Mon 3/15/2021 2:45 PM
Beth,
I’m putting the following on the Ancestry messenger account for John J. Elcik, where the DNA discovery was made. Please note that I realize I’m writing to a “dead” man. I try to make that clear with the heading.
John, IV
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To: John J. Elcik (1943-2018)
From: John P. Elcik, IV (1952-)
Dear John,
Two years ago today, exactly 3/15/19, 7:20 AM, your son, and namesake John Elcik and I communicated. Part of the conversation went like this.
“Hi, John [your son writing], we definitely must be related besides having the same last name. I notice you are from Lisbon Falls, Maine! My grandfather Andrew Elcik was born in Lisbon Falls on a farm in 1911. He eventually settled in New York City and raised his family in Queens, New York. My father just recently passed away, was also named John Elcik. My father’s brother Andrew Elcik is still alive and lives in Plainview. Who were your father and grandfather? I know there is a very direct relationship here.”
We agreed, and I have attempted to link my great grandfather with your grandfather for two years.
- 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) married 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 you and your son: my “New York” contact.
Early on, a link between your family and ours was found. George Elcik (your family) married Anna Gamache, the sister of Norman Gamache. Norman is my uncle, and his son Jack is my 1st cousin. This would not be a blood relative, but it has been the best the co-author of my eBook, MyCousins, could do. Her name is Beth Purinton Gamache, and she is married to Jack.
I think your son lost patience with the effort to link families as progress has been slow. He dropped out of the search before I found the gravesite of my Great-grandfather. John, Sr.’s burial site was the first solid (rock hard) evidence that the families are related. Engraved on his gravestone are the letters, “ILCIK.” Then, there are baptismal records for our family that introduce new spellings of the family surname: Ilycsik and Ilcsik.
Today, I decided to do some research on the DNA finds in my Ancestry.com account. I search for the Elcik surname, and I get a hit for 1_jelcik. The Family Tree associated with the hit has only two names, and one is private. The father of the DNA match is shown to be Andrew Elcik (1911). On the family tree, this would make the DNA that of John J. Elcik (1943-2018), who is the father of John Elcik in Rocky Point, New York. This is your DNA. I do wish we could have met.
May we all celebrate? I think this is a remarkable accomplishment for Elcik genealogy. The Ancestry relationship calculator is now telling me that you and I are related. As for your son, he is my “great-grandnephew of husband of grandaunt.” I can almost understand this description.
I have no idea why I couldn’t find your DNA match sooner. I also don’t know if anyone will ever read this letter. Yes, I know you passed in 2018. Should your son: “Rocky Point John” read this, I hope he will reach out. I am putting the final touches on the Elcik family tree and eBook, a family history, and an Elcik website. It would be a pleasure to share. The Elcik’s have traveled far.
Can we all agree to celebrate?
John P. Elcik, IV