THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 124 
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Our 8th Year-20 Pages/4 Email Sections Issued monthly by G Berghold)
December 31, 2003
(c) 2003 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved)


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This first section of our 4-section newsletter includes:
* Tonk Research Pays Off - Kroatisch Minihof
 

*TONK RESEARCH PAYS OFF - KROATISCH MINIHOF

(ED. Note: In newsletter number 106B, Article 5 dated April 30, 2002, I 
reported correspondence with member Jack Tonk. I supplied what help I could and he 
took it from there. He visited Burgenland to try to uncover more of his family 
history and the following describes his success. I have received many such 
stories since forming the Burgenland Bunch but few as interesting as this. It 
makes our efforts worthwhile. It also proves that with our help you can trace 
your family history in the Burgenland.) 

Jack writes: 

"I made a visit to Minihof in June of 2002 and need to let you know what I 
found. I prepared a report of the findings for my family. I am sending a 
separate email to you and attaching that report. What happened in Minihof that week 
was truly amazing."

I want to say that I could not have done this without your most kind 
assistance. Your responses to my inquiries were invaluable. I am so appreciative of 
your help. Let me also say that I did a little research in Salt Lake at the 
LDS Family History Center, but did not come up with much. I thought I was onto 
something when I found a record of orphans born in Vienna in 1879, the year my 
grandfather was born. As I was working my way through the fiche for 
Feb-April, 1879, I came to the end of the roll just five (5) days from his birth, and 
the next roll picked up a month or two later. The staff could offer no help or 
suggestions on finding the missing time period. I am sure the records are in 
Vienna so I plan another trip to research that - anything to get back to 
Vienna. The attachment follows:

TONK FAMILY HISTORY (by Jack & Judy Tonk)

The descendents of Franz (Francis, Frerencz) and Francriska (Frances) Tonk 
Nemeth have never been certain of how Franz Tonk got his surname. Family oral 
history consistently said Franz Tonk was the son of a Roman Catholic priest 
and his housekeeper; that he was born in Minihof, Austria, in 1879. (At that 
time Minihof was part of Hungary, though the people in the village of Minihof 
spoke Croatian.) Some said that the surname "Tonk" came from the priest. 
Others said that it was the name of the housekeeper. Still others said it came 
from an orphanage or foster family with whom Franz was placed. In an effort to 
clarify all this, Jack Tonk (with his wife Judy), grandson of Franz and 
Francziska Tonk, and son of Anton (Donatus) Tonk, fifth child of Franz and 
Francziska, visited Austria in June of 2002 and reviewed civil and church records.
 
This is an account of what was discovered. It was prepared by Jack and Judy Tonk 
in the summer of 2002 for the members of our extended family.

On June 13, 2002, after driving from Vienna, Austria to Oberpullendorf, and 
securing a room for the evening, we drove to Minihof. This was not as easy as 
it might seem because we were not familiar with the road signs in Austria. 
Eventually we found a small country road that we thought would take us to 
Minihof, and we were right. As we approached the village, I did experience feelings 
of "Oh my God, what am I doing?" I can't quite explain it, but I felt small, 
and humble, and somewhat fearful. As though something was about to happen. 
This was the land of my father and grandfather, and finally, after nearly 90 
years, a descendant was returning. We drove into the village, saw the church, 
parked the car, and got out old postcards featuring pictures of Minihof. These 
were cards sent to Frances Tonk Nemeth by relatives and/or friends in Minihof. 
As we were comparing the old with the current, some municipal workers stopped 
by and we showed them the postcards. They were amazed. We had a definite 
language barrier until the town administrator drove by and the workers flagged 
him down. His name was Rudy Satovich. He spoke English and was delighted to 
see the postcards. Some of them he had in the town records but some were new 
to him. We informed him of why we were visiting Kroatisch Minihof and he said 
we could come to the municipal offices in Nikitsch and he would help us go 
through the town records, though the name of "Tonk" was not familiar. Nikitsch 
has been responsible for keeping the records for Kroatisch Minihof and 
Kroatisch Geresdorf. It is about 1 mile from Minihof.

On June 14, 2002, we met with Rudy in the municipal offices and began to 
search the records. We also met Rudy's aunt, Marica Paladin. She is a retired 
English teacher and proved to be a great help. We found the birth record of my 
father Donatus (Anton, Tony) Tonk. (Copy attached. The fifth child of Franz & 
Francziska Tonk.) Birth records of other children are recorded but we only 
made a copy of the one for Donatus. We could find no birth record for Franz 
Tonk, nor for Francziska. We could find no record of any property being sold in 
1912 or 1913 by anyone named "Tonk", though family oral history said that 
Franz Tonk immigrated to America first and Francziska followed "after selling all 
of the property." Thus, the Tonks must have been renting or living in someone 
else's house in exchange for work or something. 

We decided to look at the church records. We went across the street to look 
at the church record books. No information about anyone with the name of 
"Tonk" was in the church records. For the years 1878 through 1880, there was no 
one with the surname "Tonk" born in Kroatisch Minihof. This is important to 
know because, at this time, the churches kept all of the records about the 
residents of Austria. The churches, under the order of Empress Maria Theresa, had 
to keep birth, death, marriage, etc. records. I was very disappointed. Rudy 
assured me that Franz Tonk was NOT born in Kroatisch Minihof because the 
churches were very good about keeping the records. Also, there was no record of the 
marriage of Franz Tonk and Frances Nemeth. This could be because the records 
kept in the church office in Nikitsch were only for the churches in Minihof 
and Nikitsch. They may have been married in Geresdorf, the town of Frances. 
Church records indicate that the priest in the parish in Minihof from 1870 until
1907 was one Isadore Blazovich. He was born in Hungary and retired there. 
We went back to the municipal offices to look for marriage records. Here we 
found the civil record of the marriage of Franz Tonk and Frances Nemeth.

The marriage record is written in Croatian, I believe. It may be Hungarian 
(ED Note - probably Hungarian). The record gives the date of marriage, the name 
of the bride and groom, the date of their birth and the place of their birth, 
and the names of the parents. Other information is given, though it needs to 
be translated. From this record (copy attached) we learn that Franz Tonk was 
born on April 20, 1879, in Vienna, not Minihof. Frances Tonk was born on 
March 9, 1880 in Peresznye, Hungary (ED-just south of K. Minihof). The names of 
her parents were Matyas Nemeth and Veronika Unger Nemeth. For the groom, only 
the name of the mother is given, Gertruda TONK. No married name is written. 
No name is written for the father. This means that at the time of the 
marriage, February 9, 1903, the mother of Franz Tonk was not married. Franz got his 
surname from his mother. Our long mystery had been solved. I nearly fainted. 
I sat down and tears came to my eyes. I found the source of our surname.

On June 15, we visited the church and took some pictures. We spoke a little 
with the cleaning people who mentioned that there was a lady who would be in 
church on Sunday, June 16, who knew a lot about the history and people of 
Minihof. The cleaning lady was named Ingrid. She was most helpful. The gentleman 
helping her spoke no English but went across the street to get a lady he 
thought might know something. It turned out she did not. We agreed to meet them 
in church on Sunday. We walked through the church cemetery. We could find no 
graves with the name Tonk or Blazovich. We did find tombs with the names 
Hafner, Puecker, and Domanovich the names of our cousins in South Bend, Indiana. 
We visited with a lady we met the previous evening, Christina. She called a 
lady in the neighboring village of Nebersdorf whose maiden name was Tonk. Her 
father's name was Johann and her mother was Agnes Kalais. Her name now is 
Marietz Czigler. She knew nothing of the legend of "The son of the priest". 

On Sunday, June 16, we went to Mass in the Church of the Holy Trinity in 
Minihof. Quite an experience. The people could really sing. We met Rudy and his 
aunt, Marica, and Ingrid, the lady who helped clean the church. They 
introduced us to Gertruda Zvonarich, the lady who knows so much of Minihof. Through 
the translation of Marica, we learned that Gertruda was born in South Bend, 
Indiana in 1915, and returned to Austria with her family in 1921. Then she 
dropped a bombshell. She told us she knew the Tonk family, in fact, played with the 
children, Katherin, Frances, Robert, Donatus. She said of course Franz Tonk 
was the "son of the priest", everyone knew that, and that the housekeeper was 
the mother. She said "It was the first and last time there were ever nipples 
in the rectory." Then another bombshell. Franz and Frances Tonk were her 
godparents. Further, she said she had a picture of the Tonk family. We agreed to
meet at the bed and breakfast where we were staying to view the picture and 
talk some more.

Gertruda came, along with Marica, and we looked at the picture she brought. 
I have to say no one looked familiar, except the older lady in the picture who 
some what resembles Frances Tonk. We continued to discuss her family and 
ours. Through Marica translating, she said that her father and our grandfather,
Franz Tonk, were best of friends, as were her mother and our grandmother, 
Frances Tonk. She thought that her father and Franz Tonk came to America 
together. Her father's name was Bardol Bucolich. Her mother was named
Julianna. She was baptized in Our Lady of Hungary in South Bend. 

I had taken along some letters and cards that my grandma (Frances Tonk) 
received from relatives and/or friends in Austria. Many of the envelopes had the 
post mark of Geresdorf or Minihof. One of them Gertruda said was written by her 
mother to Frances Tonk congratulating her on her 50th wedding anniversary.  
I showed her another note written to Frances Tonk and asked her if she could 
read and translate it. She said, "Of course I can read it, I wrote it." She 
wrote a note to grandma Frances Tonk in 1963, congratulating her on her 50th 
wedding anniversary. We of course were flabbergasted. We were just stunned 
and totally speechless, as were Marica and our house hosts. I had in my 
possession a note to grandmother Frances Tonk, written by this lady with whom I am 
now talking and just happened to pull it out of my folder. And she said, she 
wrote it. If you didn't believe in fate before, you must now. Someone was 
watching over us on this trip. Further discussion brought out that her mother 
came to Minihof in 1895, and the rectory for the church was built at that 
time. Also, grandfather, Franz Tonk, probably worked for the priest because the 
priests owned farm land. Gertruda said that the mother of Franz Tonk came back 
from Vienna with the baby. After talking with her at our bed & breakfast, we 
went with her and Marica to Gast Haus Deutsch for lunch. We had a a great 
meal of typical Austrian/Croatian/Hungarian food and beer. We met another lady 
who was also born in South Bend and still has cousins there. She remembers how 
Franz Tonk could really put away the beer at St. Anthony's club in South 
Bend. Another gentleman, who Rudy knew, says that there was a story or talk of 
a priest who came from Hungary with a housekeeper.

Some of the people we met said that grandfather's mother was born in the same 
village in Hungary as Frances Nemeth. Others told us that in 1911 or 1912, 
50 people left Minihof and 40 some left the year before. Many of those that 
left went to South Bend, Indiana. So many left, that Rudy, after a visit to 
South Bend, Indiana, as a youth and meeting the Minihof people, had a street in 
Minihof renamed Softbend. This street was so-named because of all the people 
who left Minihof to settle in South Bend, Indiana. 

Before leaving, we drove through the town one more time. This time with 
Marica and Gertruda. They showed us the old rectory, which is now abandoned. No 
one lives in it. We also went by the former location of #27 in Minihof. The 
baptismal record of Donatus Tonk said the Tonk family lived at #27. The house 
currently located there is not the one that was there in 1910, but Gertruda 
assured us that was the location. There have been several changes in the 
addressing system since 1910 so the number on the house is different now.

So there you have it. Our name of Tonk comes from the mother of Franz Tonk. 
Now finding her ancestors is the next step. There is a link of the name Tonk 
to medieval Croatia in a German-language book, "Die Kroaten der Herrschaft 
Güssing" by Dr. Robert Hajszan, 1991 Literas-Vienna, on page 25, that a Urbar 
(inventory of possessions, tenants, serfs) of the Batthyány family lists one 
Tonkowyth as a tenant or serf. The Batthyány family were governors of Croatia at 
this time. The spelling Tonkowyth is Croatian and corresponds to the German 
and English Tonkowits. Also, a 1486 urbar for the village of Plaski in the 
Modrus district of present day Croatia lists the name of Tomkovic. The name 
also appears in a history of the Croatians in Burgenland. The name of Phillip 
Tonkovic (Thonkoyth) appears as one of several Croatians living in Grossmutschen 
in 1558, which is in the district of Oberpullendorf. Grossmutschen is just 
south of Minihof, though we did not find it on this trip. Next time.

Newsletter continues as no. 124A.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 124A
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G Berghold)
December 31, 2003
(c) 2003 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved)


This second section of our 4-section newsletter includes:

1. Request For Recent Burgenland Immigrant Contacts
2. Wallendorf Connections - Strodl Family - Charles Wardell
3. Note From Susan Peters Re: BB Picnic
4. Pennsylvania Dutch (Palatinate) Xmas - Anna Kresh
5. Recipe From Burgenland - Tom Webb
6. Are You A Burgenland Mouse In The Corner?
7. An Old Fashioned Xmas In Allentown - Bob Strauch
8. Post Xmas Concert - Bob Strauch
9. Greetings From Charter Member Firmus Opitz


1. REQUEST FOR RECENT BURGENLAND IMMIGRANT CONTACTS
 
In a message dated 12/16/03, Marion Steinwandtner writes:

I'm writing you again concerning my history degree dissertation, which is 
about Burgenland immigrants. I would like to interview some who returned from the 
states and now live in Burgenland. The problem is that only a few came back 
and they are no longer alive. 

Therefore I would like to interview at least five people who emigrated to the 
USA and still live there. I'm very interested in the aspect of homeland 
(Heimat). I would like to know how they now feel about their home country and their 
adopted country?. Is their home (Heimat) still Burgenland or the USA. What do 
they associate with home? Other topics would be language, work and social life. 

I would like to send these people questionnaires regarding these aspects. 
Could you send me the email addresses of people who would be willing to 
participate in my project. If not, could you send me the address of someone in the 
states who could possibly help me. Thanks in advance, Yours, Marion Steinwandtner

Our reply: I will publish your request in the Dec. 31 addition of the BB 
newsletter. It reaches 1000 readers who are descendants of immigrants. A few are 
still immigrants. Perhaps they will contact you. I've also copied three of our editors.


2. WALLENDORF CONNECTIONS - STRODL FAMILY (from Charles Wardell)

Pete Rogers asks: I don't know if you can help but I'm trying to find the 
whereabouts of the Strodl family who lived in Wallendorf during the 1950's. My 
mum sponsored Angela Strodl through the Save The Children fund from the age of 8 
to 18, when she lost touch. She would love to contact her to see how Angela 
has got on. Angela would now be in her 50's and probably married but she did 
have an older brother called Franz so it would be easiest to find him first. Do 
you know if there is a local newspaper, telephone directory or visitor center 
for Wallendorf?

Reply: From: C Wardell 
To: Peter Rogers   
 
This is, strictly speaking, not a genealogical query .... but anyway:
 
1) There is a Wallendorf in the province of Burgenland. Re Burgenland 
research please see: http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org
I suggest you do some searches and check the Newsletter Archives too.
 
2) The Austrian phone directory http://www.etb.at lists several Strodls in 
Burgenland but none in Wallendorf. See the enclosed listing for Franz Strodl
 
3) Re Wallendorf:
 
The town hall in Mogersdorf:
 
Gemeindeamt Mogersdorf
A-8382 Mogersdorf Nr. 2
Phone: +43 - 3325 8200
E-mail: post@mogersdorf.bgld.gv.at
http://www.burgenland.at/LinkServlet?name=mogersdorf
 
The town hall in Jennersdorf (the regional/district center):
 
Stadtgemeinde Jennersdorf
Hauptpl. 5a 
A-8380 Jennersdorf 
Phone +43 -3329 45200-0 
 
The Roman Catholic parish in Modersdorf:
 
Pfarramt Mogersdorf
A-8382 Mogersdorf Nr 1 
Phone +43 - 3325 8201 
 
A local paper:
http://www.bildpost.at
 
A useful Burgenland portal site resource:
http://www.burgenland.at
 
The ZIP codes 7xxx are in Burgenland
Wien = Vienna
 
 Strodl Franz, Bergstr. 1 7210 Mattersburg 
 02626 66272  
 
 Strodl Franz, Bundesstr. 7 7210 Mattersburg 
 02626 67680  
 
 Strodl Franz, Hauptstr. 126 7212 Forchtenstein 
 02626 66871  
 
 Strodl Franz, Hauptstr. 44 7343 Neutal 
 02618 21091  
 
 Strodl Franz, Hinterg 69 7210 Mattersburg 
 02626 62690  
 0650 2543355  
 0650 2543369  
 
 Strodl Franz, Ang, Forchtenauer Str. 14 7210 Mattersburg 
 02626 63802  
 0699 10926937  
 
 (and others)
  
Also see: Esterhazy Forstverwaltung, Revierltg, Rfö Strodl Franz, 
Sauerbrunner Str. 3 7203 Wiesen 02626 81661  
 
 
3. NOTE FROM SUSAN PETERS RE: BB PICNIC

Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you are feeling fine and have many 
more travels and experiences in the year to come.
 
On a side note, if you haven't already heard, last year, the sixth, was my 
last at organizing the BB picnic. Amazing how those years flew by. It seems 
like such a short time ago that Hap and I hatched the idea of trying to meet 
other people from our homeland. As soon as I told Hap, he immediately recruited 
some new volunteers so the picnic will continue. My mother and father who have 
always helped me set things up and greet people will no longer be traveling 
to Minnesota in the summertime, so I thought it might be an opportune time for 
me to give someone else the opportunity to do those things. However, I do 
look forward to attending next year and joining in on all the fun as usual.
 
My very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Susan Peters

(ED. Note: Our thanks to both Susan and Hap for all the work they have done 
in organizing the Mid-West picnic. We are glad to hear that it will continue.)


4. PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH (PALATINATE) XMAS (from Anna Kresh)

Anna writes: I grew up on a farm in Danielsville in the Lehigh Valley. We 
were the only family in the area of Moore Township who were not Pennsylvania 
Dutch (we stemmed from southern Burgenland), so we were exposed to a lot of their
customs. As a matter of fact, we could all speak Penna. Dutch (German dialect). 
I remember that we were always scared to death of the Belsnickel, who came 
through the neighborhood "checking up" on all the kids. I was always a very good girl.

In a message dated 12/5/2003, Bob Strauch had written: Children who have 
"been good" will receive candy and nuts from the traditional Pennsylvania German 
Belsnickel -- that's St. Nicholas.


5. RECIPE FROM BURGENLAND - AUSGEZOGENEKNÖDEL (from Tom Webb)

(ED. Note: Also see Taste of the Burgenland - Strudel Dough, in previous issues.)  
Tom writes: I've been researching my wife's family recipes, to save them for 
my kids, and I found the attached in my old notes. It's both fascinating and 
amusing, and I thought I'd send it on to you. 

Ausgezogeneknödel (Pulled-out dumplings)

When we lived in Pittsburgh in the 1970's, we heard about a dumpling recipe 
made by Mom's (née Grace Malits) great aunt, Albina (Mausser) Hebenstreit. Aunt 
Albina was a sister of Mom's maternal grandmother, Anna (Mausser) Kobca. 
These folks had migrated from the Burgenland in Austria
around the time of World War I, as had Mom's father, Frank Malits. 

So we invited Aunt Albina over one night to demonstrate her masterpiece, and 
I took careful notes of everything. She said she uses the dough in several 
ways: Filled with krümels (Grammels-bits from rendering) and boiled in broth, 
cut into dumplings and boiled, made into apple strudel, and to fry small pieces 
left over as a snack.

What you need: She wanted a big bowl and a big wooden spoon, and a large 
clean working surface, so we cleared the dining table for her. She also wanted 
another pair of hands to hold the dough while she pulled it, a practiced art, no doubt.

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 or 2 tsp salt
3 eggs
3 Tbsp melted butter or margarine, plus some for basting the finished dough.
1 glass of tepid water (size?) add a little at a time - (ED. Make a dough! It 
should be firm but elastic. Not too sticky.)

Procedure: Close the window, she says! (You need a warm room for this.)

Put the flour in the bowl and make a well in the center. Mix the eggs and 
butter into the well, and then water, and mix with the flour. Beat until the 
dough doesn't stick to the spoon. Knead on a floured board or table top until it 
doesn't stick to the hands. Cover with a cloth and let rest for half an hour.

