Nagy the Hungarian Name

Nagy? Ah, the Hungarian Name of Nagy! I am researching the Hungarian family name of Nagy. Looking to connect with Nagy's worldwide!

My research has shown that the Hungarian name of Nagy is much like the American name of Smith or Jones. In other words, the Nagy name was used a lot in Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, probably because it translated to big or great!

This is a picture of me with my grandfather, Alexander John Nagy. He was born on September 7, 1899 in Szatmar, Austro-Hungary. His birth city was later known as Satu Mare, Romania after the border change at the end of World War I. Alexander Nagy died in Cleveland, Ohio on April 21, 1967. His listing on FindaGrave lists his burial location in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Grandpa, I sure do miss YOU. See you soon! Well, come on in as we explore the Hungarian family name of Nagy. Let's see where this takes us.

Photo Credit: JaguarJulie and Grandpa Alex Nagy. Copyright JaguarJulie.

Do you know a person named Nagy?

1. Yes I do !
2. Isn't there a baseball player by that name?
3. Hmmm

Visiting Cemeteries in Hungary and Romania!

A few years ago, I incorporated a visit to three cemeteries in Satu-Mare, Romania, and one cemetery in Budapest, Hungary to photograph headstones while tracing my families history. I could honestly do more vacations like this.

Check out my Flickr photo slideshows:
* Nagy Hungarian Monuments slideshow on Flickr.
* Satu Mare, Romania slideshow on Flickr.
* Satu Mare Historical Postcards slideshow on Flickr.

The Nagy Name

Nagy means large, super, grand and almighty in Hungarian.

Traditionally, a person with the last name of the name of Nagy was the same as having the title "The Great".

According to Ancestry.com, Nagy is "nickname for a large or powerful person, from Hungarian nagy 'big'."

My Grandfather Alexander Nagy's Parents

Alexander Nagy's parents were married October 26, 1889 in Szatmar, Austro-Hungary, located near the border of Hungary. Today Szatmar is known as Satu Mare in Romania!

• Father: Nagy, Steve [Nagy István at birth] born August 20, 1864 in Hungary. Died September 1930 in Europe. He was thought to be of Turkish descent because of his dark good looks. In an online free family search, I found a 1910 census record of Steve indicating Nagey as the last name spelling.
• Mother: Vereczki, Julia born April 8, 1873 in Szatmar, Austro-Hungary, [now known as Satu Mare, Romania, located near the border of Hungary]. Died April 19, 1940. Last known address: 1774 W. 28th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Ashes in Highland Park. In an online free family search, I found a 1910 census record of Julia indicating an alternate spelling of Voreski as the last name.

Nagy István, Kinizsi-u. 35, Szatmar Nemeti, Satu Mare

I recently found the listing at RadixIndex for my great-grandfather, Nagy István, living at Kinizsi-u. 35, Szatmar Nemeti, Hungary. The city now known as Satu Mare, Romania. It listed the land where he lived as "Timárok közelebbi meghatározás nélkül" which translates to "Timars without further definition." "A timar was land granted by the Ottoman sultans between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries."

Nagy István Grave Stone
I found a photo of a grave stone listed on BillionGraves for a Istvan Nagy showing a death of April 18, 1930. The grave stone is in Hillside Cemetery in Metauchen, New Jersey. A coincidence of a death in the same year of 1930 for Istvan Nagy! Would be a bigger coincidence if this was my great grandfather and that he might not have made it back to Europe as thought.

Hungarian translated: ITT Nyugszik = here rests or here lies; Beke Hamvaira = peace be to his ashes or remains

Nagy Istvan died April 18 1930 Grave Stone Hillside Cemetery Metauchen NJ
Photographed by Debra, September 12, 2015

Nagy Vereczki Family Tree

My very first attempt to research the Vereczki and Nagy family, I put together this family tree. This was before computers! Remember typewriters? Gosh, this must have taken forever to type to look this good. I'm thinking this family tree was prepared over 20 years ago!

Julia Vereczki - Steve Nagy Family Tree
Prepared by Julie Ann Brady

My Grandfather Alexander Nagy's Siblings

• 1893 - Margaret Nagy born January 16, 1893 in Hungary. Died August 1934 in St. John's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, of appendicitis. Ashes in Highland Park. Married Elmer Klimko and later divorced to marry William Roberts. No children.
• 1897 - Arthur Steve Nagy born October 11, 1897 in Hungary. Naturalized a U.S. Citizen. Honorable Discharge from U.S. Army. Married Florence Polan [born March 16, 1908] on January 12, 1927 in Dayton Ohio. They had 3 children, Florence Margaret [born July 8, 1929], Arthur Raymond [born September 11, 1935], and Connie Elaine [born September 4, 1946].
• 1902 - Helen Nagy born July 22nd in Hungary. Came to the U.S. in 1921. Married Anthony Linhart on July 11, 1925 in Cleveland. Children: premature daughter died in 1926; Dolores Julia born October 24, 1930.
• 1904 - John William Nagle born January 28th in Hungary. Married Dorothy Abel on August 22, 1925 in St. Stephen's Church, Cleveland, Ohio. Children: Marilyn Rose [born November 25, 1929] and Patricia Ann [born October 22, 1932]. Moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1941. John William Nagle died on November 1, 1980 in Los Angeles, CA.
• 1907 - Mary Agnes Nagy born June 8, 1907 in Northside, PA [now Allegheny and located near Pittsburgh]. Married George Searle on August 14, 1926 in Rev. Norris' home on Franklin Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. Child: Lawrence George [born June 17, 1927].
• 1909 - William Nagy born July 15, 1909 in Allegheny, PA. Married Ann Horvath on June 18, 1932. Divorced in September 1935. She married a Mr. Hayek. William moved to California.

