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Subject: [BURGENLAND-NEWSLETTER-L] BB News Special Edition dtd May 15, 2001
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 15:20:10 EDT

THE BURGENLAND BUNCH NEWS -SPECIAL EDITION
DEDICATED TO AUSTRIAN-HUNGARIAN BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY
(normally issued at month end by )
May 15, 2001
(all rights reserved)

"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE IN MY HOMELAND (BURGENLAND)"

A SPECIAL PROJECT OF THE BURGENLAND BUNCH
THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL OFFFER

IF YOU WISH TO ORDER A REPRINT COPY OF THE BOOK:

"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF MY LIFE IN MY HOMELAND" by Burgenland Immigrant Robert=
=20
Unger

Send Burgenland Bunch Contributing Editor Bob Unger (no relation to the=20
author) an email note listing your name, address, email address and number o=
f=20
copies desired (German or English) to:


Through the efforts of Rudy Unger (Chicago), son of the deceased author, we=20
may be able to bring you this 235 page book in paperback form at $15 per cop=
y=20
postpaid. This is not a commercial offer and the price and reprinting is=20
being negotiated as a non-profit service to BB members. Rudy Unger is=20
offering the non-royalty reprint as a memorial to his father.

We have 51 orders to date. We need 100. If we reach 100 within the next ten=20
days, Bob Unger will notify Rudy Unger to proceed with printing and advise=20
you where to forward your check. He will then forward your order information=
=20
to Rudy.

The BB is very appreciative of Rudy Unger's offer to reprint this book. We=20
consider it a classic and feel it would be a great gift for anyone intereste=
d=20
in Burgenland Emigration and a fine edition to a family history library. We=20
will not repeat this offer, but if successful, we may consider other=20
publications. If there is sufficient interest we will consider a German=20
language edition.=20

In case you missed it, below are portions of the book review published in BB=
=20
Newsletter 95C dtd 30 April 2001:


*A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT*

A BURGENLAND FAMILY HISTORY OF THE 1890's-1920's (from Bob Unger, BB)

Burgenland Family History Book: Throughout years of genealogical research I=
=20
have often heard of the joy and satisfaction in finding a family history. I=20
have not found one for my family, but I have found the next best thing, a=20
book entitled "Twenty-five Years of My Life In My Homeland." It was written=
=20
by Robert Unger (no relation to me as far as I know) who, in 1980 - at the=20
age of 83, wrote about the first 25 years of his life in Burgenland. I=20
mentioned this book in the 93C issue of the Burgenland Bunch newsletter -=20
stating that the book was out of print, but that I would try to have it=20
republished and keep the members of the Burgenland Bunch informed. Through=20
correspondence and telephone calls with Robert Unger's son, Rudolph - who=20
currently resides in the Chicago area, I learned that the book was written=20
initially in German and about 25 copies were published. Subsequently the=20
book was translated and 200 copies were published in English. Robert lent m=
e=20
a copy. I started reading it and found it so fascinating that I couldn't put=
=20
it down. I called Robert - telling him how thrilled I was with the book. To=20
make a long story short, Robert gave me permission to copy the book for the=20
sole purpose of allowing Gerry Berghold to read it, and if he was as excited=
=20
about the book as I was, to report on the book in the Burgenland Bunch news=20
letter for the purpose of determining if there is sufficient interest to hav=
e=20
the book republished. An overview follows:

Overview of Twenty-five Years of My Life on My Homeland, by Robert Unger,=20
1980, covering the period of 1897-1922 in Burgenland.

The stimulus for writing this book came from the author's son, who, after=20
hearing his father tell tales of his early days, said, "Pa, what if you woul=
d=20
write your experiences? You're retired now, you have ample time."=20

The books' author, Robert Unger, was born in Neumarkt, in the Tauchental=20
(Tauchen Valley) of Burgenland on January 12, 1897, at that time part of=20
Hungary. His ancestors possibly came from Transylvania. He tells about his=20
father working for the Esterh=E0zy family. He provides detail about their=20
house. He tells about the various farming and trade options available for=20
supporting a family in that area.=20

His family subsequently relocates to Kohfidisch, north of G=FCssing, where t=
hey=20
continue their tailor shop and grocery store. He tells about his early year=
s
and of his entrance into apprenticeship training at the age of 14. He=20
subsequently switches his training from that of metal worker to tailor and=20
storekeeper. He reaches age 18, completes his apprenticeship and leaves home=
.=20
Hungary's involvement in WWI results in Robert becoming a member of the =20
Austro/Hungarian army. The military vignettes are superb.=20

