Mary Schmid Kunz was born in Berg am Irchel, Zurich, Switzerland. She was only ten years old when she and her 16 year old sister, Annie, came to America. Three years later in 1886 when her parents were finally able to immigrate, Mary had forgotten how to speak German! In 1894 when Mary was 21 years old, she married John Kunz IV (known as Johnny) in the Salt Lake Temple. She gave birth to 12 children and sadly died during the 1920 influenza plague. She died the day after giving birth to Melvin who also died. She lost two other children during her lifetime: Fiametta to ruptured appendix and little Bernice to an unknown illness. After her death, son Delphin also died of ruptured appendix. I love Grandma Mary and I love to think about her. I look forward to meeting her in heaven. | Mary Schmid from her Wedding Photo |
The birth home of Mary, Annie and Robert Schmid
The picture on the left was from a 1914 postcard of Berg am Irchel, Zurich, Switzerland.
The picture on the right is of the same house in 2013.
The postcard was sent by Robert Schmid to his sister Annie Schmid Kunz.
Robert was serving a mission at that time.
The back of the postcard reads:
Berg Am Irchel, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. Sept. 17, 1914.
Dear Sister Annie and loved ones all,
I am well and hope you are the same. Well you can see that I'm in my native Birthplace as well as yours. The house with the "x" is the house you and I and Mary were born in. That is the old apricot tree in front. The place marked "o" is where father's Uncle lived, now a little store. Both our Aunts were tickled to death to see me. They mean all in the world to me. Haven't got much time to stay. Love from them to you. Brother Robert. I'm coming home.
The card is Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Kunz, Williamsburg, Bannock County, Idaho
The translation of the caption on the postcard is "Greetings from Berg a. I."
Paul-Anthon Nielson and I went to Berg am Irchel with copies of this postcard. The first person we happened to speak with on the street was Anthon "Tony" Schmid. He identified the school in the upper left and the inn and church in the middle lower, both a stones throw from his home.
Next we went to the inn by the church. A group of men immediately identified the birth home of our ancestors. It had been the town store for many years. They recognized the black rectangle above the door as the sign identifying it as a store. They spoke of the two old spinster ladies who had lived there. They informed us of the location of the home and all about the remodel done. The inn keeper was happy to have a copy of the card showing his inn.
It was thrilling to go to the home where my great grandmother was born. I am so grateful to Paul for making this possible and to Dianne Rasi-Koskinen for providing the postcard and to Bruce Black for sharing it on facebook.
