1960 - Helen Tillie Bukowski

Helen Tillie Bukowski poses for a photograph. The borders from the original image are dated January 1960. The photograph was most likely taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The address is currently unknown.

Helen Tillie Bukowski

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

Helen Tillie Bukowski is my Great Grandmother. Her son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. 

1936 - Arthur & Anthony

Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. and his oldest son Arthur most likely photographed in 1936. This photograph is dated using two other photographs. The first photograph Anthony's wife Helen Tillie Bukowski and her daughters that is dated 1936.  The second photograph is of Anthony and Helen, Helen is wearing the same dress in both photographs and the structure in the background is similar.

The photograph would have been taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Anthony would have been age 40 when photographed and Arthur would have been age 17.

Anthony & Arthur

From the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. It is not known who recorded the names on the photograph. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski are my Great Grandparents. Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. 

Edward C. Selker Formal Portrait

A formal portrait of Edward C. Selker, Sr., the son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. Edward was born March 28, 1894 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

When my cousin Leopold first shared this portrait he indicated the man was a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. Recently I connected with a new cousin who is a granddaughter of Edward C. Selker. She was able to identify the man in the portrait below as her Grandfather.

Edward C. Selker

This portrait is shared with permission. The original portrait are in the care of Leopold George Selker my 2nd cousin 1x. He is a descendant of Leopold George Selker, Sr. the oldest son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. From the Leopold George Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Edward C. Selker, Sr. is my 2nd great uncle. His sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. 

1946 - Marian Elaine Murosky

A formal portrait of Marian Elaine Murosky. This is her 6th grade portrait. The portrait was most likely taken in the fall of 1946.  The portrait would have been taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Marian Elaine Murosky

The photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski are my great grandparents. Their daughter Marian Elaine Murosky is my Great Aunt.  Her brother Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

1952 - Leopold George Selker Family - Three Generation Photograph

Three generations of the Leopold George Selker family photographed together. The photographs were most likely taken in 1952. Leopold George Selker, Sr. is photographed with his son Leopold George Selker, Jr. and his grandson Leopold George Selker, III.

Leopold George Selker, Jr. holding his son Leopold George Selker III with 
his father Leopold George Selker, Sr,

Leopold George Selker, Sr,  holding his grandson Leopold George Selker III

These photographs are shared with permission. The original photographs are in the care of Leopold George Selker my 2nd cousin 1x. Leopold is the young boy in the photographs. He is a descendant of Leopold George Selker, Sr. the oldest son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. From the Leopold George Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Leopold George Selker, Sr. is my 2nd great uncle. His sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. 

Postcard - J.W. Selker Cigar Company

This is a copy of an original postcard of the J.W. Selker Cigar Company. The J.W. Selker Cigar company was located in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The cigar factory is on the left side of the postcard and the large home J.W. Selker built is on the right side of the postcard.

The majority of individuals in the picture are unknown. J.W. Selker also known as Joseph William Selker is standing in the middle of the photograph and is wearing a top hat and jacket.

To view more recent photographs of the cigar factory and the J.W. Selker home visit the post The Selker Family: Hermann George and his son Joseph William, cigarmaker.

The J.W. Selker Cigar Co., 242, 244 , 246 Main St., Clarion, PA 

A copy of the postcard is shared with permission. The original is in the care of Leopold George Selker my 2nd cousin 1x. Leopold is a descendant of Leopold George Selker, Sr. the oldest son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. From the Leopold George Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Leopold George Selker, Sr. is my 2nd great uncle. His sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. 