Use a rolling pin to roll out flat, then work the dough thin over the fist 
(sort of like they do at pizza parlors, but you don't have to toss it in the 
air!). Then with somebody holding the dough on the other side, pull out the edges 
all the way around until it is very thin.

Brush ("paint", she says) melted butter or margarine over the pulled-out 
dough (you could probably skip this extra fat). (ED. No - No - don't ignore this - 
might dry out or cook too dry!)

1. Krümel roll: Krümels (Grammels) are the browned solids left after rendering cubed 
pork fat in a skillet. Drain well on brown paper. Lay Krümels on the 
thin dough and roll up, sealing the ends of the roll. Boil in a big pot of 
broth for half an hour. Serve with sour meat or roast beef or pork.

2. Dumplings: Cut into short strips and drop into boiling broth or salted 
water. They are done when they rise to the surface. Serve in the soup or as a 
side dish.

3. Apple strudel: Use as the dough in apple strudel. Quantities unknown - use 
your favorite strudel recipe.

4. Leftovers as snacks: Cut into small pieces and sauté until browned.


6. ARE YOU A BURGENLAND MOUSE IN THE CORNER?

I often receive mail which includes kind words as well as the seed of an 
article. One of our members sent me the following:

"I feel like a mouse in the corner--observing but not letting anyone see me. 
I read your newsletters each month and enjoy them so much. (My grandfather, 
his parents and four sisters immigrated from Steinbach to Watkins, MN, in 1904.) 
Each month I wonder when I am going to "get into" genealogy and start doing 
real work. Right now other matters keep me busy but your newsletter always 
reminds me that I will get to this. I hope it will be sooner rather than later 
or even never.

At this time of thanksgiving and celebration, I want to THANK YOU and the BB 
staff for ALL your incredible work! I do appreciate all you do. May you and 
your families be blessed now and ever!"

A very nice greeting but it infers more. We have over 1000 members and I wonder
how many are really "getting into" family history as stated above? Are you 
also waiting for some time in the future? Perhaps planning to do serious work 
when you retire? Or are you just observing and hoping that someone else or one 
of our newsletters will advance your family history? I waited many years to 
start my search, but that was over 20 years ago and I'm still searching. 
Helping others has also helped me. Think about it - there's no time like the present. 
If you do nothing else, download, print and file data while it's available - who 
knows whether our archives will be available later and I can assure you, such 
data exists nowhere else. 


7. AN OLD FASHIONED XMAS IN ALLENTOWN (from Bob Strauch)

On December 4, 2003, the Lehigh County Historical Society presented "Ein Alte 
Christdag: A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas" at the Troxell-Steckel farmhouse, 
4229 Reliance St, Egypt. (Not that much different from a Burgenland St. Nikolaus Day.)

It's 1842, and the Steckel family, who lived in the Pennsylvania German 
farmhouse for more than 100 years, prepared for Christmas. The home, built in 
1756, is preserved with historically accurate furnishings and was lantern-lit and 
decorated with traditional decor.

Costumed actors portrayed family members getting ready for the holiday: 
Mother Catherine prepared the Christmas feast and cut cookies, 18-year-old Joseph 
decorated the tree, grandmother Maria made handmade gifts for the nine children 
and 16-year-old Clarissa cleaned the house.

Children who were "good" received candy and nuts from the traditional 
Pennsylvania German Belsnickel -- that's St. Nicholas -- and everyone participated in 
an old-fashioned taffy pull, holiday games and caroling around the fire. 
Cookies, hot beverages and holiday music completed the celebration.

(Note for Lehigh Valley BB members - this may become an annual event. Check 
with the Historical Society. A small fee is charged.)


8. POST XMAS CONCERT (from Bob Strauch)

(ED. Note: Bob frequently copies his Lehigh Valley members and contacts with 
news concerning local events and ethnic happenings at large. Unfortunately the 
timing of our newsletters often precludes timely sharing of this data via the 
newsletter. Here is one that you shouldn't miss (and don't forget the annual 
New Year's Day concert from Vienna, shown on most public television stations 
or heard on national public radio Jan. 1 - see section "C".)

IN CONCERT - BAROQUE CHRISTMAS CONCERT (60:00)- NORTH AMERICAN TELEVISION EWTN 
From upcoming holiday programming on EWTN / Eternal Word Television Network 
(times EST):

In this special holiday presentation of "In Concert," we will hear works by 
the great Baroque composers Bach and Handel, along with music of the classical 
master Mozart, performed by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, the German Brass, 
and the Freiburg Cathedral Boys Choir. Traditional carols and exquisite 
classical pieces including excerpts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Handel's 
Messiah will be performed. The beauty of winter and Christmas scenes from the 
city of Freiburg add to the essence of this musical offering. Christmas is a 
festive and joyful time of the year in the charming city of Freiburg, Germany. 
Founded in 1120, the city brims with tradition. The concert performance we 
are about to see was filmed at the magnificent Freiburg Cathedral. Citizens of 
the area call its lofty spire "the finest steeple in Christendom," from which 
visitors can see Switzerland, Germany, and France converge with the Black 
Forest, stretching along both sides of the Rhine to the horizon and the Alps. 
Experience the wonder of the great European tradition of Christmas with A Baroque 
Christmas Concert.Sunday December 28, 2003 1:30 PM, Saturday January 3, 2004 3:00 AM


9. GREETINGS FROM CHARTER MEMBER FIRMUS OPITZ

Firmus writes: Mein Lieber Landsmann Herr Berghold:
 
I just have to answer a point you made about members not keeping their address
current. I find it hard to believe that someone would let these things (the 
newsletter) lapse. I cannot wait until it arrives and the printer kicks out 
all the pages. Each of these allows me to dream about those little Dorf's and 
unter Dorf's, which I may or may not have been through one time or another. 
Burgenland is so very unique and is brought into focus by you Herr Berghold and 
your contributing Editors. Vielen Dank
 
Another subject over which I drool is when the talk is about kuchen, Appel 
Strudel, Kraut Strudel and the tons of other goodies. The reason I bring this up 
is my mother, Anna Gangl (Opa Gangl was from Apetlon) baked all of these 
goodies. The reason I drool is because I am diabetic and can't eat any of 
these things, although I think my blood sugar jumps sky high just thinking about 
them. Ein Gutes Weihnachten Zu Alles
 
Newsletter continues as no. 124B.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 124B
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G Berghold)
December 31, 2003
(c) 2003 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved)


This third section of our 4-section newsletter includes:

1. Deutsch/Englisch Sprache - The Language Of The Germanic Immigrant
2. New Jersey Ethnic Holiday Event - Margaret Kaiser
3. Kudos From Member
4. Village Of Csanak, Hungary
5. German Speaking Communities In Chicago - Spurensuche
6. Village Called "Wolffs"
7. Book "People On The Border" - Croatian History In The Burgenland
8. Chicago Jolly Burgenländer Faschingfest - Tom Glatz


