Author Helga von Schweinitz
The following books are included. Some are published in Kindle. Some were finished posthumous from her notes.
- Also published on Amazon Kindle
- Helga’s Corner 135pgs 180221 (Kindle) 211226 (Update)
- German and Germans 91pgs 180221 (Kindle) 211226 (Update)
- More of Helga’s Corner 65pgs 180221 (Kindle) 21126 (Update)
- Helga’s Poems, Stories, and Articles in English 190113am (Kindle) 211226 (Update)
- Gustav and Johanne Goesling 88pgs 180611(Kindle) 211226 (update)
- Mutti’s and Papa’s Recipes 26pgs 190113 (Kindle)
- German Free School in Austin Texas and GTHS from 1991-1995 69pgs 181207(Kindle)
- Pioneer German Texans: Bettina, Dr von Herff, Ehrenberg, Wangemann, Petris and Lungkwitz 62pgs 181206 (Kindle) 220115 (Update)
- Only Available here:
- Compendium of All Three Helga’s Corner Books 226pgs 211226
- Helga’s Austin TX slide Show 1998 26pgs 23021912
- Film: “Hin nach Texas” Or “Off to Texas” about Petri And Lungkwitz 27pgs 23022015
- Helga’s Pioneer German Texas Homes Presentation and Slide Show 110pgs 24062106
- Helga’s German Short Stories and Articles with English translation 128pgs 230626
- Helga’s Novellas
- Vagabund Und Schnee German Transcript and English Translation 198pgs 240109
- Maxi, the English and German version 99pgs 250403
- Helga’s English Articles Published Attempts 64pgs 250304
Writing and teaching were a major part of Helga’s character. At an early age, her teachers in Germany realized that she would make a good teacher. If another student was struggling, the teacher would ask Helga to assist her fellow student. After passing her Arbitur in 1957, Helga pursued a teaching certificate the Biedefeld University. But she took a detour, through Madison Wisconsin, and through marriage with two children, and eventually graduated Phi Beta Kappa from South Carolina University in 1972, fifteen years later.
Helga’s first job as a Teacher was in Montgomery Alabama. She was hired as a foreign language teacher. The school administrator believed that since Helga was fluent in a foreign language (German) she must also know other foreign languages – such as Spanish. Helga did know German, English, and French, but had never studied Spanish. Helga liked a challenge, so she took the job, and studied Spanish at the same time that she was teaching her students. When the family moved to Austin, Helga was hired again as a foreign language teacher, this time she taught German.
Helga also enjoyed writing. Already as a teenager, she had journalistic articles published in her hometown, Herford Germany, local newspaper. As she moved around the world with her family, she continued to publish articles in local papers. After the family retired in Austin Texas, she began to publish historical articles in specialized magazine and newspapers. She also was a member of the German Texan Historical Society and wrote a regular column under “Helga’s Corner”. Many of the ideas for these lengthy articles started with a kernel of an idea mentioned in one of her articles under “Helga’s Corner”. “Helga’s Corner” began as a filler in the German Texan Historical Society newsletter the “Schulhaus Reporter”. Later when it was included in the GTHS Journal, “Helga’s Corner” it then evolved into a full opinion piece with an educational twist.
By writing “Helga’s Corner”, Helga could make use of her skill as a teacher and a writer. She enjoyed coming up with new subjects and anticipating the responses she might receive from the reader.
Helga’s Corner
Not-so-serious Reflections
Book 1 Helga’s Corner
This was the first book published by Helga and consisted of a collections of articles written from 1994 to 2003 under “Helga’s Corner”. These articles are mostly musings about German Language and Culture. On every other page are common sayings in German with their closest English sayings with a similar meaning. The book was published in 2003, 2009, and 2018 under various platforms.
Kindle version
Updated Helga’s Corner
Book 2 German and Germans
Helga published a second book title “German and Germans”. These articles are from 2003 to 2007, and are not-so-serious reflections with Vocabulary exercises. The articles appear with a matching vocabulary exercises on the opposing page. The book was published in 2009 and 2018 under various platforms.
Kindle version
German and Germans Update
Book 3 More of Helga’s Corner
The third book, “More of Helga’s Corner” contains articles from 2007 to 2015. By now the articles are more extensive and some have become serious. The book was published in 2016 and 2018 under various platforms
Kindle version
More of Helga’s Corner update
Complete Collections of Helga’s Corner
In June 2019, Helga passed away. Not all of her “Helga’s Corner” articles were included in the three books that Helga published. This collection book contains all the original articles published in the three prior books along with any missing articles. This book also includes a section with comments from her readers. Helga wrote the articles not just to amuse the reader, but also encourage them to think. She was successful, as can be surmised by her reader’s comments.
Viel Spaß beim Lesen und Lernen!
Other Publications by Helga
Helga’s Poems, Stories, and Articles (English)
This book is a collection of published and unpublished writings by Helga. The book was originally published in 2019. It contains multiple poems, stories, articles, and other musings written by Helga von Schweinitz before 2019. All writings are original pieces by Helga.
These writings contain variations in spelling, spelling error, and variations in grammar. They are maintained intact as indicators of how Helga’s English writing improved over time. As told in one of the writing, English is not Helga’s mother language. And because Helga’s family was stationed in England for many years, some of the so called “errors” are because of the difference between English and American.
If a manuscript is written in a mix of German and English, that is the way it is entered into this book. No attempt is made to translate.
Helga was renowned for her “Helga’s Corner” articles in the German-Texan Heritage Society’s publications. In “Helga’s Corner” she combines English and German to educate the reader in a fun and amusing style. After reading some of these manuscripts, the reader can begin to tell that Helga is developing a skill that she will later use in “Helga’s Corner”.
