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Our Ties to Western Europe

Wed 7/22/2020 12:02 PM

All.

The Elcik’s in our Family tree can be said to originate from Western Europe. Their individual responses in Census reports, etc. may be due as much to economics and politics as to specific geography. How they identified is as follows:

  • Czech Republic (14)
  • Austria (13)
  • Austria-Hungary (4)
  • Hungary (4)
  • Slovakia (4)
  • Austria-Slovakia (3)

John, IV

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Our European Ancestors


Fri 8/7/2020 11:16 AM

Everyone,

The Elcik’s in our Family tree can be said to originate from Western Europe. Their responses in Census reports, etc. may be due as much to economics and politics as to specific geography. How they identified is as follows: Czech Republic (14), Austria (13), Austria-Hungary (4), Hungary (4), Slovakia (4), and Austria-Slovakia (3).

My father always said we came here from Czechoslovakia even though our immigration came before its creation.

“The creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918 was the culmination of the long struggle of the Czechs against their Austrian rulers and of the Slovaks against Hungarisation and their Hungarian rulers.”

My question: Is it Czech or Slovak? I know they spoke Slovak. ?

Someday I hope to have enough information for at least an online search of European ancestors. That journey needs a hint or two to begin. Can any of us suggest a town to investigate?

Based on the spelling of Elcik as Elsik in the 1910 Federal Census, I believe the surname spelling to research is Elsik.

Suggestions? Anyone?

John, IV

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Summary of Research Findings


Sun 8/9/2020 3:08 PM

Family,

I have put together this summary of the ancestry research findings:

I know it was two not three waves of Elcik immigration to Maine.

  • 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) was married to 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 my “New York” contact: John Elcik.

I now know for sure that there is a connection between the New York Elcik’s and us. [Thank you, Beth.] Their George Elcik (in the 1920 Census) married Jack’s father’s sister Anna Gamache. The John Elcik, who I have corresponded with via Facebook and email, is related to me as “grand-nephew of husband of sister-in-law of aunt.” A real tongue twister.

I still believe the two families are more directly related, if and when we can “jump the pond” to Europe. We all come from Western Europe (Austria/Hungry/Slovakia), spoke Slovak, and have a Catholic heritage.

The three Elcik brothers (John, Jim, and Jeff) are the fourth generation in America and directly descended from the first 1891/1896 wave.

I now know the spelling history of the surname from Elsik, Elcik, Elick, and back to Elcik. There are also apparent misspellings: Elcih.

I know that there are different spellings of Pelcarsky. Pelcarsky is the spelling as recalled by George Karkos, who was married to Annie, one of Mary’s daughters. Pelcarsky spelled as Pelesaky (on Michael’s Record of Marriage), or Pelchascay (on John’s Record of Marriage) to mention two.

John Elcik, Jr. (my grandfather) was married a second time to Helen Mosko. This marriage was not revealed to me (even when I asked my father) for reasons I may never know. A “mystery” letter from Aunt Gertrude, located by Jeff, addressed to “kids” that references Helen’s immigration status and the waiting for checks.

I now have some priceless photos and letters to add to our family tree:

  • A 1951 photo my grandfather thanks to Jeff, Jack, Beth, and Nancy
  • A wedding photo of my grandfather and grandmother thanks to Mark
  • A wedding photo of Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Norman thanks to Becky
  • Quality photos of family gravesites thanks to Beth
  • Chapman Cottage is the name of the B&B once the Lucas home, thanks to Janet.
  • Wanda’s letter with the words to the Slovak song my Dad sings from Becky
  • Family photos and letters from Jeff

I found evidence that John Elsik (my great-grandfather) had a brother Joseph. The Elsik spelling of the surname is just one of several links I found. Also, Beth sent me a photo of Joseph’s gravestone, which was helpful.

I now believe that the reason I never knew of or met my Aunt Mary is that she moved to Corpus Cristi, Texas. Jeff suggests this possibility.

In addition to the New York Elcik’s (Ilcik), there are Texas Elcik’s (Elsik) to be researched. There is even a high school in Huston, Texas named after an Elsik.

My thanks to everyone who has helped with this update of the 2008 “My Cousins” tree.

But a special thank you to Beth. She has enthusiastically shared in my craziness for several weeks now.

All my love,

John, IV

P.S. Guest privileges will continue forever at Ancestry.com for all who are interested. If you need the invite for the family tree to be resent or want to gain access for someone else, let me know. My World Explorer subscription to Ancestry.com is expiring, so Internet updates will be less frequent as I first record them locally with Family Tree Maker.

P.P.S. Nancy is putting together additional items for me. And if anyone else has more to offer, well, I will be grateful.

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Will Joseph Elcik Join Our Group?

08-14-2020 AM 11:43 AM

Joseph,

If you are interested I can share with you some of the more interesting aspects of my research into our Elcik surname.

I’ve been researching connections between two waves of immigrants in the 1880’s. The families share a common heritage (Austria/Hungary/Slovakia), surname, and given names; specifically Andrew, George, James, John, Joseph, and Michael. We all settled initially in Lisbon Falls or Durham, Maine.

It may not be possible to link the families with U.S. data alone so I have expanded my search to European sources. Information is scarce and I’m handicapped not knowing the Slovak language. Nevertheless, I have discovered a lot and am willing to share my findings.

Warmest regards,

John

 

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Emails from Uncle John

Wed 8/19/2020 1:34 PM

Chris,

Yes, there is a brick wall that I’m struggling to break down.

I bought a subscription to the World Explorer version of Ancestry.com and didn’t find it useful.

There is some information on FamilySearch.org, which is the Church of Latter-day Saints website, where they are creating a single worldwide Family Tree. I have put some of our data there in hopes of finding a hint in their research.

I won’t be able to pursue Europe until I can discover precisely where our relatives came. Data there is maintained by individual communities or local churches. Until you have a place to go with the name, any search is doomed to failure.

The Elcik’s in our Family tree can be said to originate from Western Europe. Their responses in Census reports, etc. may be due as much to economics and politics as to specific geography. How they identified is as follows: Czech Republic (14), Austria (13), Austria-Hungary (4), Hungary (4), Slovakia (4), and Austria-Slovakia (3).

Someday I hope to have enough information for at least an online search of European ancestors. That journey needs a hint or two to begin.

I have reached out to my cousins for a suggestion of a town to investigate.

I also may try purchasing copies of immigration documents to see if I can get a place identified.

Uncle John

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A Special Photo

Burus family

Thu 9/10/2020 3:25 AM

Beth,

This is the 3rd email I sent Nancy. I should have just copied you at the same time. I’m still a work in progress.

John, IV

———————

From: Dr. John Elcik <johnelcik@msn.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020, 4:38 AM
To: Nancy Kashmer <lanaka@comcast.net>
Subject: A Special Photo

Nancy,

This is one of my favorite photos as it matches the individuals surveyed in the 1910 U.S. Federal Census.

The Elcik family in 1910 top row from left to right: John P. Elcik, Jr.; Michael Elcik, and Andrew Elcik. Bottom row from left to right are Mary (Dutko) Elcik, Elizabeth (Small) Elcik, John P. Elcik, Sr.; Mary (Pelcarsky) Elcik; Susan (Kiszonak) Elcik; and Annie (Karkos) Elcik. [Elizabeth & Annie are twins]

I’m hoping that you will have more exact information on where in Europe our families came from.  I have hit the “brick wall” when it comes to locating anyone further back in history than John Elsik (Sr.). I also have a theory about his having a brother named Joseph to prove.

Cousin Johnny