"First" Day of School Never Happened

  

Should I or shouldn’t I? I’m trying to decide if I want to commit to another year of Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blog challenge. This past year was a great success for me. I responded to 49 of the 52 prompts plus wrote additional posts as the spirit moved me.   Can I accomplish that again? Probably. Is it worth the effort? Definitely. Judy Russell shared a quote by Aaron Holt, an archivist with the National Archives, “It only takes three generations to lose a piece of oral family history. … It must be purposely and accurately repeated over and over again through the generations to be preserved for a genealogist today.[1]

That would mean my grandchildren’s children might not hear about how our family was saved by a hamster! I can’t let that story evaporate into oblivion. Ok. Decision made.  The blogging will continue!! I need a focus though.

For most people the weekly writing prompts alone would be sufficient. I need a theme. Last year I focused on sharing stories about my generation. This year I will try to tell the stories of “our stuff.” I love stuff. As the self-appointed curator of our family “museum”, I have stuff. A lot of stuff.

A few years ago, I wrote a book based on letters I found in my mother’s closet after her passing. Through those letters, I discovered the origin of many of the items she and my father brought back from their two-year stay in Japan.[2] It was really exciting for me to be able to document the provenance of many objects we had grown up with.

As I draw closer to that time where I should probably be divesting myself of all the stuff, it seems all the more important to identify how these things were acquired over the years. Perhaps that will make the chore of clearing our home easier for our daughters when the time comes. At the very least, it will help them determine which vase is from Tiffany and which came from the Christmas Tree Shop!

So - inspired by Amy Johnson Crow’s Week #1 prompt “First”, I offer you the story of my mother’s schoolbag.

52 Ancestors - #38 Yes- We Definitely Have Some Unusual Items!!

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you have realized I have a lot of stuff. What may seem like useless ephemera to some is most certainly a genealogical treasure to me. You may recall my post on the ashes I found in my mother’s attic. That find allowed me to make a few connections on my uncle’s tree. Six years later, I still have the ashes, carefully encased in the knotted handkerchief. At some point, I will try to reunite Mania Nebenzahl with her descendants.

Despite attending several workshops and reading an entire book on downsizing written by Marian Burk Wood, I still can’t part with some of my “unusual” items. [1]

Prompted by the topic for Week #38 of Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blog challenge, let me share with you another item in our “genealogical treasure chest.”

My Grandfather’s Urology Reports From 1930 and 1931.

By the way, I did translate these. All I got from them was his counts on certain levels were "somewhat low."

Now, most people would have tossed these out immediately upon finding them among their family papers. I felt like I should do the same. But. I just can’t do it. A couple of years ago, I posted my dilemma to a Facebook group. Most people said, “Digitize then toss.” So, I digitized the reports. 

Then, I did not toss them.

I attended a talk given by Devon Noel Lee of Family History Fanatics at RootsTech 2018.[2] There, I learned about a helpful “test” to help determine whether an item is worth keeping.

Keep- It’s “Genealogical Gold”, if:

•     It’s original
•        It’s unique
•        It’s highly sentimental

Don’t Keep- It’s “Chrome Plastic*”, if:

•       Copies are available
•        It’s available online
•        It’s of limited sentimental value

*chrome plastic: looks valuable, but it's not

Made a lot of sense, so I “ran” the “test” on the items featured in this post.

• It’s original. CHECK.
• It’s unique. CHECK. (Pretty sure no one else has one!!)
• It’s highly sentimental. UM. HMMM. WELL. I know it shouldn’t be sentimental. But… it is to me!!

Not surprisingly, I kept the original reports. 

I’d like to suggest a couple more items for the “Genealogical Gold” category:

•        It’s part of a collection
• Not only do I have the two reports, I also have a prescription from the same lab. (Did my grandfather not get it filled?) I also have some sort of document from a “sanitorium” dated 1935. Perhaps he was admitted there for treatment? So – a collection, right?

•        It might be a clue to a story.
•  My grandparents got married in 1930. Was this test part of a health exam in preparation for marriage? My grandfather died at work of a heart attack in 1959. He was only 58 years old. Did this “illness” (whatever it was) contribute to his weak heart? I haven’t done a lot of work on that branch, yet. What if these reports are part of a larger story?

There. I feel better. I think my two additions are quite plausible. And they certainly justify my decision to keep those urology reports!

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[1] Read my review of “Planning a Future for Your Family’s Past” here: https://whoweareandhowwegotthisway.blogspot.com/2018/02/52-ancestors-week-nine-where-theres-will.html

[2] https://whoweareandhowwegotthisway.blogspot.com/2018/03/rootstech-2018-day-one-is-done.html

52 Ancestors - #28 - Planning a Heritage Travel Trip

Still trying to catch up from our European river cruise! The topic for Week 28 of Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blog challenge was TRAVEL! How perfect is that? Of course, I couldn’t blog about our trip in real time due to poor internet connectivity. I did post every day to my Facebook account (Deborah Samuel Holman) so check there if you’d like to read about each day of our trip. Because many of you do follow me on Facebook, I’m not going to repeat myself here!

If you aren’t aware of why we took this trip, please read my post from June 2:  A Heritage Trip - Amsterdam to Austria.

I thought it might be helpful to share some of what I learned about taking a research trip for this week’s post. While the itinerary for this cruise was pretty well set by our cruise line, Grand Circle Travel, I was able to fit in some time for family research.

#52 Ancestors - #27 - Independence

Did you miss me? Or at least my weekly posts? I returned last week from our fabulous Grand Circle “Great Rivers of Europe” trip cruising from Amsterdam to Vienna, Austria. If you follow me on Facebook, you were able to keep up with our daily activities. If not, and you’re interested, I’m on Facebook as Deborah Samuel Holman.

There was some wireless connection onboard but it was so spotty between ports it made no sense to try and blog. As a result, I am four weeks behind on Amy Johnson Crow’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blog challenge. I haven’t missed a week in 26 weeks (a record for me!) so I don’t want to give up now.

A reminder: I am dedicating this year’s blogs to stories about my generation. Maybe not as “historically interesting” as my ancestors, but just as important. Remember: YOUR stories will be the stories your descendants tell, so WRITE THEM DOWN!!

52 Ancestors - #22 - A Heritage Trip - Amsterdam to Austria

This week's topic for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge is "So Far Away!" It couldn't have come at a better time! In just a few weeks, Scott and I will be joining my sister Jeanne and her partner, Suzi on a very special trip, a river cruise beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Vienna, Austria.

In the spring of 1938, my mother traveled with her mother and grandmother from Vienna to Holland. If you know anything at all about world history, the reason for their trip is obvious. As Hitler marched into Vienna, things got quite dicey for the Jews. My great-grandfather's hat factory, Lital, and several shops had already been "purchased" by the Nazis and things were looking quite grim. My mother's paternal great-grandparents were of the opinion that things were going to be okay. Her mother's mother, Sophie Spiegel did not agree. Sophie's best friend lived in Holland and Sophie herself had Dutch citizenship, as did my grandmother, Rose Lichtenthal. My mother was 6 years-old. They decided to leave. My grandfather, Paul Lichtenthal,  stayed behind because of the business, an unfortunate decision which resulted in his being imprisoned in Dachau and Buchenwald for nearly two years.

My mother's family had been in Vienna for several generations, having come from Romania and Poland. Our family history is rich with references to the city. So, it was amazing when my sister broached the idea of taking a trip which is basically the reverse of the one our mother took so many years ago.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

The lives of my mother and her family were changed forever one day in March 1938. On that day, the Nazis appropriated my great-grandfather's business. As he (Sigmund Lichtenthal) explained in a letter written years later, 

"The firm, Lital, came to a natural end when Austria was occupied by the Nazis in March 1938, since I am Jewish and, as such, subject to the Germans' exceptional legislation for Jews. No sooner had the Anschluss been closed than three "gentlemen" appeared in my office, bearing a letter from the district leadership of the NDAP, stating that Lital had been taken over by the party in the interest of its 60 employees and would in the future be led by the party."

