From: Balmas, Bessarabia
4 January 1921
Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!
Even though I am not a reader of the Staats-Anzeiger, I am still going to try to write something to my friends despite my weak penmanship.
I have lots of friends in the New World. There are the uncles Ignatz Gerrmann, Peter Schloss, Anton Wingerter, Franz Joseph Rieblinger, Felix Manrot, Joseph Ziegler and Anton Keller. None of these people has ever written a letter or let themselves be heard from through the columns of the Staats-Anzeiger.
It seems that nowadays a poor widow stands totally alone. My husband Johannes Black died in 1916 and left me with 7 children. The oldest son then died in the war. Two of my daughters are married. I am trying to keep our small farm going with the help of the other 4 children.
When I wrote these lines my children asked me to report something to our friends also. The oldest son is heartily greeting his godfather Felix Manrot and would like to have him send the Staats-Anzeiger as a present. His twin brother Franz is also sending greetings to his godfather, Franz, as well as Martin, is asking to hear something soon from friends and their godfather. Also my sister-in-law Barbara Wingerter, my husband’s sister is asking to give a sign of life.
Now I, Anna Maria Bender will reach for a pen. In Edition #41, Mr. John A. Kiffel is asking a question of Mr. Romuald Dirk, is Johannes Bender, son of Joseph, still alive. My husband died a long time ago and my mother-in-law Margaretha Bender is also no longer alive. I was left with 9 children to raise. One of my daughters is married and living in the Cherson region. A son is also living in the Cherson region, but he is still single. The rest of the children are living with me.
When Mr. Dirk informed us that Joseph was willing to order the paper for my husband, the oldest, Franz, son of Johannes asked to please ask Uncle Joseph to have the paper sent to him instead, since his father was dead.
I am greeting my brothers Johannes and Martin Roesch and I am asking them to write. Perhaps they can give me some information about my oldest sister and her husband Franz Poh, who live in Argentina.
We remain respectfully the two widows,
Christina Black and
Anna Maria Bender
From: Balmas, Bessarabia
6 January 1921
Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!
When you hear how our people here enjoy their friends in the New World by writing in the Staats-Anzeiger, then you have no peace whether you are a reader of the paper or not. But one can reach for a pen and amuse one’s friends through a small report. Maybe this way one will become a reader of the paper.
I would like to have a sign of life from my friends over there in the New World, especially from my brother-in-law Michael Stefan, Ludwig Stefan, Philipp Reiter and also from my cousins Felix, Joseph and Jakob Eberle.
We are still happy about our good health and we hope the same for all of you. Only the Staats-Anzeiger is missing as a longed-for treasure in our house. Perhaps you could bring us the pleasure and send us the Staats-Anzeiger as a gift. Then I would feel entitled to send in correspondences more often.
Respectfully,
Johannes and Maria Josefa Moser
From: Balmas, Bessarabia
7 January 1921
Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!
Even though I am not a reader of the Staats-Anzeiger, I am hoping that the worthy editorship will publish these few lines in their columns.
I would really like to know where my brother Valentin Heintz is residing over in the New World. I would also like to have the address of Paul and Mrs. Sofia Zahn.
I would be very happy if my brother Valentin would send me a letter and also order the Staats-Anzeiger for me. I also ask Paul Zahn for a sign of life.
My neighbor Johannes Moser is sending greetings to his former neighbor Joseph Gauer and family. When Mr. Moser visited his parents in Kandel in 1918; they were still healthy.
Hoping to soon receive an answer, we remain respectfully,
Georg and Barbara Heintz