Manaia,
I do not believe that there is any animosity, only discussion. Two
gentlemen have indicated that in their research they only pursue items that are
positive in nature and while they will deal with the negative aspects of
research (persecution of ethnic groups, etc.) they will not seek it out. (I hope
I have characterized their position accurately) There is nothing wrong with
that approach, however, there are other ways to conduct research.
While I was a university student (in another century!) I took my degree
in European history. In that endeavor "truth", as best as it can be
determined, is the beacon of our studies-a phrase borrowed from the French Medieval
Historian Marc Bloch. I merely pointed out to the two gentlemen that I sought
the whole "truth" in my research. To do less may give one a distorted
picture of what really happened in a particular incident.
Let me hopefully give you a sense of what I mean. There was a great
deal of discrimination and some persecution of Germans and German-Americans
during and after World War I. It has not been widely reported, but It had a
great effect on many German-American families, altering their way of life and
destroying the use of German language in the church and home. This had the
effect of changing their culture forever. While it was not a positive
development at the time, it did affect how these people lived their lives and deserved
to be recorded and remembered. I spoke to relatives and others who lived
through this period and it had a great effect upon them-one that they never
forgot.
Many times what a family or an individual does in their life is in
response to some great evil as much as it is a response to a great opportunity.
It is seeking the truth, wherever it may lead, that we can construct a clearer
picture of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of those who came before us.
I hope this helps.
Gary Beard
************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
Thank you, Gary, for clearing the air and reminding me
that being American my views are sometimes not so
clear and cut like black-n-white.
While reading your response childhood memories came to
mind. Our neighbors were of German descent, but they
lived as if at the concentration camps. Maybe it was
my own feeling but the whole neighborhood felt the
same.
I wish I could go back and let them know "I am sorry"
for what had happened in their much-beloved country
and at least assure them it doesn't happen in the USA.
If only...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
....
Regards,
--Manaia
My grandfather David STRONG was born in Belfast, Ireland. My grandmother was Wilhelmina (Minnie) WEDMEYER, the daughter of a German from Hannover. Their family home was in Sydney Australia.
David must have been proud of his wife, or had a perverse Irish spirit, for he had Minnie's German name (WEDEMEYER) on the name plate of his house, prominently displayed during both World Wars, in spite of internment of "enemy aliens" and some distrust of people of German origins in those times.
On the other hand, WEDEMEYER might have been an accepted name in WWII, since General A.C. WEDEMEYER was a USA chief strategist in the war in the Pacific?
Moin, moin to Australien ich fand in Fritz Gruner "Auswandererlisten des ehemaligen Herzogtum Braunschweig" auf Seite 186:
Wedemeier to Australien fromm Sadler:
Johann Heinrich August Wedemeier Häusling und Schuhmachergesell,* 23.3.1821, Sohn des Sattlers und Amtscopisten Joh. Heinrich Rudolph Wedemeier und der Caroline Dorothee Henriette Schimmler, oo mit Schuppmann, Henriette Dorothee Elisabeth, * 27.12.1819. Deren Kinder 1. August Heinrich *14.5.46 Burgdorf (near Salder). 2. Joh. Henriette Caroline * 5.8.1848 Burgdorf 3. Caroline Wilhelmine Henriette * 11.5.1852 Salder 4. Carl Christian Julius *5.3.1855 Salder, 5. ?
Aus Braunschweiger Anzeiger 1864 208
Siehe Niedersächsisches Staatsarchiv Wolfenbüttel Bestand 103 N, 93 2 Burgdorf und Bestand 103 N 338 3 Salder.
Kindly Regards
Joachim Kortum
Rotenbeek 33
24211 Postfeld
Tel. 4342-83511
www.joachim-kortum.de
"PD & LE Strong" <plstrong@pnc.com.au> schrieb:
This reminds me of the story my father told me about, he came to a America
in 1923 , he had the Germanic looks and the heavy gutteral accent and had
the last name Schmitz, he was born in Holland as was his father and
grandfather, it was his gr. grandfather that came from Germany., his
mother's name was Muller of german decent but she was also 4 th generation
dutch. My father had a large store in Chicago and among his customers and
friends were also many Jews and Germans. In WW11 his store windows were
thrown in several times so he finally hung up a sign stating that he was not
German but Dutch, he felt bad for German friends many who were second and
third generation but said he no real choice it was self-protection, the
discrimation was wrong on all levels.. His own parents and his sisters and
their families were suffering from hunger and occupation in Holland and went
he heard of what was happening to families in Europe of his Jewish friends
and of their suffering he felt truly sad, but for his German friends who
were not involded in any way with German politics or had any anti-jewish
feelings and had been in America for many years or several generations he
felt bad how people would act toward them. He had always accepted or
rejected someone on a indivuial level. I hope that I picked up that quality
from him and wish that more people in the world would share it, then their
would be a lot less hate and more harmony, We are ourself and bear the
responsbilities of our own actions or lack there of and should not be held
accountable for those of our family, country , race or faith, but should
speak out when what they do is wrong. Anna Marie