History paper by Kovács, Ilona
The Perspectives and Features of Second Generation American Hungarian Veterans’ Readjustment to their Home Society Returning from WWII; New Brunswick, NJ 1946-1960
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
The paper attempts to contribute with original information to the history of second generation American Hungarians in the post war period: how was their readjustment returning from WWII. How did they recover, how did they start or restart their life? How did the identity of this generation develop? Could they utilize America’s effort made for this generation, the G.I. Bill or any other veteran benefits: health care, studies, housing, etc.? Was there any influence of the US post war prosperity recognizable in their life? Did all those changes have any local or American Hungarian character?
For comparison the New Brunswick situation with the general post war American scene, the research findings of American Studies were utilized. The analysis of the New Brunswick case is based on a survey and post war Hungarian American contemporary sources. At the time of the research in 2013 hardly any members of the WWII veteran generation were accessible already. However their siblings and contemporary witnesses gave interesting interviews with important information. Although this survey brought valuable information, further research is necessary to make the picture complete. Despite the lack of detailed information regarding the second generation American Hungarians in the 40s and 50s especially from the view of the WWII veteran generation, we believe the details presented here can help to make the picture complete and be important for future research as well.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Ilona Kovács is librarian and retired department head of the National Széchényi Library, Budapest.
She gained her diplomas at the Budapest University (ELTE, 1961) and at Kent State University, Ohio (MLS, 1975), and her doctoral degree at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA 1993). Her research area is Hungarians abroad focusing on American Hungarians. As head of the Hungarica Documentation she was director of grants for collecting information and documentation and build up Hungarica databases and also conducting surveys to publish a series of publications on Hungarica material of libraries in Europe, Australia and Canada. She attended several international conferences in Europe, USA, Canada and Hungary and published over 100 articles, studies and books. She was a Fulbright scholar at the American Hungarian Foundation in the AYs 1995 and 2001/03.