This image is the only known photograph of our early ancestors. Top row (left to right): John P. Elcik, Jr.; Michael Elcik; Andrew Elcik. Bottom row (left to right): Mary (Dutko) Elcik; Elizabeth (Small) Elcik; John P. Elcik, Sr.; Mary (Pelcarsky) Elcik; Susan (Kiszonak) Elcik; Annie (Karkos) Elcik.
John P. Elcik, Sr.
In 1910, John P. Elcik, Sr. was the head of the household and 42 years old. He had immigrated to America and settled in Durham, Maine with his wife of 21 years, Mary Pelcarsky. Both John and Mary spoke Slovak and could read and write in that language.
John and Mary had six children at the time of the 1910 Census:
- John Elcik Jr. (15)
- Michael Elcik (13)
- Mary Elcik (10)
- Andrew Elcik (8)
- Elizabeth “Lizzie” Elcik (5)
- Annie Elcik (5)
Three sons and three daughters. The family was not yet complete; Susan would be born after the 1910 Census was taken.
John worked as a washer in a woolen mill. The family owned their home. John was not yet a citizen, but rather an alien resident.
Joseph P. Elcik, the Brother
John’s brother Joseph, one of three siblings, was 39 years old in 1910. Joseph immigrated in 1901, ten years after John arrived in America.
Joseph had been married to Elizabeth “Lizzie” for ten years, and they had three daughters: Mary (2), Lizzie (5), and Annie (8). Notably, these children shared the same given names as three of John’s children, reflecting a late-1800s custom in which brothers often gave their children the same names.
Like his brother, Joseph worked as a washer in a woolen mill. Unlike John, he rented his home in Durham. We speculate that renting rather than homeownership was due to Joseph’s later immigration.
The Children in 1910
John Elcik, Jr., age 15, was the oldest of the six children. Born in 1895, he was the first Elcik known to be born in America. He attended school and learned to read and write English—an opportunity that would not have existed had the family remained in Europe.
Michael, age 13, was the second son. Born in 1897 in Durham, Maine, English was his native language, and he could read and write.
Mary, age 10, was the first daughter. She attended school, spoke English as her native language, and could read and write.
Andrew, age 8, was the third and youngest son. He attended school. With a seventh child expected, Andrew would soon become the proverbial middle child.
The twins Lizzie and Annie, age 5, were three years younger than Andrew and had not yet started school.