In 1974 we came to Austria for the first time, unknown Auslanders, knowing no one. In July 2001, we came for the fifth time and were overwhelmed. We came originally to seek ancestors, we found ancestors, cousins and friends and the Burgenland Cross of Honor. Molly and I are still recovering from this wonderful experience. We would like to share some of our memories with you: 

Albert Schuch and Elisabeth Zalka as they greeted us on our first day at the Hotel Burgenland in Eisenstadt. 

Elisabeth guiding us through Eisenstadt and the Esterhazy Schloss – a private tour. 

Fritz Königshofer meeting us at the Haydn Museum followed by a talk with Intendant Walter Reicher and later his personally guided tour. Behind the palace scenes. 

Klaus Gerger joining us at the RC Diocesan Archives – the silence as we reviewed the earliest Güssing, Heiligenkreuz and Rechnitz church records. 

Walter Reicher expanding on the history of the Haydnsaal and taking us through the many steps and stations of the Kalvarienberg. “Many stairs Gerry, but God will guide you.” 

Heuriger in Rust with Burgenland Bunch members Gerhard and Martina Lang and daughter – the building dating from the 16th century. 

Many books purchased at the Landesarchiv and elsewhere – posted home by friends. 

Inge Schuch arriving to guide us to her parents’ home in Kleinpetersdorf. “Grumpern and Topfen Strudel” prepared by a welcoming mother, followed by a Schuch family tour of Bernstein, Mariasdorf Kirche and Lockenhaus. Inge’s professional help when my “Deutsch” failed me.

“Summit” meeting of Burgenländische Gemeinschaft (BG) and Burgenland Bunch (BB) at the home of Walter Dujmovits and family – delicious lunch prepared by Frau Dujmovits. Wine, camaraderie, agreement on important issues and plans for the future. 

Tour of the Güssing Auswanderer Museum by Walter Dujmovits Jr. Special stand for BB Auswanderer Surname book. Copies of the book to Landeshauptmann Niessl and others.

Meeting the Güssing Gerger Family in the shadow of Güssing Castle – more cousins. Joined by Klaus Gerger’s wife Heidi and daughters Vicky and Eva. 

Special guests of Heinz & Hilde Koller at the Burgspiele Güssing – an evening of fine entertainment at the castle – the medieval home of the Batthyanys. 

Sunday morning Toni Stricker Concert at St. Emmerich’s Church, Rönök, Hungary – Heinz Koller providing reserved seats in the very front of the church. 

The Burgenländische Gemeinschaft picnic, interviews with ORF and meeting so many BB and BG members. Their pleasure over my award. BG president Walter Dujmovits and vice-president Erwin Weinhofer presenting me with an honorary BG membership pin & scroll. Landeshauptmann Hans Niessl presenting me with the Ehrenzeichen des Landes Burgenland. My thank you in German. The emotional singing of the Landeshymne. 

Meeting, lunch and guided tour with Istvan Bariska and wife in Köszeg accompanied by the Kollers, Inge Schuch as interpreter and Klaus Gerger as chauffeur and guide. Later viewing the Cathedral at Jak, and after many adventures, finding the Pinkamindszent cemetery of my Tarafas ancestors. 

Visiting the Güssing Cloister Archives with Brother Marcellus. The “Schatzkammer” of the Cloister library and special viewing of Cloister treasures. 

Tour of Rosenberg, with Heinz Koller and the Gergers. My grandfather Sorger’s home! Sought twice and never found – now found at last (house nos. changed). Wine with newly found Wagner and Gerger cousins. 

Burgenländische Gemeinschaft “Buschenschank” in Glasing Bergen with Miss Burgenland and visitors from America. A night of much “Gemütlichkeit”. 

Cemeteries and war memorials in family villages – the memory of those long gone. 
Visit with Peter Sattler in Rudersdorf and meeting new Berghold cousins (Schabhüttl). 
Visit with the Gröller family in Neustift - an old “Bauer” home. 

Visits with cousins Gilly in Poppendorf and Friedl in Heiligenkreuz. Much “Essen und Trinken” and family talk. 

Viewing Güssing Castle museum and the special collections from Castle Schlaining.
Freilichtmuseum in Gerersdorf. Display of wonderful reverse paintings on glass. 

Meeting in Vienna for a farewell dinner hosted by Inge Schuch with Albert Schuch, Elisabeth, and Viennese friends. 

And we remember last, but not least, the constant and ever attentive presence and planning of the Schuchs, Gergers, Kollers and Dujmovits’ to make sure we lacked for nothing. No visitors were ever so well treated. 

Gerry Berghold July 21, 2001