Timeline of My Grandfather

• 1899 - Born September 7th in Szatmar, Hungary [today known as Satu Mare, Romania].
• 1900s - Alexander often spoke to his daughter about working on his grandfather's estate; his mother Julia Vereczki's father's family.
• 1928 - Naturalized in the U.S. on September 14th. #2839658, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Northern District of Ohio. Listed as citizen of Romania.
• 1928 - Married Julia Kovach on October 2nd at St. Mary's in Cleveland, Ohio.
• 1929 - Daughter Lillian born August 21st.
• 1930 - His father dies in September in Europe.
• 1931 - Son Robert John born May 12th.
• 1949 - Daughter's wedding in June.
• 1967 - Died on April 21st. Last address: 16605 Chatfield Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio [house sold in 9/1979]. Funeral by Victor Sepsi. Buried: Section 11, Lot 4640, Grave 2 in Holy Cross Cemetary, Cleveland, Ohio.

Alexander Nagy, a Man of European Birth

In the words of his only daughter! "Being of European birth, Alexander Nagy left the rearing of his children to their mother, not thinking it was necessary to 'bond.' According to foreign fathers, the children were the mother's concern and if he made a wise choice in a wife, everything worked.

He spoke "high" Hungarian language and would not indulge in conversation with people who did not speak the same...there are different levels of language in Europe which indicate the education level of the person.

He would not let my mother teach us any languages, even though she spoke 5, as we were to be only true Americans and not have any accents."

John Nagy Certificate of Declaration 1896

I acquired this from an eBay seller in July 2008. I'm not sure that my grandfather Alexander John Nagy ever signed a document such as this one -- but it is a possibility! I scanned the legal document and have included it above. For those of your historical buffs interested in what that certificate says, I've also transcribed it below:
Certificate of Declaration: The State of Ohio, Trumbull County, ss.

Be it Remembered, that on the 28 day of October A.D. 1896 John Nagy an Alien and native of Hungary personally appeared before me, Samuel B. Craig, Judge of the Probate Court, in and for said County, and declared, on his solemn oath, that he first arrived in the United States in the month of [blank], A.D. 1885, and that it is his bona fide intention to become a Citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any Foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to Francis Joseph Emperor of Austria and subscribed his name to said declaration, which remains on file in the office of the Judge of said Court.

In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Probate Court, at Warren, this 28 day of Oct. A.D. 1896 S. B. Craig Judge, By [blank] Deputy Clerk.

###

I've not been able to obtain any further information about the origin of this document as the eBay seller said that this paper was acquired with a number of unrelated documents.

Alexander Nagy 1899-1908

In Hungary, Europe -- "Born in Europe, he was raised by his grandfather while his mother traveled with her husband. He was brought to America by his parents when he was 8, along with his older brother, Art, who was 10 at that time.

There must have been some money in the family, either or both parents' families, to account for this activity."
Update: Speaking with my mother recently, she elaborated about my grandfather's Vereczki mother's family being wealthy and having much land. She also said that my grandfather used to carry an elderly ladies' religious books when she went to Synagogue.

Alexander Nagy 1908-1914

In America-- "He was the one that stayed around his mother and the one she relied on to do her bidding. Since she owned lots of property, rooming houses, rentals, he was the one to do the maintenance on them.

The rooming houses and rental property were located in 'Ohio City,' a very well known historical section of Cleveland, located on the Cuyahoga River.

In America, he went to schools and finally college but when World War I broke out, he was probably of the age to go into military service.

World War I: 1914-1918

"The First World War was a world conflict lasting from August 1914 to the final Armistice on November 11, 1918. The Allied Powers (led by the United Kingdom, France and until 1917 Russia, and, after 1917, the United States) defeated the Central Powers (led by the German Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire).
The war caused the collapse of four empires and a radical change in the map of Europe and the Middle East. Before 1917 the Allied powers are sometimes referred to as the Triple Entente, and the Central Powers are sometimes referred to as the Triple Alliance." --From Wikipedia.

1914-1918

His school years -- "I'm not sure what he studied while in college, but a picture of him with a clarinet, makes me think he got musical training while in college. He probably had to leave school to come home to help his mother, so he never finished or got a degree.

I don't know how he got out of serving in WWI, except that his older brother Art was already serving in the army. It's possible he was officially excused from serving so that he could care for his mother.

