THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 98
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(issued monthly by G. Berghold)
August 31, 2001
(all rights reserved)
"Ask and it will be given you; search, and you will find..."-Luke 11:9
WE HAVE 23 NEW MEMBERS-SEE MEMBERSHIP LIST-HOMEPAGE
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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:
* Hianzen - Not A Dead Language - A Burgenland Tap "Root"
* Austrian Newspaper Success Story
* Burgenland Memories-WWI &II
HIANZISCH (NOT JUST) A DIALECT
- extracted from the Web Pages of the Burgenländisch Gemeinschaft and Heinz Koller
- with special thanks to Heinz Koller, Inge Schuch and Klaus Gerger.
(ED. Note: We were having lunch with the Schuch Family in Kleinpetersdorf
recently. There was an appetizing smell coming from the oven that I
remembered from my childhood. It was the smell of strudle baking. Frau
Schuch soon brought two pans to the table - Herr Schuch said "Grumpern" strudle
and I thought I was back in my grandmother's kitchen. The German word for
potato is Kartoffeln or Erdapfel. To my grandparents it was always
"Grumpern" - where did this word come from? I thought it might have been
borrowed from the Allentown Pennsylvania Dutch who say "Grumberra"
(Grundberren), but I've since found that "Grumpern" is pure Hianzisch, the
local dialect of southern Burgenland. You'll be interested in the following
explanation extracted from Heinz Koller's homepage. By the way, the strudle
was delicious.)
Dictionary of the "Hianzisch" dialect spoken in Southern Burgenland
(or an attempt at compiling such a dictionary)
- by Heinz Koller
The aim of the dictionary presented on this homepage is not to provide an
exhaustive terminology of the Hianzisch dialect, but to try and document
expressions that differ from their Standard German equivalents in the way
they are spelled and pronounced, and thus preserve those expressions before
they fall into disuse or change through constant exposure to other dialects
and languages. Note that the dictionary entries have been grouped into four
units (A-F - G-L - M-O - P-Z) to speed up search processes.
Perhaps the main characteristic of the Hianzisch dialect is the intonation of
syllables containing the vowel "u" in Standard German - in Hianzisch these
words get a uniquely bright twist because an "i" is added onto the "u" (often
instead of the final syllable); hence the term "ui"-dialect commonly used by
linguists in referring to Hianzisch. To give you a rough idea what a
difference this makes: just imagine writing boo but actually saying buoy[ant]
in English. A few typical examples would be - Bub: Bui, Kuh: Kui, Ruhe:
Rui, Schuhe: Schui, tu: tui; genug: gmui, zu: zui, Pflug: Pflui, Krug:
Krui... . There are, however, exceptions to the rule - words which lose the
final syllable but in which no "i" is added to the "u" and where the "u" is
therefore pronounced no different than in Standard German [like in do in
English] - Zug: Zuh; Lüge: Luh... .
A note on transcription: it is not standard phonetic transcription that has
been used here; by contrast, the most important principles are: Nasals have
been transcribed by attaching an "n" to the vowel in question. The
transcription of diphtongs mirrors the spelling of diphtongs in Standard
German (e.g. heuer: heia; pronounced like the y in the word dry). When an
"e" and and "i" are not meant to be pronounced like a diphtong, the "e" takes
an accent (e.g. wéigg: weg; pronounced like "ey" in grey). Where there are
variant spellings, the alternatives are shown in brackets. There is,
incidentally, also an alternative spelling of Hianzisch - Heanzisch, which is
today commonly used in Northern Burgenland and which was popularized by the
best-known dialect poet of the Burgenland, Josef Reichl. The "i" may have
changed into an "e" under the influence of the local dialect spoken in
Vienna, where Reichl, an ardent supporter of a "German Burgenland," spent
much of his life, making a living as a hatmaker while also being active as a
writer.
It is important to note that Hianzisch is not the language of a particular
geopolitical body - it is therefore not the language of all Burgenländers!
Moreover, preserving the cultural heritage of the Hianzn is much too
sensitive an issue as to warrant statements that would be of general validity
for all Hianzn. Our mother tongue is a highly colorful and multifaceted
language; it cannot be reduced to neat dictionary entries without losing
something on the way, and attempts to cover each and every expression are
futile. While it is of course necessary to do scientific research, it is
equally necessary that we do "grassroots" work - that we keep the dialect
alive right where it is spoken, that we take good care of our roots. Since
every small region has its own linguistic specifics, often varying from
village to village, compilation efforts had best be confined to the various
neighborhoods. The vocabulary presented on this website was compiled in the
southern part of the Güssing area, roughly the area between Kukmirn and
Reinersdorf. As soon as you get to the Lafnitz valley, the Strem valley or
even the lower Pinka valley, you would hear very different sounds and words.
When in 1921 parts of the Western Hungarian counties Eisenburg, Ödenburg,
Wieselburg and Preßburg became part of Austria under the Saint Germain Peace
Treaty, "Heinzenland," or land of the Heinzen (Hianzn), was one of the names
suggested for the new addition. This proposition lost out against the name
"Vierburgenland," which was inspired by the fact that the new province was to
be made up of four counties ending on -burg, eventually shortened to
"Burgenland." In an attempt to trace the word "Hianzn" to its ethymologic
origin, a few theories have been put forth, such as the theory that "Hianzn"
originally meant "Heinrichsleute" (followers of the German Emperor Henry II.,
or of a Count Henry (or Henz) of Güssing), or even the simple explanation
that the word is derived from the frequently used "hianz," which means "now."
None of these theories have been confirmed.
As well as disputes about the ethymologic origin of the "Hianzn," there are
conflicting opinions about their original identity and settlement area. Older
sources traced the Hianzn to a group of Eastern Goths who found shelter in
the woods around Güns (today's Köszeg) and there survived the migration of
peoples and the Turkish campaigns. The prevailing opinion today is that the
area of Southern Burgenland between the Raab river and the Güns hills as well
as the area around Ödenburg (today's Sopron) was the core area of the
"Hianznland." So this is where they live, the "Hianzn," and because they live
here, this is the "Hianznland!" Time and again, depending on how fashionable
it is to cultivate one's dialect and traditions at the moment, people will
try and instrumentalize the Hianzisch culture, or they will shamefully hide
their language and origin. And who of us has not seen both?
By now, the Hianzisch language and way of life have come to the brink of
extinction. The people of this country have simply changed too much given the
need to make a living working in other regions, where they were forced to
assimilate. But the "Hianzn" who left the traditional emigration country
Burgenland have developed new roots all over the world, especially in the
U.S.A. Thanks to this, many elements of the traditional "Hianznsproch," of
the way the Hianzisch language used to be spoken, have survived, because in
foreign language areas it was less strongly exposed to the corrupting
influence of other German dialects.
This website will every now and then feature pieces of contemporary writers
who use the dialect in their works and thereby support the preservation of
our cultural heritage. I myself, incidentally, did not discover my love for
"Hianzisch" until a few years ago, when the 1992 Burgenland Exhibition "...
nach Amerika" was shown at the ruins of the Güssing Castle. Commemorating "75
years of Burgenland," I wrote a few lines in 1996, which I'd like to present
to you here as my declaration of love to this land:
Fünfasiebzig Joah woarn's heia, seid dos Burgenland besteht.
Huamatlaond, sou liab und teia, - nia wiad kaam wou Hianzisch gréidt!
Vül zu laong woar insaruana seinar Oubrigkeit ergéibm,
hom niar imma buglt, kuana hod si traud, as Kéipfal héibm!
Zeid is's, Hianzn, ruck ma z'saumman and tuid's wéigg voam Koupf dos Bréidt:
Braucht's éink fia di Sproch nid schaumman! Hianz wiad wieda hianzisch
gréidt!
"Free" Translation:
It is 75 years this year that the province of Burgenland, our beloved home country, was founded.
Meanwhile, our time-honored language, Hianzisch, has become all but extinct!
There have just been too many years spent in humble service,
forever feeling inferior, forever bowing, with no-one daring to raise their heads.
Thus it is high time now, fellow Hianzn, that we get together and be ourselves again;
no need to be ashamed of our language. Hianzisch shall be heard again!
Yours
"Heinele" Heinz Koller,
member of the Burgenland Bunch
Thanks for translation to Mag. Ingeborg Schuch!
AUSTRIAN NEWSPAPER SUCCESS STORY & CANADIAN QUEST (by Albert Schuch)
(ED Note: As mentioned before, if you fail to receive answers from letters
sent to Austria, contact Albert for a free newspaper insert. There are two
reasons for these success stories. Your data is translated to German and many
people, seeing the request in print, do not like to appear uncooperative.)
Albert writes: Our latest success story: I sent Ralph Nielsen's data to Karl
Grammer, editor of the daily "Kronen Zeitung", who published an article about
his search last Monday.
About a week later Ralph wrote:
<< Thank you for arranging the insertion in Neue Kronen Zeitung. The article
on 23 July was read by Herr Johann Wutzlhofer in Forchtenstein, who promptly
examined the Tauf & Heiratsbüchern der Pfarre Forchtenau, and e-mailed me the
results:
Mathias Strodl = Barbara Wisingerin (sic) married 26 April 1812 in Frakno.
Mathias, viduus = Witwer (2. Ehe) 42 Jahre Barbara Wisinger (sic) 20 Jahre,
Eltern der Braut Barbara Wiesinger (sic) Johannes Wisinger , Anna Maria
Bierbaumer
Geschwister von Johann Strodl, geb. 6.2.1820. Barbara, geb.6.12.1813. Anna
Maria, geb. 31.12 1829. I have searched the archives of Neue Kronen Zeitung
and seen the article. - Splendid. Of course I replied immediately to Herr
Wutzlhofer, expressing my gratitude, (and told him of the 62 letters I had
written to Strodls in Forchtenstein and Mattersburg, all without replies.)
So, shortly the website will be updated with the newly received data. >>
Re: Another Canada Inquiry
While I was able to answer the Dujmovits/Wodwud inquiry via the Canadian
phone directory, I could not answer an inquiry sent to me by Andreas
Schmitmeier. I told him we would include his inquiry in our next newsletter.
Andreas Schmitmeier writes:
<< I am looking for a former workmate and friend of my father's. His name is
Emil Jani and I think that he comes from Oberschuetzen. My father, Alois
Schmitmeier, lived in Canada from 1954 until 1958, where he worked on a
tobacco farm together with Emil. In Austria, Emil worked as a butcher, was
born 1928/1930, married a woman from the Netherlands. My father has had no
contact with him since he returned to Austria in 1958. >>
BURGENLAND MEMORIES - WW-I & II (from Skip Camry)
Skip writes: My dad's short-term memory is failing, but he still talks about
his childhood days. He was born in 1908, a youngster during WW1. At the
time he lived in Rehgraben with his uncle's family in a house across the
street from the present day church. He speaks about the Russian
prisoners-of-war who were housed across the creek. He doesn't remember how
many men were in the house but he said they slept on straw on the floor and
they covered the whole floor at night. They left the house, singing lively
Russian songs, before sun-up each morning except Sunday, and worked in the
woods, felling trees. The trees were sent to be made into railroad ties.
The men returned very tired each night.
Things were very tough in those days, the people in his house had cabbage
soup and bread each day and when available, they had mushroom soup. The thing
he remembers best is the Sundays he spent with the Russians. After walking
to and from church in Geresdorf, he and his cousins would play with the
prisoners who were big, but very gentle men. They were mostly family men,
anxious to return to their homes. My dad's favorite was a prisoner who lost
most of his nose in battle. He spoke a little German so he taught the boys
some Russian. My dad said he doesn't remember seeing guards. He felt that
the prisoners had nowhere to go so they just waited out the war.
I recently spoke to two second cousins about their lives in Austria. They
lived near Güssing. Both were teen aged girls during the WWII Russian
occupation and they spoke about their families hiding them and the terrible
things the Russians did. They now live in this country. What a contrast.
I'm sure other members have heard their parents or grandparents tell stories
about their times during WW1. I'd be anxious to hear them.
Newsletter Continues as No. 98A
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 98A
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(now issued monthly by G. Bergnold)
August 31, 2001
(all rights reserved)
DON'T MISS HEARING THE AMERIKA LIED-OUR THEME SONG (see below)
Check out ALL of the lists shown on our homepage
This second section of the 4 section newsletter contains:
* Die Amerika Lied
* How Burgenland Differs From America
* BG Picnic Pictures
* Burgenland Books
* Millions Of Ancestors Are Depending On You
DIE AMERIKA LIED (The America Song)
It is hard for us to imagine the emigration fever which swept over south
eastern Europe in the late 1800's. It was very similar to that which occurred
in the 1700's in the Palatinate (Rhine-Hesse) of what later became Germany;
when, for over a hundred years, thousands of "Pennsylvania Dutch" sailed to
New York and Pennsylvania. Then there was the "go West" fever that swept
America after the discovery of gold in California and thousands treked west.
Throughout history, we find periods of mass migration as people seek a better
life or "Eldorado".
For the European immigrants of the 1800's, the streets of Amerika were paved
with gold. Glowing letters from those who had already emigrated were
supported by pamphlets from organizations which explained how easy it was to
emigrate and how good life would be be upon arrival. Of course, this was not
always the case, but hope springs eternal and a great adventure beckoned.
