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Record Keeping in Ancestry Research


Sunday, July 19, 2020, 2:44 AM

John (NY),

Computers are excellent tools for Ancestry/Genealogy research. Most of what I have done on the Family Tree would not be affordable without one.

Even so, one other situation has played a significant part in the process. Family members were required every ten years to complete Federal Census forms. To date, the Federal Government has published census data for 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940. In each decade, family members did this, and I have harvested the results.

The New York Elcik’s immigrated to America later, and we may not have census data until the 1950 Census is published. I have not yet found your grandfather in the 1940 Census. I haven’t given up. Usually, the software presents census data as a Hint. It hasn’t, so I’ll try a directed search approach.

Also, I will research the passenger lists of Elcik/Ilcik individuals going through Ellis Island.

It may be true that family records are as good as the Census given the family timeline.

Where we fall short is in our ability to reach back to Austria/Hungary. I have a World Explorer Membership with Ancestry.com. It provides access to both U.S. and international records, including birth, marriage, death, and Census records.

So far, I haven’t found anything I can use. Maybe it is the inconsistency in the spelling of surnames/given names. I suspect, however, that the problem is far worse. I don’t think good records exist in Europe. For example, the best records I find are for baptisms. The Catholic church maintains these. And I do know that my grandparents were Catholics. I have yet to find data on births and marriages. I will continue to try.

Do you have any questions for me?

John, IV

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Status Report for John Elcik


Mon 7/20/2020 9:42 AM

John, NY,

Please do!

Also, log in to the Tree at Ancestry and see visually the data you shared with me.

The Tree will show you how to keep track of family members for future generations. My profile serves as an example. There are things that you could be doing now. ?

I’m enjoying this. Being retired, I have more time.

Finally, I’ll keep you posted on significant developments.

Regards,

John, FL

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My DNA Story

DNA


Mon 7/20/2020 2:40 PM

John NY,

In June 2011, Judy Lakkis reached out to me, asking if I would take a DNA test to confirm if her father was related to my family. She was very nice about it. She had DNA results that suggested a match but needed more DNA markers, to be sure. The DNA test she wanted would not work with her DNA.

Some ancestry tests use male Y-DNA to trace paternal ancestry and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to trace maternal ancestry. While both men and women inherit mtDNA from their mother, only those born males inherit Y-DNA from their father. Men can easily trace their maternal and paternal ancestry using their DNA. Females need a male paternal relative to take a male haplogroup test on their behalf. Source: DNA Testing Choice

I wasn’t interested even when she offered to pay for the test. She understood the timing was not right for me.

Recently (9 years later), I reached out to her and asked if she was still interested? I was ready and willing to take and pay for my test. Here is her response.

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FTDNA states that they don’t have a record of my father’s Y DNA, so I tried to search my old files ( copies), and I must have disposed of them as FTDNA did. (see attachment).

My father passed in 2009, so I used his hearing aids to get the DNA. FTDNA wanted more money, so they deleted what I DID have. Too much!!!!!!!

Ten years ago, I was very interested, but now I have lost interest.

I checked my autosomal DNA, and your name did not appear, so I guess we are in a very distant relationship.

Have fun now that you have the time.

DNA is fascinating

Best Wishes

Judy

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Judy’s DNA interests led to her using her photography skills to take photos of graves for the website FIND A GRAVE. Her stories about this were fascinating. I commend her efforts. I’m also disappointed that I didn’t help when I could.

Before contacting her again, I researched the firms that do DNA research. All the big ones are good. The determining factor is probably which firm has the largest Slovak data pool and which test focuses on finding matches. That appears to be Family Tree, the same firm Judy used. Believe it, or not some tests are more geared towards ethnicity or predicting health issues.

Yes, I’m willing to do this, but NO social pressure from me. I already think of us as an extended family.

John, IV

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Condolences


Monday, July 20, 2020, 04:30:25 PM

Judy,

My condolences about Uncle.

Despite that sadness, your news otherwise makes me very happy!

I have been working for three weeks with a “distant” relative (John Elcik of Rocky Point, New York) and just relayed to him our story. I have been building out his branch of the tree (just as I did for us) in anticipation of finding a connection somewhere. I may not be able to find proof he is related. John’s grandfather immigrated to America later than my Great grandfather did. John had suggested he would be interested in a DNA test and repeated the offer. So I told him about our experience. It was earlier today. Timing, God is laughing at me. At least I hope so.

I don’t know what will happen, but in my heart, all three of us are family.

Warmest regards,

John