By that time, his father had left the family to return to Europe."

1919-1928

His single years -- "He owned a decorating supply store in Cleveland, Ohio, during the time after leaving college and before he got married. He knew many contractors whom he sold supplies to including Flore. The store was probably financed by his mother.

This picture of Alexander in the swimsuit, of the 'Roaring Twenties' era, [circa 1920] is when he belonged to the Cleveland Athletic Club. His sister, Margaret's husband, Elmer Klimko, was a member there, as well.

As a single man, Alexander also played in his brother-in-law's orchestra while he was in his twenties. You could say he was a musician."

Certificate of Naturalization - September 14, 1928

My grandfather Alexander John Nagy's official document! It is a Certificate of Naturalization No. 2839658, Petition Volume 231 Number 33459. Filed on September 14, 1928 in District Court in the Northern District of Ohio. The paper was recorded on September 14, 1931 at the Board of Elections in Cleveland, Ohio. This original document is affixed with the official seal. B. C. Miller, Clerk.

Alexander Nagy's residence was 1697 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113.

That residence is a multiple occupancy home that contains 2,804 sq. ft., 8 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and was built in 1895. Shown above is the Google aerial image for 1697 Fulton Rd.

Alexander Nagy 1928

His marriage -- Alexander Nagy married Julia Kovach on October 2, 1928 in St. Mary's Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

The date October 2nd was of particular interest as Julia's birthday was October 1st, the day before.

And, less than one month earlier, on September 14th, Alexander was naturalized as a U.S. citizen one week after his birthday on September 7th!

The Great Depression: 1929

"The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn, starting in 1929, after the Stock Market Crash of October, and ending at different times in different countries. Almost all countries were affected. The worst hit were the most industrialized, including the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Canada, and Japan."

"Economic indicators show the American economy reached nadir in summer 1932 to February 1933, then steadily went up until a downturn in 1938." --From Wikipedia.

1929
His first child is born -- His daughter Lillian was born in August of that year.

"He was doing well until 1929 when the depression hit and killed off his business. The stock market crash of 1929 caused him to lose the business.

He then joined forces with the decorating contractor, Flore, whom he had previously sold materials to while he had his own business. He was doing decorating including painting and paperhanging."

1930
His father dies in Europe -- His father Steve, who left the family several years earlier, dies in Europe of unknown causes, at the age of 66.

1931
His second child is born -- His son Robert was born in May of that year.

World War II: 1939-1945

"World War II, also WWII, or The Second World War, was a global military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. It was the largest and deadliest war in history. Even though Japan had already been fighting China for several years, the "world" war is said to have begun on September 1, 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland." --From Wikipedia.

Alexander Nagy 1941-1945
The war years -- "During World War II, he changed careers from the decorating business to the food supply transportation business. He drove or helped on the big semis servicing grocery stores.

I think he thought it would be the best move to see that our family would have our needs taken care of while rationing was vogue during the war years.

I remember that he was involved with local politics as we had a candidates sign positioned in our attic window during one election year. I think he was a conservative."

1945-1949
After the war -- "After the war ended in 1945, he then worked as a maintenance supervisor for the federal government's housing projects until he retired.

He celebrated July 4th in a big way with lots of fireworks and always said he would not go back to Europe, even on a visit, as there was nothing there for him. He was a true American.

Later when I was 16, my mother and I were driven, by him to local halls on weekends where dances were held. He later picked us up.

He also drove my mother and me to parks which were popular in the 40s where local bands played. We had a great time dancing while he sat and watched.

He didn't particularly socialize, or seek entertainment outside of his family. But, my mother just loved films so she would take me along for the early evening showing at the local movie house. I grew into quite a movie buff because of this early contact with Hollywood."

Cleveland, OH June 1949

At his daughter's wedding.

"He was very adept and lifted the roof up on the first 2 houses we lived in, making a second floor. Later, after he was in his early 50s he didn't do any more since having a heart attack while visiting out west on a trip.

He was in charge of maintenance on government housing off Rocky River Drive in Cleveland, Ohio, for the last years of his life."

December 1954

Christmas was a time of celebration for the Nagy household. All the children and grandchildren would gather to open presents.

Alexander sure liked to smoke his pipe--you can see the ashtray to the left in the picture.

Photo taken at 16605 Chatfield Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44111. In the photo are Alexander Nagy, Margaret Taylor, David Taylor, Cindy Taylor, Julie Lesteshen, Diane Lesteshen, Karen Taylor.

1957

Son's Marriage -- Alexander Nagy's only son is married at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

His son Robert Nagy married Margaret Gannon.


Cleveland, OH 1967

His death -- Alexander Nagy died on April 21st, 1967. He was only 67 years old. His last residence was a 2-bedroom brick bungalow on 16605 Chatfield Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. His wife, Julia, survived him and lived in the house until her death. The house was sold in September, 1979.

His funeral service was handled by Victor Sepsi. He was buried in Section 11, Lot 4640, Grave 2 in Holy Cross Cemetary, Cleveland, Ohio.

