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Gravestone Question

August 3, 2020

John (NY),

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

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

Dr. John P. Elcik
15117 Cloverdale Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33919

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A Family Mystery?


Fri, Aug 7, 2020, at 12:17 PM

Cousins, etc.,

Is there is a relation that connects the waves of Elcik (Elick, Elsik) families that immigrated to America in the 1880s? I can connect two as being us. We share a common heritage (Austria/Hungary/Slovakia), surname, and given names; specifically, John and James. We all settled initially in Lisbon Falls or Durham, Maine. Those that eventually went on to New York are part of the group I’m researching to see if a link exists.

  • John Elsik (Austria) (1866-1941) – My Great-Grandfather (Sr.) arrived here in 1891, 5-years before my Grandfather is born.
  • John P Elcik (1896-1963) – My Grandfather (Jr.)
  • John Paul Elcik (1928-2011) – My Father (III)
  • John Paul Elcik (1952-) – Myself (IV)
  • John Paul Elcik (1986-) – My son (V)

I can’t yet place the following family:

  • John Ilcik (16 MAR 1886-05 SEP 1962)
  • Andrew John Ilcik (26 OCT 1911-04 APR 1951)
  • John J. Elcik (5 AUG 1945-15 SEP 2018) (New York John’s Grandfather)
  • James G. Elcik (26 JAN 1934)
  • John Elcik (New York John, my contact)
  • Nickolas Elcik (2001)

John Ilcik (Slovakia) (1886-1962); There is only a 10-year age difference between this individual and my Grandfather. I think families are related, but I don’t have evidence. I suspect the link exists in Europe.

I would dismiss this as an Ellis Island spelling mistake except for New York John, and I see a family resemblance in some photos. We may decide to take DNA tests as…
Curiosity killed the cat satisfaction brought it back. 🙂

Any thoughts?

John, IV

P.S. And then there is another John Elcik (22 DEC 1931- 14 APR 2019) that I can’t place anywhere. Beth, it is these facts that could drive me crazy. 🙂 Have I mentioned that there are other ways to spell John? Johann, Jan. Am I crazy?

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The Family Tree, etc.

The Family Tree, etc.
Dr. John Elcik
Sat 8/8/2020 5:32 AM

Stacey and Lauren,

Back in 2008, I worked on a family tree called “My Cousins” that was useful then. I have a new updated version that is nearing a stopping point. It will never be “completed.”

You may already have your own resources dedicated to this, but even so, this could be helpful. I also would love to gain access to anything you would like to see put into the family tree. I am using the tree to build a Family history so many of my images, documents, and website links are a bit unconventional. I use the tree to tell family LifeStory’s. ?

Are you interested in having your own copy of my version of the Family tree? If so, the following FREE options exist for using a copy of the tree.

The typical approach is to ask for a GEDCOM file. I can provide a file in this format and it can be used with virtually any ancestry or genealogy software. The file is free.

It is not the way I recommend you go because GEDCOM FILES are text-only files. The downloads do not contain photos and other documents. I have attached a link below that explains more about GEDCOM files.

https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Moving-Trees-Between-Accounts

There are two outside companies that sync to Ancestry. When the files are synced, they will retain photos and documents. The companies which sync with Ancestry are Family Tree Maker 2019 and RootsMagic.

I have elected to use Family Tree Maker 2019 by Mackiev. Here is a link to Mackiev Live Chat: https://www.mackiev.com/techsupport/ftm/livechat.html

If you want a GEDCOM or Family Tree Maker backup, send your request with an email address for delivery. The files are free. You will need a software program to use them.

The tree includes familiar surnames: Adams, Elcik (Elick, Elsik, Ilcik), Gamache, McClanahan, Lucas, Skillin, and Strand. I am willing to ADD additional surnames to the tree. To get started I typically need the dates of birth and full names of grandparents (maiden names for women).

Also, I’m willing to help other family members with their trees. I think it is important to update older trees to include sources, images, and web links. As Genealogist’s say, “A Tree without Sources is Mythology.”

Uncle John

P.S. The other family tree option is a FREE guest account at Ancestry.com. You will be able to view records but not change them. This too requires an email address.

P.P.S. Please forward this email to anyone you feel could be interested in sharing info or gaining access.

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The New York Elcik’s


Sat 8/8/2020 6:22 AM

Beth,

What follows is a composite email that tells the family story of John Elcik from New York. There is also this link to the obituary of John’s grandfather.

