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Facebook Chat – John Elcik (Florida) and John Elcik (New York)

July 15, 2020, through July 19, 2020

July 15, 2020, 7:20 AM

John Elcik (Florida)  – Would you or a member of the family be interested in some ancestry research I’m doing? I have a real mystery to solve and could use another person’s opinion. It could be fun. I can provide additional details, and there is no obligation after you see the question and analysis I have done. Warmest regards, John P.S. if you prefer email for this, my address is johnelcik@msn.com

July 16, 2020, 1:42 PM

John Elcik (New York) – Hi John. I would be interested! I know there must be some relation between us since the last name Elcik is not common and our relatives came from Lisbon Falls. If there’s anything I can do to help with the research or anything you want to show me, probably the best way to reach me is at my work email since I am always at work, my email at work is John.Elcik@dfa.state.ny.us. Also, I don’t mind you using the instant messenger on Facebook.

July 18, 2020, 7:32 AM

My grandfather Andrew Elcik was born in Lisbon Falls on a farm in 1911. He eventually settled in New York City and raised his family in Queens, New York. My father just recently passed away, was also named John Elcik. My father’s brother Andrew Elcik is still alive and lives in Plainview.  I know there is a very direct relationship here.

John Elcik (Florida) – I’m going to use the email address as I don’t know how to attach documents to the messenger. ? I’m sending two emails initially, but please don’t feel you need to respond right away other than a short note to say you get them. I agree we are related, but I’ve been years in coming up with my theory on why it has been so difficult to prove. The first email will have five documents. It would be beneficial to read them in the order I created them, so I have given each a number. The second email will be an invitation to access the Family Tree on Ancestory.com. They offer free 15-day trials. I’m looking forward to this. Enjoy!

John Elcik (New York) –  Great, sounds good, John ?

John Elcik (Florida) – Can you read your work email from home? If not, I sent a new update that may invalidate much of my work, depending on whether it was your grandfather or an older relative that went through Ellis Island. If it was your grandfather, It may invalidate my theory that your grandparents arrived here in the early 1900s. Your grandfather would have come sometime in the 1940-50s. My hope will then ride on a Europen connection between the families. More difficult to prove but just as real to me. ?

Having read more about the economic and political turmoil in Europe, it makes sense if family ties were forged before we got here. There probably were a dozen or more “waves” of immigration over a hundred years. I got caught up in the close timing between two of the arrivals, just 15 years apart. And there is also the Lisbon Falls connection.

John Elcik (New York) – My great grandparents arrived in the early 1900s. I know that for fact and then settled in Lisbon Falls, Maine. John, according to the tree, you are confusing my dad as my grandfather! My father is John Elcik, and he was born in 1943 died in 2018 my grandfather was Andrew Elcik, born in Lisbon Falls, Maine 1911, died in 1995. I was born in 1965, and I am also John Elcik, as you know! Since you are in your 60’s, your generation is somewhere between my dad and me!

John Elcik (Florida) – I have a lot more info to send you, But I have to get organized, and I will forward it to you. I have access to my work email at home, but I’m not going to be home much this weekend. I may not get to look at it until Monday! There are a lot of things you had correct. My great grandfather John Elcik did die in 1962, so you have that right!

John Elcik (New York) – Because of a lack of work up in Maine during the Great Depression, my grandfather Andrew Elcik came to NYC in about 1932. He settled in Queens, NY! He married an Italian American, Jeannie Pascarella! My grandparents had two children (my dad) John Elcik, born in 1943, and my uncle Andrew Elcik born in 1941. Both my dad and uncle settled on Long Island, where we remain! I have a sister Karen (Elcik) McDonald, born in 1968! My uncle Andrew had three children; Christine was born in 1965, Andrew born in 1967, and Jacqueline was born in 1970.

July 19, 2020, 3:05 AM

John Elcik (Florida) – Curiosity killed the cat; satisfaction brought it back. Can you point me to a relatively current picture? Who is Nicholas?

John Elcik (New York) – Nicholas is my son born in 2001, and Katherine is my daughter born in 2005. I have two children, and my wife is Deborah Elcik (Polak ) Born 1968! Whose recent picture would you like me to send to you ???

John Elcik (Florida) – I think I have been confusing Nicholas and you. Silly, I know. The pictures of John J. got me confused. I believe now you are the guy with glasses, and you have Nicolas’s image on the cover of Facebook? If so, I think you are about 15 years my junior? I was born in 1952.

John Elcik (New York) – I am the older guy with glasses. My son Nick is young, only 19! More confusing is I am John Elcik, and my dad was John J Elcik. No Sr. or Jr. stuff to worry about.

John Elcik (Florida) – My son is the V. Tremendous social pressure! J.P., as we call him, is getting married this year. Talk about pressure. ?

