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Archiver > BANAT > 1997-05 > 0864226349


From: Sue Clarkson <>
Subject: Re: Romanian visit-where to go? (fwd) (fwd)
Date: Wed, 21 May 97 10:52:29 EDT


Kurt, I hope you don't mind my reply to the group, as there is information
that may be valuable to many readers. For those planning a trip to Romania-
do set aside time to go to the ancestral village. Don't be disappointed
if you don't find many Germans remaining, especially in the small villages
most of the German families have left and only the old people remain. Many
of the churches are now closed, or perhaps there is one priest who serves
several villages and the church is only open occasionally. The local churches
that are maintaining records will only have current records, no past records.
Past records were required to be turned over to the government or where
seized by the government. The only source for obtaining old records is at
the archives in Timisoara.

Despite the lack of records, a visit to the ancestral village might
result in being able to talk with some older people. It will certainly
give you a real "roots" experience, being able to walk the same streets
that your ancestors walked.

Allow maximum time for searching records. Because of the necessity of
having to write everything longhand (unless there is no xeroxing available)
the process is very tedious. On the first visit to the archives, find out
the hours you will be allowed to work, and then you plan your other activities
around that.

I would be a little concerned about the video camera. In my experience,
border officials are still very suspicious of video cameras, harking back
to the Ceacescu times when foreign spies might attempt to record events
which were not allowed, and also to the hordes of reporters who came to
Romania after the 1989 revolution. John Donis took a video camera on his
trip to Romania and attracted a LOT of attention, to say the least. John,
please tell everyone about that! You can still take it, but be aware of
the possibilites.

You can use dollars or deutchmarks in Romania- they are very much wanted.
I would take a lot of small bills that can be used to purchase small items
and for tips (bribes, whatever you want to call them!). Don't exchange a
lot of dollars for lei, you still can't take lei out of the country on the
conclusion of your visit and you can't exchange them back. A dollar will
go a LONG way in Romania, the exchange rate is very beneficial. Don't
exchange dollars for lei on the street, although you will likely to be
be approached by someone, but most often you will get cheated. Even thought
illegal, you can get someone you know to exchange dollars for you and get
a slightly better rate than at the banks.

How is the food? I am a picky eater and I find it hard to find satisfying
food in Romania. Going in August is good, because the summer produce
will be available and that will make it easier. Food is available in
the stores, but by Romanian standards it is very expensive. It will be
nothing to you because of the beneficial exchange rate, but my cousin was
astounded by my buying orange juice, she has it a few times a year as
a special treat. She's living on a pension and it is very hard to make
the dollars stretch. Offer to buy food for the families you encounter if
they will allow it. They will want to provide it, but the cost of a
chicken is very high to them and they you get this scrawny little thing
not much bigger than a cornish hen here.

Other suggestions on gifts: coffee, cookies, writing paper, pens, razors,
toiletries, perfumes, again these things are now available in Romania but
very expensive for the average person. The first time I went, I took one
suitcase filled with clothing to give away. Don't tell the border personnel
it is to give away, tell them it is for you.

-- Sue Clarkson

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
From: "Kurt Schutz" <>
To: "Sue Clarkson" <>
Subject: Re: Romanian visit-where to go? (fwd)
Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 22:40:34 -0400

Dear Sue,

I plan to take a trip in August to Jimbolia(Hatzfeld) for 5 days. I do not
have all the details yet. I was planning to bring a video camera, 8MM
camera, and tape recorder to get some records from the wife of my
grandfather's cousin who is the oldest person in Hatzfeld at 103.
Does the local church have the church records from 1850 to 1918 or present
day, or are these records only in Timisoara?
I will write for permission anyway. How much time should I allow for record
searching? I did plan to bring cigarettes for barter and tips. Can you use
dollars in Romania? How is the food? What should I watch out for? Is it a
good idea to make some contacts before going? I will be going with Mrs.
Wiesenmayer, a board member of the Hatzfeld Heimatgruppe and her daughter.
She speaks German and Romanian and her daughter also speaks perfect
English. The old woman in Hatzfeld is her aunt. If you have any suggestions
on travel, what to bring, I would love to hear them.

Kurt Schuetz

>
>
> I have been fortunate enough to visit my father's family in Bebe Veche,
> Banat, Romania a couple of times, and glean information from them. Now I
> will have a cousin here in July to visit, and plan to return with her for
a
> several-weeks stay in Bucharest and Timisoara. Any suggestions as to
where
> one might go to find census records, or any other records that might help
me
> get further back, would be appreciated. I want to be as prepared as
> possible. Thanks Maria

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