Istvan Nagy, Budapest Hungary 2004

Marriott Hotel, Budapest, Hungary -- Could he be related? What a small world indeed. During our visit of Budapest, Hungary, in May 2004, we stayed at The Marriott on the River Danube.

We had returned from a one-day trip to Satu Mare, Romania, to do a little research on my grandfather's parents.

Upon our return to The Marriott in Budapest, we met the doorman there, Istvan Nagy! What a coincidence as my great-grandfather was Steve [Istvan] Nagy! Which just goes to show there are a lot of Nagys out there!!

You know, it was my ex who said, "hey, look at what his name is!" That's when I took a closer look at the doorman.

Dr. Peter Nagy, Slovak Republic

Recently doing some online research, I came across the "Eastern Slovakia Research Strategies Website" and found a contact name of:

Dr. Peter Nagy
Cilistovska 20
931 01 Samora­n
Slovak Republic
E-mail: nagy@centroconsult.sk
Faxmodem: +421 31 560 0642
GSM: +421 905 490 552

On April 28, 2006, he emailed me:

Dear Julie,
This is the first time when I receive an email from a Nagy who could be at least a very distant relative.

Actually my Nagy ancestors are from Akos (in Rumanian Acis), what is about 40 miles SE of Satu Mare. For more details see my worldtree entry: Dr. Peter Nagy Genealogy.

I did not manage yet to do progress in Romania myself. The old church records are now not available for research. -- Nagy Genealogy Records.

Kinizsi Utca. Sign, Budapest Hungary

2004 -- I've got to tell you that the road signs in Budapest were a tad bit confusing. The day that we were driving to Satu Mare, Romania, to do some research on Alexander Nagy's birthplace, we got so tangled up in the city of Budapest that it was well past one hour before we finally figured out where the heck we were!

This particular road sign shows Kinizsi, Raday, Lonyay, Kozraktar utca. and Petofi HID. We happened to be walking this route to see what building were on Kinizsi utca.

35 Kinizsi utca - Budapest, Hungary

The address that I have for Alexander Nagy's residence in Szatmar, Hungary, is 35 Kinizsi utca.

Imagine my surprise when I actually found a building with this same address in Budapest, Hungary, when we visited there. I think this building was a gymnasium or sports facility.

Famous Nagy's

• Agnes Nagy - Miss Hungary 1998
• Laszlo Moholy-Nagy - 1895-1946, was a Hungarian painter and photographer as well as professor in the Bauhaus school.
• Imre Nagy - 1896-1958, Hungarian Communist leader was a symbol of the 1956 Hungarian revolt against the Soviet Union.
• Ivan Nagy - 1943, born in Debrecen, Hungary. Former ballet dancer, now artistic director of the Ballet de Santiago, Chile.

Nagy Information

• Broadmining Search
  List of related Nagy searches through Broadmining.
• Geocities--Famous Nagy's
  Check out this page which lists a number of "famous" Nagy's in history.
• Imre Nagy
  Imre Nagy, the son of peasants, was born in Kaposvar, Hungary in 1896.
• Nagy Family Genealogy
  Genealogy forum with messages for Nagy family.
• RootsWeb
  RootsWeb archive for Nagy.
• The Moholy-Nagy Foundation
  The Moholy-Nagy Foundation is a private family organization that promotes further research on Laszlo Moholy-Nagy and his work.
• House of Names
  Buy Nagy coat of arms, family crest and history packages.

Nagy Genealogical Research Links

• 1828 Hungarian Census
  Download the 1828 Hungarian Census and do a search on "Nagy" you will find 234 results!
• 1869 Nagy Villages
  Amazing web page! The bottom of the pages lists Hungary Slovak names of villages from the 1869 Census. A lot of Nagy names!
• 1869 Magyar Settlement Names
  Download a 31-page PDF of Hungarian Settlement names from 1869 census.
• CentroConsult
  Genealogical research of former Austria-Hungary.
• Hungarian Census Info
  Magyar (Hungarian) Census--For present day Slovakia and most pre-1918 Hungary territories.

Celebrating my Hungarian heritage with pride!
I hope you enjoyed reading about Nagy, the Hungarian Name! I remember sitting with my grandpa, Alexander Nagy, as a child and often times snapping his suspenders! Oh how he would laugh. I remember him for the hat that completed his dress and his trademark pipe. I remember him for being able to complete the challenging Cleveland Press crossword puzzles along with massive intricate jigsaw puzzles.

He was quite the gardener and would dry marigold buttons down the basement along with other flowering seeds. His flower garden was impeccable and could have been featured in House and Garden magazine.
Spending time with my grandparents was a precious time. I wish that my grandfather had told us grandkids more about his past, his feelings, and his birthplace of Szatmar, Hungary. Looking back, I sure wish I had asked him MORE about his Hungarian heritage.

Today, I am naturally intrigued by anything and everything Hungarian. Gosh, Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls and Hungarian Goulash became food favorites of mine thanks to the influence of my Hungarian grandpa Alexander Nagy and my Eastern European grandma Julia Nagy. I am a very proud Hungarian who writes a lot about Hungarian topics. It's actually pretty cool to be of Hungarian heritage. Hungarians can and are sexy too. Thanks for dropping by and I hope you will take time to check out the various Hungarian topics I've presented.

In closing, I'd like to say that when I think of my grandfather, I have fond thoughts. Didn't they describe Gary Cooper as a quiet man; well they didn't meet my grandfather. Because he was rather introspective, it made us grand kids pay that much more attention to him.

Are you a Nagy?
I've heard from many who may be a potential relation. Do you like visiting cemetaries to research headstones? Are you into genealogy? Did you enjoy my rather windy article?

History: Nagy : The Hungarian Name was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on April 8, 2006. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #1,014 overall. Lens #8 in the quest for Giant Squid 100 Club Charter Member 2007.

Kovacs aka Kovach

Kovacs aka Kovach : Hungarian or Czechoslovakian? Kovacs aka Kovach : The Debate Continues: Czechoslovakian or Hungarian? For some time, I have been researching my great grandparents with the Kovach name. I am relying on information from my maternal grandmother Julia Kovach Nagy, who is now deceased, and from my mother.

Kovacsland: Biography Of Ernie Kovacs

As a child, I remember my grandmother telling me that her ethnic heritage was Czechoslovakian. I remember my mother telling me that my grandmother actually could speak 4 different languages, of which Hungarian was definitely one.

I would guess that the other languages would be Czech and Slovakian, but I am not sure. It would suggest that my grandmother's heritage was not just Hungarian. Every Sunday she would listen to a radio program that I think was Hungarian.

So does that make the ancestry of Kovacs aka Kovach Hungarian or Czechoslovakian or something else? Are YOU a Kovach or Kovacs? Oh, I would surely love to hear from you!

Image Credit: Kovacsland: Biography Of Ernie Kovacs.

The Kovacs / Kovach Poll
Please answer our question about Kovacs / Kovach. Are you familiar with the Kovacs / Kovach names?

1. Yes indeed ... know about Kovacs and Kovach!
2. Absolutely, I trace my heritage from Kovacs and Kovach too!
3. I had heard about Ernie Kovacs!
4. It sounds familiar.
5. More than one of the above!

Great Grandfather Mihaly Kovacs

My great grandfather, Mihaly Kovacs, was born August 4, 1864 in a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that would later be known as Czechoslovakia. His name was "Americanized" to Michael Kovach, I assume when he came to the United States.

He married Anna Varchola who was born, as a guestimate, in 1870 in a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that would later be known as Czechoslovakia. It is not known of Mihaly and Anna were from the same town, but it would be rather likely that they did not live too far from each other. Mihaly Kovacs / Michael Kovach died on November 22, 1908 in Pennsylvania.

For my generation, Ernie Kovacs, is definitely the most recognizable person with the last name of Kovacs. Who knows, he may be part of my ancestral family tree!

Anyone who has done much research into their family ancestry, if from Eastern Europe, will know that it can be quite challenging! Names and spellings can be quite varied as often pronunciations often dictated the American spelling; and then, many names were "Americanized" or made more mainstream.

What's interesting about the names in my family's ancestry, is that like Kovach aka Kovacs, some of the names are considered "common" or used extensively.

History of Hungary

• During the revolutions of 1848, Magyar leaders of Hungary and Czech leaders from Bohemia had asserted their independence from Austrian rule. The Magyar leader LAJOS KOSSUTH helped establish a parliamentary democracy with the passage of the March Laws of 1848.
• Austrian military forces crushed the Czech revolt, but Kossuth's HOME DEFENSE ARMY held firm. Soon afterwards Kossuth was elected president of the new Hungarian republic. But Austrian forces, with the help of 100,000 Russian troops, reasserted control over the defiant Magyars. Kossuth fled to exile in Turkey.
• In 1867, after ruling Hungary for 150 years, Austrians offered the Maygars the promise of equal power. With the passage of the Settlement of 1867, known in Germany as the AUSGLEICH, the Austrian Empire became the AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE, a dual monarchy.
• In a dramatic ceremony in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, the Austrian Habsburg ruler FRANZ JOSEF received the crown of St. Stephen, Hungary's first king. Franz Josef was desperately trying to keep the crumbling empire intact.
• The HABSBURG EMPIRE was now divided into two main territories: the AUSTRIAN EMPIRE and the KINGDOM OF HUNGARY. Both were ruled by the Habsburg monarch, who was centered in Vienna. Austria remained governed by the FEBRUARY PATENT OF 1861, which established a parliament known as the Reichsrat. The March Laws of 1848 governed Hungary.
• Although Austria and Hungary each had a parliament to manage their domestic affairs and those of their respective provinces, a joint cabinet controlled mostly by Austrian and Hungarian aristocrats handled foreign affairs, military affairs, and finances. And though in principle the new empire was a constitutional monarchy, the emperor retained considerable powers, especially that of dissolving the parliaments by fiat.
• The SETTLEMENT OF 1867 (also known as the Compromise of 1867) provided Habsburg rulers with a more stable empire in the short run by securing strength through numbers. The empire retained its place as a great power in Europe. But the heterogeneous nature of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, increasingly anachronistic in an age of nationalism, guaranteed its failure.
• The Magyar aristocracy aggressively pursued a policy of Magyarization, or forcing minority groups such as Croats and Serbs to assimilate into Hungarian society by adopting its language and customs.
• Hungary also sought to further its independence from Austria, provoking EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEF I to suspend the Hungarian constitution in 1903.
• This repression fueled the growth of pan-Slavic terrorist groups such as the Black Hand, which was responsible for the assassination of Austrian ARCHDUKE FRANCIS FERDINAND in 1914, an event that helped trigger World War I.

