There Once Was A World

Transcription

Newsletter of the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International
December 2006
Volume 18 Number 4
There Once Was A World
Brief history of former Jewish communities in
the towns of Loštice, Mohelnice and Úsov
second synagogue was
built in 1651 also from
wood. In 1727 the synagogue was taken apart,
transferred and reconstructed in the south end
of the newly established
Jewish quarter.
The present synagogue was built in
1805-1806 on the site
of the former wooden
synagogue. It is a large
building designed in
Classicist style. A major
reconstruction of the
synagogue was done in
1877. As it was customMenorah in Loštice Synagogue. Courtesy of Jiří
ary in other synagogues,
Ošanec.
the Loštice synagogue was used
© Ludĕk Štipl, 2005 (Foundation
not only for religious services and
Respect and Tolerance)
prayers but also as a study and a
classroom. The two story wing with
The Synagogue in Loštice (Losliving quarters for the rabbi and the
chitz)
synagogue assistant (shames) was
The first wooden synagogue was
adjacent to the northern wall of the
built in Loštice in the middle of the
building. Located in the synagogue
16th century near the parish church.
district was a ritual bath for spiritual
The entire town including the
cleansing (mikveh), an infirmary
synagogue was damaged during the
and a slaughterhouse (shlachta). The
Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). The slaughter of cattle, poultry and the
preparation of meat had to be carried out under strict religious regulations in order to produce a ritually
pure meal (kosher).
Shortly after the German occupation in 1939 the synagogue was
closed and its religious objects were
confiscated and removed. Some of
Continued on page 131
Theme of This Issue:
Jewish Genealogy
129 – There Once Was A World
130 – President’s Message
136 – The Cultural Heritage of the
Jewish People in the Czech Land
139 – 2007 CGSI Genealogical/
Cultural Conference
140 – Prešov – Centre of Northeastern
Slovakia and its Past
144 – Czech Students Honored for their
Essays
146 – John Kerry’s Family History as
an example of Search for Jewish
Ancestry
153 - CGSI Lending Library
154 – My Family History (Slovak Essay)
156 – Celebrating Our Heritage
159 – Ready, Set, Research!
164 – The Librarian’s Shelf
170 – Sales Order Form
171 – Calendar of Events
President’s Message
Naše rodina
Newsletter for the Czechoslovak Genealogical
Society International (CGSI) members
CGSI Board of Directors (at large)
Leo Baca
(Texas)
Rosie Bodien
(Washington)
Robert Petrik
(Florida)
Helene Cincebeaux
(New York)
Chris Miksanek
(Minnesota)
Mike Prohaska
(Iowa)
Margie Sobotka
(Nebraska)
Gene Aksamit
(Minnesota)
Lisa Alzo
(New York)
CGSI Officers
President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Treasurer
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Ginger Simek
Dottie Speidel
Al Kranz
Beth Baumeister
Barb Vermeer
Kathy Jorgenson
CGSI Committee Chairs
Education
Hospitality
Library and Archives
Membership
Newsletter
Product Sales
Publicity
Volunteer Coordinator
Internet (Webmaster)
Ruth Chovancek
Janelle Pavlovec
Suzette Steppe
Joyce Fagerness
Paul Makousky
Jerry Parupsky
Chuck Romportl
Dolores Jorgenson
Bob Bina
Naše rodina promotes genealogy of the ethnic
groups that comprise Czechoslovakia as it was
formed in 1918. We accept articles of historical
and cultural information, but they must have
genealogical significance and all are subject to
editing. The deadlines for submitting articles to
Naše rodina are:
January 1
March issue
April 1
June issue
July 1
September issue
October 1
December issue
Naše rodina (Our Family) (ISSN 1045-8190) is
published quarterly by the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International, P.O. Box 16225, St.
Paul, MN 55116-0225, a non-profit organization.
Copyright 2006 by Czechoslovak Genealogical
Society International. The publication is not
responsible for the return of lost or unsolicited
manuscripts, photographs or any other material
not submitted with a self-addressed, stamped
envelope. Advertisements, manuscripts, articles,
and photographs for the Naše rodina may be
submitted to Czechoslovak Genealogical Society
International, Attn: Paul Makousky, P.O. Box
16225, St. Paul, MN 55116-0225.
Permission to copy, without fee, all or part of the
material is granted, provided that the copies are
not made or distributed for direct commercial
advantage. The CGSI copyright notice and the
title of the publication must appear together with
the date of the publication. Also, indicate that the
copying is with permission by CGSI. Abstracting
with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise or to
republish, requires a fee and/or permission from
CGSI.
The Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International does not endorse the products that we sell
nor the items or services, including translators
that are advertised in this publication. Neither
does CGSI guarantee the quality or results of any
services provided by advertisers.
Page 130
by Ginger Simek
T
he quarterly and annual meetings of the society were held on October
28th at Faith Presbyterian Church in Minnetonka, MN. The theme of
the quarterly meeting was Czechoslovak Family Research: Getting
Started, Keeping Going. Presentations were given by Lisa Alzo and Leo Baca
both members of the Board of Directors. The annual meeting followed which
included the election of directors, officers, and chairpersons. Re-elected to
their current positions were Mike Prohaska and Lisa Alzo, Board of Directors;
Kathy Jorgenson, Corresponding Secretary; and Jerry Parupsky, Sales Product
Chair. Newly elected Board members are outgoing President Gene Aksamit
and Chris Miksanek. Suzette Steppe is our new Library Chair, and I feel honored and challenged to accept the presidency. Thanks and appreciation go to
outgoing Board of Directors’ members Dave Pavelka and Jack Smith; Wayne
Sisel, Library Chair; Suzette Steppe, Recording Secretary; and to Gene
Aksamit for his leadership the past 6 years as President. A special meeting
highlight was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Gene.
Your Society is alive and well today due to the energy, ideas, and motivation of Mark Bigaouette and Dave Pavelka as past presidents, and Gene
Aksamit, outgoing President; all assisted by very capable volunteer members.
Mark’s vision of an organization for those tracing their family heritage to the
Czechoslovak region is a reality but needs and depends upon the wonderful
volunteer members who have and continue to devote countless hours to the
activities of the Society.
The 2007 conference will be held in Madison, Wisconsin October 18-20.
The keynote speaker will be PhDr. Lenka Matušíková, from the National
Archives in Prague. This a direct result of the efforts of Dave Pavelka as
conference chair of the Back to the Homeland Conference in 2005 and Gene
Aksamit. The contact and relationship developed with the archives and Dr.
Matušiková is a valuable one for the Society. Watch for more upcoming conference details. Czech essay winners were selected and prizes were awarded
to four Czech young people at a ceremony in Prague on September 16. This
contest and event was spearheaded by 1st Vice President, Dottie Speidel. The
Society was represented at many festivals and events this past year-again all
staffed by volunteers. And those of you with Internet access, log on to your
web site-there is some great information and more keeps coming.
I have been a member of CGSI since the early 1990s and served as the
Society’s first Corresponding Secretary. In addition I have worked on various projects over the years but one of my continuing tasks has been assisting
answering library research requests. It is very satisfying when information
can be found to add to a member’s family story. Learning more about our rich
heritage is what it is all about. Hopefully each of you will consider getting
more involved-your input, talents, and enthusiasm are needed and welcomed.
Naše rodina
December 2006 Vol. 18 No. 4
the objects are now in the collection of the Jewish Muwas not renewed and since then the synagogue has
seum in Prague. The synagogue’s interior still retains
been used for storage, a municipal museum and a music
some of its features, namely the original entrance hall,
school. Due to the poor state of the building and its
the vestibule, the women’s gallery on the first floor, and foundations a thorough and costly consolidation was
the main prayer hall with a vaulted ceiling and stucco
undertaken in 1989-90. The synagogue, listed as a state
decorations. The high windows in the main hall are pre- protected heritage site, is occasionally used for concerts
served, while the round central window from the eastern and projects such as the Nine Gates festival. A newly
wall is missing. An older wall decoration is evident in
established foundation Synagoga is preparing a project
the women’s galfor a major restoration. The building
lery but is covwill be used as an art school and a
ered by several
gallery with a permanent exhibition
layers of newer
documenting the history of the Jewpaint. The unique
ish community in Loštice. A memorial
stone washbasin
plaque for the victims of the holocaust
(kijor) in the veswas unveiled in June 2003.
tibule was used
The Jewish cemetery in Loštice
for ritual washing
was founded in 1554. The area of
of hands before
6,500 square meters contains about
prayer (sym650 gravestones. Most of them were
bol of spiritual
made from Maletin sandstone during
cleansing).
the 18th and 19th centuries. The oldest
A Hebrew
preserved tombstones date from the
inscription over
early 17th century. The house near the
the entrance to
entrance used to be the gravedigger’s
the main hall in
dwelling and morgue. The record of
translation states:
the last funeral is from 1942.
“Because God
created Zion and
A Historical Chronology of
gave it glory.”
the Jewish Community in
The floor of
Loštice
the main hall is
9th century The presence of Jewish
lower than the
merchants in the Greater Moravia is
floor in the vestiExterior of the Loštice synagogue. Photo courtesy of Jiří
documented by the Raffelstetten Cusbule. According
Ošanec.
toms and Shipping Regulations written
to tradition the
th
symbolic deeper setting of the main hall originates from in the early 10 century. However, the evidence of
Psalm 130: “Out of the depth I have called upon you, O Jewish trading caravans operating in the present Czech
Republic dates back to the Roman period.
Lord.” All seats were directed towards the eastern wall
where the most important object in the synagogue was
Jewish settlements in Moravia are menkept: the tabernacle (aron ha-kodesh) containing the To- 11th century
tioned
in
the Chronicles of Kosmas.
rah – a parchment scroll with a handwritten text of the
Five books of Moses. The Loštice Torahs are presently
1140 First record of Jewish community in Olomouc –
located in several synagogues abroad.
in Hebrew writings by a traveler named Isak ben
Editor’s Note: One of those Torahs resides in the
Dorbalo.
Congregation Hakafa in the Village of Glencoe (Chi1254 King Premyšl Otakar II issued Statuta Judaeocago), IL. The spiritual leader is Rabbi Bruce Elder.
rum. This important decree codified the legal
For the story about how the Torah was traced back to
position of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia. Jews
Loštice, visit the website: www.czechtorah.org/chicago.
were direct subjects of the king and he in turn
php
guaranteed their protection and freedom of reAfter WWII, the Jewish congregation in Loštice
Naše rodina
Page 131
ligion. The document was confirmed by several
successive rulers and became a basis for the
legal position of Jews in this land until the end
of the 18th century.
1322 King Jan Lucemburský granted permission to
the bishop of Olomouc to employ Jewish moneylenders in Mohelnice and the bishop’s other
three towns.
1454 King Ladislav Pohrobek expelled Jews from
Uničov, Olomouc and other Moravian royal
towns. However, feudal landowners accepted
Jewish settlers into their towns. This was the
case in Úsov and later in Loštice.
1544 Oldest record of Jewish settlement in Loštice,
when Benes – a man of Jewish faith bought a
house in the town. At this time Loštice was a
part of the Bouzov estate and its feudal owner
was Václav Haugvic z Biskupic.
1546 The Bouzov estate was bought by Prokop Podstatský z Prusinovic. With his support the Jewish
settlement in Loštice grew. Jewish immigrants
from Bohemia, Hungary and Poland arrived in
the town. They were granted a permission to
buy houses and settle in the area near the parish
church.
1554A Jewish cemetery was established by the road
to Palonín.
ca 1560 The first wooden synagogue was built in
Loštice.
1581 A Jewish self-run government (headed by a bailiff and counselors), a Jewish Community Register and a Community House were established in
Loštice.
1585 The royal town of Uničov became the new
owner of Loštice. This had positive influence on
the further development of Christian and Jewish
communities.
1618- 1648 A period of prosperity ended during the
Thirty Years’ War. The entire town including the
synagogue was devastated and about half of the
houses in the Jewish quarter were abandoned.
1651 A new wooden synagogue was constructed. The
Jewish community prospered again. Jewish settlers from Poland, Ukraine and Latvia arrived to
Loštice. They escaped persecution caused by the
Chmelnicki uprising (1648-1656). Jews expelled
from Lower Austria and Vienna settled here in
1670.
1727 The Jewish quarter was moved to the western
part of the town. According to the Translocation
Decree issued by the Emperor Charles VI, all
Jewish houses which were in close proximity to
Catholic churches in any town or city were to be
moved to other locations. In Loštice the problem
was resolved by an exchange.
Jewish owners swapped houses with Christians. Owners of
Loštice and its citizens fought
this decree in vain. This move
did not discourage the growth
of the Jewish community in
the new location.
1781-88 Reforms declared by
the Emperor Joseph II began
to remove the most discriminatory laws, made education
accessible for all and prepared
the conditions for integration
of Jews into society.
1782 A Jewish school
opened in Loštice. On request
of the Jewish community, a
Gravemarkers at the Úsov Jewish
cemetery. Photo courtesy of Jiří
Ošanec.
Page 132
Naše rodina
local Christian schoolteacher, Josef Cap, began
to teach there.
1805-06 A synagogue built of masonry in the Classicist
style replaced a former wooden structure and is
preserved to the present day.
1848-49 Revolutionary events caused a major reorganization of the state administration and an
improvement of rights for all citizens. Jews
attained civil rights with a final amendment in
1867. From now on Jews could relocate freely,
choose any profession and marry without
restrictions. Feudal ownership was dismantled
and Loštice became a free town. Christian and
Jewish communities created a joint municipal
administration. There were 483 Jews in Loštice,
which represented about 17% of inhabitants.
1900 A total of 115 Jews lived in Loštice. Their
number gradually declined, as some families
took advantage of a new freedom and moved to
bigger towns and industrial centers. A total of
44,255 people of Jewish faith lived in Moravia.
1919 Dr. Ezriel Günzig, the last Loštice rabbi who
served his community from 1899, left the town.
Dr. Berthed Oppenheim, the Olomouc rabbi,
assumed religious duties here.
1928 A fire destroyed 16 houses in the Jewish quarter.
The fire started in the house of a tvaruzky cheese
maker, Mr. Eckstein. A strong wind quickly
spread the fire to other houses. Almost 30 fire
brigades rushed to Loštice to put out the blaze.
The damage was extensive but no life was lost.
1939 The start of the German occupation and persecution of Jewish people.
1942 On June 22nd Nazis transported 59 Jews from
Loštice to Terezín and from there to other concentration camps, where most of them died.
1945 After the war only Greta Eckstein with her
parents and Richard Morgenstern with his five
children returned from the concentration camps
to Loštice. Armin Morgenstern and Max Weiss,
who joined the Anti-nazi armed forces also survived the war. The Jewish congregation was not
renewed.
The Jewish Community in Mohelnice
December 2006 Vol. 18 No. 4 (Müglitz)
The oldest recorded mention of a Jewish presence in
Mohelnice is from 1322. In this year the Czech king,
Jan Lucemburský, granted permission to Konrad, the
bishop of Olomouc, to employ Jewish moneylenders in
the bishop’s towns of Mohelnice, Svitavy, Vyškov and
Kromĕříž.
It is quite possible that in the following centuries
other individual Jews settled in the town, but neither
a synagogue nor a Jewish cemetery were established
there. Permission from a king, feudal owner or town
council was needed to institute a Jewish community.
Mohelnice, being the property of the bishops and archbishops of Olomouc, was not granted this permission.
Information about the activities of Jewish families,
merchants and businessmen began to surface during
the mid 19th century due to the considerable increase
of Mohelnice Jews. After 1848, a reorganization of the
state administration eliminated medieval discriminatory
laws and brought equality of rights for Jews in the entire
country. They used their newly attained freedom and
moved from small, crowded towns and ghettos to bigger
industrial towns such as Mohelnice, where they looked
for better economic opportunities. The Jewish congregation in Mohelnice was founded in 1870. One of the
results of this active group was the foundation of their
own prayer room in the town square (the house number
9). The original prayer room was located in so called
Edelhof (30 Třebovská Street). There were four other
Jewish houses and stores in the town square before
WWII. The nearest synagogues and ritual bath, called
mikveh, were located in Loštice and Úsov. In many
cases families from these locations were related.
While around 1850 there were only about 13 Jews
in the town, by the 1890s their number rose to almost
200, which represented about 7% of the population of
the inner town. The Jewish presence started to gradually
decline after 1900. Jewish owners operated several foremost enterprises including the Grätzer Factory for Precision Instruments, Felix Lechner Sawmill and Ziegler
Factory for Ladie’s Garments. Shortly after the creation
of the Czechoslovak Republic about 90 Jews resided in
Mohelnice, and around 1930 only 40 of them remained.
Almost all of the Jews left the town in 1938 to save their
lives and property from the Nazis who occupied the
Sudetenland in the fall of that year. Jewish people from
Mohelnice escaped to that part of the Republic, which
was not occupied by the German army. Only a few elderly and ailing persons of Jewish faith stayed behind.
Naše rodina
Page 133
In November 1938, a few weeks after the Munich
