I agree with you -- you can learn a lot just by reading! I've been researching my Hungarian family for a little over three years and started in earnest on the Czech side about a year ago. I really thought I would reach a dead end very quickly. But I've been very surprised. One story relating to the German language comes to mind. My aunt (my mom's youngest sister - age 75) was the one who spent most of the time alone with her mother. I guess my grandma enjoyed talking and my aunt enjoyed listening as a child. My grandmother was born in NYC on E. 54th Street. Probably when she was about ten or 12 she enjoyed playing outside with her neighborhood friends many of whom spoke German. When she returned to the apartment her own grandmother would scold her for speaking German. Sounds like there was some antipathy between the various sides. My great grandparents also came from Bohemia. As far as your maternal great grandfather coming from Austria, keep in mind that with borders changing etc. many people considered themselves as coming from Bohemia and Austria - I believe Bohemia was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. One more thing I can say -- all of this genealogical research has awakened in me an interest in history -- sorry to say, when I was in school the subject wasn't at the top of my list. Looking forward to reading more postings -- maybe some of them will be from you. Barb, where did your Bohemian ancestors settle in America? Susan

My grandparents settled in Appleton, Wisconsin where I reside. My grandmother's Uncle, Joseph Lang had immigrated to Appleton before her, and I believe that is why her & my grandfather settled here. I did find him listed in the 1900 census and he listed Bohemia as the country he came from. I found out some info on his family, and told my mother the names, and she remembered some of them. She was quite young when her uncle Lang died, but her mother kept in touch with some of the family. My mother was the youngest. My grandmother was 44 when she had her, so she did talk to her mother more than the older children. They did speak German, but my grandfather would scold my grandmother if she spoke in German. He told her "we are in America, we will speak English". I think he taught himself English. He didn't talk about his family or life in Bohemia. I guess he felt that he left that life behind. So, I really don't have alot of info on his family. I do have my great-grandparents nam! es, but not sure if he had any brothers or sisters. My grandmother was an only child who was adopted in infancy by her grandfather, Franz Lang. I really don't have alot to go on, and I'm not even sure I will ever get anything more than what I have. This has also peaked my interest in history, since, I like you, was not very interested in it in school. I look forward to reading stories from you and others on this list. Susan Williams <swilliams1200@comcast.net> wrote:I agree with you -- you can learn a lot just by reading! I've been researching my Hungarian family for a little over three years and started in earnest on the Czech side about a year ago. I really thought I would reach a dead end very quickly. But I've been very surprised. One story relating to the German language comes to mind. My aunt (my mom's youngest sister - age 75) was the one who spent most of the time alone with her mother. I guess my grandma enjoyed talking and my aunt enjoyed listening as a child. My grandmother was born in NYC on E. 54th Street. Probably when she was about ten or 12 she enjoyed playing outside with her neighborhood friends many of whom spoke German. When she returned to the apartment her own grandmother would scold her for speaking German. Sounds like there was some antipathy between the various sides. My great grandparents also came from Bohemia. As far as your maternal great grandfather coming from Austria, keep in mind that with borders changing etc. many people considered themselves as coming from Bohemia and Austria - I believe Bohemia was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. One more thing I can say -- all of this genealogical research has awakened in me an interest in history -- sorry to say, when I was in school the subject wasn't at the top of my list. Looking forward to reading more postings -- maybe some of them will be from you. Barb, where did your Bohemian ancestors settle in America? Susan ==== CZECH Mailing List ==== The mailing list is configured to reply only to the list. If you are making a personal reply to a poster, it will be necessary to delete the list address and add the individual's address. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70/year