Mustjala on the way to Vohma - July 7th 2010

Mustjala - thoughts and photos from Sylvia Ounpuu




Our first stop on the way to Vohma was Mustjala. This is a small town 11 KM west of Vohma where the Ounpuu's church was. It was also the location of the training grounds of the German army where Albert Ounpuu was training to go to the front in Eastern Estonia on August 16th, 1944.

We first visited the church - Kaatariina Kirku where the Ounpuu's attended - but not frequently during war time. We were not able to get into the church as the minister was not there - he lives 35 KM away. Unfortunately, we were not able to see birth/marriage and death records as a result. The church is still active and also is the location of concerts.



Photos: Kaatariina Kirku: Stephanie, Luis, Vyv, Reet, Alex and Ernst at front door.


We bought provisions for lunch - dark Estonian bread and cheese at the single Mustjala Pood (store) in town. It was one of those places that sold about everything including... see photo below.

Photo: Colgate items well placed!

Before leaving the town we explored swinging Estonian Style. Now an "extreme" sport where the goal is to go 360 on the longest swing! We tried this 6 person swing in the Mustjala school grounds. Not sure I wanted to go higher than we were!



Outside of town, was the church cemetary. This was one of the most interesting and moving parts of the visit for me. Estonian cemetries are wooded spaces not like ones here. There are much less manicured but very peaceful spaces. This is where we saw the gravestones of many relatives on the Ounpuu and Heinmets sides. They are cared for by Siama. The new graves have sandy boxes in front of them that she rakes and removes leaves etc. We were also able to visit Uncle Uuno's grave - Ernst's youngest brother. Who "came home for his final rest".




Great grandpa Mikkel Ounpuu, Uuno Ounpuu and Kallas family - except the one who survived my great uncle - ?? (dad need help here)

Full tomb of Mikkel Ounpuu.

Also Marie Heinmets - great grandmother (?) and Hilda Ounpuu's brother Elmar and wife Ella Elizabeth. These are the parents of Saima and Mai.



Not to be disrespectful, but we could have had it worse growing up in Toronto with another "tree" name!

Next time I go - I would like to be able to see the Kirku records and spend more time in the cemetary taking care of the less cared for grave sites of my ancestors and identify the Ounpuu's/Heinmets I saw there that we did not know who they were - Addelle, Matti, etc...

We helped Saima tidy the graves and than went to Touste her summer homestead that is next to her father's homestead - and my grandmother Hilda's homestead. Saima had beautiful flower and vegetable gardens like my grandma and grandpa Hilda and Albert. There was also an above ground "root" cellar - built of brick, covered with dirt and grass (see back of middle photo below). Most farms had these storage spaces to keep food.



Saima at her country home. When I look at her she reminds me of grandma Hilda.

After visiting Saima's home, we went to Vohma. (next link)













We saw the foot print of grandma Hilda's house and the barn which is still standing - see below.