This publication relating to the Finster family is a translation of original work in German published in 1921 along with the reproduction of a Finster family tree published in 1900. Both original works are in the public domain.

The author, Carl Hermann Arthur Finster (known as C.H. Arthur Finster) , was inspired to write his 1921 publication by the success of the Finsters in Görlitz family tree published in 1900 by Max Finster. Therefore, it was judged important that both works appear together in this publication.

The significance of these 20th-century publications to the Finster family has prompted us to reproduce them in an effort to preserve family history and provide greater access, particularly for descendants, but more generally for the German diaspora throughout the world.

The original 1921 text has been translated and included in this publication in its entirety. For the purpose of this translated version, we have added an introduction and a postscript, which details what we know of the history of our line of the Finsters in Australia. It should be noted that this postscript is limited to our line of the Finsters and is certainly not an exhaustive history of all Australian Finsters! However, we hope this part of the Finster story further adds to the broader narrative of the descendants of Arthur Guido Finster. 

The Finster line in Australia began with the immigration in 1849 of Arthur Guido Finster, or Guido Finster, as he was known, the descendants of whom are spread throughout Australia.

Reading about German families settling in Australia from 1850 reveals that they initially showed a reluctance to integrate into the new community. In the beginning, German settlers set up their own churches, schools and communities, so as not to lose their connection with Germany. However, after the gold rush, when immigrants from all over the world arrived in Australia, the German families began interacting with migrant families from a diverse range of backgrounds. Eventually, the exclusively German schools lost numbers and marriages between German and other migrant communities became much more common.

When Guido Finster returned to Australia in 1860 after a brief visit back to Germany, he married Margarethe Stamm, and was subsequently naturalised as a British citizen in 1883.  It is interesting to note that only one in ten Germans applied for nationalisation in the period from 1861 to 1891. Guido was determined to make Australia home and happy to become naturalised as a British citizen in the colony of Victoria, thereby establishing the Finster family in Australia.

In Australia, the Finsters became immersed in the music scene. Guido was a teacher of piano and violin and participated with the Finster Band playing at many concerts in Bendigo. His son, Arthur George, used his musical ability to teach in Bendigo. His daughter, Lilian Jessie Finster, became a well-known concert pianist in Melbourne. Other Australian Finsters continued the association in skilled trades, becoming piano tuners, including my grandfather, Alwyn Guido Finster. The family was known for beautiful singing voices and prowess at dancing, especially ballroom dancing.

To this day there is much pride in the Australian Finster family line. This is demonstrated by the family reunion organised by James Finster in Tatura, Victoria in 1999.

The discovery of the 1921 publication and the family tree is a result of curiosity, research and good luck. It often happens that family members have died, leaving little information about their ancestors. It was curiosity that led me to investigate my grandfather, Alwyn Guido Finster. It was good research that discovered the 1883 naturalisation papers of his grandfather, Guido Finster, from Görlitz, in modern-day Germany. Lastly, it was good luck to travel to Görlitz, Germany in November 2019, just before the spread of the pandemic, Covid-19, curtailed world travel for Australians;  this trip allowed for the discovery of these two 20th century Finster publications.

Görlitz is a town in the German federal state of Saxony, located in the region of Lusatia. It became a centre for merchants as it is located on the Via Regia, an ancient and medieval trade route. To travel to Görlitz was furthest from our minds, until our son, Robert, telephoned to invite Larry and me to accompany him to Europe and visit Görlitz.

So, on Wednesday, 20th November, 2019, at about 5.30 p.m., the three of us arrived by train at the Görlitz railway station just as it was getting dark. Our apartment was a ten-minute walk over cobblestones, dragging our cases behind us. We registered at the Ferienwohnungen VIP Studios and Lounge and travelled in the lift to the loft, which had a wonderful view overlooking the walled towers and magnificent buildings of this town where our ancestors lived from the 17th Century.

We then went in search of dinner in the direction ‘waved’ by the concierge. The roads were narrow and there was work going on to improve the footpaths. Robert led the way. Suddenly he stopped. “Look,” he said, “there is a shop verandah with the name THEODOR FINSTER written on it.” We later discovered that the continuously operated family jewellers and goldsmiths was established in 1845 by Theodor Finster, the brother of Guido Finster.

