This exchange marked the reconnection of first cousins after many years of silence. Cheryl (Elcik) Heath, whose father was Richard Elcik, reached out from Maine as the family tree work surfaced familiar names and renewed connections. What followed was a warm, wide-ranging conversation that reestablished family ties and reopened an ongoing channel of communication.
At a Glance
- First Contact: September 1, 2020
- Primary Surname: Elcik
- Medium: Facebook Messenger
- Role in Project: Family reconnection; Maine lineage contact
Correspondence Log
Contact #1 — September 1, 2020, 6:39 PM — Facebook Messenger
Cheryl:
Hi John, I’m your cousin from Maine. My dad was Richard Elcik. I’m glad I found you.
John:
I am too. I’ve been working on our family tree, and it has been opening up opportunities for me to reach out and say hello. You were on my list. I’ve been in touch with Mark, Beth Gamache, and others.
Cheryl:
I still remember the last time I saw you all. It’s nice to hear from you.
John:
Me too. I’m sorry that time flies and we don’t visit. Would you like updates on what I am doing with the family tree?
Cheryl:
Yes, please, that would be great.
John:
Life in Florida is good. Pam and I are enjoying semi-retirement. “Semi” because I sell digital real estate for fun, and Pam sells beaded necklaces. J.P. is getting married this year, and Michelle is working as a pharmacy tech. We also adopted a new puppy, Lucy Belle, who is keeping us busy.
Cheryl:
Joe and I are still working. We have two kids. Amanda lives in Charleston and works for the Army Corps of Engineers. Joe lives nearby in Maine, is married, and has two kids—Reanna and Blake.
John:
That sounds wonderful. Have you seen the video of our dad singing?
Cheryl:
No.
John:
I can send you a link. May I have your email?
Cheryl:
caheath57@yahoo.com
Cheryl:
I work at Brahms Mount. We make high-end blankets.
John:
That sounds interesting. I’ll send you a couple of emails to bring you up to date. I hope we can keep a conversation going from time to time. Please don’t feel any social pressure.
Cheryl:
I tried to reach out to you and your brothers when your dad passed, but I couldn’t get anywhere. I would love to chat every once in a while.
John:
Wonderful. Jim just retired and joined me on Facebook. I can get you contact information for both him and Jeff.
Cheryl:
Please. I have sent friend requests to both. I want to stay in touch with you all.
John:
I’m going to have to sign off for now. Lucy, the new puppy, wants to take a walk and has very little patience.
Facebook chat concluded with friendly goodbyes and an agreement to stay in touch.
Why This Contact Mattered
This conversation reopened a family relationship that time and distance had quietly closed. By reestablishing trust and communication, it reinforced the human purpose behind the family tree and ensured that future connections would not depend solely on records, but on renewed relationships.