THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS -SPECIAL EDITION
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(normally issued at month end by Gerald Berghold)
May 15, 2001
(all rights reserved)

"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE IN MY HOMELAND (BURGENLAND)"

A SPECIAL PROJECT OF THE BURGENLAND BUNCH
THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL OFFFER

IF YOU WISH TO ORDER A REPRINT COPY OF THE BOOK:

"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE IN MY HOMELAND" by Burgenland Immigrant Robert
Unger

Send Burgenland Bunch Contributing Editor Bob Unger (no relation to the
author) an email note listing your name, address, email address and number of
copies desired (German or English).

Through the efforts of Rudy Unger (Chicago), son of the deceased author, we
may be able to bring you this 235 page book in paperback form at $15 per copy
postpaid. This is not a commercial offer and the price and reprinting is
being negotiated as a non-profit service to BB members. Rudy Unger is
offering the non-royalty reprint as a memorial to his father.

We have 51 orders to date. We need 100. If we reach 100 within the next ten
days, Bob Unger will notify Rudy Unger to proceed with printing and advise
you where to forward your check. He will then forward your order information
to Rudy.

The BB is very appreciative of Rudy Unger's offer to reprint this book. We
consider it a classic and feel it would be a great gift for anyone interested
in Burgenland Emigration and a fine edition to a family history library. We
will not repeat this offer, but if successful, we may consider other
publications. If there is sufficient interest we will consider a German
language edition.

In case you missed it, below are portions of the book review published in BB
Newsletter 95C dtd 30 April 2001:


*A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT*

A BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY OF THE 1890's-1920's (from Bob Unger, BB)

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 it 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 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 Esterhàzy family. He provides detail about their
house. He tells about the various farming and trade options available for
supporting a family in that area.

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 of his entrance into apprenticeship training at the age of 14. He
subsequently switches his training from that of metal worker to tailor and
storekeeper. He reaches age 18, completes his apprenticeship and leaves home.
Hungary's involvement in WWI results in Robert becoming a member of the
Austro/Hungarian army. The military vignettes are superb.

He discusses his military experiences, his assignment laying telephone lines
on 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.

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. 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. ****

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 tell me how
many copies you would like to purchase and in what language. 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 so 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 add validity.

In translating from the original German, his son has done a fine 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. 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!

End of Special Edition