Two months later, my grandfather, Paul Lichtenthal, was imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp. From Dachau, he was sent to Buchenwald, where he remained until his release was secured in May 1939.

Letters written by my grandfather while in Dachau and Buchenwald.

Our family was luckier than many. Although my grandfather lost his livelihood and his good health, the lives of his immediate family were spared and they were able to forge a new life in the United States.  One of the most important projects on my to-do list is to write the story of my great-grandfather's business and his life-long effort to obtain reparations for the wrongs inflicted upon him and millions of other Jews. 

For today, "We Remember."

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - My Mother's Purse

My mother, Doris Lichtenthal, passed away on December 2, 2011. Her purse has been sitting, untouched on the floor of my closet since then. I just can't make myself get rid of it. As her executrix, I did go through it after her passing, but it seemed like some sort of violation. Like a sacred shrine, it sits exactly where I put it almost 6 six years ago. ( To my siblings: Of course I looked for the red checkbook!! Nada. To my readers: That's a story for another day.)

Memento Monday - My Great-Grandfather's Juice Goblet

I really don't know much about this object. There are actually two of these goblets. Unfortunately, the glass insert for the other one broke. (So why am I keeping it??) Although the goblet appears to be made of silver, it is actually silver-plated, maybe over brass, as it is very heavy. Thanks to my husband, this heirloom, and several others are kept well- polished.

My mother told me this belonged to her paternal grandfather, Sigmund Lichtenthal. Mom said he drank his orange juice from it every day. My guess is that it dates from the early 1900s. Certainly, it was by the 1930s, as that was when my mother would have observed her grandfather having breakfast in their home in Vienna.

There are only a few days left in Family History Month. Don't forget to record a few stories about your important heirlooms.

Throwback Thursday - October 19, 1903

Today would have been my maternal grandmother's 114th birthday. Rose Spiegel Lichtenthal was born on October 19, 1903 in Java (Indonesia) to Herman Spiegel and Sophie Weiss. Here are a few pictures her descendants (other than me!) have never seen.

Rose (right) and her mother, Sophie - The Haag - 1921

Rose (left), sister Claire Theresa, and brother Emile Gerritt
(Emile changed his last name to Speeger in years later.)

Rose - undated - possibly 1930
This could be an engagement picture. I have never found a wedding picture.

Rose and daughter Doris May - Vienna - 1936

Rose and husband, Paul Lichtenthal - 1937

Then and Now - Virtual Field Trips!

Today's post is inspired by Marian Burk Wood. Yesterday on her blog, Climbing My Family Tree, Marian suggested taking "virtual field trips. " Using Google Maps, this is pretty easy. Of course, you do need to have an idea of where your ancestor lived. Below are then (1938-ish) and now shots of the apartment house my mother, her parents, and her grandmother lived. The address is 43 Silbergasse in Vienna, Austria. It's pretty cool to have the original photo to compare to. This is especially thrilling to me because I am planning to visit Vienna this coming summer!! The roof lines look a little different and there looks to be some changes to the balconies. The basic footprint seems to be the same though.

"Silbergasse 43". 2017. Silbergasse 43. Accessed October 12 2017. https://www.google.com/maps/

Another website to check out is "What Was There?" This website is tied to Google Maps, so you can locate current places. But, if you're lucky, someone may have also uploaded pictures of the places you're looking for as they appeared throughout the years. I haven't had much success finding specific addresses I'm researching, but I have been able to sense of the history of a certain area through this website.

Have fun on your virtual trips!!

