Magyar News, 2003. szeptember-2004. augusztus (14. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2004-06-01 / 10. szám

Now and then some of our readers send in interesting pictures or writings about Hungarians. We receive old letters, many good Hungarian recipes, books, and you name it. Naturally we try to take care of these, find the best place for it. Some go to Budapest.

In this article we have two pictures. They are all about American citizenship. The 52 page booklet, on the right, contains all that one has to leam to be able to receive citizenship. It was published by the “Daughters of the American Revolution” starting in 1921. Among the 17 languages we found one that was printed in Hungarian. Just scanning through parts of it is a real eye-opening.

From the older generation we heard the stories of how they had to leam, go to night school and twist their tongue to be able to speak some English. Teachers worked hard after hours to help immigrants fit into this country. Today the International Institute takes on this task.

The other photo with all the ladies shows a class in session. Looking at the writing on the blackboard one has to notice that these ladies are learning about what a man should do. It reads: “A man to be a good citizen must be straight and he must also be strong. Each man must work for himself.” Think about it.

This photo was sent to us by Julianna (Gombos) Burrill from Otis, MA. She tells us that her parents received their American Citizenship in 1929, and dates the picture as 1926. It is a citizenship class that was held in The Franklin Miller Day Nursery located across from the Pine Street Hungarian Reformed Church. Her mother is in the picture, they attended class at nights. The same time her father, with the men, went to Longfellow School. She remembered the teacher’s name, she was Miss McGerry.

We thank Mrs. Burrill for her thoughtfulness and sending us the memento of the American-Hungarian past. J.F.B.

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AS CITIZENS WERE MADE