Katie, this is such a beautiful tribute to the love you feel for your Grandmother. Your style of writing is so clear and touched my heart.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and learning how your Grandmother
navigated a terrible time for Jews. It must have been very frightening to face what she needed to do to survive It is sad that Jews still have to face so much antisemitism.
I appreciate all of the unfolding you’re doing, both in negotiating your own intentions and inquiring about hers. The uncertainty you’re showing is one of my favorite parts about teaching/learning histories, and it’s so cool to learn abt your process in real time.
My guess is that Nagypapa changed his name when he was young, late teens or early twenties, but well after his father died. If my Mother's parents kept secrets from her the way she and my dad did from me and Tom, then I would think that she didn't find out about her Jewish roots until the late 1930's (at which point she would have been the same age as I was when Opapa told me about his father). Her Father would have told her so she could understand why he wanted her to get baptized. ..... But who knows!
By the way, why is there a recent date at the bottom of her baptism certificate?
I also wonder how (or whether?) Omama's baptism connected to her first marriage. I haven't found the records for that yet. Ems, do you know what date that was?
Oh this is just beautiful! So careful, so respectful, and so honest. Thank you for sharing this in such a delicate way. Ilona made decisions that in all likelihood saved her life, and may well have also protected other people she cared about.
Thanks so much, Janet! It means a lot to hear that. And I agree - I think she and my grandfather kept this secret to protect not only themselves, but also their families.
Katie, this is such a beautiful tribute to the love you feel for your Grandmother. Your style of writing is so clear and touched my heart.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts and learning how your Grandmother
navigated a terrible time for Jews. It must have been very frightening to face what she needed to do to survive It is sad that Jews still have to face so much antisemitism.
thanks so much, Elissa!
I appreciate all of the unfolding you’re doing, both in negotiating your own intentions and inquiring about hers. The uncertainty you’re showing is one of my favorite parts about teaching/learning histories, and it’s so cool to learn abt your process in real time.
This is beautiful from start to finish.
thanks Amy! ❤️
Great post, Katie!
My guess is that Nagypapa changed his name when he was young, late teens or early twenties, but well after his father died. If my Mother's parents kept secrets from her the way she and my dad did from me and Tom, then I would think that she didn't find out about her Jewish roots until the late 1930's (at which point she would have been the same age as I was when Opapa told me about his father). Her Father would have told her so she could understand why he wanted her to get baptized. ..... But who knows!
By the way, why is there a recent date at the bottom of her baptism certificate?
I contacted the Hungarian Calvinist church for the baptismal record, and that is their official confirmation (hence recent date).
Gizela converted in 1921, just months after she and Andor divorced. Perhaps so she could marry the Russian?
Andor must’ve changed his name before he married Gizela in 1917, because the marriage certificate says Kutas.
I also wonder how (or whether?) Omama's baptism connected to her first marriage. I haven't found the records for that yet. Ems, do you know what date that was?
Oh this is just beautiful! So careful, so respectful, and so honest. Thank you for sharing this in such a delicate way. Ilona made decisions that in all likelihood saved her life, and may well have also protected other people she cared about.
Thanks so much, Janet! It means a lot to hear that. And I agree - I think she and my grandfather kept this secret to protect not only themselves, but also their families.