Family. Heritage. History. Find your roots!

Read the emotional story of our twins Hannah and Kaitlyn Schmidt (ReConnect Hungary 2019 participants) about their visit to the village where their grandfather was raised.

 "Emotional to see family members who I grew up visiting frequently but it has been 13 years since we saw each other last. Touching to visit the village where my father was raised. The girls are standing in front of their great, great grandmother’s house where my father spent lots of time while he was growing up. It remained in the family until my great aunt passed away several years ago. This area in Hungary is simplistic but the people are proud, hospitable and some of the kindest people you will ever meet. We also surprised my father’s cousin with a visit. Wasn’t sure where he lived but befriended a sweet older man who, because the village is small, of course knew him and insisted on escorting us to his home via his motorized scooter. After a short visit we departed and made our way to the memorial in town which remembers the villagers who were taken away and forced to work in Russian labor camps after the war in 1945. My grandfather was one of the townspeople who was taken to this labor camp, also known as a goulag. My father was only 13 when this happened and unfortunately my grandfather never came home to his family. For years the Russians would not admit to the many deaths in these labor camps. The memorial was only erected after the fall of communism in Hungary. Thankfully my father was able to see this memorial on his last visit to Hungary 13 years ago where his father’s name is listed. Our last stop was the family grave where I was able to leave a piece of my father who passed away 4 years ago. It’s nice to know that he is with family. Emotional but grateful for the closure that this trip has offered me."