John Elcik (New York) – Wow, congrats I got married older, so my kids are still pretty young.

John Elcik (Florida) – This explains the reaction to my brother’s picture. I thought I was talking to glasses until I saw the cover photo. ? I’ve got to go. Pam is calling. Talk another time again. Have a great day!

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Gravestone Question


Friday, July 17, 2020, 11:47 PM

John (NY),

Could this be your Great-Great Grandfather’s gravestone? He is buried with his wife Jeho Zena Marie Ilcik, and one son.

SONY DSC

This son obviously can’t be your Great Grandfather. But they could have had another child.

If you examine the photo:

  • John Ilcik (16 MARH 1886 – ?? SEPT 1982)
  • Jeho Zena Marie Ilcik (28 SEPT 1887 – 13 AUG 1951), Age 63
  • John Ilcik (12 AUG 1908 – 02 JUL 1916)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36864877

John, IV

[John Ilcik will be identified later as the Great Grandfather. – John P. Elcik, IV, Editor]

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Historical Photos

The Elcik Family about 1910 - We Have Traveled Far


Fri 7/17/2020 2:48 PM

John,

I’m attaching a historical photo.

The Elick family top row from left to right: John P. Elcik, Jr.; Michael Elcik, and Andrew Elcik. The bottom row from left to right are Mary Elcik (Dutko), Elizabeth Elcik (Small), John P. Elcik, Sr.; Mary Elcik (Pelcarsky); Susan Elcik; and Annie Elcik. (Elizabeth & Annie are twins)

John, IV

P.S. I am retired, so that I can give this much more time than you. Don’t worry; I will slow down.

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Your Facebook Photos Remind Me of My Brother Jim


Friday, July 17, 2020, 9:50 PM

John, NY

I think that your grandfather and mine look like brothers (fraternal twins?).

Later I learn that I have misidentified by using a photo of my maternal rather than paternal grandfather. – Ouch! – John, IV

Previously, I showed you or your father a picture of my brother Jim who in it resembles your dad. Did I send it to your father or was that you?

This is Jim’s photo. I was reacting to the pictures I had seen on Facebook.

John, IV

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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.

——————————

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

————————

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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Website Reviewed

July 23, 2020, 09:33 PM

Beth,

I will fix it. Thanks. Most, not all, my errors had occurred before I learned not to trust Ancestry HINTs and other people’s trees 100%. I’m getting better. At least I hope so. 🙂

You are the first of nine people to accept my offer to see/use the site. With your editor status, you should be able to do anything. For example, you even can see living people and my notes. On your Trees, I must have a contributor or guest status as I can’t see data on living people. That’s ok. I can see what I need to. Also, while you may make changes as an Editor, it is not expected. What you have done by pointed out errors is wonderful. If you notice anything, pass it along. I know I probably sent you too many notes today. Don’t worry; I will slow down as soon as I get over the initial excitement of having my first reviewer. Thank you for the comment about pictures. I have been struggling with how many? What is too much. I may have reached that point. 🙂 I also hope that you can easily download pictures. The 1910 Elcik Family photo may be too big to email. 🙂 Enjoy!

I fixed Loni Beth’s record. I’m embarrassed; I know better as for Eleanor’s name it shows correctly for me. Elinor is an alternate that was picked up in the Census. Eleanor is the preferred spelling.

John, IV

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Re: The Elcik Family Tree

July 24, 2020, 02:27 PM

Beth,

First, I think you are awesome. What you have done is incredible. Your work ethic in getting so much done is incredible. It, too, must be DNA. 🙂 I had a Facebook conversation with Janet (Lucas) about her parents and how I remember them as hard working. It is nice to know our children are inheriting these genes.

Karkos is a name I know from my research. I will eMail you something about him as soon as I find it. 🙂 Please let me know when you get the email. I tried adding a picture at the last minute. Its file is larger than some eMail program support. 🙂 

One more question? Can you find out if Annie’s parents came from Parhovjani S, Czechoslovakia? What can she or Terry tell us about how the name would have been spelled in Europe? Elsik? Or something else? You have access to a goldmine of information. Awesome! You are making my day, week, month, year… and more!

Beth, I love the information about our family that we find out in our research. But truthfully, without the software tools, this would have been too much for me to handle. You are the real expert. Interviewing to collect data. That is over the moon. I’m taking a bulldozer approach with software tools, and I feel like the proverbial bull in a china shop. I hope not to break anything.

I’m coming to a “radical” opinion about some of this. I’m beginning to see what we do as a project to PRESERVE FAMILY HISTORY first, and as an ancestry research project second, if at all. Could this shift in goal get us more support? I’m giving thought to ways we can collaborate more. I’m getting so much from this. THANK YOU!

I’m willing to bet that Terry would love to have a copy of Annie’s photo. She is about 5 years old. 🙂

John, IV