Thanks to all the people who responded to me about visiting. I'm just sorry I didn't visit in 2008 when I was in the area. I've already let my husband know that we needed to plan a trip. My son is checking their travel plans to see if he can work out a couple of days to make the trip. I'm excited about the possibilities knowing there is a whole support group out there. Maria Message: 6 Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:08:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Izolda Kov?cs <kovcs_izolda@yahoo.com> Subject: [DVHH] Visiting Serbia/Romania To: "donauschwaben-villages@rootsweb.com" <donauschwaben-villages@rootsweb.com> Cc: 'Maria Moore' <Maria.Moore@sas.com> Message-ID: <1398380892.6272.YahooMailNeo@web141505.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Hello, I live in Serbia, in Batchka and I can say that you can freely visit the country. If you need some help here, in the Batchka region I am here for you to help! :) Izolda ________________________________ From: Jody McKim Pharr <jodymckimpharr@comcast.net> To: 'Maria Moore' <Maria.Moore@sas.com>; donauschwaben-villages@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 9:56 PM Subject: Re: [DVHH] Visiting Serbia/Romania Marie, by all means tell your son to go to Banat. He can take the train from Budapest, it's a 4 hour drive and he can see beautiful Hungary and cross the border into Romania getting off at the Arad Train Station. From there he can take a cab or rent a car and drive straight through to Timisoara.? I can assist with some areas of interest there and people to contact, like Calin who can pick him up at the Arad trains station and drive him all over and be his translator.? I have hired Calin of several trips to Banat. He really loves to help with genealogy. Contact him here: http://www.dvhh.org/temesquarters/calin.htm He can also arrange for a place to stay.? Calin has a son who is about 19-20 years old now. Tell him I referred you. It would have been okay to go to Serbia and Romania in 2008. Anywhere you go, you have to be careful. I haven't been into Serbia, but I can say the folks in Romania are absolutely gracious and hospitable. Jody McKim Pharr Georgia, USA -----Original Message----- From: donauschwaben-villages-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:donauschwaben-villages-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Maria Moore Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 1:23 PM To: donauschwaben-villages@rootsweb.com Subject: [DVHH] Visiting Serbia/Romania I've been reading the list for about a year now and learning so much.? Just recently I got brave enough to ask for help with my search.? I was shocked by the wealth of information I received.? I went from very little and thinking I had unsurmountable road blocks, to lots of information to keep me busy for some time.? I'm grateful for everyone who has shared information with me.? Both my grandparents died while I was very young so I barely remember them. Older cousins either didn't care of had incorrect information.? In fact one cousin was quite upset with me when I 'claimed' they came from Austria Hungary.? Since Grandma always said they were German, they must have come from Germany!? (The kittens being born in the barn analogy was terrific.) Depending on when the legal documents were filled out, my Grandfather claimed he came from Hungary, Yugoslavia, or Serbia. Now based on records, pictures, and stories, I am trying to piece together the past - just like all of you.? Being able to connect with a piece of the past and bring it to life is often emotional. My grandparents came from Nagykikinda and Soltour with their ancestors living in Marienfeld and other surrounding villages.? I would love to visit the area now in Serbia and Romania.? Being able to walk the streets, visit the cemeteries where ancestors are buried and make that connection would be priceless.? In 2008 we were in Budapest but were told that Americans visiting Serbia wouldn't be very welcome at that time.? Does anyone know what the political climate is at this time?? Our son, age 21, will be in Budapest this summer.? He has expressed interest in seeing where his ancestors came from.? But I wasn't sure if I should encourage him at this point or not.? Of course I'll be jealous if he makes it there before I do! Thanks to all for sharing your memories and insight with the rest of us, Maria