1945 - A Postcard from Kearns, Utah

A postcard sent from Cpl. Harry A. Murosky to his mother Helen Tillie Bukowski. The postcard was postmarked March 20, 1945 out of Salt Lake City, Utah. The return address indicates that Harry was based out of Kearns, Utah. During World War II the Kearns Air Base was used for the training of Army Corps personnel and was also used as a training command for the Army Air Forces.

The full return address from the postcard:
Cps. Harry A. Murosky - 33296637
1050th A.A. F. Base Unit
Sq. L - A.A.F.O.R.R.
Kearns, Utah

In the body of the postcard Harry notes a "slight change of address". It is currently not known where he was stationed before March 20, 1945.  Note that Harry was able to send the postcard for free. The postmark encouraged Americans to donate to the war effort.

Postcard Front

Postcard Back
From Harry A. Murosky to his mother Helen Tillie Bukowski

The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. In addition to saving photographs Helen also saved newspaper clippings, postcards and greeting cards. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. Her son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. Harry Anthony Murosky is my great uncle. 

1948/1949 - Mary Helen Murosky

Mary Helen Murosky, the daughter of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald, photographed in the fall of 1948 or the spring of 1949 when she was 4 years old. The studio portrait was likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

From the Mary Eugenia Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald are my paternal grandparents. Mary Helen Murosky is my aunt. 

1945 - Mary Helen

Mary Helen Murosky, the daughter of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald, photographed in the Spring of 1945. The photograph was likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Mary Helen Murosky

From the Mary Eugenia Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald are my paternal grandparents. Mary Helen Murosky is my aunt. 

1937 - Irene Chanis & Harry Anthony Murosky

Murosky cousins Irene Chanis and Harry Anthony Murosky photographed in 1937. Irene Chanis, the daughter of John Chanis and Margaret Murosky, would have been 17 years old when this photograph was taken. Harry Anthony Murosky, the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski, would have been 16 years old when this photograph was taken. 

The location of the photograph is unknown. The photograph was most likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. This photograph was likely taken at a Murosky family gathering. Harry is wearing the same clothing in this photograph and in a photograph from the gathering. To view photographs from the Murosky family gathering Family Photos: 1937 Murosky Family Gathering.

Irene Chanis and Harry Anthony Murosky

The photograph was part of the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen most likely recorded the names on the photograph. Helen was married to Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Anthony was the brother of Margaret Murosky, Irene's mother. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Margaret Murosky is my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. my great grandfather. Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. married Helen Tillie Bukowski. Their son Harry Anthony Murosky is my great uncle. Margaret's daughter Irene Chanis is my 1st cousins 2x removed. 

References: 

1. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Year: 1920; Census Place: Forest City Ward 1, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1655; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68; Image: 226. Record for John Chanis.
2. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Year: 1930; Census Place: Edwardsville, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2066; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0031; Image: 883.0; FHL microfilm: 2341800. Record for John Chanis.
3. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.  Record for Margaret Chanes.

1946 - Kathleen Marie & Mary Helen

A formal studio portrait of Kathleen Marie Murosky and Mary Helen Murosky, the daughters of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald. The sisters were photographed in 1946 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Kathleen Marie & Mary Helen

From the Mary Eugenia McDonald Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Kathleen Marie Murosky and Mary Helen Murosky are my aunts.

1944 - Murosky Family Photographs

James Arthur and Barbara Jean, the children of Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald, photographed with their father's siblings. The photograph is estimated to have been taken in 1944 based on the ages of the children. The photograph was likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Arthur's brothers Harry Anthony Murosky and Edward V. Murosky are both pictured in their military uniforms. Arthur's youngest sister Marian Elaine Murosky is also pictured. 

1944 Murosky Family Photograph
Back: Edward V. Murosky, Marian Elaine Murosky, Harry Anthony Murosky 
Front: Barbara Jean Murosky and James Arthur Murosky.

From the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald are my paternal grandparents. James Arthur Murosky is my uncle and Barbara Jean Murosky is my aunt. Harry Anthony Murosky and Edward V. Murosky are the brothers of Arthur Murosky, they are my great uncles. Marian Elaine Murosky is the sister of Arthur Murosky, she is my great aunt. 

Irene, Unknown & Esther - 1940's

This photograph of Murosky relatives was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection.

The Murosky relatives included in the photograph are Irene Chanis and Esther Murosky. Esther Murosky is the sister of Margaret Murosky, Irene's mother. Margaret and Esther are the daughters of Anthony Murosky, Sr. and Eva Zielinski. The third woman in the photograph is currently unknown.

The photograph may have taken in the 1940's. The ladies are wearing shaped polka dot dresses with ties at the waist. The shape and style of the dress is similar to dress styles from 1942. The only difference is the ladies are wearing dresses with a tie in place of a belt.

The location of the photograph is currently unknown.

Irene Chanis, Unknown Woman, Esther Murosky

To view another photograph of Irene Chanis taken in 1937 visit this link. To view photographs of Esther Murosky taken in 1937 visit this link.

The photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. It is currently unknown how Helen received this photograph as the writing  on the photograph is unknown. Helen was married to Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Anthony was the brother of Esther Murosky and the uncle of Irene Chanis. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Margaret Murosky and Esther Murosky are my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. my great grandfather. Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. married Helen Tillie Bukowski. Their son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. Margaret's daughter Irene Chanis is my 1st cousins 2x removed. 

Murosky Cousins - Late 1940's or early 1950's

This photograph of Murosky cousins was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. When reviewing photographs in an album with my paternal grandfather, Arthur Murosky, indicated the girls were his Murosky cousins.

