Crest of the Bukovina Society of the Americas The Bukovina Society of the Americas
P.O. Box 81, Ellis, KS 67637, USA 
Martha McClelland , President  info@bukovinasociety.org
Bukovina Society Headquarters & Museum, Ellis KS 67637

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NEWSLETTER

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Vol.  6, No. 2   -   April 1996

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Oren Windholz, President
Raymond Haneke, Vice President
JoAnn Schoenthaler, Secretary
Bernie Zerfas, Treasurer

Editorial response to
P. O. Box 1083
Hays, KS 67601-1083
E-mail:  windholz@bukovinasociety.org


BRINGING BUKOVINA TO CYBERSPACE

by Larry R. Jensen

The Bukovina Society is now on the hottest part of the Internet, the World-Wide Web! As one of 124 member organizations of FEEFHS, we've been given the opportunity to add information about Bukovina to one of the most extensive web sites dealing with eastern Europe in the world. The page I've written provides an introduction to Bukovina, and to our society, along with a list of other Bukovina organizations, books, resources for research, and a set of links to other relevant web sites.

Another important section of this document is the Contact List for genealogists doing research on Bukovina. Each of our entries lists the place of origin for our ancestors (if known), along with the towns and surnames we are researching, and our own name, e-mail address, and (optional) postal address. Since the Society policy is to keep our membership list private, I will only list people at their own request. To add your entry to this list (even if you don't have an e-mail address or access to the web), send your entry to me, following my own example below:

  • Larry R. Jensen -- LJensen@aol.com
    24 Penny Lane
    Ithaca, NY 14850-6267
    (607) 272-5159

    Family Origins: Rehberg, Bohemia; Galicia
    Bukovina Towns: Gurahumora, Illischestie, Luisental, Paltinossa, Stupka.
    Surnames: Bialy, Chara, Figler, Freundl, Haltuch (Haltow), Hensler (Hausler), Joachimsthaler, Oberhofner, Schulhauser, Turczany, Zawilla

If you are involved in a project that extends beyond your own family, or if you would like to volunteer to be a Village Coordinator (The AHSGR has many such volunteers), please say so in your letter.

Note: Since Larry submitted the above to the Newsletter, he has added much more material to the society web page.

BUKOVINAFEST 96

Enclosed with this newsletter is the program guide and registration form for the convention. We would appreciate an early response from you to assist the board in planning. There is a possibility that one or more of the events could reach capacity, so be an early bird. After receiving your registration a name badge will be made and held at the registration desk for you. This will eliminate the need for the expense of printing and mailing tickets.

Three motels have given special rates to anyone attending the Bukovinafest, including the three family reunion functions. Other motels are available. For further information, contact the society through one of the board members.

  • Best Western Vagabond, 2524 Vine, 913-625-2511 $48.00 for any room, any number of occupants.

  • Super 8, 3730 Vine, 913-625-8048 $40-$48 depending on number of occupants.

MEMBERSHIPS

The following have become life members of the society. Thanks for keeping the list growing. The names will be engraved in the plaque of honor at the museum and all lifetime members receive recognition at the annual banquet.
  • 80. Mr. & Mrs. Harold Deutscher, Ellis, Kansas
  • 81. Elmer Kroeger, Ord, Nebraska

BUKOVINA BRIEFS

The German-Bohemian Heritage Society Newsletter for March 1996 listed two e-mail addresses. For newsletter or society information contact Louis Lindmeyer at LALGBHS@aol.com and for research information contact Robert Paulson at RPaulGBHS@aol.com. The newsletter has a Queries column for anyone who needs help finding their German-Bohemian ancestors.

The Kansas Historical Society has increased its hours for the Center for Historical Research. New hours except for holiday closure are 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To request a free copy of "Guide to Research Resources in the Library and Archives" call 913-272-8681, ext. 276. The new center is located on a spacious campus at 6425 S.W. Sixth St. in Topeka (ZIP 66615-1099).

The Schoenthaler family donated a paper cutter to the society for use at headquarters. This has been an item sorely needed for some time. Thanks from everyone.

Bernie Zerfas tells a story of an early settler from Bukovina who was hauling a load of chickens to market in his battered old truck. He couldn't quite make it up the last hill, so he shooed all the chickens into the air, jumped back into the truck and made it over the hill.

Mary Lee Rose of Olympia, WA has written an article for the Seattle Genealogical Society on the Bukovina Germans in Lewis County, Washington. She sent a copy for the Bukovina Society library. Also according to Larry Jensen, Mary Lee Rose noticed his surname Bialy so she mentioned two Bialys from Stupka who had settled in Lewis County. They turn out to be to brothers Gustav and Anton Bialy who are Larry's first cousins three generations removed. They arrived in New York in 1906 and 1909, then went to work in the lumber mills of Washington. Mary Lee sent him photocopies of their citizenship declarations, and a page from the 1920 census, which by then showed their name anglicized to Bailey. Their arrival dates are both earlier than those for any other relative of Larry's from Bukovina, and it was never mentioned in his family.