pogrom, the Nazis organized a big anti Jewish pogrom
in the rest of Germany and Sudetenland during which
hundreds of synagogues and thousands of Jewish stores,
houses and apartments were destroyed. This pogrom,
called by the Nazis, “The Crystal Night”, due to the
sound of breaking windows, also found its way to Mohelnice. Several fanatics attacked Jewish dwellings and
ransacked the prayer room.
Among the citizens of Jewish descent from Mohelnice, who joined the anti-Nazi armed forces and
fought on the Western front until the end of the war,
were the Grätzer brothers, Otmar Ziegler and Artur
Langer. A student of medicine, Kurt Wolf, escaped to
the Soviet Union and became a member of the Czechoslovak army unit there. During the battle by Sokolovo
he was killed on March 9, 1943. Kurt was posthumously
promoted to lieutenant, received a doctorate and was
awarded the Order of Red Flag, the Order of the White
Lion with the star and the Czechoslovak War Cross
1939.
The municipal cemetery, which was established in
1905, contains a small Jewish section and a grave of the
victims of a death transport from the Auschwitz concentration camp (Russian prisoners of WWII).
The Jewish Community in Úsov
Individual families began to settle in Úsov probably
throughout the 14th century, but a Jewish community
was not established here before 1454. Based on a royal
decree in that year, which expelled Jews from Olomouc,
Uničov and other Moravian towns owned by the king,
the Jews sought shelter and protection in small towns,
which belonged to feudal landowners. At that time the
town of Úsov was the center of a large feudal estate and
the first Jewish community was most likely formed by
refugees from the nearby royal towns of Uničov and
Olomouc. The first written record of a Jewish settlement
in Úsov is mentioned in 1564 in a register titled, “Registra Sprawny Panstwy Aussowskeho”. In the second half
of the 16th century there were eight Jewish families living in Úsov. As was customary for Jews in other towns,
in Úsov they too were only permitted a few selected
trades, that of merchants and moneylenders. They had
to live in a separate quarter of town and pay high taxes.
However, members of the Jewish community were
important contributors to the economical growth of the
feudal estate and therefore they gradually received more
recognition, rights and privileges. For instance, in 1571
the Emperor Maxmillian II gave permission to transfer
Page 134
the weekly markets in Úsov from Saturday to Wednesday so that Jews could have their day of rest – Sabbath.
By the beginning of the 16th century, the Jewish community and the synagogue with a rabbi were already in
existence.
During the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) the town
was burnt down and many Christian and Jewish inhabitants lost their lives. After the war the Jewish community
started to grow again as refugees from Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine, fleeing from the persecution caused by
the Chmelnicki uprising (1648-1656), settled in Úsov.
The original wooden synagogue was destroyed during
the war and was replaced in 1688 by a new synagogue
built of masonry. The community was managed according to Jewish law by a self-run government headed by a
bailiff.
Further development of the community was influenced by a distressing event in 1721. A provocation,
caused by Samuel Jelinek from Dubicko, a Catholic
chaplain who disturbed a Jewish service in the synagogue, resulted in an unjust court decision that did not
punish the real culprit but the Jews. At the financial
expense of the Jewish community the synagogue had to
be dismantled and Jews were not allowed to gather for
common prayers in large groups. It was not until 1753
that permission was given by the Empress Maria Theresa to establish three prayer rooms.
At the forefront of a new era of freedom and hope
for the Jews were the reforms declared by the Emperor
Joseph II between 1781-1788. During that period the
most discriminatory laws were removed, resulting in a
different political environment, which was soon felt also
in Úsov. Construction of a new synagogue was allowed
by Emperor’s decree in 1783, and a Jewish school was
established in Úsov during the next year. Revolutionary events of 1848 caused a major reorganization of the
state administration and removed official discrimination. Jews attained civil rights with a final amendment
in 1867. From then on they could relocate freely, choose
any profession and marry without restrictions. About
780 citizens of Jewish faith lived in Úsov around 1850,
which represented a third of the town’s total population.
Their number gradually declined during the second half
of the 19th century as families and individuals moved to
bigger towns in search of better economic opportunities.
In spite of this decline the Jewish community survived
and after state reorganization in 1890, the community
for some time even oversaw the Jewish activities of the
surrounding towns of Uničov, Zábřeh and Šumperk.
Around the turn of the century there were about 100
Naše rodina
Map of Loštice and vicinity in North Moravia
Jews in Úsov and by 1930 only 20 of them still resided
there.
Úsov was incorporated into Sudetenland and therefore the German army occupied the town in October
1938. Unfortunately, the infamous anti Jewish pogrom,
“The Crystal Night”, also reached Úsov. Local Nazis
marched into the Jewish quarter on October 10, 1938
where, among other things, they caused damage and
burned down the furnishing of the synagogue. Only a
few Jews from Úsov survived the tragedy of German
occupation, one of them was a poet and prose writer
named Vlastimil Artur Polak. The Jewish congregation
was not renewed after the war. The synagogue was restored during the 1990s and is presently used for educational and cultural purposes.
The oldest preserved tombstones in the Úsov cemetery date from the 2nd half of the 17th century. There are
about a thousand tombstones, including valuable ex-
amples of baroque and classicist types. The old Jewish
cemetery was established after 1450 in the area north
of the Úsov castle. This cemetery was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. Around 1645 a new cemetery
was founded near the ghetto. Graves of important personalities and learned rabbis still attract well-informed
visitors from our country and abroad. One of the most
famous personalities buried in the cemetery is Abraham
Leipniker Löwy (aka Abraham Ha-Levi Brode, Ben
Mordechai) b. ca. 1700 – d. 29 Oct 1774 in Úsov. Mr.
Löwy and four generations of his descendants from
Úsov are direct ancestors of Massachusetts Senator John
Kerry. (See family tree on page 152).
Naše rodina
Page 135
The Cultural Heritage of
the Jewish people in the
Czech Land
By Nadia Grosser Nagarajan
The legendary Czech queen Libuše, who ruled thousands of years ago, was not only wise and devoted to
her people but also blessed with the gift of prophesy.
According to the prominent folklorist and historian
Alois Jirásek, she predicted the founding of the wonderful city of Prague as well as many events that took place
after she joined her forefathers in the afterworld. In one
of her visions she saw a group of strangers approaching the Czech land from a faraway country in the east.
She left her prophesy to her grandson to whom she
conveyed the message that these people were bearers of
good tidings and should be given permission to settle in
the Czech land since they would bring prosperity and
good fortune. And indeed so it happened.
Based on this legend, the Jews found refuge in the
Czech land and considered it their home many centuries
before the historical data that place their arrival in the
middle of the tenth century. From the very beginning
the Czech Jews were different from other east European
Jews. They did not live in isolation but spoke the language of the land and practiced a secular way of life.
Most of them kept the traditions of their forefathers and
many were religious but few were truly fanatic. They
nurtured a strong emotional tie to the land of their birth
and that was many times more dominant than their religious practices. They contributed considerably to the
economy and culture but were not always given credit
for it.
The marvelous city of Prague has served over the
centuries as an inspiration to many writers, musicians
and artists. It has also been the cradle of many legends
influenced by its colorful history, the beauty of its versatile architecture, the mystery of its surroundings and
the people that called it home. Jewish commerce and
culture flourished since the 14th century. Prague was the
center and also became the crossroads for Jews coming from the east and the west, the Ashkenasim from
Germany and Holland, and the Sepharadim from Spain,
Portugal, Italy and many Mediterranean islands. Many
important events in the life of the Jews happened during
the rule of Rudolf the Second when Jews fled the reli-
Page 136
gious persecution in Spain.
The best way to paint even a small canvas of the
kind of life Jews lived in those days would be to use
some of the most famous legends of those days in order
to depict reality as close as possible to what it had been.
Some legends deal with the problem that befell
Jews who despite the fact that they were open minded
and devoted to the Czech land, were saddened if not
devastated when their children chose mates who were
not Jewish. This kind of situation arose once in a while,
but mostly did not create problems that involved tragedies such as disowning their children and refusing to
accept their grandchildren. Such was the case even in
Slovakia where there lived more orthodox Jews in contrast to other Eastern European countries where intermarriage was not accepted and castigated.
There are many tales that deal with fantasy and
imagination while others lean on reality and fact but still
carry within them the elements of legend. Topics mostly
Jewish in substance were affected by the outside world.
Thus, for instance, nineteenth century Romanticism had
a strong effect on the legendary past of the Jewish population. So, for example, the figure of the ever-suffering,
wandering Jew, who initially had an evil image, was
elevated and became the symbol of the man, who like
Faust, was searching for the wisdom and understanding
of the human condition.
The Jews, just like any group of people, regardless
of the religious denomination, needed wise and reputable teachers and leaders. Many rabbis helped Jews
solve problems and supported them during their hardships as well as instructed the congregations in matters
of faith. Maybe the most famous rabbi was Rabbi Löew
whose lineage connected him to King David. As was the
habit in those days, Rabbi Löew became engaged early
in his life and years later married the beautiful daughter
of a prominent merchant in Prague. In time he became
the leading rabbi in the city that was a famous center of
Jewish learning and his fame spread far and wide. He
was the creator of the Golem, the famous man made out
of mud into whom the Rabbi breathed life, who saved
the Jews of Prague in times of Pogroms and great distress.
The Jewish population in the Czech land was devoted to their tradition and their habits illustrate that very
well. On Saturday, they honored the Sabbath, it was a
day of rest, relaxation and at times meditation preceded
by the Friday evening visit to the synagogue where they
listened to the rabbi’s sermon and prayers. They wore
Naše rodina
Left: Gravemarkers in Jewish Cemetery in Prague’s
Jewish Quarter. Photo courtesy of Mark Bigaouette.
their best attire and upon returning home had a special
meal that consisted among other things, of fish, dumplings and a Challah, a beautiful, braided bread. Children
were allowed to stay up late and listen to stories that
were told at the table where the flickering candles created an atmosphere of magic and festivity.
Holidays had a special meaning and were cherished.
Very important was Passover, commemorating the freedom of the Jewish slaves in Egypt and the crossing of
the Red Sea. Also the New Year holidays were revered,
when Jews celebrated the onset of a new period hoping
for good fortune and luck as well as forgiveness from
any mistakes and sins committed in the previous year.
Thus with a clean slate they could contemplate the future with hope. On the day of atonement, Yom Kippur,
memorial candles were lit to commemorate the dead and
it was customary to visit the tombs of the departed. The
visitors would place a small stone on the grave to let the
dead know that they had not been forgotten. The belief
in the immortality of the soul was strong and thus, for
example, a bride whose mother had passed away would
visit the grave and ask her to come to the wedding ceremony. There are legends that deal with this belief in
Czech folklore as well, such as in the famous book of
ballads by Karel Jaromir Erben.
Children enjoyed two holidays in particular. Purim
is similar to Halloween when colorful customs are worn
and special sweets eaten in honor of the Persian queen
Esther who saved the Jews from disaster. Hannukah,
which is the festival of lights and happens close to
Below: Neo Romanesque Ceremonial
Hall in Prague’s Jewish Quarter. Photo
courtesy of Paul Makousky.
Naše rodina
Page 137
Torah Scroll from the Loštice, Moravia synagogue. Photo courtesy of Jiří Ošanec.
Christmas, is another holiday where children enjoy a lot
of fun and is also based on an important event in Jewish
history.
Many holidays were celebrated with the general
population, just as the regular New Year and other special festive days as birthdays and historical events. Even
the birthday of St. Wenceslaus, on September 28th every year, was respected, since the national Czech saint
had brought protection and good fortune to his land.
Children were told biblical tales but also stories that
appealed to children in general. Thus the well known
folktale of “Budulinek,” that taught kids how to listen
to their parents and adults in general in order to avoid
dangerous situations, was very popular and so was the
well-known book by Jan Karafiat, “The Fireflies.” The
latter story had been written by a priest who wanted
Christian children to learn family values, devotion to
their faith, and practice compassion, understanding
Page 138
and goodwill towards others. This was something the
Jews wanted their children to learn as well. In addition
there were hundreds of lullabies and games the Jewish
children were brought up on just like their non-Jewish
counterparts.
We encounter a copious array of habits and tradition that the Jewish population followed, they describe
the trust and belief in God, their deep love for the land
they were living in and their feelings about their fellow
countrymen. As time went by and life presented challenges and dangers they could not cope with or solve
in the Czech land, the Jews left looking for a safer and
less dangerous place to live, but they took with them
not only their ancient faith and tradition but also their
love for the country of their birth and never forgot from
where they came, no matter where they found a safe
haven and new homeland.
Naše rodina
2007 CGSI Genealogical/Cultural Conference
by Gene Aksamit
This is the second in a series of informational articles on
the 2007 CGSI Genealogical/Cultural Conference. First,
based on questions we have received, there seems to be
some confusion on the dates and place of the conference
which are:
Date:
Place:
October 18 – 20, 2007
Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy
Center; Madison, Wisconsin
The Alliant Energy Center is a Dane County complex comprised of several facilities including the Exhibition Hall where the conference will be held. The
Exhibition Hall is large enough to hold several concurrent events with minimal interaction. The Alliant Energy
Center is centrally located just inside the Southern Beltline (highway 12/18). It is approximately one mile from
downtown Madison and the State Capitol and about 1½
miles from the University of Wisconsin campus and the
Wisconsin Historical Society. More information can be
found at their website at: www.alliantenergycenter.com.
The Clarion Suites Madison – Central hotel is adjacent to the Exhibition Hall and connected by an interior walkway. We have negotiated a room rate with the
Clarion Suites for a limited number of rooms during the
conference. Some of the features of the Clarion Suites
hotel include: free parking (conference attendees may leave their
cars in the hotel parking lot while
attending conference sessions),
complimentary buffet breakfast,
complimentary shuttle to and from
the airport, and rooms that include
a microwave, refrigerator, etc. RV
parking is available for $20 per
night. More information can be
found at the following website:
www.choicehotels.com.
Conference activities will be
held from Thursday (October 18)
through Saturday (October 20).
Thursday will feature tours and
opportunities for genealogical
research. The Madison location
provides conference attendees with several opportunities for research including the following libraries: Wisconsin Historical Society Library Archives (see article
in the September issue of Naše rodina), Family History
Center, Madison Public Library and the Diocese of
Madison Archives. On Thursday, the Wisconsin Historical Society staff will offer a workshop specifically designed for CGSI conference attendees that will include
opportunities for hands-on research at their library. The
tours are yet to be defined but will likely include cultural and historical points of interest.
Conference sessions will be held on Friday and
Saturday with three concurrent sessions offered during
four breakout periods each day. Overall, there will be
24 presentations. The Speaker and Topics Committee
is currently finalizing the session plan that will include
some speakers and topics not heard at our previous conferences. This committee, chaired by Ed Langer, also
includes Mary Jane Scherdin, Karen Helwig, Suzette
Steppe, John Kracha and Gene Aksamit.
We will continue to keep you up to date on the planning in the future issues of Naše rodina. In the meantime, we hope you are making plans to attend.
Naše rodina
Page 139
Prešov – Centre of Northeastern Slovakia and its
Past
By Milan Belej
The city of Prešov is located in the central part of
eastern Slovakia, in the area formed by the Torysa river,
close to the Slánske hills (Slánske vrchy). It is the seat
of the Prešov Region (Prešovský samosprávny kraj) that
comprises former Šariš County as well as northern parts
of both Spiš and Zemplín Counties. Prešov is the third
largest city in Slovakia according to the census taken in
2001.
The area of present Prešov had been settled long
before our era and many cultures, tribes and nations
had changed there. Since the 8th century AD the Slavic
people inhabited the territory of the town permanently.
The other nations settled down there soon after. In the
period when Slovakia became a part of the Kingdom of
Hungary (turn of the 11 – 12th centuries) the Hungarian
military units were settled there by the king and later,
after the disastrous Tartar invasion (1240 – 1241), the
king invited German colonists (called the Saxons), part
of which settled down also in Prešov. Since then the
multi-ethnicity has became one of the most typical characteristics of the city.
Prešov was originally subjected to Šariš castle as
a part of its estate. From this period the first written
mention about the town has been preserved (1247). In
1299 King Andrew III granted the municipal rights to
the Saxons in Prešov. It was an important precondition for Prešov to gain the status of a free royal town.
From that time on Prešov was subjected only to the king
and enjoyed the privileges of wide self-administration.
Medieval Prešov was a member of several municipal
communities. The most important was the community
of five free royal towns in eastern Slovakia called Pentapolitana. In that time (the 15th century) Prešov belonged
among the eight most important towns in the Kingdom
of Hungary.
The prosperity of the free royal town Prešov was
the result of its geographic location on the crossroads
of the old merchant roads as well as of the numerous
economic privileges endowed by the Hungarian kings.
Trade, primarily with wine and clothes, held the most
important position in its economy. The merchants from
Prešov participated in the transport of the goods between Polish towns and the region of the Tisza River
Plain. The local trade was important, too. The privileged
annual or weekly markets in town enabled Prešov’s
craftsmen united in guilds to sell their products. The
prosperity of a medieval town depended on its safety
secured chiefly by the strong stonewalls that created a
fort. The right (and a duty, as well) to build them was
granted to Prešov in 1374 but it took nearly 70 years
until they were completed.
1768 Map of Prešov
Page 140
Naše rodina
During the period of the early Modern Age and antiHabsburg uprisings (1526 – 1711) Prešov experienced
not only the era of its greatest rise but also its deepest
decline. The beginning of the mentioned period was
characterized by the Turkish invasion (1526) that subsequently led to the division of Hungary into three parts
(Habsburg, Turkish and Transylvania). The Reformation
began in Hungary in the same time. Prešov gained much
from that. Situated close to the border of the Habsburg
Hungary, the town was endowed with new privileges
as a result of its support of King Ferdinand I. Due to
the Turkish occupation of the southern part of Hungary
Prešov’s economic position was strengthened, so the
second half of the 16th century can be considered as
the period of Prešov’s greatest rise. The contemporaries
used to call it “blossoming Prešov” or “Little Vienna”.
In 1531 Prešov became Evangelical (The Evangelical
Church of Augsburg Confession) and no other denomination then existed there up until 1671. Soon afterwards
it became the center of the Reformation in Upper Hungary, due to its tradition of famous schools (municipal
school of humanities, grammar school), mainly the
Evangelical College founded in 1667.
The period of “blossoming Prešov” ended definitely
in the last third of the 17th century, when the town was
inflicted with the greatest decline in its history. It was
the result of various causes, mainly its participation in
the Protestant anti-Habsburg uprisings of Hungarian nobility (Wesselényi, Thököly) against the centralistic and
absolute rule of emperor Leopold I as well as against
his Counter-Reformation efforts. During the uprising
of Imrich Thököly the town was in 1783 – 1785 several times besieged and finally it was occupied by the
imperial troops. Several military occupations seriously
damaged the economy of the town. The reprisals against
the Evangelicals started after the occupation. They were
deprived of their churches and college and expelled to
the outskirts. The decline of Prešov was completed during the uprising of Ferenc II. Rákóczy (1703 – 1711).
The outlined events had a great impact on the Evangelical elite in town. In all textbooks of history Prešov is
frequently quoted because of the bloody assizes in 1687,
when imperial military commandant Antonio Caraffa
charged some prominent citizens and some nobles with
collaborating with rebels. They were severely tortured
and 24 persons were brutally executed on the square
near the college. In July 1995 an important act of reconciliation was accomplished beside the memorial to the
victims when Pope John Paul II prayed there during his
visit to Prešov.
“Bosák House,” built by Michal Bosák
Rákóczy Palace in Prešov, Slovakia
Naše rodina
St. Nicholas Church built in gothic style
Page 141
The political and economical decline accompanied
with several waves of plague and fire resulted in a significant decrease in Prešov’s population. Being in its
prime in the beginning of the 17th century, Prešov had
5,500 inhabitants, but one hundred years later scarcely
3,000 people lived there. Moreover, during the greatest
plague in 1710 most of its inhabitants, approximately
2,300, died.
In 1710, thus, the era of old medieval Prešov
ended. The depopulated and poor town entered a new
period (1711 – 1848). Although spared from wars or
plagues during that period, it took more than 20 years
for Prešov to recover economically. Nevertheless, its
former political and economical position has never been
reestablished again. The exclusive position of the Roman Catholics in Prešov ended in the 1780s when the
Evangelicals were allowed to return back to town from
its outskirts and the confiscated church and college was
returned to them.
During the revolution of 1848 -1849 Prešov was
several times occupied by the troops from both sides.
The expenses that were necessary to supply the troops
damaged its economy. The period 1850 – 1918 brought
very different consequences on the town. The obsolete
craft-based economy of Prešov was unable to compete with the dynamically developing industrial parts
of Hungary. Gaining the characteristics of the smaller
towns, the economical influence of Prešov did not cross
the borders of Šariš County. On the other hand, Prešov
still retained its position of the cultural and educational
centre, as reflects its contemporary name “Athens upon
the Torysa River.” The life of citizens was influenced by
modernization symbolized by the railway in the 1870s
and electrification, telegraph, telephone, and sewage
system in the 1890s. Although Prešov itself was not influenced by the overseas “emigration fever” very much,
it was the seat of Šariš County called “the cradle of
emigration” by the contemporaries from where in 1899
– 1913 about 50,000 people emigrated to the USA. One
of them, Michal Bosák, who made a fortune in the USA,
built a bank in Prešov in the beginning of the 1920s
which is the best example of Secession architecture in
town.
After World War I, Prešov was incorporated into the
new Czechoslovak Republic (1918 – 1939). The only
exception was a short-lived Hungarian military occupation in June 1919 when the Slovak Soviet Republic was
proclaimed there. In the new republic more favorable
conditions for development of the national schools and
culture were established in town. The democratic re-
Page 142
gime enabled all nationalities to develop their political
and cultural organizations. On the other hand, Prešov
lost its administrative significance. After centuries of
being the seat of Šariš County, it lost that position in
1923 when the county system was abolished.
In the period of the Slovak Republic (1939 – 1945)
Prešov became the cultural and administrative centre
of eastern Slovakia, because of Hungarian occupation
of Košice. In Prešov, as a seat of Šariš-Zemplín County
the construction of new administrative and school buildings started. In 1942 one of the greatest tragedies in the
history of the city afflicted the local Jewish community.
More than 6,500 Jews from Prešov and surrounding
area were deported to German concentration camps in
Poland and nearly all deportees perished there.
In January 1945 Prešov was bombed by Soviet Air
Forces and in the following years the damaged sections
of the town had to be reconstructed. The Communist
regime in 1948 – 1989 ceased the existence of political life and put the churches under the strong political
control of the state. On the other hand, it was a period of
Prešov’s modernization: the great new industrial plants
were founded, large “block of flats” quarters were built
and its population increased from 22,800 in 1950 to
92,700 in 2001.
During its history, Prešov has been characterized
by multi-ethnicity. From the Middle Age up to 1945
the three nationalities had prevailed there: Slovaks,
Hungarians and Germans, whose ratio and significance
changed over the course of history. Nevertheless, the
Slovaks were always the majority. From the 1840s up
to the end of World War I the ratio of the Hungarians
sharply increased, chiefly due to the “magyarization”,
so in 1910 even 48% Hungarians lived there. Soon after
the creation of Czechoslovakia their ratio decreased.
The first Jews were allowed to inhabit Prešov only in
the beginning of the 19th century and their numbers
started to increase only since the last third of century.
Although in 1910 16.4% of the citizens were of Jewish
denomination, most of them, however, declared themselves Hungarians or Germans. The effects of World
War II significantly changed the national structure of
Prešov. The Jews became the victims of the holocaust.
Both the Hungarian and German minorities that rapidly
decreased during the interwar period, in fact ceased to
exist after 1945. Although Prešov became the centre
of Rusyn’s cultural elite during the 19th century, there
were only 2.5% Rusyns in town in 1930. Today more
than 90% of the inhabitants of Prešov are Slovaks,
while 2.3% combined are Rusyns and Ukrainians. Other
Naše rodina
nationalities living in Prešov include, Roma (Gypsies),
Czechs, Hungarians, Russians, Moravians, Poles, Germans and Bulgarians.
In the 16th century the Reformation broke the
era of medieval church universality. In 1531 – 1671
Prešov was exclusively Evangelical. After the defeat
of anti-Habsburg uprisings the situation changed. The
Evangelicals were expelled to the outskirts, they were
deprived of their churches and college and only the
Roman Catholics stayed there. They were allowed to
return back only in the 1780s and they gained their
confiscated property again. Since then both denominations have been presented in Prešov, although the Roman Catholics are in the prevailing majority. In 1816
the Greek Catholic bishop office was founded in Prešov
and the Greek Catholics outnumbered the Evangelicals
by World War I. The existence of Jewish community
that began to inhabit Prešov at the beginning of the 19th
century ended tragically in 1942. Although all churches
were prosecuted by the Communist regime, the worst
attacks were directed against the Greek Catholic church.
The church was abolished just in Prešov in 1950 and it
was not until 1968 when it was reestablished again. Part
of its believers entered the Orthodox Church that completed the structure of the main denominations in Prešov
in the 1950s. At present there are two bishop offices
(Evangelical and Greek Catholic) and one archbishop
office (Orthodox) in Prešov.
The role of Prešov as the center of culture and education has already been mentioned. Already in the 16th
century the famous municipal school of humanity existed in Prešov, which was later transformed into grammar
school. In 1667 the Evangelical College was founded in
Prešov, which immediately became the most important
Evangelical educational institution in Upper Hungary.
Many famous scholars of European importance taught
at mentioned schools, such as philosophers Ján Bayer
and Izák Caban, etc. After the victory of the CounterReformation in town the Evangelical College was
confiscated and the Jesuit grammar school was located
in its building. Since the end of the 18th century up to
its abolition in 1773 it was just that school where some
prominent scholars taught. The Evangelical College was
reestablished at the end of the 18th century. In the 19th
century many of its students later become outstanding
representatives of both Slovak and Hungarian political
and cultural life, e. g. P. O. Hviezdoslav, M. M. Hodža,
L. Kossuth. Both law and theological academy of the
Evangelical College were abolished shortly after 1918.
After World War II in the 1950s there were laid the
foundations of new high schools in Prešov. New faculties originally became part of P. J. Šafárik University
in Košice, but later, in 1997, University of Prešov was
founded here. At present University of Prešov consists
of 8 faculties and one institute. One faculty of Technical
University in Košice is also located in Prešov.
During the long history many styles influenced the
architecture in Prešov. The oldest buildings that have
been preserved were built in Gothic style. St. Nicholas
Church from the 14 – 16th centuries situated on the
central position of the square is its best example. The
definite shape of medieval Prešov as well as the present,
lentil-like shape of its square has been formed after the
completion of the town walls in the 1430s. Their relics
can be seen at present. The facades of originally Gothic
houses in the square were rebuilt in Renaissance style in
the 16 -17th centuries. The most beautiful is the façade
of the Rákóczy Palace. Very interesting are the Renaissance buildings of the Evangelical church and college.
The Baroque style of the 18th century is represented by
the façade of the Klobusitzky Palace and the churches
that were rebuilt in this style: the Franciscan church,
Greek Catholic church as well as originally Baroque
church complex on Cavalry hill. The Greek Catholic
Bishop’s palace from the 1840s is the best example of
Classical architecture. While the destruction of the town
walls in the beginning of the 19th century enabled to
unify the centre with the outskirts, after the disastrous
fire in 1887 the medieval facades of the houses were
rebuilt and new quarters were founded. The variety of
Prešov’s architecture is supplemented by original styles
of its Jewish synagogues from the 19th century and
Orthodox Church from the 1950s. Several new “block
of flats” quarters built after World War II changed the
look of the town entirely. The mining past of Prešov’s
surroundings is represented by unique buildings of salt
mills in Solivar as well as opal mines in the Slánske
Hills near Prešov. There have been preserved the ruins
of three medieval castles in Prešov’s close surroundings.
Literature
Sedlák, I. (ed.): Dejiny Prešova. Vol. I, II. Prešov
1965, Vol. I, 287 p., Vol. II., 351 p.
Kónya, P.: Prešov v dejinách. In: Švorc, P. (ed.):
Sprievodca po historickom Prešove. Prešov 1997, p. 13
-38.
Kónya, P.: Prešov, Bardejov a Sabinov počas
protireformácie a protihabsburských povstaní (1670 –
1711). Prešov 2000, 225 p.
Naše rodina
Page 143
L to R: Soňa Švancarová, Michal Morawetz, Dottie Speidel, Klara Borovcová, Lenka Vomáčková
Czech Students Honored
for their Essays
September 16, 2006 Narodní Archiv, 133
Milady Horaková, Praha
By Dottie Speidel
Four Czech Republic students who won CGSI’s family history essay competition were honored Saturday,
September 16 at a special award event CGSI sponsored
in Prague. Hosted by the National Archives’ Dr. Lenka
Matušíková, assisted by her colleague Dr. Helena
Klímová, the reception featured a special tour of the
archives’ most ancient documents.
Prizes of $250 for first place and $100 each for
three winners who shared second place were awarded
by CGSI 1st vice-president Dottie Speidel, assisted by
Dr. Miroslav Koudelka, CGSI’s Regional Representative for the Czech Republic.
The competition’s first prize went to Soňa
Švancarová, Kunštát, who wrote about her great great
Page 144
great-grandfather who was a master potter in that
town. Soňa hopes to study law in Brno after graduation from gymnasium (high school). The second place
winners of $100 each were Michal Morawetz, České
Velenice; Klara Borovcová, Mladá Boleslav, and Lenka
Vomáčková, Černošice. As the winners were announced, the students introduced their guests and spoke
briefly about the subjects of their essays, which will
be available from time to time in Naše rodina and on
CGSI’s web site.
At the event, local coordinator Vojtĕška Kupcová
explained how the competition was conducted and introduced members of the screening committee, which
had chosen the six best essays as finalists. A volunteer,
she had circulated the competition announcement and
later convened a screening committee consisting of Dr.
Vladimír Karfík of the Czech Writers Union, chairman;
Dr. Koudelka; literary editor Zdenko Pavelka, and genealogist Jan Dus.
Final selection of winners was done in the United
States by Daniel Necas, Immigation History Research
Center at the University of Minnesota; and CGSI board
members Chuck Romportl, Ginger Simek and Dottie
Speidel.
Naše rodina
In addition to the special tour, Dr. Matušíková
presented the students and guests with three of the archives’ publications, the 50th anniversary book “Nothing
and Nobody Should Be Forgotten,” “Treasures of the
Central Archives,” and the publication prepared for the
exhibit at CGSI’s 2005 Back to the Homeland conference.
During the tour, the visitors saw samples of the
berní rula, the Soupis, ancient color-coded volumes with
painted decorations, and a sample of old documents destroyed by corrosive ink or fire. Especially compelling
was a skull and crossbones-decorated volume, its black
cover recording victims of the Black Death (14th century) and a “constitution” of the same period outlining
the responsibilities of the common people to the owner
of the property on which they lived.
After the tour, the group reconvened for coffee and
strudel, and informal discussion, with comments from
Dr. Karfík noting the intertwining of national and personal histories. Michal, whose family home in a Sudeten area had been under many different flags, and whose
family had been evicted from their home at one point,
volunteered that his interest after graduation next year
will be the study of history.
Gratitude was expressed to the Czech-based Open
Society Foundation and the Czech Ministry of Foreign
Affairs for their assistance with the competition. In addition to those mentioned, attendees included U.S. embassy public affairs representative Jitka Vildová, who is
investigating her own Czech family history.
Editor’s Note: Copies of the winning Czech essays
will appear in upcomig issues of Naše rodina. Additional photos taken during the event can be found on the
CGSI website: www.cgsi.org. The winning essay (1st
place) is also available on the website. Look under recent CGSI web page changes.
Sponsor Members
Fizel, Mr and Mrs. John
Harazim, Stanley C