Two of the girls pictured are sisters, Rita and Rosalee Murosky, the daughters of Charles Murosky and Sophie E. Morosky. Rita was born in 1933 and her sister Rosalee was born in 1935.

The third girl pictured is Eleanor Sell, the daughter of Harry W. Sell and Esther Murosky. Eleanor was born in 1930.

The photograph was most likely taken in the late 1940's or the early 1950's. The exact date is unknown. There is another photograph of Eleanor taken in 1942 available at this link. The location of the photograph is also unknown but it is plausible the photograph was taken in Erie, Erie, County Pennsylvania.

Rita Murosky, Rosalee Murosky and Eleanor Sell

The photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen was married to Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Anthony was the brother of Charles and Esther Murosky. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Charles W. Murosky and Sophie E. Morosky are my 2nd great aunt and uncle.  Harry W. Sell and Esther Murosky are my 2nd great aunt and uncle. Charles and Esther are the siblings of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. my great grandfather. Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. married Helen Tillie Bukowski. Their son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. Rita, Rosalee and Eleanor are my 1st cousins 2x removed. 

References:

1. 1920 United States Federal Census. Year: 1920; Census Place: Forest City Ward 1, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1655; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 68; Image: 234 Record for Stanley Marasky. 
2. 1930 United States Federal Census. Year: 1930; Census Place: Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2151; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0013; Image: 233.0; FHL microfilm: 2341885. Record for Anthony Moraski. 
3. 1940 United States Federal Census. Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 68-76. Record for Charles W Morosky.

1937 - Irene Chanis

Irene Chanis, the daughter of John Chanis and Margaret Murosky, photographed in 1937. Irene would have been 17 years old when this photograph was taken.

The location of the photograph is unknown. Historical records indicate that Irene and her parents were living in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in 1938.

Irene Chanis photographed in 1937

The photograph was part of the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen most likely recorded the name and date on the photograph. Helen was married to Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Anthony was the brother of Margaret Murosky, Irene's mother. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Margaret Murosky is my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. my great grandfather. Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. married Helen Tillie Bukowski. Their son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. Margaret's daughter Irene Chanis is my 1st cousins 2x removed. 

References: 

1. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Year: 1920; Census Place: Forest City Ward 1, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1655; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68; Image: 226. Record for John Chanis.
2. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Year: 1930; Census Place: Edwardsville, Luzerne, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2066; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0031; Image: 883.0; FHL microfilm: 2341800. Record for John Chanis.
3. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.  Record for Margaret Chanes.

1940's - Winifred Agnes O'Neill with Madeline Gertrude McDonald

March 25, 2016 this post has been updated to identify Madeline Gertrude McDonald

This photograph of Winifred Agnes O'Neill photographed with her daughter Madeline Gertrude McDonald was most likely taken in the 1940's. The location of the photograph is also unknown.

The photograph was included in the collection of her daughter-in-law Frances Philomena Selker. Frances married Winifred's son Loraine Anthony McDonald. There are only a handful of photographs that exist of Winifred so this was a most welcome surprise. To view the other photographs of Winifred visit The O'Neill Collection.

Winifred Agnes O'Neill (left) with her daughter Madeline Gertrude McDonald (right) 

The same unknown woman also appears in the center of this photograph:

Left to Right: Frances Philomena Selker (wife of Loraine McDonald), 
Madeline Gertrude McDonald, Winifred Agnes O'Neill

Winifred was born September 3, 1874 the daughter of two Irish immigrants - Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. She married Robert Alphonsus McDonald on June 23, 1895 in Clarion, Clarion County Pennsylvania. Winifred died on April 1, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at age 75. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. To view her tombstone visit this link.

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Robert Alphonsus McDonald and Winifred Agnes O'Neill are my 2nd great grandparents. Madeline Gertrude McDonald is my 2nd great Aunt. She is the daughter of Robert Alphonsus McDonald and Winifred Agnes O'Neill. Her brother Loraine McDonald. Loraine McDonald is my great grandfather. His daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. Madeline Gertrude McDonald was identified by her nephew William Loraine McDonald. 

References:

1. 1880 United States Federal Census. Year: 1880; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 78C; Enumeration District: 065; Image: 0160. Record for Michael O'naill. Lines 35-39.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11681-34931-84?cc=1589502 : accessed 29 March 2015), 004068175 > image 140 of 693; county courthouses, Pennsylvania. Record for McDonald, Robert A. and Winnie O'Neil Or O'Neill. 
3. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.  Record for Winniefred A Mc Donald.
4. Find A Grave. Winnifrede A. O'Neill McDonald. Find A Grave Memorial# 107591643.

Launching The Postcard Collection

The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection.

The collection includes postcards Harry Anthony Murosky sent his sister Rita Ann Murosky during WWII when he was based in San Francisco with The United States Army Air Forces. The collection also includes correspondence from Harry Anthony Murosky to his mother Helen Tillie Bukowski during WWII. There are also postcards the extended family sent while traveling. The front and back of postcards have been scanned in high resolution.

 The postcards are organized in chronological order.

May 6, 1945
Postcard from Harry Anthony Murosky to his sister Rita Ann Murosky

May 6, 1945
Postcard from Harry Anthony Murosky to his sister Rita Ann Murosky

The postcards were part of the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. In addition to saving photographs Helen also saved newspaper clippings, postcards and greeting cards. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. Her son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. Harry Anthony Murosky is my great uncle. Rita Ann Murosky is my great aunt.