Category: MyCousins

Posted on by — Leave a comment

My Cousins – A Shared Journey

I Love MyCousins

I love MyCousins

Greetings,

My Cousins is an epistolary story told entirely in online communications.  Mostly told through email, there are Facebook and LinkedIn communications also shared. It is both about dialog and information sharing.  The dialog is what inspires the project to its eventual resting place with you.

It all begins with a Family Tree created for the Elcik and McClanahan surnames. A family record, however, is more than names, dates, and places.  It is about people – what they did, and why and the how.  This project is designed to record the history of our family and our ancestors forever.

The MyCousins project almost died in 2008 with a failed “family and friends” effort. It was to be a chronicle of favorite recipes and family history. And there were grand plans to revise and publish periodically.  We said at the time that there was a lot to do for this to be a success.  There was, and it wasn’t.   Even a modest request for help fell on deaf ears. Everyone was asked to contribute a favorite recipe and a page about themselves. The document produced was a lot of work and not particularly useful. Ultimately, it was used twice. Keri Lucas made inquires and received a copy. And Stacey Elcik used it as part of a school project.

Judith Lakkis, in 2011 tried to revive the Elcik family interest in genealogy research with a request for a DNA sample.  Her own research suggested a family connection, and she wanted to explore it further.  I was not ready for this. Not only did I not know much about the technology, but I was also too busy at work to give it much thought. The opportunity thus came and went.

In 2020, I took a fresh look at updating the family tree. This time it was different. My cousin Jack Gamache volunteered his wife Beth to help.  Beth had spent years working on building family trees. And she is passionate about her love for the work. The Elcik tree was the least developed, and we agreed to collaborate.  The process was much different this time. I was no longer working alone. Beth introduced others to the project and using social media, our numbers grew. The project includes 29 contributors and 25 subscribers as we go online.

Beth and I make a great team. First, we both are committed to ancestry research. For us, it is both important work and fun. Beth is outstanding with outreach both within the family and professionally. And I have the technology interests to support the work.

The ancestry research by Beth and I cover a lot of topics. But in the background is always the desire to solve the mysteries surrounding our immigration to America. Why did we immigrate? Why do we spell our surname Elcik? Are there other members of the family to find? Can we reach beyond our shores to Europe?  If answers are to be found, this is where we report them.

Yes, Elcik and McClanahan surnames were my starting point. I added: Adams, Brekke, Byras, DeRosa, Skillin, and Strand. And then Gamache and Lucas. There are now hundreds of surnames and still growing. Beth started with the Purinton surname. She has added Day, Gamache, and dozens more. For now, we are both happy with our separate trees. Who knows, someday there may be a need to combine contents into one World tree.  If, so it will be my job to handle the technology.

Dr. John P. Elcik, IV

Email: john@mycousins.org

 

I love MyCousins

Greetings,

The idea for turning our online communications into a book came about suddenly. I have a unique book my parents gave me on the genealogy of Durhan, Maine.  Both of us concluded that Lisbon Falls needed similar treatment.  This became even more pressing as we struggled with the mystery that connects the two communities. Eventually, we concluded that Lisbon Falls was too large a subject and focused on the mystery of Elcik immigration.

In the late 1800s, two Elcik families immigrated to America.  John Elsik came in 1891 and John Ilcik in 1905. Both families came from Austria-Hungary, spoke Slavic, and had a Catholic heritage in common. Both families have ties to Androscoggin County, Maine. John Elsik is John’s Great-grandfather with ties to Durham, Maine.  John Ilcik is the Great Grandfather of John Elcik in Rocky Point, New York. John initially referred to the Ilcik family as the New York Elcik’s.  In retrospect, we now believe his ancestral ties are also with Durham, Maine. Regardless, both John Elcik’s are steadfast in their belief that the families are related.  But how?

Beth Purinton Gamache

Email: beth@mycousins.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Message From the Authors

I love MyCousins

Greetings:

Someday, someone will ask about their ancestors and their family history. I wish that when they do that, there is a written record that includes not just names and dates of significant events; but also some idea of who we were both as individuals and as families.

Currently, genealogists are fond of saying that a Family Tree without sources is Mythology. True. But I argue that we gain nothing from good record keeping without stories and images to tell us the lessons learned.

What follows is a transcript of electronic conversations with relatives as our ancestors’ roots are traced as far back as possible.

Ancestry conversations don’t take off until 2020, when my cousin Jack Gamache volunteers his wife Beth’s help. Beth and I will converse using email, and the result is this ebook, which she is the second most prominent contributor and co-author. You will “hear” from her shortly.

Thanks to technology, it is relatively easy to go back five generations to when our family reached the shores of America. What drove us to make the journey? We can only guess, and we do. Our sincere hope is that someday the situation in Europe that prompted our immigration will be revealed. To identify and meet relatives from “across the pond” is something we wish for our children.

What is generally missing are life stories. Beth and I captured a few, added images, and pray that others will pick up where we left off.

