[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?

Topic

[Cathy Ur]

This is my second expo and looking forward to it. My ties to Hungary are through my grandparents who were from Kis Dobrony (now Mala Dobron in Ukraine), Sajovamos, Vors and Hollad (south of Lake Balaton). I grew up and live in Michigan, where my grandparents eventually settled after immigrating in the early 1900s.

[MARY ANN Geske]

My name is Mary Ann (Zemen) Geske
My parents came from Balassagyarmat/Dejtar, Nógrád megye.
They immigrated to Youngstown, Ohio and then to East Gary, Indiana. I grew up speaking Hungarian and eating Hungarian food! I continue to try and cook and bake Hungarian food. I try to keep my Hungarian heritage alive.

[Susan Vance]

My grandfather was born in Bridgeport in 1896. His parents lived and died there. He and some of his siblings moved to the midwest (Chicago and Michigan). I want to go to Bridgeport to further research my family. I found my great grandfather’s grave but not my great grandmothers.

[Susan Vance]

My name is Susan Vance. My grandfather was Stephen Kovacs (later changed to Smith). His parents and brother Bela immigrated from Hejce, a village in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Hungary.

We celebrate with our Hungarian heritage by eating Paprikash on a regular basis. Our version is made with chicken, sour cream and paprika and served over noodles.

I am looking forward to learning more about the Hungarian culture and history. I have done some geneology research about my relatives on Ancestry.com

I do not speak Hungarian. I am a retired business professor (Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN) and my husband is a retired aerospace engineer. We spend time in Louisville KY and Wilmington NC. We love to travel, sail, kayak, hike and fly to pancake breakfasts at local airports.

[Susan Vance]

My name is Susan Vance. My grandfather was Stephen Kovacs (later changed to Smith). His parents and brother Bela immigrated from Hejce, a village in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Hungary. According to Wikipedia, it is one of the oldest settlements in Hungary, mentioned in records from 1009, when king Stephen I granted it to the episcopate of Eger. Its viniculture was already known around 1600. Count Károly Eszterházy built a palace there in the 18th century.

We celebrated with our Hungarian heritage by eating Paprikash on a regular basis. Our version was made with chicken, sour cream and paprika and served over noodles.

I am looking forward to learning more about the Hungarian culture and history. I have done some geneology research about my relatives on Ancestry.com

[Lajos Kriso]

Sziasztok! I am Lajos from Norther Virginia. I am first generation in the US from Cleveland Ohio – Buckeye Road. My parents and grandparents are from Hernadvecse HU. Nagypapa Szucs came to work in the coal mines in WV and then worked in Himlerville KY at a coal mine run by a Hungarian (Martin Himler). The town is now called Beauty KY.

I spoke only magyarul until ’56 when I had to start school. Edesanyam sat me in front of the TV and in 6 months I learned english but lost all of my magyarul. My wife and I have magyarora every week but are only at A1+ level. I tell people that my father was not born in this country, and I don’t have to die in this country. Maybe one day we will live in a Magyarorszag falu. Magyar is in my blood!

[Patti McCracken]

I am Patti McCracken. I’m the author of THE ANGEL MAKERS: ARSENIC, A MIDWIFE, AND MODERN HISTORY’S MOST ASTONISHING MURDER RING (HarperCollins). The book is the true story of “the arsenic trials” — as the case is known in Szolnok. I spent many, many years researching the book (seed to fruit, the path to publication took 14 years), but my connection to Hungary goes farther back. I first was in Budapest as a Knight International Press Fellow in the mid-1990s. I worked for the Independent Journalism Foundation’s Pest office, running workshops for local reporters. A couple of years later, I moved from the USA to the very east of Austria, where I lived for nearly two decades — Hainburg an der Donau. The closest sizable Hungarian village is Mosonmagyarovar — about 20 minutes away from Hainburg. My presentation is available beginning Monday. I had a LOT of fun with this one!! I brought my sister into the mix, so she “interviewed” me about the book for this presentation. I hope you all sign in to watch, and that you have as much fun watching as I had making!

