Kaintz Family History From Iglo and Szepes Varalja, Slovakia
Kaintz Family History From Iglo and Szepes Varalja, SlovakiaUpdated June 22, 2003 | |
Albert W. Kaintz (Kainz) 672 Cherry Ave Sonoma,CA 95476 707-393-1306 | I started my search with family stories I remembered as a child and a taped interview with my mother and father before their passing.The story: My grandfathers name was Arpad Kaintz for Podrus in Austria-Hungary and immigrated to America before WWI.He may have charges the spelling so as not to appear a German or because of Magyarization(Ethnic Cleaning).Later I found it was spelled Kainz in some Hungarian records.His fathers name was Adolphus, who was the keeper of the town clock and the town druck as my father tells it...My fathers quote, "A very very important person".Both my grandfather Arpad and his son, my father Albert, were watchmakers.I remember them referring to themselves as Slovaks. Recently, I started map search for a town called Podraz or Podruz using my fathers spelling.I found closely named towns but no match.Then I located my grandfathers record in the Ellis Island data base.Here he used the name Arpod Kainz, Hungarian, from Sz. Vardlfa or Vardlja depending on the interpreation on the hand written ships manifest.He was a watchmaker by trade and arrived with no money. Posting this information on RootWeb.com message board I was contacted by Zlatica Beca who had difficulty in finding Podrus is Hungary or the Czech Republic, my original thoughts.Then she recalled that Spisske Podhradie in the Slovak Republic was ones called Podrus.There however were no Kaintz or Kainz surnames listed in the area. Then I received a message from Joseph Laszlo Kupan saying he had located my Great grandfather in the Radix Industry and Trade Directory of Hungary 1891.Name: AdolfKainz , Occupation” Orasok Watchmaker, Settlement: Szepes-Varalja , Szepes County (tied into Ship Manifest), now called Spisske Podhradie (confirmed Zlatica’s findings)Bingo! I’m on a roll with great help. Maps: Then Zlatica found Szep Varlaja on the old 1910 Hungarian megye map at http://lazarus.elte.hu/hun/maps/1910 where Spisske Podhradie is today. Then Joseph finds a town called Podprotz.I get this message, "Here is a map from the early 1800s: http://www.akm.externet.hu/km/terkep/adatok/tkp-a34.htm In the middle of the picture from Igló to the right, closer to the border is a Podprotz, but I'm not sure if it's the Podruz", Joseph.After compairing the maps I found that Podprotz is locted right where Spisske Podhradie is today considering it is a hand drawn map.Bingo again!note: Iglo is todays Spisska Nova Ves and Leutschau is todays Levoca if you view the map. My quest continues:My question and search for help are: 1. Can anyone add to the information already found about Adolphus or Podprotz? 2. Does anyone know of Kaintz surnames that live in the Slovak Republic that may have a Spisske Podhradie or Spisska Nova Ves connection? 3. Any info on Liaosh (Lajos) and Adalbertus Franciscus Kaintz, Arpad's brothers that may have died in WWI. 4. The story goes that a close relative of Adolphus Kaintz, brother or cousin was a famous opera singer or performer (a Master) that sang or performed before Franz Josef (Empiror of Austria).It may or may not be Josef Gottfried Kainz or his father Josef Alexander Kainz.I know of no links to my Great grandfather, Adolphus.Arpad and Charlie (Kalman) were request to go to the estate settlement in Vienna after his death of this Master.Acorrding to my father they didn't attend.Is there a link? I would like to thank my sister and brother, Charlotte and Richard for their help and a special thats to Edna Kaintz Rippey and her daughter, Claudia for their help and photos and thanks to Lisa Kaintz, my cousin Bobby's daughter.I would like to give a special thanks to Sandy Geddes, Director of the Family History Center, and her kind staff, Lela, Faye, Judy A., Marge, Doug, Janet, and Judy M.And lastly but by no means the least, Zlatica Beca and Joseph Laszlo Kupan who are mmbers of RootWeb.com. Thanks in advance for all consider |
My Family History | |
Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees | |