De Kleine Hongaartjes in het Meetjesland

Page 1 - Letter

1925

At the beginning of the year, the committee for the support of Hungarian children launched a major propaganda campaign. It was widely publicized in all churches, and the faithful responded to the call. About once a month, a train arrived in Belgium from Hungary, carrying a thousand exhausted and dejected children. Their parents had preferred to see them leave rather than let them die of hunger and misery in their own country. Forty families from the village had requested a Hungarian child. Early in the morning on February 24, three cars left for Ghent to pick up those poor children. The foster parents were invited to meet at the monastery at 10 o'clock. They did not have to wait long; at 10:30 the cars arrived. The general commotion gave way to general interest. No one could have imagined such misery. The children were pale and thin, exhausted, their shirts worn and dirty, not knowing where to hide. The Reverend Onderhaastoor brought order to the confusion, called out the names, and each family received their new treasure. Our good mother had prepared a delicious breakfast, but the children were too tired and too upset to enjoy it. They had also just left their homes to bring their new child into the world.

Page 2 - Priest

Page 3 - Hungarian train

On Tuesday, February 24, 1925, around a hundred Hungarian children arrived by special train in Meetjesland to recover.

Page 4 - Article from the daily newspaper ‘Het Volk’

Page 5 - ADEGEM  

Aranka Balogh – 9 years old, Nóra Ditcendy – 8 years old, Ilona Fancsa – 5 years old, Ibolya Hercz – 10 years old, Ilona Herz – 9 years old, Anna Hollerbach – 9 years old, Lujza Hollerbach – 10 years old, Borbála Jászberényi – 8 years old, Kenoszt Aranka – 8 years old, Kovács Ilona – 11 years old, Machát Irma – 8 years old, Medriczky Gabriella – 7 years old, Mészáros Tibor – 11 years old, Molnár János – 13 years old, Nyernik Mária – 13 years old, Pál Anna – 10 years old, Etel Panoácics – 11 years old, Anna Papp – 11 years old, Ilona Peringer – 11 years old, Mária Tancsa – 8 years old, Mária Tomcsa – 10 years old, Ilona Uhlyasik – 10 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Adegem - 25 -

Page 6 - Irma Machát

Hungarian child protection card by Irma Machát

Photo: Irma Machát with her parents and brother

Page 7 - Gabriella Medriczky

Page 8 

Photo: Gabriella Medriczky with the August De Kesel family in Adegem

Photo: Gabriella with bicycle in garden at host family's house

Page 9 - EVERGEM

Balogh Irén – 12 years old, Bajnóczky Mária – 11 years old, Bekker Olgha – 11 years old, Damján Mária – 7 years old, Damján – Erzsi – 5 years old, Damján Piroska – 13 years old, Frank Jólan – 6 years old, Gacs Júlia – 8 years old, Halász Ferenc – 11 years old, Holovácz Pál – 5 years old, Horváth Laci – 8 years old, Horváth Lajos – 6 years old, Hideg Anna – 11 years old, Janasovszky Jólan – 6 years old, Kalevode Aranka – 8 years old, Kammér Béla – 11 years old, Keresztessy Erzsébet – 8 years old, Király József – 10 years old, Krizs Lajos – 7 years old, Lendvai László – 6 years old, Pollák Jósja – 6 years old, Krizs Vince – 9 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Evergem – 42 –

Page 10 - Lajos Horváth

Seen here in a navy suit, he came to Ghent on the children's train as a 6-year-old boy. He was housed in the convent of the Franciscan Sisters in Evergem. He attended school there until he was 14. He then went to work at a bakery. In 1957, he married Clarisse Aelterman from Oostakker. They had two children, Wim and Katrien.

Page 11 - Lendvai László

Page 12 - Pollák Jósja

Page 13 - KAPRIJKE

Ilona Bakos – 6 years old, Irma Bakos – 15 years old, Kató Bakos – 7 years old, Kata Bauer – 7 years old, Róza Baumann – 10 years old, Borbála Dinyés – 10 years old, Géza Gyugyeras – 7 years old, Iréne Havelszky – 7 years old, Ernesztina Hizser – 10 years old, Erzsi Kirchner – 10 years old, Irén Kolpmár – 11 years old, Teréz Konrádi – 11 years old, Istvan Mihályfi – 8 years old, Ilona Molnár – 10 years old, Mária Nagy – 10 years old, Ferenc Oszlanszky – 9 years old, János Paolusz – 9 years old, László Pere – 9 years old, Krisztina Pocher – 12 years old, György Prioilinecz – 9 years old, Ilona Rehner – 12 years old, Anna Rozsnics – 9 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Kaprijke – 30 –

Page 14 - The Laureyns-De Pape family

Photo: The Laureyns-De Pape family together with two Hungarian girls. In the middle is their foster child, Iréne.

