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Why Ancestry Research?


Sat 8/7/2020 6:44 PM

To: Mark Elcik <marklcheck@yahoo.com>; Nancy Kashmer <lanaka@comcast.net>; Beth Gamache <gamachebeth83@gmail.com>; Janet Lucas <janw@maine.rr.com>; Rebecca Davis <rkashmerdavis@gmail.com>; Jeffrey Lee Elcik <jeff@anyport.com>; Pam Elcik <pamelcik@gmail.com>; J.P. Elcik <elcikjp@yahoo.com>; Michelle Elcik <mkelcik@yahoo.com>; James Stacy Elcik <jselcik@hotmail.com>

Subject: Why Ancestry Research?

Cousins, etc.,

I was sharing with Becky that I think a picture of the cover of the “Birds” book with the Kashmer farm illustrations and the back story would make a great addition to the tree. Becky’s response was perfect, “Could be a nice little fun fact to include… that isn’t the normal information included that I am used to seeing in family history.”

She is 110% correct. I observe that 80% or more of family trees limit themselves to sources and gravesite photos. Any photo at all is a newer concept as Genealogist’s focus has been on getting us amateurs to add citations to our family trees. The classic line has been that “Trees without sources are mythology.”

I think that what gets included in family trees needs to change dramatically. The purpose for me is to tell a story and preserve history. And I see changes taking place. Ancestry.com, for example, has made it easier to link to websites. Thus, I’m attaching links to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter. Pinterest, FindaGrave.com, and Obituaries to individuals in my tree.

I want us to educate others to preserve family history rather than building family trees. Don’t you think that history recorded as it happens is more accurate? I’m including unconventional items as “artifacts” in my version of the family tree. I use images of business cards, photos of homes, artwork, music, poems, quotes, stories I’ve written, etc. And I’m adding special events: birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, travel, etc.

I have another goal in mind. It is even more ambitious. I want Facebook to modify its software. Currently, it myopically focuses on “friends” and is not “family” friendly. With a few minor adjustments, they could easily do both. As a former software builder, I have made this suggestion to them. Hopefully, they will listen. If not now, I’m sure someone will, someday.

We get so wrapped up in daily living that keeping up with what is happening with our extended family is difficult at best. And capturing the memories gets lost if the memories never get made.

Love to all,

John, IV

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Technology Finds Duplicates


Fri 8/7/2020 6:55 PM

Beth,

The attached Excel spreadsheet file has helped me find duplicate in four of your six family trees. See the first four worksheets. The last two are retained but have no duplicates that I could find.

The names (spreadsheet lines) of individuals highlighted in yellow are most definitely duplicates. Those in Orange are a high probability of being duplicated.

If you need a Word file, I could do that in about 30-45 minutes.

Technology makes the task easier. Family Tree Maker has a program, but I like this approach better. ?

Even so, please take it slow.

John, IV

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I’m Crazy


Aug 8, 2020, at 4:45 AM

Everyone,

I’m crazy. Or so I thought.

Now I know that I’m merely freaking out. Yesterday I got hearing aids only to have my peaceful world shaken up big time. My office chair squeaks. Not a little, a lot. I’m not sure if a can of WD-40 will fix this. Ouch! Worse yet, my keyboard makes loud noises when I type. Who knew? I sure didn’t. Annoying at best.

I live in Florida, and I wear flipflops instead of shoes. People miles away must know when I’m coming towards them. My daughter Michelle is laughing at me. She says she could have told me this one. Wow!

I may have to take the day off and smell the roses, listen.

John, IV

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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.