Wedding Portrait: Frances W. McDonald & Anthony Fromknecht

Frances Winifred McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht were married on September 14, 1946. The wedding took place in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.  When the couple married Frances was 26 years old and Anthony was 31 years old.

Formal Wedding Portrait
Frances Winifred McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht
(L-R)  Unknown (Groomsman), Unknown (Groomsman), 
Mary Eugenia McDonald (seated Matron of Honor and Sister of the Bride), 
Anthony Fromknecht (Groom),  Frances Winifred McDonald (Bride), 
Loraine Anthony McDonald (Father of the Bride), 
Kathryn Joan McDonald (Bridesmaid and Sister of the Bride), Unknown (Groomsman),
Winifred O. Fromknecht (Bridesmaid and Sister of the Groom)

One interesting fact is that Kathryn Joan McDonald was the only unmarried attendant. May Eugenia McDonald, the sister of the bride, married Arthur Murosky on August 9, 1941. Winifred O. Fromknecht, the sister of the groom, married Homer H. Heberle on November 14, 193.

The couple applied for their marriage license on August 31, 1946 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Their marriage license was issued on September 3, 1946.  The couple's marriage was recorded on September 14, 1946. The duplicate was returned September 16, 1946.

The application for marriage license offers some interesting details about the Anthony and Frances' life in 1946. The first page in the file is the Application for Marriage License.

Application for Marriage License for 
Anthony A. Fromknecht and Frances W. McDonald

Anthony was born January 23, 1915 in Erie, Erie County Pennsylvania. His father Joseph J. Fromknecht  was born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. His mother Mary Loesch was also born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The marriage license application indicates that Anthony was working as switchboard installer. He was living at 3221 Old French Rd. Joseph J. Fromknecht was recorded as a laborer and Mary Loesch was recorded as a housewife.

Frances was born March 18, 1920 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Her father Loraine Anthony McDonald Vowinkle, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Her mother Frances Philomena Selker was born in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Loraine and Frances relocated to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania in the 1920's in search of work. The marriage license application indicates that Frances was working as a secretary. She was living in her parents home at 317 East 27th Street. Loraine Anthony McDonald was recorded as a laborer and Frances Selker was recorded as a housewife.

There are some known details about how Frances and Anthony met. Frances was friends with Anthony's sister Winifred O. Fromknecht. Winifred introduced her close friend to her brother.

The original copy of the wedding portrait is in the care of Janet Fromknecht the daughter of Frances W. McDonald and Anthony A. Fromknecht. From the Frances Winifred McDonald Collection. The photograph is shared with permission.  Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. Frances W. McDonald and Kathryn Joan McDonald are my great-aunts. They are the the sisters of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159363-19641-74?cc=1589502 : 24 June 2016), 004480664 > image 634 of 834; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF73-L11 : 24 June 2016), Arthur J. Murosky and Mary Eugenia Mcdonald, 1941.
3. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMC2-H39 : 24 June 2016), Homer H Heberle and Winifred O Fromknecht, 1943.

1942 - Wedding of Raymond H. Bukowski & Veronica A. Karpinski

Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski photographed on their wedding day. They were married June 6, 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Raymond H. Bukowski, the son of John Frank Bukowski and Theresa Filipkowski, was born February 28, 1920 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Veronica A. Karpinski, the daughter of Walter Karpinski and Veronica Smolenski, was born May 8, 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Raymond and Veronica photographed on their wedding day

Their marriage license  application was filed on May 8, 1942 in Erie, Erie County Pennsylvania. The license was issued on May 11, 1942. Raymond was working as a welder was living at 629 East 21st Street. Raymond's father John Bukowski was also working as a welder. His mother Theresa is recorded as a housewife. Her maiden name is recorded as Filipowski. The marriage license indicates Raymond's parents were born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Veronica was living at 615 East 3rd Street. Her father Walter was recorded as a drill press operator. Her mother Veronica was recorded as a housewife. Her maiden name is recorded as Smolenski. The marriage license indicates Veronica's parents were born in Poland.

The couple were married June 6, 1942 and the duplicate record was returned June 8, 1942.

Application for Marriage License for
Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski 

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

Raymond H. Bukowski is my 1st cousin 2x. His father John Frank Bukowski is my 2nd great uncle. John Frank Bukowski is the brother of Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen Tillie Bukowski is my great grandmother. 