[Margarita Lacko]

Szia, my name is Margarita. My parents were born in Budapest. They managed to survive WWII and escaped Hungary, together with a few family members, in 1945 before the borders were closed. The small group crossed the Alpes and took a ship in Italy to go to Argentina, where I was born. We were surrounded by Hungarian speaking uncles and aunts. My father’s parents (both born in Dunajska Streda (was Dunaszerdahely), Slovakia, arrived in Argentina in 1948. My mother’s mother (born in Gyöngyös, Hungary) arrived in 1957. My mother’s father (born in Miskolc, Hungary) had died in 1941.
The first time I went to Hungary was in 1975 and met the family that was not able to leave the country. It was very difficult times. I still have family there and have been visiting many times. It takes me a few days to catch up with my basic Hungarian.
I have been working on my family tree and doing genealogy for about 26 years, when I discovered that the family was Jewish. It is a fascinating hobby.

[Kenneth Meyer]

I am Ken Meyer, or Major Kalman (my Hungarian name given to me by my DLI – Monterey teacher. I learned Basic Hungarian for 47 weeks in 1974-75 and then Intermediate/Advanced Hungarian in 1977. I’ve been learning/re-learning Hungarian with Duolingo for several years. I have visited Hungary several times, most recently in 2008.

For many years, my barber was a Hungarian lady who talked Hungarian with me. She also gave me a copy of the video Egri Csillagok. I had read that book several years before and wasn’t aware there was a video. Our daughter spent 6 months in Hungary for her ‘semester abroad’ towards her bachelor’s degree in International Relations.

I’m reading Ildiko Antal-Ferencz’s book, “Being Hungarian in America.” I’ve also read about the Hungarian community named Arpadhon in Louisiana.

I spent several days with the Cserkesz troop from all over Europe in 1977. I was rescued from the Colorado River by a 14-year-old Swedish-Hungarian during that trip.

This is my first expo.

[Lorraine Meiers]

Hello Everyone, I am Lori Ellenberger Meiers from Brookfield, WI. My father was born in Bonnya, Hungary and was able to make it to Milwaukee, WI. His mother and step-father were only able to make it as far as Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada. I was so very fortunate he wanted to take us back to visit Bonnya probably 20 years ago. I would like to go back to the village some day and reflect on those memories. I was able to connect with some possible relatives through facebook who are still living in Bonnya and other areas of Hungary. I do not know the language and thankful for translation tools I am able to briefly communicate. I always try to search out Hungarian Restaurants in the US, but find there are very few left or near the areas we travel to. I love cooking and Hungarian meals are my favorite to create and share with friends.

[Ildikó Oravecz]

Hello everyone! Delighted to be here at my third (?) Hungarian Heritage Expo.

My father was a ’56-er, the only one of his family who left. I was born in South Africa and was part of the Hungarian community there. We emigrated to the US when I was 10 and currently live in Albuquerque, NM. My Hungarian heritage has been a strong influence on my life, and I hope you’ll view my presentation to learn a little bit more about me!

[Andrea Johnston]

Jo estét kivánok. Andrea vagyok. I am first generation American on my mother’s side. My grandparents and mother came to America from Budapest via Austria in the early 60’s. They settled in CT until my mother graduated high school and then moved to CA. I grew up in Los Angeles in a Hungarian speaking household and learned Hungarian and English simultaneously. I was taught to read and write as well, however, I do not have a formal Hungarian education. I grew up reading Új Világ newspaper to my grandmother. My husband and I plan to visit Budapest for the first time this year. I am also excited to experience my first Hungarian Heritage expo.

[Shirley Vargo]

Born and raised in Chicago. Hungarian Grandfather came from Hungary to USA around 1900. Hungarian grandmother already here. Still researching genealogy….twice travelled to Hungary. Fell in love with Budapest and Eger.

[Shirley Vargo]

Born and raised in Chicago. Hungarian Grandfather came from Hungary to USA around 1900. Hungarian grandmother already here. Still researching genealogy….

[Juliann Bruneio]

Juliann Szabo-Bruneio

[Author]

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