Maerdian, Lydia T
Modracek, Leo and Irma
Remias, Mr and Mrs John S
Republic County Historical
Oxford, MI
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Placerville, CA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Arnold, MD
Belleville, KS
Library Donations
Our special thanks to the following people whose cash donations
and sponsor memberships help us build for the future.
Amrick, Edward Bennett, Mary Maye
Beranek, Richard and Tammy
Blastnik, Charles Brown, C. Louise
Cooper, William Dee
Demcak, George and Betty
Dorion, Mary E.
Drobnik, Margaret Everton, Connie
Folda, Stan Fridrich, Kenneth E
Fuchs, Cindy K Haynes, Mrs. Lydia M
Hohe, Paul Hoversten, Joan C Kasik, Philip M
Kisela, James
Kerins, William A
Kraus, Robert L
Kurtz, Rebecca
Lally, Grant
Licht, Edward Malac, Barry and Marion McKibben, Bernice C
Mikulik, Barbara Modracek, Leo and Irma
Mulkey, Mrs. Georgina
Nabity, Walter R.
Ouradnik, Leonard J
Powers, Julie Quaglia, Jo Ann
Rigdon, Phyllis C
Schnabl, Frank
Sitko, Darlene S.
Stastny, Lorraine Studebaker, Sandra A Taylor, Margaret B
Trebisovski, Elaine Troyka, Alan
Van Wyk, Carol
Vrany, Mary L
Vrba, Frederick Whittmore, Mary
Wilkening, Bonnie Yevchak, Andrew Zelina, Richard S
Zetts, John S
Zimmer, Mr and Mrs Jim Naše rodina
Chula Vista, CA
Kirksville, MO
Oxford Junction, IA
Lombard, IL
Provo, UT
Baldwin, NY
Pioneer, CA
Boston, MA
Plattsburgh, NY
Rapid City, SD
Dayton, OH
Tucson, AZ
Rockville, MD
Kent, WA
Orcutt, CA
Platte, SD
Alexandria, VA
Newtown Square, PA
Lemont, IL
Wayne, NJ
Anchorage, AK
Oyster Bay, NY
Garfield Heights, OH
Blairsville, GA
Littleton, CO
Webster, TX
Cedar Rapids, IA
Derby, KS
Omaha, NE
Montgomery, MN
Berthoud, CO
Pottstown, PA
Menon, PA
Nichols, WI
Stillwater, MN
Chicago, IL
Fraser, MI
Savannah, GA
Grain Valley, MO
St. Francisville, LA
Grand Rapids, MI
Baltimore, MD
Flagstaff, AZ
Southfield, MI
Appleton, MN
San Diego, CA
Fallston, MD
Fairborn, OH
Mankato, MN
Page 145
John Kerry’s Family
History as an Example of
Search for Jewish Ancestry
By Jiří Ošanec
Photo’s 1-8 taken by Jiří Ošanec, Photo 9 taken by Jana Martínková, all courtesy of Jiří Ošanec.
We all still remember the presidential campaign of the
fall of 2004 and the name of the Democratic candidate
who then challenged President George Bush. Very few
people, however, then knew that the ancestry of Senator John Kerry had led, among others, to the Moravian
town of Úsov.
Like every presidential candidate, Kerry was “analyzed” in every possible way, including his family
background. The Boston Globe, a newspaper published
in his home state of Massachusetts asked an Austrian
genealogist, Felix Gundacker to check Kerry’s Jewish
ancestry in Europe. John Kerry’s grandfather, Fritz or
Frederick was born as Kohn and he underwent two substantial changes prior to his emigration from Vienna to
the United States – he adopted a new name and a new
faith. From Kohn he turned to the Irish-looking Kerry
and he converted to Catholicism. And the roots of his
family extend to Silesia and North Moravia in the territory of the present Czech Republic.
With the assistance of Jiří Stibor from the Provincial Archive in Opava, it was discovered that the native
place of John Kerry’s paternal grandfather was a small
Silesian town presently named Horní Benešov. This information was widely published in the Czech Republic
during the US presidential campaign. But the fact that
the ancestry of John’s paternal grandmother, Ida Löwe
also leads to our country was almost lost in the stream
of everyday events. Ida was born in Budapest, Hungary
but her ancestors had come from Moravia. So a number
of well known places from Moravia and Silesia appear
in John Kerry’s family history – in alphabetical order
they are Boskovice, Brno, Horní Benešov, Klobouky,
Nový Hrozenkov, Osoblaha, Strážnice, Troubky (near
by Kroměříž), Uherský Brod, Úsov, and Vidnava. If we
add some more interesting places in Hungary, Austria
and Poland – that would have presented a great challenge for travel agencies if Kerry had won!
In the Summer of 2004, when I joined the Respect
and Tolerance Foundation, whose mission is to search
for the vanished world of Jews in Loštice, Mohelnice
Page 146
and Úsov (see www.respectandtolerance.com), I
pointed out the Úsov ancestry of John Kerry. The
foundation’s main coordinator, Luděk Štipl was
currently busy preparing an exhibition in the Úsov
synagogue and did not pay much attention to my information. But by chance, two sets of material landed
on his work desk at that time. One of them was Gundacker’s survey of Kerry’s Jewish ancestors from the
Úsov line, which ended with the 1834 birth of Siegfried Löwy, the son of Leopold. The other material
were fractions of correspondence between the descendants of Siegfried’s brother Albert living in England
and the Úsov Jewish poet Vlastimil Artur Polák’s
father who helped them sometimes in the early 1900’s
search for their ancestors. The same names occurred
in both sets of materials! And things started to roll.
Luděk Štipl traveled to London where he discovered some documents left by the family of the brother
of Senator Kerry’s great-grandfather and some more
information on the ancestors of the Senator himself.
Besides, in London Luděk obtained copies of an illustrated manuscript in which a direct ancestor of
John Kerry’s, Abraham Leipniker Löwy, then a representative of the Úsov Jewish community recorded
his memoirs and opinions. The manuscript coming
from 1768 was translated to German after Abraham’s
death, and in the second half of the 19th century it was
published in both the German and Hebrew language.
It was, unfortunately, impossible to verify the discovered data, some of which obviously was inaccurate,
in vital statistics registers because the Jewish records
from Úsov had been destroyed during World War II
by Nazis, as were the archives of the Úsov Jewish
community.
Let us take a brief look at the history of Jewish vital
statistics records in our country. Attempts to maintain
records on the Jewish population in the Czech Lands and
in the entire Hapsburg monarchy date back to the 1730s.
The endeavor had little success at first. And the decree for
synagogues from the second half of the 18th century to
maintain boys’ circumcision registers also failed. Actual
vital statistics registers of the Jewish population in our
country were founded in 1784 as a result of the reforms under Emperor Joseph II. For the Jews from the Czech Lands
they represent the beginning of their emancipation but also
the beginning of their Germanization. Up until 1868, the
Jewish registers were administered by Catholic priests.
That was also why they could not be written in Hebrew, but
instead were recorded in German. In 1868, they attained
the status of public documents. Until then, birth records for
Jews could have been found in the registers of particular
Naše rodina
Catholic parishes too. Most of them referred to the families
living outside the centers of their religious communities. Jews
were recorded somewhere at the end of those registers. Archival inventories of the vital statistics registers at the Regional
and Provincial Archives in our country usually identify those
records.
A problem is that a large number of the original Jewish
registers from the Czech Lands were at the time of German
occupation collected in one place, and near the end of World
War II, the Nazis destroyed them. They can be replaced, to a
certain degree, by duplicates, originally conducted because of
the control by Catholic priests and later on by Jewish registrars. But the duplicates, unfortunately, are not available for
all Jewish communities. And that is the case for Úsov, too.
The Jewish registers from the territory of the present
Czech Republic are today concentrated in one institution,
the National Archive in Prague (until recently it was named
the State Central Archive). To avoid the danger of any future
losses, it was decided that microfilm copies should be made
by the year 2014 and they should be deposited separately, at
a different location.
today.
Around 340
Jewish cemeteries
have been preserved in the territory of the Czech
Republic. Their
detailed mapping
is the goal of Jaroslav Achab Haidler, a prominent
Czech amateur
Hebraic researcher. (02) His results
can be found at the
following website:
www.chewra.com.
2) Czech Hebraic researcher Jaroslav
But let us
Achab Haidler working in the cemetery in
return to our
Úsov.
search. We were
looking for the
As for Úsov, eventually we were lucky. Like a
tombstones of John Kerry’s ancestors and because the
miracle, the Úsov Jewish cemetery register1 has been
inscriptions in all of them, except the last
preserved (not in the archive). It
one, were in Hebrew, we asked our friend
survived WWII in relatively good
in Israel for help. Eytan Lederer, an excondition. Besides, thanks to high
perienced amateur genealogist was sent
quality sandstone from the Maletín
by email the photos of the tombstones of
quarry, the tombstones at the local
Kerry’s potential ancestors as we had deJewish cemetery are very legible
termined them from the cemetery register,
even after more than two centuries.
and he was sending back their names and
dates already converted from the Jewish
Jewish cemetery tombstones are
calendar to the Christian one. The amount
excellent sources of genealogical inof information was growing. Just the tombformation in our country. The Jewish
stone of Menke, the Senator’s great great
people followed the rule of grave presgreat grandfather remained missing. Its site
ervation, unlike the Christian populais empty today.
tion they did not abolish their graves
and tombstones which means that very
We had another problem to hurdle,
old tombstones can be found in Jewhowever. From the late 18th century, Jews
(1) Chalk makes this Hebrew
ish cemeteries. The Úsov cemetery is
had to use the names – usually German –
inscription more legible on the
an example of a well preserved Jewish
that had been officially given to them. But
burial area. It was founded after 1643. grave of Kerry’s great great great
within their communities they continued
grandmother Schöndl. The lower
For those tombstones made of
part of the inscription is now located
using their Hebrew or Yiddish names – and
durable stone, we can still today
underground.
it applies to their tombstones as well. To
read their Hebrew, German and ocverify our discoveries, we researched other
casionally Czech inscriptions. If we
preserved historical documents too – namely land reghave difficulty with legibility, we can use chalk to highisters2 (one of them contained, among other things, both
light them. The chalk can be easily washed off after2
They are the 1783-1835 Jewish community land register
wards. (01) But we have to take into account that Jews
and the 1799-1880 main land register of that same comused a different calendar! The dates discovered from the
munity, both deposited at the Olomouc branch of the
stones must be converted into the format generally used
Provincial Archive.
1
The 1920-1923 cemetery register is deposited with the
Jewish Community in Olomouc.
Naše rodina
Page 147
Löbel Israel Segal Löwy. And still, these
names are nothing but Hebrew or Yiddish synonyms for lion, some of them just
Germanized. They witness the relationship of this branch of Kerry’s ancestors
to the tribe of Levi whose members usually worked as temple assistants.
Jews originally could not own
land, but they did own houses. Their
ownership was recorded in land
registers. Those registers represent
another good information source for
the history of Jewish families. After
the 1848 release from feudal bonds
and especially upon the grant of
equal rights by the 1867 constitution,
many Jewish persons launched their
own businesses and so the changes in
their properties were fairly frequent.
(3) The Úsov Jewish Community land register with a new name of the house owner. The
Jewish land registers were conducted
record refers to Kerry’s ancestor, Emanuel/Menke Leipniker whose new name (in the right
at dominions (estates) or in cities
upper corner) was Fleischmann.
where Jews had been settled.
In the archives we can also find
the original and the new, officially assigned names of
the Jewish owners) (03) and (for the more recent period) various lists of Jewish persons, referring especially to
their taxation. Their tax burden under feudalism was
census forms3. In the 1834 indication sketches of the
much heavier than other subjects. The necessity of their
Úsov Jewish quarter4 we then identified where Kerry’s
record-keeping resulted from the so-called Family Act.
ancestors had lived in Úsov and we located the particuBy that act of 1726, only 8,541 Jewish families were
lar historical houses. (04)
permitted to live in Bohemia and 5,106 in Moravia.
The names of Jews from our territory are especially hard Only the eldest son could get married and establish a
new family. He assumed the family number from his
nuts to crack for a genealogist. Emperor Joseph II wanted
deceased father. In addition, it was possible, under
to make the identification of Jewish persons easier, and that
was why in 1787 he issued an edict ordering that Jews had to
certain conditions, to obtain the family number from
choose their permanent names from an official chart of Geranother family that had died out on the spear-side, i.e.
man first and last names. By the way, the chart was not very
having only daughters. Younger siblings and particularge – as for first name, for example, it only contained about
larly female descendants are referred to only rarely. In
110 male names and as few as 35 female. Jews were supposed 1726-1848, Jews in Bohemia and Moravia had to live
to use the new names instead of their traditional Jewish ones
in ghettos, and this experience along with repeated perbut they did not always do so. They continued using their
secution led many of them to the decision to leave for
Hebrew or Yiddish personal names along with the father’s
America after the 1848 abolition of feudal bonds.
name. This complicated situation is reflected in our research
The archives of particular estates, cities and towns
project, too. One name for a particular person was used in
with Jewish population provide more types of documenofficial documents, a different one in personal writings, and
another in the tombstone inscription. The last name Leipniker tation – they refer to their disputes, requests, education,
(obviously derived from the town name of Lipník nad Bečvou) cult, businesses, right of domicile, etc. Interesting inconverted to Fleischman. Menke became Emanuel. One of
formation can be found in town and village chronicles
the ancestors of Senator Kerry was, for example, referred to
many of which were written, however, from anti-Semitic
under the following names: Jehuda Arje Leib/Lob/Löb/Löbl/
positions. We have to mention church archives and
3
We used the 1857 and 1869 census forms, deposited at the
military archives, too (the reforms by Joseph II enabled
State County Archive in Šumperk. We know of some more
Jews to make a career in the military). County adminissources, too, but they have not been used so far.
tration archives are interesting for the period after the
4
The sketch (plat map) is deposited at the Moravian Promiddle of the 19th century when those institutions asvincial Archive in Brno.
Page 148
Naše rodina
(4) House No. 159 Nerudova Street, Úsov (originally No. XXVI),
for generations owned by Kerry’s ancestors, stands actually in
the square. It most likely is the place where his great-grandfather,
Siegfried Löwe was born in 1834. The neighboring house, visible in
the picture too, was owned by Kerry’s ancestors as well.
sumed some of the tasks from manorial offices. Census
forms from the years 1857, 1869, 1880, 1890, 1900,
1910 and 1921 – as long as they have been preserved –
can be found there too. The data from the 1930 census
have been deposited in Prague and have not yet been
made available to researchers. All the documents mentioned above are sprinkled both in Regional/Provincial
Archives and County Archives, and some of them (such
as the Lists of Jews in the Czech Lands from the years
1723, 1783, 1793 and 1811) in the National Archive
in Prague and the Archive of the Jewish Museum in
Prague (see www.jewishmuseum.cz).
A curiosity of sorts is the original house numbering in the
quarters inhabited by Jews. To distinguish them from Christians’ houses, Roman numerals were used. They can be found
in old land registers and in maps, namely in the so-called
indication sketches from the first half of the 19th century. They
can help us find the original location of a particular house in
a Jewish ghetto which is especially important because most of
the Jewish houses were later renumbered. These sketches can
be found in the National Archive in Prague (for Bohemia),
the Moravian Provincial Archive in Brno (Moravia) and the
Provincial Archive in Opava (Silesia).
We did not underestimate those kinds of documents
in our research project either. For some of Kerry’s ancestors were quite prominent personalities, we found
information on them not only in chronicles but also
in older historical literature based on sources some of
which no longer exist today. It applies especially to the
above mentioned Abraham who dedicated his life to the
struggle for the renewal of the Úsov synagogue, destroyed on the order of Emperor Charles VI in the early
1720’s as a consequence of an unlucky conflict of local
Jews with the Catholic priest from Dubicko. Abraham
exacted a permit from Vienna to build at least three
prayer rooms. And the synagogue, built after his death,
still stands today.
In this way we obtained, step by step, a snapshot of
five generations of Kerry’s Jewish ancestors from Úsov.
We went back to the 17th century. Taking into consideration the fact that vital statistics records do not actually
exist, it is quite an accomplishment. By the way, even
if the vital statistics registers had been preserved, they
would not have brought us farther than the late 18th
century because they had been founded – as has already
been mentioned – in 1784.
Well, then the question arose what to do with the
new information. The presidential campaign was running and the media would have definitely grabbed our
discoveries, like they grabbed the findings by Jaroslav Bránský who had traced the Boskovice branch of
Kerry’s ancestors. However, we decided to inform John
Kerry and his family initially. In the meantime, he lost
his campaign and remained “just” a Senator. We made
a special colorful booklet named Short History of Five
Generations of Direct Kerry’s Ancestors In The Town
Of Úsov and we wrote a letter informing the Senator
about the work of our foundation. The packages were
mailed so that a courier mail could deliver them on the
day of Kerry’s birthday, December 11 both to his office
in Washington, DC and to the address of his residence.
Right in the same month, December 2004, his personal
