Tell us about yourself, where you were born, your schooling, work, family.

I was born in Saginaw, Michigan, which is where my grandparents settled when they came to America.  I actually grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin and later moved to California.  I’ve had two years of college and have worked as an Administrative Assistant, but I’ve been a hausfrau for quite a while now. 

Do you have any hobbies, Beth?

My primary hobby is genealogy, which has pushed everything else into the background; my other interests are travel, miniatures, reading, stitchery, oil painting, classical guitar, and collecting. 
(See Beth's miniatures)

It doesn’t seem possible, what with your DVHH participation and your hobbies, but do you do any volunteer work?

I’ve also done a bit of volunteer work with nonprofit organizations such as the Arthritis Association of Kern County and the Child Guidance Guild, where I served several terms on their Executive Board; I’m also very active in my church. 

What got you started in doing genealogical research?

After years and years of wondering about family, I actively began asking questions of older relatives whenever I could.  My big break came when my Aunt Helen shared her childhood memories.  She also told me what she knew about her parents. 

Have you been successful in your research?

Yes, far more than I ever dreamed I would be. Armed with the village name Apatin, I searched for my grandparents in the Apatin church records at the local FHC and found my great-grandparents, too.  

Who or what has been most helpful in your research?

The DVHH without a doubt!  Finding the DVHH was the beginning of my education, not only about my family, but about the Donauschwaben a word I’d never heard before then.  DVHH volunteer Ron Gretz did a lookup on my family and the floodgates were opened. I can never adequately express my gratitude to the DVHH and Ron or to Josef P. Schwend.  Some of what I’ve found about my family can be seen on the DVHH Apatin Village website where I’m coordinator, thanks to Jody McKim’s very persuasive abilities! 

Have you hit any brick walls?

Yes, a high one!  While my grandfather Podolski’s family shows up in Apatin records in 1817,  I believe they were there earlier, but I can’t find their pre-Apatin origins.  One suggestion has been Silesia.  However, I simply don’t have enough information to begin a search.   

Do you use software for recording your family history? 

Yes, I use FamilyTreeMaker. 

Tell us a little bit about the villages you have researched for your family history?

Most of my DS ancestors have deep Apatin roots; however, some early branches of my family had ties to the villages of Bacs Brestowatz and Filipowa. 

If you were to create a family crest, what would be in it?

Humorously:  a bowl of Goulash and a plate of Mushkazone!

Seriously: the Danube, a fishing boat and fish representing the profession shared by my grandfather, as well as his father and grandfather.  I would add a cross because of their deep religious faith. 

Have you been able to visit your ancestral village?

In 2004 we were able to visit Apatin.  And thanks to Hans Illik, the then-President of the Apatin HOG, and Boris Masic, President of the Apatin German Community, we packed a lot into our short visit.  A further description and pictures can be seen at www.dvhh.org/abthausen. 

Who of all your ancestors has made the biggest impression on you?  Why?

Perhaps my grandfather who had many difficulties in his life, including physical disabilities, but he worked very hard to provide for his family and still was able to bring joy to everyone with his music.  

What is your most remarkable find in your roots research?

That would be verifying a family story that an aunt and cousin had died in Tito’s camps after WWII. That really brings it home! 

Has your world opened in that you have found living relatives you didn’t know existed?

Well, I’ve certainly found some cousins I didn’t know I had.  And what’s more I’ve met many wonderful DS descendants through the DVHH and through my village page.  It’s fun to be in active correspondence with fellow researchers in Germany, Hungary, Serbia and all across the U.S. and Canada. 

If you were confined to only one tip for a fellow researcher, what would it be?

Talk to older family members, listen to their stories and make notes.  Ask questions! 

Do you have a motto about genealogical research? 

Genealogy is addictive.  It’s a bit like putting together a big jigsaw puzzle where you are looking for just the right piece to fit into and help complete the whole picture. 

Thank you so much, Beth!  Thank you as well for your active participation in the DVHH—it’s people like you who make DVHH.org one of the very best research sites on the Internet.  We are proud to call you our DS cousin!

Crest design by Rose Mary Keller Hughes.

Beth & the DVHH ...