Oświęcim Magazine - Oświęcim / Auschwitz Past & Present
Oświęcim... Most people know of this place in Poland, but just are not aware of it. To many people, they are unaware that the city of Oświęcim is also known as Auschwitz (The German name for Oświęcim). Although most people think of the camp of Auschwitz, it really is the German name of the City of Oświęcim.I know this very well, because my father was born in Oświęcim in 1942. Thankfully, it was not within the camp of Auschwitz, otherwise I may not be here. When he was 6 months old, my grandparents managed to get out of Poland and made their way to the American held section of southern Germany by way of the Tatry Mountains.
I have had the opportunity to visit the ancestral home of my father a couple of times and was impressed by the city of Oświęcim. I was able to touch the page of the church book that held his baptismal record. It is interesting to note that I also saw the marriage information for my parents. Apparently my grandmother had the foresight to make sure that that information was recorded there and had sent them the information for the marriage.
I also have visited the camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau. There is a strange feeling that comes over you when you walk into Auschwitz camp. You can actually sense what had happened all those years ago. It is very hard to describe, but
for those of you who have made the same journey, you know exactly what I am talking about. Birkenau is actually outside the village of Harmęże which is where my grandmother was born and raised.
A few years ago I was searching the Internet for more information on Oświęcim and I came across an online magazine that is dedicated to telling the story of Oświęcim both in the past and present. The magaizine is called Oś-Oświęcim, People, History, Culture. Many of the stories included are about the camps of Auschwitz I & Auschwitz II (Birkenau).
This magazine was started in 2009 and is available in English in PDF format and can be downloaded to include all past issues.
I would encourage you to also explore the rest of the website for more information.
You can see some photos of Oświęcim here at my personal website, and also photos of my first visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau.
A few years ago I was searching the Internet for more information on Oświęcim and I came across an online magazine that is dedicated to telling the story of Oświęcim both in the past and present. The magaizine is called Oś-Oświęcim, People, History, Culture. Many of the stories included are about the camps of Auschwitz I & Auschwitz II (Birkenau).
This magazine was started in 2009 and is available in English in PDF format and can be downloaded to include all past issues.
I would encourage you to also explore the rest of the website for more information.
You can see some photos of Oświęcim here at my personal website, and also photos of my first visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau.