The First Father - Anthony Murosky, Sr.

The Murosky line begins with Anthony Murosky, Sr, my 2nd great grandfather. The first known references to Anthony are records from the 1910 United States Federal Census listing Anthony and his family living in Forest City, Pennsylvania.

Verbal history indicates that Anthony was an immigrant from Lithuanian-Baltic region. The 1910 Census indicates that Anthony arrived in the United States in 1892. During the late 1800's almost 20% of the population of Lithuania left the country. Many relocated to the United States. During this period, the country was in a difficult position lying between the growing empires of Russia and Germany.

Anthony married Eva Zielinski, my 2nd great grand mother, around 1894. Eva was also an immigrant who arrived in 1894.

Anthony Murosky, Sr. & Eva Zielinski, a photo by michelle.murosky on Flickr.

Anthony worked as a miner in the coal mines of Forest City, Pennsylvania. At the time of the census, Anthony and Eva lived at 128 Delaware Street, Forest City.

 


































The living children of Anthony and Eva include:

•  Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr.
• Margaret Murosky
• Joseph Muroski Sr.
• William Murosky
• Constance "Esther" Murosky
• Charles Muroski

The spelling of Murosky varied with the children, some adopted Murosky and others adopted Muroski

Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr., my great grand father,  the oldest son moved to Erie, Pennsylvania in search of work where he settled, married and raised his children. In time, some of the other siblings would also relocate to Erie, Pennsylvania.

After the death of Eva around 1930 in Forest City, Pennsylvania, Anthony Murosky, Sr. moved to Erie to live with his children.  Anthony was a heavy drinker and it ultimately lead to he accident which causes his death. News articles and reports from his grandchildren indicate that on 17 Dec 1939 he had been out drinking. On his way home he was hit by car 26th and Wallace. He was taken to St. Vincent's hospital where he later died.

Anthony was buried 22 Dec 1939, Calvary Cemetery, Section 18. Grave 1. After some recent searching, using www.findagrave.com, I was able to confirm that Anthony was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

You can visit his grave today, by going in main entrance and staying  on main road. Go to the intersection between Section 15 and 18. Take a left and go to fence. Anthony's grave is on the northeast corner of 181.

References:

1. 1910 U. S. census, 1910 United States Federal Census schedule, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Family of Anthony Meroski. Supervisor's District 10, Enumeration District 64, Enumeration Date April 28, 1910, Lines 31-37.; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com).
2. Murosky, Anthony, Sr. (1939, December 20).  Erie Daily Times News, Erie, Pennsylvania.
3. Find A Grave Memorial# 9271239 www.findagreave.com

A Letter from Tarawa

To make sure we never forget the sacrifice of those who came before us read the letter written from Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C. of F. Company, 2^nd Battalion 8^th Marine Regiment to Caroline Loretta O'Neill the Aunt of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. describing the death of Ambrose on November 20, 1943 on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa.  It is unknown how the letter made it to Caroline, the letter ended up with Ambrose's sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Throughout her life Virginia made certain that Ambrose was never forgotten and that her children, with exception to her oldest, knew about the Uncle they never had the opportunity to meet.

Tuesday, February 1^st, 1944

Dear Miss. O’Neill:

Although I have already written to Ambrose’s mother concerning his death, I feel I should write again and give you further information about him. It is hard for me to write about such things, because he was such a fine boy, and so much liked by everyone. I do, however, want to tell you how he died, because you should know that.

As you know, we landed on Tarawa on Nov. 20^th, and we were in the assault, that is, we were the first to hit the beach. Ambrose got in alright and did excellent work. I saw him about ten o’clock in the morning and he was fine, getting along swell. In the afternoon, I learned he has been hit and died instantly. It was just around noon when he was hit by a Jap bullet and died instantly, no suffering, no pain, he really didn’t know what hit him. He was buried on Tarawa, and Father Laughlin, our chaplain, said the prayers for the dead.

About a week before we landed, a priest came aboard and we all went to confession, mass and communion.  Ambrose was there too, and he received with the rest of us. Just before we landed, general absolution was given, so rest assured that Ambrose is now happy in heaven. That is one consolation that you all have, I’m positive he died in the state of grace.

You know how sorry I am for you and nothing I can say will lessen your grief. His death is a great loss. And may his soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C.

F. Company, 2^nd Batn. 8^th Marines

F. P.O. San Francisco, Cal.

Note - While this letter is for Caroline Loretta O'Neill, one of Virginia's Aunt's whom she lived with before getting married on 15 Jul 1938. She also lived with Eleanor Monica O'Neill , both are my 2nd great grand aunts, also known affectionately as "Aunt Nora" and  "Aunt Carrie". It is uncertain how the mixup of the name happened.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. 

Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary

From the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. and Virginia McDonald Geary are my 1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. My relationship with Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. and Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Caroline Loretta O'Neill and Eleanor Monica O'Neill are my 2nd great aunts.

References:

1. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-tarawa

Military Veterans

To properly honor the military veterans in the family the original post has been relocated to the Military Veterans page.