THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 104
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold)
February 28, 2002
((c) G. J. Berghold-all rights reserved)


TO RECIPIENTS: If you don't want to receive these newsletters, email 
with message "remove". ("Cancel" will cancel membership, 
homepage listings and mail.) Send address and listing changes to the same 
place. Sign your email with your full name and include BB in the subject 
line. Send NO ATTACHMENTS OR GRAPHICS. Please keep changes to a minimum. To 
join, see our homepage. We can't help with non-Burgenland family history. 
Comments and articles are appreciated. Our staff and web site addresses are 
listed at the end of newsletter section "C". Introductions, notes and 
articles without a by-line are written by the editor and reflect his views. 
We urge members to exchange data in a courteous and cooperative manner. 

*WE NOW REACH 850 READERS PLUS MANY WEBSITE VISITORS*

SEE NEW BANKERLSITZLER NEWS (RUDERSDORF) FROM PETER SATTLER
- http://members.aon.at/bankerlsitzer


This first section of our 4-section newsletter includes:

* That First Burgenland Visit II
* Siege of Vienna II - Book In English
* Taste of Burgenland - Apple Strudel


THAT FIRST BURGENLAND VISIT II

Unless you are an overseas traveler, that first visit to Burgenland can be 
daunting, particularly so if you want to visit a small village in the 
hinterland. Travel agents can arrange things in a metropolis like Vienna, but 
are no help when it comes to some out of the way place in Burgenland, much 
less Hungary. What to do? I have quite an extensive Burgenland library and 
when I'm planning a trip, I use my books and files. I then plan a day-by-day 
itinerary with alternate choices if the first choice doesn't work out. I also 
use the BB URL list to find places to stay and make airline and auto 
reservations. I've offered tips for that first trip in previous issues of the 
newsletter, but I receive so many pleas for trip help, that I'm going to 
repeat some. Recently Bob Eder wrote that he was planning to visit 
Pornoapatai, a small Hungarian village not too far from the border crossing 
at Rechnitz. What I sent him is a good check-list of what you might consider 
in a similar circumstance. 

I write:
Hello Bob; With regard to an article about Pornoapatai, I'm afraid you must 
realize that a village of 400 people has little to write about. Like many 
other villages in this area, one can often say-in year xxxx, absolutely 
nothing happened. When we find places like that, the best we can do is 
preserve what is written and available (which I have already done) and 
perhaps search for more ON THE SPOT!

This leads us to your planned trip. I can offer some suggestions having 
recently visited southern Burgenland again. I must caution you that unless 
you wish to go to the expense of a chauffer, it will be imperative for you to 
hire a car and drive. This means an expensive insurance anti-theft rider if 
you drive in Hungary. I'd suggest Avis, since they are on site at Schwechat 
Airport and have no age restrictions. (see newsletter no.104A for a trip report 
using public transportation). Let me suggest you use Austrian Airlines for a 
direct flight to Vienna.

Hungary is still in the throes of recovery from the Communist era and as 
such, amenities (food and lodging) could be improved. Likewise, language is 
more of a problem there than in Austria. I would recommend staying somewhere 
near Rechnitz and making day trips using the border crossing at Schachendorf 
(6 kms south of Rechnitz using route 56-the border highway). Other choices 
are the northern crossing at Mannersdorf (which leads to Köszeg) or the the 
much more distant southern one at Heiligenkreuz (over 50 kms). From 
Schachendorf, Pornoapatai is 10-12 kms south through the Hungarian villages 
(nothing there) of Narda, Felsöcsatar, Vaskeresztes and Horvatlövö. 

I would not recommend staying in Szombathely (85M people) for reasons 
previously mentioned. To see Hungary and Burgenland, you'd still have to use 
the international border crossings (note-they are swamped on weekends). 

The Austria vs Hungary suggestion as a base would of course change if you 
have a relative in Hungary who can make other arrangements and serve as a 
guide. Even so, you will be much more comfortable in Austria.

You can make reservations via Austrian Airlines website. You can also find a 
place to stay via websites available from our homepage website links. 
Rechnitz, a market community of 2400 people has a number of Gasthauses. A 
little further afield is Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Oberwart, Grosspetersdorf and 
Lockenhaus, but they'd add about 30 minutes to your driving time to the 
Hungarian border.

What to see close by:

Hungary
Szombathely - hire a guide (don't miss the Roman ruins (Sarvar)
Köszeg-very medieval - a must
Jäk-cathedral - a must

Austria
Castle Lockenhaus
Schloss Bernstein and Jade Museum
Bad Tazmannsdorf - Spa
Rotenturm - red tower
Schloss Schlaining
Burg Güssing - vist the BG Office and the Auswanderer Museum
Wienstrasse (route 56) - Moschendorf wine museum and tasting facility

If you have the time, expand your trip outwards to other places like Lake 
Balaton, Neusiedler See (Rust and Mörbisch), Eisenstadt (Schloss and Haydn 
Kirche), Vienna, Budapest, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck  (buy guide books), etc. 
Plan on a week in south Burgenland to see it all.

You are going to a very rural area and short of churches (much damaged by 50 
years of neglect) and a few memorials, you won't find much on the Hungarian 
side of the immediate border. Nevertheless you can see your ancestors' 
horizons and find their homes and cemeteries. Immediate border region accepts 
Austrian currency.

See our archives for more travel tips and address of Austrian Tourist Bureau 
in NYC who will send you a 1:200,000 map of Burgenland (includes your 
Hungarian region) and many good brochures for $3. 


SIEGE OF VIENNA II - English Language Book

Of all of the events which triggered migration to the Burgenland area, none 
is as important as the effect of the Ottoman invasions. These extended over 
300 years (1395-1717), and the second siege of Vienna in 1683, and its 
aftermath, eventually brought thousands of colonists to the depopulated 
regions. While subsequent events caused colonization further east and in the 
Balkans, the post Viennese siege period saw the greatest migration to what 
became the Burgenland. This period saw the arrival of many of the forbears of 
today's population, to whom the families of the American Auswanderung can be 
traced. 

I've been searching for an English language account of the second siege. 
Hundreds of publications, detailing the siege events have been written in 
German and Hungarian, but very few in English. I recently found and ordered 
"The Siege of Vienna", John Stoye, Birlinn Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1988, 
ISBN 1 84158 067 8. It is available from The Scholar's Bookshelf, 110 Melrich 
Rd. Cranbury, NJ 08512 for $19.95 plus shipping. 

The book covers the origins of the attack, details the approach of the 
Ottomans, the siege and its relief and the immediate aftermath. Maps and 
early prints are included. There is an extensive bibliography. (The book 
Double Eagle & Crescent, Thomas M. Barker, Albany NY, 1967 is listed as the 
most comprehensive English account of the siege. I have also located and 
purchased a copy of this out of print title through Barnes & Noble and will 
review it later.) 

Of immediate interest in Stoye's book is the data which provides an insight 
into the involvement of the Esterhazy and Batthyány families and the effect 
their actions had on subsequent depopulation of the region. Imre Thököly 
(so-called "King of Hungary" under Ottoman protection and in rebellion 
against Habsburg authority) led a large Magyar faction of Ottoman supporters 
in assisting in the invasion and because the Batthyány submitted to Thököly, 
the villages in the Batthyány Herrschaft (southern Burgenland) were raided by 
Austrian forces. There were reprisals, devastation and terror in all this 
part of the world. The Batthyány were later pardoned. Unfortunately, most 
written material of this event does not detail day-by-day happenings or 
everyday village life, nonetheless I recommend this book to those interested 
in the origins of Burgenland migration.


TASTE OF BURGENLAND - APPLE STRUDEL 
(Plus Cabbage Strudel Excerpts From Newsletter 47A)

Sue La Follette writes:

<< I read the 12/31/01 edition of the newsletter. Your article about the 
fruit that is grown reminded me of the apple strudel my grandmother made (she 
was from Deutsch Minihof/Nemetlak). She had no recipe; she didn't even 
measure anything. I remember the dough being very thin, but not crusty as in 
baklava. I was wondering if anyone has a recipe for apple strudel from the 
Burgenland area?  >>

Reply: Sue, Some of he following is from newsletter no. 47A. I might suggest 
that you scan our archives when you have Burgenland questions. With over 100 
newsletters, we've covered a lot of territory, but I'm always happy to help. 
Austro/Hungarian strudel stems from the Turkish (and Greek) baklava. It's one 
of the good things left behind by the Turks (coffee was another). I believe 
your memory is at fault, strudel will be crisp outside but stay soft inside 
in its many layers. Too often Baklava is not rolled from one sheet, but the 
phyllo sheets are piled one on top of another and then filled and rolled-as a 
result one gets a crisp and chewy dough outside of the filling. Baklava 
bakers argue over which method is best. The pile approach is easiest, so is 
often used commercially. Both Strudel and Baklava are very labor 
intensive-but they were developed to use up bits of food. 

Using a basic strudel dough, you can fill it with all sorts of things - 
vegetables and fruits, even cottage cheese and meats. The trick is to 
pull the dough thin (you should see your hand through it) without tearing, 
fill it with a tasty mixture and roll it up. Fruit calls for sugar and lemon; 
vegetables need salt, pepper and perhaps herbs and cream. Both require fat to 
soften the dough and bread crumbs as a filler. Try apples and cherries (the 
very best strudel) for your first fruit attempts, cabbage for the first 
vegetable. Unless you were raised on it, potato can be a bit bland. 

* Apple Strudel

For apple strudel, make the dough as in cabbage strudel below. Then cover the 
stretched dough with peeled and thinly sliced apples, sprinkle with grated 
rind of lemon and sugar, then melted butter and raisins and bread crumbs 
browned in butter. Some add a little cinnamon. You can also sprinkle with 
chopped walnuts if desired. Then roll up as in any other strudel and bake 
(350 degrees F-40 minutes). Dust with powdered sugar before serving or serve 
with whipped cream for an elegant desert. 

For 1/2 dough recipe (from cabbage strudel below) or 1 store bought phyllo dough 
package (sometimes they are very dry), you'd need:

3 lbs. apples more or less
1/2 cup or more sugar (can reduce if apples are very sweet)
1/2 lb butter or less (includes some to melt and brush rolled strudel before 
baking, and to brown crumbs)
1/2 cup raisins (plump in Rum and drain before using for a taste treat)
1 cup plain breadcrumbs (don't burn and don't brown too long - should be moist from butter)
zest from 1 lemon (grate over filling for easy distribution)
1/2 tsp cinnamon

* Another dough recipe (no eggs) for the above is:
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tbsp melted butter
1/3 cup lukewarm water
1/4 tsp salt


CABBAGE STRUDEL (suggested by Mary Marek - see newsletter 47A for complete article)

* Strudel Dough (or Use Store Bought Phyllo Dough - not as good)

4 cups high gluten flour (Ceresota or one of the bread flours available in most stores)
1/2 tsp salt                                                         
2 small eggs
1/2 cup melted butter or shortening (not hot)
1 cup warm water (some add a teaspoon of vinegar to help activate dough)

Sift flour into large bowl, make a well in center, put in eggs beaten in the 
water, salt and shortening. "Make a dough" (that great immigrant cooking 
expression that always drove my mother up a wall), working with the hands 
until it comes away from sides of bowl. If too wet, add a little flour. Dough 
should be soft, pliable  and silky. Shape into two round loaves, brush with a 
little extra melted shortening and let rest covered on a floured towel in 
warm place for 1 hour. While waiting, make filling:

* Filling

1 head cabbage (abt. 2 lbs. finely chopped, squeezed and drained of liquid)
1/2 cup fat (bacon or ham fat gives a stronger flavor but shortening is ok too)
1 Tblsp. or more sugar
2 Tblsp. black pepper (some don't add this until filling the dough)
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs            
2 tsps. salt         
1 tsp. crushed caraway seeds
1/3 cup butter
beef broth (beef bouillon cube dissolved in water ok)

Cook sugar in fat until browned; add cabbage, salt, pepper and caraway. 
Stirring constantly, cook cabbage until lightly browned, adding beef broth in 
small amounts if necessary to keep cabbage from burning. Let cool.

This is most difficult part:

Place a loaf of dough on a clean floured cloth covered surface, (it will 
eventually cover the work surface -a card table area is about right). Roll 
dough flat with floured rolling pin as thin as possible, then start from 
center with hands under dough and gently pull and stretch outwards with a 
rolling motion circling the table. Don't stretch too far before moving 
outward a few more inches at a time to avoid holes. When table is covered 
with dough you can see through, remove lumps of dough from edges by cutting 
or winding off... 

Sprinkle half melted butter (from 1/3 cup) over stretched dough. Sprinkle 
half cabbage mixture next making sure coverage is even. Sprinkle with half 
bread crumbs. Starting at one edge, rollup (use the cloth to do this, picking 
up one end and letting the dough fall away from the cloth) firmly toward 
center for two long rolls (easiest) or all the way for one fat one. Put 
rolled strudel on greased baking sheet or pan and brush with melted butter. 
Repeat with second loaf. Bake in medium oven until lightly browned. Cut into 
four inch pieces and serve warm. 

Some variations. Sprinkle filling with cream (sweet or sour) before rolling. 
Add bacon bits (rendered grammels) or onion or  paprika. Original recipes all 
called for lard for "fat".

Potato strudel can be made in the same way (it's drier). Cook 3 or more large 
baking potatoes with skins on. Remove skins and put through ricer. Sprinkle 
on dough, add butter and breadcrumbs, maybe more salt and do all the other 
things.

My grandmother served both cabbage and potato on special pre holiday Fridays 
(meatless days). She doubled and tripled the above recipe. She had a soup and 
salad first, then the above and apple or cherry strudel for dessert. The 
strudel was kept warm in big black baking pans in a warming compartment of 
her immense gas and coal iron stove that filled a whole kitchen alcove.

Newsletter continues as no. 104A.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 104A
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold)
February 28, 2002
(c) G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved


This second section of our 4-section newsletter contains:

* Trip Report (Sankt Johann) - Ed Labahn
* Güssing Civic Leaders 1750-1850
* Croatian Cookbooks
* Museum Of Hungarian-Speaking Jewry

TRIP REPORT - SEPT. 2001 VISIT TO BURGENLAND BY ED LABAHN 

(ED. Note: Of special interest in this trip report is the fact that Ed used 
local transportation as opposed to renting a car. It also emphasizes the 
benefits of prior planning and connections with local residents for language 
assistance and guidance. An extremely well written and informative report.)