Ernie Kovacs Related?

A distant relative? Ernie Kovacs (January 23, 1919 - January 13, 1962) was a creative and innovative entertainer from the early days of television. His on-air antics would go on to inspire TV shows like Laugh-In, the Uncle Floyd Show, Saturday Night Live and TV hosts like David Letterman.

Kovacs is buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. His epitaph reads "Nothing in moderation - We all loved him".

For an interesting biography, please read the rest of the story. Wikipedia.

Kovacs Named People

• Ernie Kovacs - What an interesting man! He was a creative and innovative entertainer from the early days of television.
• Stefan Kovacs - A former soccer manager who was the manager of France.
• Frank Kovacs - An American tennis player in the 1940s; he was known as the "Clown Prince of Tennis."
• Laszlo Kovacs - Born July 3, 1939 in Budapest, is a Hungarian politician and diplomat, currently serving as European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union.
• Michal Kovac - Born August 5, 1930, he was a Slovak politician in the early 1990s (member of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia) and the first president of Slovakia.
• Agnes Kovacs - Born July 13, 1981, she is a Hungarian swimmer.
• Magda Kosane Kovacs - Born November 4, 1940 in Budapest, is a Hungarian politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Hungarian Socialist Party, part of the Party of European Socialists.
• Kovacs Genealogy - Kovacs Family Genealogy Forum.
• Kovacs according to Wikipedia - What a cool list of lots of Kovacs!
• Searches for information on the Kovac / Kovacs family name.
• Kovacs listed in the Industry and trade directory of Hungary in 1891 database.

Kovach Named People

• Michael Kovach - Does Your Front End Know What Your Back End is Doing? by Michael Kovach, VP Software Development and Technology. FullTilt Solutions. Published on iSource Online.
• Kovach Cemetary List - Hungarian/Albany Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Livingston, LA. Submitted by Don Johnson to the LAGenWeb Archives.
• Michael Kovach - WTC List - On the World Trade Center public list, Michael Kovach was listed as fine, #4186 Wed Sep 12 13:57:46 2001.
• Kovach Obituaries - ObitFinder, the national resource for obituaries.
• Searches for information on Kovach family name.

Anna Kovach Daughters

• Anna Kovach - Born October 1900 in Pennsylvania. Left home in 1918. Married Andrew Jason and had 2 sons, Frankie and William, and 2 daughters. Last known address: 1844 West 54th Street, Cleveland, Ohio.
• Julia Kovach - Born October 1, 1905 in Eleanora, Pennsylvania. Father: Michael Kovach. Married Alexander J. Nagy on October 2, 1928 in St. Mary's Church. Had two children, Lillian and Robert John [born May 12, 1931]. She died on April 28, 1978 and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetary in Cleveland, Ohio. Section 11, Lot 4640, Grave 1.
• Margaret T. Yaniga - Born October 3, 1913 [her birthday had been thought to be October 13th] in Eleanora, Pennsylvania. Father: Joseph Yaniga. Married William P. Taylor who died in 1974. She had 3 children: David, Cindy, and Karen. She died on July 27, 2007 and is buried on Woodlawn Cemetary in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Kovacs Cemetery Listings
Incredible Site to Visit - A select listing of Kovacs from the Cemeteries of Slovakia.

Anna 0 yrs. - June 22, 1916
Anna 0 yrs. - September 16, 1890
Anna 20 yrs. - May 24, 1903
Anna 33 yrs. - September 4, 1916
Bala 1 yrs. - October 2, 1897
Gusztav 1 yrs. - October 12, 1894
Gyula 0 yrs. - May 1, 1893
Julia 22 yrs. - November 6, 1904
Julia 0 yrs. - January 7, 1897
Julia 0 yrs. - September 14, 1895
Julia 1 yrs. - January 3, 1920
Margit 0 yrs. - September 20, 1895
Mihaly 0 yrs. - August 10, 1892
Mihaly 1 yrs. - November 12, 1890
Mihaly 2 yrs. - June 29, 1900
Mihaly 12 yrs. - September 6, 1897
Mihaly 22 yrs. - May 10, 1941
Mihaly 30 yrs. - February 22, 1890
Mihaly 42 yrs. - December 29, 1943
Mihaly 0 yrs. - October 9, 1914
Mihaly 0 yrs. - November 7, 1914
Mihaly 0 yrs. - October 30, 1916

Kovacs / Kovach Cemetery Listings
Below is an extraction of listings from Saint Mary Cemetery in Hermitage, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Contributed by Terence Whalen [twhalen@svol.net].

