This exchange reflects a careful, exploratory outreach to a possible keyholder in the Elcik family history. Joseph Elcik, whose lineage traces through Maine and New York, was believed to have access—directly or indirectly—to a privately compiled Elcik family tree. While definitive materials were not immediately recovered, the correspondence clarified relationships, corrected name confusions, and opened the possibility of DNA-based resolution to a long-standing genealogical question.
At a Glance
- First Contact: August 14, 2020
- Primary Surname: Elcik
- Medium: Email and LinkedIn
- Role in Project: Potential evidence holder; New York lineage contact
Correspondence Log
Contact #1 — August 14, 2020, 11:43 AM — Email
John:
Joseph,
If you are interested, I can share with you some of the more interesting aspects of my research into our Elcik surname.
John:
I’ve been researching connections between two waves of immigrants in the 1880s. The families share a common heritage (Austria / Hungary / Slovakia), surname, and given names—specifically Andrew, George, James, John, Joseph, and Michael. We all initially settled in Lisbon Falls or Durham, Maine.
John:
It may not be possible to link the families using U.S. data alone, so I’ve expanded my search to European sources. Information is scarce, and I’m handicapped by not knowing the Slovak language. Nevertheless, I’ve discovered a great deal and am willing to share my findings.
John:
Warmest regards,
John
Contact #2 — September 20, 2020, 11:47 AM — LinkedIn Chat
Joseph:
As my father was James Elcik—the middle child—Jack (John) passed away last year, and his younger brother Richard passed several years ago. My mother was Rose, and my grandfather was Joseph Elcik. Unusual for me, my mother is Slovakian, and even more remarkably, my wife is three-quarters Slovakian.
Joseph:
Somewhere with either my father or my aunt is an Elcik family tree book. I have only seen it once. If I do come across it, perhaps I can copy and send it out.
John:
I just researched James and his brother John for my only other New York contact.
Joseph:
James is my father, and John (Jack) was my uncle. Joseph Elcik was my grandfather—from Maine by way of Brooklyn.
John:
John J. Elcik (1931) was getting confused with John J. Elcik (1943)—John J. of Rocky Point, who recently passed.
Joseph:
Sorry—I have to run to a meeting. I do have your email and will try to get you the family tree. John J. was a retired police officer, if my memory serves.
John:
May I have your email address?
Joseph:
Yes, for personal use… [email redacted].
Contact #3 — December 13, 2020, 12:39 PM — Email
John:
Joseph,
As you know, I’m working on genealogy brick-wall scenarios related to the Elcik surname. You could be of great help in two ways.
John:
First, by any chance were you able to find a copy of the family tree, and could you share it? I’m writing an eBook (My Cousins) with Beth Gamache about genealogy research, and it would be wonderful to have access before publication.
John:
Second, it would be helpful to consider a DNA test from a close male relative. I’ve taken tests through both Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com in the hope of using DNA to establish a link between our two families.
John:
Two families arrived in America in the late 1880s or early 1900s. Both share the Elcik surname, Slovak heritage, and a Catholic background. At the time, the surnames were recorded as Elsik and Ilcik.
John:
John Elsik (1866–1941) married Mary Pelcarsky (1875–1936). John immigrated in 1891; Mary in 1896. John Ilcik (1886–1982) married Mary Jonek (1887–1951) and immigrated in 1905.
John:
I believe there is a family relationship linking John Elsik and John Ilcik, but church records in Europe may have been destroyed during World War II. DNA may be the most practical remaining path.
John:
This is a chance to make history within the Elcik family. I’m looking for a hero.
John:
P.S. I know of at least one confirmed connection: George Elcik married my uncle’s sister, Anna Gamache. I believe there is more to find.
Why This Contact Mattered
This correspondence highlighted both the promise and fragility of privately held family knowledge. Joseph’s awareness of an existing Elcik family tree—and the possibility of DNA collaboration—represented a potential breakthrough, even as access remained uncertain. The exchange clarified generational relationships, reduced name confusion, and documented one of the last plausible paths toward resolving a foundational Elcik lineage question.