[Liz Vos]

We’d love to know a little about you and your connection to Hungarian things! Where did you grow up? Who in your family line had Hungarian heritage?

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[MONICA LIPPMEIER]

Hello Rhonda. That’s so interesting. I would love to connect as well. I don’t have a lot of information on the Molnar side of the family. My dad’s parents passed early. But being from the same area, wow!!

[Rhonda M. Copher]

Hello Monica! Great to meet another Molnar at the expo. My maternal great-grandmother, Molnar Erzsebet, was born in 1893 in Szombathely. She emigrated to America in 1913 with her sister Roszalia. I’d love to connect; maybe we have family ties? Email: [email protected]

[Rhonda M. Copher]

Steven, it’s great to see another Hungarian from Cleveland, Ohio. My great-grandparents/grandparents (surnames: Molnar/Katona) lived on Holton Ave in Cleveland. They emigrated to America in 1913. Your Hungarian Biblical studies sound fascinating. Congrats on your citizenship application submission. I became a citizen in June this year at the D.C. consulate.

[Rhonda M. Copher]

Hello Rosemary and Veronica. It’s fantastic to hear that you lived in the same area as my great-grandparents and grandparents. They lived on Holton Ave. In fact, as of late, it is one of the few houses still standing, albeit abandoned. The family surnames are Molnar and Katona. My mother attended Catholic school at or near St. Elizabeth’s church. Do you still have ties to the Cleveland area?

[Rhonda M. Copher]

Dan, you brought up a great question: Is Hungary Central or Eastern Europe? It depends on who you talk to. In the academic industry, there is an intense debate on both sides. I learned from living in Hungary that it’s most common to say ‘central,’ and if a native Hungarian disagrees, they will correct you. Hope that helps.

[Rhonda M. Copher]

Congrats, Jeff, on your Hungarian citizenship. My oath ceremony was in June 2025 in D.C. What consulate will your oath ceremony be conducted at?

[Rhonda M. Copher]

Bethany, I became a Hungarian citizen this June. It was a four-year journey that was both challenging and rewarding. I’m happy to help if you have any questions.

[Don Vos]

Bethany, make sure to catch Renata’s presentation when the Wednesday items are released! “The Most Rewarding Way to Get Hungarian Citizenship: Simplified Naturalization with Renata Forgacs”

[Bethany Newell]

Szia! I am Bethany (Bukosky) Newell. I have two sets of great-great grandparents that came to the U.S from Hungary in 1895-1900. Their last names were Bukóczki (several different spellings) and Pécsi. They all eventually made their way to Flint, Michigan. I grew up going to the Hungarian Festival in the area, but as time passed, we stopped going. I have always been interested in learning more about my ancestry. I am in the early process of obtaining dual citizenship, collecting documents and taking language lessons. My husband and I are planning on traveling to Hungary next spring. I am interested in gaining a deeper connection with my Hungarian roots and how to incorporate the culture with my family. I would also welcome any advice on citizenship process. Also, this is my first expo.

[Sally Al-Hashimi]

Hi Lori! My name is Sally (Eperjesi) Al-Hashimi. I grew up in Detroit MI – in the Delray area where there were many Hungarians. I too have Jurkó relatives on my mother’s side. Going back at least a couple generations, I know they came from a small village called Füzerradvány in northeast HU. Any of this mean anything to you? We might be distant cousins! 😊

[Emery Huber]

Hola! Szia!

I am Emery Huber, you can find me also on the introductory page. We are planning to take a wine tour to Mendoza the end of January. I was very curious to find out about a possible Hungarian connection in Argentina. If you may accept my email so we can connect.
[email protected]

[Chessie Shaw]

My name is Chessie Shaw. My father was born in Budapest in 1944. He was born during the Siege in a bombed-out hospital. My grandmother was a member of the Kohner family. From approximately the late 1800s to WWII, they were a well-known Jewish family. The most well-known Kohner was Adolf Kohner, a philanthropist and art collector. Some Kohners died in the Holocaust, but quite a few survived. Most of those who did survive left Hungary when they were able.

My father and grandmother left Hungary in 1949. My grandmother and grandfather divorced right before they left. My grandfather was arrested in 1951 and was imprisoned until 1956, when he was able to leave for Switzerland. My great aunt, my grandmother’s sister, also left Hungary in 1956.

This is my 3rd Expo. I was a co-presenter at the 2nd Expo with Zsanett Borsos. Zsanett works with Liz on helping people learn more about their Hungarian family history. Zsanett is an excellent researcher and helped me immensely. We have worked together for two years and have made many discoveries together.

I look forward to hearing about all of this week’s presentations and information!

[Paul GYORKE]

Hi Patricia, are you related to the Soltesz who was an attorney in Delray in the 50s and 60s?
I’m sure my mother would have had interactions with him. I spent a lot of time in Delray and now live in Brownstown.

[Patricia Soltesz]

My name is Patricia Lipchik Soltesz. All four of my grandparents were born in Hungary and each in their teens came to the US separately in the early 1900s. They met and married in the US- Mary Zsizsik and Andrew Soltesz, Etel Karacsony and Imre Lipscik Lipchik is what Ellis Island put on his paper even though his name was tatooed on his arm.) I grew up in the Hungarian industrial area of Detroit, the village of Delray, Mi. We were a part of Holy Cross Hungarian Roman Catholic Church that is celebrating 120 years as a parish and 100 years of the Church this Sept. 14, 2025 the Feast of the Holy Cross. I enjoy doing geneology and visited 3 of my grandparents villages in Hungary and Slovakia. We were not able to go into Temeshvara, Romania with our Hungarian name in 1986.

[Sarah Frankie Linder]

Sziastok! My name is Sarah, I live in Austin and Savannah, and this is my first Hungarian Heritage Expo! I’m currently right in the middle of my simplified naturalization journey. My great grandparents were Hungarian (coming from Hercegkút/Traunczonfalva, Pest, and Munkács). I’m excited to be here and to soak up all of the information I can.

[Author]

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