The discovery of the obituary for Maria Anna “Mary” Pelcarsky confirmed a long-held family theory: she did, in fact, have a sister. Her name was Anna Pelcarsky. This single document establishes a second, independent connection between the Elcik and Karkos families and strengthens the broader family narrative.
[Image Placeholder: Pelcarsky–Elcik–Karkos Family Document or Obituary]
Maria Anna “Mary” Pelcarsky Elcik
Maria Anna “Mary” Pelcarsky was born on November 6, 1870, and died on August 23, 1936. She married John P. Elcik, Sr., becoming the matriarch of a large Elcik family in Lisbon Falls, Maine. Her obituary provided the crucial confirmation that she was not an only child.
Anna Pelcarsky Karkos
Mary’s sister, Anna Pelcarsky, was born on September 17, 1877, and died on March 22, 1940. Anna married Joseph Paul Karkos (March 23, 1867 – July 21, 1957), forming the first documented marital connection between the Pelcarsky and Karkos families.
This marriage alone establishes a direct familial bridge between the Elcik and Karkos lines through the Pelcarsky sisters.
A Second Karkos Connection
The connection deepens with the next generation. Maria Anna “Mary” Pelcarsky Elcik’s daughter, Annie Elcik, was born on April 10, 1905, and died on May 14, 1982. Annie married George F. Karkos (September 11, 1899 – April 7, 1965), creating a second marital tie between the same two families.
In other words, both a Pelcarsky sister and a Pelcarsky niece married into the Karkos family—an uncommon but genealogically powerful confirmation of close social and cultural ties.
Questions and Context
Terry L. Karkos offered an observation that invites further historical inquiry: “Funny thing is, Joseph Karkos was 26 when he married 15-year-old Anna Pelcarsky. Wondering if it was an arranged marriage?”
While no direct evidence currently confirms an arranged marriage, the age difference and cultural context raise questions worth exploring through church records, immigration patterns, and community customs of the period.
Research Opportunities
Additional ties between the Elcik, Pelcarsky, and Karkos families likely remain undiscovered. One of the most promising avenues of research is Saint Cyril and Methodius Church, where sacramental records and parish notices may further illuminate these relationships.
Church registers, local newspaper announcements, and burial records may provide additional confirmation and context for these interconnected family lines. – John P. Elcik, IV
LifeStory: The Pelcarsky Sisters — Maria Anna Elcik Obituary