Tag: puzzle

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The Pelcarsky Puzzle

Wed 11/25/2020 3:22 PM

Beth,

Yesterday I received documents and photos from Elizabeth May (Adams) Shute.  I am over the moon, happy with what she has provided.  Most of the information is related to the Skillin branch of the family, which will take time to bring into the MyCousins tree.

Where Are My Great-Grandparents Buried?

So far, her notes on the Elcik branch resurfaces one huge question, i.e., where are my Great-grandparents buried?  John Paul Elcik, Sr. (06 NOV 1866-24 MAY 1941) and Mary Pelcarsky (16 NOV 1870-23 AUG 1936)?

John Elcik, Jr. (20 FEB 18996- 31 MAR 1963) in St. Cyril is my Grandfather, and he is married to Mary A. Gertrude Byrus (5 NOV 1990-18 APR 1951). We have the benefit of a photo.

Could father and son both be buried in St. Cyril Cemetery?  I’m beginning to think so.

Who Is Mary Polscoke? 

Elizabeth’s notes identify two different individuals:

  • Maria Anna Parcheky (16 NOV 1870-23 AUG 1936); Born in Austria, died in Lewiston and buried in St. Cyril’s Cemetery. Elizabeth shows Maria as being married to John, Sr. (06 NOV 1866-24 MAY 1941).
  • Mary Polscoke (28 SEP 1887-13 AUG 1951, Born in Austria, and buried in Calvery Cemetry. Elizabeth shows Mary as being married to John, Jr. (20 FEB 1886-31 MAR 1963)

[The first record is my Great-Grandmother. She and my Great-Grandfather are buried in St. Cyril Cemetery. We have only recently found the gravesite, but we know have pictures. – Dr. John P. Elcik, Editor]

While it is comforting that we have the same birth/death dates for Mary Pelcarsky as she does for Maria Anna Parcheky, the question remains, what is the real spelling for John Sr.’s wife (her maiden name)? Mary Pelcarsky, Maria Anna Parcheky, or something else? And who is Mary Polscoke?

What is the Correct Spelling for My Great-Grandmother’s Maiden Name? 

As you know, I have documents where surnames other than Pelcarsky were used, but I discounted them as the narrative of George F. Karkos (taken from his wife Anna Elcik) seemed the more creditable.

  • Polscoke is the spelling of John Elcik, Jr’s mother on his 20 FEB 1896 birth, Maine Vital Records.
  • Pelchascay is John Elcik, Jr’s mother on his marriage to Mary Byrus (sic), Maine Marriage Index.
  • Palcsak is Mary Elcik’s mother upon her 4 OCT 1915 wedding to John Dutko, Maine Marriage Index.
  • Pelesaky is Michael J. Elcik’s mother on his 1 AUG 1930 marriage to Annie H. Sero, Maine Marriage Index.
  • Polcarski is an unknown daughter’s mother on her 29 AUG 1910 birth, Maine Vital Records.
  • Pelchaleky (Marie Pelcarsky) married Paul Elcik, Sr., Maine Vital Records.

Also, supporting the George F. Karkos spelling of Pelcarsky are:

  • Mary Pelcarsky is Michael’s mother, as recorded in the 19 JUL 1920 Record of Marriage in Lisbon Falls, Maine for Mary Sero (Clerk) and Michael J. Elcik (mill operator).
  • Mary Pelcarsky is John’s mother in the 11 JUN 1918 Record of Marriage in Lisbon Falls, Maine for Mary Byras (Home) and John Paul Elcik (Laborer).

I have checked the online records at both Mount Calvery Cemetery and St. Cyril Cemetery for three spellings: Pelcarsky, Polscoke, Parcheky.  I can’t find a gravesite using any of them.

The definitive solution to the surname puzzle may require that we find John Elcik, Sr. or Mary’s gravesite.

Beth, Do you think not all of the individuals buried at these cemeteries may be identified online? [I know, I’m driving you crazy, again.]

John, IV

P.S. I also know how much you enjoy visiting cemeteries. Take Jack with you. Lol.

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Re: Status Updates

Sun 11/29/2020 10:03 PM
John, IV,
 
I’ll try to locate someone who may know who’s buried at St. Cyril’s.  I have a few options to investigate.  I wonder if Paul J. Elcik Sr (1896-1970) and Mary Fabian (1891-1978) are the John & Mary Elizabeth may be talking about.  I realize she said Paul was married to Marie Pelcarsky, but the gravestone picture I took of Paul J. Elcik, Sr. clearly says his wife was Mary Fabian.  Paul J. Elcik Jr. (1915-1992) married Gertrude Fournier (1918-1993), and Mary A. Elcik (1917-2008) married Joseph Kinney (1909-1989).  
 