New Year's letter from Irén to her foster parents.

Page 15 - KLUIZEN

Borostyán Margit – 11 years old, Cwetter Róza – 13 years old, Denes Ida – 10 years old, Eperjesi János – 9 years old, Kammenar Gizi – 10 years old, Lengyel Kata – 10 years old, Lukacsevics Anna – 6 years old, Nagy Margit – 10 years old, Nagy Mária – 8 years old, Princz Margit – 11 years old, Reichelesz Erzsi – 11 years old, Szitter Margit – 9 years old, Vagách Julia – 16 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Kluizen – 13 –

Page 16

Pastor De Mulder with the Hungarian foster children (12 girls and 1 boy) in Kluizen on August 24, 1925.

Page 17 - OOSTEEKLO

Acsai Erzsi – 5 years old, Acsay József – 4 years old, Aladi Lujza – 11 years old, Baczik Mária – 8 years old, Bersák József – 15 years old, Bodi Margit – 5 years old, Dudás Róza – 12 years old, Hollosi Mária – 8 years old, Hollosi Róza – 5 years, Kendi Andor – 6 years, Knap Kata – 5 years, Knap Ferenc – 11 years, Kuzar Anna – 9 years, Marcovics Anna – 7 years, Panog József – 11 years, Patko Etel – 5 years, Pintér Mária – 9 years, Rapai Ferenc – 7 years old, Sooski Gabriella – 10 years old, Szabó Kata – 9 years old, Szabó Mária – 10 years old, Szalay Erzsi – 8 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Oosteeklo – 28 –

Page 18 - Erzsébet Szalay

In February 1925, 8-year-old Erzsébet, nicknamed Erzsi, arrived in Eeklo by steam train from distant Budapest. She was assigned to Mrs. Augusta Van De Keere from Oosteeklo. In the large mansion with beautiful rooms, she was able to regain her strength for six months. But those few months turned into many years and even resulted in a permanent stay. In the dark kitchenette close to the warm stove, Erzsi learned to crochet and sew. This resulted in her later being allowed to make baby clothes for a shop in the Lange Munt in Ghent. She was also the regular babysitter for the local doctor's children. When her guardian angel, Mrs. Gusta Van De Keere, passed away, Erzsébet found accommodation in a retirement home in Nazareth-Eke, where she also died.

Page 19 - SINT - LAUREINS

Chal Ilona – 8 years old, Chal Mária – 10 years old, Ongrádi Erzsi – 8 years old, Orsó Gizi – 10 years old, Papp – Julia – 7 years old, Trieb Margit – 10 years old, Ujvári Erzsi – 8 years old,

Number of Hungarian foster children in St.-Laureins – 7 –

Page 20 - Erzsébet Ongrádi

In February 1925, the family Franciscus De Meulemeester – Bonte, residing at Moershoofde 45 in St.-Laureins, adopted 8-year-old Erzsébet Ongrádi from Tatabánya for three years. She grew up there with the children Karel and Anna, who were a few years older. Once the three years had passed, Erzsébet returned to Hungary.

Page 21 - MALDEGEM

Adamics Júlia – 12 years old, Bradl Ilona – 12 years old, Bruckner Mária – 10 years old, Bükkszegi Miklós – 10 years old, Cserni Gyöpö – 9 years old, Dániel Margit – 13 years old, Dragisics Ilona – 13 years old, Durbach Júlia – 11 years old, Farkas Irma – 13 years old, Fiszter Margit – 11 years old, Fris Irén – 12 years old, Glovocz Károly – 10 years old, Heger Magda – 13 years old, Horváth Anna – 6 years old, Kiss Anna – 10 years old, Kiss Erzsi – 14 years old, Kiss Giza – 12 years old, Koch Teréz – 11 years old, Marx Vilma – 9 years old, Simon Ilona – 9 years old, Szocska Rózsi – 7 years old, Tampek Anna – 12 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Maldegem – 34 –

Page 22 - Károly Glovotz

He was born in Borsodnádasd on October 20, 1915, and ended up in Moerhuize with the childless couple Honoré De Pauw and Clementine De Baets, who quickly adopted him as their son. Karoly was loved throughout Moerhuize; all the women adored him, and he was everyone's friend. He died in unfortunate circumstances.

Page 23 - RONSELE

Julia Balázs – 7 years old, László Horváth – 6 years old, Péter Ivanicza – 13 years old, Klára Kutzián – 6 years old, József Nagy – 8 years old, Mária Rugele – 7 years old, Károly Simon – 12 years old, Anna Váll – 6 years old

Number of Hungarian foster children in Ronsele – 8 –

Page 24 - Anna Váll

In February 1925, Anna Váll, a 6-year-old girl, arrived in Ghent from distant Budapest by children's train to spend a few months recuperating with the Van Kerkvoorde family in neighboring Ronsele.

After her return to Hungary, the story repeated itself in March 1927. In the meantime, the Van Kerkvoorde family had moved to Zomergem. This time, Anna Váll became a permanent resident of the household.

After the death of her foster parents, Anna was taken in by her stepsister in Merelbeke, the Vandevelde-Van Kerkvoorde family.

Cupid struck, and Anna Váll married widower and close neighbor Pierre Huysseux. Once widowed herself, she moved into a home in Gentbrugge in her later years, where she passed away.

Page 25 - SLEIDINGE

Bauer Margit – 11 years old, Bauer Teréz – 15 years old, Csaszkó Lajos – 11 years old, Dreger Richàrd – 10 years old, Fehér Rafaella – 10 years old, Fekete Olga – 6 years old, Friesenhahn Teréz – 12 years old, Galna Ferenc – 10 years old, Haar Jànos – 7 years old, Haar Tibor – 6 years old, Haimann Erzsi – 9 years old, Hodol Ilona – 10 years old, Hórvath Sàndor – 12 years old, Hummer Làszló – 13 years old, Kamalacsik Ida – 10 years old, Kerkovics Karolin – 13 years old, Klassan Róza – 9 years old, Krög Mária – 10 years old, Merzel Etel – 9 years old, Mondada Ella – 10 years old, Mondada Margit – 11 years old, Reisz Mária – 12 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Sleidinge – 39 –

Page 26 - Sándor Horváth

He was born in Sopron (Hungary) on November 22, 1913, the eldest of seven children. He was the son of Sándor Horvát senior (born March 18, 1890) and Karolina Steiner (born May 19, 1892).

His father was a tailor by trade, but due to a lack of work as a result of the First World War, the family did not have much money. A six-month stay in Belgium for Sándor junior to ‘gain strength’ was a godsend. Once the end of the convalescence period was in sight, discussions took place between his biological parents and his foster parents. Sándor would remain in Belgium for good.

Photo: The Horvát-Steiner family in Hungary after Sándor's departure to Belgium.

Page 27 

Sándor set foot on Belgian soil for the first time on February 24, 1925. After arriving in Sleidinge, he attended school for three weeks before starting to work full-time on the farm as a farmhand at the age of 11. Sándor was very interested in mechanics, but his foster parents did not allow him to pursue an education. However, once he married Zulma De Vliegher, he took evening classes. During the first years of their marriage, they lived with Zulma's parents. In March 1946, they moved to Bassevelde. The family had seven children: four girls and three boys.

Page 28

Sándor returned to his native country only once, in 1980. His wife Zulma did not accompany him. In Hungary, he stayed with his sister Gizi, who had also lived and worked in Belgium for a while and still spoke perfect Dutch. He also saw his youngest brother in person for the first time. He did not see his parents again, as they had already passed away.

Photo: Sándor visiting Hungary in 1980. Surrounded by brothers, sisters, cousins, and nieces.

Page 29 - URSEL

Erzsébet Gevay – 12 years old, Mária Galamb – 10 years old, Mária Goda – 9 years old, Anna Hesz – 10 years old, Irma Jankovics – 8 years old, Mária Káldi – 9 years old, Hajnal Kákony – 10 years old, Teréz Kleiner – 10 years old, Olga Komsa – 11 years old, Jolán Kovács – 8 years old, Júlia Kovács – 10 years old, Erzsi Ladanyi – 11 years old, Mária Lepedus – 10 years old, Kata Márten – 8 years old, Teréz Nagy – 8 years old, Margit Nagy – 10 years old, Róza Paszt – 8 years old, Gizi Poczi – 10 years old, Róza Polt – 10 years old, Ilona Sándor – 11 years old, Emilia Sághi – 7 years old, Ilona Stadler – 10 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Ursel – 35 –

Page 30 - Erzsébet Gévay

1925: One of the Hungarian foster children in Ursel.

Page 31 - Erzsébet Gévay

Photo: Erzsébet in the garden in Ursel

Photo: Erzsébet on a trip to the sea

Page 32 - LOVENDEGEM

Erzsébet Bauman – 8 years old, Róza Júlia Bartus – 10 years old, Margit Bedmarck – 9 years old, Aranka Drescler – 11 years old, Mária Gazsó – 11 years old, Margit Glaszkalovic – 9 years old, Katalin Hochrein – 11 years old, Etelca Jcsei, Anna Kárpáthy – 8 years old, Margit Kratochwill – 12 years old, Alojzia Lányi – 10 years old, Róza Lakics – 7 years old, Teréz Molnár – 5 years old, Gizella Nagy – 10 years old, Erzsébet Németh – 11 years old, Júlia Nyisztor – 12 years old, Mária Odovenko – 9 years old, Gizella Péter – 9 years old, Teréz Rusnák – 5 years old, Ilona Romancsik – 5 years old, Paula Tircs, Erzsi Toth – 6 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Lovendegem – 46 –

Page 33 - Paula Tircs

Born in Diósgyőr (Hungary) on April 2, 1917, as the daughter of József Tircs and Teréz Jannesek. The Tircs family was extremely poor and her father suffered from lung disease. She came to Belgium in 1924 at the age of 7. She lived in Lovendegem for 48 years. 

Page 34 - Mária Gazsó

Photo: Mária is standing in the middle of the third row.

Photo: Died at the age of 14

Page 35 - Jcsei Etelka

Overleden aan een hersenvliesontsteking.

Page 36 - WAARSCHOOT

Barabás Irén – 10 jaar, Csikos Róza – 12 jaar, Csuzik Ilona – 5 jaar, Fekete Erzsi – 11 jaar, Freund Margit – 9 jaar, Gyórgy Júlia – 9 jaar, Kelner Kata – 10 jaar, Kolbella Anna – 10 jaar, Kovács Aranka – 13 jaar, Lakos Irén – 14 jaar, Lamande Erzsi – 13 jaar, Langer Anna – 10 jaar, Leitslager Kata – 12 jaar, Linkel Anna – 8 jaar, Lövy Margit – 11 jaar, Markovics Jolán – 12 jaar, Osz Márta – 10 jaar, Pari Erzsi – 6 jaar, Rudolfy Paola – 9 jaar, Sajdik Erzsi – 12 jaar, Szabados Magda – 11 jaar, Tapodi Evi – 7 jaar…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Waarschoot – 51 –

Page 37 - Evi Tapodi

Stayed for many years with the Van Leeuwen baker’s family in Waarschoot.

Page 38

Evi Tapodi sitting in the second row (third from the right). Standing on the left: Rev. Van de Rostijne, director of the convent in Waarschoot. Standing on the right: Rev. De Jonghe, assistant pastor in Waarschoot.

Page 39 - ZOMERGEM

Abracham Erzsi – 12 jaar, Balogh Erzsébet – 9 jaar, Bartakovics Erzsébet – 8 jaar, Bartakovics Piroska – 6 jaar, Bartakovics Vilma – 5 jaar, Becska Károly – 11 jaar, Becske Mária – 11 jaar, Bertakovics Vilma – 5 jaar, Bodi Piroska – 9 jaar, Boszkovszky János – 7 jaar, Boskovszky Margit – 5 jaar, Boskovsky Mária – 4 jaar, Buchert Gizella – 8 jaar, Cojocarin János – 9 jaar, Csontos Aranka – 5 jaar, Czinger Mária – 6 jaar, Farkas József – 6 jaar, Gerencser Anna – 11 jaar, Gergely Anna – 8 jaar, Gergely Ilona – 10 jaar, Kovacs Flora – 10 jaar, Vass Erzsébet – 9 jaar…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Waarschoot – 87 –

Page 40 - Piroska and Vilma Barthakovis

Page 41

Photo: Hungarian foster children in Zomergem

Photo: Hungarian child with the De Blaere family in Zomergem

Page 42 - Erzsébet Vass

She arrived in Ghent-South in 1925 at the age of 9 on the “children’s train.” There, she was picked up with a “sleigh” by Father De Pauw, brother of Clara De Pauw.
Clara De Pauw was married to Henri Van Hecke. They lived on Korte Broeken in Zomergem, where they had a farm. The couple was assigned the young Erzsébet Vass as a Hungarian foster child.

Erzsébet initially attended school in Beke and later in Zomergem. She also worked diligently on the farm. What was originally planned as a six-month stay eventually became permanent.

During her time there, she met a certain Claeys from Zomergem, whom she later married. They had two children: Paula and Paul.

Page 43 - ASSENEDE

Baranyi Jolán – 10 years old, Bartusz Erzsi – 12 years old, Bercsák Anna – 11 years old, Csonka Ilona – 8 years old, Dudás Ilona – 13 years old, Husz Anna – 10 years old, Kovács Júlia – 12 years old, Kugler Irén – 13 years old, Kuti Mária – 9 years old, László Irma – 6 years old, Majer Anna – 12 years old, Makkai Róza – 12 years old, Martos Margrit – 11 years old, Nanai Gizella – 7 years old, Pauker Margit – 10 years old, Piliz Eszter – 13 years old, Puncengruber Anna – 11 years old, Sándor Irén – 8 years old, Sánta Anna – 10 years old, Somogyi Mária – 10 years old, Szabó Irma – 8 years old, Szabó Margit – 10 years old...

Number of Hungarian foster children in Assenede – 26 –

Page 44 - LEMBEKE

Babarci Irén – 5 years old, Behringer Margit – 8 years old, Berghammer Róza – 9 years old, Borgnár Kata – 6 years old, Csicsay Benedek – 14 years old, Csicsay Emma – 6 years old, Cibor Magda – 6 years old, Czente Erzsi – 9 years old, Gyergya Erzsi – 5 years old, Graf Ilona – 9 years old, Hurbán Ilona – 9 years old, Hurbán Imre – 10 years old, Jenik Anna – 9 years old, Jenik Zoltán – 10 years old, Juhász Erzsébet – 9 years old, Kammer Elemér – 9 years old, Kiss Franciska – 5 years old, Komjáti Alice – 6 years old, Levcsik Margit – 6 years old, Lisitcza József – 11 years old, Makkos Ilona – 8 years old, Marko Blanka – 11 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Lembeke – 38 –

Page 45 - OOSTWINKEL

Aaler Vince – 13 years old, Adler Mária – 11 years old, Briecht Erzsi – 4 years old, Cserepes József – 10 years old, Cserepes Olga – 4 years old, Fazekas Margit – 8 years old, Ginser Róza – 10 years old, Hatoj Etel – 5 years old, Jakab Ilona – 9 years old, Jakab István – 4 years old, Kraf Erzsi – 6 years old, Lengyel Margit – 6 years old, Nagy Józsi – 11 years old, Pálinkás Róza – 8 years old, Reday Giezella – 7 years old, Salga Mária – 13 years old, Spitzimitzi Mária – 10 years old, Varga Aranka – 5 years old, Zsedely Gizella – 8 years old, Zsedely Julia – 14 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Oostwinkel – 20 –

Page 46 - WATERVLIET

Collner Etel – 11 years old, Fay Rózsi – 13 years old, Krausel Eugénia – 6 years old, Lypics Kata – 8 years old, Saletros Mária – 7 years old, Stankocics Mária – 12 years old, Turschl Olga – 6 years old, Varga Paula – 8 years old, Zsurma Irén – 8 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Watervliet – 9 –

Page 47

Appel Teréz – 13 years old, Baranyo Róza – 8 years old, Bencsik Teréz – 11 years old, Bencze Ilona – 7 years old, Bencze Mária – 7 years old, Bodor Lásló – 11 years old, Bognár Mária – 8 years old, Böszörményi Mária – 11 years old, Braun Katalin – 14 years old, Budai Mari – 11 years old, Csech Erzsé – 11 years old, Csicsay Ilona – 8 years old, Dolman Erzsi – 9 years old, Dolman Márta – 13 years old, Dombos Irén – 11 years old, Droba Károly – 8 years old, Dyckis Margit – 9 years old, Eckmann Irma – 11 years old, Febrik Mária – 8 years old, Fink Ferenc – 12 years old, Fink Lipót – 9 years old, Frölich Gizi – 11 years old, Füresséry Jolán – 9 years old, Gábler Irén – 11 years old 

Page 48

Gábler Edith – 7 years old, Gergely Erzsébet – 12 years old, Grosz Klára – 9 years old, Hajnal Erzsi – 8 years old, Herdei Irén – 10 years old, Hlobik Mária – 11 years old, Horvàth Margit – 8 years old, Imre Lenke – 6 years old, Junck Lenke – 13 years old, Kapos Ilona – 13 years old, Kántor Jolán – 9 years old, Kerek Emilia – 7 years old, Knerzer Irén – 9 years old, Kohl Irén – 7 years old, Kohl Mária – 10 years old, Kovács Erzsi – 10 years old, Kovács Ilona – 9 years old, Kraft Muci – 7 years old, Krausz Adél – 11 years old, Krikovszky Gisella – 9 years old, Kucsera Ilona – 11 years old, Locskay Ilona – 8 years old, Leckky Anna – 13 years old, Mergel Róza – 13 years old, Musitz Mária – 9 years old 

Page 49

Nagy Mária – 9 years old, Oleicsek Klára – 10 years old, Pampel Viktória – 7 years old, Patai Margit – 10 years old, Poesi Erzsi – 7 years old, Schler Kálmán – 6 years old, Slitt Mária – 10 years old, Schumacker Gizella – 11 years old, Stubnya Gizella – 6 years old, Türner Jenö – 5 years old, Türner Magda – 3 years old, Verseghy Erzsi – 12 years old, Viter Márta – 7 years old, Weinberger Ilona – 13 years old, Windisch Verona – 8 years old, Winter Márta – 8 years old

EEKLO - Balgerhoeke

Konrdy Teréz – 12 years old, Nagy Julia – 12 years old, Pál Erzsi – 10 years old, Pusch Anna – 12 years old, Szeli Ilona – 7 years old, Szlanyinka Mária – 6 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Eeklo – 77 –

Page 50

Photo: The Hungarian children were cared for by nurses, doctors, and priests.

