Author: Beth (Purinton) Gamache

Beth Purinton lives in Lisbon Falls, Maine with her husband Jack Gamache. They have two children Loni Beth and Derek. Beth is from South Durham, Maine. She brings her enthusiasm for ancestry research and a local, Maine perspective on each story.
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Re: Joseph Elcik

August 15, 2020, 10:25 AM

John, IV,

This just keeps getting better and better!!! Sooooo, the aunt Joseph is talking about is Richard’s wife!!! AND they have 3 children. This is so awesome to find out more about the Durham Elcik family. The pieces to the puzzle are starting to fit and make sense. You’re lucky Joseph contacted you. Keep ’em coming!!!

I don’t know if you remember when I told you it took me 2 years to do my family history. Fortunately, I discovered a cousin (whom I didn’t know existed) when I went to a cemetery in West Bowdoin about 10-12 miles from where we live. A lot of my ancestors lived in that town. I contacted him and discovered his mother had handwritten several generations of my ancestors. I struck a gold mine when I did that. I took about 50 or more pictures in the cemetery that day, thank goodness. I spent the winter trying to put all those pieces together, plus I joined the Lisbon Historical Society where they had a collection of books and obituaries to help me in my search. They were a tremendous help at that particular time.

Unfortunately, they’ve been closed since March because of COVID-19. I’m positive they have Elcik obituaries and one day, I’ll ask them if I can go and do some research. I’m good friends with the President, VP, secretary and I’m pretty sure I can do that. Matter of fact, I’m the secretaries’ assistant and do the record-keeping for them. I need to call her about the Society business and will ask her if I can go some time. I’m waiting for cooler weather because the room doesn’t have air conditioning plus I’ve been dealing with medical issues I’ve told you about. I’ll get there, it’s just a matter of time. On the other hand, if you keep doing what you’re doing, you may have it figured out by the time I get there.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!!!

Beth

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Durham and Lisbon Falls

Sat 8/15/2020 11:47 PM
 
The Durham and Lisbon Falls Elcik families make sense to me.  I do understand who you’re talking about (well most of the time).  It appears that most of the Durham Elcik children moved to New York except for George.  It gets confusing when we’re talking about Andrew Elcik because there are 2 of them, one in Lisbon Falls and one in Durham plus the Lisbon Falls Andrew had 2 sons, Eugene and ANDREW!!
 
You were correct when you said there are too many Johns and Andrews and now you’re communicating with Joseph Elcik and there was a Durham Joseph!!   No wonder I get confused!!! 
 
The same is true for the Byras family, several Johns, Josephs, Andrews, and Marys.  Thank goodness their last name is different.  People weren’t very creative in those days I guess, although they may have wanted to name sons the same name as the father to carry on the family name, kinda like your great-great-grandfather, great grandfather, father, you and your son!!!  Must be in the genes!!!!!
 
In my family, it was Humphrey, Thankful, John, George, and Nathaniel.  An occasional Hepzibah and Hezekiah names were thrown into the mix.  That was a nightmare for me and I spent many sleepless nights trying to figure all that out!!!  Who in the world would name a child Hepzibah or Hezekiah?????  Again, must be in the genes.
 
Here I go, rambling on when I need to go to bed.  It’s past my bedtime!!
 
Beth
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Catholic Churches


Mon 8/17/2020 12:20 AM

There were two Catholic churches in Lisbon Falls: Holy Family and St. Cyril. Also, there were two cemeteries: St. Cyril and Mt. Calvary. We think Mt. Calvary is the Slovak cemetery. Jack’s mom and dad are at St. Cyril, and most of your relatives as well.

There were many Slovak and French families in town, but their religion was Catholic. Jack’s family went to Holy Family Church, which was considered the Slovak church. Gert was Slovak, and Norman was French.

In talking with Jack, he thinks families decided which cemetery they wanted to be buried in, possibly depending on which church they attended. Hillside was considered the Protestant cemetery, mostly of Protestants, but some Catholics buried there.

It may be a matter of mixed religions within families or couples wanting to get buried together. We honestly don’t know the answer to that.

Either this clears it up or makes it more confusing. I’m going with more confusing!!!

Again, it’s past my bedtime,

Beth