Category: – Dr. John Elcik, IV

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Listen Closely and Follow Up


Saturday, July 18, 2020, 7:29 AM

John (NY),

I just replayed an earlier discussion back in my mind. I don’t think I listened as well as I might have. And the fact that I am hard of hearing had nothing to do with it. I was preoccupied with my theories.

You said the Elcik name was changed from Ilcik to Elcik at Ellis Island. Was this done for your grandfather? If so, I’m chasing a wild goose. 🙂 I should not be looking for another Ilcik who immigrated; instead, if possible, I need to find your grandfather’s immigration document to satisfy my curiosity.

It is not the news I would have hoped for as the more individuals we place on the family tree, the greater the chances of linking our two families here in America. If the link occurs in Europe, we may not have the resources to prove what we both think about our families being related.

So the #1 question I have is, did your grandfather come through Ellis Island or did a Great/or Great-Great Grandparent? I think where I went wrong is believing that you are related to the John Elcik that immigrated 15 years after my Great Grandfather (John Elsik), who arrived in 1891. I have been working on the theory that that wave of immigration was followed by another one in 1906. My view might be wrong if John J. Ilcik (your grandfather) arrived through Elis island in the 1940-50s. It would mean there were at least three, not two, waves of Elcik immigrants. Wow!

Again, even if this is true, it is still likely that our ancestors are connected by relationships back in Austria/Hungry/Slovenia. While a DNA test might prove this, I think we can take this on faith.

John, IV

P.S. Aunt Gertrude’s cousin, who married Anna Gamache, not her brother. Too many people named Andrew, George, James, and John. Very easy to make a mistake, which is frustrating.

[John Ilcik immigrated 15 years after my Great Grandfather (John Elsik). From the beginning, I was trying to connect the right two individuals. Proving that was delayed by my not comprehending the timetable. Always listen closely and followup. The discovery of a family relationship between the two men is the next step. Can it be done? – John P. Elcik, IV, Editor]

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Preparing John Elcik (NY) to Use Ancestry.com


Sat 7/18/2020 6:41 PM

John (NY),

Thank you! The information on recent information was needed to correct the other news I was using. I was getting the generations mixed up. I believe all is in order now for when you elect to view the Family Tree. ?

When you decide it time to begin using Ancestry.com, the following should make it easier.

I have used the Suffix field for other than its intended use for recording Jr., Sr., etc. In my record, I use the label FL, and in your record, I use the label NY. Using the standard search function will show us the right individual with less thought about spelling and dates. There are a lot of similarly named records. I also placed Father, Uncle, and Grandfather in the suffix field. Less confusing for me this way.

I recommend as a first step; you use search to find the NY record and then select the option to show the tree with you as the “root” person. It gives you a family flow chart where you can click on individuals to obtain more details.

After exploring NY, I encourage you to do the same but with FL as the “root” person.

Enjoy!

John, FL

[This naming convention became more trouble than it was worth and I stopped using it. – John P. Elcik, IV, Editor]

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Record Keeping in Ancestry Research


Sunday, July 19, 2020, 2:44 AM

John (NY),

Computers are excellent tools for Ancestry/Genealogy research. Most of what I have done on the Family Tree would not be affordable without one.

Even so, one other situation has played a significant part in the process. Family members were required every ten years to complete Federal Census forms. To date, the Federal Government has published census data for 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940. In each decade, family members did this, and I have harvested the results.

The New York Elcik’s immigrated to America later, and we may not have census data until the 1950 Census is published. I have not yet found your grandfather in the 1940 Census. I haven’t given up. Usually, the software presents census data as a Hint. It hasn’t, so I’ll try a directed search approach.

Also, I will research the passenger lists of Elcik/Ilcik individuals going through Ellis Island.

It may be true that family records are as good as the Census given the family timeline.

Where we fall short is in our ability to reach back to Austria/Hungary. I have a World Explorer Membership with Ancestry.com. It provides access to both U.S. and international records, including birth, marriage, death, and Census records.

So far, I haven’t found anything I can use. Maybe it is the inconsistency in the spelling of surnames/given names. I suspect, however, that the problem is far worse. I don’t think good records exist in Europe. For example, the best records I find are for baptisms. The Catholic church maintains these. And I do know that my grandparents were Catholics. I have yet to find data on births and marriages. I will continue to try.

Do you have any questions for me?

John, IV

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Status Report for John Elcik


Mon 7/20/2020 9:42 AM

John, NY,

Please do!

Also, log in to the Tree at Ancestry and see visually the data you shared with me.

The Tree will show you how to keep track of family members for future generations. My profile serves as an example. There are things that you could be doing now. ?

I’m enjoying this. Being retired, I have more time.

Finally, I’ll keep you posted on significant developments.

Regards,

John, FL

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My DNA Story

DNA


Mon 7/20/2020 2:40 PM

John NY,

In June 2011, Judy Lakkis reached out to me, asking if I would take a DNA test to confirm if her father was related to my family. She was very nice about it. She had DNA results that suggested a match but needed more DNA markers, to be sure. The DNA test she wanted would not work with her DNA.

Some ancestry tests use male Y-DNA to trace paternal ancestry and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to trace maternal ancestry. While both men and women inherit mtDNA from their mother, only those born males inherit Y-DNA from their father. Men can easily trace their maternal and paternal ancestry using their DNA. Females need a male paternal relative to take a male haplogroup test on their behalf. Source: DNA Testing Choice

I wasn’t interested even when she offered to pay for the test. She understood the timing was not right for me.

Recently (9 years later), I reached out to her and asked if she was still interested? I was ready and willing to take and pay for my test. Here is her response.

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FTDNA states that they don’t have a record of my father’s Y DNA, so I tried to search my old files ( copies), and I must have disposed of them as FTDNA did. (see attachment).

My father passed in 2009, so I used his hearing aids to get the DNA. FTDNA wanted more money, so they deleted what I DID have. Too much!!!!!!!

Ten years ago, I was very interested, but now I have lost interest.

I checked my autosomal DNA, and your name did not appear, so I guess we are in a very distant relationship.

Have fun now that you have the time.

DNA is fascinating

Best Wishes

Judy

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Judy’s DNA interests led to her using her photography skills to take photos of graves for the website FIND A GRAVE. Her stories about this were fascinating. I commend her efforts. I’m also disappointed that I didn’t help when I could.

Before contacting her again, I researched the firms that do DNA research. All the big ones are good. The determining factor is probably which firm has the largest Slovak data pool and which test focuses on finding matches. That appears to be Family Tree, the same firm Judy used. Believe it, or not some tests are more geared towards ethnicity or predicting health issues.

Yes, I’m willing to do this, but NO social pressure from me. I already think of us as an extended family.

John, IV