On the negative side of any migration is the knowledge that one is leaving
home and may never see family and friends again. When people are faced with
conflicting emotions, they often turn to music to soften the pain. Folk songs
often spring from migrations and so it was with the Burgenländers. The song
which you can now hear when you click on our homepage (and which also
accompanies the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft Picnic Webpage) is their
traveling song-the Amerika Lied (the America Song).
When I first heard this song, it was full of sadness-but as I listened to it
again, I also sensed joy and anticipation. I've asked our Austrian staff to
tell us what they know about the origin of this song. Their comments follow:
Hannes Graff writes:
For the history of the song: I searched the net. It is first mentioned about
1750, during the emigration of Germans to Russia (upon the invitation of Tsar
Katherina -the Volga-Deutsche). Over 50, 000 people went from the "KUR-PFALZ"
area (Mannheim, Heidelberg) to Russia, and they sang the following:
1.Jetzt ist die Zeit und Stunde da,
Daß wir ziehen nach Ukraina.
|: Die Wagen stehn schon vor der Tür,
Mit Frau und Kindern ziehen wir.:|
2. Jetzt ist die Zeit und Stunde da,
Daß wir ziehen nach Ukraina.
|: Die Pferde sind nun angespannt,
Wir ziehen in ein neues Land.:|
3. Jetzt, leibe Freunde, allzumal,
Reicht und die Händ' zum letztenmal.
|: Macht uns den Abschied nicht so schwer,
Wir sehen uns doch nimmermehr.:|
4. Und kommen wir ans hohe Tor,
Heben wir die Händ' zu Gott empor.
|: Und singen laut: Viktoria!
Jetzt sind wir in Ukraina.
The words are similar to the Amerikalied, but the music is very different. It
was then also used in Germany following the revolution 1848 when UKRAINA was
changed to AMERIKA.
jetzt ist die Zeit und Stunde da, jetzt kommen wir aufs hohe Meer,
Wir reisen nach Amerika. Da sehn wir keine Deutschen mehr,
Der Wagen steht schon vor der Tür, Wir fürchten keinen Wasserfall
Mit Weib und Kindern ziehen wir. Und denken: Gott ist überall.
Ihr Freunde alle wohlbekannt, Wir kommen jetzt nach Baltimore,
Reicht mir zum letztenmal die Hand! Da strecken wir die Händ' empor
Ihr Freunde weinet nicht so sehr, Und rufen laut: Viktoria!
Wir sehn einander nimmermehr! jetzt sind wir in Amerika!
Also with different music.
There is no known composer or author, it is a song, coming from the people,
first written down about 200 years ago. I found that every country with
German immigrants has their own version. The Burgenland version is sung very
slowly, it is more melancholy than the German version. It is also slower; I
think half time. I also found it as a march in Germany, but the Germans like
to march to all music. (:-)
I think it had something to do with the different reasons for emigration.
Maybe the Burgenländers did not really want to go away, but felt they had to.
The different temperment between Germans and Austrians changed some songs. I
spoke with my cousin Heinrich from Tadten, he said there are different
versions between Tadten, Wallern, Pamhagen, Andau and other villages. Every
town has its own version. There are other emigrant songs at the following
address: http://www.volksliederarchiv.de/amerika/texte/index.htm
Albert Schuch writes:
Some years ago I sent you a cassette copy of the CD "Tondokumente zur
Volksmusik in Österreich. Vol. 1. Burgenland". The third song is "Nun ist die
Zeit und Stunde da (Auswandererlied)" - another version of the Amerikalied,
sung by three women from Pamhagen and recorded in 1977. In one of my first
emails of June 1997 I included the lyrics of the song:
<< Lyrics:
Nun ist die Zeit und Stunde da,
wir reisen nach Amerika.
Ihr lieben Freunde, allbekannt,
reicht euch zum letztenmal die Hand.
Wir sehen uns nun nimmermehr,
ach weinet nicht nur allzusehr.
Die Pferde sind schon angespannt,
wir reisen in ein fremdes Land.
Jetzt kommen wir in Bremen an,
da heisst es Brüder, tretet an.
Wir steigen in das Schiff hinein
und fahren in das Meer hinein.
Wenn sich das Schifflein, Schifflein schwingt,
dann fahren wir mit Gottes Wind.
Wir fürchten keinen Wasserfall
und sagen Gott ist überall.
Jetzt sind wir schon in Baltimor
und strecken unsre Hand empor.
Und rufen laut "Viktoria"
jetzt sind wir in Amerika.
Amerika du schönes Land,
bist auf der ganzen Welt bekannt.
Dort wächst das Korn drei Ellen hoch,
dort gibt es Brot und Fleisch genug. >>
However, I probably never sent a copy of the booklet. It says that this is
one of many versions. The music is taken from the popular Waltz song "I bitt
Herr Hauptmann, bitt recht schen ...". Similar versions are said to be
included in "Ein burgenländisches Volksliederbuch" by Dreo, Burian and Gmasz
on pp. 147-148. If I am not mistaken you bought this book in Eisenstadt. Inge
and Albert Schuch translated this into poetic English (with alterations by
Gerry Berghold):
1)
Jetzt ist die Zeit und Stunde da,
wir reisen nach Amerika,
der Wagen steht schon vor der Tür,
mit Weib und Kindern reisen wir.
1)
Time to say good-bye, Austria,
time to travel to America.
The carriage stands before the door,
wife and children, we're here no more!
2)
Jetzt ist die Zeit und Stunde da,
wir reisen nach Amerika,
die Pferde sind schon angespannt,
wir reisen in das Freiheitsland.
2)
Time to say good-bye, Austria,
time to travel to America.
The horses are ready - so!
To the land of liberty we go.
3)
Und wie das Schiff am Wasser schwimmt,
werdn Freiheitslieder angestimmt,
wir fürchten keinen Wasserwall,
und danken, Gott ist überall.
3)
Once the ship is out to sea,
Our songs praise the land of the free,
no wall of water do we fear -
the Lord is with us, far and near.
4)
Und wie das Schiff kommt bald ans Land,
so strecken wir die rechte Hand,
empor und schrein: "Viktoria,
jetzt sind wir in Amerika."
4)
After many days the ship nears land,
and overjoyed we wave our hand,
and we cry "there's America,
now we've come to America."
2.Version
2. Version
1)
Nun ist die Zeit und Stunde da,
wir reisen nach Amerika.
Ihr lieben Freunde wohlbekannt,
reicht uns zum letzten Mal die Hand
1)
Time to say good-bye, Austria,
time to travel to America.
You dear friends from our childhood,
We now say good-bye for good.
2)
Wir sehen uns jetzt nimmer mehr,
ach weinet nicht nun all zu sehr.