Page 51 - Arrival of the Hungarian children’s train in Ghent

On February 24, 1925, hundreds of Hungarian foster children arrived by special train at “Gent-South Station.” They were destined for the deaneries of Eeklo, Kaprijke, Assenede, and Somergem. The children wore a cardboard sign on their chest showing their nearly illegible name and the clearly readable name of their foster parents.

The train that was supposed to arrive in Eeklo at 10 a.m. only reached the station at Koningin Astridplein in Eeklo at 11 a.m. The Hungarian children for the deaneries of Kaprijke and Assenede were put on a special train to “Selzaete.” The children for Eeklo were taken to the “Gouden Leeuw” on the Market, where they were entrusted to their foster parents. One of them was Erzsi Kovács.

Page 52 - Erzsi Kovács

Jules Crul, a carpenter by profession living in Nieuwendorp in Eeklo, was a widower with eight children. Jules was a good-hearted man with a big heart. Despite his very difficult family situation, he still agreed to the request to take a Hungarian child into his family for nine months.

Photo: Elisabeth Crul (seated) with her peer Erzsi Kovács (10 years old).

Page 53 - The Crul family - newspaper page

Page 54 - The Roegiers Family

The Roegiers family warmly opened their doors to host several Hungarian foster children. Pharmacist Firmin Roegiers and his wife Delphine Recqueux took care of five-year-old Jenö Turner. Later, his sister Magda also joined them. Even Mrs. Turner stayed in Eeklo for a while. Joseph Roegiers welcomed Vera, a small Hungarian girl of seven, into his home. Pastor Waegeman of Kleit, who had been responsible for looking after Margit Fördös, watched with joy as his assistant pastor, Albert Roegiers, took Irén Kovács under his care. 

Photo: In the grass: Octavie Roegiers with Magda and, on the right, Jenö Turner. Seated: Grandmother Rosalie Severijns, Maria Roegiers, and mother Delphine Recqueux. Standing: Mrs. Turner, Josephine Roegiers, father Firmin Roegiers, and Albert Roegiers.

Page 55

Photo 1: From left to right: Magda Turner (3.5 years old), Mrs. Turner (Mária Kindler), Jenö Turner (5.5 years old)

Photo 2: From left to right: Jenö Turner (guest of Firmin Roegiers), Margit Fördös (guest of the pastor in Kleit), Irén Kulacs (guest of Albert Roegiers)

Photo 3: Blankenberge, 22/07/1928: Josephine Roegiers, Jenö (8 years old), Magda (6 years old), Octavie Roegiers.

Page 56

Photo 1: The Roegiers family with the Hungarian foster children Jenö and Magda Turner.
Photo 2: The Roegiers sisters (Josephine, Maria, and Octavie) with Magda and Jenö.

Page 57 - The Story of Irma Eckmann

The Hungarian girl Irma Eckmann stayed for six months in 1925 with the family of shoemaker Urbaan Van De Woestyne and Marie Van der Bruggen, along with their children Herman (b. 1909), Anna (b. 1911), Gaston (b. 1913), and Madeleine (b. 1920) at Kerkstraat No. 42 (now 44)

Photo: May 5, 1925 (stamped on the back) – Group photo with the Van De Woestyne family. Standing, from left to right: Anna, Urbaan, and Herman. Front row, from left to right: Gaston, Marie Van der Bruggen, (standing) Irma Eckmann, and Madeleine.

Page 58

Photo: In the group photo of the Hungarian children in Eeklo, the somewhat forlorn Irma Eckmann can be clearly seen in the second row, slightly left of center.

Irma kept in touch with Hungarian girls who were staying in Eeklo at that time, including Mimi Kraft, who lived with the family of Gustaaf Vande Velde-Willems at Kerkstraat 34.

The Hungarian children who came to Belgium were malnourished. Irma either remained in or returned to Belgium. She visited once during the period when the Van De Woestyne family lived in De Gouden Leeuw (1932–1938). Later, she worked in Brussels. She was married by then and passed away at around 30 years of age.

Madeleine and Marie-Aimée Van De Woestyne kept in touch with Irma, but no letters have been preserved.

Page 59

In a family photo from 1925: an unknown Hungarian girl with the family of Aimé Kochuyt – Celina Turpijn, merchants, Tieltsesteenweg 37 in Eeklo.

Page 60 - Rozália Baranyó

Born in Szolnok on 21/02/1917. Died in Eeklo on 30/10/1998 

Photo: Passport-style photo upon arrival.

Page 61

Photo 1: Foster father Jozef Buyck

Photo 2: Mattress beater by profession.

