Alan writes... This summer, Carol, Jean, and I, along with our families, are hoping to spend some very special time together. On June 17th we plan to meet in Budapest, Hungary and spend the next couple of days sightseeing before heading up toward the Duzs families in the towns of Szalonna and Edeleny. These folks are related to those of us on this side of the pond through Nagyama Zsuzsana (Duzs) Kish, Great-Aunt Maria (Duzs) Pocsik, and Great Uncle Joseph Duzs. We plan to stay a day, or two visiting while spending our nights at a hotel in nearby Miskolcs (the town more easily found on a map of Hungary, in the northeastern region), so as not to overburden anyone.

I am still plotting to see if it is possible to get 6 miles over the northeastern border into what is now the Ukraine. Therein lies what used to be Nagyapa's home town of Szuerte, ..............or, Strumkivka on maps of the last 50 yrs., or so. The last communication from the Ukrainian consulate in Chicago said that they expected me to send them $100 per family member and all four passports in order to get a visa. This all for a matter of hours spent there. If anyone has better information on a more realistic crossing over the border, please let me know.

After very brief stops in Vienna and Paris, Beth, the girls and I plan to return to Britain after a 24 year absence to visit Beth's family.

Thanks to all who visit this site and especially Rob for creating and maintaining it.

Alan