Newsletter
Dedicated to Austrian-Hungarian Burgenland Family History
THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 179
September 30, 2008, (c) 2008 by The Burgenland Bunch
All rights reserved. Permission to copy excerpts granted if credit is provided.
Our 13th Year
Editor: Johannes Graf, Copy Editor: Maureen Tighe-Brown
The Burgenland Bunch Newsletter, founded by Gerry Berghold, is issued monthly as email and
available online at http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org
Current Status Of The BB:
* Members: 1656 * Surname Entries: 5392 * Query Board Entries: 3929
* Newsletters Archived: 177 * Number of Staff Members: 15
This newsletter has just one section. It concerns:
1. NEW EDITORS: SELF-INTRODUCTIONS
2. BB MEMBER STILL ALIVE
3. EDELWEISS HAUS CLOSING
4. LAST BUTTON BOX JAM SESSION AT EDELWEISS HAUS (by Bob Strauch)
5. AUSTRIAN DAY (Brotherhood of the Burgenländer)
6. WEBSITES OF MEMBERS OF THE BURGENLAND BUNCH (by Tom Steichen)
7. STAFF PAGE COMPLETE
8. VILLAGE THUMBNAIL SERIES: BAD TATZMANNSDORF (by Margaret Kaiser & Tom Steichen)
9. CONDOLENCE NOTES FOR GERRY BERGHOLD (by Frank Paukowits)
10. PATHS REJOINED (by Frank Teklits)
11. EIN BURGENLÄNDER IM HERZ (by Tom Glatz)
12. MEMENTOS FOR GERRY
13. BURGENLAND EMIGRANT OBITUARIES (courtesy of Bob Strauch)
NEW EDITORS: SELF INTRODUCTIONS
a. (Jo)Hannes Graf
I live in Vienna, Austria, with my wife, Elfie. I have been a Burgenland Bunch member since 2000
and a BB Staff member since 2001. More recently, I served as the BB membership editor and
songbook editor (the latter with Tom Steichen). Also, I worked on the Gerry Berghold Award page,
the Staff page (including a photo montage), and the web pages for Where We Are, Burgenland
Impressions, Burgenland Village Pictures, and writings of the Wallern chronicler, Father Graisy.
Currently, I am the owner of the domain www.the-burgenland-bunch.org
and I am also the Burgenland Bunch Newsletter editor.
I am interested in all Burgenland-related highlights. During the past twelve months, I traveled
in the Burgenland for more than 200 days, driving more than 15,000 miles and taking 20,000
pictures. I have worked for some time at the railway between Oberwart and Oberschützen with
another bunch called FrOWOS. There, I do a variety of jobs (blacksmithing, locksmithing and
engineering) and also built a new homepage, www.frowos.com,
with pages in the English, Croatian, Hungarian, and Romanji languages. Away from work, I am a
satirical artist with my own home page, where I publish together with some friends:
www.scholemandfriends.com. Also, I edit an art
and satiric newspaper in Vienna.
All the things (people) I love: Elfie and the grandchildren.
All the things I like: Walking in the Danube National Park between Vienna and Bratislava between
5 and 15 miles daily; people I can trust; all the food that Elfie cooks; desserts; operas and
classic music; the spirit of Yogi Berra; driving around at Güterwege (NL 175) and, if I come to
a fork at the street, I take it (;-)
All the things I don't like: people who smile in my face, but kick me from behind if I turn my
back; pompous and know-it-all people.
b. Maureen Tighe-Brown
Hannes and I are working together to assemble and polish our regular Burgenland Bunch
Newsletters. Here is a little self-introduction:
Currently, I am finishing my dissertation in history for the University of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, USA. My working title is: "Two Separate Worlds? Jewish and Catholic Households and
Demographic Lives in the Habsburg Village: Deutschkreutz, Hungary, 1683-1920."
Deutschkreutz has been part of the Burgenland province of Austria since 1920. In 1998, I found
our dear Gerry Berghold's Burgenland Bunch on the Internet, and have been a BB member ever
since. So, I am a BBer because of my research interests, not for genealogical searches for any
ancestral roots. Since my research involves Yiddish-, Hebrew-, and Hungarian-language sources,
Gerry asked me to help out with our members interested in "Jewish Burgenland."
Before switching to history as an academic field, I earned bachelor's and master's degrees in
nursing, and taught students in a school of nursing. Hence, when Gerry Berghold wrote to the BB
staff in early 2007, saying he was not well enough to drive to Allentown, PA, where some BB
staff and a group of Burgenland visitors were to arrive and spend several days, I jumped in. I
e-mailed Gerry to suggest that he and Molly fly to Allentown, where a nurse friend and I would
meet them, and escort them while they were there. Gerry agreed to my idea, and we all had a
fabulous time. The Burgenland visitors gave Gerry a special award at a dinner with local
Burgenland-Americans; our new BB president and his wife, Tom and Lois Steichen, entertained us
with wonderful, professional-quality dancing; our Allentown resident and BB staffer, Bob
Strauch, presented an authentically Burgenland orchestra; and Emma Tanczos Farkas, the sister of
BB staffer Anna Kresh, held a terrific working luncheon at her home.
I had never met any of the BB staffers before. We had just communicated by e-mail. What a treat
to have all of us interacting, no delicate egos competing, and everyone just relaxed, pleasant,
and interesting. That was amazing enough. But the most amazing thing for me was to see Gerry's
ability to utterly enjoy each moment, each person, and each event, with his dear face wreathed
in smiles, bliss and utter satisfaction, despite his discomfort from cancer treatments. Wherever
we were, and whatever was going on, I watched Gerry create a warm, calm, giving atmosphere
around him:
As Shakespeare said in 'Hamlet':
"He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."
A certain kind of man is very appealing: one who is kind, gracious, calm, and happy; solid and
confident. Gerry Berghold was that sort of man.
BB MEMBER STILL ALIVE
I hope that everybody knows Chinese whispers (Stille Post). This game is the model of a mistake
I made as BB Membership Editor. Somebody tells somebody who tells somebody who tells me that
"Mr. Albert Muick" had passed away. So I wrote beside his name (deceased). But then contributing
editor, Bob Strauch, told me that Mr. Muick was still alive. So I changed Mr. Muick back to
active BB membership and contacted him, and he responded to me today. I am so sorry for that
error. I will try to make no more such mistakes.
For everybody who is confused now: Mr. Albert Muick is still "alive"!
EDELWEISS HAUS CLOSING
After many years of being the centre of Burgenland fun and music, this Northampton institution
will close its doors. Since the early seventies, the Ungers were the hosts, until Theresa Unger
passed away in 2006. Since then, her son, Joe, has been running the tavern on a limited basis.
Some people have come every Friday for years. Some said: ". . .it was not Friday, if we were not
at the Edelweiss!"
It was a must to hear the button box jam sessions, where several musicians played all of the old
folksongs and polkas. See some impressions about "final night" at the following page:
http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org/Events/LJS/LJS.html
LAST BUTTON BOX JAM SESSION AT EDELWEISS HAUS (by Bob Strauch)
Aside from the numerous beneficial societies and social clubs founded by Burgenländer immigrants
in the Lehigh Valley, there were also many bars/saloons/dance halls owned and operated by
Burgenländers as well, serving as additional gathering points that offered ethnic music and
food. The Edelweiss Haus on Main St. in Northampton, PA, which closed its doors at the end of
August, seems to have been among the last.
At one time owned by the Haberern family, ethnic-Germans from the Zips/Spis/Szépes region of
northeastern Slovakia, the building was purchased in 1950 by Rudolf Schadl (born in Allentown
and raised in Raabfidisch) and his wife Anna (née Wunderler from Gerersdorf). Although
officially called "Rudy's Grill", it was usually referred to as "Schadl's", or "Schoadl's", as
the name is pronounced in dialect. In 1969, it was bought by Karl Santa (from Raabfidisch) and
his wife Anna (née Santa from Jakobshof) and re-named "Anna's Place". Just a few years
later, in 1972, it was taken over by Alois "Louie" Unger (from Strem) and his wife Theresia
"Tessie" (née Toth from Deutsch Bieling), who re-christened the locale the "Edelweiss Haus",
often called just "The Edelweiss" by locals. Even after Louie passed away in 1991, Tessie
continued to operate the Edelweiss with the help of her son Joe "Seppi". It was closed for a
period several years ago when Tessie became ill and had to go into a nursing home. After she
passed away in 2006, Joe continued on, but this summer he decided to close and sell.
The legendary Friday night button accordian jam sessions started in the early 1970s, with
sometimes as many as 15 musicians playing en masse. Over the years, the number dwindled to about
7 or 8. It was not odd for people to travel from New York, New Jersey or other parts of
Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Harrisburg) to attend. The Edelweiss also saw its share of visitors
from Austria. It became routine to take relatives and friends visiting from Burgenland there;
something of a pilgrimage. Many of the Burgenland government delegations that have visited the
Lehigh Valley over the years ended up at the Edelweiss and it was also featured in several
documentaries about Burgenländer immigrants that were filmed by Burgenland TV.
In addition to the Friday jam sessions, the Edelweiss had weekly Saturday night dances featuring
local Austrian-German bands. During its later years, the weekly dances became more infrequent,
at first held monthly, then only occasionally. Special seasonal dances, such as a Faschingtanz
on Shrove Tuesday and a Maibaumtanz (Maypole Dance), were also held over the years.
Another attraction was Tessie's cooking and baking, especially her "derwigi Strudln", strudels
made with stretched dough and filled with apples, cabbage, or cottage cheese (the varieties
Tessie most often made). She would even sell it by the "Blech" (baking sheet) if
ordered in advance.
Local Burgenländers are saddened (some even heartbroken) by, but not shocked, at the
closing of the Edelweiss. It seems to be part of the gradual decline of the folk culture and
institutions of the European immigrant groups in our area. An inevitable product of
assimilation?
On a positive note, the button accordian jam sessions have been moved across the bridge over the
Lehigh to the Coplay Sängerbund, where they still take place every Friday from 8-11 PM, led
alternately by musicians Joe Weber and Joe Wolfer.
AUSTRIAN DAY (Brotherhood of the Burgenländer)
"Buschenschank" Sunday, October 19, 2008, 1:00 pm
Buschenschank (Wine Tavern) Style Meal, including Austrian-style meats, wursts, cheeses, salads,
breads, 2 bottles of Austrian wine, 1 pitcher of Austrian beer, 1 pitcher of soda per table,
coffee & apple Strudel!
Music by "The Spitzbuam"
Gottscheer Hall, 657 Fairview Avenue - Ridgewood, NY 11385
For additional information
http://www.burgenlaender.us/events.html
WEBSITES OF MEMBERS OF THE BURGENLAND BUNCH (by Tom Steichen)
Did you know that the Burgenland Bunch website has a whole section dedicated solely to Internet
Links that provide material related to the Burgenland or to genealogical research?
We do. VP Anna Kresh maintains it, finding new links and discarding inactive links on a regular
basis. The latest update is dated August 28, 2008. You can find the Links page via a link on our
Home Page entitled, "Burgenland Bunch Internet Links." If you prefer, you can go there directly
via link http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org/Links/links.htm
The description on the Home Page for the section modestly says, "Hundreds of our favorite internet
links, frequently reviewed. Hyperlinks to other websites which may help you." An exact count
reveals 665 hyperlinks on the page, each with a clear description of what you will find at the
target link, and broken out into 17 major categories, one of which contains just changes and
additions since the last update.
I'm sure you would spend many days searching for web pages with just a fraction of the
information offered here... but here they are, the best of the best (Anna freely discards links
when she finds similar but better material!), and a mere click away.
Among my favorites categories is the one that lists Home Pages developed by members of the
Burgenland Bunch. Currently, there are links to personal sites of 24 BB members (if you are
interested in having a link to your site added, please contact Anna via her email link on our
homepage or her Links page).
I want to feature a small site listed for long-time member Gary Portsche, entitled "Families
from Burgenland." Gary lists two sites, and the other one is interesting too, but I like the
uniqueness and directness of his "Families" site. Gary is currently a Kansas resident
but, I believe, a Nebraskan by birth; he is rightfully proud of both his native and adopted
state and, clearly, also of his Burgenland heritage. Because of all three, his site describes
why there is a Burgenland enclave out on the plains of Kansas and Nebraska and provides
information about the Burgenland families that populate the area. Short, colorful, informative .
. . check it out; the direct link is
http://www.burgenlandfamilies.com/.
STAFF PAGE COMPLETE
Sometimes a change is needed for a long period of time. Now, with the inclusion of Frank
Paukowits, the Staff photo-montage is complete:
http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org/Staff/BB-Staff.html
VILLAGE THUMBNAIL SERIES: BAD TATZMANNSDORF (by Margaret Kaiser & Tom Steichen)
In Newsletter 176A, Article 4, then-Editor, Gerry Berghold, discussed the ongoing transcription
and formatting of entries from the 1899-1904 "Leuchs Adressbuch", for use in the BB online
Village Histories section. As an ongoing series, we will publish selected, interesting
entries from that work (by Margaret & Tom) in the Newsletter.
Here is the entry for Bad Tatzmannsdorf. It combines research previously compiled by Gerry
Berghold and Tom Steichen with the additional material from Leuchs Adressbuch. Particularly
interesting is the Leuchs verbal description of the mineral springs and their uses:
Bad Tatzmannsdorf
Was Tarcsafürdö, Tarcsa (Kroat: Tarca); Village of 580 residents in the Oberwart district.
An important health resort that includes the villages of Jormannsdorf (important Batthyány
hunting lodge now a health academy) and Sulzriegel. Total population including many outlying
structures is 1134.
The spring waters (alkaline, iron, acidulous mineral water) have been known since Roman times
and there was a settlement as early as the 11th century. Once owned by a minor noble family "de
Tarcsa" whence came its earlier Hungarian name of Tarcsa. Mentioned in Urbars as early as 1378.
There are many legends of "cures." German settlers came in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Devastated by the Turks in 1529 and again in 1532, it was settled by Croats in 1572 by Gregor
Tarrody and then acquired by the Batthyány in 1633. It then became a favorite health resort of
the Königsberg, Erdödy, Batthyány and Esterhazy families.
It received early recognition as a health spa in the Regensberger History (Chronik) of 1621.
During the first half of the 1800s and later it was a favorite of Viennese visitors (mentioned
by Adelbert Stifter in his novels). The resort area now has many world class hotels, museums,
sports complexes, etc.
Always a fairly populous area, it is doubtful if many Burgenland immigrants to America came from
the area covered.
Family History Library microfilms:
Catholic: Római Katólikus Egyház, Tarcsa (Moson) [FHL INTL Films 700882 - 84]
Civil: Tarcsa (Vas). Anyakönyvi Hivatal [VAULT INTL Films 700380 - 83]
In 1899-1904: A small community and bathing resort with 538 inhabitants; district
seat Felsöör; court Szombathely; county court.
Tarcsa's mineral springs for drinking cures are the old Karl, Max and Gabriel Springs, the newly
drilled Franzens spring, the Artesian spring which was drilled in the open well of the old
Maxquelle and the Meadows spring. Apart from these there are two quite ferreous springs, which
are only used for bathing. Tarcsa's mineral springs are among the very rare -- in Hungary the
only Glauber's salt-containing chalybeate springs rich in carbonic acid -- so Tarcsa, thanks to
its mineral springs and its marsh soil, is considered as an alternative to a French bath.