Die Pferde sind schon eingespannt,
wir reisen in ein fremdes Land.
2)
Farewell, we will not meet again,
but do not cry too hard, my friend.
The horses are ready - so!
To a far-off country we go.
3)
Wir kommen jetzt in Bremen an,
da heißt es: "Brüder tretet an!"
Wir steigen in das Schiff hinein,
und fahren in das Meer hinein.
3)
As we come to Bremen port,
they tell us "brothers, all aboard,"
and aboard the ship we go,
and at sea our hopes will grow .
4)
Wenn sich das Schifflein, Schifflein schwingt,
so fahren wir mit Gottes Wind.
Wir fürchten keinen Wasserwall,
und sagen Gott ist überall.
4)
Across the ocean we sail and sail,
and with God's guidance we prevail.
No wall of water do we fear,
the Lord is with us, far and near.
5)
Jetzt sind wir schon in Baltimor
und strecken unsre Hand empor.
Wir rufen laut: "Viktoria!
Jetzt sind wir in Amerika."
5)
Coming to Baltimore in Maryland,
filled with joy we wave our hand,
and we cry "This is America,
now we've come to America."
6)
Amerika, du schönes Land,
bist auf der ganzen Welt bekannt.
Hier wächst das Korn drei Ellen hoch,
hier gibt es Brot und Fleisch genug.
6)
America, thou land so fine,
For you the world does pine.
Here the corn grows so tall,
Here there is enough for all.
HOW BURGENLAND DIFFERS FROM AMERICA (by Molly Berghold)
(ED. Note: Only two generations removed from the Heimat and steeped as I am
in Burgenland lore, culture and tradition, it is impossible for me to look at
today's Burgenland with new eyes. My wife, however, an American descendant of
Pennsylvania German immigrants from the mid 1700's, has no such problem. On
our recent trip, she compiled the following list of items which to her are
typically Burgenländische. Taken together they form a visitor's word picture.)
"Gruss Gott" (God be with you) as a greeting
Shaking hands with everyone - entering and leaving
"Wiedersehen" to all when leaving a room, store or gasthaus
Welcoming drinks and snacks - sitting in a kitchen nook
Cold cuts and cheese for breakfast
Wonderful bread and rolls
Clinking glasses - "Prosit"
Leaving nothing on plates - wasting no food
Clanking soup spoons when finishing soup
Mehlspeisen! - desserts of strudel, knödel, palattschinken, gügelhopf
Large lengthy meals
Doilies and hand embroidery on tables
Plants in lobbies, hallways and stairways
Window boxes with ivy geraniums
Oleanders in courtyards
Lots of swallows
Men playing cards in taverns
Aggressive drivers (like young people in the US)
Fields of sun flowers
Vineyards
Small villages - each with gasthausen, church or chapel
Nesting, clacking storks on chimney platforms
Roosters crowing
Church bells ringing
Flower planted cemeteries
Red tile roofs
Whitewashed farm buildings
Castles on distant horizons
A lovely land!
BG PICNIC PICTURES
Some members have asked if I could place a name to some of the people
appearing on the pictures taken when my award was presented. The white haired
rather portly individual standing before the lectern is me. The man next to
me is Dr. Walter Dujmovits, President of the BG. The man behind the lectern
is Hans Niessl, Burgenland Landeshauptman (Governor). On other pictures
you'll find me, Dr. Dujmovits, and BG vice-president Erwin Weinhofer (with
beard). At table you'll find me, my wife Molly, Albert Schuch's mother and
father and Heidi Gerger.
BURGENLAND BOOKS
I bought or was given 39 books while in Burgenland-all but one are in German,
Latin or Hungarian. This is about average for books concerning our area of
research. You'll continue to find that our archives are still the best place
to look for anything written in English. The one book which is in English (a
gift from Dr. Dujmovits) is one mentioned in previous newsletters. It is
"Burgenland Panorama" by Georg Gesellman and Günther Stefanits, published by
them at A7000 Eisenstadt. We will be trying to make it easy for any of you
who would like a copy to order it by mail and pay by personal check or credit
card. More on this later. It is a very large (9.5 x 11.25) and heavy (4.5
lbs.) 321 page glossy hard back. It could well cost over $50 post paid. The
photos are recent, with aerial views, and voluminous photos. Many villages
are depicted with brief histories. It is something you'd treasure and want to
share with others. Please do not contact us about this book. We'll get back
to you if our efforts to help distribute it are successful.
The reprint of Robert Unger's book "Twenty Five Years Of My Life In My
Homeland" was a sell-out, although there still may be a few available. The
book is also being considered for a German edition for release in Austria.
Reviews by Austrian members who have read it in English are most favorable.
We are not a commercial organization and we receive nothing for mentioning
any books, publications, music or genealogical material. We do this as a
service to apprise you of what is available. If you've ever tried to buy a
European book that is not distributed in this country, and pay for it in
dollars, you'll appreciate our efforts to bring such publications to the
United States in an easy way. The greater the demand, the more possibilities
of English editions.
MILLIONS OF ANCESTORS ARE DEPENDING ON YOU (by Bob Unger - the California Unger)
Bob writes: I noted on my calendar that you were scheduled to return from
Burgenland July 16. Below is something you might want to use sometime.
While getting started in genealogy I would suggest that you start with one or
two surnames - possibly those of your parents. That should keep you busy for
some time. After you have completed genealogies for your parents say back
500 years, you can then use your new expertise to research other surnames.
Let me put it this way...You have two parents, each of them had two parents,
and they had a total of four parents, those are your grand-parents. Then
there were eight great-grandparents, sixteen great-great grandparents, and
thirty-two great-great-great grandparents. If you figure twenty-five years
between generations, only five hundred years ago there were one million,
forty-eight thousand, five hundred and seventy-six (1, 048, 576) people all
involved in your creation. That's a lot of folks counting on you to make
something of yourself, so don't let them down.
Newsletter Continues as No. 98B
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 98B
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(now issued monthly by G. Berghold)
August 31, 2001
(all rights reserved)
***SEE MINNEAPOLIS PICNIC REPORT & PICTURES AVAILABLE FROM HOME PAGE***
This third section of the 4 section newsletter contains:
* Netherlands Member Visits Burgenland-Offers Book Suggestions
* Visit To Burgenländisch Pennsylvania And Ellis Island
* Rakicsany-A Classic Search For The Origin Of A Name
NETHERLANDS MEMBER VISITS BURGENLAND (from: Wim Fransdonk)
Just returned from another trip to Austria and Hungary to continue the
research of my Tallian ancestors and their Vlach-Croatian history in
Burgenland and Hungary. As a result of visiting the archives in Eisenstadt
and Szombathely, Dr. Haijszan in Güttenbach and the priests in Dürnbach and
Neumarkt im Tauchental, I brought home to Holland a number of books, that
also might be of interest to members.
>From the Landesarchiv, 7001 Eisenstadt, Freiheitsplatz 1 (room 319) Austria:
* ..nach Amerika, Burgenländische Forschungen,Sonderband IX, Eisenstadt 1992,
ÖS 290, - richly illustrated catalogue of the Auswanderer-exhibition in
Güssing, 1992, in German.
* Archivar und Bibliothekar, Bausteine zur Landeskunde des burgenländisch-
westungarischen Raumes, Burgenländische Forschungen, Sonderband XXII,
Eisenstadt 1999, ÖS 220,-, in German.
* Kanonische Visitation 1757 Südburgenland, Burgenländische Forschungen 71,
Eisenstadt 1982, ÖS 280,-, in Latin.
Through Dr. Haijszan of the Panonski Institut in Güttenbach:
* Bauerntum und Kirche bei den südburgenländischen Kroaten, Güttenbach 1990,
ÖS 200,-, in German.
* Dürnbach-Vincjet im Wandel der Zeit, the village history, ÖS 350,-, in German.
>From the Pfarre Neumarkt im Tauchental:
* Calendarium defunctorum parochiae Kethely (Neumarkt, Mönchmeierhof,
Rauhriegel, Allersgraben, Allersdorf, Podler and Dornau). A great and helpful
book containing all dead and their dates from 1786-1986. ÖS 55,-.
>From Vas Megyei Leveltar, Szombathely,Hefele M. u. 1 Pf.:78, Hungary.
* Historical magazines from this archive. Available: 1997/1 and 2, 1998/1 and
3, 1999/3, 2000/2 and 3. In Hungarian, but with great supplements (copies of
old maps etc.), more than worth the USD 0,50 per magazine! Dr.György Benczik
speaks English.
>From the HKDC, Johann Permayerstrasse 9, 7000 Eisenstadt, Austria:
* Ausgewählte Dokumente zur Migration der Burgenländischen Kroaten im 16.
Jahrhundert. by Palffy-Pandzic-Tobler, Eisenstadt 1999. In German.
* Hoheitszeichen der kroatischen Gemeinden des Burgenlandes,
by H. and L. Prickler, Eisenstadt 1997. In German.
If planning a trip to Burgenland, ask for brochure Das Burgenland macht Ihnen
den Hof. Nice to spend a couple of nights on a farm or bed-and-breakfast instead
of an expensive hotel. I stayed at Theresa Novakovics, Güttenbach nr.268,
in the Güssing area, for 200 ÖS (appr. USD 15,- per night), very clean and very
friendly, besides the abundant breakfast she served me some homemade pastries
(Topfengolatschen). Her friendliness makes up for the fact that she doesn't speak English.
VISIT TO BURGENLÄNDISCH PENNSYLVANIA AND ELLIS ISLAND (from Robert Geshel)
Bob writes: I left Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, July 28th on a red-eye flight to
Philadelphia, via Dallas. As I was going to the Northampton, Jim Thorpe and
White Haven areas of Northeastern Pennsylvania to search for the burial site
of my Grandparents, I decided to stay in Allentown, PA. On Saturday, after I
arrived in Allentown, via a rental car from the Philly airport, I drove
around Ormrod, Cementon, Coplay, Egypt and Northampton searching out Churches
and Cemeteries. I was able to eliminate a number of possible burial
locations. I spent a couple of hours walking Our Lady of Hungary cemetery in
Northampton. I managed to find numerous Keschl's...including my Grandfather's
Brother Anton and his wife Mary. I didn't find my Grandmother or Grandfather!
Sunday I drove to Ellis Island...very easy drive on I-78 to exit 14B of the
New Jersey Turnpike. I spent about four hours at Ellis Island, and visited
the Statue of Liberty. Took many pictures in a sequence to duplicate the
views our relatives would have seen when they arrived in America. In a few
weeks, the photos and copies of Ellis Island documents will be posted on my
web site. Note: I am maintaining my web site at two locations:
www.geocities.com/bgeshel, and www.users.qwest.net/~bgeshel/.
While at Ellis Island, I printed out manifests for my Grandparent and
uncles...nice quality 11" X 17" prints...quite suitable for framing (which I
intend to do!)
I was very surprised by the condition of New York Harbor...in the late 1960s,
I was stationed on a ship berthed at the old Brooklyn Naval Shipyard...in the
morning, it was best to not go outside...the stench from the harbor was that
bad! Now I saw people enjoying the day on the water! I also noticed that the
harbor had the smell of the sea...not of garbage! What a change in 30 years!
Monday, I visited the Rectory of Our Lady of Hungary Church. If you would
like to get info from this church, don't waste your time...to call them
unfriendly would be gracious on my part! On the other hand, Pastor Miller of
the Lutheran Church on Main Street went so far as to make a call to
California to an elderly former resident of Northampton to see if she could
help. He even reviewed the burial records with me to see if my grandparents
might be in the Lutheran cemetery. In addition, every other church I
contacted, was more than willing to review their records for me. As I
couldn't get any information for Our Lady of Hungary Church... the second
most likely location to find my Grandparents, I drove up to Jim Thorpe to see
if I could find land records for the property my Grandfather owned in the
Lehigh Tannery area. The people at the Carbon County Courthouse were very
helpful. I was able to get copies of the deeds executed by my grandfather. I
found that he and his family moved from Northampton to Lehigh Tannery in
1917. He sold the land in 1933, when he and my Grandmother moved in with
their Daughter, Mary (Geshel) Ackers and her husband Leo.
In White Haven, I visited with a childhood friend, and we walked Laurel
Cemetery (the most likely burial site of my Grandparents). We found many
people we remembered, but no sign of my Grandparents. While at the cemetery,
I remembered visiting it with my Father back in the 1950s, I remember looking
down at a gravestone that read, "Robert Geshel"...as that is my name, I was
interested who was buried there...my Father told me, "That's your
Grandfather." Well, for the life of me I couldn't find the tombstone, and
the gentleman, Marshall Clymer, who has the records for the cemetery didn't
have any record of my grandparents being buried there...but, as he said, "the
records are incomplete" In one of those, "semi-senior moments," I neglected
to ask if maybe the plots were in Leo and Mary Ackers' name...well, I really
did want to write to the gentleman with the cemetery records!
I found out that the records from the old Kocher Funeral Home are in the
possession of the unofficial town historian, Earl Searfoss...we had a chance
to visit. He was busy at the time and he will review the records and let me
know what he finds.
Overall, it was a good trip. I didn't find the burial site of my
Grandparents, but I did find his Brother and Sister-in Law; I found the land
records, I visited Ellis Island, and I had a chance to visit with a childhood
friend whom I hadn't seen in 20 years...all in all, a very good time.
