The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1985 (12. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1985-02-01 / 2. szám
RESEARCHER FROM HUNGARY EXAMINES COLLECTIONS AND MATERIALS IN USA As you read, both the Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation and the magazine have embarked on different projects. The HETF is involved with the Committee for the Restoration of the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island National Museum, representing Hungarian Americans. The work with Ellis Island National Museum is a continuous effort, keeping up a Hungarianroom, with information on Hungarian emigration to the U.S. Every Hungarian church, society, and every person of Hungarian ancestry should be involved, just like other nationalities, who have been working on this project for years. Many of our readers have asked us through the years — why don’t we sponsor a trip to Hungary? After a long negotiation a 3 week “Historical Tour of Hungary” was packaged. A Tour, that was never been offered to Hungarian Americans, and non-Hungarians. The Tour is from July 18 to August 10th. The tour starts in Vienna, Austria, a city of many Hungarian landmarks, like St. Stephen’s Church, etc. It then starts at the Hungarian border, visiting many places you read about in this magazine. Please read all the particulars on another page. We are trying to improve the magazine in many ways. Many suggested that we have regional coverage. So, when Mr. Pulitzer joined the editorial staff upon this editor’s request he started the New Jersey Section, also covering neighboring states. We received encouragement form other sections, but it failed to materialize. The New Jersey Section became a dominating part and continuation would hurt the magazine. As of December issue we returned to the old format, incorporating some of the features as part of the magazine. Also the Editorial Staff has been reorganized. The Pulitzer-Goodman Associates were engaged to precure advertising for the magazine throughout the U.S., also to act as a Subscription Representative. This move created some confusion amongst the present subscribers, for we failed to explain certain procedures. All the old subscribers, who ordered their subscription from Ligonier, will receive, or by now have received renewal notices from Ligonier. Those subscribers in New Jersey and vicinity, whose subscription were solicited by Mr. Pulitzer will receive a renewal notice from him. We need your help to have this magazine reach its potentials, by giving gift subscriptions, or telling your Dr. Ilona Kovács, Head of Research Programs at the National Széchényi Library of Budapest, completed a threemonth working vacation in the United States. She visited many Hungarian communities and numerous personal friends from coast to coast — New York to Los Angeles. One of the highlights of her trip was her return to her Alma Mater, Kent State University. At the School of Library Science at Kent State University, faculty and students welcomed her back as the first student from Hungary who successfully completed her Master of Science degree ten years ago. She informed us that every year from 1974 there has been a graduate student from Hungary at Kent on a scholarship to study at the Library Science program of the University. Dr. Kovács combined her vacation period with a research tour. She sought out and investigated the Hungarian holdings of public libraries and ascertained the use made of the collections going back in time to the turn of the century or even earlier where possible. Previously Dr. Kovács demonstrated her scholarly research skill in her study of the cultural needs and aspirations of some of the older Hungarian immigrant communities, especially concerning the St. Paul, Minnesota Hungarian-American Community. She published a paper based on an examination of primary sources titled, “The History of the Baross Gabor Benefit and Aid Society Library, St. Paul, Minnesota.” This reporter was delighted to notice that the work of Dr. Kovács complements that of Dr. Julianna Puskas, the internationally known ‘Human Migration” historian of the HAS, (Hungarian Accademic of Sciences) who has authored a number of papers and books on the Hungarian immigrants of yesteryear in America. relatives, friends about it. Be our representatives in your churches, societies, or if you know any one of Hungarian origin, let him or her know about it. We would like to thank those radio programs/newspapers, who acquaint their listeners/readers with this magazine. We would like to hear from you. Your suggestions, your criticism will help us in many ways. Also if you see an article in your local paper which you might think should be printed in this magazine, please feel free to send it to us. In Pittsburgh and vicinity in October, Dr. Kovács visited briefly the collection and archive of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Ligonier, PA. She also examined the Hungarian Collection in the Carnegie Public Library of Pittsburgh and the Hillman Library of the University of Pittsburgh. She attempted to review the archive collection of the William Penn Association, but was not able to do so because the collection is in the process of being moved to another location. Dr. Kovács also made contact with the Daughters of the Devine Redeemer, a Catholic order of nuns called from Hungary in 1912 by the well-known Hungarian priest of McKeesport, the late Father Kalman Kovats, to teach the children and heal the sick members of the Hungarian immigrant community. Sister Edith Nemeth was a gracious guide and host to Dr. Kovács and this reporter. Dr. Kovács also conferred at length with Drs. Ruth G. Biro and Paul Body of the Pittsburgh Hungarian Ethnic Project staff concerning primary sources and resource collections in the area. During her stay in Pittsburgh, Dr. Ilona Kovács concluded that much remains to be done to further preserve the resources pertaining to the Hungarian community in this vicinity. Her suggestions and encouragement concerning methods to accomplish this goal were greatly appreciated. After Pittsburgh, Dr. Kovács journeyed to Cleveland where she continued her study of the Hungarian Collection at the Cleveland Public Library. It was heartwarming to learn that the National Széchényi Library is interested in the accepts gifts of any Hungarian materials from America and encourages scholars and layman alike to preserve the traces of the Magyars in America so that they are less likely to be reduced in current acquisition or discarded in the future. The efforts of Dr. Kovács in documenting, analyzing, and preserving Hungarian materials in America are to be applauded and we wish her all the best in her travels. Dr. Bela L. Biro HUNGARIAN COOK BOOtv in English-Attractive Covers $3.50 - including Postage Bethlen Press, Inc. P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, PA 15658 February, 1985 Page 5
