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Updating the 2008 Family Tree

Wed 7/29/2020 10:43 AM

Pam, Jim, Jeff, J.P., and Michelle,

My project to update the 2008 Family Tree is proceeding nicely. The Family tree now has 2,116 people, 1,130 photos, and 121 stories with 2,535 records. In addition to reaching out to you, I have been using Facebook and email to communicate with Beth Gamache and Janet (Lucas) Welsh). Beth is my cousin, Jack’s wife, and Janet also is my cousin. Both live in Maine.

There are five documents that I think are interesting, so I’m asking you to read and share them with the kids and their spouses. I have yet to add Duryea, Grap, McMahon, or Portal surnames. I would do so if I get some data from the family. Minimally, I need birthdates for grand-parents and the maiden names of the wives. Pictures are always welcome.

The focus for me began with the Elcik and McClanahan surnames. I have added Adams, Brekke, Byrus, DeRosa, Duryea, Gamache, Gruhl, Jorgenson, Karkos, Kashmer, Skillin, and Strand to get to where I am today.

Technically, this is a never-ending project, but I will let this wind down soon. If you wish to view the Family Tree or contribute or need me to resend the invitation to access, let me know.

Dad

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A Puzzle to Be Solved

Sat 8/1/2020 4:47 PM

John,

The more we dig, the more confusing it gets. I have a message from my friend, Pam Lizotte. Her father is George Karkos, and her grandmother Annie Elcik. She has:

  • John Elcik,1868
  • Mary Pelcarsky,,1875

She does not have death dates.

CHILDREN

  • John Paul Elcik, 1896
  • Mike Elcik, 1897
  • Mary Elcik, 1900
  • Andrew John, 1901-1951
  • Lizzie Elcik, 1905
  • Annie M. Elcik 1905-1982
  • Elcik, 1910

According to her, John P. Elcik Sr. was married to Mary Pelcarsky, whose name I’ve seen before.

I don’t know what to think at this point. Could there possibly be “another” John Elcik that we don’t yet know??

Beth

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The Oldest Known Photo of Elcik Family

The Elcik Family about 1910 - We Have Traveled Far


Thu 8/6/2020 10:54 AM

Rebecca,

This is the oldest known photo of the Elcik family.

John Elsik in the 1910 Census. John (42 years old), Marie (35) have been married 21 years: John Jr. (15), Mike (13), Mary (10), Andrew 8, and the twins Annie and Lizzie (5). Both John & Marie’s birthplace is given as Austria. Immigration status is “alien.”

John, IV

P.S. The Elcik family in 1910 top row from left to right: John P. Elcik, Jr.; Michael Elcik, and Andrew Elcik. Bottom row from left to right are Mary (Dutko) Elcik, Elizabeth (Small) Elcik, John P. Elcik, Sr.; Mary (Pelcarsky) Elcik; Susan (Kiszonak) Elcik; and Annie (Karkos) Elcik.

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The Twins


Thu 8/6/2020 9:36 PM

Rebecca wrote:

“I think my mom has a copy of the oldest known family, but I don’t recall her pointing out the twins Annie and Lizzie. I don’t think I have ever heard any mention of them before; maybe I’m incorrect. I’ll have to quiz my mother when I talk to her this weekend.”

My response:

Beth knows Annie. Anyway, Annie was married to Terry Karkos, a well-known Maine Genealogy expert specializing in Slovak ancestry. 

John, IV

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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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The Pelcarsky Puzzle Kept Me up

 
I have found three significant references to Pelcarsky in addition to Mary Pelcarsky that married my Great Grandfather.  I also reduced the number of relevant documents (unduplicated facts) to three. 

 
# 1 is your trip to Mt. Calvary Cemetary
 
Anna Pelcarsky 17 SEP 1877 – 22 MAR 1940 = Annie M.
Joseph Karkos 23 MAR 1867 – 21 JUL 1957 = Joseph Paul
Albert Karkos 01 MAR 1914 – 31 JAN 1915
 
There is a second son: Joseph Thomas Karkos who marries Mildred Aris Alexander. Mildred Aris Alexander’s parents are Edgar Butler Alexander and Mabel Palmer.
 
[Comment: If it is true that Anna Pelcarsky is our Mary’s sister then this means there are two ties between the Karkos and Elcik families (one generation apart).
 
Anna Pelcarsky (1877-1940) marries Joseph Karkos (1867-1957)
Annie Elcik (1905-1982) marries George F. Karkos (1899-1965)
 
I think this is true, but it would be good to verify with George E. Karkos.]
 
#2 is Maria Pelcarsky who is married to Paul Ilcik and has a daughter Annie Ilcik.
 
Annie marries Andrew Basala on 19 JAN 1911
Andrew Basala’s parents are John Basala and Annie Chismar.
 
[Comment: Whether Paul Ilcik is a Durham Elcik is unverified. I’m also working to find out if Maria Pelcarsky is related to our Mary Pelcarsky.]  
 
#3 is Mary Pelcarsky in the 1930 United States Census (NOT OUR MARY)
 
Mary was born in Czechoslovakia in 1901 and married Joseph Pelcarsky also born in Czechoslovakia.  
 
They have three sons: Joseph, Edward, Emil; and five daughters: Anna, Hele, Margaret, Mary Phillips, Rose
 
[Comment: There are other Pelcarsky‘s in Ohio that I stopped researching once I was sure that this was a different Mary Pelcarsky and her relatives.]
 
John, IV

Maria Pelcarsky in the entry for Andrew Basala and Annie Ilcik, _Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921_ — FamilySearch.org.pdf

Mary Pelcarsky in the household of Joseph Pelcarsky, _United States Census, 1930_ — FamilySearch.org.pdf

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My Conversation with Pam Karkos


Thursday, August 27, 2020, 5:03 PM

I had a lengthy conversation with Pam yesterday. Her dad is George Karkos son of Annie Elcik and George Karkos. Pam’s married name is Lizotte.

She didn’t know about the gravestone of Anna Pelcarsky and Joseph Karkos. She will talk to her father about it. He had day surgery yesterday (he’s 92 but his memory is sharp).

I didn’t call him today because of his surgery but will definitely “follow up” with her in a few days. She’s on Family Search and is very interested in genealogy and I have piqued her interest in the Pelcarsky name especially since the new development of Joseph Karkos and Anna Pelcarsky.

I stressed to her about the importance of talking to her dad while he’s still alive. She told me her grandfather George Karkos, Annie Elcik’s husband, bought 30 plots at Mt. Calvary and she and her husband and their children will be buried there.

Just one more “little tidbit!!”

Stay tuned,

Beth