Smoke Selker's - Key West Select

An original sign from the Selker Cigar business. The J.W. Selker Cigar business was founded April 1889 by Joseph William Selker in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania details his education and career as a business owner:

“He received his early education in the local schools, and when sixteen years of age was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of a cigarmaker, at which he worked for one year in Germany after finishing his apprenticeship. In 1885 he emigrated to the United States and worked at his trade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, until March 15, 1887, when he settled in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of Michael Zacherl as a cigarmaker. In April, 1889, he entered the cigar manufacturing business on his own account with a capital of three hundred dollars, in which trade he still continues, having by his industry and ability enlarged the capacity of his business until his establishment manufactures over five millions two hundred thousand cigars annually, for which he finds a ready market in Pittsburgh and the neighboring country. He is also a wholesale dealer in tobacco and cigarettes, having in 1893 bought a large warehouse at 248 Main Street, Clarion, Pennsylvania, adjoining which he built in 1895 the commodious dwelling in which he now resides. He served for several years as a member of the city council of Clarion.”

Smoke Selker's 

Key West Select 

All Quality 

INC-RICH BEAVER FALLS PA

A copy of the Selker sign is shared with permission. The original is in the care of my 2nd cousin 1x, a descendant of Frederick William Selker. Frederick William Selker was a son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great grandparents. Frederick William Selker is my 2nd great uncle. His sister Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. 

References:

1. John Woolf Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania, III vols. (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Page 839: Selker

1940's - William Loraine McDonald

William Loraine McDonald, son of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker, photographed in the mid 1940's.  William may be age 6 or 7 in this photograph. The location of the photograph is unknown.

William Loraine McDonald

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

Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great Grandparents.  William Loraine McDonald is my Great Uncle. He is the brother of my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald.

1948 - Murosky Family Three Generation Photograph

Three Generations of the Murosky family are captured in the photographs taken in the late spring or summer of 1948. The photographs were taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The photographs may have been taken at 729 East 24th Street which was the residence of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and his wife Helen Tillie Bukowski in 1948. The photographs also include a man, woman and girl who are currently unknown.

The oldest generation of the Murosky family captured in the photographs is Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and his wife Helen Tillie Bukowski. The couple's adult children represent the second generation of the Murosky family. The adult children in the photographs include:

• Arthur Murosky & his wife Mary Eugenia McDonald
• Edward V. Murosky &his wife Margaret A. Forgash
• Rita Ann Mursoky & her husband Walter E. Niemi

The grandchildren of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and his wife Helen Tillie Bukowski represent the third generation of the Murosky family. The grandchildren included in the photographs:

• Barbara Jean, Mary Helen, Kathleen Marie & Karen Murosky, daughters of Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald
• Kenneth Niemi, son of Rita Ann Murosky &Walter E. Niemi

1948 Murosky Family - Three Generation Photograph

Standing (L-R): Walter E. Niemi, Rita Ann Murosky holding Kenneth Niemi, Anthony Harry Murosky Jr., Mary Eugenia McDonald holding Kathleen Marie Murosky, Margaret A. Forgash, Edward V. Murosky, unknown woman, unknown man 
Front (L-R): Helen Tillie Bukowski holding Karen Murosky, Mary Helen Murosky (seated), Barbara Jean Murosky (seated), unknown girl holding camera (standing)

1948 Murosky Family Photograph
Standing (L-R): Mary Eugenia McDonald holding Karen Murosky, Margaret A. Forgash, 
Edward V. Murosky, Arthur Murosky 
Front (L-R): Barbara Jean Murosky, Mary Helen Murosky, Kathleen Marie Murosky, 
unknown girl holding camera

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

Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski are my Great Grandparents. Edward V. Murosky is my Great Uncle. Rita Ann Murosky is my Great Aunt. Kenneth Niemi is my 1st cousin 1x. Arthur Murosky & his wife Mary Eugenia McDonald are my paternal grandparents. Barbara Jean, Mary Helen, Kathleen Marie and Karen Murosky are my aunts. 

1936 - Anthony & Helen

Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. and his wife Helen Tillie Bukowski most likely photographed in 1936. The photograph would have been taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Anthony would have been age 40 when photographed and Helen would have been age 35.