He discusses his military experiences, his assignment laying telephone lines=
=20
on Russian front during heavy fighting. At wars end in 1918, Robert finds=20
himself on the Italian front as a corporal, with orders to return home as=20
best he can. He details his effort to get home. He tells of the aftermath of=
=20
the war, the shortages, the struggles, inflation and smuggling. He explains=
=20
how barter replaces money. Political struggles evolve as the allies break-up=
=20
the Austrian-Hungarian empire, and western Hungary is essentially up for=20
grabs. Hungary wants to keep the area within its borders, but because of so=20
many German inhabitants, there is strong desire to become part of Austria.

The author tells of meeting his wife and his decision to leave Austria and=20
emigrate to the USA in search of a better life. He settles in the Chicago=20
area, stays with relatives, finds work, sends money back to his parents and=20
ultimately has his wife join him. He relates how he made his way in his new=
=20
adopted country. During the darkest days of the Depression in 1932, he=20
acquires a bankrupt grocery and meat market - his first day's receipts total=
=20
$14.00 - the start of a successful business. =20

He closes his book by telling more about his father. He highlights his=20
father's contribution to his community, Kohfidisch, his election as its=20
mayor, president of the school board, president of the local trade and=20
businessmen's association, and chief of the fire department. ****

I would very much like to have this book republished in both the English and=
=20
German versions. Before this can happen, there has to be a sufficient numbe=
r=20
who would buy it. If you want to join with me in this effort, please email m=
e=20
at <> and tell me how many copies you would like to purchase=
=20
and in what language. Bob Unger-BB Contributing Editor.


ED. NOTE: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THIS BOOK PUBLISHED? (Gerry Berghold)

Bob sent me a copy of the book. My reaction is reflected in my email reply t=
o=20
him:

" Received the book copy yesterday. Many thanks for the pleasure of reading=20
it. What a story! I've looked for one like this for years. It tells the stor=
y=20
of the Burgenland in English from the period just before WWI into the 1920's=
.=20
What incredible detail and for me it has the added pleasure of south=20
Burgenland vignettes. I doubt if we'll ever see anything to duplicate it. Th=
e=20
story of Unger's experiences as a child, as an apprentice, his WWI army=20
service, his involvement with post war politics, the emigration to Chicago,=20
each in turn could be a story in itself.=20

Yes this book must be republished! It is a Burgenland treasure. I want at=20
least 12 English copies and also let me know if we don't get many orders. If=
=20
we need another 20 or so to make this viable, please let me know. I can see=20
where we can provide these to future members. Only "Borderland" and a few of=
=20
our newsletter stories provide Burgenland descendants with so much detail in=
=20
English. Bob-it's all there! It covers most of the important "Auswanderer"=20
period.=20

Robert Unger (b 1897) is one of those Burgenland unknown men, whose story=20
should not be forgotten. He was undoubtedly educated a cut above your averag=
e=20
"Auswanderer" and a step up from your land worker, which is why he was=20
capable of writing it. Some of his story may be a trifle suspect-a figment o=
f=20
twists in memory in later years-is certainly a possibility, but I found no=20
problems with any part of what he relates. It all hangs together. I doubt if=
=20
there is any fiction here, it all has the ring of truth. The comments of=20
local officials during his 1965 return trip add validity.

In translating from the original German, his son has done a fine job. I foun=
d=20
very little in the way of mistakes, a few alternate spellings of local place=
=20
names perhaps. Really I see almost nothing requiring change.

I read this in one sitting-a six hour marathon-I am a speed reader and I may=
=20
have glossed over some of the political material, but I was fascinated. The=20
notes are also fine. This book could well be the premier Burgenland=20
story-concerning pre emigration-war years (WWI)-aftermath-emigration to=20
Chicago.

I' d like Burgenland Editor Albert Schuch to also read the book. I'd like hi=
s=20
critique. Count on me to help promote it in any way I can. Bob, you've reall=
y=20
pulled one out of the hat this time! I'm excited about the possibilities of=
=20
such a book. Regards, Gerry"

TO ALL BB MEMBERS:
If you think you would be interested, please contact Bob as explained above.=
=20
You'll be glad you did!

End of Special Edition

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