Kovach, Anna, b. 1889, d. nd
Kovach, James, b. 1887, d. 1964
Kovach, Joseph E., b. 1914, d. 1969
Kovacs, John F., b. 1911, d. 1941
Kovacs, Joseph J., b. 1913, d. 1973
Kovacs, Rena L., b. 1918, d. nd
Kovacs, Steven L., b. 1915, d. 1945

Slovakia Gravestone Project

The aim of this project, which has been managed by the SGHS since 1991, is to collect gravestone inscriptions from all of the cemeteries from the territory of Slovakia, create a computer database from these data and this way make them more accessible to researchers.

Those, who take part in the project, are volunteers. Thanks to more than 30 volunteers the SGHS was able to collect transcripts from following, more than 70 cemeteries.

The Research Continues!

After the research I've done into the Kovach / Kovacs name, it is apparent that it is a challenge indeed to trace the family lineage for people bearing the name of Kovach aka Kovacs. One has to ask, why is this such a "common" surname shared by so many throughout the same generations in history?

I've found an interesting forum, My Czech Republic, that I've become active in. In a reply post there, Sova said, "Kovacs is a pretty common name (like "Smith" in English)."

Another poster, Zeisig, said pretty much the same thing, "Mihaly Kovacs is a common Hungarian name (kovacs means blacksmith)."

And so the search continues ...

• I am searching for information on a Michael Hrabcak, born October 1854 in Lucina. His parents were Michael/George? Hrabcak and Anna? (possibly Vasco). Michael Hrabcak married Anna Kovach (date unknown) who was born in July 1864 in Sdoba. They came to the U.S. about 1887 and settled in Carbondale, Lackawana, Pennsylvania and then later traveled to Colorado.
• We are interested in the family name Kovach but don't have any location except Eastern Slovakia, near Ukraine.
• Researching the families Tokar, Rubicky, Miller, Kansky, Kovach, Kovacek, Stofcik, Kavuscak, Bacho, Radvansky. Villages: Zborov, Bardejov.

Thanks for visiting!
I love reading your comments! Have you been researching your family tree? Any tips you'd like to share? Are you a Kovach or have a Kovach in your family tree. Hey, we might be related! Let me know.

History: Kovacs aka Kovach : Hungarian or Czechoslovakian was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on May 5, 2006. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #1,248 overall. Lens #23 in the quest for Giant Squid 100 Club Charter Member 2007.

A Visit from Grandma Oh My!

A visit from grandma can and should be a wonderful occasion. Grandmothers need to be a part of your family as much as possible, sharing love, wisdom and stories for younger generations to pass along to their family ... to keep the family history alive!

Well, today's visit from grandma, my grandma Julia Nagy is indeed an "Oh My!"

You see, I kid YOU not! It was in the wee hours of Sunday morning, this very Sunday morning, that I had a distinct visit from grandma. I can still visualize the start of that vision which was intermingled into a dream of sorts.

In this vision/dream, I was in another room when I heard water running. It sounded like the kitchen sink. As I came into the kitchen, I glanced to my left to see the left-side of the kitchen sink filling with bubbly, soapy warm water. And, to my amazement, I saw my grandma Julia Nagy's head, as clear as day, sort of bobbing on the top of the soapy water!  Our conversation started then and there.

That part of the vision/dream quickly changed to a vision of my grandma with a slender and lean body, oh, with her head now firmly attached off to the right side of the kitchen near the side door.

We began to talk ... but mostly I was doing the talking. As I am now relaying this "story," I am even more moved by the experience. I am quite the spiritual person, oh yes indeed. I believe in angels, and I believe that my grandma knows things about what "goes on" with our family.

I told my grandma how much I loved her and how I wished that I had told her more times whilst she was "living" that I loved her hugely and how much she really meant to me; how she influenced and contributed to "what I am." Grandma nodded her head and said, "Yes I know."

I continued on in our conversation. She said she knew about my writings on the internet and about how much I talk about her. Oh my! She knew about me sharing her Stuffed Cabbage Recipe! Yes, indeed.

... segway ...

So, it is all the more compelling this vision/dream in that I created a specific SquidCast on April 9, 2010 The Very Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls should be ... in which I said the following:

I am channeling a message that I received telepathically or should I say, spiritually, from my grandma Julia Nagy ... She is rolling over in her grave.

Well, isn't that particularly interesting? Grandma rolled over in her grave and paid me a visit! Oh my! You'll need to visit that SquidCast and then continue the story to that sidebar widget shown below.

A Dutch Oven for YOUR Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

And, now a word from our sponsors! If you are planning on making Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, you need a good Dutch Oven. Why not try the Lodge Logic Dutch Oven with Loop Handles! I know my grandma Julia Nagy made great Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in her Dutch Oven. While in today's vision/dream, grandma didn't talk about her Dutch Oven, somehow I think she was thinking it ... and now I am sharing that thought with YOU!