Introduction. 
I am a retired civil engineer living in southern California. 
My ancestors originated in three regions of central Europe, viz. Hungary, 
Pomerania (NE Germany) and Slovenia. As part of my late-in-life efforts at 
initiating Slovenian genealogy research, I arranged to attend a 4-day 
genealogy workshop in Ljubljana, Slovenia scheduled for September 2001. To 
improve the cost effectiveness of my research, it seemed appropriate to 
extend my September travels to also cover site visits to rural Slovenia, 
Hungary, and Pomerania. Despite the tragic September 11 event, in retrospect, 
I think the decision to expand my travel itinerary was a good one for it gave 
me the opportunity to compare the three European regions, each of which 
experienced significant changes in government in the early 1990s. This report 
is limited to my visit to Hungary, which occurred during September 18-21, 
2001.

Background. 
My principal Hungarian ancestor was my step-grandfather Peter 
Jozef Gruidl, who was born in 1871 in what was then known as the village of 
Sankt Johann, Austria-Hungary. Due to later changes in the spoken language 
and the relocation of national boundaries, several changes in place names 
have occurred. (These other names include Mosonszentjanos and Janossomorja.) 
My grandfather subsequently emigrated in 1903 with his wife and 4 young 
children to settle in the small town of Woodstock, McHenry County, northern 
Illinois. Two additional children were born shortly thereafter. He was 
employed, initially by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and, until the 
depression in the 1930s, by the former Oliver Typewriter Company. Neither my 
grandfather nor members of his immediate family ever returned to Europe. He 
died in 1968 and is buried with his wife and two of his children in the 
cemetery maintained by St. Mary Catholic Church of Woodstock. Little 
knowledge of early family history exists among current family members. 
Through my research, I hope to increase that knowledge. Several times after 
his death I attempted to locate Sankt Johann on a map, but never was 
successful. Only later did I discover that I was looking in the wrong place 
and, in any case, the place name had changed to Janossomorja.

Objectives of Visit. 
Until recently, I was relatively unfamiliar with Hungary and totally 
unaware of Hungarian ancestors other than my grandfather and his immediate 
family. My previous visits to the region were limited to short stopovers 
in Budapest and/or Vienna while on business in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. 
The principal objectives for my recent visit were rather basic. 
They included becoming familiar with the local setting through visual 
inspection of the town of my grandfather's birth, visits to the churches and 
applicable cemeteries where my ancestors were buried, and expanding, if 
possible, the list of known ancestors. The objectives also included
establishing contact with the parish priest and an English-speaking resident, 
familiar with the area, who could assist me in translating German and 
Hungarian documents and, lastly, become familiar with infrastructure and 
units of local government. In retrospect, those objectives were rather 
ambitious since, as recently as May 2001, I had little information about my 
grandfather; had the mistaken idea that Sankt Johann was in the vicinity of 
Lake Balaton; was unaware of the current name of the town, and had never even 
heard of a region known as Burgenland.

Preliminary Genealogy Search. 
In May 2001 my search for information got a jump start! Although Ancestry.com's 
General Hungary Query Forum, the Ellis Island website, and the records 
of the Church of the LDS got me going, probably the single most important event  
was discovering and using the Burgenland Bunch (BB) website. By downloading 
selected portions of the website, I was able to find out much about Burgenland, 
its villages, people, and history. It was extremely useful in that I also was 
able to contact BB members who had special knowledge of common Burgenland 
surnames and/or specified villages. My surnames of initial interest were Gruidl and 
Bierbaum--the family names of my grandfather and grandmother. Relative to 
villages, I limited my interest only to Janossomorja.

Logistics of Visit. 
Now the fun part began--how would I travel to Burgenland?, and where would 
I stay while there? Although my plan to visit other countries in central 
Europe helped, there were some difficulties that were peculiar to Burgenland. 
Access was one of these. Wien certainly was the closest access hub. Should I 
rent a car? (with or w/o a driver), or take a bus or a train? After studying 
various maps and noting the close proximity of Janossomorja to the Austrian 
border and principal transportation routes, checking car rental rates, and 
rail schedules, the solution was obvious - go by rail. Since I had already 
committed myself to travel by rail elsewhere in Europe, it was easy to extend 
it to also cover the side trip to Burgenland. 

In retrospect, for someone who was traveling alone, it was a good decision. 
(There were problems, but they resulted from judgment lapses on my part, 
including carrying too much luggage and misinterpreting  information on train 
tickets. I also allowed insufficient time in Wien for transfers between 
incoming and outgoing train stations, for exchanging currency, and for 
purchasing train tickets for travel in Hungary. With the recent adoption of 
the Euro, that problem should be reduced in the future.) Due to the need to 
transfer to a local train at Hegyeshalom (near the Austrian border), it took 
over 2-hrs for me to travel the 50 km from Wien to Mosonmagyarovar, the 
closest town to Janossomorja.

Obtaining information on overnight lodging in or near Janossomorja also 
proved difficult. Travel books such as "Europe on a Shoestring" (Lonely 
Planet) and "Europe 2001" (Hostelling International) provided little 
information specific to Burgenland. The prior experience of some other BB 
members was not useful since their trips into Hungary generally were only for 
the day. At the 11th hour I finally was able to contact the Hungarian 
national tourist agency (Tourinform) and their regional office in Sopron via 
the internet. Through that agency I found there was one overnight inn (Lovas 
Park) in Janossomorja, over two dozen spa-type inns in Mosonmagyarovar, and 
an additional three dozen similar inns in nearby villages. Due to my lack of 
wheels, I confined my attention to Mosonmagyarovar, where the train station 
was located. The latter also served as a terminal point for the bus 
connecting Janossomorja with Mosonmagyarovar (about 10 km). 

For those BB members who are considering an overnight stay in the vicinity, 
my choice would be the Thermal Hotel - a deluxe hotel with a clientele 
consisting mainly of middle-aged Germans. The facilities and food were 
excellent and the price was right. I appeared to be the only non-German 
registered. Few guests or staff were fluent in English.
 
For the daily commute to Janossomorja I considered renting a bicycle. 
However, due to the narrow roads, the convenient bus service--and the 
extremely low price, I decided on the bus. Since bicycles are so popular in 
the area, next time I may reconsider that choice. One advantage of staying in 
Mosonmagyarovar is the existence of a public library equipped with computers 
accessed to the internet and available for use by the local public and 
visitors at a reasonable price. I made use of the internet facilities 
frequently during my stay to keep my family back in California apprised of my 
trip.

Local Contacts. 
During my preparation for the visit, I became aware of potential language 
difficulties (I have no Hungarian communication skills and 
only marginal skills in German.) It was obvious that I would need a local 
contact person who was proficient in those two languages and in English. 
Through the use of Hungarian telephone listings available on the internet, I 
established contact with two Burgenland residents, viz., the families of 
Gruidl Jozsephne in Janossomorja and Lajos Bierbaum in Sopron. Although both 
families were very helpful, most of my on-site contact was limited to the 
Gruidls since they resided in my grandfather's village. Gruidl Jozsefne spoke 
neither English nor German but her daughter (Jakabne Teresa) and 
granddaughter (Jakab Viktoria) collectively possessed those skills. Lorinczne 
Karacsmy, an acquaintance of Teresa who teaches English in the local area, 
also was available for language assistance. Teresa escorted me on a tour of 
the Sanktjanos cemetery. Unfortunately, the tour was unproductive in that 
there was no evidence of my grandfather's ancestors--only recent graves were 
observed. During an afternoon tea kindly hosted by Gruidl Jozsefne at the 
Jakab residence, Viktoria presented me with copies of baptismal records of my 
grandfather and grandmother and their four children. She also gave me copies 
of family tree information on the Gruidl branch of her family dating back 
over four generations and accompanied me on a walking tour of Janossomorja. I 
was impressed with the cleanliness of the town and the quality of recent 
public works-particularly parks. My solo attempt to obtain information from 
what I presumed was the Janossomorja municipal office unfortunately was 
unsuccessful--available staff did not speak English.

Father Peter Wolf, who serves as pastor of three RC churches located in the 
former villages of Mosonszentjanos, Mosonszentpeter, and Pusztasomorja, also 
was contacted. (These villages earlier were merged to form Janossomorja, 
reportedly the largest village in Hungary with a population of 6,000 people.) 
I met briefly with Father Peter during my stay but due to his many church 
commitments and language difficulties (Father Peter apparently is not fluent 
in English.), our meeting was not productive.

Accomplishments. 
I departed Burgenland on September 21 with a sense of 
accomplishment knowing that most of my objectives had been met. There were no 
significant breakthroughs--I did not discover any previously unknown
living relatives nor did I significantly increase the number of identified 
ancestors on the Bierbaum and Gruidl branches of my family tree. I would like 
to know more about the community. I also would have liked to visit 
Mosonszolnok, another small village close by Mosonmagyarovar, where some of 
my Bierbaum ancestors reportedly originated. These efforts will have to await 
a later visit. In the meantime, there are lots of gaps in the Gruidl and 
Bierbaum branches of my family tree that need to be filled using information 
obtained from LDS records and, hopefully, supplemented with data provided by 
other BB members. Copies of genealogy information concerning the Bierbaums 
back to 1748, provided by Larry Zierhut, already were waiting for me when I 
returned home on September 27, 2001.

Acknowledgement. 
The assistance of the following individuals, most of whom 
are BB members, was extremely helpful to me in pre-trip planning and/or 
research: Ron Baxter, Gerry Berghold, Lajos and Tibor Bierbaum, Mary 
Donermeyer, Giles E. Gerken, Viktoria Jakab, Anna Kresh, Beth Long, Lazlo R 
(surname unknown), and Larry Zierhut. I am greatly indebted to each of these 
individuals.


GÜSSING CIVIC LEADERS (1750-1850, continued from newsletter 103C)
(check for your family names)

Güssing, one of the seven Burgenland district cities,  has been recognized as 
a "stadt" or 'civtas" or "varos" or "oppidum" since the 14th century (1355). 
As part of Hungarian Vas Megye-Komitat Eisenburg  prior to 1921 , it was a 
district city (Jaras Nemetjuvar administering 51 villages) of that political 
division. Throughout the periods mentioned, many men have served as civic 
leaders. Some of their names follow.

Stadtrichter, Ortsrichter und Bürgermeister von Güssing*.

1750 Johann Spanring
1752 Paul Svanner
1754 Johann Wendel
1756 Michel Zutschka
1758 Georg Hoffer
1759 Josef Leimel
1760 Georg Kracher
1762 Franz Schinitz
1764 Matthias Zeitler
1766 Franz Schinitz
1767 Johann Billowitsch
1768 Georg Hoffer
1769 Matthias Zeitler
1771 Matthias Wentler
1773 Johann Billowitsch
1775 Franz Schermann
1777 Paul Karlowits
1783 Matthias Zeitler
1784 Paul Karlowits
1789 Georg Klement
1791 Matthias Zeitler
1797 Josef Mejer
1801 Georg Klement
1802 Michael Lorentz
1803 Ignatz Premle
1814 Michael Chriesser
1815 Christoph Müller
1825 Johann Lebitsch
1830 Johann Hacker
1836 Johann Lebitsch
1839 Johann Buchberger
1842 Michael Seybold
1849 Paul Semler
(to be continued)


CROATIAN COOKBOOKS (from Yvonne Lockwood)

I just returned from a wonderful, but all-too-short, visit to central 
Burgenland (Gradisce) and have information on a series of Croatian 
village-based cookbooks available. The recipes were collected from cooks in 
the respective villages and appear in German and Croatian. Information 
includes house name and address of each cook and whether the dish is everyday 
or for a special occasion.

Cemba (Schandorf) Hrvatski kulinarijum; Vincjet (Kurnbach) Hrvatski 
kulinarijum; Filez (Nikitsch) Hrvatski kulinarijum; Bandol (Weiden bei 
Rechnitz) Hrvatski kulinarijum; Veliki Boristof (Grosswarasdorf) Hrvatski 
kulinarijujm. Available through Hrvatski kulturni i dokumentarni centar, J 
Permayerstrasse 9/3, 7000 Eisenstadt. I don't remember the exact 
cost--somewhere around 14 euro. I think the website is 
http://www.hrvatskicentar.at/ Also of Burgenland Croatian interest, the 
historian HaraldPrickler (with Leonhard Prickler) has published 
Hoheitszeichen: der kroatischen Gemeinden des Burgenlandes. Petschaften, 
Siegel, Wappen, Gemeindefarben. I also want to convey my support for all you 
and the team of editors are doing. I look forward to the newsletters and read 
them with great interest. 
Yvonne R. Lockwood
Curator of Folklife
Michigan Traditional Arts Program
Michigan State University Museum
East Lansing, MI 48824


MUSEUM OF HUNGARIAN-SPEAKING JEWRY

I wish to bring to your attention that our Memorial Museum of Hungarian 
Speaking Jewry in Safed, Israel covers quite extensively the heritage and  
history of the Jewish community in Burgenland.
 
Should you or any of the members affiliated with your organization be of any 
need for information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Josef Lustig
Managing Director
museum@hjm.org.il

Newsletter continues as no. 104B

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 104B
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold)
February 28, 2002
(c) G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved


This third section of our 4-section newsletter contains:

The Hungarian Calvinist Congregation of Oberwart - Part 3
(including a brief history of the Oberwart border region)


The Hungarian Calvinist Congregation of Oberwart 
(by Fritz Königshofer - December 8, 2001)

(ED. Note:  This article is being published in three installments of which 
this is the third. It concerns part of the small protestant minority of Land 
Burgenland and an even smaller group of descendants of Magyar border guards. 
If your interest is the Oberwart region, you would do well to study it. 
Numbers in brackets[ 1] refer to the bibliography found at the end of the 
article. This is a most worthy edition to our series of Burgenland historical 
articles in the English language.)