Photo 3: Painter as a hobby.

Page 62

Photo 1: Foster mother Maria Buyck

Photo 2: Out for a walk with a friend.

Photo 3: Going out with a spiritual advisor.

Page 63 - Rozália Baranyó

Page 64

Photo 1: Jozef Buyck on an outing with Rozália.

Photo 2: Jozef Buyck together with Rozália in the garden.

Page 65

Photo: Cozy times at Paterstraat 13

Cards from home: from father János and from sister Teréz

Page 66

The Omer Blanckaert family – Rozália Barányo (1954)

From left to right:
Martha, Johan, Magdalena, Paul, father Omer, Antoon, Lieve, Jozef on mother Rozá’s lap, Katrien, Marie-Louise, and Marie Jozef (Mimi)

Page 67 - The story of Rozá Baranyó, a strong and courageous woman

It was April 1925. At Eeklo station, a group of Hungarian children stepped onto the platform after a three-day journey in an overcrowded train. They had no idea where they had arrived. One of these children was eight-year-old Rozá(lia) Baranyó, who had bid farewell just days earlier to her parents, brothers, and sisters in Szolnok, a town about 100 km from Budapest. Together with her sister Teréz, two years older, she had been put on the train to Belgium at Budapest’s Eastern Station. She likely lost sight of her sister early in the journey, leaving her to endure the hardships of cold and hunger alone. In her coat pocket was her identity card, and around her neck hung a tag with her name so that her assigned foster parents could find her quickly. Where would she end up?

The people responsible for the warm and caring reception of eight-year-old Rozá were Jozef Buyck and Marie Buyck, brother and sister from Paterstraat. They were very devout people, and since the local pastor oversaw the assignment of the Hungarian children, he quickly directed Rozá to Jozef and Marie. Jozef worked as a mattress beater in the dormitories of the Our Lady of the Thorn boarding school.

Rozá attended the kindergarten of the Poor Clares to learn Dutch, and for primary school she went to Our Lady of the Thorn. After a few years, Rozá began working as a maid for jeweler Leon Minne on the Market, where she was also well liked. 

Page 68

Rozá sought out and found other Hungarian children in Eeklo, with whom she maintained frequent contact. Her best friend was Edith Gábler, who was hosted by the Ryffranck family, owners of the paper shop on the Market. Edith returned to Hungary after her stay in Eeklo but came back every two years “on holiday” with the special holiday trains that were still organized. Another close friend was Mimi Kraft, who lived with the Van de Velde family at the hardware store on Kerkstraat; she also returned to Hungary. Through Edith Gábler, Rozá kept in touch with her family in Szolnok, with Edith helping to translate the correspondence.

Undoubtedly, the local pastor played an important role not only in assigning Rozá’s foster family but also in finding her a husband. He knew Omer Blanckaert, a widower with four children and head of the Third Order (Franciscans). After the death of their mother, the four children had been placed in the orphanage on Koning Albertstraat because their father, Omer, was away all day working as a traveling salesman. The pastor sought and found “a good mother for four children” in Rozá Baranyó. Omer and Rozá married in October 1944, just after the liberation of Eeklo. Rozá was 27 years old and instantly became the mother of four daughters: Martha, Magdalena, Marie-Louise, and Godelieve. The family lived on Paterstraat and quickly grew with seven more children: Antoon, Mimi, Johan, Katrien, Paul, Jozef, and Erzsébet.

Rozá never forgot her family in Hungary. Between 1960 and 1980, she sent a monthly jute sack filled with clothes, chocolate, coffee, nylon stockings, and more to Szolnok. The sack was loaded onto her father’s moped and taken on foot to Eeklo station to be sent on to Hungary.

Page 69

But Rozá and her family also endured great hardships: first, she lost two of her children, little Erzsébet and later Johan. On June 28, 1967, tragedy struck again: Omer Blanckaert, who worked as a traveling salesman of Christeyns soap products and was always on the road with his moped carrying sacks full of samples, died in an accident in Merendree.

After her husband Omer’s funeral, Rozá expressed her only wish: “After 43 years, I want to see my family in Hungary again!” No one could deny her that. In June 1968, a year after Omer’s death, she once again boarded a train—this time in the opposite direction from 1925—to Budapest and Szolnok. She made the journey accompanied by her daughter Mimi.

In Budapest, Rozá and Mimi were met by Edith Gábler, her Hungarian friend from Eeklo, who accompanied them on the train to Szolnok. The reunion there was deeply emotional and joyful.

(From the interview by Marc Van Hulle with Paul and Mimi Blanckaert)

Photo: The Baranyó family at their first reunion in Szolnok.

Page 70

Photo: The Baranyó Family – Kálmán in Szolnok (1930).
Front: Annuska
First row: Kató, Erzsébet Kálmán, János Baranyó, Jóska
Second row: Juliska, Teréz
Top row: Margit, János, Erzsébet

Page 71

The family from Eeklo visiting Szolnok.

Page 72

The Hungarian family visiting Eeklo.

Page 73 - Mária Nagy

Page 74 - Edit Gabler

She was taken in here in April 1925 by the Ryffranck family, who ran a paper shop on the Market. Edith returned to her homeland after a temporary stay in the “Herbakkers” city, but Eeklo never let her go. Every two years, she came back on holiday with the special vacation train.

Page 75 - Mária Slitt

She was born on September 23, 1916, in Budapest. At the age of 10, she arrived in Eeklo and was taken in by linen manufacturer De Beir-Van Wassenhove. Later, she found accommodation with “Vierken” (Elvira) De Beir on Paterstraat. She remained unmarried and earned a living working in childcare as a governess. 

Photo: Mária and Elvira

Page 76 - Muci (Mimi) Kraft

Born in Budapest on January 6, 1918. She arrived in Eeklo on the children’s train in April 1925. She stayed with the couple De Cocker-Van de Velde, who ran a hardware store on Kerkstraat. She returned to Hungary on November 24, 1933, and became a nurse. Later in life, she visited the De Cocker family again.

Photo: Marie-Rose and Eugeen De Cocker in the company of Mimi Kraft.

Page 77 - coat of arms of Nevele

Page 78 - NEVELE

Bakos Aranka – 8 years old, Beja Gabriella – 11 years old, Bodác Laura – 9 years old, Cservinszky Margit – 12 years old, Debreci Ida – 7 years old, Florec Anna – 9 years old, Fugosy Mária – 11 years old, Füredy Gizella – 7 years old, Geese Margit – 10 years old, Hevesy Mária – 12 years old, Ipsis Margit – 10 years old, Juhász Erzsi – 8 years old, Kajári Erzsi – 6 years old, Karaácsonyi Etel – 11 years old, Kaszás Aranka – 13 years old, Katzenberger Stefánia – 8 years old, Koházy Irén – 7 years old, Kreskó Erzsó – 11 years old, Mauer Anna – 12 years old, Merényi Margit – 12 years old, Morvay Róza – 8 years old, Piskolti Júlia – 12 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Nevele – 31 –

Page 79 - POESELE

Bruszt Mária – 11 years old, Herqui Ilona – 5 years old, Marcovics Kata – 4 years old, Marcovics Teréz – 6 years old, Mathesz Antal – 8 years old, Mercel Ilonca – 7 years old, Mészáros Róza – 6 years old, Pálinkás Margit – 7 years old, Szakács József – 6 years old, Urbán Emma – 8 years old, Urbán Margit – 7 years old, Zemlye Teréz – 12 years old…

Number of Hungarian foster children in Poesele – 12 –

Page 80 - Nevele

Photo 1: Arrival of the “Hungarian children” in Nevele on June 3, 1925.

Photo 2: The Hungarian children of Nevele together in a photo with the nuns and teachers of the girls’ school “St. Vincentius à Paulo.”

Page 81 - Stefánia Katzenberger

Stefánia with foster mother Léonie Dossche, wife of the religious painter Felix Beryngier.

Page 82

Photo 1 and 2: Retired head teacher Kamiel Lootens and his wife Marie Bekaert on an outing with their Hungarian foster child.

Page 83

Photo 1: 1925. Photo 2: 1928.

The Hungarian girl named Irma (real name unknown) with the Martens foster family at the historic farm “Ter Oosche” in Wulfhoek, Nevele.

Page 84 - POESELE

Photo: Pastor Leonard De Roo surrounded by the 12 Hungarian children, all of whom attended the convent school next to the rectory on Poekestraat.

The 1925 Poesele name list. The list shows 10 names, while the official record lists 12. In the photo above, 12 children can also be seen.

Page 85 - Ilonka Herqui

Photo 1: Ilonka Herqui together with her brother, who was also placed in a family in Nevele or the surrounding area.

Photo 2: Ilonka with Esther and Omer De Boever, children of the farming family Raymond De Boever - Peltijn

Photo 3: Ilonka together with her mother and brother in 1932.

Page 86

Photo 1: Anna De Boever (center) with two Hungarian girls beside her, including Mészáros Róza.

Photo 2: Markovics Teréz (front) with the children of the Rutsaert-Dhaenens family: Firmin, Marcella, Agnes, and Germaine.

Photo 3: Markovics Kata with her foster father René Vermeirsch and son Julien beside her. On the other side, foster mother Celina Van Renterghem and daughter Elza Vermeirsch.

Photo 4: Márgit Pálinkás between the two daughters of municipal secretary Karel De Paepe. LEFT: Germaine. RIGHT: Irèn.