THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 108
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold)
June 30, 2002
(c) 2002 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved)
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UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS OF INTEREST
*** JUNE 28-JULY 27 - CASTLE PLAY GÜSSING: "CROSSING AT THE BORDER - LIFE &
DEATH OF THE BANDIT FOLK HERO JOSKA" (Burgspiele Güssing 2002: "Am Grenzweg
- vom Leben und Tod des Betyáren Savanyú Jóska")
*** JULY 14th - BG ANNUAL PICNIC MOSCHENDORF, BURGENLAND
*** AUGUST 24 - 5th ANNUAL BB MID-WEST PICNIC (see Homepage)
*** OCTOBER 12 - CHICAGO REUNION OF OBERWART-BAD TATZMANNSDORF DESCENDANTS
This first section of our 4-section newsletter includes:
1. Burgenland Delegation Visits New York
2. Be Careful Of Those Names
3. Robert Strauch Joins BB Staff
4. Thank You Letter - Austrian Delegation
5. Two Useful Books
6. Germanic Migration - Dr. Edward Brandt
1. VISIT OF AUSTRIAN OFFICIALS TO NEW YORK CITY (from Frank Paukowits)
On Sunday, May 19th, The Brüderschaft Der Burgenländer Verein in New York
held a dinner-dance at Castle Harbour Casino to commemorate the 65th
anniversary of the formation of their society, and to honor the delegation of
officials from Burgenland who had traveled to the United States as part of
the festivities relating to the 80th anniversary celebration of Burgenland as
a province of Austria.
More than 300 people were in attendance. Music was provided by the Joe Weber
Orchestra from Pennsylvania. A Miss Brüderschaft Der Burgenländer Königen was
also selected and many of the Austrian officials danced with her after she
was crowned. In addition, there was a large birthday cake with lighted
candles to celebrate the 80th birthday of Burgenland.
The Honorable Hans Niessel, Governor of Burgenland, spoke of the special ties
between Burgenland and America as a result of the large immigration of
Burgenlanders to the United States over the years. The Honorable Franz
Steindl, the Lieutenant Governor, also talked of the special bonds that have
existed over the years, and Dr. Walter Dujmovits, President of the Burgenland
Gemeinschaft, singled out the efforts of The Burgenland Bunch and the work
their members were doing to foster and continue links with the "Heimatland".
It was a fun day for all at this last official stop before the delegation
returned to Austria.
2. BE CAREFUL OF THOSE NAMES (with thanks to Hannes Graf)
I remember reading "By their names you shall know them" - I don't remember the
connotation, but in effect it reinforces the fact that few of us leave
anything permanent but our names in some article or document. It thus
behooves us to get them right when we mention them. The only thing worse than
not having your name mentioned is to have it misspelled. So often I receive
mail from members that have incorrect spellings of family names or villages.
It isn't easy to get them all right given the changes that take place
between generations as well as language translations. One favorite of mine
was mentioning the song Wien, Wien, nur du Allein" (Vienna, Vienna, only you
alone [are unique]) in an article. I transposed the "ie" to "ei" making "Wine,
Wine, only you alone" - this "ie-ei" business is something you learn in beginning
German class and Gerhard Lang quickly told me about it. I passed it off as a
joke, which didn't do well! That particular transposition is easy to make, but
double letters can be just as bad and easy to do, given a sensitive keyboard.
Now Hannes Graf mentions my latest:
<< Please write my name correct at the newsletter (Graf not Graff), normally
it does not matter but there are two different translations: Graf=count &
Graff=junk.
"It is more important to be a count (or have that name) rather than a junk
(dealer). (:-)))"
My reply: Hannes - Es tut mir leid - was kann ich sagen! Zu viel
"clique-clique" - (I'm sorry, what can I say - too many clicks) Gerry
Had I written "Lied" instead of "Leid", I would have implied "I am singing"
instead of "I am sorry!" See what I mean?
3. ROBERT STRAUCH JOINS BB STAFF
Bob Strauch has agreed to join the staff of the BB as a Corresponding Editor
and area representative. He will be listed as:
Lehigh Valley (PA) Burgenland Enclave: strauchfam@enter.net (Robert Strauch)
Bob has been active in Burgenland ethnic affairs for many years. He is a
contributor to the BG News and has served as Allentown BG representative. His
knowledge of ethnic subjects, particularly music and German dialects and
culture, as well as his various contacts will add to BB development. Bob
spent two years in Graz, Austria under a Fulbright exchange program teaching
English. He is also director of the Hianzenchor, a Lehigh Valley
Burgenländische choral group. He recently received his second Burgenland
award for his work advancing Burgenländische ethnicity. The Lehigh Valley
area already has a number of BB members and there is great potential for
increasing that number.
Bob's ethnic background involves the southern Burgenland villages of
Inzenhof, St. Kathrein and Punitz, and the immediate Hungarian border
villages of Felsoronok and Pornoapati. His immigrant family members settled
in the Allentown and Nazareth, PA areas.
I am extremely happy to add Bob to our masthead. The BB is indeed fortunate
in having such a great staff of volunteers. I hope someday, we can all meet
as a group and perhaps by then, we will have a representative from all
Burgenland enclaves. See our staff list at the end of 108C.
4. THANK YOU LETTER - AUSTRIAN DELEGATION
(from Dr. Walter Dujmovits, President BG, translated from the German)
Dear Friend!
Having returned from our beautiful, harmonious and fruitful trip, I feel obliged
to send my heartfelt thanks for your contribution. I am confident that the
many personal meetings will yield their results. I thank you for your visit
and your invitation to breakfast. I am sure that the cooperation between the
government and the Burgenland-Bunch will improve constantly. The governor
said about you: "He really is a Burgenländer." I also hope that our good
cooperation will continue and sign with fond regards to you and your wife.
Yours, Walter
5. TWO USEFUL BOOKS (From: R. F. Unger)
(ED. Note: One of the more difficult aspects of Burgenland Family History is
the fact that we have to contend with two political entities [Austria and
Hungary], at least four religions [Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and
Jewish], and six languages [German, Hungarian, Croatian, Slovenian, Latin,
Hianzisch]. This requires a small library if we are to cope with it all. The
Hungarian aspects are probably the most difficult for a western-oriented
researcher. Some excellent help is available in commercial publications as
well as the BB Archives.)
Bob Unger writes:
Some years ago, I purchased two books that have proved to be extremely helpful
while researching church records recorded in Hungarian, German and other
languages. The specific books are "Handy Guide to Hungarian Genealogical
Records," and "Central European Genealogical Terminology," both by Jared H.
Suess and published by Everton Publishers, Inc. I recently looked for
those books on the Everton Publisher's web page http://www.everton.com, but
could not find them. Thus, I emailed Everton Publishers and got the following
response: "Mr. Unger: here is the information you requested. 'Central European
Genealogical Terminology' order #B56 = $12.00. 'Handy Guide to Hungarian
Records' order #B70 = 6.50. To order these books you can call us at
1-800-443-6325."
Since I have found these to books of great help and value, I thought that
other BB members may be interested in them. The following is a table of
contents for the 'Handy Guide to Hungarian Genealogical Records': Hungary, The
language and history of Hungary, The Hungarian Alphabet and grammar,
Hungarian Genealogical research, Examples from Parish registers, Examples
from the catalog, Personal Hungarian names and forms of address, Hungarian
given names - male and female, Using Hungarian gazetteers, Hungarian word
list, Latin word list, German word list, The German alphabet, The Russian
alphabet, The Serbian and Croatian alphabet, Counties of the Former Hungarian
Empire (Before 1919), Administrative Subdivision of the Hungarian People's
Republic, Map of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Map showing present-day county
Boundaries of Hungary, Yugoslavian map, Historical events - Austria and
Hungary.
The table of contents for 'Central European Genealogical Terminology': Preface,
abbreviations used, terminologies (covering pages 1-140), French, German,
Hungarian, Roman and Latin numerals, Former East European Areas and their
present locations, Austria, France, German Empire, Germany, Hungary,
Liechtenstein, Poland After 1945 (Map), Switzerland, Yugoslavia.
6. GERMANIC MIGRATION (suggested by R. F. Unger)
(ED. Note: As Burgenland researchers, you may wonder why it is that ethnic
Germans and their descendants are found in what was primarily a Hungarian and
Slavic region, as well as in so many other places both in Europe and in the
Americas. The answers are many and varied and can lead to considerable study,
which I can only begin to mention. Nonetheless, you will find that ethnic
Germans were very desirable colonists, mostly because of their work ethic and
knowledge of agriculture and the building trades. They also developed what is
known as the "German Law" very early in medieval times. German Law was a
method of village formation and administration that has survived to present
times. As such, it was one of the first forms of urban government to arise
from the feudal period. Aristocratic landowners, desirous of having their
holdings generate maximum income, were attracted to colonists who could
achieve that result. German families also practiced the rule of
primogeniture, in which the eldest child inherited -- others had to fend for
themselves. This, coupled with increased population at various times in
European history, provided a constant pool of immigrant colonists.
Aristocrats and royalty were quick to tap that pool, and ethnic emigration and
colonization followed as early as the 10th century and periodically
thereafter, reaching epidemic proportions in the 18th & 19th centuries. As
many, if not more, Germanic peoples migrated east as migrated west to the
Americas. It must also be understood that there were periods of ethnic
cleansing in the east, which reversed these migrations. A number of
genealogists have studied this phenomenon, giving rise to a considerable
amount of "Germanic" publication and knowledge. Not all mention the
Burgenland region, but much of what has been written, applies to the
Burgenland as well. One of the better known experts in this field is Dr.
Edward R. Brandt. Bob Unger sends us the following article concerning him.)
Bob writes: I attended a lecture on June 1, 2002 by Dr. Edward R. Brandt - a
renowned German genealogist. It was sponsored by the German Research
Association of San Diego. Dr. Brant's lecture focused on German speaking
immigrants from Germany and from other areas of Europe, especially the
lands east of Germany where German-speaking individuals had settled years
prior to coming to the USA. He reported that the 1980 USA census results
documented that a surprisingly large percentage of individuals then living
in the USA were of Germanic ancestry. He further emphasized that those
immigrants were good and noble people, whose ancestry we should cherish and
build upon. Thus, I thought I would share some of what Dr. Brandt reported to
the BB membership.
Dr. Brandt indicated that there are more than 100 different types of records
from which we can learn about our ancestors. Most genealogical researchers
are aware of parish records, many of which have been microfilmed and made
available by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) at their
family history centers. (ED. Note: For our Burgenland members wishing for LDS
information written in German, go to the BB home page, go to BB links, search
for family until you find LDS Austria - then click Deutsch.) However, there
are a number of other records that were not microfilmed which are potential
gold mines of useful information, such as the following: Land and Tax, Court,
Probate, Residence lists, Guild records, Passports, Family books, etc.
Unfortunately, the locations of those records are not widely known. (ED Note:
Possibly BB members with knowledge of the most likely place to find any of
the above listed records could report their findings so that all can
benefit.) He added that guild records, which included letters of birth for
often hard-to-trace traveling journeymen (very helpful, but often hard to
find; quite a few have been published or are in archives; some go back to the
16th century and many were kept long after guilds had lost any official or
quasi-official functions.)
Throughout Dr. Brandt's lecture, he emphasized the possibility of errors in
records. These errors were not made deliberately but were often due to
translation skills, i.e., the recorders lacked the skill to write accurately
what they heard - including the spelling of names and/or places. Also, the
involvement of translations between different languages caused problems.
Since most parish records used page formats, with hand written entries,
deciphering the recorder's hand writing is also a major source of possible
problems. Unfortunately it is even difficult to understand entries written in
English because penmanship is so poor.
Knowing that records often have errors, Dr. Brandt emphasized the necessity
to record all known and probable information about our ancestry. Noting that
genealogical records are generated for the benefit of family members, he
stressed it is important to publish what you have found and know to be
correct, and to note any questionable matters by inserting question marks (?)
with included footnotes.
Dr. Brandt closed by admonishing genealogical researchers to "cast your nets
wide - find a way to overcome roadblocks."
(ED. Note: Dr. Brandt has published a series of books, monographs and
lectures including "Contents and Addresses of Hungarian Archives", 1993,
Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
Newsletter continues as no. 108A
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 108A DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold) June 30, 2002 (c) 2002 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved This second section of our 4-section newsletter contains: 1. History Of Emigration From Neusiedl am See 2. Toronto Visit - Note From Dr. Andrew Burghardt 3. Toronto Visit - Note From Helmut Jandresits 4. Chicago Oberwart - Bad Tatzmannsdorf Reunion 5. Splitter (Fragments From Members) 1. HISTORY OF THE EMIGRATION FROM NEUSIEDL AM SEE PART I (Written by Tamara Gosch and Brigitte Horvath.) [Summary & Translation by Albert Schuch.] This article states that the emigration from Neusiedl am See must have begun before 1881, as on 22 May 1882 the municipality was asked by the Stuhlrichteramt to submit a "specification of those who emigrated to America from October 1881 till 1 June 1882, plus information about their motivation to do so." Mayor Anton Treppo answered that 3 men, 2 women and 4 children had left Neusiedl during this period, thereby increasing the total number of emigrants to 44. As to the reasons for their emigration, he gave the following information: 1. Most inhabitants make a living from the wine growing business. But the taxes and the amounts of money they have to pay as a consequence of the abolishment of the "Weinzehent" (the tenth of the harvest that used to be owed to the landlords) are so high that not much is left for themselves. Many vineyards are already deserted. 2. The way the land tax is collected (4 times a year) is an additional burden for people whose income is concentrated on the harvest season. 3. The taxes to be paid by heirs are too high. 4. Apart from these there are additional burdens to bear: A special duty for the regulation of the Raab river, contributions to public welfare, the compulsory housing of soldiers etc. 5. The 12 years of military service are "a mighty factor", as well as the "Militärbefreiungstaxe" (the money one had to pay to be released from military duties). 6. The inefficient and expensive legal system. 7. The annual increase in taxes and the constant invention of new taxes, which can only be paid in years of good harvests. Although the emigration of more than 50 inhabitants of Neusiedl before 1900 seems to be a fact, the municipal archive has no record of them. The authors of this article relied on oral history to reconstruct the fate of the following emigrants: Josef Ettl: Emigrated in 1911, because he fell in love with a girl who was not accepted as his bride by his parents. From New York he moved to Missouri, where he bought a farm and married a widow from Northern Germany. Due to their very different dialects, it is said that they had to speak English to each other. His wife brought 5 children with her, and together they had another 5 children. All 10 children went to High School. Josef Ettl died on 22 Feb 1978. Franz Dachs: Born 17 April 1895 in Neusiedl. His parents died young, so life was not easy for him and his two sisters. Franz learned the cooper trade before emigrating in 1922. During the passage, a fire broke out aboard his ship, leading him to vow not to return before the Atlantic could be crossed on a plane. (Which he did in 1957.) In the US, Franz changed his name to Frank and found work in a Chicago brewery. His wife Irma nee Meinhardt also came from Neusiedl. She worked in a popcorn factory. They had a daughter (1932) and a son. Frank and Irma died in 1978. Franziska Köstner: Born 1891, emigrated in 1909. She remained in New York, where she married a German by the name of Eckhold. They owned a bakery. Their son Willy (1916-89) became a baker too, daughter Paula graduated in St. Paul and became a teacher. Franziska organized the emigration of several of her brothers and sisters: First came Anna (b. 1897), together with her husband (Mr. Rittsteuer), then - in 1923 - Elisabeth (b. 1900), who married a Mr. Keffel from Germany. They owned a grocery and had no children. Elisabeth died in 1990. Brother Franz also came in 1923. He worked as a butcher in a meat factory and did not have to serve in WW2. After his wife (no children) had passed away in 1965, he visited Neusiedl for 3 months. Brother Anton, who came in 1937, also was a butcher. He established his own business. His wife Frieda (from Germany) gave birth to two children, Walter and Linda. During the war Anton worked on a farm in the South. Lorenz Kast: He was a brother of Josef Kast, who was Neusiedl's mayor 1933-38 and 1945-49). Lorenz was a blacksmith. He found a job in Chicago (construction work on skyscrapers). With his wife Ernestine Sonnleitner, also from Neusiedl, he had 6 children: Helen, Emma, Jakob, Larry, Anna and Ernestine. Helen visited Neusiedl just recently, in the year 2000. After Ernestine had died, Lorenz married another woman from Neusiedl (Meinhardt). Lorenz's sister Theresia and her husband Franz Seitz (they had already married in Neusiedl) emigrated to Chicago as well, because they could not earn enough with their grocery in Vienna. Since Theresia was only 17, she had to change her age on the emigration documents to 18. In America, Theresia worked in a kitchen, her husband found a job as a waiter. They had 2 sons (Robert and Richard) and 3 daughters (Frances, Martha and Gertrude). Richard served in the US army in Germany and visited Neusiedl. Likewise, his uncle Josef had been visited by Theresia during his time in a POW camp in Florida. Paul and brother Anton Dinhof: Emigrated ca. 1900 to St. Paul, where they became farmers. Paul married a girl from Mönchhof - he died early. His daughters Regina and Mary visited Neusiedl in 1977. Adolf became very old. Each year at Christmas he wrote a kind of an annual report to his sister Anna (b. 1872, married Rittsteuer) who had remained in Neusiedl. Anna and later her daughter used to write back once a year too. Anton often wrote that he wished to see his hometown once again and to make a pilgrimage to Mariazell - but he always lacked the money for the passage. His son-in-law was stationed in Upper Austria during the years of the Allied occupation - but was not allowed to travel to Neusiedl, which was part of the Russian zone. Adolf's wife came from Apetlon. Their daughter Luise worked as a librarian. In his later years, Anton relocated to Omak near Seattle. Johann Gumatz: He got to know America (and other parts of the world) during his 4 years with the Austro-Hungarian Navy; learned the cooper trade afterwards from a family of Jewish craftsmen in Dapotz, Hungary. He emigrated to St. Paul in 1912 or 1913, where he started out as a farm laborer and had to share his room with 4 or 5 fellow emigrants. (They also shared one suit.) Later he found a job at a brewery, where he worked as a cooper. He married a woman from Illmitz. Their two sons served in the US army during WW2, in Africa and Japan. Their daughter married a farmer and had 6 children. 50 years after his emigration, Johann Gumatz visited Neusiedl. In 1968, he was visited in the US by his sister Anna Wiest and her husband. Antonia and sister Elisabeth Göschl: Elisabeth married Mr. Höld, a butcher from St. Georgen. They emigrated to Brazil in 1930, where they had three children: Lise-Lotte, Rosa and Herbert. It is said that they did not do very well. Elisabeth married Franz Kast from Mönchhof, who emigrated to the US. Six years later, in 1934, his wife and their 6 year old son Franz Hermann followed. Franz found work in the automotive industry and later as a mechanic. They also had a daughter Patricia, who has visited Austria twice together with her children. Antonia and Elisabeth kept in touch with their hometown throughout their life and were subscribers of the "Neusiedler Nachrichten". Johann Lichtscheidl: Emigrated in 1880, at the age of 17. He started to work at the age of 12, as a butcher's apprentice in Bruck an der Leitha. Johann went to Minnesota, where he married Anna Staatsfeld. He established a meat market in St. Paul and did very well in his business. When he visited Neusiedl in 1924 together with his daughter Mary, he persuaded his nephew (also named Johann Lichtscheidl, b. 1900) to emigrate as well. He found work as a blacksmith and married a woman from (probably) Czechoslovakia. They had a son (b. 1942) and a daughter, who already visited Neusiedl. Johann Lichtscheidl's (the elder's) brother Josef and his wife (Sack from Tadten) also emigrated to Minnesota where they farmed and had six children. A third brother, Franz, and a sister, Theresia, emigrated to the US too. Franz (who did not marry) worked on a large farm. One day when he had a lot of money at home (for the payment of the laborers; so he may in fact have owned the farm?) he was killed while sleeping. Theresia found work as a cook for a millionaire in St. Paul. She was married to Mr. Dachs, also from Neusiedl, with whom she had 4 children. Source: Tamara Gosch and Brigitte Horvath: History of the emigration from Neusiedl am See (Part 1) In: "Neusiedler Jahrbuch", vol. 3, 2000, p. 19-37 (includes several photos) Publisher: Verein zur Erforschung der Stadtgeschichte von Neusiedl am See. Editor: Dr. Sepp Gmasz, A-7100 Neusiedl am See. (Part 2 said to appear in vol. 4) 2. TORONTO VISIT - NOTE FROM DR. ANDREW BURGHARDT (ED. Note - Andrew Burghardt, retired professor from McMasters University, in 1961 authored "Borderland, A Historical And Geographical Study Of Burgenland." Long out of print, it remains one of the few English language publications concerning the Burgenland. Dr. Burghardt lives in Canada and retains his interest in the Burgenland through visits to Toronto. Following is a summary of his recent note reporting the visit of the Burgenland delegation.) I received a nice note and two pictures from Dr. Andrew Burghardt. He mentioned that the "gala" the Toronto club gave the delegation was a success. He said the hall was full and the Donauschwaben cooking staff did themselves proud. Herr Stubits was an excellent MC. The pictures include Landeshauptmann Niessl with Burghardt and Mrs Burghardt and Dr. Dujmovits (Burghardt is wearing his Ehrenzeichen), a very good picture, also a picture of the choir under a sign that reads "Toronto grüsst das Burgenland." A fine evening, a good show. He sends his best wishes to all of us. Gerry 3. TORONTO VISIT - NOTE FROM HELMUT JANDRISITS Thanks for your May Newsletter. I will talk to Oskar Stubits, our Secr. Treasurer, to put an Input in from the Burgenlaender in Toronto. Our Burgenlaender Visit was also a success with an Heimatabend and other visits. Greeting, Helmut 4. OBERWART AREA DESCENDANT REUNION (from Tom Glatz) (ED. Note: We've heard more concerning a Chicago area reunion of descendants from the Oberwart-Bad Tatzmannsdorf region.) In a message dated 05/30/2002, William Hosh writes: Mr. Glatz: You & your family are welcome to attend. It will be early fall, instead of late summer. The date is Sat. Oct. 12 @ 1:30 P.M. Location: Grace Fellowship Church (youth room) 11049 Laporte Rd, 1 block e. of Wolf Road in Mokena, IL. I've had some replies, but in a month or so, I will send e-mails with full details. It would be great, if you would come to represent the BB. This event is open to anyone from Bad T. & the Oberwart district. Regards, William Hosh 5. SPLITTER (FRAGMENTS) * From Hannes Graf - Hi all - First, our member list today (June 4) has exactly 900 members!! Second: Today I got a very nice email from the "Green-Card-Lottery" to work and live in the USA. I think it is very nice, but 20 years too late! (:-))) (Ed. Note - You'd think this could be managed better.) Third: the first of Effie's recipes for cucumber pickles is finished, now I must try to translate it. Liebe Grüße. hannes * From: Regina Espenshade - Since you live in the Washington DC metro area, you may be interested in attending performances of Theatre J at the DC Jewish Community Center. They are presenting an 8 week repertory of 2 plays, BORN GUILTY, and PETER AND THE WOLF, May 19 through July 14, 2002. These plays are relevant to the themes of peace and conflict resolution. Historically based in the Holocaust and its aftermath, they transcend these concerns. The universal message addresses the human dimension of reckonings and reconciliation that must occur after violent hostilities cease. The opening of BORN GUILTY received rave reviews in the Washington Post last Thursday. I attended the opening of PETER AND THE WOLF on Sunday and it was superb. I enclose the webpage address of Theatre J for you to find additional information. http://www.dcjcc.org/tj_01-02.htm * From Bill Rudy - Hello all. Sorry for the inconvenience but I needed to change ISPs. My old provider could not solve some web (ftp) problems, and after 8 calls I gave up. So, starting today the villages web page will be at www.burgoyne.com/pages/ardsley/Burgenland/Villages.htm If those who have links to this page could change them, that would be great. The above address is now active. Please note the capital B in Burgenland and the V in Villages. My new email, effective now, is eberau@mail.burgoyne.com Thanks. Bill Rudy, Villages Pages editor * From: Hermine Reinisch (Bigpond) - This is to let you know how much I have appreciated the help and support that Fritz Königshofer has given me over the past 12 months. Without Fritz's assistance I would not have been able to achieve the results that I have obtained. I also wish to thank the Burgenland Bunch members for their continued support in assisting me to achieve my goal. Once again thank you all. Kindest regards, Hermine * From: Carol Sorensen - Just found this interesting article called "Hungarian in Austria", that compliments the Oberwart article done by Fritz (Königshofer). I thought you might like to include a reference to it someday. The website is located at: http://www.uoc.es/euromosaic/web/document/hongares/an/i1/i1.html My son just showed me a French search engine that he heard was excellent, and I found this by typing in Oberwart. The search engine is www.kartoo.com Best Regards, Carol Sorensen * From: Margaret Kaiser - Guten Appetit: A lot of description here, but rather interesting. Just paste in your browser and read the NY Times review of Cafe Sabarsky in the Nueue Galerie (new German/Austrian Art Museum in NYC). http://www.nytimes.com/guests/nytoday/bin/rst?st=rst&rid=1005691752145 * From: Bob Gollinger - Thought you might be interested in how the Pennsylvania "Dutch" used the language. Taken from a Rootsweb site. HUMOR. Thanks to Joan Young. An old Pennsylvania Dutch book quoted an ad from a Pennsylvania German newspaper showing how "thrifty" the Pennsylvania Dutch were. The ad read: "Tsu Ferkoffa (For Sale) -have a large crop of very cheap oats to sell. It's a little soiled. It's been through the horse. But it's cheap." I grew up with my mother speaking this dialect from her Pennsylvania ancestors and my father speaking the Burgenland dialect. No wonder I encountered problems studying Scientific German at university. Newsletter continues as no. 108B
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 108B DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold) June 30, 2002 (c) 2002 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved *** IF YOU LIVE IN THE MID-WEST - SEE THE INVITATION TO THE 5TH MINNEAPOLIS BB PICNIC, AUSUST 24. A LINK TO DETAILS AND A MAP IS AVAILABLE FROM THE BB HOMEPAGE *** *** A GOOD NAME IS BETTER THAN PRECIOUS OINTMENT - Ecclesiastics 7:1 *** This third section of our 4-section newsletter contains: 1. Burgenland Tourism Is Booming 2. Wisconsin Local History & Vital Records 3. Burgspiele Güssing (Güssing Castle Productions) 4. Steinbrunn - Village Names 5. Anna Kresh Featured in Butler, PA, News 1. BURGENLAND TOURISM IS BOOMING (originally published in German in the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft News Nr. 376 as "Tourisimus im Aufschwung" - written by Dr. Walter Dujmovits. Translation by Inge Schuch. See BG website for German language article.) Tourism is Booming (English translation) Burgenland used to be a poor country. The majority of people were earning their living in agriculture, but because farming was concentrated in huge landed estates, most peasants had to make do with small plots. Many peasants with smallholdings were in fact unable to produce enough to feed their large families. As there was not much of a chance of finding a job elsewhere, since the country was poor in mineral resources and jobs in industry were scarce, tens of thousands of Burgenlanders had no other choice but to leave their homes and emigrate. Industrialization started late in Burgenland and was mostly limited to the establishment of textile manufacturing plants that employed mainly women. The men, meanwhile, often commuted to Vienna to work in the building trades. Once production and wage costs increased in the local textile industry, amid the economic catching-up process, and cheap products started pouring in from abroad, this period of old-style industrialization came to a rapid end. But the diligence of the people in Burgenland and innovative policies opened up new and un-thought-of opportunities: investment in higher education and quality tourism. Suddenly, the fact that Burgenland was ripe for development proved to be a real asset: a pristine landscape, the fresh air and the quiet woodlands provided an ideal setting for recreational tourism. Much that has long since become a thing of the past in other Austrian provinces can still be found in Burgenland, making it a popular "soft tourism" or eco-tourism destination. Efforts have been made to improve the quality of traditional summer holidays and, at the same time, to develop facilities and attractions that appeal to tourists the year round - with the result that, in recent years, no other economic sector in Burgenland has been booming as much as tourism. Overnight stays have been increasing year after year, to as much as 2.5 million stays a year in 2001. The number of visitors to the thermal spas, for instance, increased by 5% in 2001 compared with a year earlier. In 2001, 320,000 visitors were counted at the Lutzmannsburg spa; 215,000 at the Bad Tatzmannsdorf spa; and 160,000 at the Stegersbach spa. Roughly 140 million euro, including subsidies from the European Union, have been invested in expanding the thermal spas in recent years. Burgenland has thus asserted itself as a prime destination for "healthy lifestyle" or "wellness" breaks. In addition, tourists will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy cultural events, play golf, go cycling or riding, and taste the local wines. Most importantly, all this comes with the quintessential hospitality of the people of Burgenland, which also ensures that this boom will continue. (ED. Note - implied but not mentioned is the tourism generated by the descendants of emigrants who are looking for a glimpse of the "Heimat." I wonder what percentage of BB members have visited the Burgenland? As stated, those wishing to experience "Old Europe" - a vanishing commodity in northern Europe, can still find traces here.) 2. WISCONSIN LOCAL HISTORY & VITAL RECORDS (ED. Note: a number of early Burgenland immigrants settled in the Wisconsin area. We have a large number of members who may be interested in this communication.) Dear colleague, I thought the two short texts inserted below my signature might interest people who moderate local email lists or edit newsletters. Feel free to run them in your printed or email newsletter, forward them to your members, or place a link anywhere on a site you maintain. If you want to expand or edit these paragraphs, feel free to visit the web sites below and select any text there that would be helpful. If this message isn't appropriate for your organization, please accept my apologies. I thought the people with whom you communicate might like to learn about these two new services at the Wisconsin Historical Society's Web site. Best wishes, Michael Edmonds Deputy Director, Library/Archives Division, Wisconsin Historical Society 608-264-6538 1. "Wisconsin Local History on the Web" The Wisconsin Historical Society Library recently mounted more collections on the World Wide Web for genealogists and local historians. "Wisconsin Local History & Biography Articles" (www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/index.asp) contains nearly 16,000 local newspaper articles published statewide between 1860 and 1940. These consist mainly of pioneer reminiscences, portraits of community institutions, interviews with early settlers, strange anecdotes of eccentric personalities, and other grass-roots information. These real stories of real people have not been altered in any way; images of the original newspaper articles display on the researcher's screen. All of them are easy to search by personal name or a variety of subject headings, about 50,000 pages of local history and genealogy in all. There is no charge to use this collection. It is made possible by funding from the Wisconsin Dept. of Public instruction through the Library Services and Technology Act and through a very generous donation from the late Scott M. Cutlip, a UW-Madison professor of mass communications. If you have any questions about the website, contact Michael Edmonds, Deputy Director, Library/Archives Division, Wisconsin Historical Society, or use the feedback buttons on the web site. 2. "Order Wisconsin Vital Records Online" A new online service from the Wisconsin Historical Society lets you order a search of Wisconsin's pre-1907 birth, marriage and death records over the Internet. Vital records are a fundamental information source for genealogists. They can reveal minute details about a person such as birth, marriage or death date, birthplace, maiden name, and religious affiliation, as well as information about their parents. Genealogists use them as stepping-stones to other valuable sources such as obituaries and census records. Requesting a search online is quite simple. After receiving your instructions and credit card payment via our secure Web site, staff trained in researching Wisconsin vital records will carefully search for the records you specify and send photocopies of their findings. All orders are guaranteed to ship within 4 weeks; rush service is also available for an additional charge. For more information, including the fee schedule, visit the Society's Online Genealogical Research Service at www.wisconsinhistory.org/genealogy/ogrs/index.html or contact Michael Edmonds, Deputy Director, Library/Archives Division, Wisconsin Historical Society 3. BURGSPIELE GÜSSING (GÜSSING CASTLE PRODUCTIONS) - (suggested by Margaret Kaiser) The most romantic and interesting historical sites to visit in the Burgenland area are the castles remaining in various stages of disrepair. Many of us brought up on an early diet of historical fiction can easily picture castle life as portrayed a la Hollywood and television. I've read enough medieval history to know that the reality was much different. Nonetheless, castle ruins are a great tourist draw, even though my children complained bitterly when told we'd be visiting the umpteenth castle on my list. I've often fantasized about owning a castle. One DDDr Illig, who bought Castle Schlaining (now a center for peace seminars) after WW-II and restored it, soon dispelled any ideas I had when he told our tour group in 1974 how much it cost to repair and maintain. No one wants to see these magnificent structures disappear and many ways to generate enough funds to preserve them have been developed. One is to turn them into a hotel or bed and breakfast as was done at Castle Bernstein, some can be museums, as at Castle Forchtenstein, or even a double-barreled approach by creating museums and centers for plays and concerts, as at Castle Lockenhaus and Castle Güssing. (see BB newsletter 13A for a description of other castles). A few years ago, the first play was produced to a sell-out audience at Castle Güssing, using a sound and light approach. Others have followed annually. This is in the tradition of Minnesinger and Knight Peter der Wachtelsack, who in the 13th century was in the service of Güssing Count Iwein. Productions are now under the direction of Burgverein Güssing, 7540 Güssing, Bergstrasse 13. In addition to the annual play, other events and concerts are held here and at St. Emmerich Church (Inzenhof-Felso Ronok) throughout the summer. When visiting Burgenland, add one or more of these events to your itinerary. Margaret Kaiser writes: Subj: Re: BB: Fwd: Österreich Reise-News 10/2002 << If you scroll down the attached newsletter until you come to Burgenland, and then click on the Bergfestspiele, you'll be taken to another page that refers to a play being presented in Güssing this summer about the Burgenlaendische Robin Hood. Have you heard of Savanyu Joska? (What kind of a name is that - Hungarian???) >> Reply: Yes Margaret - this play at the castle (directed by Frank Hoffmann - whom I've met - and promoted by our own BB member Heinz Koller and his wife) and including Burgverein members as well as professionals for actors, concerns an Hungarian border folk hero by that name. There were others. Like a Robin Hood, but if the truth were known, they were nothing but border bandits created by bad economic times. Last summer, while in Burgenland, I was the Koller's guest for the play "Der Kampf ums Recht" (The Fight For Right). A most memorable event, which kept us enthralled even though we couldn't follow all of the German. Access to the castle can now be made by aerial tramway (slight charge), eliminating a tedious climb for old legs. Upon arrival at the top of the hill, one can be refreshed with a glass of wine or a snack, pre-curtain time (no curtain is used - the castle is the backdrop, with stage props in the castle "hof" or one can visit the castle wine vault and arrange for purchases. Nights at that height can be cool and the local Red Cross and Disaster Group rents blankets. These plays done with period costume, light, sound, music and frequently dance begin when darkness descends to the castle compound and end about 11:00 or 12:00 PM. They are becoming the feature cultural event of southern Burgenland. It is also a place for local people to see and be seen. Tickets cost 20-26 Euro, children 12 Euro. Regards, Gerry (ED. Note: Other Burgenland cultural events are held at Mörbisch (Lake Festival), Eisenstadt (Haydn Festival), Burg Lockenhaus (Chamber Music Festival), Wiesen (Jazz-Rock Festival, Bad Tatzmannsdorf (Folklore to Chamber Music), Kobersdorf (Castle Festival), Burg Forchtenstein (Medieval Adventure), Güssing (Historic City Festival), Eisenstadt (Schloss Esterhazy Music Matinees). To visit Burgenland without attending some of these functions would be a big mistake. Check websites and tourist bureaus for more information.) 4. STEINBRUNN VILLAGE NAMES - From Wolfgang Schriefl ORTSGRÜNDUNG - ORTSNAME: (village founding and village name - test your German ability, you should be able to translate most of this) Die Existenz der Siedlung Stinkenbrunn wird erstmals 1271, in der ungarischen form "BYZURKUT" urkundlich erwähnt. Der Ortsname soll laut "Sage" durch den Absturz eines Drachen in den Ortsbrunnen (stinkender Brunnen) entstanden sein. Kroatischer Name: Stikapron Ungarischer Name bis 1920: BÜDÖSKUT Deutscher Name bis 1958: Stinkenbrunn Deutscher Name seit 1959: Steinbrunn Source: http://www.steinbrunn.at/ Mit den besten Grüßen / best regards Mag. Wolfgang Schriefl Consultant Business Innovation Services BMS/ERP SCM CRM, IBM Österreich, Obere Donaustraße 95, A-1020 Wien 5. ANNA KRESH FEATURED IN BUTLER, PA, NEWS We've already mentioned that four of our staff members, who were able to greet the Burgenland delegation during their recent visit, received provincial awards in recognition of their work. Needless to say, they were surprised, and none more so than Anna Kresh. Anna joined the BB some time ago and promptly volunteered to join our staff as Internet Editor. This is one of our very time-consuming jobs. Not only does Anna seek and list web sites of interest to BB members, she also visits all of them periodically to insure that they meet our objectives, are still current and have not changed addresses (URL's). She then lists them as a site on our homepage, after summarizing them by subject. Each new member also receives an email letter from her describing how to use this resource. I might also mention that this particular job exposes Anna to much virus and junk mail as her travels take her all over the net and her address then becomes a prime target. When Anna and husband Rudy returned home from the Allentown meeting, her daughter phoned the local newspaper and told them that she thought this would make a great human interest story. A reporter arrived on the scene and was given a summary of the BB's activities and Anna's place in them. A large article, complete with Anna's photo holding her Burgenland Medallion followed. Anna has already received numerous requests for more information from people who have just learned about the BB and the availability of help from our organization. Another way in which the BB receives public notice. Newsletter continues as no. 108C.
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 108C DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY (Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold) June 30, 2002 (c) 2002 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved This fourth section of our 4-section newsletter contains: 1. Stuck? Check Nearby Villages 2. Thank You From Landeshauptmann Niessl 3. Correspondence From Bob Strauch 4. Correspondence From Tom Glatz 1. STUCK? CHECK NEARBY VILLAGES As mentioned previously, our Burgenland ancestors moved around more than we are probably aware. As children became adults, all but the oldest had to seek their fortune. This often took them to other villages or larger towns. Some were able to secure positions as teachers and government employees, such as customs officials or auditors. It was not uncommon for those in these positions to move frequently. Two in my genealogy were schoolteachers, they moved many times before settling in one spot. Their children were thus born in various villages. I have an ancestor who was a government lottery auditor. He moved from city to city in three Austrian provinces as well as in Hungary. It took help from Fritz Königshofer, on-site, to put that puzzle together. Generally, we can expect that money will marry money. To say it another way, class generally married class. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon to find teachers in the 19th and 20th centuries, marrying local village women. Not all village peasant small holders remained poor; some enlarged their holdings or improved their social status in other ways. As a result, their children became desirable mates. I'm also enough of a romantic to believe that a beautiful woman often transcended social class, so we can have someone from a remote area marrying someone from our village. While we often can trace the village pedigree, tracing the remote area spouse can be a nightmare of frustration. My great-grandfather Emil Langash, born in Vienna, married in Heiligenkreuz (wife from Rábafüzes), first teacher at Inzenhof, then Poppendorf, is a perfect example. You'll find that story in the archives. Recently, I was made aware of another. Charter member and corresponding editor, Bob Unger, was able to easily trace his ancestors in the Rudersdorf area. A grandmother, however, eluded him and the path eventually took him to Vienna, where he had no luck at all, and it was just recently that the path led back to Felsőrönök (see newsletter 106-5). This provided more questions than answers. Recently the answers were forthcoming in the following correspondence. This is a perfect example of how the location of records can be traced and the advisability of scanning nearby village records for answers. Message From R. F. Unger To Fritz Königshofer: Subject: Unger research update Dear Fritz: I had an opportunity to again research the Kirchfidisch RC church microfilm. Unfortunately, some of the filmed records are in very poor condition. I found that I misread one birth day and one birth year. I have made those corrections below. 1870: On 9 February, Franciscus Sternitzky, age 35, married Elizabeth Pernitz, age 22. Her residence was listed as Pözön # 31. His place of residence was Felsö (don't know where that is). However, our BB village list contains "Felsőcsatár, Hungary (Oberschilding), Vas Megye" - possibly that is the village where he was born. On 9 May, Maria was born to parents Franciscus Sternitzky and Elizabeth nee Pernitz, residing at Pözön #32 - just as you had reported in your email of 19 May 2002. 1872: On 8 September, a male child was born, Francisesis, to parents Franciscus Sternitzky and Elizabeth nee Pernitz, residing at Pözön #38. 1875: On 21 July, a male child was born, Joannis, to parents Franciscus Sternitzky and Elizabeth nee Pernitz, residing at Pözön #48. Joseph Schneller, the blacksmith, mentioned in your email of 19 May, was listed as the godparent for this newborn child. 1877: On 14 March, Francisesis, child of Franciscus Sternitzky and Elizabeth nee Pernitz, died at Pözön #33, at the age of 4 1/2 years. Fritz, in your email response of 6/16 you wrote, in part: I had found the birth of an Elizabeth Pernitz on April 20, 1845 in Pözsön, to parents János Pernitz, schoolmaster, and Erzsébet nee Vehofsitz. You also wrote, in part: The term "Felsõ" means "Upper," therefore something is missing in the mentioning of the original town of Franz Sternitzky. Can you check the record again? My suspicion is that it says Felsõ Õr, which was the Hungarian name for Oberwart. I next checked the records for any Pernitz entries and found that János Pernitz, and Erzsébet nee Vehofsitz had the following children: Jànos Pernitz, born 23 November 1840, and listed under the Polgàri sorsa column was Oskola Mefser (sp?). Elizabeth Pernitz, born 20 May 1845, and listed under the Polgàri sorsa column was Iskola Mefser (sp?), You told me that János Pernitz, and Erzsébet nee Vehofsitz also had a child, Anna, born in Salamonfalva in 1839. Where is Salamonfalva, and what is it called today? I also found the death record for Joannes Pernitz, 3 September 1875, Pözsön 23. Unfortunately I could not find the death records for Franciscus Sternitzky, and Elizabeth, nee Pernitz. Family legend tells that my Grandmother's parent died when she was very young. Thus, if I could find their death records, it would help link the family together. You said the term "Felsõ" means "Upper," therefore something is missing in the mention of the original town of Franz Sternitzky. Can you check the record again? My suspicion is that it says Felsõ Õr, which was the Hungarian name for Oberwart. As you know, I had expected that the groom hailed from Unterwart, rather than Oberwart, because this is where Maria later had home rights. On the other hand, the game would change if she became an orphan and was in foster care or adopted. Did they keep home right records, and if so where would I look while I am in Burgenland during my July 15-22 visit? Would the home right records tell me where Franz and Elizabeth Sternitzky died? Also, is it possible that the original Kirchfidisch RC church records might have a notation in the margin of the marriage record of when and where they died? Bob Unger Reply From Fritz Königshofer: Bob, This continues to be most fascinating. I had lost the connection to Salamonfalva, which is today's Salmannsdorf in the parish of Pilgersdorf. Therefore, I am happy you pointed it out. It means that the Anna Lorencz nee Pernitz of Heiligenkreuz no. 81 had been a daughter of the same teacher Johann Pernitz senior of Badersdorf! It means that Johann Pernitz senior was likely a teacher in Salmannsdorf, parish of Pilgersdorf, before obtaining the schoolmaster position in Badersdorf. He must have changed jobs about 1840. In this case, you will be able to track this family back a bit further (via the records of Pilgersdorf). It also means there was indeed an aunt of Maria Sterniczky/Bernitz who lived in Heiligenkreuz in the 1880s, namely Anna Lorencz nee Pernitz, an older sister of Johann junior and Elizabeth! It would also provide a possible connection to the Ungers in Rudersdorf, as the son of Anna, Gyula (Julius) Pernitz, was a flour miller journeyman in Königsdorf, which lies next to Rudersdorf. We now have a clear blood connection between the Maria Sterniczky, who bore Therese in Heiligenkreuz in 1888, and Anna Lorencz nee Pernitz, who lived there at about the same time and died in Heiligenkreuz in 1896. This Anna was the older sister of Elisabeth (mother of Maria), i.e., she was the aunt of Maria. Of course, we still don't know why Maria Sterniczky may have assumed the last name Pernitz after 1888. It is possible that the family of Franz Sterniczky moved from Badersdorf. Flour miller journeymen were likely to be on the move. You might want to check the records of Unterwart (Alsó Eõr) to see if they settled (and perhaps died) there after 1876. Perhaps they moved there and obtained home rights, as this would explain why Maria was listed with these home rights when she bore Teréz. I don't know whether communes like Unterwart have records today about the people receiving home rights. Please do ask the question when you visit the archives in Eisenstadt and the administrative offices (Standesämter) in Oberwart and Unterwart. Bob, when you visit Austria, try to look up the original Kirchfidisch birth record of Maria Sterniczky of May 9, 1870, and determine whether it contains any subsequent marginal notes. If I were you, I would try to contact the Sterniczky families still living in Oberwart and environs to see if they have any memory of the flour miller Franz Sterniczky and the story of his daughter Maria, who may have been the one marrying John Unger after emigrating to the USA. By the way, the entries about John Pernitz senior which you read from Badersdorf, iskola mester or oskola mester, all mean the same thing, namely schoolmaster. Regards, Fritz 2. THANK YOU FROM LANDESHAUPTMANN NIESSL An official thank you for our help and hospitality was received from the office of Landeshauptmann Hans Niessl in Eisenstadt. He states that he was astonished at experiencing the strong bonds which exist between Burgenland descendants and the "old homeland." He was especially pleased that the modern medium of the Internet was being used to strengthen those bonds and praised our initiative in accomplishing this. He further states that he hopes we can both continue to find ways in which we can work together with the younger generations of Burgenländers. He extends heartfelt thanks to me personally. The letter is signed by Hans Niessl, Franz Steindl, Helmut Bieler and Karl Kaplan. 3. CORRESPONDENCE FROM BOB STRAUCH Hi BB'ers - a Misch-Masch of info and updates: 1. There was a change in this year's Coplay S-Bund Stiftungsfest schedule. The whole thing didn't begin until 2:30 PM. No band before the choral concert. The concert was in the 2nd floor hall. The Johnny Dee Orch. played in the grove. Admission was $1.00. Many local BB'ers attended as well as Bob Eder, BBer from Florida (native of Allentown), and friend Joanne. Incidentally, I e-mailed Gov. Niessl a week ago and asked him for a short "Grussbotschaft" (message of greetings, congrats) for me to read aloud at the concert. 2. TV Tip - Friday, June 21, 2002, 9:00-9:30 (EST), TV Food Network: Wolfgang Puck "Only in Austria: Apple Balsamic Vinegar". 3. BB group fotos from Coplay S-Bund 5/16/2002: I've had copies made for all on the picture. I gave them out at Stiftungsfest in Coplay to those that attended. I'll mail out the others. 4. I'm sure that everybody noticed the item on cheap airfares to Austria in the last BB newsletter. Well, get this: according to the latest issue of "The Austrian-American" newsletter, put out by Walter Pomper in Chicago, you can wait and spend New Year's Eve in Vienna as part of a special travel package. The "New Year's Eve Ball" package, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3, includes dinners, tours, and the Ball at the Imperial Palace. And it costs only $6,980.00 per person. Trans-atlantic flight is NOT included. How about a BB field trip? That popular song will have to be updated to "Vienna, City of my Bankruptcy". For details, go to "annemarievictory.com". (ED. Note - Molly and I have a previous engagement!) 5. I was able to attend the Founder's Weekend at Sacred Heart Church, along with other BBers Judy/Tim Snyder and Dennis/Frieda Eberhardt. Had a Burgenland display using materials (maps, fotos) from the BB website. All for now. Take care and Servus. Bob 5. CORRESPONDENCE FROM TOM GLATZ (ED. Note: Tom Glatz, BB corresponding editor, Chicago enclave, was a special guest at the reception for the Burgenland ddelegation hosted by the Austrian General Consul in Chicago. He was presented with the Burgenland Gold Medallion for his many years of effort promoting Burgenland ethnicity. He subsequently received the following message.) In a message dated 05/24/2002, AustriaCG writes: Dear Tom, It was a pleasure meeting you last week and I hope to see you again soon. I also wanted to pass on the new website of the young Austrians in Chicago (perhaps you want to establish some "cross links"): groups.yahoo.com/group/austriansinchicago With regard to obtaining birth certificates from Austria and possible problems you might encounter: We have so far never had any problems when requesting them officially. If anyone wishes to hand in a request through the Consulate General, here is the relevant form in German and English. The fee is currently US$ 21.40 (as of May 2002). If there are any further questions in this regard, the staff member to turn to at the Consulate General (312-222-1515) is Ms. Sonja Ng (ext. 11), who is in charge of all matters relating to Austrians or their descendants in the Midwest. Best wishes Elisabeth Kehrer, Consul General of Austria 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) Home Page village lists: (Bill Rudy) Home Page surname lists: (Tom Steichen) Home Page membership list: (Hannes Graf, Austria) Judaic Burgenland: (Maureen Tighe-Brown) Lehigh Valley Burgenland Enclave: (Robert Strauch) Western US BB Members-Research: (Bob Unger) WorldGenWeb-Austria, RootsWeb Liason-Burgenland: (Charles Wardell, Austria) BB ARCHIVES (can be reached via Home Page hyperlinks) The BB is in contact with the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft, Hauptplatz 7, A-7540 Güssing, Burgenland, Austria. Burgenland Bunch Newsletter distributed courtesy of (c) 1999 RootsWeb.com, Inc. P.O. Box 6798, Frazier Park, CA 93222-6798 Newsletter and List Rights Reserved. Permission to Copy Granted; Provide Credit and Mention Source.