(Continued from BB Newsletter no. 103B)

In 1782, the Reformed congregation counted 1,189 souls (growing to 1,283 in 
1814), while Catholics numbered 546.  According to the commemorative brochure 
[1], most of the members of the Reformed congregation were nobles.  Each 
noble family had its own coat of arms, and nearly each coat of arms included 
an arm with a sword, symbolizing the original status of the families as 
border guards.  The separate cemetery for the Reformed congregation of 
Oberwart exists since 1778.  The congregation ran a school in which in 1827, 
94 boys and 65 girls were taught.  The Lutheran congregation of Oberwart, 
entirely ethnic German, built its church between 1812-15.

For the 100 year celebration of the stone church in 1883, pastor 
Alexander Gueth wrote his "Geschichte der Kirchengemeinde" (History of the 
Congregation).  The publication was financed by Georg Verdi, a financial 
officer working in the county administration, who had hailed from Oberwart.  
An organ with 14 registers and costing 2,000 Florins was installed.  Half of 
the costs had been donated by Ms. Susanna Fülöp nee Zámbó.  At the time of 
this first major jubilee, the congregation comprised 1,522 members (784 women 
and 738 men).  The school taught 87 boys and 98 girls.

In 1888, Ms. Judith Imre nee Benkö left her considerable estate to the 
Reformed congregation.  The names of the elected curators of the congregation 
were Michael Zsisko (1883), G. Gal (1887), Alexander Böcskör (1893), Johann 
Fülöp (1895), Samuel Zarka (1898), Samuel Böcskör (1900), Alexander Horváth 
(1904), Michael Benkö (1907), Johann Imre (1910), Alexander Siskó (1913, who 
also served as mayor of the town), Josef Páll (1916), and Gabriel Miklós 
(1918).  The chronicle of the parish mentions major fires in Oberwart in 1879 
and 1882 (destroying more than 100 houses), and a major flood in 1878. Due to 
the genealogical orientation of this article, the general part of this 
article closes here.  However, the 200-years jubilee brochure [1], and also 
article [2], cover the further history of the parish up to most recent times.

Pastors

From 1576-1612, Stephanus Beythe served as a traveling Calvinist pastor 
stationed at the Batthyány court  in Güssing.  His writings were printed by 
the traveling early printer Manlius (who also stayed for a while at the 
Erdödy castle in Eberau).

Johann Gál may have been the first known pastor (or preacher) of Oberwart, 
working there before 1600.

Franz Eőri is documented as a pastor at Oberwart in 1618, leaning toward 
Lutheranism.

1620/25:  Franz Pathy.

Jakob Gyüdi Ventei gets mentioned as pastor in 1629 as taking part in the 
synod of Körmend.

1630-1665.  Tenure of Johann Szeremlei.  Under him, the Calvinist 
congregation got formally established, but it was also the time when the 
Counter-reformation started to cast a shadow.  Nevertheless, under Szeremlei, 
the congregation must still have felt secure enough to undertake, in 1656, 
the extension of the church and construction of the tower by builder Blasius 
Fülöp, with the tower's roof being made by Christoph Prucker of Schlaining.  
I wonder whether the Szeremlei brothers who in the 1750s worked energetically 
to donate and collect funds for the new stone church, see above, were 
descendents of this pastor.

1665(?)-1667 or rather 1673.  Martin Fülöp succeeded Johann Szeremlei as 
pastor.  Apparently, under him the Counter-reformation reached the town, and 
resulted in the confiscation and conversion of the old stone church into a 
Roman Catholic one, as described earlier in this article.  Fülöp also had to 
bear personal brunt, as he was taken to prison in Pressburg (Bratislava), but 
is said to have escaped, and later even returned as pastor to Oberwart.

Around 1683.  Michael Szikszay served as pastor.  Under him, the temporary 
wooden church was erected in 1681.  He was followed by pastors Stefan Báthori 
and Johann Szenczy.  Around 1700, the pastor was Johann Kolozsvári.

1708-1724. Tenure of Nikolaus Balikó who also served for two years as 
schoolteacher.  He was followed from 1725-1732 by Stefan Szikszay.

1732-1755. The pastor was Martin Tölly, also spelled Thölly.  He was a local 
man, born in Oberwart, had studied in Győr, Pápa and Marosvásárhely, taught 
one year in Gyulafehérvár (the latter two places both in Transylvania), then 
served for half a year as pastor of Adásztevel in Veszprém county, before 
being called to Oberwart in 1732.  Tölly retired from his job due to bad 
health in 1755, and died in Oberwart on March 7, 1761.  Following his 
appointment, he introduced the church matrikels in 1732.  The first parish 
rectory was built under his tenure in about 1740, and he started the parish 
book of accounts including the parish chronicle in 1748.  The donations 
registered by persons from outside the congregation suggest that at that 
time, before the Tolerance Patent issued by emperor Joseph II, the 
congregation of Oberwart served as a refuge for Protestants in a wide 
neighborhood.

August 9, 1755 till March 18, 1764:  Franz Török, followed by Johann Szép who 
served till March 1, 1771.  As one of the first deeds of the latter, the 
first petition for building a new stone church was submitted to Empress Maria 
Theresia (see above).  Johann Szép was followed in 1771 by two caretakers 
(auxiliary pastors, or vicars) in quick and short succession, namely, Franz 
Berényi and Stefan Tönkö Szilágyi.

October 27, 1771 till December 31, 1776.  Tenure of Franz Ujhelyi Kovács.  
Under him, the new stone church was erected which is still standing today 
(see above).

From 1777 till September 8, 1785, Johann Papp served as pastor.  Under him, a 
new parish rectory was built in 1784 replacing the one from 1740.  This 
building still stands today and is renowned for its arcaded courtyard, one of 
the oldest such courtyards in Burgenland for which the year of construction 
is known. Johann Papp's tenure also marks the beginning, in 1778, of the 
Reformed congregation having its own cemetery. 

October 13, 1785 till November 2, 1792:  Andreas Héregi.  He moved on to 
Őriszentpéter (near Szentgotthárd).  He was succeeded by Samuel Nagy who 
served the congregation until his death in Oberwart on May 3, 1805.  Stefan 
Nagy then served as caretaker (vicar) until May 12, 1806.

1806-1811.  Tenure of Samuel Szép.  Under him, the church tower was erected 
in 1808/1809 by the master builder Matthias Preising from Pinkafeld.  A new 
bell of nearly two tons was cast and installed at the same time (This bell 
was recast in 1841).  A clock was added to the new tower in 1811.  Samuel 
Szép died in Oberwart in about 1811.

From 1811 to 1812, the congregation was temporarily administered by vicar 
Peter Parrag.

From March 8, 1812 onwards, Josef Arany served as pastor.  He had studied in 
Jena and Göttingen, and before being called to Oberwart, had served for 12 
years as the pastor in Szecsőd (probably meaning Molnaszecsőd near Körmend).  
Under Arany, the congregation acquired the Szita estate which, after it had 
been fully paid, provided economic security to the parish for many years to 
come.  It is stated that he proved his name (arany is the Hungarian word for 
gold).  Arany died in Oberwart on March 18, 1839.  A monument commemorating 
him was erected in 1872.