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF7M-JQ8 : accessed 13 February 2016), Raymond H. Bukowski and Veronica A. Karpinski, 06 Jun 1942; citing Marriage, Pennsylvania, county courthouses, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 2,260,336.

Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald - Application for Marriage License

The application for marriage license for Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald was filed July 28, 1941 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The duplicate was returned August 26, 1941. The couple's marriage date was recorded as August 9, 1941.

The application for marriage license offers some interesting details about the Arthur and Mary Eugenia's life in 1941. The first page in the file is the Application for Marriage License.

Application for Marriage License
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 723 of 829

From the Statement of Male:

Arthur's name is recorded as Arthur J. Murosky. This variation of his name included his confirmation name. He was employed as a machinist - this skilled labor position would keep him at home when the war efforts went into full swing in a few years time. He is recorded living in his parents home at 729 E. 24th Street. This is the same address where his family was living when the 1940 United States Federal Census was recorded.

The application indicates he was born in Erie, Pennsylvania - the son of Anthony Murosky and Helen Bukowski. His father was also employed as a machinist and his mother a housewife. His father's birth place is recorded as Forest City, Pennsylvania and his mother's Erie, Pennsylvania. Arthur was 22 when the application was filed. The application also notes he is physically able to support a family.

From the Statement of Female:

Mary Eugenia is listed with her full name - Mary Eugenia McDonald. She was employed as a Clerk at the Boston Store. She is recorded living in her parents home at 422 East 19th Street. This is the same address where her family was living when the 1940 United States Federal Census was recorded.

The application indicates she was born in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania - the daughter of Loraine McDonald and Frances Selker. Her father was employed as an 'ecectrian' (most likely electrician) and her mother a housewife. Her father's birth place is recorded as Vowinckle, Clarion County, Pennsylvania and her mother's birth place Clarion, Clarion Country, Pennsylvania. Mary Eugenia was 19 when the statement was filed.

The couple's signatures are included on the Application for Marriage Lcense

Signatures of Bride and Groom
Application for Marriage License
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 723 of 829

Mary Eugenia's father Loraine McDonald had to complete the second page of the Application for Marriage License - the Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward. This indicated he was aware of her intended marriage to Arthur.

Application for Marriage License - Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 724 of 829

The Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward contains Loraine's signature.

Signature of Loraine McDonald
Consent to the Marriage of Child or Ward
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004480649 Image 724 of 829

Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. He was the son of Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski. Mary Eugenia McDonald is my maternal grandmother. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.  

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159363-39562-94?cc=1589502 : accessed 26 August 2015), 004480649 > image 723 of 829; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-159363-39562-94?cc=1589502 : accessed 26 August 2015), 004480649 > image 724 of 829; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
3. 1940 United States Federal Census.Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-77. Record for Loraine McDonald.
4. 1940 United States Federal Census. Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-85. Record for Anthony Murosky

Anthony Murosky Sr. and Eva Zielinski - Application for Marriage License

The application for marriage license for Anthony Murosky and Eva Zielinski was filed January 16, 1885 in Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. It was previously known from information included in the 1910 United States Federal Census that Anthony and Eva were married in Pennsylvania. The 1910 United States Federal Census also indicated that Anthony arrived in 1892 and Eva in 1894. Given their separate arrivals the couple met in the Forest City Community or by attending the same church.

After locating the application for marriage license I shared with the folks at the website PolishOrigins.com. The researches at the site had some interesting observations, especially has they had assisted with translating the original Lithuanian names recorded on a birth certificate for Anthony and Eva's son Frank. To learn more about the translation visit the blog post The Original Lithuanian Spelling - Murauskas.

The application for marriage license offers some previously unknown details about the Anthony and Eva - including some additional spelling variations of Murosky and Zelensky. This particular application for marriage license includes three pages - a cover page, the application for marriage license and a duplicate certificate.

Cover Page
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004838983 Image 520 of 2047

The first page in the file is the cover page. The cover page of the file lists the marriage application number, the names of the individuals to be married and the date the application was filed.

Observations from the cover page:

• Note the spelling Antoni Morofskey and Eva Zelenskey. Each name has an "ey" added to both surnames.
• This is the first instance I have observed of the 'f" being used in the surname. The use of the "f" in the surname may have been the name being recorded phonetically by the Justice of the Peace or a Clerk. Antoni would have very likely had an Eastern European accent. 
• The Application was filed January 16, 1895
• The filing location was Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States 

Application for Marriage License
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950 004838983 Image 521 of 2047

The second page is the marriage license application. The names on the license are recorded by the Justice of the Peace based by the matching hand writing. The names are recorded as Anthony Morofskey and Eva Zelenskey.

