The Book of Poems and the Postcards

As has been stated in the previous blog post, much of the inspiration to create this blog was due to a desire to allow the descendants (and the world in general) to know a little more about Theodore and Bertha Gera. For years these writings have been kept safe by those they were passed down to, even when each successive generation that received them had no understanding of what was written. In my grief after the passing of Helen (Gera) Conti I had decided I wanted to write a history of her and her family for future generations. This history would include maps, photographs, transcribed interviews, pedigree charts and primary source materials. However, the most ambitious of intentions is frequently thwarted by the one factor that affects us all: life. Events that took precedence frequently came up pushing the time table for a finished product to a further and further future date. This project that had grown ever more detailed and ambitious as the years of delay passed only increased my desire that it should be disseminated to all living (and future) descendants of Theodore and Bertha Gera. The revulsion and disgust of every historian should be the collector that does not share his findings, or that holds onto his collection of historical documents allowing them to slowly perish with age. This, I decided, would not be something that I would allow to happen. A finished “Book of Remembrance” would come at some time in the future and dutifully given to as many as possible; but something quick that could be shared with a wide audience could only be accomplished through the internet. Here then, is the first post sharing with the world a translation from the writings of Theodore and Bertha Gera and their associates.

Here is the original book of poetry that was presumed to be written exclusively by Theodore Gera but has been revealed to be the project of multiple authors in multiple Slavic languages. This has led to the asking of many questions such as: Who were these authors? How did they meet? What led Theodore and Bertha to interact with them? How long did they associate with one another and when did they stop? What was the purpose of this association? What was the purpose of the writings? Many of these questions may never be answered.

A sample of some of the writings. The writings contained in this book are poems and in some cases song lyrics without the music. Some of the writings are humorous, some of the writings are romantic, many are allegorical with strong emphasis on a topic that was near and dear to many Polish people in the early twentieth century: the injustice of the partitions that had taken place during the eighteenth century and the desire for a recreation of an independent Polish state.

Another source that has been translated are the correspondence between Theodore Gera and Bertha Rudnicka. The postcards cover a lengthy time frame from when they were dating until well after they were married. Most of the postcards are from Theodore frequently emphasizing his strong affection he had for Bertha. The pictures on the postcards had religious and famous landmark scenes of New York and New England, but primarily were of two lovers kissing like the one pictured above.

All translations were done by Peter Hays, Translator and Paleographer. This is the cover page of the book of poetry and identifies people that were probably associates of Theodore and Bertha Gera. 

Czanowsky (Proper name) Pan (“Mr.”)

Panisko (“Old Boy”) Antek Pasimorszczuk (Possibly –iok, -iek)

Both “Pan” and “Panisko” are written in a different handwriting from the names. Appears to be the same handwriting as the poetry book.