Since 1834, Arany had been assisted by a vicar, Josef Dezse.  After Arany's 
death, the congregation wanted to elect Dezse as its pastor, but according to 
the laws of the church this was not possible.  This situation led to a time 
of disquiet, and a hiatus without a formal pastor, until in 1840 Dezse 
departed to a pastor position in Nagyrákos (near Körmend).

In 1840, Samuel Mozgay arrived in Oberwart as the new pastor, from his 
earlier pastoral position in Egyházrádócz (also near Körmend).  Due to the 
lingering controversy about Dezse, he appears to have had a hard time being 
accepted by the congregation.  To resolve the situation, he therefore 
switched jobs in 1843 with the pastor of Kisnémetfalu, Georg Szij (This 
probably means Kerkanémetfalu near Csesztreg in Zala county, near the Vas 
border).

Georg Szij served in Oberwart from 1843 till 1850.  He had studied in Pápa, 
and before his job in Kisnémetfalu, had also served as pastor in Kercza 
(district of Szentgotthárd).  Szij served as military pastor on the side of 
the Hungarians in the liberation war of 1848/49.  In 1850, he left Oberwart 
and moved as pastor to Kisigmánd (county of Komárom) where he served until 
1855.  In 1855/56, he was a teacher at the grammar school (gymnasium) at 
Kunszentmiklós (south of Pest), and then was pastor in Csallóközaranyos (also 
Komárom county) till his death.

1850-1857. Josef Mészáros served as pastor.  Before his appointment in 
Oberwart, he had been the pastor of Kisigmánd, i.e., this was once again an 
exchange of pastors, as between Mozgay and Szij.  Intriguingly, Mészáros left 
Oberwart to become pastor in Kisnémetfalu, thus seemingly closing the 
three-way circle started in 1843.

The period of March 28, 1857 till October 31, 1896 (when he died at age 65) 
marks the nearly 40-year long tenure of pastor Alexander Gueth, one of the 
most remarkable pastors of the congregation.  Coincidentally, he was called 
to serve in Oberwart from a stint in Kisnémetfalu (the place of the first 
switch of pastors in 1843).  Under Gueth, the congregation in 1873 celebrated 
the 100-years jubilee of its new stone church.  For this event, Gueth 
produced a "History of the Congregation" which still serves today as a source 
for many historical treatises, including the 200-years jubilee article 
written by pastor (also serving as superintendent for Burgenland for the 
Protestant Church) Imre Gyenge. As has been mentioned above, a new organ was 
acquired and installed for the jubilee, manufactured in Graz by Friedrich 
Werner.  The organ was first played by Ladislaus Pospisil, a Czech student in 
his final year at the (Lutheran) teacher academy of Oberschützen.  Despite 
Gueth's outstanding tenure, he eventually faced some controversies with the 
presbyterium of the congregation which at times probably felt overtaxed by 
the cost of the improvements proposed by an untiring Gueth.

From July 1, 1896, the frailing Gueth was assisted by Andreas Csuká.  After 
Gueth's death, Julius Bajcsy became the new pastor, after having served as 
vicar in Nagymaros (old Hont county) and as pastor (1892-97) in Nagytany 
(Komárom county).  Bajcsy had been born in Dunamocs (county Esztergom), and 
had studied in Pressburg and Pápa.  He was known as a great preacher.  During 
his tenure, the congregation's school was enlarged several times.  In 1913, 
electrical lighting was installed in rectory and school.  Bajcsy served as 
pastor in Oberwart for 41 years until his retirement on January 1, 1939.  His 
tenure saw WW I, the creation of the Burgenland in 1921 placing the 
congregation into its status of a triple minority, the Anschluss of 1938, the 
quickly following temporary eradication of Burgenland (i.e., the integration 
of the southern part of it into Styria), and other cataclysmic events of the 
20th century. Bajcsy died 1958 in Oberwart, at age 92.

Teachers

A school for the reformed congregation of Oberwart definitely already existed 
around 1650 under pastor Johann Szeremlei.  The following teachers are known:

Around 1655:  Michael Fülöp.
Around 1685:  Stefan Őri.
Around 1710:  N. Keserü.
Around 1720:  Nikolaus Balikó (who was also the pastor).
Around 1728:  G. Füredi.
1744-1749:  Lorenz Balikó.
1749-1751:  Andreas Bényei.
1751:  Adam Csejtej (for three months only).
1751-1757:  Johann Hajnal.
1757(?)-1766:  Franz Csuporos, followed by Michael Teleki.
1774-1776:  Josef Kopolcsi (later pastor in Kustánszeg, county Zala).
From 1776 (otherwise undated sequence of teachers):  Samuel Pápai; Andreas 
Szalay; Franz Kovács; Johann Barbás Almássy; Johann Batha; Stefan Patkó; 
Daniel Baksa; Franz Hörömpöli; Samuel Jezerniczki; Stefan Patkó (returned to 
the same job); Stefan Mészáros; Johann Batha (the same as before); Alexander 
Kovács (as deputy); Michael Körmendi; Georg Papp (from 1862, later 
headmaster, till his death on November 20, 1893).

The long period covered by these teachers saw the construction of a new 
schoolhouse with one classroom and teacher accommodations  in 1801/1802, and 
the addition of a second classroom in 1863.  From that time, an assistant 
teacher was hired, and the teacher became the headmaster of the school.  A 
new larger school was erected in 1884, including three classrooms and 
accommodations for a total of two teachers and one assistant teacher.  In 
1899, two more classrooms were added, and an additional teacher accommodation 
was built in 1910.  As already mentioned, electric lights were installed in 
1913.

Headmaster from March 11, 1894 till 1920:  Julius Németh, followed in this 
function by Karl Vörösmarty.

Assistant teachers since about 1863:  Johann Szakáll; Julius Aszalos; Peter 
Takács (the latter becoming teacher, and serving till 1905).

Teachers (plus some details of their tenure in Oberwart):  Josef Székely 
(1905-1908); Johann Doczy (1906-1921); Adalbert Mányoki (1909-1912); Ida 
Süteö, married name Farsy (from 1916); Nikolaus Kovács (from 1921); Wilma 
Böhm (from 1922);  Alexander Schranz (from 1924); Erich Knöbl (from 1931); 
Ernst Tölly (from 1935).
 
Bibliography 

[1]  "200 Jahre Reformierte Kirche in Oberwart/200 Éves Felsőőri Reformatus 
Templom, 1773-1973," by pastor Imre Gyenge, extending on the history of the 
congregation written by pastor Alexander Gueth in 1873; published in 
Oberwart, 1973.

[2]  "Es wird kundgemacht," Summary of the history of the reformed 
congregation of Oberwart, issued and distributed by the parish; published 
after 1992 (no date).

[3]  "Die Obere Wart," Ladislaus Triber (editor), Oberwart 1977, published in 
memory of the re-establishment in 1327 of the Obere Wart.

[4]  "Burgenlandbuch - Kulturhistorische Wanderungen" by Karl Lukan, 280 pp., 
Vienna, 1998.

[5]  "Östereichisch-Ungarische Monarchie in Word und Bild" (Austro-Hungarian 
Monarchy in Word and Pictures), Volume 4, Vienna, 1896.

[6]  "Magyarország Családai" (Hungarian Families), by Iván Nagy, Budapest 
1857-68.

