How
many times have we heard of Martha
Connor and the dedication she and
her husband, Bob, devoted to
transcribing the 1828 Hungarian Land
Census? How many times have we
relied on their skills to find out
more about our heritage and our
ancestors? Due to the modesty
of our subject, this is not a
definitive interview, however, it
will give some substance to the
person we all feel we know.
Where
were you born, Martha, and what was
your schooling?
I was
born in the Bronx section of New
York City 82 years ago. High
School was the highest school I
attended.
What
are your interests, your hobbies . .
. ?
I
enjoy sewing, rock hounding, and the
making of jewelry in the early
morning hours.
Tell
us a bit about your husband, Bob . .
.
We
were married 58 years when he died
in January of 2007. Bob and I
both worked on the 1828 Hungarian
Land Census books—I did the research
and he typed the data in our
computer. When the children
left home, we felt we had to do
something interesting. It was
a hobby for us. I can’t stress
how important that is—it was a
hobby.
Have
you done research and family history
on your own roots? What got
you started?
Bob’s
Uncle Beany Connor was worried that
no one was doing and recording the
Connor family history. Bob’s
heritage was all Early Americana.
Family history is one giant jigsaw
puzzle! We encountered many
brick walls—so many records were
destroyed. My cousin Martha,
who was born in Nemci, Szerem
County, was one of the first bits of
research for me. There were
all kinds of brick walls in
researching my family because they
moved so many times—but, that also
made it interesting! Where
there was work that is where they
moved.
What
led you to doing the census records
of the Donauschwaben?
I
found the 1828 Hungarian Land Census
and searched for my ancestors in one
book. I had a friend at the
LDS Library in Salt Lake City and
asked if I could make the films into
easily readable books. He gave
a resounding “YES!” and so the
project was born. No one had
done anything like that before.
When
did you start this hobby, Martha?
I
started when I was 65 years old.
Wow,
Martha! I can’t imagine being
devoted to a project for 17 years
that benefited others! You are
the Donauschwaben Researcher’s
dream!
We
know that you do the extractions,
Martha, and that Bob did the
computer input.
Yes,
it’s been real teamwork. The books
were microfilmed and are available
at the LDS Family History Centers.
Approximately how much time must you
devote to extracting the information
of one county?
Sometimes it takes me over a year to
put one county book together.
No one subsidizes this hobby.
As I said before, IT IS A HOBBY!
[Emphasis by Martha.]
Martha, if you were to create a
family crest, what would be in it?
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A plow, a hand
holding a musket,
and a river [that’s
the Danube in the
crest—we thought it
was appropriate.]
I don’t think we
need to have the
crest explained,
Martha; it is very
meaningful.
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Have
you been able to return or visit
your ancestral village?
We
have never had the time to visit
Hungary. I guess it was the
impression that it was still there.
What
advice would you give to others who
plan to visit their heritage
village?
If you
can afford to travel there, GO!
What
has been your most remarkable find
in your familial research?
My
relatives were the most remarkable
find. THEY SURVIVED many
things—they were strong! I
have met relatives and heard their
stories. They were fighters all
their lives. They are all heroes and
heroines.
Do you
have a special family hero or
heroine?
My
cousin Martha became my heroine when
she and her parents evaded the
Russians.
Do you
have a motto you live by, Martha?
Don’t
give up—do it now!!!
If you
were confined to only one tip you
might give a fellow researcher, what
would it be?
DO IT
NOW—memories fade too quickly.
Martha, what would you say to
someone contemplating doing family
research?
Genealogy researching has been
wonderful. Our ancestors were
there and they survived!
And so
we come to the end of our interview
with a most phenomenal woman . . . a
woman who has dedicated a good part
of her retirement years to helping
other genealogical researchers...
and for this we are forever indebted
to Martha R. Connor of Las Vegas,
Nevada. Whenever you use the
1828 Hungarian Land Census, give
thanks to Martha and Bob Connor who
made it possible.
Martha
makes five copies at a time to
replenish her stock. Her
prices range according to the
changes in the cost of photocopying
and Post Office costs. You can
find the list of her books at:
Ancestors from Neu Verbasz and
Nijemci, Batschka; and Torschau,
Banat. Surnames: Breitwieser,
Waidmann, Remer, Ott, Losch, Korell
and more.
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Notice posted 2013:
For ordering information contact Mrs. Connor's daughter: Kathy Dobronyi
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