Giving Thanks -- For the Fans Who Have Made a Difference!

This morning I am taking a moment to say "Thank You" to those 271 people that have shown their 'support' for something that means a lot to me. I have one lens in particular that stands out from all the rest of my  Squidoo lenses. This one lens means the most to me because it is because of a person who was a huge influence in my life ... someone who is no longer with us. Holidays with Grandma are a bit empty because grandma* is no longer with us.

Take a look at this fan art mosaic of my Stuffed Cabbage page. I see a lot of friendly faces there. If you are one of those friendly faces, my fellow Squidoo lensmasters, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for being there! Wow, 271 of my friends! That's not a bad number considering that I see 1,694 total fans on my profile page. And, thank you to the 531 lensmasters who have taken time to add their star to the page! Muchas Gracias and Köszönöm.



What's been very meaningful to me has been the "history" so to speak for this one meaningful lens! On April 16, 2009, this Stuffed Cabbage lens earned a purple star -- it's that special award for lenses with quality content made by Giant Squids. That was my very first purple star. Then, on April 19, 2009, this lens made it into the #1 spot overall on Squidoo; occupying that spot for some 24 days. That has been my only #1 lens, and it has meant the world to me. As Squidoo lensmasters we are rewarded in many meaningful ways. It's really not about the money; it is a form of acknowledgement that will stick with you.

It has been equally cool that there has been Google love for Stuffed Cabbage, much to the almost surprise of my hubby! He just smiles when I tell him all this stuff! Google has given this lens a pagerank of 6; that's pretty good I think. The lens has been getting great traffic too; traffic that should keep it in the overall Top 100; it's been there for over a year -- 465 days. Hmmm, I think I need to make some Stuffed Cabbage this weekend.

So, thank you those of you who have been a part of this remarkable, meaningful journey! I will never forget this.

*P.S. No, my grandma did not get run over by a reindeer. ;)

Julia Nagy My Superhero Grandmother

Julia Nagy -- My Grandmother, My Namesake, My Superhero! If you are a follower of this blog or have possibly been following the Superhero Project at Squidoo, you've undoubtedly seen my lens celebrating the greatness of my own grandmother Julia Nagy.

This was my very first Superhero lens as in my life, there has been no greater influence that my grandmother. Grandparents have that knack for being able to contribute so much to their grandchildren that seems to surpass that of our parents. At least I know it was the case for me. Mind you, there is no less love for my mother and absolutely no less respect for her. But, there is just SOMETHING about a person's grandmother!



Imagine my pleasant surprise today when I checked on my grandmother's lens to find that it had broken through into the much-coveted lensrank of Top 100, to hit #98 amongst all Squidoo lenses. To me, this means an additional honor to my grandmother of "Queen for a Day!" To get to that particular Top 100 lensranking doesn't just happen! There are a lot of special forces behind the scenes making some magic happen. Great readers and visitors plus some special squid angels bestowing their blessings help lenses to rise in lensrank. Thank you to each and every one of you. Some how, I believe that my grandmother is aware of this special honor. I thank you for her.

Seth Godin wrote Superheroes don't have a look, but they definitely have an attitude. They're restless and impatient, but, here's the cool paradox, they're also calm and patient. Patient because they realize that change takes a while. Patient because they understand that if it's worth doing, it's worth getting through the Dip. Impatient and restless, though, because they refuse to accept the status quo.

My grandmother faced ‘the Dip’ more than once in her rather short-lived life – she only lived to her early 70s, preceded by the death of my grandfather at the age of 67. She faced her first ‘Dip’ early in life at the age of 10 when she was already working to help support her mother and family. Later, and recently married, the Great Depression hit in 1929 – the very year my mother was born. Two years later, along came a second child – My uncle. I’ve heard stories from my mother that my grandmother suffered a nervous breakdown at 28 at which time her hair turned completely platinum-gray. Yet, my grandmother NEVER gave up.

I was in ninth grade when my mother and the 4 kids moved into my grandparent’s 2-bedroom bungalow on Cleveland’s Westside. We all got to know our grandparents MUCH better during that one-year of up-close-and-personal living. Unfortunately, the ‘stress’ of 4 spirited kids probably contributed to my grandfather’s last stroke and ultimate death one year later. Through it all, my grandmother was my superhero. I somehow knew about how hard it was for her to lose her partner, my grandfather. I knew that there were times when she would go down her basement to scream and cry – lamenting her loss.

Years after my grandmother’s passing, my mother and I made a trip to Lily Dale where I had my first spiritual reading. That particular reading gave me some sort of feeling that of the two ‘spiritual’ presences seen on either side of me, my grandmother Julia Nagy was surely one! Ah, the thought to think that she may still be ‘with’ me today. If I had but one wish, oh that my grandmother [and my grandfather] were alive and well today.

My grandmother was a remarkable woman and total inspiration to me. From her, I learned my drive and sense of determination to persevere. She was my namesake and my superhero.