1. DEUTSCH/ENGLISCH SPRACHE - THE LANGUAGE OF THE GERMANIC IMMIGRANT

It is a well known fact that children and the unthinking enjoy poking fun at 
anyone who, or anything which, differs from what they are used to. As a 
result, it was (and still is) the practice to treat immigrants and travelers who 
are not skilled in their adopted language as objects of scorn or mirth. Having 
attempted Latin, German, UK English, Serbo-Croatian and Hungarian myself (with 
limited success and no head for languages) as well as journeys into Spanish, 
Turkish, French, Greek and Italian, I can well identify with the immigrants' 
plight. I've come to the conclusion that, rather than poke fun at those who 
attempt another language, we should compliment them for their effort. If you don't 
believe me, try learning another language or, better yet, travel to some place 
where English is rarely used and try to get along - you'll soon be speaking 
Foreign/English Sprache. Germanic immigration is now probably at an all time low 
and Hispanic immigration at an all time high. We see that some now feel that we 
should have Spanish as well as English as our "official" languages. Not to 
worry, one generation from now will see our present immigrants speaking good 
English and maybe the next call will be for Chinese! 

Our Burgenland immigrants did their best to learn English (and some did an 
excellent job of it after the usual false starts) while also teaching their 
children a little German. I, for one, admire their efforts. We have hundreds of 
German dialects - I now bring you one more, which I have called Deutsch/Englisch 
Sprache (with apologies to those who have mastered both languages.)

In the last newsletter I published a Xmas poem written in Deutsch/Englisch 
Sprache. I received a fair amount of comment from people who enjoyed it and who 
could well understand the fractured German as well as the fractured English. 
Here are two others, read them, if nothing else, they well serve as a language 
lesson. 

* Hannes Graf writes: Dear Gerry Another, a little different from last year's 
poem, enjoy it und liebe Grüße.


When the snow falls wunderbar
And the children happy are,
When the Glatteis on the street,
And we all a Glühwein need,
Then you know, es ist soweit:
She is here, the Weihnachtszeit

Every Parkhaus ist besetzt,
Weil die people fahren jetzt
All to Kaufhof, Mediamarkt,
Kriegen nearly Herzinfarkt.
Shopping hirnverbrannte things
And the Christmasglocke rings.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits...
Mother in the kitchen bakes
Schoko-, Nuss- and Mandelkeks

Daddy in the Nebenraum
Schmücks a Riesen-Weihnachtsbaum
He is hanging auf the balls,
Then he from the Leiter falls...
Finally the Kinderlein
To the Zimmer kommen rein

And es sings the family
Schauerlich: "Oh, Christmastree!"
And the jeder in the house
Is packing die Geschenke aus.
Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,

Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits...
Mama finds unter the Tanne
Eine brandnew Teflon-Pfanne,
Papa gets a Schlips and Socken,
Everybody does frohlocken.

President speaks in TV,
All around is Harmonie,
Bis mother in the kitchen runs:
Im Ofen burns the Weihnachtsgans.
And so comes die Feuerwehr
With Tatü, tata daher,

And they bring a long, long Schlauch
An a long, long Leiter auch.
And they schrei - "Wasser marsch!",
Christmas is - now im - Eimer...

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas,
Hear the music, see the lights,
Frohe Weihnacht, Frohe Weihnacht,
Merry Christmas allerseits...


* DER CHARLIE 

Den andre abend ging mei frau und ich ein 'walk' zu nehmen. Uf course, wir 
koente a maschin erforder, bot ich klaim, Wer a fortie waist hat wie mei frau. 
Soll exerceise Aenyhau. Und wie mir so gemuetlich gehen aelong die awenues, Da 
bleibt a koppel vor mich stehen. Ich notiz gleich die schuhs.. A Greenhorn 
kennt ma bei sei schuh, das mus ich auch erklaere. 

Ich wunder wie sie's stehnde tun so teite schuhs zu waere. Der mann guckt 
mich a weil lang an, als wolt er fuer was frage, Dann bloscht er wie a kidt bis 
an sei hardtgeboilte krage, Und mach ein bow, und sagt, "pardonne soer, holds 
sie tramway hier?" "Ach, wo die streetcar stoppe tut, das willst du wisse? Well 
der weg is hart zu misse." Du schneidts hier cross die empty lot, Und dort 
wo du das brikhaus siest, da toernst du und Walkst zwei block east. 

"Ich fuerchte Ich belastige sie mit meine frage, aber werden sie so 
freundlich sein mir das auf deutschzu sagen?" "In deutsch!!" schrei ich, "ja denkst du 
mensch ich talk in tscheinese oder frensch?" Bei gosch es is zum lache, in 
vierzehn tag vergist der kerl Sei eigene Muttersprache! Wenns net fuer uns old 
settlers Waere, gibts bald kein Tscherman lengwitsch mer!!!


2. NEW JERSEY ETHNIC HOLIDAY EVENT (from Margaret Kaiser)

15th Annual Festival of Trees including the Menorah and the Traditions of 
Belarus, Denmark, Greece, Hispanic-Latino People, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, 
Scotland, Ukraine, Victorian England and Early 20th Century America.

Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation
www.ahfoundation.org
300 Somerset Street (PO Box 1084)
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Phone: 732 846-5777
December 7, 2003 - February 1, 2004
Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11-4, Sunday 1-4


3. KUDOS FROM MEMBER (from Mary Kamper Sheridan)

Gerry and Albert, I just have to send a quick note telling you how much I 
thoroughly enjoy each BB Newsletter. I pour over each one. I must congratulate 
all the editors on a wonderful newsletter that stands out for its scholarship, 
informative information, discipline of focus, and general readability.

And Albert, it seems to me (and perhaps I am prejudiced here as he is related 
to me through our great-grandmothers), always has an outstanding contribution 
to make. (Other editors, please do not take this as a denigration of your own 
very commendable efforts.) This time his research on the Vienna orphans caught 
my eye as it gave me a clue that perhaps my mother's side of the family might 
have some connection to the much earlier A-H immigration--a very new 
speculation for me.

Also most interesting is the mDNA study that is being done by Steve Geosits. 
Fascinating.

Dan Kamper and I (whom I found only through the BB and who then opened a 
whole new world of extended family to me) almost always comment with each other on 
each newsletter.

Thus, kudos all around. I think your work would justify an honorary doctorate 
from some university; it is of that type of quality in my opinion. Thank you
for your wonderful work/scholarship and unselfish sharing of your work. (ED. 
Note: Many of our editors have advanced degrees, but none would turn down an 
honorary doctorate!)


4. VILLAGE OF CSANAK, HUNGARY

Member writes: I have just started working on my Wolkensdorfer side of the 
family. My GGGrandfather, Martin Wolkensdorfer and his wife Theresa Klaus were 
reported to have been from the village of Csanak. I have just ordered the LDS 
films from the Catholic Church in Csanak and several smaller surrounding 
villages. I am wondering if you have any suggestions for my search for Martin and 
Theresa? All of their children born in Hungary are reported to have been 
born in Csanak except one and she was reported to have been born in Chaunack. I 
can find no information on such a village. Have you ever heard of this village?
I would appreciate any help that you can provide.

Reply: Csanak or now Rabacsanak is still in today's Hungary, Gyor-Moson-Sopron Megye, 
south of Csorna. Not a Burgenland village. Pre-1921 it was in Sopron 
Megye, district (Bezirk) of Csorna. Had a population of about 1000, today 639. 
Was its own parish. First mentioned in 1351. I find no reference to 
Chaunack but I would guess it is a phonetic spelling of Csanak. When you scan the 
church records, look for the birth of the person supposedly born there.


5. GERMAN SPEAKING COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO - SPURENSUCHE (suggested by Tom Glatz)

(ED. Note: Tom recently sent me a package of ethnic material relating to the 
Chicago Burgenland enclave. There are many other Germanic ethnic groups in the 
region. This article addresses them.)

Included in the material recently received from Tom Glatz, our BB Chicago 
editor, was a booklet called "Spurensuche" (the discovery of something found in a 
particular place - Germanic in this case) - German Speaking Communities in 
Chicago and in the Midwest. It was published by a consortium of German-American
organizations, with help from the Consulates General of Austria, Germany and 
Switzerland. It was published in Chicago in the Fall of 2003 and contains 
articles describing the organizations. Various waves of immigration from
German speaking lands came to Chicago and those from Burgenland were well-represented,
as has been covered in previous newsletters. The consortium has already raised 
$10K towards expanding into a website. When they do, Tom tells us there will be 
a link to us as well as other organizations.

Burgenländers are unique compared to other Germanic groups, since their many 
years as part of Hungary as well as their Croatian minority identify them as 
eastern Europeans as opposed to central Europeans. This fact is mentioned in the 
booklet, which covers only one Burgenland group, the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft/BG 
(there are other groups not described, possibly because they provided 
no response, but some are listed in the index.) Tom Glatz wrote an article 
concerning the BG and, in the same article, mentioned the BB. Editing for limited 
space did not allow full coverage of our group. I was a little disappointed, as 
was Tom.

It has been my experience that whenever Germanic emigration is addressed in 
publications, you will find little concerning the Burgenland. This is exactly 
why the BB was formed. Germanic researchers tend to view us as Hungarian and 
Hungarian researchers tend to view us as Germans. As a result we generally fall 
through the crack and are ignored by both. Our Germanic heritage requires us 
to be cognizant of other Germanic groups. Some are listed below. Articles in 
Spurensuche are printed in both German and English.

After a forward and a preface, the booklet includes: Migration and Settlement, 
German as a Foreign Language in Chicago, Mapping German Immigration In The 
Midwest, The Danube Swabians, The Burgenländer, Dialogues of Eminent Immigrants, 
The Chicago Symphony, German-Jewish Dialogue, Portrait of an American-Swiss 
Community, Sister Cities and Student Exchanges, Personalities, German Neighborhoods 
and Street Names, Architecture and Art, Bauhaus Influence on Chicago 
Architecture, German and Austrian Stained Glass Windows In Chicago, Culinary 
Delights, Traditions and Lippizan Stud Farm, Mari Sandoz (author of Swiss 
immigrant stories), Social Movements, and List of German Speaking Clubs and 
Organizations.

Burgenland clubs listed are the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft and the Jolly 
Burgenländer Social Club. There are other Austrian Clubs shown - most with 
provincial interest such as Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, etc. Also shown are the 
Austrian American Councils throughout the Midwest. The websites of the three 
consulates are: Austrian - www.Austria.org; German - www.germany-info.org/Chicago; 
Switzerland - www.swissemb.org/Chicago. 

Ethnic clubs are generally formed primarily to provide a forum where immigrants
can meet in a social context and converse in their birth language. Later,
they often expand to include cultural events, dinners of ethnic food, dances, 
holidays and beneficial opportunities. Sometime they promote trips to the 
homeland or senior club activities - rarely do they address family history or 
homeland history and geography. As the newer generations become adults and the 
immigrant generation dies out, these last two become more important, but 
unfortunately, few clubs address these issues and club membership declines
or dies out. It is up to us, the descendants of immigrants to support these organizations 
and change the impetus of their reasons for existence. I would hate to see the 
Germanic ethnic clubs die out for want of participation.

You may wish to contact Tom Glatz to determine if the booklet is still 
available or to get the address of one of the clubs or organizations. 

Tom also sent me a copy of the German weekly newspaper "Eintracht," which lists 
ethnic events in the Chicago/midwest area. It is available by calling 1-847-677-9456 
at $40/yr. Published by Eintract, Inc., 9456 N. Lawler Ave., Skokie IL 60077-1271.


6. VILLAGE CALLED "WOLFFS"

In a message dated 12/17/03, A. Jaeger writes:

"I am pretty new to the wonderful hobby of genealogy, I found your site 
through a few searches. My great-grandfather supposedly came here from Hungary, the 
town I was told that he came from is "Wolffs", I cannot find this town, do 
you know if it ever existed in Hungary? I look forward to your reply, thank 
you." 

Reply: There is a Wolfau in the district of Oberwart in southern Burgenland. 
Hungarian name (before 1921) was Vasfarkasfalva. Farkas is Hungarian for wolf. 
Vas was the county. Parish of Markt Allhau - civil office in Kemeten. Near the 
border with Styria (western Burgenland border). You'll need a 1:200, 000 scale 
map to find it - see our map section available from our website. 1335 
inhabitants-first mentioned in 1257. See our website for more.


7. BOOK "PEOPLE ON THE BORDER" - CROATIAN HISTORY IN THE BURGENLAND

In a message dated 12/17/03, Harald Lutzmann writes: 
 
"Having traced my family history back to Lutzmannsburg, I am vitally interested 
in the book by Johann Dobrovitch. Can you help me in this regard or if 
possible e-mail the installments?"
 
Reply: You can find the English translation (by Frank Teklits) serialized in 
our Newsletter archives, from which you can download them. They are in BB 
Newsletters Nos. 55A through 65A. See below for address of our website archives 
(attached). 


8. CHICAGO JOLLY BURGENLÄNDER FASCHINGFEST

Tom Glatz reports that the Jolly Burgenländer Faschingfest or pre-Lenten 
dance will take place on Friday, February 13, 2004, at the Chicago Gaelic Park, 
6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, Illinois. If we can get enough of the Chicago 
Burgenland Bunch members to attend, as we did for the Lackenbach Music Group 
event, we can have our own table. Please let me know if you wish to attend. My 
phone number is 773-239-6523. Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $9.00 at the door.

Newsletter continues as no. 124C.

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS - No. 124C 
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(Issued monthly by G Berghold)
December 31, 2003
(c) 2003 G. J. Berghold - all rights reserved)

*** TOM GLATZ REMINDS US THAT BURGENLÄNDISCHE GEMEINSCHAFT (BG) MEMBERSHIP 
RENEWAL TIME IS ALMOST UPON US. SEE YOUR ISSUE OF THE BG NEWS. MEMBERS IN THE 
CHICAGO AREA MAY SEND THEIR DUES TO TOM WHO IS THEIR LOCAL BG CONTACT OR SEND 
CHECKS DIRECTLY TO THE BG IN GÜSSING. ***

This fourth section of our 4-section newsletter includes:

1. Early Baptism & Infant Mortality
2. Horvath And Paar Families From Kondorfa, Hungary
3. Chicago Zither Club - Tom Glatz
4. Austrian American Society Of Milwaukee - Tom Glatz
5. Fr. Berghold Memorial Approved
6. New Year Comes To Old Vienna - Albert Schuch, Bob Strauch, Margaret Kaiser)
7. GLÜCKLICHES NEW JAHR!


1. EARLY BAPTISM & INFANT MORTALITY

In a message dated 12/5/03, RA Bjorkman writes:

"Since Neustift (Ujtelep) had no church and records were kept in Kukmirn some 
20 +/- miles away, did families usually take their infants to the church the 
day after birth to be christened? Christenings typically are shown to occur 
the very next day. A 40-mile round-trip by horse and wagon seems a long haul, 
especially in winter. Any history on this?"

Reply: The death rate among births was so high (close to 25%) that most 
children were baptized the same day they were born. Some records show both dates 
which supports what I've said. Puerperal fever among pregnant women was almost 
epidemic (given the poor delivery hygiene). It was only after WW-I that rural 
hospitals and clinics reversed the trend. A Viennese doctor, by the way, I.P. 
Semmelweis, solved the puerperal fever problem. 

My g-grandfather Sorger had three wives, first two died giving birth after 
many children. My grandfather's mother (Ilona Tarafas from Pinkamindszent) was 
the second wife who died after having four children. Her fifth baby died also 
after baptism - name "anonymous". Midwives were used, but relatives often 
attended. Some were good and some were not so good. Most villages are too small even 
today to have a resident doctor (Arzt) - they receive visits from traveling 
doctors on a scheduled basis - dentists as well. I first encountered south 
Burgenland hospital births in the 1920's (Güssing hospital was founded about that 
time). Prior to that, the hospital in Graz was used by those who could afford it.

When you say Kukmirn was 20+ miles, it's more like 8-10 kms (as the crow 
flies) - using farm lanes, if you know where they are. Now part of the "radfahren" or 
bicycle routes. Kukmirn had (has) both a RC and Lutheran church. Neustift has 
a cemetery on a hill outside the village with a chapel "Der Alte Glockenturm-Kirche 
zum Heilige Antonius" - also a Lutheran Bethaus - prayer house. I visited 
one afternoon checking on family names. My cousin Klaus Gerger (one of our BB 
Burgenland editors) has a mother-in-law who lives outside Neustift.


2. HORVATH & PAAR FAMILIES FROM KONDORFA, HUNGARY

In a message dated 12/9/03, Joe Horvath writes:

"I saw your information on the Burgenland Bunch web site. Among the surnames 
you listed were Horvath and Paar. My grandparents were Horvath and Paar from 
Kondorfa, Hungary. They settled in Northampton County, PA. Do you have any 
information that could help me identify or otherwise learn about the earlier 
generations?"
 
Reply: Both of your names are fairly common in the Burgenland region and you 
will find them in various villages. I have both in my family history - the 
Horvaths (my grandfather Sorger's family) were from Rosenberg (Güssing) and 
Pinkamindszent, Hungary. The Paars from Krottendorf. 

Kondorfa is still in Hungary and is a few kms south of Szt. Gotthard, just a 
few miles from the Austrian border. It is in Vas Megye (county) with a population
today of about 720. It lies in the valley created by the Lugos Brook and
was first mentioned in 1350. It belonged to the Cistercian monastery in Szt. 
Gotthard. The church, St. Lucas, was built in 1850. Records are available by 
microfilm from the LDS.

This region sent many immigrants to the Lehigh Valley. Mine settled in Allentown, 
although my grandmother's twin sister, Fannie Mühl Wallitisch Holzer, had 
the tavern at Ruch & Oak Sts in Stiles (West Coplay). Tracing your family 
requires a search of the church records. Our website can tell you how to do that. 
You might also find some of our 1100 members who our searching these names or 
your village area. 

By copy of this email, I'm asking Margaret Kaiser, our editor for this area of 
the Burgenland, whether she has any additional information concerning Kondorfa. 


3. CHICAGO ZITHER CLUB (from Tom Glatz)

The Chicago Zither Club held their Gala 90th Anniversary Fall Concert on 
November 23 at the St. Patrick's Performing Arts Center in Chicago. John Olivo 
conducted an ensemble of 15 zithers, 2 guitars, 2 mandolins, 2 autoharps, a 
mandola, recorder, cello and bass. Program included music by Johann Strauss, Jr. 
as well as other selections including a 'Sound of Music' Medley. 

Remember Anton Karas and his haunting zither music from the movie "The Third 
Man"? The zither is one of those instruments that bring Austria to mind. 
Chicago-area BB members may wish to determine when the next concert will be held 
and mark their calendars.

Austrian culture is still very much alive in Chicago. BB members who live in 
the area might take advantage of this. The Zither Club has been around since 
1913. It was founded by German and Austrian immigrants. After a nice meal at 
the Hungarian Paprikash Restaurant, I attended the above concert. These concerts 
are always wonderful. The group is very diverse in its repertoire playing 
German and Austrian folk as well as some classical and popular music. This time, 
they were accompanied by a guest zither player from Germany and a classically 
trained singer. The head of the group, Janet Stessel, gave a brief summary of 
the group's history and dedicated the concert to the memory of those long 
gone who helped make the club a success.


4. AUSTRIAN AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE (from Tom Glatz)

Inclosed is a copy of the brochure for this organization. Frank Schmitz is 
president, I know him well. Every year they have an exhibit at "Germanfest" in 
Milwaukee. They serve food such as Gulasch and roast pork with Knödel, etc. 
Last Thursday I attended the Xmas party of the Austrian American Council Of The 
Midwest. I had the pleasure of sitting with the honorary Austrian consul of 
Milwaukee, Robert Kalupa and wife Eileen. They are very active members of this 
club. We spoke about the different clubs in the area. The consul was very 
interested in the BB. He welcomes and encourages our Milwaukee area BB members to 
also consider joining this club or attending their events. I sent him a link to 
our website.

The club does not have a website. Meetings are held on the second Friday of 
the month (Jan, June, July excluded) at the German Fest Office, 8229W. Capitol 
Drive, Milwaukee. There is a monthly newsletter. Special events which they 
sponsor are Zum Heurigen (Winefest), Austrian-American Day, German Fest and 
Holiday Folk Fair. New members are always welcome. Annual dues are $15.00 per 
person. Contact Betty Klitzke, 4411 N. 100th St., #4, Milwaukee, WI 53025.


5. FR BERGHOLD MEMORIAL APPROVED (from Jim Seifert)

(ED. Note: Previous newsletters have mentioned Father Alexander Berghold, 
Catholic priest and missionary to the mid-west in the late 1800's, author and 
poet. Born in Styria, Austria, just a few kms from the Burgenland border, he 
spent many years in the New Ulm area of Minnesota. He was responsible for 
establishing the parish of New Ulm as well as others and founding schools and a 
hospital. He was an advocate of the German language being studied in immigrant 
schools and used for mass. He returned to Austria and died a pauper at the end
of World War I. His parishioners will honor him by erecting a memorial, as 
mentioned by member Jim Seifert who serves on the FR Berghold Memorial Committee. 
Father Berghold was a notable immigrant to the US and should be remembered in 
both America and Austria. Our editors Albert Schuch and Fritz Königshofer have 
uncovered much data concerning this individual. While we have the same surname, 
I cannot link to his branch of the Berghold clan. 

Dr. LaVern Rippley (author/editor/translator and professor at St. Olaf 
College) wrote the following (edited) as a conclusion to an article on Fr. Berghold. 
He is the historian of the memorial committee.

"Truly Father Alexander Berghold crossed boundaries--a theme which 
thrusts across the frontiers of time from the instant of his death to the moment 
of ours. Momentous in scope, the "Boundary Crossings" which Berghold enacted by 
his life hold multitudinous challenges for us today: With him and his legacy, 
we must leap across parish lines, ethnic frontiers, language barriers, 
political divides .....and across the expanse of continents." 

(ED. Note: It comes to mind that the same can be said for our search for 
family history.)

Jim writes: I have good news about the Fr. Berghold Memorial. Last week the 
committee authorized the construction of the Fr. Berghold statue. It will be 
seven feet tall. As required by our Bishop, we now have sufficient funds on hand 
and pledged to pay for the entire statue. Construction takes about 18 months, 
so we have time to collect the money for the base. It was our hope to have 
the statue completed in time for the 150th anniversary of the founding of New 
Ulm next year. However the 100th anniversary of the outdoor Way of the Cross, 
which was the inspiration of Fr. Berghold, will still be celebrated. There is 
going to be a parade from Holy Trinity Cathedral church, which Fr. Berghold 
designed, to the Way of the Cross. Following this, there is going to be a 
benediction ceremony at Loretto Park, which is adjacent to the entrance to the Way of 
the Cross. The dedication of the memorial site will probably take place at this 
time. We started this project back in 1996. It is a very slow process. A few 
obstacles had to be overcome. Do you have any thoughts on why it is important 
to remember people from the past to whom we owe so much? We are going to send 
out another letter of solicitation soon. I am grateful for your moral support 
and the research you and your colleagues have done. 
 
6. NEW YEAR COMES TO OLD VIENNA (suggested by Albert Schuch, Bob Strauch & 
Margaret Kaiser)

Last year Albert copied me on an article from the New York Times concerning 
subject matter. I've enjoyed this concert for many years. In my mind, nothing 
takes one to the "gemütlichkeit" of old Vienna like the New Year's Concert. 
Check your public television schedule for the time of this year's transmission. 
Margaret Kaiser suggests you read a similar article from www.myway.com)

Bob Strauch submits the following Lehigh Valley schedule:

NEW YEAR'S CONCERT FROM VIENNA 2004:
 
On TV:
 
WLVT-Lehigh Valley PBS (www.wlvt.org) 
Thursday, January 1, 2004
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
 1:00 AM - 2:30 AM
 4:30 AM - 6:00 AM
 
On radio: (complete concert)
 
WRTI-Philadelphia (www.wrti.org)
(97.1 FM in the Lehigh Valley/ 90.1 FM in the Philadelphia area; also live 
broadcast over Internet)
Thursday, January 1, 2004
11:00 AM - approx. 1:00 PM
Followed by 1990 broadcast of Strauss' operetta "Die Fledermaus". 
 
Fragments of the article describing last year's concert follow:

A New Year Comes to Old Vienna
By JAMES R. OESTREICH (excerpted from the New York Times)

VIENNA, Jan. 1 (2003)- It is a remarkable display of civility that this city 
offers with the famous Johann Strauss concerts by the Vienna Philharmonic on 
New Year's Eve and New Year's morning. All the more remarkable given what comes 
between.

To a midnight mob scene outside St. Stephen's Cathedral worthy of Times 
Square, add the firepower of Chinatown at its new year.... the big bell that rings 
in the cathedral tower to greet the new year could simply not be heard.

Well, solace came quickly, with the concert New Year's morning at the 
Musikverein, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and telecast live throughout much of
the world, later in the day in the United States.... The orchestra played 
superbly in a way that only it can in this repertory, with polish, spirit, humor 
and the inimitable lilt that comes from rushing the second beat in a waltz....

In addition to the television broadcasts, expected to reach some 50 million 
viewers, the recordings are perennial best sellers..... This year, Deutsche 
Grammophon promises to have finished CD's in European stores by Jan. 7; American 
release is scheduled for Jan. 28....there was also the expected. Invariably, 
the first strains of the second encore, "The Blue Danube," are interrupted by 
applause -And invariably the conductor turns around to wish everyone a happy 
new year on behalf of the orchestra....Equally predictably, the third and final 
encore was Johann Strauss I's "Radetzky March," with everyone clapping along 
heartily. 


7. A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AS WE START OUR 9TH YEAR! 
GLÜCKLICHES NEW JAHR FROM THE STAFF OF THE BB!

END OF NEWSLETTER

BURGENLAND BUNCH STAFF (USA residents unless designated otherwise)
Coordinator & Editor Newsletter (Gerald Berghold)
Burgenland Editor (Albert Schuch; Austria)
Home Page Editor (Hap Anderson)
Internet/URL Editor (Anna Tanczos Kresh)

Contributing Editors:
Austro/Hungarian Research (Fritz Königshofer)
Burgenland Co-Editor (Klaus Gerger, Austria)
Burgenland Lake Corner Research (Dale Knebel)
Chicago Burgenland Enclave (Tom Glatz)
Croatian Burgenland (Frank Teklits)
Home Page village lists (Bill Rudy) 
Home Page surname lists (Tom Steichen)
Home Page membership list (Hannes Graf, Austria)
Judaic Burgenland (Maureen Tighe-Brown)
Lehigh Valley Burgenland Enclave (Robert Strauch)
Szt. Gotthard & Jennersdorf Districts (Margaret Kaiser)
Western US BB Members-Research (Bob Unger)
WorldGenWeb-Austria, RootsWeb Liason-Burgenland (Charles Wardell, Austria)

BB ARCHIVES (can be reached via Home Page hyperlinks) 

BURGENLAND HOME PAGE (WEB SITE)
http://www.the-burgenland-bunch.org

http://go.to/burgenland-bunch (also provides access to Burgenländische 
Gemeinschaft web site.)

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.