 

 

Dr. John Paul Elcik, IV

Email: john@mycousins.org

Email:

I love MyCousins

Greetings,

No one, not even an academic, needs to read this like a book. Scan the message headings until something looks interesting, and then begin reading. Move on as you feel the urge to do so. There are information and nuggets of wisdom everywhere. We found both in the experience, and so can you.

Beth (Purinton) Gamache

Email: beth@mycousins.org

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

“MyCousins” Began in 2008

I love MyCousins

December 1, 2008

Dear Family,

We are truly blessed this holiday season, and we pray that you feel the same way.  And if you do, we hope that you will join us in contributing to a “family and friends” project that is just beginning this year.  We have started a chronicle of favorite recipes and family history that we hope to revise and publish periodically.  There is a lot to do for this to be a success.  Your input is needed.  And yet, there is a lot accomplished so far.  In addition to the prototype that we have created, there is a flash drive with the “artifacts” we collected.  Our challenge is to inspire you to add to the effort.  Perhaps as a starting point, everyone could contribute a favorite recipe and a page about themselves.

Several events have prompted this project, including the meticulous records that my grandfather George Strand provided us. His death, plus the loss of my parents Mac and Ruth, reminds us that the shared memories of Family are important to us. We need to record the details, lest we forget.  And this brings us to what is happening in Florida.

The kids are now seniors in college, which shows how fast time flies. Michelle gained a year when we moved to Florida.

Michelle turned 21 this year.  She is studying for graduate school in library science to prepare to work in a law library.  The best-ranked school for this particular combination is in the state of Washington, but we hope she will choose something closer to us.  Both South Florida University and Florida State University have fine library science programs, and both are affordable.  And once she has her degree, she can pursue the study of law at a more leisurely pace.

J.P., at 22, is on course, although slightly delayed, to teach biology and math in high school. The delay is due to the requirement for student teaching.  He plans to finish his last courses and will substitute teach in the spring, but he can’t schedule student teaching until the fall.  It will then take ten weeks to complete his credentials.  His real passion remains World of Warcraft, an online computer game.  How can anyone stay in one position without a break for so long? Thankfully, his dad isn’t similarly afflicted.

We are very blessed to have been in Florida for the past four years.  The Florida scholarships that J.P. and Michelle earned have served us well.  None of us have had to go into debt, and the goal is now in sight.  In 2009 we all planned on being employed at the same time.  It will be another blessing.

The dogs’ Holly and Daisy are still a joy for us all.  They are the only thing in Florida that is older than John, and I.  Holly sleeps almost as much as John.  And Daisy, who has more energy, has slowed down a bit.  To get her juices going requires a visit from my sister Kathy.  John claims, and I can’t disprove, that she is exhausted from dancing in a recent Disney movie:  Daisy, not Kathy.

Visit and warm yourself in the Florida sun if you can.  Winters are the best weather-wise, but anytime you are welcome.  Once the kids graduate from college, we may become gypsies and move to less glamorous surroundings.  So now is the time to visit.

Currently, our favorite diversion is to take weekend cruises from Miami to the Bahamas.  It is great having J.P. and Michelle as dog sitters.  We have taken two cruises so far.  The most recent one was to celebrate our 29th wedding anniversary.  It hardly seems possible, but again note the ages of J.P. and Michelle.  It must be true.

Meanwhile, Merry Christmas and God bless you all.

Pam (with assists by John, J.P., and Michelle)

Email: pamelcik@gmail.com

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

One Tree Was Not Enough

Beth Purinton Gamache

Beth Purinton Gamache

Greetings,

John thinks I’m “amazing” because of my six family trees. The truth is it was simply easier for me to organize my time.

I originally told him I spent 2 years researching my Purinton family tree. That’s partly true. That included the Goddard and Day family trees. I did quite a lot of the Gamache and Byras family trees during that time as well. As he knows, the Elcik family tree has been difficult with some roadblocks.

I share John’s frustrations with poor spelling and shared family names. I’ve had to deal with Puddington, Purrington, and Purington. Then, Purinton, which is how my great grandfather, grandfather, and father spelled it. I didn’t think about that when I first joined Ancestry. Now I check everything on gravestones, birth certificates, etc., and trace the changes.

Poor spelling and shared family names make it effortless to introduce duplicates into a family tree. I experienced the same thing with my Purinton family. There were 3 generations of Humphrey Purinton’s marrying women named Thankful. That was a complete nightmare for me because each generation had 11 and 12 children, and I had to connect the right Humphrey and Thankful to my family. No wonder I don’t sleep at night!!!!

Fortunately, there are tools to help find and fix them. John has helped with some of this, but mostly it is a lot of hard work.

Most of my Purinton ancestors are buried in a cemetery in West Bowdoin and some in Hillside. My Purinton ancestors established the Baptist church in West Bowdoin, and some were deacons and reverends. I never knew any of that until I read many articles about them in my Ancestry search. It was a huge eye-opener for me. My mother was from Durham, my dad, from Lisbon Falls. Most of the Goddard and Day families (my mother’s maiden name was Goddard, my dad’s mother’s maiden name was Day) are buried in Durham, and some at Hillside in Lisbon Falls. Yup, I’ve taken lots of Day and Goddard gravestone pictures. I have spent considerable time in cemeteries getting pictures for us. John says they are much better than what he could get at the FindAGrave website. Larger file sizes make for better visibility of the writing on gravestones.

The biggest disadvantage I had with multiple family trees is keeping them straight for others. Just the other day, John asked me what the sixth tree was. He was missing my Goddard family tree. My mother’s maiden name was Goddard. It also includes Croteau and Dearnley’s families, which is my grandmother Goddard’s family. Her maiden name was Croteau, and my great grandmother’s family is Dearnley. The Dearnley tree goes back to the 1700s, and they were from England. The Croteau family tree goes back to the 1800s, and they were from Canada. I traced the Goddard family back to the 1600s. I have a lot of pictures in the Goddard family tree.

John likes working with technology, and I like the outreach work. I’ve worked to involve others in our research. Among those who have become interested through outreach are Bob Elcik, Dan Gamache, Charlie Hall, Eugene Elcik (the Maine writer), George Karkos, Marilyn (Karkos) Keamy, Pam (Karkos) Lizotte, and William Cizmar.

Currently, I’m very anxious to talk to Eugene Elcik again. We have gotten together once. He also has corresponded with John. The Karkos family has intrigued me too. It’s a never-ending search for more information!!! ….

John has me wondering if I can sync the trees and have one Purinton Tree, including everyone. If so, then I can delete the Goddard- Day and Purinton Tree, including Cox trees. He thinks that there is value in my approach, given that human nature focuses our attention on our grandparent’s surnames. He thinks that researchers are quite willing to travel down the paths of additional trees. There must, however, be enough detail to send them in the right direction. We also found and contributed to the One World Tree sponsored by the Church-of-Latter-Day Saints. The latter may someday help us find Elcik’s in Europe.

Beth (Purinton) Gamache

Email: beth@mycousins.org

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Keri Lucas Inquires About Elcik Family Tree


Saturday, May 30, 2009, 6:30 PM

To: Johnelcik@msn.com
Subject: Elcik Family Tree

Hello John and Pam,

My name is Keri Lucas. I have been doing some research on my family tree and found your website. I am one of Madeline Elcik Lucas’ grandchildren from York, Maine. I am very interested in putting the pieces of my family tree together, and I am very impressed by the Family Tree work you and Pam have done. I would love to hear from you and maybe some tips on how to do the research.

Thank you very much,

Love, Keri

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Keri Lucas Offered Help

Sat, 30 May 2009 9:09 pm

Keri,

We would be pleased to help. I remember your grandparents very fondly. The massive home that housed so many cousins, which they had in Old Orchard Beach, was very special to my brothers and me.

And while I didn’t get to see my cousins often because our Dad was in the Navy, I nevertheless do have unforgettable memories. Who are your Mom and Dad?

I have been working on a book which I call “My Cousins.” The book, because of graphics, is 7 MB; I don’t think AOL will let me send you a file this big. But if you will provide us a snail mail address, I’ll send you a copy.

As a software developer, I have used all the major players; the best software is Family Tree Maker by Ancestory.com. It simplifies research considerably.

We also have had both of our children: J.P. & Michelle’s DNA tested through Ancestry.com. Interesting technology.

And finally, I have been working on a family website. I have your grandmother’s obituary on the site. [This site no longer exists. Instead, the new URL is https://mycousins.org – Editor]

If you know how to work on websites, I’m willing to provide you access to add to them. Either way, it was good to hear from you.

John's signature

John

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Thank You From Kari Lucas

05-30-2009 10:10 PM

John,

Thank you for the helpful information. I am one of two daughters of Rosemary & Rodney James Lucas. My dad is one of the seven children from John Lucas and Madeline Elcik. I think that the big house you are referring to was in York Beach. It has since turned into a lovely B&B. All of my Aunts and Uncles have toured to see what they have done to restore the grand old house. If you ever come up for a visit, I would highly recommend staying there.

I signed up for the site ancestry.com and have traced the Elcik side pretty far back, although I am never sure that it is tracing back correctly. For instance, the name Byrus is coming up as Byros, and I am not quite sure why that is since I have always seen it spelled with a U.

I would love you to send me the project that you are working on called, “My Cousins.”

My Address is:

Keri Lucas
3 Washington Lane
Nottingham, NH 03290
603-734-2805

I am grateful that you have done such great work. When I asked my dad about the family history, he didn’t seem to know very much. I think that this is an essential piece of history that families should keep for generations, so I decided to do the research. If I find anything interesting, I will send it your way!

Thanks again,

Keri
Keri Lucas