Kindle version
Helga’s Poems, Stories, and Articles English Collection update
Gustav and Johanne Göβling
In 2012 Helga researched and wrote about Gustav and Johanne Göβling. Johanne was Helga’s Oma (Grandmother) on her mother’s side. Oma Johanne had a great influence on Helga, because she stayed with Helga’s family all through WWII. Helga combined research already done by other family members, and on 22 August 2012, present her findings at a family reunion in Allis WI. This book was published in 2018 with additional photos and other information that was not presented in 2012.
Kindle version
Gustav and Johanne Goesling updated
Mutti’s and Papa’s Recipes
In 2018, her children put together a book of their favorite recipes from both the Mutti and Papa. Not all recipes are German, but many have a German twist. This book is available on Kindle.
German Free School in Austin Texas and GTHS from years 1991 to 1995
In February 1991 Hans and Helga meet Kelly Stevens who owned and lived in a building on 507 East 10th Street. Kelly Stevens wanted to donate upon his death the building to GTHS because the building used to the “German Free School”. Both Hans and Helga visited Kelly many times in the last months of his life. Kelly died on 27 November 1991 and GTHS received ownership of the building. During the next few years many GTHS members were involved with repairing and updating the building so that it could return to being a school and meeting building. Helga wrote several articles in the GTHS journal. This book was written in 2018 and contains these articles with up to date information and photos. This book is available in Kindle in Black/White and also with color photos.
Pioneer German Texans: Bettina, Dr von Herff, Ehrenberg, Wangemann, Petri and Lungkwitz
Helga research and wrote several articles about some well known Germans that pioneered the settlements in Texas. “Bettina” was the name of a commune on Banks of Llano River near Elm Creek. Dr Ferdinand von Herff was a well-trained physician who in 1847 led 33 German immigrants to establish a commune in Texas called “Bettina”. Hermann Ehrenberg published in 1843 a book Texas Und Seine Revolution (Texas and its Revolution). The book express the spirit in which the young man from Germany who had joined the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico in 1835 and 1836. Helga writes about Herr Ehrenberg’s books influence on Germans who later immigrated to Texas looking for the adventures depicted in his book. Helga translated from German to English a letter by Wangemann. The letter was written on 4 June 1964. Wangemann was a soldier in the Texas Army and is writing to his sister. Petri and Lungkwitz are two artists who left Dresden Germany and emigrated to Texas, near Fredericksburg. Helga’s article follows their lives from 1813 to 1881.
Pioneer Germans Texans Kindle version
Pioneer Germans Texans updated
Helga’s Austin Texas Slide Show 1998
Contains the slides and captions that Helga present for the first time in September 1998 during their visit to Japan with the Friendship Force Society.
Film: “Hin nach Texas” Or “Off to Texas” about Petri And Lungkwitz
1996 August: Helga and Hans met Karl Knietzsch, who would later become the director and producer of the film. 1998 Fall: Karl Knietzsch with Heidrun and David Suenderhauf returned to Austin, and with Helga and Hans, they researched Petri and Lungkwitz. 2002 April: Heidrun, David and assistant John Smith came to Austin to produce the film. 2004: Film was release. 2007: The film won a Remi award at the 40th WorldFest at the Houston International Film Festival.
Helga’s Pioneer German Texas Homes Presentation and Slide Show
In 1999, Helga became interested in the history of German pioneers in central Texas. Helga researched and developed a slideshow presentation based on the homes of these German pioneers. Then Helga gave this presentation several times in Germany, Texas, and even in Japan.
Helga’s German Short Stories and articles with English translation
Helga wrote several short stories and articles in German. The transcript is provided with an English translation.
Helga’s Novella “Vagabund and Schnee” in German with English Translation
In her collection is this novella called “Vagabund und Schnee”. Helga wrote in German. Helga started the story while she lived at 602 Redwood Street Roswell New Mexico. Helga updated the story while she lived at 50 Pinhill Road Banbury England. Once I started reading this story, I realized the Anna was Helga, Paul is her husband Hans, Nina is her daughter (me) Bettina, and Nickalous is her son Christopher. I have no idea which friend Cher ami is supposed to represent. As a family we did go often to Ischgl Austria for our skiing vacations. Between the German transcript and the English translation, I have included some maps and some our vacation photos. As far as I can remember, nothing like this story ever happened to Helga or Hans. So the story comes from Helga’s imagination. But the culture, skiing, and snow hiking are real. I have included the Seite/page numbers that relate to her original manuscript. This makes easy reference back and forth, if you want to compare the German to the English translation.
Helga’s Novella Maxi, English version and German version
In her collection is this novella about a Lady called Maxi. Helga wrote a German version and later an English version. The versions are actually two different stories. This is the English version. The story starts in Thüringen, a small town in Eastern Germany, and Maxi is a neighbor of the narrator, the boy next door called Michael. It is a love story. Helga probably wrote this English version after 1970, when she had more confidence in her English writing abilities.
Helga probably started to write the German version of the story after moving away from Roswell New Mexico and was living in England with her own family. When Maxi is in New Mexico the Dockeridge Air Force Base near Terra Rosa is actually Walker AFB near Roswell. Possibility is that the English version of Maxi is the backstory of when Maxi and Michael were children up until when Maxi married a US Soldier. This German version only quickly covers this time frame and then goes into detail after Maxi’s marriage. Like the English version, this story does not finish. Instead, Helga included some notes about how to continue the story. But she does not included notes on how to finish the story. At the end, I have included some newspaper article that would explain the end of this story. What is true and what is a story? – even the FBI is not sure.
Helga’s English Article Publication attempts
Between 1972 and 1982 Helga submitted several articles, plays, and poems to various publications, but there is no indication they every published.
Hans and Helga's Corner 