We had no idea when we left Australia what we would find. All we wanted was to appreciate where we came from and experience the culture of Görlitz. We were stunned by this remarkable turn of events. The next day we returned to the Finster shop during opening hours, but we had difficulty in communicating because of the language barrier, so we arranged to return the following day with our interpreter, whom we had arranged to meet locally before we left Australia.

In the meantime, we took the opportunity to visit the Upper Lusatia Library of Sciences, Oberlausitzische Bibliothek der Wissenschaften, Neissestrasse 30, Görlitz to view the Finster family tree. We had researched the Finsters in Germany before we left Australia and through enquiries were advised of a ‘Roll of Family Tree’.

We registered with the library using our passports. From a metre-high cylinder, a three-metre-long family tree was rolled out onto a long table by a staff member. What a sight! It was produced by Max Finster in 1900. We found Arthur Guido Finster’s name on one of the many shields featured on the decorative family tree and we knew we had the correct family.

Max Finster created the Family Tree in 1900. Paul Eugen Max Finster was born in Görlitz on 14th March, 1860. He was most likely known as Max because his father was also Paul. Max was a cloth merchant in Görlitz and was known for his services to the poor. His wife, Clara, received the Red Cross Medal for her services during World War I. Max was treasurer of the Holy Trinity Church and arranged a stained glass window dedicated to the Finster family in the chancel of the church. This commitment to the Finster family surely prompted him to produce this amazing family tree. 

The next day Matthias and Albrecht Finster (the current owners of the Finster shop) were happy to meet with us again, together with our translator. Matthias took us on a tour of the city, showing us family residences and viewing the gravestones of our ancestors. They also introduced us to the 1921 publication of the Finster book, entitled The Finsters from the beginning of the 14th Century to the present. A genealogical study. Written by C.H. Arthur Finster 1921.

Albrecht and Matthias Finster very kindly photocopied the pages relevant to our line of the family.

The author, C.H. Arthur Finster, was born on 25th March, 1865 and died in Dusseldorf on 21st February, 1929. He served in the German diplomatic corps as a consulate secretary in many countries. He was a reservist in the Imperial Prussian Army. His father was stern and austere, while his mother was cheerful, with a balanced nature. In his free time, he occupied himself with the study of German history. For several years he was a contributor to the Archive of Ancestry and Heraldry Studies.

We were delighted to find this publication. However, as it was written in German, it was frustrating for us not to be able to read it.

We researched various institutions seeking to find a copy in a library or archives. Our son, Robert, with his archival skills, located a copy of the Finster book at the Dresden University of Technology. With the help of the archivist at the Dresden repository, we were able to secure a digitised copy of the entire text.

This copy was, of course, in German, so translation was our next hurdle. The Gothic text added another layer of complexity for translators. However, Robert managed to assemble a crack team of students from Monash University who ably tackled the Gothic German. We now have the book translated into English by this wonderful team just in time for its 100th anniversary!

In the preface, C.H. Arthur Finster says that the history of the Finster family is a result of 20 years of archival and personal research. C.H. Arthur Finster considered it his duty towards members of the family to publish the abundant material he had collected so far in full. He hoped that this work would contribute to the strengthening and deepening of family values and solidarity, in the knowledge that family is ‘the rock on which pillars of our nation rest’. This view of ‘family’ still holds good for the Finsters in Australia and is why the history of the family translated into English is paramount to this end.

The detailed study traces the Finster family from 1302 when Chuonrat Vinster swore an oath as a burgher in Augsburg. The many generation tables and family trees provide a wonderful insight into how the family overcame obstacles, wars and religious persecution to continue the family lines. They demonstrate the family’s resilience and loyalty to their country over many centuries.

The family was able to take advantage of the trades in which its members excelled and the position of Görlitz at the intersection of several medieval trading routes.

The book describes the family as having ‘a serious attitude to life and duty, coupled with a healthy sense of humour and stern disposition, a religious spirit without sanctimony and a strongly developed sense of independence’.

Many members of the Finster family immigrated to America. Robert Finster, son of Alwin, went to New York in 1861. The sons of Ferdinand and Auguste Finster went to Utah and Chicago. Many left in the middle of the 19th Century for the USA, Brazil and Australia.

