLEANINGS Dr. Walter Dujmovits, president and editor of this world-wide Burgenland newsletter, is now providing space for English language articles, supplied by our staff. The current issue (Mar.-April 2001) includes an edited version of Gerry Stifter's great trip report. Future issues will continue this courtesy and I've written four new articles for this purpose. This is in addition to the English language versions of their web site, being provided by our Klaus Gerger and Inge Schuch. We hope this will help bridge the language barrier. This issue features: *A tribute to Burgenland's 80th birthday. Created from portions of Hungary in 1921, the last 40 years have seen much improvement in the life of the province. Dr. Dujmovits closes his feature article with the words: "Our Province now has enough bread (sustenance) for its children. It is no longer necessary for them to emigrate." A historic, and for us Auswanderer descendants, a very nostalgic moment. The end of the Burgenland Migration-the end of our beginning. A full page supplements the anniversary article and includes the pictures and best wishes of Landeshauptmann (Governor) Hans Niessl, Landesrätin (Provincial Councilor) Verena Dunst and Landeshauptmann-Stv. (Deputy Governor) Franz Steindl. * An invitation to the annual BG Picnic is scheduled for July 8, 2001 at Moschendorf. I'll be attending for the first time along with our Austrian BB staff. Any of our members who may be in Europe at that time should consider joining us. We hope to be able to be seated as a group. More on this later. *An article concerning the seven Burgenland district books "Burgenland im Wandel der Zeit". I can't say enough about the excellence of these district books featuring history, description and pictures of each village including aerial views in color. I own all seven books and I use them every day. Even if you know no German-buy the one for your district (see Albert's list if you're not sure of the district). You can then show your grandchildren pictures of their ancestor's village. Books are available at ATS 396 (about $30) each plus post or all seven for ATS 1980, from Kersner & Peternell, 8502 Lannach, Kapellenweg 14, Austria. Fax 0043/3136/81 901. The first book was issued in 1995. * First immigrant series is now at 1855 and lists first emigrants from 9 villages. Contact the BG to become a member ($15/year) and receive the bi-monthly newsletter, a periodic touch of the Heimat. Annual membership fees are now due for those who are already members. End Of Newsletter Coordinator & Editor Newsletter (Gerald J. Berghold; Winchester, VA