This exchange marked the first deep engagement from the next generation of the Elcik family. Christopher Elcik—my nephew—responded with both intellectual curiosity and emotional connection, asking thoughtful questions about lineage while reconnecting with family photographs and videos. His interest directly led to the sharing of inherited images and helped bring his wife Devon, and her father’s extensive research, into the project.
At a Glance
- First Contact: August 19, 2020
- Primary Surname: Elcik
- Medium: Email
- Role in Project: Next-generation contributor; artifact connector
Correspondence Log
Contact #1 — August 19, 2020, 3:06 PM — Email
Christopher “Chris” Elcik:
Nope!
This is all fascinating. I need to digest all of it, though.
Christopher “Chris” Elcik:
Speaking of our tree with Brian is interesting. Do I understand this correctly? It seems like the Gamaches are descendants of Ilcik, and one of their descendants (Norman Gamache) married an Elcik (Gertrude Elcik). So, there may be a more direct link between Elcik and Ilcik, but this one happens to be through a marriage of the two.
Christopher “Chris” Elcik:
Also, do you have any more videos of Poppy—any of Buba?
[Uncle Norman’s sister Anna married George Elcik, a descendant of John Ilčík. – Editor]
Contact #2 — August 19, 2020, 5:40 PM — Email
Christopher “Chris” Elcik:
Uncle John,
Incredible. I love scrolling through all the pictures. It’s so cool to see you, Uncle Jeff, and my dad as kids. I wish I had gotten the chance to meet Buba—not just as a baby—but now I can see pictures of her.
[“Buba” is the Slovak term for grandmother and was used within the family for my mother. – Editor]
Why This Contact Mattered
Chris’s response demonstrated how family history becomes meaningful when it reaches the next generation. His questions advanced the analytical work, while his emotional reaction validated the importance of preserving photographs, videos, and stories. His engagement also catalyzed further contributions through his wife Devon and her father’s genealogical research, materially expanding the project’s scope.