Memento Monday

Family history is not just a collection of vital records - the who, what and when. For me, it's more about the why and the how. Those items we have so lovingly saved help round out the stories of our ancestors. There's something about holding your great-grandmother's slippers that cements that family connection.

My mom was the "curator" of our family "museum" and I am privileged to continue that tradition. Luckily, my husband understands the importance of family. Otherwise, he might not be so supportive of the numerous items that reside in our home.

Today's post is about one of the first items my mother, Doris Lichtenthal Falcone held in her own hands after entering this country from Austria in September 1938. Here, in her words, is the story of her emigration. (Years ago, my daughter, Caitlin interviewed her grandmother for a school project. The following is an excerpt from that interview)

I left Austria in 1938 at the age of 6. The Nazis came, took over our apartment and put my father in Concentration Camp.” 

Doris' 1938 Passport photo

“I think it was night time. I remember looking out the window and seeing a big hotel on fire. Wasn't really sure where we were going. Ended up in Holland. At some relatives of people that worked for the Holland-America Line. Think he was a ship captain. Holland was great - so clean so beautiful. Had a really nice time. Next thing I knew we were on a ship. The thing was rolling. I was sick. My mother was fine – she was having orange juice. I told her to tell the captain to stop the ship because I want to get off. Think it was the channel. Stopped at England somewhere.  Then went on to United States. I don’t really remember getting off the boat. Relatives came and took us home. It was 1938. Terrible hurricane. We were in Merrick, Long Island. All I remember is being in the basement and my aunt gave me a candle-holder to hold. It was a terrible hurricane. – still have the candle-holder. Yea- that was our trip. Then we went to New Rochelle because my mother’s brother was the manager of the apartment house. And that’s where we stayed.”

Doris Lichtenthal Falcone

It's been 5 years since you left us. Before you said goodbye, you told me, "I had a job to do and I did it." You sure did your "job" well, Mom. Since Dec, 2, 2011 there have been high school graduations, college graduations, two weddings, house renovations, household moves, retirements and TWO new additions to our family! I know you've been watching and probably had a hand in some of this.

A few years ago, I created these digital scrapbook pages and shared them with family. But I never posted them to the blog. I can't think of a better time to do so than today.

52 Ancestors #8 / Genealogy Do-Over Week 2: Interview with Omi

One of the first tasks in the Genealogy Do-Over was to interview family members. Sadly, we have almost no one left in my parents' generation to interview. My mother, Doris Lichtenthal Falcone passed away on Dec. 2, 2011. Today she would have been 83 years old.

I spent some time regretting the fact that I didn't embark on my genealogical journey earlier, then remembered a project my daughter Caitlin did while she was in school. Caitlin interviewed her grandmother, her "Omi", about her 1938 journey to America and videotaped the interview to share with the class. Thanks to my son-in-law, Andy, who hooked the VCR up to the new flat screen TV, I was able to view the video last week.  I can’t think of better topic to write about on this day.

Caitlin interviewing her grandmother.

While I am going to share the facts of my mother’s 1938 immigration experience, this post is not about facts. It’s about life. The things that happen to us. The things we can’t control. The manner in which we handle those things makes our life what is – for good, for bad, for the better.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #4 - "Closest to Your Birthday" - ME!!!

The theme this week is to write about an ancestor closest to your birthday. I am simultaneously participating in the Genealogy Do-Over. Week #2 of the Do-Over had us "interview" ourselves  and then write a biography. I decided to combine the two tasks and write about MYSELF.

WARNING: THIS IS A LONG POST. I won't be offended if you decide not to read it :-)

I could have written "just the facts, Ma'am" but - that's not my style. If I was going to write about myself, I wanted the reader to learn who I am, what I am about. After all, that's what I aspire to in my family history research. I want to "know" the person and a listing of vital statistics just doesn't cut it.

So - if you have the time - make yourself a cup of tea or coffee...pour yourself a beer or a glass of wine. Sit down and find out who I am.

