The Curse of Misspellings
I now know the spelling curse of the surname from Elsik, Elcik, Elick, and back to Elcik. These changes came with each census. Beginning with Elsik/Elcik in 1910, Elick is used in the 1920 and 1930 Census only to settle on Elcik in 1940. There are also apparent misspellings: Elcih. The U.S. Census surveys document these changes for us.
There are different spellings of Pelcarsky to confuse us. Pelcarsky is the spelling given by George Karkos, who was married to Annie, one of Mary’s daughters. Pelesaky is the spelling on Michael Elcik’s Record of Marriage, and it is Pelchascay on John Elcik’s Record of Marriage.
The Curse of Missing Information
In the 2007 letter I wrote my father, I asked him if he could shed light on a September 1959 marriage in Maine between a “John Elcik” and Helen B. Mosko. I asked if there could have been a second marriage for his father or grandfather? Why he claimed not to know baffles me as I found a letter in his final effects acknowledging Helen and his father did get married. It was the 2nd marriage for both who had been widowed years earlier. A “mystery” letter from Aunt Gertrude located by Jeff, addressed to “kids,” references Helen’s immigration status and waiting for checks. Perhaps there was an inheritance?
The Curse of False Information
My father’s lack of openness when it comes to matters of money was his Achilles heel. He and my mother jointly owned land in the Lake Sebago area of Maine. Dad sold the property after their divorce and kept it a secret till after Mom passed. This situation was to cause my children to miss out on the affections of their Grandfather. When Mom was dying, she was living with us. She and Pam reached out to Dad seeking the sale or distribution of her half of the property. Dad blamed me but wouldn’t forgive Pam for her efforts to help Mom.
I knew Dad had forged Mom’s name to sell the property and he felt betrayed. He wasn’t. By not acknowledging his actions, Dad put me in the middle. Mom died, not knowing the truth. – John, IV
The money from the land sale probably paid my, Jeff, and Jim’s educational expenses. Our college degrees, while not unique, were significant achievements for our family and parents. Dad didn’t spend lavishly or on himself.