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THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 227 December 31, 2012, © 2012 by The Burgenland Bunch All rights reserved. Permission to copy excerpts granted if credit is provided. Editor: Thomas Steichen (email: tj.steichen@comcast.net) Our 16th Year. The Burgenland Bunch Newsletter is issued monthly online. It was founded by Gerald Berghold (who retired Summer 2008 and died in August 2008).  |
Current Status Of The BB: * Members: 2116 * Surname Entries: 7081 * Query Board Entries: 5018 * Staff Members: 18 |
This newsletter concerns: 1) THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER 2) THE YEAR IN REVIEW: ORGANIZATION 3) THE YEAR IN REVIEW: NEWSLETTER 4) ETHNIC EVENTS 5) BURGENLAND EMIGRANT OBITUARIES (courtesy of Bob Strauch) |
1) THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER (by Tom Steichen)  This
newsletter is an abbreviated, year-end review and summary report about the BB organization and
its newsletter. Our regular essays and features will return next month. The exception is that
our standard sections reporting Ethnic Events and Burgenlamd Emigrant Obituaries
are included.We thank you, our members and readers, for your interest in the history and genealogy of the Burgenland and wish you great joy during this holiday season and many successes in the new year. To the BB Staff, I extend personal thanks for all you do; this great mission called the Burgenland Bunch could not be what it is without all of your efforts. You are always quick to respond and helpful to our members, especially the new ones; I can't help but feel highly appreciative (and, as BB President, more than a little thankful!). May your season be especially joyful and your new year particularly wonderful! |
2) THE YEAR-IN-REVIEW: BB ORGANIZATION The BB, as an organization, is alive and well, still attracting members, surnames, questions and even new staff members! The statistics below document the steady growth in each of these areas: 2012 Beginning Status of the BB: 1998 Members, 6794 Surname Entries, 4774 Query Board Entries, 18 Staff Members 2012 Ending Status Of The BB: 2116 Members, 7081 Surname Entries, 5057 Query Board Entries, 18 Staff Members 2012 Growth: 118 Members, 287 Surname Entries, 283 Query Board Entries, 0 Staff Members In addition, associated organizational events worth noting again are summarized below: (Jan, 217) Karl Flieder, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Graz, Styria, Austria, offers help with Limbach im Burgenland research. (Mar, 219) Heidi Hermann, Editor of the Members, Surnames and Villages pages resigns from the BB staff due to other commitments. (Mar, 219) The Burgenland Government sent a Delegation, featuring Governor Hans Niessl, BG President Walter Dujmovits and our own Klaus Gerger, to visit Burgenland-emigrant enclaves in North America, with stops in Toronto, the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and New York City. (Apr, 220) Hannes Graf rejoins the BB staff as Members Editor. (Apr, 220) Burgenland government honors four BB staff members for their commitment and contributions to Burgenland through their work with the BB. • Margaret Kaiser received the Silberne Medaille des Landes Burgenland (Silver Medal of the State of Burgenland), • Frank Paukowits received the Goldene Medaille des Landes Burgenland (Golden Medal of the State of Burgenland), • Fritz Königshofer received the Goldene Medaille des Landes Burgenland, and • Tom Steichen was awarded the Ehrenzeichen des Landes Burgenland (Badge of Honor of the State of Burgenland). BB staff members honored in past years were: • Gerry Berghold (Ehrenzeichen), • Bob Strauch (Verdienstkreuz des Landes Burgenland / Distinguished Service Cross of Burgenland), • Frank Teklits (Verdienstkreuz), • Anna Kresh (Goldene Medaille), and • Tom Glatz (Goldene Medaille), In addition, the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft awarded Tom Steichen a lifetime honorary membership (Ehrenmitglied) in their association [Gerry Berghold received this honor for his work too]. (May, 221) The BB republished a book of data (now 543 pages) from the Surnames, Members and Villages pages and presents it to the Güssing Auswanderermuseum. (Jun, 222) The BB publishes a book of data (312 pages) from the Burgenländers Honored and Remembered (BH&R) website and presents it to the Güssing Auswanderermuseum. (Jul, 223) The third edition of Walter Dujmovits' book, Die Amerikawanderung der Burgenländer, was given a formal presentation and award ceremony by the Burgenland government in the assembly hall of the Burgenland parliament in Eisenstadt. Both Walter and Klaus Gerger were honored for their activities in promoting Burgenland; Walter for his book and lifetime of work; Klaus for both his assistance with the book and his activities with the BG and BB. Since Walter has already received Burgenland's highest award, the Komturkreuz mit dem Stern des Landes Burgenland (Commander's Cross with the Star of Burgenland), this time he was awarded a special Dank und Anerkennung (Gratitude and Recognition) from the government. Klaus Gerger was honored with the Verdienstkreuz des Landes Burgenland (Distinguished Service Cross of Burgenland). We are pleased to welcome Klaus to the list of BB staff members honored by the Burgenland government! (Jul, 223) The Burgenländische Gemeinschaft (BG) newsletters older than five years (currently years 1956-2007) have been placed in a pdf archive on the BB website at webpage www.the-burgenland-bunch.org/BG-NL-Archive/BG_Archiv.htm. (Nov, 226) Klaus Gerger completes 10 years as BG Liaison to the BB (and 12 and a half years of service on the BB staff). |
3) THE YEAR-IN-REVIEW: BB NEWSLETTER The newsletter had yet another productive year but, again, I am most proud of the many contributions from BB members and staff. Members Laslo Szabo, Bob Schatz, William J Best, John Holler, Amy Coffin, Tony Schedl, Richard Potetz, Jack Fritz, Amy Ernharth, Patricia Adriana Lopez Schmidt, Joy Minns and Ilse Nusbaum all provided interesting articles. And staff members Frank Paukowits, Matt Boisen, Alan Varga and Hannes Graf also wrote one or more essays that graced our pages. In addition, other staff members provided ideas for articles or have had parts of their communications with members turned into reports I've written. Margaret Kaiser continues to be an exceptional idea generator (thanks Margaret) and other staff members, Barbara Raabe, Fritz Königshofer, Mary Reilly and Alan Varga initiated communications with members that ultimately turned into "member assistance" articles. When totalled up, there were 74 formal articles, 73 news items (in my President's Corner section), 52 Emigrant Obituaries, and some 120+ Ethnic Events over the 10 editions published this year (not counting this one and the August edition, missed due to my move). As Editor of this newsletter, I know that providing a year's worth of articles would not have been possible without all the contributions of those I mention above. I am indebted to them and hope you have been entertained and enlightened by their efforts. Again, I say thanks to each of them! The list below shows the breath and magnitude of a year of the BB Newsletter. If you wish to review any of them, click on the "(Month, Number)" link to go to the appropriate newsletter. Research Articles (Jan, 217) - The Wines of Burgenland (by Matt Boisen) (Jan, 217) - WiBAG: Wirtschaftsservice Burgenland AG (Feb, 218) - Education in Burgenland in the 1890's (Feb, 218) - The European Regional Development Fund in Burgenland (Mar, 219) - The Hungarian Emigration Law of 1903 (Mar, 219) - Stephen Morse's One-Step Tools (Apr, 220) - Unterwart / Alsóor (by Laslo "Laci" Szabo) (May, 221) - Burgenland Castles (May, 221) - Post-1895 Hungarian Civil Records (by Alan Varga) (May, 221) - Illmitz (by Hannes Graf) (May, 221) - Dropped Umlauts and Other Orthographic Oddities (Jun, 222) - The Amber Road (by Richard Potetz and Tom Steichen) (Jun, 222) - Körmend Castle (by Hannes Graf) (Jun, 222) - Kalch (Jul, 223) - Köszeg (Güns), Hungary (Jul, 223) - Jewish History of Gradišce: Köszeg (by Hannes Graf) (Jul, 223) - The Trek to Burgenland (by Frank Paukowits and Bob Schatz) (Jul, 223) - Military Service in Burgenland (Sep, 224) - Burgenländers in Canada (Oct, 225) - History of Pinkafeld (by Hannes Graf) (Nov, 226) - Sopron, Hungary (Nov, 226) - Hungarian Translations Basic Information (Jan, 217) - Limbach Assistance Available (Jan, 217) - Genealogy, Hollywood Style (Jan, 217) - The Chosen (by Della Cummings Wright) (Feb, 218) - Finding a “Lost” Cousin (by Frank Paukowits) (Feb, 218) - A Video Map of the Habsburg Empire (Mar, 219) (Apr, 220) - LDS Films Section Updated (Mar, 219) (Apr, 220) - 2012 Burgenland Government Delegation Visit (Apr, 220) - "Die Amerika-Wanderung Der Burgenländer" Third Edition (Apr, 220) - Robert Loerzel's Mischendorf Genealogy Website (May, 221) - 1940 Census (May, 221) - Meet the Staff: Thomas Steichen (Jun, 222) - A Changing Nation (Jul, 223) - BG Newsletter Archives (Jul, 223) - Facelift to Url / Links Page (by Alan Varga) (Nov, 226) - A Village-Naming Convention Member Contributed Articles (Feb, 218) - Hannersdorf Trip Report (by William J Best) (Feb, 218) - A Vienna Orphan (by John Holler) (Feb, 218) - The Search for Number 16 (by Amy Coffin) (Mar, 219) - The Forgotten Burgenlander (by Albert Schuch & Tony Schedl) (Mar, 219) - DNA Testing and Family Stories (by Richard Potetz) (Apr, 220) - Another Link Removed... (by Tom Steichen) (Sep, 224) - The Fritzes of Neumarkt in Dem Tauchental (NiT) (by Jack Fritz) (Sep, 224) - A Naïve Newcomer’s Story (by Amy Ernharth) (Oct, 225) - A Trip Home to Wallern (by Patricia Adriana Lopez Schmidt) (Oct, 225) - Researching the Osztovics Family Stump (by Joy Minns) (Nov, 226) - Justice in Academia Revisited (by Tom Steichen & Illse Nusbaum) Member Assistance (Jan, 217) - Jewish Ancestors from Neudorf bei Parndorf (Jan, 217) - Goczan Family from Urbersdorf (Jun, 222) - Member Research: Schranz (Jun, 222) - Member Research: Tatzmann (Sep, 224) - Member Research: Grandits (Oct, 225) - Pulling the Thread Historical BB Newsletter Articles (Jan, 217) - Graben - Ditch or Valley (Jan, 217) - Meaning of "Bunch" - Again (Jan, 217) - Apples - Fruit of the Burgenland (Jan, 217) - Earliest Croatian Records? (Feb, 218) - Taste of the Burgenland - Kübiskernöl (Feb, 218) - News from Riedlingsdorf (Mar, 219) - Genealogical Insight of the 1618-1648 Thirty Years War (by Robert F Unger) (Apr, 220) - Ellis Island Burgenland Translations (May, 221) - Burgenland Cemeteries (May, 221) - Güssing Cemeteries (May, 221) - Burgenland Commuters (by Markus Prenner) (Jun, 222) - Robert Strauch Joins BB Staff (Jun, 222) - Be Careful of Those Names (Jun, 222) - History of the Emigration from Neusiedl Am See (Jul, 223) - Ellis Island Immigration Requirements (Jul, 223) - Cuckoo Bird - German Kuckkuck (Oct, 225) (Nov, 226) - At That Time - Großhöflein 100 Years Ago (by Matthias Artner) |
4) ETHNIC EVENTS LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (courtesy of Bob Strauch) Saturday, Jan 12, 6 pm: Schweinshaxen-Essen (pork knuckle eating). Reading Liederkranz. Info: www.readingliederkranz.com. Saturday, Jan 19, 6 pm: Presidential Party! ~ Open to the Public ($5 cover for non-members). Musical Entertainment by Good Lovin' Jam Band, 7 - 11 pm. Reading Liederkranz. Info: www.readingliederkranz.com. (Non-ethnic) Saturday Jan 26, 6 pm: Fasching. ~ Open to the Public ($5 cover for non-members). Music by Joe Kroboth, 7 - 11 pm. Reading Liederkranz. Info: www.readingliederkranz.com. LANCASTER, PA Saturday, Jan 12, 7:30-11:30: Jägerabend Dance. Lancaster Liederkranz. ~ Open to the Public. Musical entertainment by Heimatklänge. Saturday, Jan 26: Fasching. Lancaster Liederkranz. ~ Open to the Public. Musical entertainment by The Continentals. NEW BRITAIN, CT Friday, Jan 4, 7 pm: Heimat Abend. $3. Austrian Donau Club, 545 Arch Street, New Britain, CT, (860) 223-9401. Music by Joe Rogers and his band. Steffi's Goulash from the kitchen. Friday, Jan 18, 7:30 pm: Heurigan Abend. $3. Austrian Donau Club. Music by Schachtelgebirger Musikanten. Hot food is available from the kitchen. |
5) BURGENLAND EMIGRANT OBITUARIES (courtesy of Bob Strauch) Alfonz Szoldatits  Alfonz
Szoldatits, 82, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 1, 2012 at home surrounded
by his loving family.He was the husband of Catherine (McCabe) Szoldatits. They celebrated their 53rd anniversary on May 9, 2012. Born in Szentpéterfa (Petrovo Selo/Prostrum), Hungary, he was the son of the late Ferenc and Maria Szoldatits. Alfonz served in the Hungarian Army. He immigrated to the United States and became an American citizen in 1964. He worked at various companies in the skilled trades. He retired from Mack Trucks in 1987 after 22 years of service. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Allentown. He was a 50 plus year member of the Ss. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic S & B. Society, (Hungarian Hall) in Northampton. He loved spending time doing carpentry, traveling, winemaking, watching soccer and working in his garden. He most enjoyed sharing special times with his wife, children, grandchildren and his extended family and friends. Survivors: Wife, Cathy; daughter, Maria, wife of Brian Miller of Fredericksburg, PA; sons, Al Jr., husband of Jennifer (Keen) and Stephen, all of Schnecksville; grandchildren, Nathaniel Miller, Aaron, Alec, Ryan and Danica Szoldatits; sister, Pauline Janny of Allentown; brother, Ferenc and his wife Helga of Ampfing, Germany; sister-in-law, Aranka Szoldatits of Szentpéterfa, Hungary; also many nieces; nephews in the United States, Austria, Germany and Hungary. He was predeceased by his sister, Anna Keschl; brother, Josef; brother-in-law, Joe Janny. Services: 10 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, December 5, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 11th and Washington Sts., Allentown. Calling 8:30 to 10 a.m. at church. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Wescosville. Arrangements by Trexler Funeral Home, Inc., Allentown. www.trexlerfuneralhome.com. Contributions: Can be made in lieu of flowers to church for Mass Cards in memory of Alfonz, American Cancer Society , 3893 Adler Pl., Suite 170, Bethlehem, 18017, or Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2166 S. 12th St., Allentown, 18103. Published in Morning Call on December 4, 2012  Maria Strini Maria
"Mitzi" Strini, 82, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, died December 3 at home.She was married to the late John F. Strini, Jr. Born in Rábafüzes (Raabfidisch), Hungary, she was the daughter of the late Franz and Bertha (Heber) Keppel. She was a member of St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Whitehall. Maria was a lifemember of the Coplay Saengerbund. Survivors: Sons, John F., with whom she resided, Don and his wife, Joanne of Northampton, Jerome of Whitehall; daughters, Ann Marie, wife of Albert Ruppelli of Coplay, Vicky, wife of Otto Schatz of Northampton; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Anna of Austria; brother, Ferdinand of Austria. Services: 10 a.m., Thursday, December 6, Robert A. Hauke Funeral Home, 327 Chestnut St., Coplay followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Whitehall. Call 9 to 10 a.m., Thursday in the funeral home. Contributions: To the Church c/o the funeral home, 18037. Published in Morning Call on December 4, 2012 Gisella Bakker Minahan Gisella
Bakker Minahan, 89, of Ukiah, California, died peacefully November 29, 2012 surrounded by
family.Born July 10, 1923 in Stegersbach, Austria, she was a daughter of the late John and Gisella (Kremsner) Novakovitz. Her family immigrated to America when she was four. At the age of 17, she took part in the Transcontinental Roller Derby Association as a team member of the Aztecs out of Chicago, IL. At the age of 47 she graduated high school by receiving her high school diploma from the Ukiah Adult School. She retired as a Telephone Operator after 27 years of "giving out wrong numbers." She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and was a member of our community since 1954. Gisella was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She is preceded in death by her husbands Martin Bakker (1972) and Joseph Minahan (1996). In her legacy as a lover of life and of family, she is survived by her seven children; Kathleen Gordon Burke, Gloria Gordon Sack, John Gordon (Jere Gordon), Margaret Morehead, Theresa Floyd (Ken Floyd), Richard Venturi, and Anita Bakker (Keith Graydon), 14 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Her legacy will live on in us all. In celebration of her life, a Rosary will be held Friday, December 7th at 5:15 p.m. and a Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 8th at 12:30 p.m. both at St. Mary's of the Angels Church in Ukiah. As a token of her faith, Gisella spent many dedicated years supporting the St. Mary's of the Angels Church and School. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary's of the Angels School in her honor. Or, share a random act of kindness with her in your thoughts. The family would like to thank the Holy Spirit Residential Care Home for the love, support and remarkable care given to Gisella during her last ten months. Arrangements are under the direction of Eversole Mortuary. Published in the Press Democrat from December 5 to December 7, 2012 Fred Stangl Fred
Stangl, 77, a resident of Henderson, Nevada, went to the Lord on, December 4, 2012 after many