The marriage license provides previously unknown details - birth dates for Anthony and Eva. The marriage license indicates Anthony was born May 20, 1867 in Poland and that his occupation is a miner. This supports what was previously known about Anthony - that he worked as a coal miner in Forest City. The marriage license also indicates that Eva was born November 15, 1873 in Poland and that she was employed as a domestic servant. The birth certificate for Frank Murauskas indicated that Eva was working as a housekeeper in 1907.

The birth reference location to Poland also aligns with other previously known details. The birth certificate for Frank Murauskas indicates that Anthony and Eva were born in the Suwałki Governorate. The Suwałki Governorate was an administrative unit of the Congress of Poland. The general use of Poland on the application for marriage license would have included this area.

Signature of Anthony Murosky, Sr.

The application for marriage license was signed by Anthony. PolishOrigins.com researcher Elzbieta Porteneuve also had a few interesting observations about the application for marriage license and Anthony's signature: 

• Note that the Justice of the Peace,  Justice Makey wrote groom’s and bride’s name as his own, with the same ending adding the 'ey'. He spelled the names 
Morofskey  and Zelenskey. 
• The Justice of the Peace also spelled Anthony adding the "t" where the original signature does not include the "h".
• Antoni’s name written by himself. He has difficulties to write as seen in his first name Antoni, but it’s 
• clear his real name starts with “Mur” and ends with “ki”.

Duplicate Certificate
Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950_004838983 Image 522 of 2047

The third page in the file is the Duplicate Certificate. The duplicate certificate was completed by the Rev. F. Kuray and returned. The duplicate certificate indicates the couple was married January 22, 1895 in Forest City, Pennsylvania. This version of the spelling is Antoni Murofsky and Eva Zelenskey.

Note that on three different pages in the same file the names have been spelled multiple ways.
Antoni Morofskey, Anthony Morofskey and Antoni Murofsky.

Antoni Murauskas and Ewa Zilinskaite are my 2nd great-grandparents. Their son Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. is my great grandfather. Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr's s son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. 

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21150-8097-73?cc=1589502 : accessed 2 May 2015), 004838983 > image 520 of 2047; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21150-8105-4?cc=1589502 : accessed 2 May 2015), 004838983 > image 521 of 2047; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
3. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-21150-8511-99?cc=1589502 : accessed 2 May 2015), 004838983 > image 522 of 2047; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
4. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21123-37079-92?cc=1589502 : accessed 2 May 2015), 004838912 > image 413 of 625; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.
5. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906-1908 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Record for Frank Murauckas.
6. 1910 U. S. census, 1910 United States Federal Census schedule, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Online Images, Record for Anthony Meroski
7. PolishOrigins Forum 
8. Wikipedia: Suwałki Governorate

Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth - Application for Marriage License

Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth were married November 4, 1890 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. To view the couple's wedding photo visit the blog post Tintype Photo: Wedding of Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth (1890)

On November 3, 1890 the couple completed their Application for Marriage License at the Clarion County Courthouse.

The left hand page of the application records their names, ages, place of birth, parent's names and occupation. The couple's signatures are shown in the lower section. The license indicates Joseph W. Selker, age 25, was born in Germany the son of George & Katherine Elizabeth Selker. Frances Philomena Selker, age 27, was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania the daughter of Leopold & Theresa Guth. Joseph's occupation is recorded as cigar manufacturer.

Application for Marriage License - Left Hand Page

The right hand page includes the marriage license and details of the the marriage location. The marriage license was issued on November 3, 1890. The couple was married November 4, 1890 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Pennsylvania. The duplicate certificate was filed January 17, 1891 and was recorded as no. 766.

Application for Marriage License - Left Hand Page

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great-grandparents. Their line extends through their daughter Frances Philomena Selker to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. 

This information has been made available free of charge by FamilySeach in the database Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950.  The database description FamilySearch:

"This collection includes civil marriage records created in Pennsylvania counties. The records include registers, affidavits and marriage licenses. In some instances, divorce records are recorded with marriages."

References:

1. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," index and images FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-20637-16835-61?cc=1589502 : accessed 28 March 2015), 004811664 > image 532 of 666; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.