Something I found after I returned home...I didn't realize it at the time,
but my Grandparents lived on Newport Ave...just North of Our Lady of Hungary
Church. Anton Keschl and his wife Mary (Maria), lived on Canal St., again in
Northampton. Drove right by both locations.
Next year...back to the Burgenland to fill in all the blank spots in my
records. Then I begin to trace ancestors on my Mother's side! Oh fun!
RAKICSANY - A CLASSIC SEARCH FOR THE ORIGIN OF A NAME
Andras Rakicsany writes: I have been trying for a long
time to find something about the "history" of my name. Until today I was very
unsuccessful. Perhaps you will be able to tell me where my name comes from
(or point me in the right direction). Your newsletter has a paragraph
containing my last name.
19. FRANZ Batthyány
- acquired the Neuhaus fortress and "Rakicsany" castle in 1620
- was living at Rohoncz in 1620
Answer: Above data is from Batthyány family ancestral data, supplied by one
of our Batthyány members. Search for Batthyány in our membership lists
available from our home page, also in our newsletter archives. Franz
Batthyány acquired the Herrschaft of Güssing (and eventually all of southern
Burgenland) in 1524 from Hungarian King Lajos (Louis) II. They held property
there (in Austria) down to the present day although property in Hungary was
taken over by the Hungarian Govt. following WW-II. Some Batthyány records are
held in the State Library in Budapest, others are still held by the family,
but many have been well documented in the Burgenland State Library. There is
nothing in English except for what we have translated in our archives.
Neuhaus is a village in the district of Oberwart in middle Burgenland,
Austria. I have not been able to place Rakicsany castle within that vicinity
(I used Prickler's "Burgenland Schlöser Ruinen und Wehrkirchen im
Burgenland") and the site may well be in Hungary today. Rohoncz is the
Hungarian name for Rechnitz which is in Burgenland.
It is rare for one of these medieval names to survive unaltered without being
mentioned. It is very possible that you are a descendant of this family but
the name may also have been taken by those living within the castle area or
as workers or servants. This is such an interesting case that I am copying
two of our Burgenland editors in the hope that they may shed some light on
the subject.
NOTE: AFTER WRITING THE ABOVE, I RECEIVED A SHIPMENT OF BOOKS RECENTLY
PURCHASED IN BURGENLAND AT THE STATE ARCHIVE. FOLLOWING ARE THE REFERENCES:
>From Burgenland Forschungen - Kanonische Visitation 1757 Südburgenland
Index-Rackicsan-sehe Rakic'an p341
p341-...des habe die Verwitibte Graff Batthyanin Eine gebohrene Graffin von
Stratman, dass sie Meinen Eltern die Herrschaft Neuhauss und Rackicsan
Verkauffet vor die Marckht Pfarr Taussent Gulden Restanten so Bey denen
Untterthanen Gebleiben und Mein Vater übernohmen hat...
You'll notice the archaic German. This does nothing more than establish what
appears above (that the Batthyány bought the place).
>From Georg Wagner "Das Türkenjahr 1664"
Index Rakicsán 2km easterly of Mura Szombath 148
p148- (the chapter deals with Montecuccoli's forces approaching the Battle of
Kormend)...Am 26 Juli berichtete er Montecuccoli, er sie am 2 4 mit dem
Kaiserlichen von Rajkazin (wohl Rakicsän, 2 km sö. Mura Szombath)
abmarschiert...
Mentions a place - the emperor's forces from Rajkazin. Must have been a
stronghold.
So, looking at my Hungarian material, I find Mura Szombath is now in Slovenia
under the name Murska Sobota -2 km se of there is a village called Beltinci. I
guess the best we can say for this is that your name comes from the place
mentioned but whether your ancestors gave their name to the place or took it
from the place name is anyone's guess. This whole territory was owned by the
Batthyány for 500 years.
Later I sent the folowing:
Robert Bathiany has mailed me a series of references to
subject name, all of which again support the ownership of Herrschaft
Rakicsany (other villages were included) by the Batthyány family. In
Auto-Wander-und Freizeitkarte (a 1:100 000 scale map) - Steirmark, Graz Süd
Burgenland, I find the village of Rakic'an in the former Yugoslavia
(Slovenia) a few kms se of Murska Sobata (Olsnitz), just below the se
Austrian border and south of Hungary. It lies just off of route 10-1,
connecting Radkersburg, Styria with Murska Sobata. A castle marker appears on
the map just outside of this village. There is now no doubt in my mind that
your name stems from this place.
In the index of the LDS (Mormon) Family History Center, I find that Rakicsan
was in Vas Megye (county), Hungary pre 1921. It was in the district of
Murasombathely (now Murska Sobata). The 563 RC inhabitants (1878) attended
church in the parish of Murasombathely. Microfilm of the RC church records of
Murasombathely from 1828-1867 are available from any LDS Family History
Center as film nos. 1529711-Item 3 and 1529712-Item 1. Using these records
you should be able to locate others with your name. If your name stems from
the minor nobility these records will show "noblisse (or equivalent) as the
"standikeit" (standing) of the people involved. If the records do not show
this, you will know that your ancestors took their name from the name of
their village of origin. It may also appear in Hungarian works concerning
nobility.
Fritz Königshofer then writes:
Dear Mr. Rakicsäny, It was interesting to read your enquiry. Gerry has
already identified the location of Rakicsän which, in the late days of the
Hungarian Kingdom (before WW 1) went by the Hungarian name Battyänfalva,
populated by about 500 ethnic Slovenians. The other place listed in the
Batthyän record you cited is likely the village of Neuhaus am Klausenbach
(and rather not the Neuhaus near Güssing). Neuhaus am Klausenbach lies at
the southern tip of the Burgenland, next to both Austria and Slovenia. My
Dehio guide of Burgenland states that the market town of Neuhaus am
Klausenbach was a possession of the abbey of Szentgotthärd, but came into the
ownership of the Batthyäny family in 1607.
The relation between your family name and the village of Rakicsän may date
back to very old times. It would be most important for you to first trace
your ancestry back from today. Your ancestors may not have lived in or near
Rakicsän for hundreds of years.
I have the CD-ROM of the multi-volume series on Hungarian noble families by
Nagy Ivän (originally published in mid 19th century). This has no entry on
the family Rakicsäny. However, it contains one reference to a Mrs. Rakicsäny
under another noble name. I also checked the multi-volume series on
Hungarian nobility published by Béla Kempelen around 1900. While it has
nothing on Rakicsäny, it has an entry on a family Rakiscän (like the name of
the village) with the short text "Vasmegyében elõfordulo csaläd" what I take
to mean "a family from Vas county." Most interestingly, the entry refers to
a more detailed entry about this family in the book by Gyula Balogh on the
nobility of Vas county, page 121 (the book's title is "Vas värmegye nemes
csalädjai," Szombathely, 1901). The book by Balogh has been filmed by LDS
and thus can be ordered from a Family History Center near you. If you happen
to live in Hungary, you can access the Balogh in the main reading room of the
National Library (Széchényi Library) in Budapest.
Newsletter continues as no. 98C
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 98C
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(now issued monthly by G. Berghold)
August 31, 2001
(all rights reserved)
CHECK THE BB INTERNET LINKS -(URL) MASTER FILE CHANGES -VIA HOMEPAGE
HYPERLINKS UPDATED BY INTERNET EDITOR ANNA KRESH
THANKS FOR THE KIND REMARKS CONCERNING MY BURGENLAND AWARD
This fourth section of the 4 section newsletter contains:
* Burgenland Military Data
* Two Northern Burgenland Data Sites
* Gerry Berghold's Speech Following Investiture
* Deaths On Ellis Island
* Just A Name?
* Mail From Firmus Opitz
* Mattersdorf Jewish Community Data Sources
* Staff Listing (use to contact editors)
BURGENLAND MILITARY DATA (suggested by Harold Steurer)
Harold writes: I recently bought a military history book covering the
fighting of the 23rd KuK Infantry Regiment, 1914 - 1916. The book has names,
ranks and also dates of deaths. There are many names and places mentioned. In
addition there are hundreds of photographs of individuals in uniform. It also
lists bravery awards issued to these soldiers. Most pages are split in half,
one side is printed in German, the other in Hungarian. What can we do with
this wealth of information? I am going to send you a sample of a page from
the book. Can you suggest how to get this information archived and made
available?
My answer: During WW-I, most southern Burgenlanders served in either KuK
Infanterie-Regiment Nr 83 (Steinamanger-Szombathely) or Honved Huszar
Regiment Nr 18 (Odenburg-Sopron). This translates Imperial and Royal Infantry
Regiment 83 headquartered at Szombathely and Hungarian Light Cavalry
Regiment Number 18 - Sopron. I don't know where the 23rd was stationed or the
district providing its men. Our URL list has an A/H military site but haven't
checked. Units were formed and maintained from specific areas.
When we find books like this they are a treasure, but the only way we can
utilize them for the group is to key entry a list or scan and capture, like
we just did for the 1951 immigrant addresses; quite a job. Before considering
either of these options, I'd like to know where the headquarters of the 23rd
was located. I wouldn't consider such effort if it is not close to the
Burgenland. Perhaps the book can tell you?
There was a Neusiedl am See military district as well as those mentioned and
also a military school at Eisenstadt. The LDS microfilm has military district
records of births, marriages and deaths at specific cantonments.
Harold then writes: It looks like the Regiment "Das Haus Regiment von Zombor"
was formed in 1672 and came from the Budapest area. I think Zombor is south
of Budapest. Thanks for your help.
NORTHERN BURGENLAND DATA SITES (from Gary L. Portsche)
Long time member Gary Portsche writes: I've got my two web sites pretty well
organized now. Would you be kind enough to put a blip in the next newsletter
about these sites (Gols area) and that I would be happy to include any
Burgenland family line if they submit the information to me in either English
or German.
I have two web sites [Ed: sites are no longer available] dedicated to people
from Burgenland: http://www.portschefamily.com and http://www.burgenlandfamilies.com.
Each of these sites is designed to supplement Burgenland research, a note mentions
that the Burgenland Bunch site is the focal point for this research. On my
trip to Gols in 1998, I brought back 350 pages of church records and have
much of the information entered. My research time has been divided between
this and my wife's family. We attended a national reunion of the descendants
of Richard Maxson, from whom she descends, in Rhode Island. I was appointed
genealogist/web coordinator for that group. We have another web site at
http://www.maxson2000.net.
GERRY BERGHOLD'S SPEECH FOLLOWING INVESTITURE (made in German)
Herr Governor, Doctor Dujmovits, Burgenländische Gemeinschaft Members,
Friends, You do me a great honor. My immigrant ancestors must be smiling. I
first learned of this fair land, Burgenland, in the lap of my grandmother.
She often spoke of her 'beautiful homeland'. It became a lifetime interest.
I brought my young family here in 1974. We had a wonderful visit but it was
only an introduction, I knew very little.
I came late to the search for my ancestors, but found much. They lived in
many villages in south Burgenland and I was able to trace their records to
the 17th century. In 1993, I came again to the Burgenland, this time with
much more knowledge. I learned of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft and met
Dr. Dujmovits. His work sowed the seed of the Burgenland Bunch in my mind. I
saw how we could help each other.
We hope our partnership will create new interest among the descendants of the
Burgenland immigrants and provide them with a strong link to the "Heimat" of
their ancestors. We thus not only memorialize our immigrant ancestors, we
keep alive their spirit and strengthen the ties that bind our countries.
I wish to thank all who have contributed to our work and to this occasion,
especially to the Burgenland officials who have paid me this great honor, to
Dr. Dujmovits and the staff of the BG for their many courtesies, as well as
to the Staff of the BB who made all this possible. I especially wish to thank
our Burgenland Editors, Dr. Albert Schuch and Herr Klaus Gerger, who are the
Austrian arm of the BB. Without their help, both now and in the past, the BB
would be much less than it is.
I remember Jack Kennedy once saying, as he addressed a divided Berlin,"Ich
bin ein Berliner." I am no Jack Kennedy, but I believe I can say "Ich bin ein
Burgenländer". Thank you all.
DEATHS ON ELLIS ISLAND
Written by Editor: Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG
Previously published by RootsWeb.com, Inc., RootsWeb Review: RootsWeb's
Genealogy News, Vol. 4, No. 32, 8 August 2001. RootsWeb:
http://www.rootsweb.com/
QUESTION. I have learned that my grandmother had a younger half sister who
died at the hospital where they were detained when entering the United
States. Was there a hospital on Ellis Island? Do you know where I might begin
to look for this child?
ANSWER. When Ellis Island opened 1 January 1892, the $500,000 immigration
station consisted of about a dozen buildings, including a large two-story
main processing building, a separate group of four hospital buildings,
surgeon's quarters, record storage office, restaurant and kitchen building,
detention building, disinfection house, a boiler house, laundry and utility
plant -- all constructed of wood. In addition, the old brick and stone Fort
Gibson and Navy magazines were converted for detainees' dormitories and other
purposes. A fire on June 14, 1897 destroyed Ellis Island's wooden buildings.
A new immigration station opened 17 December 1900 at a cost of some $1.2
million. In 1902 its hospital building, auxiliary laundry and other
facilities opened. Most of the 3,500 or so who died at Ellis Island were
buried in the Calvary and Evergreen cemeteries in Brooklyn (New York).
Presumably these death records were filed with the New York City office of
vital records, so you should be able to obtain a copy of the death
certificate. Information and links to various online sources pertaining to
death records can be found in RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Trees -
Vital Records: Death, Tombstones and Cemeteries.
http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/lesson4.htm
There is a link to all of the U.S. states' vital records office at:
http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/lesson1.htm
Additional information about Ellis Island is available in the
Shaking Your Family Tree archives:
http://rwguide.rootsweb.com/syft/immigration/
JUST A NAME?
Josef Medl writes: I am trying to find the birthplace and
grave of my grandfather. He was born in the Burgenland.
Fritz Königshofer replies:
Your message is a challenge as you have nothing but a name. I can only say
that many Medl's lived in Poppendorf (Hungarian Patafalva) near
Heiligenkreuz. Many emigrants from Poppendorf settled in Allentown,
including one of my family's branches and also the forebears of Gerry
Berghold, founder of the Burgenland Bunch.
As a member of the BB, have you contacted the many researchers among the BB's
members who have Medl or Mädl in their ancestral lines? Has your grandfather
ever worked in the USA? Do you have his approximate birth date? In this
case, you could search the new Ellis Island database. You could also try to
search the records of Heiligenkreuz or the civil records of Eltendorf for the
birth of a suitable Josef, but you need an approximate birth date. How much
else do you know? Are there no living relatives who may know a bit or have
some of the old documents or photographs? Please send me all the information
you have and I'll be happy to try to advise you further.
MAIL FROM FIRMUS OPITZ
(ED. Note: I'd like to publish all of the comments we receive from members,
but space just doesn't permit it. This one represents what the BB is all
about and I just have to share it with you.)
Firmus writes:
Hello fellow Burgenlander Berghold; Truly sincere congrats on your award.
What a fitting tribute. One cannot say enough about your bringing The
Burgenland to us here in USA.
I can really put myself in the picture with people who travel there. How
wonderful it is. A recent second cousin emailed me, not knowing for sure if
we were related or not (she is on a job assigment in Belgium). I gave her
some locations as to where our relatives were born etc. I told her if in
Tadten look at the baptistry in Cath. church as this is where my Grandfather
was baptized; she did and was overwhelmed. At any rate I give my thanks to
all who are part of the newsletter but really what is so astonishing is their
willingness to help fellow Burgenlanders. My heartfelt Danke Schon to all.
Only one question this time-what year did the emigrants first enter Ellis
Island? (ED.-see article "Deaths On Ellis Island" above.) Wiedersehen und
machts gut.
MATTERSDORF JEWISH COMMUNITY DATA SOURCES
New member Meir Deutsch, Jerusalem, Israel, writes:
<< I would like to know more about Jewish Mattersdorf (Nagymarton in
Hungarian and Mattersburg today). I know that the first Jewish settlers came
in 1526 (after being expelled from Oedenburg). In 1671 they where expelled
from Mattersdorf, came back in 1678 and had to buy back their own homes. >>
Judaic Burgenland Editor Maureen Tighe-Brown responds:
The questions you ask, which are precise and detailed, can be answered in the
books I'm recommending below, especially in those by Gold, by Hodik, and in
the Encyclopedia Judaeica. (Probably you know that one of the main
neighborhoods in Jerusalem is called Mattersdorf/burg, since it was settled
originally by Mattersdorfers, many of whom live there today. These people
would be an invaluable source of further information.)
The bibliography I will list below is found in the National Library in
Jerusalem. In Austria, the books are in the University of Wien library and
other major libraries of Vienna.
1. Aus den Sieben Gemeinden: Ein Lesebuch Über Juden im Burgenland.
Herausgegeben von Johannes Reiss. Eisenstadt, Austria: Österreichisches
Jüdisches Museum, 1997. [A recent edited collection of personal writings
by inhabitants of the 'seven communities', c. 1870-1940.]
2. From the Encyclopedia Judaica: [These are overviews, as you would
expect in an encyclopedia.]
'Mattersdorf,' Encyclopaedia Judaica, Volume 11. Jerusalem: Keter
Publishing House, 1971, pp. 1130-31.
'Burgenland,' Encyclopaedia Judaica, Volume 4. Jerusalem: Keter Publishing
House, 1971, pp. 1511-1512.
3. Gold, Hugo [, ed]. Gedenkbuch der Untergegangenen Judengemeinden des
Burgenlandes. Tel Aviv: Olamenu, 1970. [Gold's book is the place to start.
Each of the major Burgenlaender Jewish communities is covered in 1-c. 15
pages, and each article is written by an expert of the local area.]
4. Hodik, Fritz P. Beiträge zur Geschichte der Mattersdorf Judengemeinde im
18. und in der ersten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunerts. Eisenstadt:
Burgenländischen Landesarchiv, 1975. [Hodik's book remains the best
monograph to cover the Mattersdorfer Jews, even though it ends in c. 1850.]
5. Sieber, Sandor was one of several who edited an 18-volume collection of
original documents for most of the Hungarian Jewish communities. The
documents are in Latin from c. 1500-1850, although some are in German
throughout that period and longer. Thereafter, most documents are in
Hungarian. Each document is introduced by a brief description in
Hungarian. The 18-volume collection is available at the National Library
in Budapest. I imagine it is also at the National Library in Jerusalem,
some of the Austrian national libraries, and the United States of America
Libary of Congress.
6. Wachstein, Bernhard, bearbeitet. Urkunden und Akten zur Geschichte Der
Juden in Eisenstadt und den Siebengemeinden. Wien: Wilhelm
BraumüllerUniversitäts-Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1926. 2 vol. [ An edited
collection of many of the original documents of the 'seven communities'
which included Mattersdorf, from about 1650 to 1830.]
I think these works will go far to answer your questions. If I can be of
further help, please let me know.
END OF NEWSLETTER
BURGENLAND BUNCH STAFF (USA unless designated otherwise)
Coordinator & Editor Newsletter> (Gerald J. Berghold)
Burgenland Editor> (Albert Schuch; Austria)
Home Page Editor> (Hap Anderson)
Internet/URL Editor> (Anna Tanczos Kresh)
Contributing Editors:
Austro/Hungarian Research> (Fritz Königshofer)
Burgenland Co-Editor> (Klaus Gerger, Austria)
Burgenland Lake Corner Research> (Dale Knebel)
Chicago Burgenland Enclave> (Tom Glatz)
Croatian Burgenland> (Frank Teklits)
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Western US BB Members-Research> (Bob Unger)
WorldGenWeb-Austria, RootsWeb Liason-Burgenland> (Charles Wardell, Austria)
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