Oh - and there aren't any pictures - sorry - I figured the post was long enough!!

52 Ancestors - #13 - Family Loss - Jessica Samuel Gray

Alan and Jessica Samuel
Probably 1935 or 1936

Today was a sad day. My Aunt Jessica was laid to rest after nearly 79 years on this earth. But this post is not really about her - it's about maintaining family connections. Jessica was my father's sister. After many years of being estranged, she and my father rekindled their relationship a year or so before he passed away in 2008.

At his mother's service today, my cousin Lowell reminded us of the importance of family. It seems the smaller our family becomes, the more we work to stay connected. Our respective parents would be happy to see that their re-connection has extended to my generation and hopefully beyond.

52 Ancestors - #10 - Miniatures, My Mom and Me - Doris Lichtenthal Falcone

This is post is a departure from my usual family history posts. March 5, 2014 would have been my mother’s 82^nd birthday. Mom’s legacy lives on in many ways in our family; her cooking, her humor (well….WE think it’s funny), her incessant picture-taking (very much appreciated by this genealogist daughter!) But there was one special thing Mom passed on to me that was not really shared with my siblings (except for maybe my youngest sister…) - her love of dollhouse miniatures.

Today’s post focuses on one of my mother’s favorite hobbies. Warning – it’s a long one!!

52 Ancestors: #6 -In recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day and to honor the memory of my maternal grandfather, Paul Lichtenthal.

In May of 1938, my family changed forever. I realize that we were blessed that no one in my mother’s immediate family was murdered. We fared so much better than millions of others. I get that. While ours is not a story of horrifying proportions, it still is worthy of being told. It should never have happened. It should never be forgotten.

Paul - probably early 1901

My grandfather, Paul Lichtenthal, was born on December 1, 1900 to hard-working people. His father, Sigmund Lichtenthal was a hat-maker who had come from Tarnopol, Poland to Vienna, Austria. His mother, the former Rosa Berger was from Budapest, Hungary. His younger sister Valerie was born in 1902.

The family business, Lital grew to include 5 men’s hat stores, 3 shoe stores, and a small men’s hat factory.

  

Paul trained as a hat-maker himself and worked in the family business. On August 12, 1930 he married Rose Spiegel. His parents weren't fond of Rose and her family, feeling they were “elitists” and not of the working class. On March 5, 1932, Paul and Rose had their only child, a daughter (my mother) Doris.

 

Undated - Paul is standing in the doorway to the right

Paul Lichtenthal - December 10, 1900- my Maternal Grandfather

Normally, I would have a long, wordy post all prepared to go. Truth be told I do have a long, wordy post prepared.....too wordy! I really need to trim it down and determine a focus. Trust me, you'll appreciate that! So - in honor of my grandfather's 113th birthday, I am posting this series of portraits. Just looking at his face throughout the years will give you some insight into his life until I can get the article posted.

Happy Birthday, Pop-Pop Paul!!!

1901

Sigmund Lichtenthal - Expert

 Sigmund Lichtenthal was my maternal great-grandfather. While I don't remember him at all, I have definitely formed an impression of his personality. My mom used to tell me that Sigmund's business card identified him as an "expert" - no mention of what he was an "expert in, however. 

I figured she was exaggerating. After all, who would have had such a high opinion of himself that he would print up cards purporting to be an expert?

Then....I found it. 

My Omi - Rosa "Rose" Spiegel Lichtenthal

Warning!! This will be a longer post than usual. Rose was my grandmother!! I have a lot to share.

Rose Spiegel was my maternal grandmother. Born in Semarang, Java on October 19, 1903, she was the second daughter of Herman Spiegel and Sophie Weiss. Her sister, Claire Theresa had been born on January 3, 1901. Her brother, Emil Gerrit, would be born on July 7, 1905.

Rose Spiegel - Semerang, Java - approx. 1904