Anthony and Helen

From the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. It is not known who recorded the names on the photograph. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski are my Great Grandparents. 

1950's - Murosky Family Gathering

The Murosky family photographed in the early 1950's.  Based on the ages of the children the photographs were most likely taken between 1953 and 1955.

The photographs were taken at the residence of Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen lived at 638 W 23rd Street in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The City of Erie City Directories indicate Helen Tillie Bukowski lived at this address from 1953 through 1960.  The photographs were taken in the back garden. The old Holy Trinity School (now demolished) and Holy Trinity Church can be seen in the background of some of the photographs.

The photographs were taken to commemorate the visit of Helen's son Harry A. Murosky and his wife Ann Marie Edens. Harry and Ann Marie resided in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina and would travel to Erie in the summer. Many family members have fond memories of their visits and recall how they would bring watermelons with them for the family to enjoy. The Mursky family members included in the photographs are:

• Harry's mother Helen Tillie Bukowski
• Harry's sisters Rita Ann Murosky and Marian Elaine Murosky. 
• Harry's brother Edward V. Murosky and his wife Margaret. A. Forgash. 
• Harry's nephew Ronald Murosky, son of Edward V. Murosky and  Margaret. A. Forgash.
• Harry's nephew Kenneth Niemi, son of Rita Ann Murosky and Walter E. Niemi.

Early 1950's Murosky Family Gathering
Standing (L-R): Edward V. Murosky, Margaret A. Forgash, Harry A. Murosky 
Seated (L-R): Ronald Murosky, Rita Ann Murosky holding Kenneth Niemi, 
Helen Tillie Bukowski, Ann Marie Edens

Early 1950's Murosky Family Gathering
Standing (L-R): Edward V. Murosky, Rita Ann Murosky, Halen Tillie Bukowski, 
Marian Elaine Murosky, Harry A. Murosky. 
Ronald Murosky is playing in the background.

Early 1950's Murosky Family Gathering
Standing (L-R): Rita Ann Murosky, Ann Marie Edens, Margaret A. Forgash, 
Helen Tillie Bukowski, Marian Elaine Murosky 
Front (L-R): Edward V. Murosky and Ronald Murosky seated, Kenneth Niemi standing.
The old Holy Trinity School is the background. 

Early 1950's Murosky Family Gathering
Back (L-R): Ann Marie Edens, Helen Tillie Bukowski, Rita Ann Murosky, 
Margaret A. Forgash 
Front (L-R): Kenneth Niemi, Ronald Murosky

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

Helen Tillie Bukowski, my Great Grandmother. Harry A. Murosky and Edward V. Murosky are my Great Uncles. Rita Ann Murosky and Marian Elaine Murosky are my Great Aunts. Their brother Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. Ronald Murosky and Kenneth Niemi are my 1st cousins 1x. 

References:

1. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1953.
2. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1954.
3. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1955.
4. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1956.
5. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1957.
6. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1959.
7. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Record for Helen Murosky. Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1960.

1938 - Leona & Marian

Leona Pietrzak, the daughter of Stanley Pietrzak and Clara Tillie Bukowski, photographed with her cousin Marian Elaine Murosky, the daughter of  Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski at Trinity Cemetery.

The girls are standing behind the tombstones of their grandparents Vincinety Frank Bukowski & Franciska Kwiatkowski. The photograph was taken in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

The photograph was most likely taken in 1938. Vincinety Frank Bukowski died on April 27, 1930.  The grass in front of the grave appears to have grown in and the girls are still young. Leona would likely have been 7 years old and Marian would likely have been 3 years old.  

Leona Pietrzak & Marian Elaine Murosky

From the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen likely recorded the names on the photograph. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Leona Pietrzak is my 1st Cousin 2x. Her mother Clara Tillie Bukowski is my 2nd Great Aunt. She is the sister of Helen Tillie Bukowski, my Great Grandmother. Marian Elaine Murosky is my Great Aunt. Her brother Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather.