Category: Ilcik

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What is a Durham Elcik?

 
Wed 10/28/2020 8:17 PM
 
Beth,

 
I’m going to recommend that we do not use location to describe the differences between the two Elcik families immigrated to America.
 
I started by using New York as a description for John Elcik in Rocky Point, New York, and later we both changed that to Durham Elcik’s to reflect the common origins in Maine. Because of my father and his siblings, I always self-identified with Lisbon Falls. 
 
After a closer look, it would appear that both Elcik families immigrated to Durham, Maine, and are Durham Elcik’s.  John Elsik immigrated in 1891 and Mary Pelcarsky in 1896. John Ilcik immigrated in 1905 and Mary Maria Yonek a year later in 1906. Durham was a relatively small community of 1,625 people in 1910 and, by 1920, the population had shrunk to 1,144 people.
 
John Elsik, Sr. (1866-1941), and Mary Pelcarsky (1870-1936) were born in Austria and died in Lewiston, Maine. At least six of their seven children were born in Durham, Maine.
  • 1886 John Elcik, Jr.
  • 1897 Michael Joseph Elcik
  • 1899 Mary Anna Elcik
  • 1901 Andrew John Elcik
  • 1905 Annie Elcik
  • 1905 Elizabeth Elcik
  • 1910 Susan M. Elcik (location unknown)
John Ilcik (1886-1962) and Mary Maria Jonek (1887-1951) were born in Slovakia and Austria.  Both died in Lewiston, Maine. All five of their children were born in Durhan, Maine.
  • 1907 Joseph Elcik
  • 1908 John Ilcik, Jr.
  • 1911 Andrew John Elcik
  • 1915 George Michael Elcik
  • 1919 Marie E. Elcik
Both men and their wives died in Lewiston, Maine.
 
Subsequently, both families’ paths would take them in different geographic directions.
 
The offspring of John Elsik would have their children in Libson Falls, Maine. John Elcik, Jr.’s wife and all six of their children would be born in Lisbon Falls.
 
The offspring of John Ilcik would have their children in New York. The first in 1931 is John Joseph Elcik, the son of Joseph Elcik.
 
John Ilcik’s brother Paul Joseph Ilcik, Sr. (1896-1970) and his wife Mary A. Fabian (1891-1978) would have two children
  • 1915 Paul Joseph Elcik, Jr. (Durham)
  • 1917 Mary A. Elcik (Lisbon Falls)
Based on this new information, I find it less confusing if I refer to each family as the descendants of John Elsik or John Ilcik. John Elsik was the family that relocated to Lisbon Falls and John Ilcik, the family that relocated to New York. 
 
Both families would move on to other locations. At one point, we each had family in Butler County, Ohio. Pam and I lived in Fairfield, Ohio; simultaneously, Jacqueline Elcik lived close by. A piece of mail belonging to Jacqueline was delivered to my house by mistake when my mother, formerly Jacqueline Elcik, now Jacqueline Skillin, lived with us. It was a check which we deposited by honest mistake. Ouch!
 
That was easy, wasn’t it? Lol.
 
John Elcik, IV
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Ancestry.com’s Messaging Platform

 
Tue 11/10/2020 12:54 PM
 
Beth,
 
I think 3 Ilcik-Elcik’s males are on Ancestry.com’s messaging platform: Brian, John, Robert, and Stephen.  
 
I’m reaching out to them to share what I am doing to encourage interest in the Elcik family history.
 
The following text is generically what each received with some personalization added to each message.
 
———–
Greetings,
 

I’m working on Genealogy brick wall scenarios related to the Elcik surname.

Two families came to America in the late 1888s or early 1900s. Today both families share the Elcik surname, Slovak heritage, and a Catholic background. Back then, the surnames were Elsik and Ilcik.
 
⦁ John Elsik (1866-1941) was married to Mary Pelcarsky (1875-1936). John immigrated to America in 1891, and Mary immigrated in 1896.
⦁ John Ilcik (1886-1982) was married to Mary Jeho Zena Jonek (1887-1951). John immigrated to America in 1905, and Mary immigrated a year later in 1906
 
I believe that there is a family relationship linking John Elsik to John Ilcik.
Finding the link has proven difficult as the church records in Europe most likely were destroyed in World War II.  
 
John Elsik (1866-1941) is my Great Grandfather.  
 
One possibility for finding the link between the two families is through a DNA test between two males, one from each family.
 
I’m looking to identify someone from the Ilick family who has or is willing to take a DNA test and share data.  There are two options: Ancestry.com is currently offering a 40% discount on its $99 test. It might be helpful. The better option when you seek a match between two living men is a Y-111 test. Admittedly, this is expensive at $250 for each participant.  
 
