A Hajdú-Bihar Megyei Levéltár évkönyve 17. 1990 (Debrecen, 1990)
Tanulmányok - Szűcs Ernő: A Simonffy család és Debrecen
után sem szűnt meg kiemelkedő egyéniségeket adni (Ágnes, András, Emil, Ernő, Gyula), sorsuk azonban sok vonatkozásban mostohává lett. Debrecent, de néhány esetben még az országot is el kellett hagyniuk, és képességeiket más települések, más országok (Olaszország, Svédország, USA) javára kényszerültek fordítani. A Simonffy családnak sem a férfiágának, sem az adoptált ágának egyetlen tagja sem él jelenleg városunkban. A Simonffy András által említett utcanéven kívül vajmi kevés őrzi emléküket Debrecenben, ahol pedig hihetetlen energiával alkottak két évszázadig a köz érdekében. THE SIMONFFY FAMILY AND DEBRECEN Ernő Szűcs The Simonffy family was ennobled by King Rudolph in 1596 and moved to Debrecen when running away from counter-reformation in 1744. In spite of his being middle-aged István became an apprentice and later lived as a merchant, also undertaking responsibilites from the community. His son, Samuel I had different commissions for the soke of the town. He organized the rebuilding works on the Great Calvinist Church, the Hospital Church and the Calvinist College after the conflagrations. In a period he was a member parliament for the town, then became the chief justice of the town. In addition to organizing collections in support of the public he also made endowments. His grandson, Samuel II. worked as a lawyer. He was also a captain during the revolutien of 1848. His perinaceous efforts made the Casino of the town flourich. He was also one of the organizers of the local Red Cross organization, of the Bar of lawyers and of Union of Gymnastics in Debrecen. Imre also fought in the war of independance of 1848. Later, following several other commissions, he was Lord Mayor of the town for 27 years. This was the period when Debrecen grew into a city. Under Imre’s governing, the traffic (railways), the economic life (factories) and the public hygiene (hospitals, etc.) all made a long step forward. He also achieved the decision to build a theatre in town. Emil organized the musical education, concert life and audience and directed them with an unbelievable endurance. Moreover, Iren Simonffy has tarted the career of many famous pianists during her 55 years of pedagogic activities. Although many talented persons were born in the family following the year 1944 as well (such as fencing champion of the world, highly esteemed writer, archtitect) under the different circiumstances of the perriod they wer not only more-or-less neglected by the town but also were „advised” to leave it. In our times the memberrs of this family which had contributed so significantly to the welfare of the town either live in other settlements of the country or were forced to leave it (settling in Sweden, USA, Italy). Семья Шимонффи и Дебрецен Эрнё Сюч Произведенная В дворяне в 1596 г. королем Рудольфом семья бежала в наш город в 1744 году, спасаясь от контрреформации. Несмотря на то, что Иштван был уже взрослым человеком, он стал подмастерьем, потом торговцем, одновременно исполняя несколько общественных поручений. Эго сын, самуил I, много сделал на пользу города. Заново построил пострадавшие от пожара Большую Церковь, церковь Ишпотай и Реформатскую коллегию. В одно время был членом Венгерского национального собрания, а потом стал главным судьей города. Он не только организовал сбор пожертвований на пользу общества, а и сам много пожертвовал. 30