Primarily, Tarcsa is a bath for women and, as such, it has been employed for 200 years. Quite
especially effective against anemia and chlorosis, against chronically inflammatory conditions
of the female sexual organs, and against a tendency to abort; also infertility is cured with
success. Diseases of the nervous system, such as hysteria, horae, Tebes, neurasthenia,
migraines, and, lastly, chronic affections of respiratory & digestive systems: dyspepsia,
stomach ulcers, weakness of the bowels. Because of its constant, not too hot climate even in
midsummer, ozone-rich, dust-free air, and its pleasant environment, Tarcsa is recommended to
people who are looking for recovery after a long illness or an exhausting activity.
Businesses & Proprietors:
Hotel (Hotel): zur Krone (Kurdirektion)
Restaur. (Restaurant): Jellosits Ignácz
Apotheke (Pharmacy): Curdirektion
Badeanstalt -- Curbad (Public Bath / Swimming Pool -- Cure Bath):
Badedirection in Tatsmannsdorf
Gutsbes. (Estate Owner): Graf Franz Batthány's Erben.
Herren-Confection u. Luxusartikellager (Men's ready-made clothing & luxury
articles warehouse): Frank & Ledofszky
Manufaktur- u. Schnittwarenhdl u. Damenconfection (Drapery Manufacturer &
Dealer & Women's ready-made clothing): Löwy Gusztav & Bruder
Spezerei- u. Gemischtwarenhdl. (Spice & Groceries dealer): Hönigmann Jakob
Source: Leuchs Adressbuch, Band 18: Ungarn, Kroatien und Slavonien,
1899-1904, 9.Ausgabe (Leuchs' Directory, Volume 18: Hungary, Croatia and Slavonia,
1899-1904, 9th Edition)
CONDOLENCE NOTES FOR GERRY BERGHOLD (by Frank Paukowits)
BB Members may want to send a note to Gerry Berghold's family as a way to extend their
condolences. It's been a tough time for the family, with the passing of Gerry in August and his
wife, Molly, only three months ago in May. Gerry was a very special person, and touched
many of our lives. A little note to express your sympathy would be very uplifting to the family.
It's really very simple to do. The home that handled the arrangements for Gerry's funeral
uses Legacy. com. The site has a page for Gerry that has remained active. It will remain
open for one year. (MTB) Here is the link:
http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=116748269 Just hit the link and you
will get directly to Gerry's page where you can post your tribute.
PATHS REJOINED (by Frank Teklits)
Little did we know that from our widely varying assignments (Gerry - Radar School in Keesler AFB
& I - Electronics Schools at Scott AFB) with the USAF for 4 years that our paths would meet on
the 1st day of classes at Lehigh University in 1952. Gerry & I were two of just a handful of
veterans beginning class at Lehigh in '52, with Gerry in the School of Finance & I was in the
School of Engineering. Since the both of us were off-campus students we often met in Rec.
(Recreation) Hall which was the home of the non-campus sorority. After our graduations in '57 &
'56, our paths diverged again. In '96 my interest in our lineage led me to ask a question of a
small group known as the Burgenland Bunch; Gerry responded by asking if I was in any way related
to the Frank Teklits who attended Lehigh University in the '50's. This simple email joined our
paths again & led to many years of pleasant conversations & messages related to the BB & the
world in general. Mary & I visited Gerry & Molly in their home in VA with Gerry meeting us at
the door, with the Lehigh Class of '56 book open to photographs of the graduates, saying to
Molly, "this is what he looked like when he was young".
We had a most enjoyable visit in their impeccably clean & orderly home. May God bless you & keep
you good friend & may you rest in peace for a job well done.
Frank Teklits
EIN BURGENLÄNDER IM HERZ( by Tom Glatz)
I first started looking for help with Burgenland ancestors in the old Everton Genealogical
Helper and the Chicago Genealogical Society back in 1976. Along the way I met future BB member
Wayne Weber and became acquainted with BB member Susan Gager Dunn. We spoke a lot about the
Burgenland and it seemed how few people at the time had this interest. I had always hoped for a
more concerted effort in finding Burgenland ancestors in America as other ethnic groups were
doing. I was pleased to become a member of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft in 1980 and an
active member in 1989. A few years after this I read about Bob Strauch in the BG and soon had
many late night phone conversations about the history and culture of the Burgenland with Bob. I
continued to complain that we still had nothing really for the younger generations.
I was very surprised to find the Burgenland Bunch very soon after its arrival on the Internet.
When I joined, Gerry dubbed me the "Chicago Enclave Editor". I was pleasantly astonished when
Professor Walter Dujmovits, worldwide president of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft invited
Gerry, with his great writing skills, to write a regular genealogy article for the BG newspaper.
The BB and the BG became as "sisters" so to speak. It really was the perfect fit! I felt very
proud that the BB was now recognized by the BG and the Burgenland! I told Gerry often that for
me this was a dream come true! I had hoped and discussed with Gerry and other BB members for a
possible meeting of BB members somewhere in North America some day. I really was looking forward
to meeting Gerry in person. But it was not to be. I was fortunate enough, however, to have much
email and phone contact with him.
I will always feel gratitude towards Gerry for his continued optimism. Partly at his urging, I
represented Gerry and the Burgenland Bunch at the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the
Burgenländische Gemeinschaft. I know he desperately wanted to attend but felt too ill to do so.
I felt honored to take his place at the "Festakt" that evening. I thought of Gerry as I read his
words praising the works of the BG to hundreds in attendance which included many dignitaries
such as the president of Austria, Heinz Fischer.
Gerry, you helped to bring us together as Burgenland descendants across the world! You brought
us great joy! We will miss you! You will always be remembered as "Ein Burgenländer im Herz"!
Tom Glatz
MEMENTOS FOR GERRY
I am sorry to learn of his passing. He was a good man. I was in contact with him relative to his
illness, since I suffered the same disease many years ago. Am still going strong, but I was
younger than Gerry at the time.
Gustav A. Eckhart
It is very sad to hear of Gerry's passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.
Jim Kustelski
Thank you so much for a sad, but wonderful tribute to a man many of us never met, but who guided
us through the maze of Burgenland family history so skillfully and so helpfully.
Arlene Huss
I'm so sorry to hear.
Denise Lewandowski
BURGENLAND EMIGRANT OBITUARIES (courtesy of Bob Strauch)
Berta Zwickel
Berta Zwickel of Whitehall, passed away in her home three days after her 78th birthday on Aug.
27, 2008. She was married for 53 years to the late Friedrich Zwickel. Born August 24, 1930 in
Rabafuzes, Hungary, she was the daughter of the late Eduard and Maria (Neubauer) Simitz. She
immigrated to the United States becoming a citizen on June 13, 1956. Berta was a seamstress for
the former Phoenix Clothes, Allentown. After the birth of her daughter in 1965, she was a
homemaker who took great pride in maintaining her home, tending to her garden, cooking and
baking. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, Coplay. Survivors: Daughter, Christine
Zwickel and her fiance, Michael Edelman, and granddaughter, Jenna Edelman, all of Whitehall;
sister, Maria Turri; nieces, nephew. She was predeceased by a sister, Margaret, and a baby
brother, Herbert.
END OF NEWSLETTER
NOTICE (Terms and Conditions): The Burgenland Bunch (BB) was formed and exists to
assist Burgenland descendants in their research into their heritage and, toward that end,
reserves the right to use any communication you have with us (email, letter, phone conversation,
etc.) as part of our information exchange and educational research efforts.
• If you do not want your communication to be used for this purpose, indicate that it is
"confidential" and we will abide by that request.
• Correspondents who communicate with the BB without requesting confidentiality retain their
copyright but give a non-exclusive license to the BB allowing us to forward to BB members,
publish in our monthly newsletter or on our website, and/or subsequently and permanently archive
all or parts of such communications.
The Burgenland Bunch homepage (website) can be found at:
http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org/
We can also be reached from the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft web site.
Use our website to access our lists and web pages.
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Burgenland Bunch Newsletter (c) 2008 by The Burgenland Bunch
All rights reserved. Permission to copy excerpts granted if credit is provided.