[7]  "Az Őrség Története" by László Pataky, 1992, and "Őrség" by Dr. Csiszár, 
1983; excerpts translated by Emmerich Faith, Frauental, 1994.

End of article.

Newsletter continues as no. 104C.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 104C
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G. J. Berghold)
February 28, 2002
(c) G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - BURGENLAND  LANDESHAUPTMANN NIESSL
(GOVERNOR) & PARTY WILL VISIT UNITED STATES IN MID-MAY OF 2002!
ITINERARY WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FUTURE ISSUES.

This fourth section of our 4-section newsletter contains:

* Immigrant Story (Mandl & Weber, Grieselstein)
* Trip To Austria - Pictures
* War Monument Names - Grieselstein and Maria Bild
* Taste Of The Burgenland - Pumpkin Seed Oil
* News From Riedlingsdorf
* Burgenland Bunch Staff


IMMIGRANT STORY (MANDL & WEBER-GRIESELSTEIN) 
(from Evelyn Seegraves and Sharon Janucik)

(ED. Note: What makes this story especially interesting is that it includes a 
link to a trip report and pictures as well as some research material.) Evelyn 
writes: I would appreciate it if you would publish the following "Immigrant 
story" in the BB newsletter. At the bottom is a link to a site containing 
pictures we took on our September trip to Austria. Also included are 
descriptions and comments. Evelyn Seegraves

Our maternal great great grandparents, Josephus Mandl and Josepha Weber were 
married in approximately 1853. He was 24 and lived at #125 Kristyan, 
(district of Szt. Gotthard, now Grieselstein, district of Jennersdorf)and she 
was 23, living at #103 Kristyan. Josephus' mother's first name was Magdalena, 
but his father's name is unknown. Josepha's father's name was Jozsef Weber 
and we believe her mother's name was Terez Bruckler or Pruckler. Both 
Josephus and Josepha Mandl Weber were farmers and died of 
consumption/pulmonary tuberculosis.

To the marriage of Josephus Mandl and Josepha Weber were born eight children: 
(1) Maria, born October 20, 1855, (2) Theresia, born February 5, 1857 (our 
great grandmother, (3) Barbara, born November 25, 1858. Barbara married 
Henrik Geiger, #97 Gyanafalva, (Jennersdorf) (4) Maria, born December 15, 
1860. Maria married Josef Feitl, #85 Gyanafalva, her second marriage was to 
Joseph Windisch, #106 Kristyan, (5) Josephus, born August 4, 1862, (6) Anna, 
born September 18, 1865, (7) Johanna, born April 2, 1867. Johanna married 
Ferencz Pfingstl, #65 Gyanafalva, and (8) Josephus, born September 28, 1869. 
Four of the children died before they were two years old.

Our great grandmother Theresia was married to Aloyos Forjan, #40 Gyanafalva, 
sometime between the years 1886 and 1908. She had three children: (1) 
Aloisius, born November 8, 1876, (2) Augustin (our grandfather), born October 
28, 1880, and (3) Anna, born May 9, 1886. All three of the children were 
listed as illegitimate according to birth records. On February 8, 1908 (civil 
records Gyanafalva), Theresia married Jonos Posch, and was listed as the 
widow of Aloyos Forjan.

Sometime prior to 1905, Augustin Mandl married a woman by the name of Rose 
Deutsch, but she had died during the first year of the marriage. In 1905, 
Augustin (August) Mandl sailed on the Chemnitz, leaving from Bremen, and 
arriving in New York on April 10th. Four other people from the same area were 
traveling with him: Aloisa Reich, age 41, from Gyanafalva, Josefa Deutsch, 
age 20, from Gyanafalva, Josef Geiger, age 18, from Gyanafalva, and Franz 
W(?)ind, age 16, from Henndorf (?). Our grandfather gave his last address as 
Gyanafalva and was going to the home of Adolph Windisch (we believe it says 
"cousin" on the manifest) on Linden Street in New Britain, Conn., and the 
other four were going to a home at 110 Kensington Street (now known as 
Rockwell Avenue) in New Britain.

In 1907, at St. Peter's Church in New Britain, August was married to Anna 
Brunner. At the time of their marriage, both August and Anna gave their 
address as 110 Kensington Street. She had sailed on the ship Kaiser Wilhelm 
II, leaving from Bremen and arriving in New York on August 14, 1906. On the 
ship's manifest Anna's last address was listed as Neudorf, and she was 
sailing with her cousins, Anton (or Luton) and Maria Gombotz. Maria's last 
adress was given as Neuhaus and Anton's was listed as Neustift. All three 
were going to the Gombotz' brother's home at 35 Kensington Street.

The marriage of August Mandl and Anna Brunner produced four daughters and a 
son: August, Margaret, Helen, Teresa (our Mom), and Ida. All of the children 
were born in New Britain, Conn. between the years 1908 and 1916. Ida died as 
a young child and August was in his teens when he died. Helen and Teresa both 
married and settled in New Britain, Margaret married and settled in 
Collinsville, Conn. Anna Brunner Mandl died during the flu epidemic of 1918.

August spent many years as a bricklayer before his death in 1952. In addition 
to August Mandl, members of the Weber, Geiger, and Windisch families also 
settled in New Britain, as have many of those who came to the United States 
in the early 1900's from the southern part of Burgenland.


TRIP TO AUSTRIA - PICTURES (Evelyn Seegraves)

My sister and I took a trip to Austria in September, specifically to visit 
Burgenland. We concentrated on the Jennersdorf and Grieselstein area. We 
would like to invite everyone to see the pictures we took, and to read about 
our experiences. Included are pictures of the war monuments in Grieselstein 
and Maria Bild. We would appreciate hearing from you and welcome your 
comments.
http://eviesee.tripod.com/vacationalbum/  


WAR MONUMENT NAMES - GRIESELSTEIN AND MARIA BILD
(from Evelyn Seegraves and Sharon Janucik)

War Monument in Grieselstein
On front:

Zur Erinnerung An Den Weltkrieg 1914-1918

Gewidmet Den Treuen Helden
Von Grieselstein
Die Blut Und Leben
Geopfert Haben Auf Dem
Feld De Ehre

Left side of front:

Korp.  Szladek Ernst        
Brückler Josef         
Buchas Ferdinand            
Gerger Karl         
Gumhold Alexander       
Gumhold Karl            
Gumhold Johann          
Janosch Michael         
Lipp Johann         
Mandl Franz         

Right side of front:

Vorm. Temmel Johann
Mund Johann
Schmidt Josef
Schraith Josef
Taucher Josef
Thomas Josef
Thomas Josef
Wagner Johann
Wischenbarth Alois
Passer Franz

On left side of monument:               

Gie Gefallenen  Des Zweiten Weltkrieges 1939-1945

Buchas Johann               Geb. 1913   
Deutsch Johann                   1921       
Deutsch Ludwig                   1905       
Dornfeld Michael                 1926   
Feiertag Josef                   1914                    
Forjan Josef                     1921   
Forjan Josef                     1922   
Gerger Franz                     1907        
Gumhold Erwin                    1919   
Gumhold Franz                    1907   
Gumhold Johann                   1914     
Hirczy Alois                     1924   
Hirczy Franz                     1903
Hodl Josef                       1915
Kerschner Daniel                 1918 
Krenn Georg                      1868
Leiner Franz                     1902               
Lipp Franz                       1923 
Lipp Marie                       1927 
Maier Alois                      1918     
Maier Josef                      1906                                     

On right side of monument:

Die Geffenen  Des Zweitch Weltkrieges 1939-1945

Putz Johann                 Geb. 1920
Putz Josef                       1912          
Schmidt Franz                    1898
Szabad Andreas                   1916
Thomas Emma                      1890   
Thomas Franz                     1922
Thomas Franz                     1902
Tonweber D. Johann               1913       
Weber Franz                      1923
Weber Josef                      1915
Weber Andreas                    1893
Weber Johann                     1897
Weber Karl                       1918

Die Vermissten:

Buchas Anton                Geb. 1920         
Hendler Franz                    1920
Hirczy Franz                     1909
Leiner Emil                      1918
Leiner Josef                     1927
Mandl Franz                      1908                                   
Mandl Johann                     1914
Neuherz Josef                    1912
Sucher Anton                     1909               
Wagner Franz                     1919        

War monument in Maria Bild

Front
At the top is a helmut, hand grenade, canteen, and sabre
Beneath that it say Pro Patria
Beneath that is a lion
Beneath the lion it says Die Im Weitkriege
1914-1918
Gefallenen Helden
Aus Weichselbaum

Jud Franz
Ibitz Josef
Schrei Josef
Binder Karl
Baar Johann
Haffner Emil
Lederer Alois
Neubauer Johann
--------------------------------------
Bottom of monument:
Unsere Gefallenen u. vermeissten
Maria Bild
1939-1945

Ableidinger Otmar 1943          
Baar Johann 1945                
Baar Karl 1945              
Back Augusta 1945           
Deutsch Anna 1945           
Feuchtl Johann 1943         
Gerger Robert 1942          
Janitschek Richard 1942         
Trinkl Rudolf  Verm. 1945
Kloiber Josef  Gest. 1941
Gigerl Ernst  Gest. 1945
Jud Frank 1943
Lang Ernst 1942
Schrei Franz 1941
Stangl Josef 1944
Supper Josef 1945
Weber Ferd. 1942
Weber Josef 1945
Wiedner Paul 1945 

Left side of monument:
Supper Johann
Schrei Johann
Oreowetz Josef

Right side of monument:
Strini Johann
Jud Raimund
Schimanek Ulrich


TASTE OF THE BURGENLAND - KÜBISKERNÖL (from Margaret Kaiser & Fritz Königshofer)

(ED. Note: A salad using oil and vinegar, to which one adds processed fish or 
meats, or cold cooked potatoes or beans and peppers, seasoned with salt, 
pepper and herbs or a little paprika is an old Burgenland custom. Edible oil 
of various sorts has been used since time immemorial but I first encountered 
pumpkin seed oil in the Burgenland, when I noticed village people removing 
the seeds while having a good gossip. Preparing the oil, like olive oil is 
very labor intensive, but the oil can be an acquired taste, not as pungent as 
walnut oil. Home made pumpkin seed oil from my cousin Helene Gerger's  
kitchen in Poppendorf, with a  fresh green salad was a lunch to savor when we 
visited last July.) Margaret Kaiser writes:

"Although this appears not to be strictly Burgenlaendisch, I came across this 
ad on the web - there is a detailed description of Austrian (Styrian) Salad 
dressings - in particular pumpkin seed oil (Kürbiskeröl) and apple balsamic 
cider vinegar.  Definitely pricey.  I don't remember family members ever 
mentioning this salad dressing, or perhaps I have forgotten. 

http://store.yahoo.com/chefshop/aussalset.html 

Fritz replies:

Margaret, As long as I lived in Styria (my home), I accepted nothing else but 
Kürbiskernöl (pumpkin seed oil) on my salad or for eating Sulz (pork jelly) 
or Saures Rindfleisch (sliced cold beef with vinegar, onions and oil).  Even 
in our 20 years here in the US, we have always managed to have pumpkin seed 
oil available.  I replenish our stocks by occasionally carrying a bottle or 
two from my stopovers in Austria.

Good pumpkin seed oil is very aromatic, nutty and mild.  However, the 
aroma is not for everybody.  For instance, my wife, also from Graz, does not 
care for Kürbiskernöl.  One also needs to be very careful, as spills create 
spots in shirts or table clothes that cannot fully be cleaned by even the 
best detergents.  Due to its deep green color, many detractors sometimes 
facetiously call it Diesel oil.  On the other hand, the oil has slowly gained 
a following in other parts of Austria and elsewhere.  Be that as it may, many 
of our guests had their first taste of pumpkin seed oil at our house and 
liked it.

The oil comes in different qualities.  Pure, 100% pumpkin seed oil is 
labeled "Echtes Kürbiskernöl" (real pumpkin seed oil).  When I still lived in 
Austria, one had to look for "Garantiert echtes Kürbiskernöl" or 
"Kaltgepresstes ...." (cold-pressed ....) to get the best.

While pumpkin seed oil is a uniquely Styrian product, I believe that 
the area of production always included the southern Burgenland.  I had some 
of my best pumpkin seed oil when we visited relatives in the area of Güssing. 
 In former times, the oil could be bought only in Styria and southern 
Burgenland, but today it is available in supermarkets everywhere in Austria.

The oil is expensive by Austrian standards.  Even in Styria itself, 
pumpkin seed oil is the most expensive of all salad oils.  Nevertheless, the 
mark-up for getting it sold in the US is gigantic.  To give you an example, I 
currently have Echtes Kürbiskernöl from the firm Peltzmann which we bought in 
Graz for AS109 (about $7 to 7.50) for a 500 ml (half liter) can.  This 
compares to the $22.50 posted on the web site you gave us, for half the 
volume (250 ml). Perhaps you should try it!  If you and your family don't 
like it, it would be better to have only a 250 ml bottle.


NEWS FROM RIEDLINGSDORF (from Heinz Bundschuh)

(ED. Note: Heinz continues to expand his village site.  Our thanks to Heinz.) 
He writes: Dear friends of Riedlingsdorf, in the last week we received some 
historical pictures of Riedlingsdorf by Karl Hazivar, Erika Spiegel and 
Andrea Bruckner. You can find these pictures on our website site behind the 
new button 'Hist. Bilder/Pictures'. They are very interesting.

http://members.aon.at/mgvriedlingsdorf/

On 30th June there will be a great event in Riedlingsdorf, the  'Dorffest'. 
The whole village will celebrate the inauguration of the new municipal center.

Two days before that, there will be a second event, the dedication of the 
reconstructed war memorial. I collected a lot of new information from WWII in 
the last few months. I put this information into the 'Register of the dead 
soldiers of WWII'. I will improve this site with the portraits. If this 
information is of interest to you, visit the following site (it is also part 
of the Riedlingsdorf-Homepage. It is hidden behind the button 
'Geschichte/History' and then behind 'Overview World War II'):

http://members.aon.at/dbundsch/lww2verz.htm


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)
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. Burgenl.gem@bnet.at

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.