Lost History

I was speaking yesterday to my relatives in Romania about some of my family history. I come from quite a mix of ethnic groups, and some of my cousins are even more mixed than I (one being half Serbian). Being fascinated with history and such, I always ask about some of my ancestors. Unfortunately many things had to be hidden or burned so the communists wouldn't find these papers and artifacts.

One such artifact was a saber given to my Great-Grandfather Joseph Andor (Andor József) by His Royal Highness King Michael I. Joseph was a hussar and a personal royal guard to His Royal Highness. I wonder if His Royal Highness remembers him.

It was a very ornate saber, and the uniform was magnificent; hussar uniforms are perhaps the most beautiful I have ever seen. The uniform as pictured in this article originates prior to the Napoleonic period, but hussars have been around for ages. These valuable and priceless artifacts were placed inside a chest along with other memorabilia such as a photograph with His Royal Highness and Great-Grandfather together.

Unfortunately, with the coming of the communists, most if not all of these items had to be destroyed. I believe they were burned or buried. My family did this to protect themselves from communist reprisals and to avoid the slave labor camps.

I'll write a letter to His Royal Highness in hopes that he will remember my Great-Grandfather.