complications.He was married to Patricia Stangl for 23 years. He was born in Winten, Austria and one of 13 siblings. After high school, he entered trade school to become an upholsterer, moved to New Zealand for four and a half years, then filed papers to enter the United States. He came here to the states in 1962, and worked in upholstering. He then worked for Continental Airlines for 33 years, retiring in 1995, and Patricia in 1998. They then moved to Big Bear Lake. After they enjoyed Big Bear Lake they then decided to move to Henderson, Nevada. Fred played cards up at the clubhouse, played pool billiards, and worked out. He also loved to go to the casinos to play the senior tournaments. Daughter, Christy and her husband, Tim Mulligan then moved from South Carolina to Henderson, Nevada. Fred looked forward to their company. Pat and Fred made several trips to South Carolina when the granddaughters graduated from high schools and college. Fred's health became an issue over two years ago and after that his health declined. He will be missed and thought of every aspect of all of our lives… Memorial Service: Monday, December 10, 2012, 1:00 PM, at St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church. Arrangements under the direction of Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV. Hubert Kaiser Hubert
Kaiser, age 90, passed away in Denton, Texas on December 10, 2012.Hubert was born in Apetlon, Austria on February 28, 1922, the son of Adolph and Anna (Lang) Kaiser. Hubert was a 20 year member of St. Mark's Catholic Church, Denton, TX. He is preceded in death by wives Josephine Kaiser and Vivian Kaiser. He is survived by son William Kaiser of MN; daughter Fran Isenberg of Denton, TX; sister Ann Nawrocki of MN; grandchildren Sarah Isenberg of Mansfield, TX and Jennifer McLain of Denton, TX; and three great-grandchildren. A prayer service will be held on Friday December 14, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home chapel 705 N. Locust Denton, TX. A visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the same day. A private burial will take place in the Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN. (www.mulkeymasondenton.com) Published in Pioneer Press on December 13, 2012 Annina Mitchell Annina
Mitchell (née Schneider), age 92 and longtime resident of Green Valley, Arizona, passed Dec.
9, 2012, at her home while under Hospice care and with a friend at her side.Born in Eisenberg an der Pinka, Burgenland, Austria, the eldest of three, Annina, age 17, was chosen to fulfill a U.S. Immigration quota for travel, residence and citizenship in America. She arrived alone at Ellis Island on Christmas Eve, 1937. Annina will be laid to rest beside her navy husband, Robert Arthur Mitchell, in Arlington National Cemetery. Family survivors include sister-in-law, Dorothy Foxworthy, and numerous nieces and nephews from Michigan, Oklahoma and Texas. Published in Green Valley News & Sun on December 16, 2012 Sofia Beruscha Sofia
Beruscha, 86, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, died Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Bethesda Care Center,
Fremont.She was born on May 30, 1926 in Sopron (Ödenburg), Hungary to Eduard & Katharina (Daimel) Scharfy. In 1945, she married Louis Beruscha in Sopron, Hungary and he preceded her in death in 1994. Sofia was a professional seamstress, retiring in 1987 from her business Emmy's. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Gibsonburg. Sofia also was a member of the Gibsonburg Delphians & Extraordinary Woman's Club and enjoyed bowling. Surviving is a son, Michael (Melissa) Beruscha of Algonquin, IL; grandchildren, Alex and Jennifer. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband; daughter, Emma Beruscha; and sister, Maria Halwax. Visitation will be on Friday, December 21, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg. Services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church with one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service starting at 9 a.m. Pastor Blair Miller will officiate. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Sofia's memory may be made to the Gibsonburg Food Pantry or Hospice of Memorial Hospital. Online condolences may be made at: www.hermankinn.com Published in the News-Messenger on December 19, 2012 |
 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/ Burgenland Bunch Newsletter, copyright © 2012 by The Burgenland Bunch All rights reserved. Permission to copy excerpts granted if credit is provided. |
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