The book tells of a Finster ‘treasure box’ – a family bible listing all significant family events The ‘treasure box’ emphasises the importance of family connections and the continuing links to the family. For immigrant families without a ‘treasure box’, it is hoped that this translated book can be our ‘treasure box’. It contains all the information of the family members over six generations and their connections to Germany.

In addition to providing a family history, the book provides an insight into the times in which it was written and the attitudes of the day. While the book needs to be read with this in mind, there are many wonderful stories about the ancestors of the Finster family.

The book reveals that music and education were important to generations of the Finster family and these were carried through to the Finster family in Australia. C.H. Arthur Finster includes the education of each person he has researched. In 1605, Balthasar Finster studied law at the university in Frankfurt an der Oder. In 1569, Joachim Finster held the position of organist in Breslau. The development of the Görlitz Liedertafel in 1851 by Alwin and his brother, Theodor, shows their love of singing and connections through music. It was Arthur Finster, son of Theodor, who dedicated himself to the choir, writing its history and introducing the members of the choir.

Many of the Finster family were called to arms during wartime. More than 32 descendants of the family were involved in wars, most notably the World War; the World War being referred to in this text is of course World War I, as in 1921 World War II was yet to occur. The Finsters demonstrated a willingness to serve their country. Many received the Iron Cross for their bravery and leadership. The book demonstrates the far-reaching effects of war on every family and illustrates a Germany in recovery after the World War.  Arthur Finster mourns the horrors associated with the war noting the ‘terrible collapse of Germany and the chaotic conditions in his beloved Fatherland’.

It is interesting to note that the Australian Finsters fought for the Australian Imperial Force in World War I, including Arthur Alexander Finster and Eugene Vogel Finster. The German descendants fighting in the Australian contingents in World War I were defending their new homeland.

The emphasis in the book on the men in the Finster family is probably typical for the time it was written. There is some mention of Finster women – Seraphine and Agnes Finster were wonderful embroiderers, establishing their own company and working by appointment to the emperor. Selma Zimmermann is noted as a clever businesswoman. Else Finster dedicated herself to an organisation committed to the social and financial wellbeing of women – the organisation still exists today. While we get glimpses into these women’s lives, unfortunately, they are just that. C.H. Arthur Finster has reserved his detailed research for men in the Finster line.

This is further illustrated by his treatment of Nathanael Finster and Charlotte Finster, who, from 1819, produced 15 children. There were ten sons and five daughters. Prominence is given to only five sons, Alwin, Theodor, Arthur Guido, Martin and Armin, who are described as continuing the Finster line. The daughters are not named in the text. This is part of the reason why it was felt important to include the family tree, in order that all descendants can at least be traced.

Some of the terms used in the translated book are problematic because their meanings and connotations have changed over time. For instance, there is one instance in which the terms ‘Aryan’ and ‘Israelite’ have been used. The author uses these to distinguish two distinct sides to the Finster family. Similarly, some of the events recorded in the text have today been re-interpreted and may now be viewed quite differently following the historical investigation. For example, the ‘rebellion’ referred to in this text has 100 years later been acknowledged by the German Government as genocide – the Hereo Genocide.

The tremendous research that has resulted in the publishing of the Finster family history (1921) is a testament to C.H. Arthur Finster’s skill as a researcher and his determination to reach out to many family generations portrayed by family trees, legends and traditions.

C.H. Arthur Finster expresses his hope that some of the younger family members will be inspired to continue building on the foundations he has laid, and attempt to close the many gaps in the family’s history and its various family trees through future research: It is now incumbent on future generations and researchers to trace the fates of these sons of the old families who were lost to our German Fatherland, to compile generation tables and write their own story.

So now it is up to us, in 2021, to accept the task set by C.H. Arthur Finster, 100 years after his epic publication, in 1921, of a study of the Finster family since the 14th century.

To this end, I have added the postscript, in which I continue the Australian story of our line of the Finster family, from 1849 when Arthur Guido Finster emigrated from Görlitz, Germany to Melbourne, Australia.

As we are all only too well aware, the real tyrant of distance is time, as people disperse and memory fades, it is important to collect as many families as possible to build on the Finster family history in Australia.

Now that the book has been translated into English, we trust the Finster family will read its enthralling history and reach out to other Finster families across the globe, to capture and share the many stories of their lives, and continue the aims and work of that wonderful researcher, C.H. Arthur Finster.