CONVENTIONS AND RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

The annual meeting of the Society for German-American Studies hosted by the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies will be conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison April 18-21, 1996. Information available through the Institute at 901 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI 53705

The Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies presents its 21st Annual Conference hosted by the Wichita Genealogical Society June 7 & 8 at Century II in Wichita. The conference is jam packed with mini sessions, vendor browsing, and general session programs. Our Volga German neighbor Francis Schippers is vice president of the KCGS. Information at P O Box 3858, Topeka, KS 66604-6858. The Society is sponsoring the 17th Annual trip to Salt Lake City and the Family History Library July 21-28. Their fall research trip will be to Washington, D.C. September 28 through October 7th. The bus will depart Topeka and pick up registrants along Interstate 70. While in Washington the bus will take researchers to the National Archives, Library of Congress, DAR Library, and other sites.

The 24th Annual Genealogy Conference sponsored by the Topeka Genealogical Society will be in Topeka April 26-27, 1996. An open house will be held at the new Kansas State Historical Society Research Center the evening of the 25th as part of the conference. Information at P O Box 4048, Topeka, KS 66604-0048.

The Federation of East European Family History Societies will conduct their annual convention June 9-12 this year in Minneapolis, MN. If you want information, write to P O Box 624, South St. Paul, MN 55075-0624.

ASSOCIATION OF BUKOVINA GERMAN CULTURE

[Photo unavailable]

From Brazil Prof Ayrton Gonçalves Celestino writes to us of the success of the 5th Bukovina Christmas. The accompanying photo is of the blessing and inauguration of their Bucovina Cross (Romanian Troitza) in the middle of Bucovina Square in the entrance to Rio Negro. He also sent the front page which featured the story and picture in Gazeta de Riomafra. Their organization is busy restoring the old school of the "Passa Três Colony." It was founded in 1892 and with Mayor Alceu Ricardo Swarowski's help it will be renewed. In April a folklore group from Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) of 35 persons will be in Rio Negro for three days. Some of the families of Rio Negro/Mafra were from Schleswig-Holstein. In July before traveling to the Bukovinafest 96, their 6th Bukowina Week will be conducted with guests from Stuttgart, Germany (Büsnau) including the folklore group of Maria Mayerhoffer. Willy and Edith Hanus of Augsburg may possibly attend. The Hanuses were hosts to visitors from Brazil and Ellis in prior years.

Prof Gonçalves would like to learn more of the Canadian, New York and Washington colonies and would travel there during his 20 some days up here. Anyone wishing to transport him to a location after the Bukovinafest should get in contact with Oren Windholz.

[Sketch unavailable]
Above sketch, titled Czernowitzer Straßenbild mit Brücke, is by Riccardo Righetti (1895-1981) which is one of a set of his works sent to us from Tilly Nebl from Augsburg. The collection of 12 prints in both color paintings and black and white sketches will be on display at the museum. We appreciate Tilly's contributions to the newsletter. Tilly wrote an article recently for the Bukovina German newspaper Der Südostdeutsche about her family's roots in Eisenau in the Bukovina.

FIRST BUKOVINIANS TO AMERICA?

Joneen Burrell poses an interesting question. Much has been written about colonies of immigrants from Bukovina to Canada, The United States, and Brazil. Does anyone know the first family or individual to arrive? The earliest arrivals in Ellis, Kansas were in 1886. Joneen's grandfather, Jacob J. Bessai of Altfratautz, arrived in New York in July, 1884 and settled in Milwaukee WI. His wife and two daughters followed in 1885. Let us know if you find earlier arrivals, or just send in the earliest you know of.

SURNAME EXCHANGE

Ralf Hermann, Brucknerstrasse 23, 38226 Salzgitter, Germany has written to us after receiving the address from Augsburg for assistance. He is tracing his family history who were from Suczawa (and possibly Radautz) and before that Germany. His ancestor Rudolf Hermann was born in Suczawa on 21.04.1837 and married about 1864 to a Luise or Maria. His father was Josef Vinzenz Hermann, a builder in Suczawa. Rudolf came to America and died about 1938. He may have a daughter Adela Adolphina, born Hermann on 16.06.1866 in Suczawa. His telephone number is 05341-14422 and e-mail address is 0534141066-001@T-online.de

JoAnn Kuhr of the AHSGR sent a letter dated 8 November 1995 to international board member Irmgard Hein Ellingson who translated it for the newsletter in the hopes that members will search phone books and other information sources to help. My name is Maria Barna, and my address is Odenwaldallee 10, 91056 Erlangen, Germany. I was born in Romania in the village Urwegen in 1945 and emigrated to Germany on 1 December 1994. I would ask you, if possible, to conduct a search for information about my cousins. They are the children of my father's brother, and were all born in America. I don't know the name of my father's brother. The cousins are Luise, John, Martin, Michael, and Elsie. 1. Home village of the person being sought - Michael Engber, 212 Hanford Str., Columbus, OH 43206. 2. Born about 1930 in Columbus. 3. Name of my uncle's wife - Susane. 4. Emigration Date - Unknown. 5. The person being sought lived in Columbus. 6. The person being sought is my relative; our fathers were brothers. I send my heartfelt thanks. I can receive/understand replies written in English. I will wait for news. Maria Barna, nee Engber Tel.011 49 9131 46052.

OLD DEUTSCH-BÖHMISCH RHYME

by: Joe Erbert from Albert A. Flax

Woenche Woenche Neus Yahr
Hint im oubwa sitz a hous
Opt die bang sprinkt a mouse
Grive im douschen und geb me wouse.

Wish you, wish you a New Year
Behind the stove sits a rabbit
On the bench runs a mouse
Reach in your pocket and give me something.

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