Category: Ilcik

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Re: Status Updates

Sun 12/6/2020 3:55 AM

 
What is that old saying? “From your lips to God’s ear.”  I really do hope that that the two Elcik families are connected, and we find proof. 
 
I have two game plans:  
  • The DNA option is in play as I have submitted the Ancestry DNA kit for analysis. Ancestry.com’s tools for working with our family tree made it the best choice.  However, I also have recently purchased the MyHeritage DNA kit because of its uniquely large European database. It would help if I could get “Ilcik” DNA, but I will be patient. Sooner, or later one of the Ilick’s will share our interest in solving this mystery.
  • I also maintain the FamilySearch Tree because of its broad reach. Someday, I think that another tree will connect to ours, and it will have European ancestors that answer our questions.
To add another quote, “hope is not a strategy,” so I am taking all the action steps I can.  Do you remember the old joke about the individual complaining to God about his not winning the lottery?  He prays that he is a good person, a faithful person, etc.  The story goes on to have God respond, “you need to meet me halfway and purchase a ticket.” I’m buying tickets. Lol. 
 
My next action step will be to investigate immigration records.  Ancestry.com hasn’t been helpful with this part, so I need to try something else. 
 
John, IV 
 
P.S. I have also started writing a “Reader’s Digest” condensed version of the Elcik family history.  I’m about 12 pages into it, and because I want to keep it short, it is about done. Maybe. Maybe not. ? 
  
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Re: eBook Promotion

Thu 1/14/2021 4:48 PM
John,

 
This sounds great and accurate.  Did you notice the spelling of Elcik at the bottom of the gravestone as Ilcik??  I thought that was interesting considering the 3 different spellings we’ve seen on documents, etc.  I’m very anxious to take pictures of the gravestone to add to my collection I already have.  I also plan to help Earl clean it up in the Spring, and hopefully, we’ll be able to get better pictures after doing that.
 
Can you clear something up for me?  Are the eBook and My Cousins Group both on Facebook?  As you well know by now, I’m easily confused.  
Beth
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Re: eBook Promotion

Thu 1/14/2021 5:46 PM
Beth,
I didn’t notice. Wow. Is that a head-scratcher? I think so. I wonder what the Ilcik Elcik’s will think about that?
Yes, they both are on Facebook.  I didn’t remember doing it, but I created the MyCousins group on my Facebook account about 9 years ago. I’ll send you an invite.  Nothing much there. I posted this email because it adds a few subscribers to our list. 🙂 I had to resurrect my Facebook account for the second time to add Pam as an administrator to MyCousins. Now when I really retire from Facebook, I can still have the MyCousins group. 🙂 Once you are a member, I can make you an administrator too. Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind about deleting. I have not lasted for 7 days. Lol.  
The MyCousins group might be an alternative to MeWe. What do you think?.
Two more new developments.
  • I have Mary Anna Pelcarsky’s obituary, and she DID have a sister: Anna (Pelcarsky) Karkos.  This confirms my theory that there are two connections between the Elcik and Karkos families. I will tell Terry L. Karkos and see if this inspires him to start up his website.
  • Naria Anna Pelcarsky also used the alias Mary, which makes me feel better about our past decisions.
See the attached image for confirmation of both items.
John, IV
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Ilcik


Thu 1/14/2021 7:01 PM

Beth,

Do you have a better picture of John Sr.’s gravestone, or did you see “Ilcik” during a visit to the cemetery? My eyes may be going the way of my hearing as I can’t see it on the photo at FindAGrave.

Are you ok with my reporting this as fact to the Ilcik’s and the MyCousins groups? It is a big scoop (attributable to you) and could ignite interest in a DNA test. What do you think?

John, IV

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Re: Ilcik

Thu 1/14/2021 10:46 PM
John,

 
I don’t have a picture of the gravestone, but I can send you the one Earl sent me.  It’ll be a different email address, one that I use for my personal emails.  You should be able to enlarge it.  That’s what I did, and I had to do it several times to see the letters.  I may go to the cemetery tomorrow to see if I can get a close-up.  The letters are raised rather than engraved.
 
It’s definitely OK to use the Ilcik spelling for both groups.  I’m not sure it’ll spark any interest in a DNA test.  If people want to do that, they would have already done it.  At least, that’s my feeling.  
 
You asked me about Jack’s DNA test.  I can’t find it.  I have mine, and his is MIA at the moment.  I’m so upset with myself.  I have lots of documents and Ancestry info for my family in my office, and it may be mixed up with that.  I’ll keep looking for it.
 
I’m switching to my email to send you the picture Earl sent me.
 
Stay tuned,
 
Beth
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Re: The MyCousins Project

Fri 1/15/2021 10:49 PM
John, IV
I think people have lost interest and don’t share the enthusiasm you and I have.  No matter the reasons, you’ve worked hard on the project, and I’ve done what I can on my end.

I have to tell you; I went to St Cyril cemetery today because I couldn’t wait until Spring to find your great grandfather’s/grandmother’s gravestone.  Their last name is definitely spelled Ilcik because I traced it with my finger.  I did the same with their names and dates.  It says he was born in 1867, and we’ve been putting 1866 as his dob.  I took 2 pictures and will send them to you when I download them to my computer.  I’ll do that tomorrow as I’m tired tonight.  
 
I didn’t sleep well last night because this has been on my mind, plus I’m adding names to the Byras family tree.  Something I hadn’t mentioned to you before now….as you know, I grew up in Durham, and a good friend of mine and close neighbor was Stephen Byrus.  His father and mother were Joseph Byrus and Marie Yvette Pelletier Byrus (she used her middle name Yvette), and his grandfather and grandmother were Joseph Byrus and Louise Crowley Byrus.  Our parents were very good friends and spent a lot of time together.  Stephen was an only child; his dad had cancer and died young at 43.  It upset my parents greatly, especially my dad because he lost a great friend.  Yvette worked in a bank in Lisbon Falls, and she and my mom remained friends until her retirement, and she moved to Camden, ME., where she died.   Yvette would visit once in a while, and they often exchanged letters. 
 
The point of this story is… Stephen stopped at our house a few years ago with lots of information about the Byras family.  The Byras family had a family reunion in Bowdoin every year, and we always went when Gert was alive.  After she died, Jack lost interest in going, and so did his dad.  Stephen went every year and knew all the Byras family.  He also knew I had joined Ancestry and wanted to know the Byras family history.  He told me all the family members, and thankfully, I wrote it all down.  I hadn’t done much on the Byras family until a couple of days ago, and now I’m obsessed with completing that tree.  I’m not done yet, but I’m close.  I can only work for a few hours and don’t always get back to it until the next day.  
 
Another bit of information… Joe, Yvette, and Stephen Byrus spell their last name Byrus, and the rest of the family spells it Byras.  I don’t know if you had noticed that.  I asked Stephen why one time, and he said he didn’t know, but his family always spelled it that way.  
 
I’ve rambled enough for now, but I thought you’d be interested to know my connection to the Byras family.  Little did I know when I was growing up, I’d marry Jack and become involved with his family history as much as I have.  I couldn’t wait to get to the cemetery today to find the Elcik/Ilcik gravestone.  I even saw Earl’s footprints in the snow!!!!
 
I’m shutting down for now.  I’ll send the pictures tomorrow.
 
Beth