This is a chance to make history within the Elcik family. If you know someone who might be interested, please contact me. I’m looking for a hero. ?
 
Also, let me know if you want to be kept informed about the Elcik Family Tree. It is called My Cousins and includes data for both families. The tree has 2,650 people, 1,399 Photos, and 140 LifeStories. Access is by invitation only.  I’ll send one upon request.
 
Warmest regards,
Dr. John Paul Elcik, IV
Fort Myers, Florida
johnelcik@msn.com

————————–

I will send a shorter but similar outreach message to the females on the Messaging service: Christine, Janie, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Kathryn, Marcie, Nancy. Primary, I’m limiting outreach to those spelling our surname Elcik. As you might expect, none are using the Ilcik spelling. 
I hope to gain additional interest in our family history. Here’s to hope!
 
John, IV
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Re: Status Updates

Fri 12/4/2020 1:19 PM

Beth,
 
First, I hope you and Jack are doing well and preparing to enjoy the holidays.  We are doing that here. In fact, my delay in responding to your email results from the holiday’s “honey-do this” list. Lol.
 
Thank you very much for being willing to follow-up on the possibility of John, Sr. being buried in St. Cyril’s.   
 
Mostly we agree on the contents of your message (see below), but I am underlining text where I think you may need to make changes in the tree.
 
To clarify the discussion about Michael Joseph Elcik (1897–1980). My records show BIRTH 16 JUL 1897 • Lisbon Falls, Androscoggin, Maine, USA; DEATH 22 JUN 1980 • Toms River, Ocean, New Jersey, USA. He is my great-uncle.
 
I agree with you that Paul Joseph Elcik Sr. (1896–1970) BIRTH 15 FEB 1896 • Czechoslovakia; DEATH 23 DEC 1970 • Lisbon Falls, Androscoggin, Maine, USA husband of great-aunt is married to Mary A Fabian (1891–1978) BIRTH 8 OCT 1891 • the Czech Republic; DEATH 23 NOV 1978 • Lisbon Falls, Androscoggin County, Maine, USA. Mary A. Fabian is my great-aunt.  Thankfully, this is “set in stone” (Lol) as per your photo of the gravesite.
 
Maria Pelcarsky, who is presenting a mystery for us, was married to a different Paul Elcik (an Ilcik Elcik). At least, that is my working theory.  It is unsubstantiated as I don’t have supporting dates of birth or the marriage. This collaborates with your feeling that we are talking about different families. We are—the all too familiar Elsik vs. Ilcik conundrum.
 
I also agree that Paul J. Elcik, Jr. (1915-1992 married Gertrude Fournier.  We agree that Gertrude was born in 1918., but your date of death is presumably a mistake (typo?).  According to the US Social Security Death Index, Gertrude Fournier died on 19 JAN 1983 (not 1993).
 
I agree that Mary A. Elcik (1917-2008) married Josepf Kinney (1909-1989). Sandra D. Eck was born June 12, 1942, in Lewiston, a daughter [Not a sister] of the late Joseph A. & Mary A. (Elcik) Kinney. A lifelong resident of Lisbon Falls, she attended local area schools and graduated from Lisbon High School.  I got this from the obituary.
 
Again, thanks for everything you do!
 
John, IV
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Re: Status Updates

 
 
Sat 12/5/2020 5:50 PM
 
John, IV,
 
I meant to correct my mistake about Joseph Kinney.  He was Sandra Kinney Eck’s daughter, NOT her brother.  

 
When you read the obits I sent you, you’ll see that John P Ilcik/Elcik and Mary Jonek had 5 children, which we already know, Joseph, Andrew, George (who married Jack’s Aunt Anna), Michael and Mary Elcik King.  John’s obit says he had a brother Paul, whom I believe to be the same Paul who married Mary Fabian, Paul Sr.  Paul Jr. married Gertrude Fournier.  This is the Durham John P Elcik family.  Mary Fabian’s obit states she married Paul Elcik, and they had a son Paul.  This may be repetitive, but the more I say and write it, the better I understand it.  That’s just how my brain works!!!
 
If only we could connect the Durham Elcik’s to our Elcik’s other than through marriage.  It’s frustrating!!!
 
Beth
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Re: Summary of Research Findings

Sun 12/13/2020 12:39 PM

Joseph [Elcik], 
As you know, I’m working on genealogy brick wall scenarios related to the Elcik surname.
 
You could be of great help in two ways. 
 
First, by any chance, were you able to find a copy of the family tree, and could you share it? I’m writing an eBook (My Cousins) with Beth Gamache about genealogy research, and it would be wonderful if I could get access before that happens. Our target to publish is May 3rd, my birthday.
 
Second, it would be helpful to consider or get a close male relative to consider taking a DNA test and sharing the results. There are sales on DNA testing kits by Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com during the holiday season.  I have taken both tests myself with the hope of using DNA to establish the link between our two families. 
 
The following describes in more detail where I am with the research. 
 
Two families came to America in the late 1888s or early 1900s. Today both families share the Elcik surname, Slovak heritage, and a Catholic background. Back then, the surnames were Elsik and Ilcik.
  • John Elsik (1866-1941) was married to Mary Pelcarsky (1875-1936). John immigrated to America in 1891, and Mary immigrated in 1896.
  • John Ilcik (1886-1982) was married to Mary Jeho Zena Jonek (1887-1951). John immigrated to America in 1905, and Mary immigrated a year later in 1906
I believe that there is a family relationship linking John Elsik to John Ilcik.
Finding the link has proven difficult as the church records in Europe most likely were destroyed in World War II.  
John Elsik (1866-1941) is my Great Grandfather, and Jon Ilcik is part of your bloodline.  
One possibility for finding the link between the two families is through a DNA test between two males, one from each family.
I’m looking to identify someone from the Ilick family who has or is willing to take a DNA test and share data.  
I am hopeful that the inexpensive (less than $100) testing will work. Ancestry.com is currently offering a 40% discount on its $99 test, and MyHeritage has a similar price for their DNA test. I have been budgeting for the best option. When you seek a match between two living men, that is a Y-111 test. Admittedly, this is expensive at $250 for each participant. But I think we can avoid that. 
This is a chance to make history within the Elcik family. If you know someone who might be interested, please contact me. I’m looking for a hero. ?
John
P.S. I know for sure that there is one connection between the two Elcik families. George Elcik (in the 1920 Census) married my Uncle’s sister Anna Gamache.  I this there is more to find. 
Warmest regards,
John
John Paul Elcik, IV
Fort Myers, Florida
johnelcik@msn.com
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Outreach

Thu 12/17/2020 11:50 AM

Beth,

I text messaged this to several people. I included modified versions for Bill Cizmar and Robert Elcik.
John, IV
————-

I have just discovered the messaging feature here at Ancestry.com.  Imagine my delight that 14 people have connections of potential interest regarding my great-grandfather John Paul Elcik. I am John Paul Elcik, IV and I have a son who also bears this name whom we call “JP.”

My research shows two different families from Europe settled in the late 1800s in Androscoggin County, Maine. Both are Slovak with a Catholic heritage, and both initially settled in Durham, Maine.  I am sharing the following with everyone as I believe a lot of confusion exists regarding the surname Elcik.
The “Elsik” family which I am descended begins with John Paul Elcik (Elsik), and the first documented reference is the United States Federal Census 1910.  I have a cherished photo of the family from that time period I would be happy to share.
  • John Elsik (1866-1941) was married to Mary Pelcarsky (1875-1936). John immigrated to America in 1891, and Mary immigrated in 1896. I have some evidence that he had a brother, Joseph.
My grandfather in the 1910 census spells his, and only his surname as Elsik. Everyone else uses Elcik spelling.
The Ilcik family, which is a different family, maybe related, but the proof of that does not yet exist.  When they arrived in America at Ellis Island, their surname was changed from Ilcik to Elcik. There is a family relationship to us through marriage, but it is not a bloodline relationship.
  • John Ilcik (1886-1982) was married to Mary Jeho Zena Jonek (1887-1951). John immigrated to America in 1905, and Mary immigrated a year later in 1906.
I have written several documents on the Elcik family explaining all this in some detail.  I address the issues of spelling: Elcik, Ilcik, Elcik, Elick. These documents and the 1910 family photo are available to all who express interest.  Please email me with your request.
I also have a list of inquiries that are ongoing related to the Elsik and Ilcik families.  Those questions also will be shared. Will you be the one with answers?
Have I have provided enough detail that you want to share information?  I hope so. I am currently writing an eBook called MyCousins with Beth Gamache. Beth is the wife of my 1st Cousin, Jack.  They live in Lisbon Falls, Maine, which I have always viewed as my “home” town without ever having lived there. Auntie Gertrude and Uncle Norman lived at 45 Davis Street, and it is where my family always returned to after living in Guam, Japan, and the Philippines. If you guessed my brothers and I lived in a military family, you would have been right; Dad was in the U.S. Navy.
Warmest regards,
John, IV
Dr. John P. Elcik, Ed.D.
15117 Cloverdale Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Email: johnelcik@msn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jelcik
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnelcik/