Dear All, What you say Diane is exactly right. When I speak of my family and ancestors, I always refer to them as "pioneers" no different than the pioneers who settled the vast lands of America. Strong, hard-working, responsible citizens of the world, who, out of the love of life, family and their God looked for opportunities to love, live and take care of their families. This is how I remember my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Take strength from their courage and hope to be as strong as they were. They were _Definitely_ survivors! With the greatest respect to all, Justine Barth Zentner ( immigrant from Croatia, born in a DP camp, citizen of USA) On 5/5/2014 9:55 PM, Diane Halas wrote: > It seems to me that the Banat of the 18th and early 19th century was the America of the late 19th and early 20th century - a great big area of opportunity for people looking for a better life or their own land. But because of the political landscape and the building of designated immigrant villages, it never quite became a true melting pot. There were always people defined "others" , just as there are now. Official language changes altered names and spellings. Many last names are only residual of earliest ancestors; others show direct lines of descent. Ethnicity became diluted; nationality changed; allegiance and identification shifted. Parallels? One may as well ask, "What is an American?" > > Diane > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DONAUSCHWABEN-VILLAGES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

This is a very interesting concept that you both offer. It makes a lot of sense and I will; use it to further educate my family on their ancestors. Bob from Chicago -----Original Message----- From: Justine Zentner [mailto:jzentner2573@comcast.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 9:24 AM To: donauschwaben-villages@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [DVHH] Why our parents didn't say they were Shwovish Dear All, What you say Diane is exactly right. When I speak of my family and ancestors, I always refer to them as "pioneers" no different than the pioneers who settled the vast lands of America. Strong, hard-working, responsible citizens of the world, who, out of the love of life, family and their God looked for opportunities to love, live and take care of their families. This is how I remember my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Take strength from their courage and hope to be as strong as they were. They were _Definitely_ survivors! With the greatest respect to all, Justine Barth Zentner ( immigrant from Croatia, born in a DP camp, citizen of USA) On 5/5/2014 9:55 PM, Diane Halas wrote: > It seems to me that the Banat of the 18th and early 19th century was the America of the late 19th and early 20th century - a great big area of opportunity for people looking for a better life or their own land. But because of the political landscape and the building of designated immigrant villages, it never quite became a true melting pot. There were always people defined "others" , just as there are now. Official language changes altered names and spellings. Many last names are only residual of earliest ancestors; others show direct lines of descent. Ethnicity became diluted; nationality changed; allegiance and identification shifted. Parallels? One may as well ask, "What is an American?" > > Diane > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > DONAUSCHWABEN-VILLAGES-request@rootsweb.com with the word > 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the > message >