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Sources

Fri, Jul 31, 2020, at 8:18 AM

Beth,

I need to explain the use of sources and why I think you are missing something important.

I have attached two profiles of Jack’s father (my uncle). Note a large number of sources on my copy. Sources confirm the accuracy of a tree by identifying where the information can be verified. Manually doing this would be very difficult. Ancestry makes it easy with their HINT’s for if you accept a HINT, ancestry records where it got the information for you.

In addition to comparing my profile for Uncle Norman, there is another way for you to see this. Go into my record for Uncle Norman in my tree. Place the cursor over any fact. When you do — lines will be drawn from that fact to the sources where that information is verified.

Does this help?

For the number of individuals in your trees, you should have sources and lots of images that come simply from accepting Ancestry HINTs as being accurate.

John, IV

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Updates to Family Tree

Fri 7/31/2020 9:22 AM

Jeff,

Several of the papers you have are part of Dad’s May 1955 DD 398, a government employment form.

Wow! Very nice to have.

Much of this information will validate entries in the Family Tree.

Dad mentions he had a Family Tree made and will send it sometime. If you come across it, I would be most interested in it.

It might confirm, for example, my theory that our Great-Grandfather had a brother.

Love,

Your brother

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Aunt Gertrude’s Letter


Sat, August 1, 2020, at 4:51 AM

Beth,

I’ve pieced together a part of the backstory of Aunt Gertrude’s letter dated April 24, 1961.

She is talking about Helen B. Mosko, her new stepmother. Helen and John Jr. were married on September 1, 1959.

John P Elcik, Jr. and Helen B. Mosko saw their spouses pass away (John in 1951 and Helen in 1953).

Helen lives five more years after John, Jr. died on March 31, 1963.

I think it is interesting that Helen speaks mostly Slovak. Aunt Gertrude says she likes her but can’t get herself to call her mother.

My Dad, in his papers, also shares the information that Helen is a naturalized citizen. Naturalization Certificate Number is 637181 issued at Bath, Maine, October 10, 1917. Both he and Aunt Gertrude reference the same Certificate number.

What is still a mystery for me is the reference to checks. I also don’t know who Auntie Gertrude writes this letter. Who would she call kids?

What do you think?

John, IV

P.S. I also am at a loss as to why my father did not acknowledge Helen’s existence when I asked him in a 2008 letter.

 

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Father’s Papers, Maybe Not

Sat, August 1, 2020, at 5:34 AM

Beth,

I assumed, I now think incorrectly, that the document found by Jeff in my father’s papers was written by my father.

The problem, however, is that not one of the four birthdates referenced match up with any individual in the family tree.

Do you have anything on these dates?

  • “I was born in Kenduskeag, Maine March 7, 1905.”
  • “Gramp was born in Kenduskeag, Maine, March 25, 1879.”
  • “Gram was born in Mansfield, Maine January 5, 1885.”
  • “Your Mother was born August 26, 1908; I think in Denmark, Maine.”

Given my Dad’s date of birth, I initially thought these would be John, Jr., John Sr., Mary Pelcarsky, and Mary Byrus.

They are not as we have their birthdates as follows.

  • John Jr. 20 FEB 1896
  • John Sr. 06 NOV 1866
  • Mary Pelcarsky 06 NOV 1870
  • Mary Byrus 05 NOV 1900

Another puzzle to be solved.

John, IV

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