Also, the 1920 census lists Paul J. Elcik, age 23, immigrated in 1911, his wife Mary, age 23, immigrated in 1913, their children Paul, age 4 1/2, and Mary, age 2.  This would be the Paul J. Elcik I mentioned above.  I feel this is a completely different family from our John P. Elcik Sr’s and Jr’s families.  Some of the confusion is definitely the spelling of Mary’s last name, and some of the records indicate Marie as her first name.  Since the records were all destroyed from Slovakia, we may never know Mary/Marie’s name’s original spelling.  I also think Paul John may have gone by John, NOT Paul.  Again, I’m only guessing.  Mary Fabian on the gravestone doesn’t match Mary’s last name’s different spellings, BUT the name on the gravestone says otherwise.  YES, I’m beyond confused.  Maybe she changed her last name at some point in time??????
 
I have Sandra Kinney Eck’s obituary that I got from my friend at the HS.  I believe she was Joseph Kinney’s sister, who married Mary Elcik.  It lists her children, and I think they live in Lisbon or at least in the area.  I may be able to find someone who knows them if I do some more research.  That’ll come another day, another time.  It’s a long shot, but I’m willing to try.  
 
Hang in there; I may solve this crazy puzzle, MAYBE, just MAYBE!!!
 
Beth 
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Re: FYI

 
Thu 12/17/2020 9:31 PM
 
John,

I’m curious, what is the messaging feature you mentioned on Ancestry, and how do you use it?  I”m not familiar with that.   

 

You also said you have 14 people with potential interest regarding your great grandfather.  That’s wonderful.  You’ve done a lot of work to try and figure out the Elcik puzzle, which is a very complicated process.  I am anxious to see where this goes.  

 
I’m in awe of your enthusiasm and tenacity to complete the puzzle.  
 
Beth
 
Thu 12/17/2020 9:44 PM

Beth,

When you are on a person’s profile, look to the right, and select the Tools pulldown menu. Select Member Connect. If anyone else is interested in that person, Ancestry provides a list of suggested connections.  The same Ancestry Tool we have used for ourselves is provided for making the connection.  
 
They may not all be good leads, but Bill, Robert, and yourself were three of the 14 for my Great-great Grandfather: John, Sr. One of the others had several family trees, one of which was for the Lucas family. 
 
As someone once said, it is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Lol. 
 
John, IV
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Gravestone Photo

Wed 1/13/2021 9:28 PM
John, IV
I’m forwarding you a conversation with my friend, Earl, at the Historial Society.  He found the gravestone for your Great Grandparents at St Cyril cemetery!!  They’re on the same gravestone and are basically unreadable.  He explains that in the email.  I’ll include them on the flash drive I send you once I get a clearer picture in the spring.  With his help, I’m confident that’ll happen.

I am over the top excited about his finding them.  This is one more piece of the Elcik puzzle we can put to rest.  
 
I especially love his comment about this being a genealogy nightmare!!
 
Beth
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Re: Elcik Genealogy

Mon 1/25/2021 6:01 PM
Charlie,
Wow! I am very excited to delve into this information—another goldmine. There is no way I can ever thank you enough for all you have done. You, Earl, and Beth are a dynamic trio.
It will take me time to realize the full significance of all this—several initial thoughts.
  1. I think this totally answers the Elcik, Elsik, Ilcik relations puzzle. Almost unbelievable…
  2. It also solves the puzzle of the mysterious Elizabeth Baron. I have a Social Security source document for her, but until now could only guess who she might be.
I’m going to copy Earl and Beth on this. Earl gave you a great lead, but your follow-up was a hit out of the ballpark.
Beth has been struggling as much as I with these puzzles. I think she will be as over the moon with joy as I.
John, IV
cc: Earl, Beth
Thank you!!!!
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Name That Author

February 5, 2021, 9:11 AM

Beth & Nancy,

Let’s play a game.  Since I have no musical ability, I suggest “Name that Author” rather than “Name that Tune.”  

Here are three pages of a document. Can you name the author?

John, IV 
February 5, 2021, 5:13 PM
I don’t have a clue. Don’t recognize the handwriting either. Answer or a clue.
Nancy
 
February 5, 2021, 5:23 PM
Team,
If I am correct (Yes, I could be wrong, but let’s not go there so quickly. ), the document contains clues.
However, in the true spirit of giving, I will give three clues. One, it appears to be a speech rather than a letter. Note, for example; there is no signature.  Second, there could be a vague reverence to the place where the speech was given and who the audience might have been. Third, why might I have sent this to Beth?
Gee, I hope I’m right. If not, I will look really foolish. Lol
By-the-way clues are not like wishes. They rarely come in threes.
John, IV
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Re: Slovak “Lullaby”

Sat 2/13/2021 9:57 PM
John,

You mentioned that the songs are not at all what you expected and I couldn’t agree more.  It seems both songs are about cooking/food.  The one we call the Nursery Rhyme doesn’t seem to be a Nursery Rhyme at all.  I also think the gestures they make are the grandmother throwing the food in the oven.  I know at the end of the song, they mention Zeda, which is grandfather in Slovak.  I’m guessing you know that.
I haven’t heard back from my friend I gave the flash drive to with the songs on it.  I hope I do soon to compare what he thinks.  
 
This may be another piece to the Slovak songs puzzle being solved.
 
Beth