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. 

1967 - A Postcard from Canada

A postcard sent to Mrs. Loraine McDonald. The postcard was dated July 12, 1967 and was postmarked from Canada. The post card was sent by Madeline Gertrude McDonald to her sister-in-law Frances Philomena Selker. The label on the postcard is for The North Lodge, Elgin House in Muskoka, Ontario. The Elgin House was a resort with views of Lake Joseph.

From Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now, page 153:

"For more than a hundred years, successive generations grew up at the famous Elgin House as families returned year after year to enjoy the northern hospitality. This grand old resort is now gone, but the memory of it remains very much alive."

From Muskoka Resorts: Then and Now, page 160:

"During the 1930's the North Lodge with additional rooms was built, bringing the number of guests Elgin House could accommodate to four hundred." 

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Madeline sent the postcard while vacationing with her siblings. The hand written note includes details about their vacation:

Dear Francis:

Our vacation is about at an end. Regis [Regis Andrew McDonald] & Chrs. [Charles Eugene McDonald] & Ger. [George Roth] home played golf each day & believe the vacation was good for both of them. We leave after breakfast Friday & may drop off at your place for a few minutes to see you but will go on through Friday as Reg. [Regis Andrew McDonald] will work Sat if he gets home on time & Chrs. [Charles Eugene McDonald] is anxious about his mail & will pick up Sat. Helen will write they are staying on another week.

Love - Madeline

At the time of the vacation Madeline Gertrude McDonald would have been 61 years old. Her siblings referenced in the postcard include:

• Her sister Helen Edith McDonald, age 67, and her husband George Roth.
• Her brother Regis Andrew McDonald, age 53, was most likely with his wife Bernice Auth.
• Her brother brother Charles Eugene McDonald, age 64. Both Madeline and Charles never married. 

Madeline and her siblings would have likely traveled through Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania on their way back to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Their oldest brother Loraine Anthony McDonald, husband of Frances Philomena Selker, died in January of 1967. The siblings may have wanted to check in on Frances to see how she was doing.

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Madeline to  Mrs. Loraine McDonald

The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. The collection also includes postcards from the 1950's and 1960's that were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Madeline Gertrude Joan McDonald is my 2nd Great Aunt. Her siblings include Helen Edith McDonald, Charles Eugene McDonald, Regis Andrew McDonald and Loraine Anthony McDonald.  Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was my paternal grandmother. 

1957 - A Postcard from Oxnard, CA

A postcard sent to Francis McDonald postmarked July 15, 1957 at 1:00 pm out of Oxnard, California. The postcard was sent by "Amelia". The identity of Amelia is currently unknown.

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The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. The collection also includes postcards from the 1950's and 1960's that were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Frances Philomena Selker is my great grandmother. She married Loraine Anthony McDonald. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was my paternal grandmother.

1957 - A Postcard from Frostburg, Maryland

A postcard sent to Mr. and Mrs. L.A. McDonald. The postcard was postmarked July 30, 1957 at 3:30 pm out of Frostburg, Maryland. The post card was sent by Kathryn Joan McDonald to her parents Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.

Kathryn  and her husband Jack sent the postcard while vacationing. The hand written note includes details about their vacation:

Hi: Saw Gettysburg Sun. [Sunday] afternoon then drove on here to a beautiful motel. Air Cond [air conditioning] and T.V. See you soon - Jack & Joan

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Jack & Joan to Mr. & Mrs. L.A. McDonald

The Postcard Collection includes postcards from the 1940’s that were included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. The collection also includes postcards from the 1950's and 1960's that were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Kathryn Joan McDonald is my Great Aunt. Her parents Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald was my paternal grandmother. 

1945 - A Second Postcard from Buffalo, NY

A postcard sent to the Morosky Family. The family would have included Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. and his wife Helen Tillie Bukowski. Note the spelling variation of Murosky as Morosky. The postcard was postmarked August 11, 1945 at 5 pm out of Buffalo, New York. The post card was sent by Helen B.,most likely Helen Bukowski, the niece of Helen Tillie Bukowski.

Helen Bukowski, the daughter of John Frank Bukowski and Theresa Filipkowski, was in Buffalo, NY visiting the family of William F. Bukowski. William Bukowski, Helen's uncle, was the brother of Helen Tillie Bukowski and John Frank Bukowski. It appears several Bukowski family members traveled together. Helen writes in her postcard that she is with her cousin Leona. Helen Tillie Bukowski also received a postcard from her niece Leona Pietrzak, postmarked August 1945 out of Buffalo. To view that postcard visit the post 1945 - A Postcard from Buffalo, NY.

William F. Bukowski and his wife Celia were originally from Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Their son Norbert was born in July 13, 1920 in Pennsylvania. The family relocated to Buffalo prior to 1930. The 1930 United States Federal Census recorded the family living in  Buffalo, Erie, New York.

Helen would been 16 years old when she sent this postcard to to her Aunt Helen.

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From Helen B. to the Morosky Family

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 Bukowski is my 1st Cousin 2x. Her father John Frank Bukowski is my 2nd Great Uncle. He is the brother of Helen Tillie Bukowski, my Great Grandmother. Helen's son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

References:

1. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010. Record for Norbert Bukowski. 
2. 1930 U.S. Census, New York, Erie, Buffalo,  1930 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Boleslaus. Lines 67-78.

1945 - A Postcard from Buffalo, NY

A postcard sent to Helen Tillie Bukowski. The postcard was postmarked August 1945 out of Buffalo, New York. The post card was sent by Leona Pietrzak - Helen's niece.

Leona Pietrzak, the daughter of Clara Tillie Bukowski, was in Buffalo, NY visiting the family of William F. Bukowski. William Bukowski, Leona's uncle, was the brother of Helen Tillie Bukowski and Clara Tillie Bukowski.

William F. Bukowski and his wife Celia were originally from Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Their son Norbert was born in July 13, 1920 in Pennsylvania. The family relocated to Buffalo prior to 1930. The 1930 United States Federal Census recorded the family living in  Buffalo, Erie, New York.

Leona would been 13 years old when she sent this postcard to to her Aunt Helen.

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From Leona to Helen

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.

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. Helen's son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

References:

1. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010. Record for Norbert Bukowski. 
2. 1930 U.S. Census, New York, Erie, Buffalo,  1930 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Boleslaus. Lines 67-78.

1945 - A Postcard from Pittsburgh, PA

A postcard sent to Miss Marian Murosky. The postcard was postmarked August 29, 1945 out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The post card was sent by Madelyn Ann McDonald who was affectionately called "Midge".

Madelyn Ann McDonald was the sister of Mary Eugenia McDonald. Mary Eugenia married Arthur Murosky, Marian Elaine Murosky's older brother. Both families lived in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania and the members of the extended families became close. The Murosky family was living at 638 East 23rd Street when the postcard was sent. The McDonald family lived a few blocks away at 422 East 19th Street in the early 1940's.

Madelyn would been 13 years old when she sent this postcard to Marian age 10. Madelyn was most likely traveling to visit her McDonald family members which included her grandparents and cousins that lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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From Midge to Marian

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.

Marian Elaine Murosky is my Great Aunt. Her brother Arthur Murosky married Mary Eugenia McDonald. Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald are my paternal grandparents. Madelyn Ann McDonald, affectionately known as Aunt Midge, is my Great Aunt. 

1945 - A Postcard from Oil City, PA

A postcard sent to Mr. & Mrs. A. H. Murosky & Marian. The postcard was postmarked July 25, 1945 out of Oil City, Pennsylvania. The post card was sent to Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr, his wife Helen Tillie Bukowski and his youngest daughter Marian Elaine Murosky.

The post card was sent by their daughter-in-law Mary Eugenia McDonald, age 23,  who was traveling with her oldest daughter Barbara Jean, age 1 year and 9 months.  They were most likely traveling vising McDonald family members.

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From Jean & Barbie to Mr. & Mrs. A. H. Murosky & Marian

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. Arthur Murosky married Mary Eugenia McDonald. Barbara Jean Murosky is my aunt. 

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.

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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. 

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.