assistant thanked us in the Senator’s name, then we
heard from John’s brother, and eventually, from the
Senator himself. In a card with the letterhead of the US
Senate mailed to the address of the Respect and Toleration Foundation we could read: “Dear Mr. Stipl: Please
know how touched I am to receive the historical material regarding my direct ancestors in Usov. I am proud
and moved to learn of Abraham Löwy’s writing and
leadership. I hope one day to be able to visit and learn
more as well as touch my roots more personally. Re-
Naše rodina
Page 149
(5) John Kerry’s letter to Luděk
Štipl, the main coordinator
of the Respect and Toleration
Foundation.
spectfully John Kerry.” (5)
Let us add that the Czech media lost
their interest in this matter at the moment
when Kerry lost the election. In addition
to the local press, just one of the national
newspapers, Mladá Fronta Dnes paid attention to our discoveries. And interest in the
United States declined as well.
Some of the potential sources of information have not yet been used in our project about
John Kerry. For example, the historic press.
And we have not researched the persons’ business activities either. Also, we know that there
were holocaust victims among distant relatives
of Kerry’s. The search for those victims from
the territory of the present Czech Republic
naturally begins with the “Terezínská pamětní
kniha” (Terezín Memorial Book), Prague 1995,
containing the vital identification data on approximately 80,000 Jews deported by Nazis to
concentration camps. A genealogist searching
for local Jewish ancestors should also know
two books by Hugo Gold on the history of Jews
and Jewish communities in Moravia and in
Bohemia (“Die Juden und Judengemeinden
Mährens in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart”,
1929, and “Die Juden und Judengemeinden
Böhmens in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart,”
1934). A big advantage of those books is that
their author still had at his disposal the documents later destroyed by the Nazis.
Page 150
(6) The grave of Kerry’s great great grandfather Leopold who died in 1867 in
Boskovice but was the last Úsov ancestor of Kerry’s buried in his home community.
Naše rodina
It was not the goal of this article to describe the history
of Jews in the Czech Lands that has lasted already for eleven
centuries. Some questions may have remained unanswered.
On the other hand, an amateur genealogist, excited by the
fact that we managed to extend John Kerry’s ancestry that far,
may get the impression that the search for Jewish ancestors is
not very complicated. Well, the contrary is true – we actually
were extraordinarily lucky. But without the attempt, we would
have achieved nothing.
Translated by Miroslav Koudelka
www.czechfamily.com
About the Author
Jiří Ošanec was born on 19 February 1947 in Olomouc.
He is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren. He graduated from the Palacký University
Philosophical Faculty with a specialization in history
(8) The grave of Kerry’s great great great great great grandfather
Abraham Leipniker Löwy, the ancestor who came to Úsov in 1716
and died there after a colorful life in 1774.
and philosophy and began his career as a teacher.
He has taught in various types of schools for 25
years. After the Velvet Revolution (1989) genealogy, his hobby became his profession. He became
one of the first Czech professional genealogists.
He has carried out research commissions from one
hundred clients in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia. He has also written many articles
on history and genealogy, partly for American
genealogical journals, including Naše rodina and
Ročenka. Jiří has been a member of CGSI since
1991.
(7) The grave of Kerry’s great great grandmother Katty née Stern
was discovered in the Jewish cemetery in Brno.
Naše rodina
Page 151
The Úsov Ancestors of John Kerry
John Kerry
(b. 11.12.1943, Aurora, Colorado, USA)
Richard Kerry
(28.7.1915, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA – 29.7.2000, Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
and Rosemary Isabel Forbes
Fritz/Frederick Kohn/Kerry
(10.5.1873, Horní Benešov, CR – 23.11.1921, Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
and Ida Löwe
(22.2.1877, Budapest, Hungary – 19.1.1960, Sarasota, Florida, USA)
m. 9.1.1900, Mödling, Austria
Siegfried Löwy/Löwe
(12.9.1834, Úsov, CR – 31.3.1918, Vienna, Austria)
and Josephine Löw
(31.10.1845, Boskovice, CR – 17.11.1897, Vienna, Austria)
m. 20.3.1870, Brno, CR
Leopold Löwy
(1791, Úsov (?), CR – 19.4.1867, Boskovice, CR, buried in Úsov, CR) (Photo #6)
and Katty Stern
(ab. 1798/1799, Nový Hrozenkov (?), CR - 2.9.1886, Brno, CR, buried in Brno) (Photo #7)
Selig Löwy
and
Schöndl
(ab. 1741, Úsov (?), CR – 3.10.1846, Úsov, CR,
buried in Úsov)
(d. 26.12.1800, Úsov, CR,
buried in Úsov)
Jehuda Israel Löbl
Menke Leipniker
(d. 8.11.1790, Úsov, CR, buried in Úsov)
and Jittelle
Israel ha-Levi Löwy
and Rebbeka (?)
(d. 29.12.1790, Úsov, CR, buried in Úsov)
and Golda
Abraham Leipniker Löwy
(b. in Uherský Brod, CR, went to Úsov in 1716,
d. 29.10.1774, Úsov, CR, buried in Úsov) (Photo #8)
and Torriah (?)
Page 152
Mordechai Leipnik
(lived in the 17th century in Uherský Brod, CR)
Naše rodina
and Leah
Baruch
(lived in the 17th century, reputedly a rabbi in
Timişoara, Romania)
CGSI Lending Library
to be Launched
By Wayne Sisel, Library Chair
Early in 2007, CGSI will launch a lending library
for CGSI members, beginning with a small collection of our most useful reference books, including:
• Czech Immigration Passenger Lists volumes
1-9
• Berni Rula Index volumes 1 and 2
• Czech Surname Index volumes 1-9
(9) Researchers Luděk Štipl and Jiří Ošanec at the exhibition of the Respect and Toleration project in Kroměříž.
• Ortslexikon Sudetenland by Prof. Ernst Pfohl
• Where Once We Walked-a Guide to Jewish
Communities Destroyed by the Holocaust
• Finding Your Slovak Ancestors by Lisa A. Alzo
• History of Czechs in America by Dr. Jan Habenicht
• Mesta a Mestecka v Cechach na Morave a v Slezsku
(Czech, Moravian, Silesian Towns & Villages) – 6
volumes
• Czech and Slovak Auto Atlases
• Czech and Slovak language and phrase books and
tapes
• Czech, Slovak, and German dictionaries
• CGSI Conference audio tapes
*Genealogical Research in Czech
& Slovak Republic *
* New Research *
Jan Pilát
Školní 848/2
Horní Slavkov, 357 31
Czech Republic
[email protected]
www.newresearch.cz
If this service proves popular, the collection will be
expanded in the future. A booklist of available books
will be displayed on the CGSI website (www.cgsi.org),
along with a printable Patron Request / Agreement
Form. The list and form will be mailed, upon request
to members, who may not have internet access. Patrons
may borrow a maximum of 4 books at one time for a
period of 3 weeks and will pay all postage, handling
and return charges. The lending library will staffed by
volunteer, Linda Berney of Grand Island, NE. Lending instructions, policies and other information will be
posted on the website, or will be mailed to members
upon request. Watch the CGSI website and future Naše
rodina’s for updates.
As a reminder, books in our collection that are not
part of the lending library can be researched for you,
for a small fee, assuming they have an index. Included
among these are the telephone directories of the Czech
and Slovak Republics. Please refer to the Librarian’s
Shelf column for information about this service.
Naše rodina
Page 153
My Family History
By Viktória Tóthová
My name is Viktória Tóthová, and I’m 16 years old.
My home is the eastern Slovak city of Bardejov, where
my mother Gabriela’s roots are, and the city where the
first and only toy store in upper Hungary stood. The
owner of the shop was my distant ancestor, Ferdinand
Maugsch. In an attachment I show the pedigree of the
relationship between Ferdinand Maugsch and myself,
Viktória Tóthová. I also have attached birth certificates
of Ferdinand and Rozália Maugsch (the great-grandparents of my grandmother Marta Galléová, along with her
birth certificate), of my mother Gabriela (maiden name
Mačejovská) and of myself, Viktória Tóthová, the greatgreat-great-granddaughter of Ferdinand and Rozália
Maugsch.
Ferdinand Maugsch was born on 13 October in the
revolutionary year of 1849 in Vienna, to Carl Friedrich
and Katarina (maiden name Mülnerová). He was born
during the period of rule of Emperor and King Jozef I
of the Austrian monarchy. Ferdinand’s father came from
Kežmarok. He moved to Vienna seeking work. Young
Ferdinand in 1874 took as his wife the Austrian Rozália
Bold. The first child, daughter Filoména, was born a
year after the wedding in Banská Bystrica, later they had
a son Július, in Bardejov.
According to what his sister Filoména said, he left
Bardejov and went to Budapest as an artistic painter
and sculptor. He taught at an art school and had his own
studio. After a fire there he traveled to Austria, finally
settling down to start a family, and he died in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. His sister did not keep in close
contact with him. The reason for the family argument
was considered the marriage of Filoména, the daughter
of the richest manufacturer in the general area, to Ján
Vojtech Oskar Gallé, a man of a town family respected
but with many children. His own family was not happy
with this either, for flying in the face of their own status
he became a confectioner.
The Gallé family lived in a city house directly on
the town hall square in Bardejov. Ferdinand and Rozália
did not agree with their daughter’s marriage as they
worried that their daughter, raised according to strict etiquette as an aristocratic girl, would not be able to raise a
large number of children. Ján, her future husband, came
from a family of twelve children. The prediction came
true, and Filoména had ten children, which she however
raised with love and respect in the family embrace. She
Page 154
lived with her husband and mother in a house near the
town square, and in 1928 completed a house in which
my grandparents live to this day – Filoména’s granddaughter, the daughter of her son Jozef. The family
quarrels associated with daughter Filoména culminated
in the separation of the Maugsch couple. Their jointlyowned factory took the greatest damage, disappearing
from Bardejov soon after their separation.
The factory was founded in a period of economic
crisis. Our country was just recovering from the consequences of Turkish invasion of Hungary, and the subsequent struggles between the Viennese court and the
nobility. The factory was tested out in Banská Bystrica
in 1882, and Ferdinand Maugsch was already participating as owner in a Trieste exhibition, where he in
fact won an award. The factory did not, though, have
enough support from the town authorities, so in 1884 he
moved to Bardejov. Its beginnings were hard. Despite
good state backing and support from town authorities,
production did not start off as expected. For this reason
a dispute arose between Maugsch and the town. The
Košice Chamber of Commerce and Industry helped
reconcile the discord that arose. In line with the agreement, the Ministry of Commerce and the town provided
Maugsch with resources and support for the factory to
overcome the manufacturing difficulties. The factory
obtained funding for acquiring further expert and manual employees, and in addition the town vacated the barracks and provided wood for production free of charge.
The factory, which was located in the barracks (after its
demise it became the town manor), was relatively small
in size. It included the engine room, where the steam
engine (the first in town) was set up, to drive machines
in two rooms. The rest consisted of painting and handiwork areas, a brick-making room and storage. At the
entrance was a room serving for presentation, sales and
advertising. The owner himself saw to presentations,
by preparing samples containing the most sought after
types of products.
The main production line was dolls, but apart from
them were manufactured lounging chairs for the nearby
spa, garden tables and chairs, and gift items (pens, inkstands, jugs, candy boxes), for which there was great
demand right in town, as his agents offered them to
their business partners. The factory owned shops at the
Bardejov spa, in Prešov and in Budapest. It hired 60
laborers. Women performed their work at home. They
would come to the factory for material and return with
completed products. During the greatest boom, as many
as 120 laborers worked here. In its 20 years of existence, the Bardejov toy factory was recognized abroad
Naše rodina
as well. Dolls were exported to Austria and Germany,
where they were considered rarities and preferred above
the famous toys of Thuringia. For France, England, Germany and the USA they produced children’s furniture,
religious and secular ceramics and various cloth animals. Toys also represented Bardejov at world exhibitions in Paris and Vienna, where Maugsch was honored
with a silver medal. For the centennial exhibition in
1896 in Budapest, three life-size horses and riders were
prepared.
The manufacturing itself was organized very well.
Production occurred on a hand-made production line
basis. The goods passed through the hands of at least six
workers (modelers, casters, assemblers, driers, painters
and tailors), until finally they arrived in the packing area
for shipping. Every worker, whether it was a woodworker, potter, caster, tailor or painter, was at work from
7 o’clock in the morning until 5 in the afternoon with a
one-hour lunch break and a short morning break. Their
work was incomparably easier compared to that of other
employees and paid twice as well. We can compare their
wages for example with those of forest workers, who
made about 1.2 to 1.5 crowns, or with brick-makers,
who made 2 to 3 crowns, while potters in the factory got
3 to 4 crowns, and toymakers 5 to 6 crowns.
Apprentices, of whom there were 10 to 20 every
year, studied in the trade school, in a month earned 10
crowns in the first year and in the fourth 16 crowns.
All workers were properly insured, which was a great
advantage over other lines of work, where this dispute
was still being resolved before and after the First World
War. Employees could also participate in sports, as in
the courtyard was fitness equipment. Factory products
were made of “maché“, of wood and of textiles (mostly
skirts). Maché is a material consisting of mashed paper,
flour and chalk. The substance was first steamed, then
mixed, rolled, modeled according to a pattern and cast
in individual pieces, which after drying were assembled
into a single whole. The prepared figures were cleaned,
smoothed and finally painted. They were exceptionally
long-lasting, proof of which is the existence of several
dolls about 80 cm in size in the archive of the Šariš
region Museum in Bardejov. Apart from dolls in folk
costumes, other figures were also manufactured, such
as soldiers, wire tinkers, chimney sweeps and pretzelmakers. These folk character toys had an individual
personality. Most of them were copies of regional folk
elements of traditional 19th century fashions of the upper Šariš region.
At the turn of the 20th century, the factory began to
decline. After the family quarrels mentioned, Maugsch
left Bardejov. His wife was unable to manage the factory, and so she sold it to her co-worker Hugo Werther,
who because of better conditions moved it to Békescaba
in Hungary in 1904. Ferdinand Maugsch also, after his
departure from Bardejov, lived and in 1906 died in Békescaba. The factory’s demise marred the town’s economic development.
As I review this story of one family member and
reflect on it, I find that people’s lives from generation to
generation are very similar. It’s based on work, on the
abilities and understanding of individual family members, and on the cohesion of the family. Maybe, if my
ancestors had not put such emphasis on their standing in
society, the toy factory would still adorn the Bardejov of
today.
Literature used:
Family archives
History of Bardejov. Multiple authors.
Gešková-Pekářová: History and Personalities of
Bardejov in review of Annual Reports of the Hungarian
Gymnázium
Mikuláš Lovacký: Bardejov – a Retrospective
Collection of the Šariš region Museum in Bardejov
Editor’s Note: This is the third of the three Slovak
student essay winners from the contest held in conjunction with CGSI’s 2005 Back to the Homeland Conference. Previous winners were published in the March
and June 2006 issues.
Naše rodina
P.A.T.H. FINDERS Intl.
Personal Ancestral Tours in History
Researching Family History & Translating Historical Documents, Helping to Locate Relatives,
Interpret at Family Reunions, Obtain Copies of
19th Century Cadestral Maps & Provide Contacts
to Local Administrators & Historians
Celebrating 10 Years!
www.pathfinders.cz
[email protected]
Na Homoli 5, Prague 143 00
360-450-5959
Page 155
Celebrating Our Heritage
By Rosie Bodien
Helene Cincebeaux and I had been trying for three years
to get the Baine/Cincebeaux folk dress exhibit called
“Stitched with Love” to the Seattle area. First Jara
Soldenova, the Czech language instructor at University
of Washington, and I tried to get it to the Henry Gallery
which is a part of UW. They were a little huffy because
they had their own collection of folk dress. Seattle Art
Museum was interested but they were doing renova-
Thus I had to call Helene and explain it is not a grand
venue. We went for it.
So I went to the Slavic Fest planning meeting in
the bowels of an old university building in the dead
of winter. I wander the dark campus looking for the
right building, then trying to find the right room in
the second basement. Help! What am I doing? I was the
first one there, scary at first, but others did show up.
I was armed with Helene’s books and resume. I had
Jozef Ivaska’s CD and write ups. Bravely I face the
Russian, Croatian, Ukraine and Polish people who always run the Slavic Fest. Not a Czech or Slovak
representative there. Yes, they are pleased to have Helen
L to R: Rosie Bodien, Jozef Ivaska, Marie Amicci (Honorary Czech consul for WA and OR), Rudy Zigmund (honorary
Slovak Consul for the Western US), Helene Cincebeaux, and Karol Osusky (Slovak coordinator for Seattle).
tions at the time and are really “back ordered with collections.” The Frey Museum curator said “try to catch
me” as I would call to make appointments. The Bellevue Art Museum curator wouldn’t even acknowledge that
I called. Bellevue Community College had no venue for
the exhibit. Woe is me. Then the angel Jara Soldanova
approached the head of the University of Washington
Library’s Slavic and Eastern Studies Section, Michael
Biggins. He agreed to have the exhibit to promote the
annual Slavic Fest in April.
Yeah! Finally! Only to have Dr. Biggins say we
couldn’t have the main exhibit hall at Suzzallo Library.
It would be downstairs in the Special Collections exhibit case. Oh well, I thought, I had my foot in the door. 
Page 156
and Helene’s exhibit to promote Slavic Fest, but no,
your Jozef Ivaska cannot be the lead singer for the party
in the evening. Yes, he could sing for 10 minutes before
the lead singer, but that is all. So I sort of agreed to that
(another foot in the door?). I didn’t have much to say
and left.
But it was fun setting Helene up with lace maker and needle arts guilds in the area. The professor at the
UW Fiber Arts Department was thrilled to have Helene
visit her graduate student class. The Kladno Sister City
group in Bellevue, WA was interested in a presentation
by Helene and Jozef but everybody was so busy and
hard to catch. Luckily I made “one of my phone calls”
the day of their meeting and was invited to tell about
Naše rodina
the program. I went and came out of there with a hearty cases. But then on the way to the Fiber Arts class we see
endorsement. You just have to keep bugging these folks, a lady putting books in the main display hall because
they are volunteers, too.
the scheduled exhibit did not
Alas! It was coming tocome. So, we ask if it is posgether for the Slavic Fest on
sible to put “Stitched with
April 29th. Then my family
Love” in the main exhibit
started to make this complihall. YES!! Plus the students
cated. Son Scott wanted my
showed real interest in Hehusband and I to cheer him
lene’s talk and folk dress
on at a half iron man in eastitems.
ern North
Helene and I laCarolina on May 6. Hmm,
bored 2½ days putting up the
can we leave here May 2nd
exhibit. We created hanging
after Helene and Jozef leave
lines in light socket holes, we
and drive across country in
stuffed items with crushed
our van in 4 days? Not really.
paper to make them stand up
So my husband is to leave
and put boxes inside vests to
April 28 for Nashville, where
make them stand. Creativity
he will pick me up at the
was at its highest! Actually it
airport. Then we can get to
was a networking experience
Charlotte NC by Friday and
because Czech language stugo to the half iron man.
dents, the instructor Jara, and
The leader of our Czech
fiber Arts students floated in
cultural group, the Mai Asand out to help.
sociation, said he would
The “Slavic Fest” on
sponsor an evening of Jozef
April 29th consisted of
Ivaska’s singing the night of
the Grand Opening of the
Rosie Bodien and Helene Cincebeaux
the Slavic Fest. So goodbye
“Stitched with Love Exhibit”,
to the 10 minutes of the other
the exhibit itself (thru June
event. But then the Mai Association fellow backed out
8th), a parade of the different Slavic nations folks, a talsix weeks before the Slavic Fest. Help! So I called Karent show of Slavic children, and the evening programs
ol Osusky,  honorary Slovak community leader in the
of Russian entertainers or the Zabava/Majales with
Seattle area. He said he would put together a Zabava/
Jozef Ivaska as entertainment with Czech/Slovak food
Majales event the Saturday night of the Slavic Fest
and dancing. The next day the  Czech Language dewith Jozef as main attraction. Whew, another hurdle
partment at UW would sponsor  a program of Helene’s
behind me!
slides and Jozef’s songs at Allan Library Auditorium.
So April 12th six big boxes arrive at my house with
Well, the Grand Opening was a hit!!! The HonorHelene’s folk dress treasures. Then Helene arrives April ary Czech Consul Marie Amicci,  who had just re21st for her first visit to the Pacific Northwest. The
turned from Prague, found her way from Lake Oswego,
weather is sunny and grand. The next day we drive to
OR. The Honorary Slovak Consul, Rudy Zigmund, from
the lace maker’s guild. I left my car lights on so the lace Bainbridge Island came, too. We had the library’s permakers’ husbands are jump starting the battery. The
mission for Jozef to sing and play the recorder as he
ladies loved learning about the six kinds of lace made
led the “villagers” (exhibit attendees) from the exhibit
by the Czechs and Slovaks. Next we need to go to the
hall to Allan Auditorium for the Grand Opening. Many
Czech/Slovak Interest Group meeting back in Kirkpeople came wearing folk dress. My sister from Alturas
land. We made it in time! Thirty-six people come to the
California wore a Piešťany kroj. Her husband surprised
meeting and loved learning how Helene researched her
us all by happily wearing the kroj my grandmother
family and how that led her to collecting folk items.
made for my uncle. There were three children in kroApril 24 we transport the boxes to the UW Suzzallo je. Others were happy to wear family treasures. SomeLibrary. Helene’s face drops as she sees the display
how it all came together beautifully.
Naše rodina
Page 157
That evening the Zabava/Majales attracted about
160 people. People were happy to eat the ethnic food
and drink that Czech beer. People were singing special
Moravian songs and doing the Czech and Slovak dances.  Jozef sang his heart out, working the crowd and refreshing fond memories for many folks. Young folks
and older folks were out there dancing. Lines of dancers were snaking in and out of the other dancers on the
floor. Some folks came in folk dress. Some came for the
food. There was a Miss Majales contest. At this point
Helene and I just stood on the stage and rejoiced. We
did it! We were there to help celebrate our culture with
about 160 others in the Seattle area!!! The Czechs and
the Slovaks were rocking together that evening. We
went home that night in triumph, we were tired but oh
so happy.
Sunday morning Jozef was a little hoarse from singing so much the night before. But he came through at
the afternoon performance. There were problems with
the sound equipment so Helene and Jozef took turns
with their parts of the program. They work so well
together. It was actually comical as it worked out. We
were all laughing as well as enjoying culture through
Helen’s slides and Jozef’s music.
My sister Emilie brought my 96 year old dad, Ladd
Loss, to this program. Jozef brought tears to Dad’s eyes
as he sang his favorite song, Česká Pesnička. Dad sang
along to Kolene, Kolene. There were tears in my eyes
as Jozef sang Oh My PaPa to dad in Czech. The Czech
and Slovak music and culture shared by Jozef and Helene radiated that afternoon. Not just in my heart but in
all the hearts in that auditorium that afternoon. And the
“Stitched with Love” Exhibit radiated until June 8th. It
took a long time to organize that celebration of our heritage, but it will stay in the hearts of those affected for a
much longer time.
About the Author
Rosie Bodien is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. She is
a longtime member of the Czechoslovak Genealogical
Society International, and has attended most of the Genealogical/Cultural Conferences. She is the founder and
Chair of the Czech-Slovak Interest Group, an affiliate
of the Eastside Genealogical Society in Bellevue (King
County), Washington.
Rosie was just selected by the CGSI to fill the vacant Board of Director position vacated by incoming
President Ginger Simek.
Page 158
T&P Research
Genealogical Research
We provide …
• Copies & complete English transcription
and translation of found records
• Unique & comprehensive Ancestral
•
•
Research Report for each project
Visits to ancestral locations, photos, maps,
additional information, etc.
Specialized research as per clients’ request
and our recommendation … and more
Zuzana Čapková
T&P Research
Malkovského 584/12
Praha 9, 199 00
Czech Republic
[email protected]
www.tpresearch.cz
Rev. Jan Dus
Creating Family Trees
Contacting Living Relatives
Translations (English; Czech; German; French)
Visits of Ancestral Villages
Travel (Itinerary; Guiding; Interpreting)
Naše rodina
nábřeží svobody 561, Polička
572 01, Czech Republic
[email protected]
Ready, Set,
Research!
Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.
Welcome to “Genealogy 360!” When Paul Makousky
approached me several months ago about writing this
beginning genealogy column for Naše rodina, I really
didn’t have to give it much consideration. I agreed
without hesitation! As an avid genealogist for over 16
years, I have accepted the challenge of searching for my
own ancestors, and in my role as instructor, lecturer and
writer, I have also enjoyed assisting others with the process. This column is just another extension of my desire
to help and inspire others in the quest for their roots.
What’s in a Name?
I chose “Genealogy 360” as the name for this column
for two simple reasons. First, according to American
Demographics magazine, genealogy is America’s fastest growing hobby. Secondly, “360” is currently one
of the most popular buzzwords used in business (“360
marketing”), the computer gaming industry (“Xbox
360”) and Cable TV News (CNN’s show, “Anderson
Cooper 360”). So, it just seemed a natural fit to fuse the
two terms. Also, I like to think of genealogy as more of
a journey than a process. We start with ourselves and
move back in time to find our ancestors—eventually
going full circle from history to the present.
Back to Basics
Since this has been designated by CGSI as a “Beginning
Genealogy Column” we’re going to start from the beginning. Each column will focus on a different, but important step in the genealogical research process. While
I’m certainly not short on ideas of what to write about,
I welcome your comments and suggestions for specific
topics you would like to see addressed in these pages.
Feel free to drop me an e-mail: [email protected]
What Drives You?
Each of us has a story to tell, a rich past to explore. The
interest in researching one’s roots has rapidly increased
over the past few years. Indeed, family history research
is one of the nation’s most popular past times, second
only to gardening.
Before you begin the search for your ancestors, it
may be useful to stop for a minute and think why it is
you are embarking on this quest for your roots. People
decide to research their family history for many reasons.
Some are curious about the past or customs and traditions celebrated within their family, others search for
medical reasons, and still others research the past in
order to leave a legacy for their children and grandchildren.
First Steps
The first step in genealogy is to identify what you
already know. The general rule is to “start with yourself” and work backward in time by filling in as much
information as you can, by memory, on an Ancestor or
Pedigree chart.1
Pedigree Chart/Ancestor Chart
An ancestor chart records the ancestors from whom you
directly descend--those for whom you intend to compile
a complete and correct family unit. It shows at a glance
the progress you have made towards this goal and what
remains to be done. This is also often referred to as a
“Pedigree” chart. Personally, I prefer the term “ancestor
chart,” but whatever you choose to call it, the important
thing is that you compile one! You can download blank
copies of an “Ancestral chart” free from:
Ancestry.com at <www.ancestry.myfamily.com/
save/charts/ancchart.htm>
Family History Library Catalog <www.familysearch.org>. Click on the Family History Library Catalog
Tab, then Research Helps, and the Letter “P” and Pedigree Chart Form.
The chart is in PDF format, so you’ll need to have
Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to download and print
PDF documents.
Family Group Sheet
Each piece of information concerning a pedigree
ancestor and his/her family is placed on a worksheet,
1
A pedigree is an identification of the direct ancestors of
one person, such as yourself. (To include yourself and
spouse on the same pedigree, make the first person one of
your children.) Use ID numbers to identify the names on
the chart — the first person on the first chart should be
number 1. Note that a man’s ID number is always double
the ID number of his child. With the man always in the upper position, all males have an even number and females
an odd number. A wife’s number is always one higher than
that of her husband.
Naše rodina
Page 159
commonly known as a “Family Group Sheet.2” Since
the end result of your research efforts will be to compile
complete, correct and connected families, the use of
family group sheets from the beginning will make the
compilation much easier.
To download a free blank Family Group Sheet, go
to:
Ancestry.com <www.ancestry.myfamily.com/save/
charts/familysheet.htm>
Family History Library Catalog <www.familysearch.org>. Click on the Family History Library Catalog
Tab, then Research Helps, and the Letter “F” and Family Group Record Form.
When you’re done completing this form, you’ll
have a better idea about who’s missing in your family
tree. For each missing person, you will need to obtain
the following information:
1. Full name (including maiden names for women).
2. Approximate dates for vital events (birth, death,
marriage, residence, etc.).
3. Locations for vital events — location is the key
element in genealogy, since it indicates where vital
records are today.
date and place, marriage date/place, churches attended,
immigration information (date of arrival, port, ship,
etc.), date and place of death and burial, as well as data
about the person’s spouse, siblings, and any other information I view as important.
I like to think of this sheet as a sort of “Who’s Who”
List in my genealogical research project. By keeping it
to one or two pages, I can easily take the sheet(s) along
with me during research trips to the courthouse, Family
History Center, library, etc. The ADS gives me the key
information I need at my fingertips without having to
cart all of my research binders or rely on my laptop and
genealogical software program.
A sample of this form is available on my Web site
<www.lisaalzo.com>. You may use my template and/
or customize it to suit your own research needs. Click
on the “Services” tab and then scroll down to “Ancestor
Data Sheet Template” and click to download this blank
Microsoft Word file to your computer.
21st Century Family Trees
Thanks to technology, we can save time and effort by
entering our family history data into specialized genealogical software programs and store the information on
our desktop and/or notebook computers, and in some
Taking a Second Look
cases, even on a portable Personal Digital Assistant
Some of you may have completed this first step and
(PDA). These programs enable you to systematically
perhaps even have gone beyond it and have collected
enter your data and produce Pedigree Charts, Faminformation on other family members. If that is the case ily Group Sheets, and other more elaborate types of
you’re well on your way to solving your family history
charts/reports. Many of the programs have interfaces
puzzle. However, it is always useful to periodically
for publishing data to the Web, creating scrapbooks,
slideshows, and family history CDs or DVDs to share
review what information is listed on your Ancestor/
Pedigree Chart and Family Group Sheets for accuracy
with your family members. Some of the more popular
programs available today, include:
and missing information. The amount of data collected
through genealogical research can exponentially grow
Family Tree Legends – Version 5.0 of this program
by Pearl Street Software is powerful, but easy-to-use
almost as fast as ancestors on our family trees, so it is
always wise to take a second look, especially if you
and available for $29.95 U.S. standard edition; $49.95
have put aside a particular family line to research andeluxe; $79.95 premium). No free trial version available. Take a product tour at: <www.familytreelegends.
other one.
com>.
Ancestor Data Sheet (see page 162)
Family Tree Maker – This program has been
In addition to an ancestor/pedigree chart and famdubbed
“the #1-selling program for over a decade,” and
ily group sheet, I also like to prepare what I call an
is
now
available
in Version 16 ($39.95 U.S.). Go to:
“Ancestor Data Sheet.” This is a basic form I create for
<www.familytreemaker.com> for a product tour and
each person in the line I am currently researching, and
additional pricing information.
contains such information as the Ancestor’s Surname,
Legacy Family Tree – Now in version 6.0, this
Given Name, Other or Alternate Spelled Names, birth
software is produced by Millenia Corporation. A stan2
A Family Group Sheet is a form used to record informadard edition can be downloaded for free, at: <www.
tion about each married couple on a pedigree chart,
legacyfamilytree.com>, where you’ll also find purchasincluding vital events (birth, marriages, death) and locations of vital events for the couple and all their children.
ing information for the Deluxe Edition ($29.95 U.S.
This is where you will record children, brothers, sisters,
download; $39.95 and $59.95 for the CD), and can take
etc.
a video tour of the software.
Page 160
Naše rodina
Personal Ancestral File – One of the oldest and
most popular genealogy software programs available,
this family tree software from the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is available for free download at: <www.familysearch.org>. Scroll down towards
the bottom of the page and click on the link, “Download
PAF.” You’ll be taken to a screen where you’ll be asked
to register with your name and e-mail address before
you can download the program (this is so that you may
receive automatic notices future updates). If you want
more elaborate charts, you’ll have to pay for the add-on
program, PAF Companion ($13.50).
RootsMagic – A reasonably priced ($29.95 U.S. for
download; $39.95 for the CD) software that has become
popular with novice and experienced genealogists alike.
A free trial is available for download at <www.rootsmagic.com>.
The Master Genealogist (or TMG) – This program is produced by Wholly Genes Software. Download only is $34.00 U.S.; CD-ROM $39.95. Additional
information available at: <www.whollygenes.com>.
These are just a sampling of the numerous genealogical software programs currently on the market. Most
of the popular versions cater to PC users, so if you are
using an Apple Macintosh computer, you may have to
consider other programs that are Mac-compatible.
Before you buy a genealogical software program
it’s best to download a free trial version of the software,
take any available tours available on the company’s
Web site and read what others have to say about it.
Genealogical software program reviews can be found
in just about any of the commercial genealogical magazines available on newsstands, or online at <http://genealogy.about.com/od/software_reviews>.
After you decide on how you are going to keep
track of the data you plan to gather, you will be ready to
move on to the next step in the research process: Consulting home and family sources. We will cover this step
in my next column. Until next time, (see forms on pages
162-163).
Happy Hunting!
About the Author
Lisa is freelance writer, instructor and lecturer. She is
currently working on two books, Pittsburgh’s Slovaks
and Sports Memories of Western Pennsylvania. She has
recently authored Pittsburgh’s Immigrants (May 2006).
She has also authored the books, Three Slovak Women
(Gateway Press, 2001), Baba’s Kitchen (Gateway Press,
2005) and most recently, Images of America: Pittsburgh’s Immigrants which will be published by Arcadia
in late May 2006.
Lisa can be reached via her web site <www.lisaalzo.
com>, but due to her busy schedule, regrets that she is
unable to assist with personal research.
...continued on page 162
FAMILY TREES
We offer the following services:
1) creating your family tree
2) searching for your relatives
3) documentation of
ancestors’ birth places
Contact:
Olga Koliskova
Křenovice 84
398 43 Bernartice
Czech Republic
Tel:+420/368 585043
Fax:+420/368 585133
e-mail: [email protected]
Advertising Rates
We will accept limited advertising. We
generally do not accept ads for products,
only services. The rates for the following
approximate ad sizes are: full page (7” x
9”) - $150; one-half page (7” x 4½”) - $90;
one-half column (3a” x 4½”) - $50; and
column width (3a” x 2”) - $35. Prices are
per issue. All submitted advertisements
must be camera-ready. Queries are free
to members.
Ads must be approved by newsletter committee
Naše rodina
Page 161
ANCESTOR DATA SHEET
ANCESTOR # 1
Figlar
Figlyar/Figler
Surname _______________________________
Other Spellings __________________
__________________
__________________
Janos
Given (First) Name _______________________Other
Names/ __________________
John
Jan
Spellings
__________________
14 March 1896
Osturna, Slovakia (Hungary)
Birth Date ___________________________
Birth Place _________________________
St. Nicholas Church
01 November 1924
Marriage Date_______________________
Place of Marriage _____________________
Barton, OH
St. Peter & Paul Church, Duquesne, PA
Church(es) Attended ______________________________________________________
Fraternal/Social Organizations _______________________________________________
___________________________________________________
ANCESTOR’S DEATH INFORMATION
July 3, 1974
Duquesne, PA
Death Date: ________________________
Place of Death _________________________
Date of Burial ____________________________________________________________
July 6, 1974
Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA ___________________
Place of Burial ________________________________________
St. Nicholas Church, Duquesne, PA
Church of Burial _________________________________________________________
Shaughnessy, Duquesne, PA
Funeral Home of Burial ____________________________________________________
ANCESTOR’S SPOUSE
Straka
Sztraka
Surname _____________________________
Other Spellings _____________________
Verona
Given (First) Name ___________________
Veronica/Vera
Other Names/ _______________________
Spellings
_______________________
10, 1899 ________ Place of Birth _Milpos,
Slovakia (Hungary)
Birth Date ___November
_________________
_____________________
December 29, 1984
McKeesport, PA
Death Date __________________________
Place of Death ______________________
Place of Burial/Church Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA
___________________________________________________________
St. Nicholas Church, Duquesne, PA
Shaughnessy, Duquesne, PA
Funeral Home ___________________________________________________________
Page 162
Naše rodina
ANCESTOR’S IMMIGRATION INFORMATI0N
(from passenger lists/arrival records)
New York
September 16, 1921
Port of Arrival ___________________
Date of Arrival ___________________________
Lapland
Fairpoint, OH
Ship Name _____________________
Destination in America ____________________
Brother, Jacob Figlar
Going to? _______________________________________________________________
Czechoslovak
Nationality ______________________________________________________________
Osturna, Hungary
Podolinec
Last Residence in Europe _________________________
Country of Origin (Slovakia)
__________
January 13, 1939
Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny County
Naturalization Date _________________________
Place ________________________
ANCESTOR’S SIBLING(S) INFORMATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Name
Simeon Figlar
Adalbertius Figlar
Anastasia Figlar
Sophia Figlar
Josepius Figler
Catharina Figlar
Andreas Figlar
Matheus Figlar
Jacob Figlar
Paulus Figlar
Birth Date
April 6, 1873
April 15, 1875
Jan. 2, 1877
Feb. 19, 1880
Jan. 26, 1882
Aug. 17, 1884
Sept. 14, 1886
Feb. 2, 1888
May 4, 1889
Apr. 4, 1891
Death Date
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Feb. 8, 1881
1923?
1919
Mar. 11, 1887
Sept. 17, 1888
Sept. 19, 1965
Oct. 4, 1891
Age at Death
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
11 months
41?
35
6 months
8 months
76
6 months
Sex (M/F)
M
M
F
F
M
F
M
M
M
M
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Note: This document and the one on page 162 are part of Lisa Alzo’s Beginning
Genealogy Column which begins on page 159.
Naše rodina
Page 163
The Librarian’s
Shelf
are Bulgarian, Czech, Hebrew, Hungarian, Jewish, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Yugoslovian. By Margaret Tinashenka Clark, 1988.
m Frgn Cze 77 Sac Avotaynu The International
Review of Jewish Genealogy. Avotaynu, Inc., New
Jersey, Winter, 1988, Volume IV, No. 1. This periodical
issue includes an article about genealogical research in
Czechoslovakia (at that time).
by Wayne Sisel
This is the last Librarian’s Shelf that I will be writing,
as my term as Library and Archives Chair expires at
the end of the year. I am grateful for having had this
opportunity and experience. I have enjoyed meeting
and interacting with so many CGSI members and have
learned so much these past 6 years. I will be leaving this
position in the capable hands of Suzette Steppe.
Theme of This Issue: Jewish genealogy research
CGSI and the Minnesota Genealogical Society have
extensive holdings on this subject:
How to Document Victims and
Locate Survivors of the Holocaust. By Gary Mokotoff.
Published by Avotaynu, Inc. Teaneck, NJ 1995. There is
a wealth of information in this book. It contains chapters on How to do Holocaust Research and has lists
of Facilities with Collections of Holocaust Materials.
Appendices include lists of Holocaust towns, resource
centers, special interest and genealogical societies, and
statistics of the Holocaust.
m Ref Jew 013 Mok
m Ref Jew 014 Kur From Generation to Generation, How to Trace your Jewish Genealogy and Family
History. By Arthur Kurzweil. Published by Harper Collins 1994. This is a very comprehensive and definitive
guide to Jewish genealogical research.
m Frgn Cze 242 Mok Where Once We walked. A
Guide to the Jewish Communities Destroyed in the
Holocaust. For each town listed, the longitude, latitude
and distance to closest large city are given. Alternate
town names are referenced. In a separate section, town
names are listed according to phonetic index-soundex
system. Some maps are included. By Gary Mokotoff
and Sallyann A. Sack, published by Avotaynu, Inc.,
Teaneck, NJ, 1991.
Slavic Surnames. This booklet
lists over 2500 Slavic names with both literal and figurative meanings. Nationalities/ethnic groups included
m Frgn Pol 074 Cla
Page 164
m Frgn Cze 082 Her Judaica Bohemiae. VII. Jewish Community Archives from Bohemia & Moravia.
This is a copy from an analytical register to the catalogues of archive material from Jewish communities.
By Jan Herman, published by Státní Židovské Muzeum,
Praha, 1971.
m Frgn Cze 454 Ehl Old Bohemian and Moravian
Jewish Cemeteries. Once important Jewish communities, that are now overgrown with weeds, hold memories
in their grave markers. Communities are listed alphabetically, giving location, limited information of the synagogue, location of the cemetery and the dates of burials.
Authors are Petr Ehl, Arno Pařík, Jiří Fiedler, published
by Paseka, Prague, 1991.
m Frgn Cze 790 Gun Matrikenverzeichnis der Jüdischen Matriken Böhmens (Register of Jewish Vital
Statistics in Czech Archives Pertaining to Bohemia).
Jewish records for Bohemia are deposited in Prague.
This book lists specific Jewish records for each community that can be found in the archives. Compiled and
published by Felix Gundacker, Vienna, 1998.
Soupis židovských rodin
v Čechach z roku 1793: Loketský kraj, Boleslavský
kraj, Budějovicky kraj, I / Census of Jewish families
in Bohemia in 1793: regions of Loket, Boleslav and
Budějovice, I. By Jan Bohaček, et al, editors. Published
by Státní ústřední archiv, Praha, 2002.
m Frgn Cze 1027 Boh V.1
Soupis židovských rodin
v Čechach z roku 1793: Kouřimský kraj, Bydžovský
kraj, Litoměřický kraj, II. / Census of Jewish families
in Bohemia in 1793: regions of Kouřim, Bydžov and
Litoměřice, II. Edited by Martin Jirinec, et al. Published
by Státní ústřední archiv, Praha, 2003. The year 1793
was chosen for a census of Jews in Bohemia because
there was complete information on all sixteen regions of
Bohemia. The names in each region are indexed, as are
the towns which had Jewish inhabitants. The statistical
information is in German and the text is in Czech.
m Frgn Cze 1027 Jir V.2
m Frgn Cze 1035 ZahV.3.24
Naše rodina
Berní rula 24 kraj
Plzeňský II / Berni rula 24 region of Plzeň II. Authored by Magda Zahradníková, and Iva Čadová. Published by Státní Ústřední Archiv v Praze / State Central
Archive in Praha, 2002, Praha. Towns in the Plzeň
region as of 1654 are not listed alphabetically but there
is a town index. Inhabitants are grouped as cottagers,
gardeners, farmers and tradesmen. Also given are number of fields, whether planted winter or spring, burnt
down, abandoned, teams (of oxen), cows, heifers, sheep,
swine, parish, local shepherds, hired shepherds, Jews
over age 20, Jews 10-20 years of age. In Czech.
Our library has many books on Jewish history, both
European and American, guidebooks to Jewish historical sites, resistance movements, and other related topics:
Jews in Minnesota, The First
Seventy-five Years. By W. Gunther Plaut. Published by
American Jewish Historical Society, New York, 1959.
This is the history of three major Jewish communities,
St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Duluth, and how each developed over time and integrated into the larger community. A list of abbreviations, an appendix, and glossary
are included.
m MN Gen 126 Pla
m US Gen 342 Lev A History of the Jews in the
United States: Third Revised Edition. By Rabbi Lee J.
Levinger. Published by Department of Synagogue and
School Extension of the Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, Cincinnati, Ohio,1944. The author connects the discovery of America to Jewish history in
Spain, this book was written as a text for high school
students.
m Ref Jew 009 Bir The Rest of Us: The Rise of
America’s Eastern European Jews. By Stephan Birmingham. Published by Little, Brown, & Co, Boston,
MA,1984. This is the story of Eastern European Jews
who arrived in America between 1882 and 1915.
m Ref Jew 012 Fei The Jewish People in America:
A Time for Searching, Entering the Mainstream, 19201945. By Henry L. Feingold. Published by The Johns
Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 1992.
m US NY 072 Bir “Our Crowd”: The Great Jewish
Families of New York. By Stephen Birmingham. Published by Harper & Row Publishers, New York, 1967.
m MN Gen 365 Ber Jews in Minnesota (part of The
People of Minnesota series). By Hyman Berman and
Linda Mack Schloff. Published by Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, 2002. Accounts are given
of Jewish immigrant life in Minnesota, as well as their
contributions to society, from the pioneer era in the mid
1850’s to present day.
A Documentary History of Immigrant Jews in America How We Lived 1880-1930.
By Irving Howe & Kenneth Libo. Published by Richard
Marek Publishers, New York, 1979. Primary focus of
this book is on New York, with one chapter on other
locations.
m US Imm 005 How
The Jews in America. By Francis Butwin. Published by Lerner Publications, Minneapolis, MN, 1980. Part of The In America Series, this
condensed history traces Jews from the discovery of
America to the twentieth century, and includes a chapter
on famous Jewish Americans.
m US Imm 060 But
m MN H-151 Fre North Side Memories. By Phil
Freshman, and Linda Mack Schloff. Upper Midwest
Jewish History, 2000.
m MN H-1 196 Lew Images of America Jewish
Community of North Minneapolis. By Rhoda Lewin.
Published by Arcadia Publishing, Chicago, IL, 2001.
m Frgn Cze 021 Mey The Jews in the Soviet Satellites. This book describes Communist impact on the
Jewish community and the effects of the Soviet system
on Jewish life, based on contributing studies of Czechoslovakia and five other Soviet bloc countries after Soviet occupation in 1939. Brief chapters are also devoted
to pre-war conditions in Jewish communities and their
fate under the Nazi occupation. By Peter Meyer, et al,
Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, 1953.
m Frgn Cze 052 Soc The Jews of Czechoslovakia.
This is a collection of historical essays describing Jewish participation in every aspect of Czechoslovak life
between the two World Wars. Compiled by The Society
For The History of Czechoslovak Jews, published by
The Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, 1968.
m Frgn Cze 253 Par Židovská Praha / Obrazový
Magazín / Jewish Praha / Pictorial Magazine of newspaper Lidové Noviny. By Arno Pařík, et al. Published
by Praha Vydalo Vydavatelství a nakladatelství. Lidové
Noviny, 1991. Chapters include history of Ghetto in
Praha, synagogues, cemeteries, the Jewish Museum and
lives and religion of Jews. In Czech, with summaries in
English and German. Naše rodina
Page 165
Jewish Prague. Gloses on
History and Kultur. - A Guidebook. A guide to the Jewish monuments in Prague, this book includes photos and
histories of synagogues, graveyards, ghettos and museums that enhance the understanding of Jewish life. By
Ctibor Rybár, Spektrum / Akropolis Publishers, Czechoslovakia, 1991.
m Frgn Cze 332 Ryb
m Frgn Cze 392 Fie Jewish Sights of Bohemia and
Moravia. This illustrated guidebook is a comprehensive
list and description of the historical monuments that
remain of 138 Jewish communities. Towns are listed
in alphabetical order. Contents include information
about synagogues and cemeteries destroyed during the
Holocaust and in the post war period, as well as concentration and labor camps, and mass graves of Jewish
victims of the Nazis. By Jiří Fiedler, published by SEFER, Prague, 1991.
m Frgn Cze 411 San Shores of Refuge - A Hundred
Years of Jewish Emigration. The story of Jewish emigration is told through the use of diaries, memoirs, interviews and reports. It is a saga of upheaval and flight,
courage and deliverance, charity, compassion and conscience. By Ronald Sanders, Published by Henry Holt
and Co., New York, 1988.
The Jewish Town of Prague.
A brief introduction of the Jewish settlement in Prague,
beginning with the 11th century, is accompanied by a
settlement map. Text is supplemented by color photos
of ghettos, synagogues and cemeteries. It is written in
English, with a glossary of Hebrew and foreign terms.
By Arno Pařík, and Pavel Štecha, Published by Oswald,
Prague, 1992.
m Frgn Cze 463 Par
The Artists of Terezin. By Gerald Green. Published by Schocken Books, New York,
1978. Illustrations by inmates tell the stories of life and
death in this concentration camp. In English.
m Frgn Cze 465 Gre
m Frgn Cze 265 Kar Music in Terezín1941-1945.
By Joža Karas. Published by Beaufort Books, NY, 1985.
This is a particularly gripping story of Jewish musicians
imprisoned at this camp. Many photos, and sketches
depict the instruments being played. In Czech.
m Frgn Cze (uncatalogued) Terezínska Pametni
Kniha / Terezín Memorial Book (Volumes 1 & 2).
These are memorial volumes of the Jews who were deported to Terezín from Bohemia and Moravia. Volume
2 contains an alphabetical index of the prisoners. These
Page 166
books have just been ordered and should be in our library very soon.
m Frgn Cze 676 Tot The Tragedy of Slovak Jews. A
series of reports and essays from contributing authors,
this book describes the deportation and movement of
Jews from Slovakia to the camps. By PhDr. Dezider
Tóth, published by Datel, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia,
1992.
m Ref Jew 011 Suh They Fought Back: The Story
of the Jewish Resistance in Nazi Europe . By Yuri
Suhl. Published by Schocken books, New York, 1967.
One chapter is devoted to the Slovak Resistance.
Jewish Heritage Travel-A
Guide to East-Central Europe. This book is designed
both as a practical guide for travelers and as a sourcebook for armchair travelers interested in learning about
a vital part of European and Jewish history, past and
present. By Ruth Ellen Gruber, Published by John Wiley
& Sons, NY, 1994.
m Frgn Cze 508 Gru
m Frgn Cze 591 Alt The Precious Legacy - Judaic
Treasures from the Czechoslovak State Collections.
This book displays an extraordinary collection of cultural and religious artifacts from the State of Jewish
Museum of Czechoslovakia. These treasures are representative of the oldest continuous Jewish community in
Europe. Large format color photos highlight the collection of manuscripts, glasswork, textiles, oil paintings
and folk art. Edited by David Altshuler, published by
Summit Books, NY, 1983.
The Young Gustav Mahler and
Jihlava. By PhDr. Zdeněk Jaroš. Published by GM, the
Museum of Highlands in Jihlava, 1994. One chapter is
devoted to the Jews in Jihlava.
m Frgn Cze 682 Jar
m Frgn Cze 696 Cze Phoenix - Journal of Czech
and Slovak Jewish Family and Community History.
Family histories and memoirs were compiled in journal
format, from faded letters and photos, interviews with
children and grandchildren of Jewish holocaust survivors and refugees from pre-war Czechoslovakia. At
the end of this book is a list of Czech and Slovak Jewish community addresses. Compiled and published by
Czech and Slovak Communities Archive, NY, 1997.
Where She Came From - A
Daughter’s Search for her Mother’s History. A memoir in the form of a quest for personal and historical
understanding, this multi-generational saga is based on
m Frgn Cze 812 Eps
Naše rodina
the author’s account of the lives of the women in her
family within the context of the social history of Central
European Jews. By Helen Epstein, published by Little,
Brown, and Co., NY, 1997.
In Search of Freedom: A
History of American Jews from Czechoslovakia. By
Guido Kisch. Published by Edward Goldston and Son
Ltd., London, 1949. The story of American Jews from
Czechoslovakia, their life in both the old country and
the new world and their contributions to society is told
in this book. Some of the well-known names include
Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler, and Louis D. Brandeis.
m Frgn Cze 842 Kis
m Frgn Cze 847 Igg The Jews of Bohemia and
Moravia, a historical reader. By Wilma Abeles Iggers.
Published by Wayne State University Press, Detroit,
1992. This book examines the cultural and social history
of the Jewish community in Czechoslovakia from 1744
to 1952, drawn from family histories, newspaper accounts, wills and letters. It includes a gazetteer, a glossary, and an index of names.