This text is a link to the obituary of John’s grandfather.

John Elcik Obituary – Miller Place, NY – Dignity Memorial
Visitation. Monday, September 17, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial. Tuesday, September 18, 2018. Committal Service. Tuesday, September 18, 2018
www.dignitymemorial.com

Enjoy!

John. IV

————————————

Hi John,

I can see we share the same name. My dad’s name was John Elcik Sr. He recently died in September, and his brother’s name is Andrew Elcik! My grandfather was Andrew Elcik, and he was from Lisbon Falls, Maine; born in 1911, he eventually settled in Queens, New York, and then my father came out to Long Island, where I live now!

However, one of the first things I did immediately notice is that my great grandfather also worked at the Pejepscot Paper Mill to supplement his income as a farmer. I also believe before he came to NYC in 1932, my grandfather Andrew Elcik also worked briefly at the paper mill. I hope you are well, and I will be in touch.

My grandfather Andrew Elcik was born here in Lisbon Falls, Maine, in 1911 (died 1995 on Long Island), and it was my great grandfather John Ilcik who came here thru Ellis Island in the early 1900s (don’t have an exact date but early 1900’s). All they know is it was spelled Ilcik in Europe (Austria Hungarian empire what is now the Czech Republic ). It was changed by mistake at Ellis Island when they just put it down wrong ( not on Purpose ).

I was always told we were Slovak and Not Czech, and my grandfather Andrew and Great grandfather spoke the language.

As I shared with you on Facebook, my father is John Elcik, born in 1943 in Queens, NY, and died in 2018, and you have the correct year of 1962, when I believe my great grandfather died. If you did not see it on Facebook, my grandfather Andrew Elcik came to NYC in approx. Between 1929 – 1932 because he could not find work at the paper mill anymore due to the great depression. He ended up working for Bryers Ice cream for 40 years. He married Jeannie Pascarella around 1939 and had two sons Andrew Elcik born in 1941, and my dad John Elcik born in 1943.

My uncle is still alive but hazy about the family’s past. I wish my dad John Elcik was alive because he could help solve this mystery. My uncle Andrew Elcik had three children: Christine, born 1965, Andrew born 1967, and Jaqueline, born 1970 or 71.

We have pictures of my great grandparents and grandfather from Lisbon Falls, which I Will eventually scan to you. We will eventually figure out the direct link. More to come.

In the picture with my grandfather Andrew Elcik, to the right is my grandmother Jeannie Elcik ( Born Pascarella ) and my dad John Elcik and my uncle Andrew Elcik to the left. My uncle Andrew is still alive. Everyone else in the picture is deceased.

I know it is his grave because this info provided below is true: He was born in Czechoslovakia, the son of Paul and Mary Elcik. His wife is the former Mary Jonek, whom he married in 1905. He came to the United States 58 years ago. He is predeceased by his wife, Mary, who died in 1951. [Editor’s note: This is where some of the confusion got started. Mary Jonek and Mary Pelcarsky were two different individuals. I highlighted this in red on your copy of the family tree]

He is survived by four sons Joseph of Brooklyn, NY; George of Lisbon Falls, ME; Andrew of Corona, NY; Michael of Miami, FL; a daughter Mrs. Mary King of Westville, NH; a brother Paul of Lisbon Falls, ME. He is my great grandfather.

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Summary of Research Findings


Sun 8/9/2020 3:08 PM

Family,

I have put together this summary of the ancestry research findings:

I know it was two not three waves of Elcik immigration to Maine.

  • John Elsik (1866-1941) married Mary Pelcarsky (1875-1936) through whom I (IV), Dad (III), and John (Jr.) descended. In the 1910 Census, John Elsik identified his surname as Elsik. Elcik is the spelling used for the rest of the family. John immigrated in 1891 and Mary in 1896. Ancestry and I agree that John Elsik is my great-grandfather.
  • John Elcik (1886-1982) was married to Mary Jeho Zena Jonek (1887-1951). John immigrated in 1905, and Mary immigrated a year later in 1906. He came to America through Ellis Island, and the name was changed to Elcik from Ilcik, as told to his grandson. His son, Andrew J. Elcik (1911-1995), married Jeannie Pascarella through whom many of the “New York” Elcik’s descended. This family includes my “New York” contact: John Elcik.

I now know for sure that there is a connection between the New York Elcik’s and us. [Thank you, Beth.] Their George Elcik (in the 1920 Census) married Jack’s father’s sister Anna Gamache. The John Elcik, who I have corresponded with via Facebook and email, is related to me as “grand-nephew of husband of sister-in-law of aunt.” A real tongue twister.

I still believe the two families are more directly related, if and when we can “jump the pond” to Europe. We all come from Western Europe (Austria/Hungry/Slovakia), spoke Slovak, and have a Catholic heritage.

The three Elcik brothers (John, Jim, and Jeff) are the fourth generation in America and directly descended from the first 1891/1896 wave.

I now know the spelling history of the surname from Elsik, Elcik, Elick, and back to Elcik. There are also apparent misspellings: Elcih.

I know that there are different spellings of Pelcarsky. Pelcarsky is the spelling as recalled by George Karkos, who was married to Annie, one of Mary’s daughters. Pelcarsky spelled as Pelesaky (on Michael’s Record of Marriage), or Pelchascay (on John’s Record of Marriage) to mention two.

John Elcik, Jr. (my grandfather) was married a second time to Helen Mosko. This marriage was not revealed to me (even when I asked my father) for reasons I may never know. A “mystery” letter from Aunt Gertrude, located by Jeff, addressed to “kids” that references Helen’s immigration status and the waiting for checks.

I now have some priceless photos and letters to add to our family tree:

  • A 1951 photo my grandfather thanks to Jeff, Jack, Beth, and Nancy
  • A wedding photo of my grandfather and grandmother thanks to Mark
  • A wedding photo of Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Norman thanks to Becky
  • Quality photos of family gravesites thanks to Beth
  • Chapman Cottage is the name of the B&B once the Lucas home, thanks to Janet.
  • Wanda’s letter with the words to the Slovak song my Dad sings from Becky
  • Family photos and letters from Jeff

I found evidence that John Elsik (my great-grandfather) had a brother Joseph. The Elsik spelling of the surname is just one of several links I found. Also, Beth sent me a photo of Joseph’s gravestone, which was helpful.

I now believe that the reason I never knew of or met my Aunt Mary is that she moved to Corpus Cristi, Texas. Jeff suggests this possibility.

In addition to the New York Elcik’s (Ilcik), there are Texas Elcik’s (Elsik) to be researched. There is even a high school in Huston, Texas named after an Elsik.

My thanks to everyone who has helped with this update of the 2008 “My Cousins” tree.

But a special thank you to Beth. She has enthusiastically shared in my craziness for several weeks now.

All my love,

John, IV

P.S. Guest privileges will continue forever at Ancestry.com for all who are interested. If you need the invite for the family tree to be resent or want to gain access for someone else, let me know. My World Explorer subscription to Ancestry.com is expiring, so Internet updates will be less frequent as I first record them locally with Family Tree Maker.

P.P.S. Nancy is putting together additional items for me. And if anyone else has more to offer, well, I will be grateful.

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Are John Ilcik and John Elsik Cousins?


Wed 8/12/2020 9:22 AM

John (NY)

First, I’m glad we found the George Elcik/Anna Gamache family connection.

I still believe there is a direct family relationship between John Ilcik (1886-1982) and John Elsik (1866-1941), our direct ancestors. Given the 20 years that separated the two, I suspect the relationship between these two is cousins.

To prove this will require access to records in Austria-Hungary. Ancestry wasn’t much help, The Family Tree Search Engine, however, sponsored by the Church of Latter-day Saints, has produced a few leads.

I’ll keep you posted.

John, IV

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Re: Elcik Family Tree

Life Story

Thursday, August 13, 2020, 10:46 PM

John,

I will keep up with the Ancestry progress and will stay in touch. I noticed a couple of mistakes in your Blood Relatives tree and made the corrections. It was in the Lucas family. You had Rosemary as one of the Lucas children, BUT she is Rodney’s wife. I also added John’s wife’s maiden name. She was a Grondin and is related to Jack through his father. He’s a cousin to John (he goes by Pete) AND to Lorraine.

The kielbasa recipe came from George Elcik, and the homebrew recipe came from Jack’s grandfather, Edmond.

Jack and his dad, George, and Bob, went to Durham to smoke the kielbasa because John Ilcik had a smokehouse. After John died, George asked Jack’s dad to smoke the kielbasa at his house.

Jack remembers his dad making homebrew. We used to make it too, but that was many years ago. We had the recipe, but we don’t know where it is now. Yes, it was strong, and his father loved it!!

So there ‘ya go!! Another mystery solved!!

Good news all around,

Beth