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Donauschwaben in den USA |
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TRAVEL NEWS
April May June 2009
Volume 4 Number 2
APRIL
2009 THE
TASKS OF THE GNTB
For 60 years, the German National Tourist Board has worked in cooperation
with the Federal Government to promote tourism to Germany. It markets the
diverse nature of travel to Germany throughout the world, promoting an enormous
and appealing product: Germany as a travel destination. Increase
the number of visitors Increase
foreign currency income Strengthen
the German economy Position
Germany as a multi-faceted and attractive travel destination http://www.cometogermany.com/ENU/about_us/about_us.htm/ APRIL
2009 NATIONAL
DISH OF THURINGIA
Potato
dumplings the size of a child’s head
Thuringia’s
national dish is the Kartoffel Klöße, or potato dumpling, preferably about the
size of a child’s head. Every town in Thuringia swears on the authenticity of
its own original recipe, every housewife on that of her own. It is no surprise
then, that there are 18,972 recorded recipes for the dumpling. Klöße were also
formed back in the former East German GDR, and there for the first time, under
planned production methods. The ZBE (Zwischenbetriebliche Einrichtung, or
roughly, Inter-production Framework) in Heichelheim opened Thuringia’s first
Klöße manufacturing plant in 1968, letting the women of Thüringen take a huge
sigh of relief: no more grating and pressing. Finally, there were mass Klöße
for the comrades. These were so adored, that they soon became one of the most
prized possessions of any household which was lucky enough to acquire them.
Since 1999, the once booming factory houses a Klöße museum, providing a wealth
of information, not only about Klöße, but about the potato itself as well. The
plethora of facts, which are to be awaited here, is truly amazing. None other
than the cultural history of the potato is presented here. The visitor learns of
the potato flower in Marie-Antoinette's hair, of the gift of potatoes to a
sickly pope, and of the incredible renown of the potato: without its
introduction into society, Europe would never have withstood the industrial
revolution. It is thanks to the potato, that one farmer alone could feed ten
people. Whoever might notice an appetite after visiting the museum should take
the short trip to nearby Mechelrode. There, the original child’s head size can
still be found. Just make sure not to look into the pot, counting the number of
Klöße. Why not? You had better ask the cook.
The
chef at the “Einhorn” (Unicorn Restaurant) in Mechelroda http://www.deutschland.de/sw/sw.php?lang=2&&sw_id=19
Thuringian Potato Dumpling Museum, Heichelheim
The potato dumpling, Thuringia's national dish, is made of potatoes, which have
been culturally significant in north Thuringian since the 17th century. The
versatile spud and its processing still play an important role in the region
today. The permanent exhibition illustrates many aspects of the stories of both
the dumpling and the potato. There are ancient potato ricers, old potato sorting
machines and other agricultural equipment once used for cultivating potato
fields. Open Tuesday to Sunday from April to October; Tuesday to Friday from
November to March. Guided tours available.
APRIL 2009
INTERACTIVE CONSULATE FINDER
German
Missions
Nine German Missions throughout the United States offer consular services. Each
Mission covers specific states and counties. Please select your state of
residence to find out which one can assist you with your concerns.
You will need Adobe Flash Player to see the full content of this page. If you do not have it installed on your computer, you can download it free of charge from the producer or take a look at our flash-free consulate district list instead.
http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/01__Consulate__Finder/__Consulate__Finder.html
VISITING AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE APRIL 2009
Die Donauschwaben Germans From Hungary By
Carolyn Schott
Forwarded by Dennis Bauer and Alex Leeb
The following article is written by Carolyn Schott, author of the Bessarbian
- Newsletter (GRHS). Carolyn, travelled to Sindelfingen, Germany, to research
about the German immigrated to the Austrian- Hungarian empire, settling in
regions that are today Yugoslavia, Romania
and Hungary. Many of the Germans that settled in the Batschka area as well
as the Banat area, and moved on the German colonies around Odessa in the
early 1800's. I'm sure, some you will find the article interesting. http://www.grhs.org/rig/bess/newsletters/bessarabian/bess6-1.pdf
Die
Donauschwaben Germans
from Hungary By
Carolyn Schott
My
ancestors seem to have wandered just about every path you can take on their way
to Bessarabia. One of my most challenging families to research has been my
g-g-g-grandparents, Mathäus and Philippina (Bitz) Klein, who came from Hungary
to Freudental, Odessa. (Their granddaughter, Philippina Klein, eventually ends
up in Hoffnungstal, Bessarabia.)
In the late 1700’s, many Germans immigrated to the Austrian-Hungarian empire,
settling in regions that are today Yugoslavia, Romania, and Hungary. (See
article by Gayla Gray on page 4 of this issue for a more detailed history http://www.grhs.org/rig/bess/newsletters/bessarabian/bess6-1.pdf
.)
Many of the Germans that settled in the Batschka area (west of the Tisza River
and east of the Danube), as well as the Banat area (east of the Tisza River and
north of the Danube) moved on to the German colonies around Odessa in the early
1800’s.
I traveled to Germany last fall and wanted to visit an organization that I’d
heard of near Stuttgart that had an extensive library and specialized in the “Donauschwaben,”
as these immigrants are called. I met a friend, who had agreed to be my guide
into Donauschwaben research, at the Haus der Donauschwaben located in
Sindelfingen. Sindelfingen is a suburb of Stuttgart known more for its auto
industry connections than its tourist attractions. (The desk clerk at my hotel
said to me “ You’re on vacation in Sindelfingen? Why?”)
The Haus der Donauschwaben is the headquarters for the Arbeitskreis donauschwäbischer
Familienforscher (AKdFF) or Working Group for Danube- Swabians Family Research.
It contains a museum – and a library where I found an absolute treasure trove
of information!
They have an extensive collection of books on the individual villages in
Hungary, with maps, village histories, census lists and other lists of
settlers’ names. An example – for the town I was focused on, Verbas/Batschka,
I found a book Die Auswanderung nach Neu- Werbass in der Batschka
1784- 1786 by Dr. Gerhard Hein which included “Jacob Bitz, born
1774, married Catharina N. He immigrated 1807 from Neu-Verbas to Freudental,
Russia.” Another book in the library, Werbass 1785 – 1975, shows
“Bitz, Jakob, House #108, place of origin Wiesloch/Kreis Heidelberg, died
1797, 57 years old. His son, Jakob 1808 to Russia.”
Since Jacob Bitz (the son) shows up in the Freudental 1812census in house #47,
just next door to my g-g-g-grandparents, I think it’s reasonable to believe
that my Philippina (Bitz) Klein is most likely from the same Bitz family – and
I have the probable name of her father and my connection back to Germany!
(Although further research is obviously needed in Wiesloch, Germany to prove
these assumptions.)
My Kleins are a bit more difficult since Klein is such a common name. Still,
with the books I found in the AKdFF library plus some contacts from the AKdFF
listserv, I’ve discovered possible origins for this family in both Germany and
another part of Hungary. Although I have more work to do, at least now I have
some clues to follow!
Another incredibly valuable resource being published by AKdFF is the Stefan
Stader series Sammelwerk donauschwäbischer Kolonisten. It is a
compilation, from many different sources, of German immigrants to Hungary, their
origin in Germany, family members, etc. The first two volumes, A-D and E-G, are
available from the Family History Library on microfilm 1224548. Volumes 3 and 4,
H-Kap and Kar-L, can be purchased from AKdFF. (I was quoted €40 + €7 for
postage to purchase Volume 4.) Presumably these books will also be available on
FHL microfilm some time in the future.
AKdFF has membership options both in Europe and North America. A North American
membership is $30 U.S. per year and includes receiving the quarterly
publication, Donauschwäbische Forschungsblätter by email, in English.
(There is currently a backlog of these translations which is being caught up.)
AKdFF also publishes the AKdFF-Handbuch, which is similar to the GRHS Stammbaum,
as it lists the families and villages each member is researching. (The Handbook
is currently out of print, but a new edition will be published in the coming
year.) By cross-referencing Klein and Verbas, I was able to identify several
AKdFF members to contact for possible Klein family information.
AKdFF also supports a German language listserv for sharing Donauschwaben
information. It is a closed list, available only to members.
If you’ve got ancestors who came from Hungary, and have the chance to be in
the Stuttgart area, I highly recommend a visit to the Haus der Donauschwaben.
It’s best to call and make an appointment in advance as their library is only
open on specific days (primarily Thursdays) and hours for research.
For more information, visit their web page at: http://www.genealogy.net/gene/vereine/akdFF/akdff-en.htm
By
Carolyn Schott
Friends Gayla Gray and Carolyn Schott along the Crimean coastline, co-editors of GRHS Heritage Review.
Bessarabian Coat of Arms
Germans
from Russia Heritage Society
Lead
Editor: Carolyn Schott 13702
Densmore Avenue North Seattle,
WA 98133
Heimatmuseum der
Deutschen aus Bessarabien Florianstrasse
17 D-70188
Stuttgart GERMANY
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02/24/13
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