Homeland book for Georgshausen / Gyorgyhaza / Velika Greda

Title of the German book: “Verlorene Heimat Georgshausen”

          The original book, the German edition, was commissioned by the village association in 1989 and published in Austria in 1991 by former villagers: Helmut Birg, Hans Loch, Konrad Löchel and Josef Wüst. 

          Since Georgshausen was a daughter community of Zichydorf, the descendents of either village should find the book interesting, or anyone who is interested in reading about community life in a small village in the Banat or the Batschka.  The author covers holiday celebrations, customs and community life quite well.

Author: Dr. Josef Wüst (1925-2003)

English title: “Lost Homeland Georgshausen”

Translated by Henry Fischer

Editors: Ray Borschowa and Barbara Hebenstreit

Published in 2008 by Ray Borschowa

          Henry Fischer has a great knowledge of the Danube Swabian culture and dialect, because of that he did a wonderful translation, without him this work would not have been accomplished.  He has written several books on the Danube Swabians.  Since the original book used local words, it was unlike translating a typical German book, but fortunately, we were able to contact a number of the former villagers who helped answer the numerous questions that arose during the translation.  In addition, the author’s daughter, Barbara Hebenstreit, proof read the entire book.

Dr. Wüst wrote the book in a style that Germans refer to as: “to the heart going,” its like he is sitting there telling the story.  Primary topics covered:

• A short history of the Banat .

• The consequences of the First World War.

• The founding of Georgshausen in 1849 and its development, such as the railroad, artesian wells, enlarging the village, church life, politics and industry.  Also its bond with Zichydorf.

• WWII and shortly after.  About 55 pages are devoted to this.  It includes many personal stories, and the tragedies that WWII brought to the village.

• Life in the village and the customs; about 50 pages.  The author did a very good job with this topic.  In the chapter “This is the Way it was Back Home” he starts with the beginning of the year and discusses all of the major events and holidays throughout the year.  He also includes the customs for baptisms, weddings and funerals. 

• The Birg family of Georgshausen, formerly from Karlsdorf.  The Birgs were one of the most well known families throughout the Banat .  They were industrialists and large farmers.  The life and legends about this family are covered in the book.

• Housing, eating and drinking.

• Agriculture, industry, shopkeepers and trades.

• Social organizations and the activities and games for the children.

•  “An Excursion to the Kirchweih in Gross Gaj.”  This is a humorous story that took place when the automobile was still a novelty in the Banat .  A group of young men commandeered a traveling salesman’s automobile and drove it to the Kirchweih celebration in the neighboring village of Gross Gaj.  The problem was they knew nothing about cars, nor was the road suited for auto travel!  It turned out to be a sensation in Gross Gaj.

• The names of the villagers who were living in the village at Easter of 1941 and where the former villagers were living in 1991.

• A table of words from the local dialect.

• A 1941 village map showing where each family lived.

          The English edition has additional pages and footnotes not included in the German edition.  It also has about 30 more pictures than the German edition.  Total number of pictures in the book is a little over 150.  It’s a hard cover book.  Counting the introductory section and a few blank pages, the book is 294 pages.

The price is $46 USD, plus shipping.

Shipping rates:

          In the US , the book can be shipped by media mail for $3.  Postage for one book to Canada is $14.  Multiple books can be sent to Canada much cheaper in flat rate postal boxes.  There are two flat rate boxes, one will hold three books and costs $24 for postage ($8 per book), the other is a bigger box that will hold five books and costs $30 for postage ($6 per book).  People in the Regina, Saskatchewan area can get a copy from Glenn Schwartz for $52.  The postage for sending one book to Germany, Austria, Serbia or Hungary is $26.