First Letter from Michael Zwar, in Australia, to his family in Saxony

This is the first letter that Michael Zwar wrote from Australia to his family back in Saxony. It was written about 22 months after he had left Saxony, and about a month before major gold discoveries in Victoria. It was published in the Wendish Newspaper ‘Tydsenske Nowiny’.

It was the first letter by a Zwar describing life in Australia. His brother Johann, wife and daughter Maria had left for Australia before this letter arrived home in Saxony.

The original letter was translated by Rev Siegfried Albert from Wendish to German and then translated from German into English by Rev Rupert (John) Burger.

Letter #1 from Johann Zwar to the Editor of the Wendish Newspaper

This letter describes the first part of the journey of the Wendish group from Bautzen to the port of Cuxhaven (near Hamburg) in 1851.

Original Letter translated by Rev Siegfried Albert from Wendish to German.
Translated from German into English by Rev Rupert (John) Burger

Letter #2 from Johann Zwar to the Editor of the Wendish Newspaper

This letter describes the sea journey of approximately four months, from Cuxhaven (near Hamburg), to South Australia.

Original Letter translated by Rev Siegfried Albert from Wendish to German.
Translated from German into English by Rev Rupert (John) Burger

From Anna Kaiser in Hamburg, to her brother George

A Farewell Letter to her brother, George, as Anna prepares to board the ship to Australia.

From Anna Kaiser, Melbourne

Her first letter home to her family in Saxony, since arriving in Australia.

From Johann Zwar in Ebenezer, Australia, to Peter Kaiser in Saxony

Johann writes to his new father-in-law, Peter Kaiser, in Drehsa, Saxony to let him know that he has married his daughter Anna to be his second wife. The Kaisers had been guests at Johann Zwar’s first marriage.

Two letters from Johann and Anna Zwar

Copy of two short letters from the married couple, Johann and Anna Zwar, Ebenezer in South Australia, to Anna’s father, Peter Kaiser in Drehsa in Saxony.

Translation from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Peter Zwar in Australia to his teacher in Saxony

Peter hasn’t heard from his teacher since he left for Australia over 11 years ago. He reports on his life in Australia. He has just bought his own farm at St Kitts in South Australia. He has bought a Ridley Stripper, a South Australian invention (1843), and Peter includes a little drawing of this harvesting machine in the letter.

This letter was possibly never sent. It was found in a book belonging to Peter Zwar in the Lutheran Church Archives in Adelaide.

Translated from the original Old German Script by Rev C J Pfitzner

From Johann Zwar, Australia, to his brother-in-law George Kaiser in Drehsa

This letter follows news that the father of George and Johann’s wife Anna had died.

Translated from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

Letter from Anna Zwar, nee Kaiser, in South Australia, to her brother George in Drehsa, Saxony

Translation from the German original by Rev Clem Schmidt.

50th Anniversary 1888 – Lutheran Church in Australia

In 1888 The Lutherans in Australia celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Lutheran Church in Australia with special Church services and other functions. The following is a Paper presented by Johann Zwar at the afternoon celebrations at Light Pass in South Australia.

I want to pay a special tribute to Chris Greenthaner who translated the original document into English.

© Chris Greenthanner 2013

In 2013 the Lutheran Church held celebrations in Adelaide to mark the 175th Anniversary of the Lutheran Church in Australia.

From Anna Zwar, nee Kaiser, to her brother George in Saxony.

Translation from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Anna Zwar in Australia to Georg and Anna Kaiser in Neukirch, Saxony.

Copy of letter from Anna Zwar in Australia to Georg and Anna Kaiser in Neukirch in Saxony.

Translated from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Anna and Johann Zwar, South Australia, to Georg Kaiser and family in Saxony.

Translation from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Anna Zwar, Australia, to her brother Georg Kaiser in Neukirch in Saxony.

Translation from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

Letter from Anna Zwar, nee Kaiser, to her brother George Kaiser in Neukirch, Lusatia.

Translated from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Anna Zwar in Australia to her brother Georg in Saxony.

From Anna Zwar, Australia to her niece Anna Mihan, nee Kaiser in Neukirch, Saxony.

Translated from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Anna Zwar, nee Kaiser, in Australia to her brother George in Saxony.

Copy of letter from Anna Zwar, nee Kaiser (originally from Drehsa) in Australia to her brother George Kaiser in Drehsa in Saxony.

Translated from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.

From Anna Zwar in Australia, to her sister-in-law Anna Kaiser, in Saxony

Copy of letter from Anna Zwar, nee Kaiser, in Australia, to her sister-in-law Anna Kaiser, nee Reck, in Oberneukirch/Lausitz, Saxony, regarding the death of her brother Georg Kaiser on 6th March, 1915.

Translated from the original German by Rev Clem Schmidt.