Letters from Prague 19391941. The story is told by two sisters in a series of 77
translated letters between their Jewish Czech parents,
who escaped from the Nazis to the United States, and
their grandmother and uncle, who were left behind in
Prague. Compiled by Raya Czerner Schapiro and Helga
Czerner Weinberg. Published by Academy Chicago
Publishers, Chicago, 1991.
m Frgn Cze 913 Sch
m Frgn Cze 919 Fra History of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia From Emancipation to the Present:
Exhibition Guide, the Jewish Museum in Prague. By
Anita Franková, et al. This is a museum catalogue from
a 1998 exhibit at the Spanish Synagogue in Prague.
Many photos of exhibit artifacts and stories. Statistics
on the fate of Bohemian and Moravian Jews after 1939.
m Frgn Cze 998 Kie Languages of Community:
The Jewish Experience in the Czech Lands. The author examines in much detail the distinctive features of
the Jewish experience in Bohemia and Moravia from
the late eighteenth century to the late twentieth century.
He focuses attention to the role that language played to
shape the collective identity of Jews in the Czech lands.
By Hillel J. Kieval. Published by University of California Press, Berkley and Los Angeles, 2000.
m US IL 114 Cut The Jews of Chicago From Shtetl
to Suburb By Irving Cutler. Published by University
4
of Illinois Press, Urbana & Chicago, 1996. The author
traces Jewish immigrant settlement in Chicago from the
1830’s to 1995, with a strong emphasis on Jewish neighborhoods, institutions, events. References are made to
Bohemian Jews. The book includes maps, photos, a
glossary, and a chronology of Chicago Jewish History.
m Frgn Cze 1069 Per Bridging Three Worlds-Hungarian Jewish Americans 1848-1914. By Robert Perlman. Published by University of Massachusetts Press,
Amherst, 1991. This book focuses on Hungarian Jews,
their origins, migrations, and settlement in America, and
includes demographic information, notes, bibliography,
and an index.
m Frgn Cze 1102 Fib Židé na Strakonicku / Jews in
Strakonice. By Ondřej Fibich. Published by KAREN,
Strakonice, 2001. There were Jews in the Czech Lands
as early as the tenth century, and when they arrived in
Strakonice is not known, but there is a record of Jews
there in 1482. The earliest documented records are
mentioned in this book. Brief summaries in German and
English. In Czech.
Recent Additions
m Frgn Cze 911 Rot The Jews of Bohemia and
Moravia: Facing the Holocaust. By Livia Rothkirchen.
Published by University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE
and Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, 2005. The author provides
a detailed and comprehensive history of how Nazi rule
in the Czech lands was influenced not only by military
policy, but local culture and circumstances. An epilogue
on the post-1945 period provides an historical perspective to help understand the history of Jews in Europe.
Magyarorszag Helyseg-Nevtara / Hungarian Place Names. By Hungarian Central
Statistical Office. Publisher unknown, Budapest, 1933.
This is an alphabetical listing of counties in Hungary
and the towns within the counties and the population of
the towns. This is followed by an alphabetical listing of
the individual towns and further information about the
towns themselves. In Hungarian.
m Frgn Cze 917 Hun
m US ND (uncatalogued) Sta Alphabetical listing of
Naturalization Records for Western North Dakota Vols
1 (A-L) & 2 (M-Z). Compiled by the State Historical
Society of North Dakota, 1991. Names are listed alphabetically. Column headings on each page list Name,
Country, Date, Page, Volume, Papers (1st or 2nd), County.
Naše rodina
Page 167
m Frgn Cze 378 Mol 1.1 Naše Příjmení / Our Surnames. By Dobrava Moldanová. Published by Agentura
Pankrac, s.r.o., Praha, 2004. This is an update of the
author’s 1984 book, which gives an alphabetized list of
Czech surnames and their derivation. There is a table
of the most common Czech names as of 2002 and their
relative frequency given in percentages, and a list of abbreviations and lesser known terms. In Czech.
Místopisný Slovník Československé Republiky / Topographical Dictionary of
the Czechoslovak Republic. By Bretislav Chromec.
Published by Československý Kompas, Praha-Smíchov,
1929. This is an alphabetical listing of towns and their
locations, number of homes, number of inhabitants, nationality of inhabitants, their religions, judicial district,
factories, and railroads. In Czech
m Frgn Cze 954 Chr
m Frgn Cze 962 Rei Postřekov. By Reiniger, Helena,
editor. Published by Obecní Úřad, Postřekov, 2000. This
history of the town of Postřekov was compiled in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the church of
Sv. Jakub. Statistical information is included, and there
is also a section on legionnaires which includes names
and dates and where they served. In Czech.
m Frgn Cze 963 Nes Králicko / The Region of Králiky. Edited by Zdeněk Nesvadba. Published by Jan
Machovský, Králiky, 2004. This is a book of scenes
of nature, Christian tradition, and colorful history. In
Czech, with translations into German, English and Polish.
m Frgn Cze 965 Bec Průvodce po Langweiluv
model Prahy, 1826-1834 / A Guidebook to Langweil’s
Model of Praha. By Kateřina Bečková. Published by
Museum of the Capital city of Praha, 1986. In 1822,
Antonin Langweil began creating a detailed model of
Praha. The model is accessible to the public. In Czech,
with summaries in German, Russian, English and
French.
Illustrated Slovak History, A
Struggle for Sovereignty in Central Europe. By Anton
Spiesz and Dusan Caplovic. Published by BolchazyCarducci, Wauconda, IL, 2006. This first English edition
was edited by Ladislaus J. Bolchazy. Extensive notes
were added by North American scholars, making this
book an important source for the history and development of the Slovak nation. Profusely illustrated, this
book contains many maps, a bibliography, and an index.
m Frgn Cze 968 Spi
Page 168
Recent Cadastral Map Donors
James, Lee
Jorgenson, Dolores
Walcek, Emil & Janice
Zahorik, Leora
Family Histories
The Paternal Ancestors & Descendants of John Pavlish Jr. & Mary (Urbanec) Pavlish 1620-2006. Both sides of the author’s
family emigrated from Bohemia, first settled in Russia
and then immigrated to the United States. One branch
traced from about 1636, in Lubna, a small village, near
Polička, first moved to South Russia, then to Stark
County, North Dakota. The other branch came from
Lhotka, in East Bohemia, also first migrated to South
Russian and finally to Dunn County, North Dakota.
m FH ( uncatalogued) Pav
m FH (uncatalogued) Sad Their Trek Ended Here,
Ours Began Here. (Riverside, Iowa). Compiled by Jack
Sadle, no date given. Czech immigrants settled in this
small town south of Iowa City about 1875. Surnames
include Krejdl, Sadel, Lukavsky, Heck, Truaxaw, and
Sadle.
Recent Book Donors
Baca, Leo
Cincebeaux, Helene
Jackman, Dorothy
King, Francis
McKenney, Doreen
Meduna, Frank
Pavlish, Bern F.
Sadle, Jack P
Sobotka, Margie
Periodicals
We have issues of various periodicals that have been
donated but are not on the shelves due to space limitations. These are stored in the CGSI office and if you
have an interest in examining them, please contact
Wayne Sisel. The periodicals include Hospodář, Ženské
Listy, Jednota, Hlás Národa, Česká Žena and Přítel.
Library Collection Research Policy
CGSI will do research on selected books and reference
Naše rodina
material in our library collection. Mostly, these are
books with name indexes or are indexes themselves,
such as Leo Baca’s Czech Passenger Arrival Lists, the
ZČBJ (Fraternal Herald) Death Index, the Nebraska/
Kansas Czech Settlers book, and the telephone directories of the Czech and Slovak Republics. A complete
list of our library holdings as of April 15, 2000 is now
available to members at the cost of $7.00 which includes copying and postage charges. The books that we
can research for you are identified by a special notation
in the listing. The library holdings are also listed on our
Home Page for those with access to the internet.
We cannot accept open-ended research requests
such as “tell me what you have on the Jan Dvořák family of Minnetonka, Minnesota”. When making a research request you must specify which book you want
researched and what family, castle, town, etc, for which
you want information.
The fees for various research are as follows: Telephone Directories of Czech and Slovak Republics $5.00 for each surname provided (per directory), plus
25 cents for each address we find and extract from the
book.
Other Sources/Books - $5.00 per half hour of research for members or $10.00 per half hour of research
for non-members. Expenses for photocopies and additional postage will be billed. The minimum charge of
$5.00/member or $10.00/non-member must accompany
the request for information.
Research is conducted by CGSI volunteers. They
will not be able to interpret any information for you that
is found in a foreign language.
CGSI Library
The CGSI Library holdings are housed within the Minnesota Genealogical Society (MGS) Library which is
located at 5768 Olson Memorial Highway in Golden
Valley, MN* (At the northwest corner of Highways 55
and 100). Take Hwy. 55 to Douglas Drive. Go north
one block and turn right onto north frontage road to the
Minnesota Genealogy Center Building.
MGS Library telephone number:
(763) 595-9347
MGS Library hours:
Wed, Thurs, Sat 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Tue, Thurs 6:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.
The second Thursday night of each month is Czech and
Slovak night. On these nights, the library is staffed by
CGSI volunteers who are there to assist you in locating
the resources you need in your research.
*Please do not send mail to this address, instead continue to send it to the P.O. Box.
Czech Roots
Find Your Roots and Get Connected!
Contact Living Relatives
Personalized Ancestral Tours
Tom Hrncirik (A.G.) 832-934-2772
[email protected] www.Czechusa.com
14055 FM 2920 #381, Tomball, TX 77377
(14 years experience)
Future Themes for Naše rodina:
March 2007...Ethnic Minorities in the Czech and Slovak Republics
June 2007...Gazetteers and Maps as Research Tools
September 2007...Czechs and Slovaks of the Pacific Northwest
December 2007...Advice to Genealogists Traveling to the Homeland
Your articles are welcome, although not all can be published
E-Mail articles or inquiries to Paul Makousky at [email protected]
or send by U.S. Mail: 8582 Timberwood Rd., Woodbury, MN 55125-7620
Naše rodina
Page 169
Sales Order Form
(all items include Shipping costs)
1
Czech Dictionary and Phrasebook by M. Burilkova, 223 pages
$ 13.50
21
History of Czechs in America
by Jan Habenicht, 595 pgs
$ 48.50
2
Beginners Czech by Iva Cerna & Johann Machalek, 167 pgs
$ 11.50
22
Czech Republic in Pictures,
Lerner Publications, 64 pgs
$ 20.50
3
Czech/Eng & Eng/Czech Dictionary
by Nina Trnka, 594 pgs
$ 13.50
Czech Dictionary and Phrasebook
Czech-Eng and Eng-Czech, 223 pages
$ 13.50
To Reap a Bountiful Harvest (Czech Immigration Beyond the Mississippi, 1850
to 1900) by Stepanka Korytova-Magstadt
$ 15.50
4
23
Czech Phrasze Book by Nina Trnka,
ideal for tourists, 149 pgs
$ 11.50
24
Czechoslovakia: A Short Chronicle of 27,094 Days by Miroslav Koudelka, 20 pgs
$ 4.00
5
My Slovakia: An American’s View
by Lil Junas, hardcover, 56 pages
$ 18.50
25
Brief History of the Czech Lands
in English
$ 14.50
6
Map of Czech Grammar, 8 pages showing
nouns, verbs, cases, etc
$ 4.75
Tales of the Czechs – History and Legends of Czech people
$ 9.75
7
26
Children’s Illustrated Czech Dictionary, 94 pages
$ 16.50
Gateway to a New World – Czech/Slovak community in St. Paul, Minnesota’s
West End district
$ 11.50
8
27
9
Beginners Slovak by Elena Letnanova, 207 pgs
$ 15.75
28
New Prague, Minnesota Cemetery inventory, over 200 pgs
$ 11.00
10
Slovak/Eng & Eng/Slovak Dictionary by Nina Trnka, 359 pgs
$ 13.50
29
Pioneer Stories of Minnesota Czech Residents (1906-1930)
$ 23.00
11
Climbing Your Family Tree, Genealogy for
Children, by Ellis Island, 228 pgs
$ 11.50
30
Czech Heritage Coloring Book
by NE Czechs of Wilber
$ 5.75
12
Česká Republika Auto map,
1:500000 scale
$ 4.75
31
History of Slovakia – A Struggle for Survival by Kirschbaum
$ 20.00
13
Czech Republic Hiking maps
(97 maps in series) 1:50000 scale
$ 4.75
32
History of the Slovaks of Cleveland and Lakewood, OH, 301 pgs
$ 25.00
14
Czech Republic Tourist maps
(46 maps in series) 1:100000 scale
$ 4.75
33
Slovakia in Pictures, Lerner Publications, 64 pgs
$ 20.50
Czech Republic Auto Atlas, 1:100000 scale
$ 29.50
VHS $21.75
DVD $28.75
Slovakia – The Heart of Europe, 55 pgs hardcover
$ 24.75
Czech/Slovakia: Land of Beauty and Change,
85 min
34
35
Visiting Slovakia – Tatras by Jan Lacika, 136 pgs
$ 13.50
15
16
Album of Bohemian Songs
$ 6.50
18
17
Slovak Republic Hiking maps
(58 in series) 1:50000 scale
$ 4.75
36
Visiting Slovakia – Bratislava by Jan Lacika, 268 pgs
$ 20.75
19
Slovak Republic Tourist maps
(29 in series) 1:100000 scale
$ 4.75
37
Bohemian-American Cookbook by Marie Rosicky in 1906
$ 13.50
20
Slovak Republic Auto Atlas, 1:100000 scale w/postal codes
$ 29.50
38
Cherished Czech Recipes by Pat Martin, 143 pgs
$ 7.25
39
Czech and Slovak Touches by Pat Martin
$ 14.50
40
Czech National Cookbook, published in Czech Republic, 96 pgs
$ 13.50
41
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 1, May 1989 (946 surnames)
$ 5.25
42
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 2 Feb 1990 (1250 surnames)
$ 5.25
43
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 3 June 1992 (1719 surnames)
$ 5.75
44
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 4 Feb 1993 (1700 surnames)
$ 5.75
45
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 5 May 1994 (1509 surnames)
$ 5.75
46
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 6 March 1995 (1745 surnames)
$ 5.75
47
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 7 Jan 1999 (1520 surnames)
$ 5.75
48
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 8 $ 5.75
Sept 2002 (1423 surnames)
Address___________________________________________________________
49
Czechoslovak Surname Index Vol 9
March 2006 (1451 surnames)
$ 5.75
NEW
City________________________ St _____________
50
Finding Your Slovak Ancestors
by Lisa Alzo, 385 pgs.
$ 22.50
NEW
Item
No.
Qty
Each Price
Totals
Total Amount Paid
12/06
Name_____________________________________________________________
Zip_______________
Make check payable to CGSI, and mail to Czechoslovak Genealogical Society Int’l.,
P.O. Box 16225, St. Paul, MN 55116-0225. Prices subject to change without notice. Items
may not always be available on demand. Refunds will be made for items which are
not available. Note: Depending on weight, postage outside of the U.S. will generally be
higher. We will bill for any difference in costs.
Page 170
To see photos of these items and some
additional information please visit our
website: www.cgsi.org
Naše rodina
!
!
Calendar of Events -Mark Yours
For further information on events check the website: www.cgsi.org
November 2, 2006 – March 11, 2007
Works by Warhol from the Cochrane Collection
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
30 – 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Further info: www.ncsml.org
February 24, 2007 (Saturday)
Slovaks Old and Young, Here and There
Don Pafko will talk about Slovak immigrants
in the Minneapolis area, Katarina Vilimova
will talk about the Slovak students’ essays.
Further info (place, time): www.cgsi.org
May 5, 2007 (Saturday)
CGSI Quarterly Meeting
History of Czechs in Vienna and How to
Read Old German (Sutterlin) Script
Presentations by Frank Soural of Ottawa
Attendees are invited to bring documents
recorded in German script for assistance.
Further info (place, time): www.cgsi.org
May 16-19, 2007 (Wednesday – Saturday)
29th Annual NGS Conference in the States
National Genealogical Society
Greater Richmond Convention Center
Richmond, Virginia
Further info: www.eshow2000.com/ngs/2007
June 23, 2007 (Saturday)
CGSI Traveling Library
Nebraska Czech Festival in Clarkson
Come join us to receive hands-on
assistance and research some 60 books.
Further info: www.cgsi.org
October 18-20, 2007 (Thursday – Saturday)
11th Genealogical/Cultural Conference
Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall
Featured Speaker: PhDr. Lenka Matušíková,
Archivist at the National Archives Prague
Lodging: Clarion Suites hotel, Madison, WI
Further info: www.cgsi.org
Membership Form
On the back page of this issue, your membership number and expiration date is printed on the top of the address label.
If your membership is due within the next three months, fill out the following form and return to CGSI.
 Renewal  New
Membership No. (on top of mailing label)____________________
Circle Choice: Name_____________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________
City/State_________________________________________________ Zip Code*_ ___________ Telephone (
)_ __________________
*Please add your nine-digit zip code. If you don’t know it, look for it on a piece of junk mail.
Make checks payable to and mail to: CGSI, P.O. Box 16225
St. Paul, MN 55116-0225
Naše rodina
Term Individual
1 Year
$25.00
2 Year
$45.00
3 Year
$65.00
Membership Fee
First Class Postage
Library Donation
Total Payment
Family Sponsor
$30.00 $45.00
$55.00 $85.00
$75.00 $110.00
$ ______________
$ ______________
$ ______________
$ ______________
USA Funds Only
Foreign and 1st Class Add $10 for 1 year;
Add $20 for 2 years; Add $30 for 3 years
Except for Canada
- Copy this form as necessary Page 171
Coming In The March 2007 Issue Minorities in the Slovak Republic
Village Life in Old German Bohemia
 The Górale: Tatra Highlanders of Galicia and Slovakia’s Orava, Liptov and Spiš Counties
 The Kingdom of Bohemia (Das Königreich Böhmen)
 Czech Student Essay – 1st Place Entry


Above left: The circled area in North central Slovakia and southern Poland is the area inhabited by the Gorals
or Horals. Map courtesy of Paul Bingham. Above right: Map by Ken Meter, 1993. Reprinted with permission.
From Ken Meter and Robert Paulson (1993). Border People: The Böhmisch (German-Bohemians) in America. Crossroads Resource Center and German-Bohemian Heritage Society.
Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International
P.O. Box 16225
St. Paul, MN 55116-0225
Address Service Requested
ISSN 1045-8190
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 7985
ST. PAUL, MN

There Once Was A World

Transcription

Similar documents

Centrale Magazine - 18 >> Dear friends of the Jewish community

Zagreb celebrating Jewish culture Aus: Nachrichtenagentur Hina

November 22nd

it`s the world`s most difficult job.

S ANC TU AR Y - reformjudaismmag.net

THE SHOSHANA S. CARDIN JEWISH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

From Brick Lane to Bevis Marks

`I`m not sorry for faith schools`

Take 6 bottles home, Today!