WWI Centennial: Where were they? The Anthony Murosky Sr. Family

This is the second post in the WWI Centennial series. The series is focused on where were members of my family living on August 5, 1914 when they learned war had been declared in Europe. What thoughts may they have had? How were they impacted? I hope this series of blog posts around the WWI Centennial will be both interesting and informative for the reader.

The second family to be featured will be Anthony Murosky Sr. and his wife Eva Zielinski my 2^nd great grandparents.

Immigrants Anthony Murosky Sr. and his wife Eva were living in Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania when they learned war had been declared in Europe. It has been 22 years since Anthony left Europe and 20 years since Eva left Europe.  Census records indicate that Anthony arrived in 1892 and Eva in 1984. The couple married in 1894.  Historical records indicate the couple was living in Forest City when their oldest son Anthony was born in 1889.  Details of their passage from Europe are unknown at this time. My grandfather told me the family lineage was Lithuanian. The census records record the place of birth for Anthony and Eva as “Russ-Polish” before the WWI and “Lithuania” after WWI. 

It is plausible the Anthony and Eva were born in modern day Lithuania possibly along the border of Poland. Both Lithuania and the eastern portions of Poland would have been part of the Russian Empire in 1910.   Lithuania was restored when portions of eastern European lands were stripped from the Russian. The Second Polish Republic was formed from the lands Russian and Prussia had annexed in the partitions of Poland in the late 1700’s.  It is currently unknown where Anthony and Eva were living prior to departing Europe.

The 1910 United States Federal Census recorded the family living at 128 Delaware Street, Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. The census indicates the family was renting this house. The 1920 United States Federal Census recorded the family living at 408 Main Street, Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. The census indicates the family was renting this house.

The Murosky family residences in Forest City

 The household would likely have included:

• Head Anthony Sr., age 51
• Wife Eva, age 44
• Son Anthony, age 24, (my great great-grandfather)
• Son Joseph, age 14
• Son Gustave Joseph, age 15
• Son William, age 12
• Daughter Esther, age 5
• Son Charles, age 1

Anthony and Eva also lost an infant son Frank in 1907.  The 1910 census indicates that Eva was the mother of 9 children and only 5 were living. If this information is accurate there are three additional children that are not recorded in historical documents located to date.

The couple’s oldest daughter Margaret, age 23, married John Chanis a Lithuanian immigrant in 1914.  According to his naturalization record for citizenship John was born July 25, 1895 in Vilna, Lithuania. Margaret may or may not have been living in the household with her parents in August of 1914.  

By 1914 the family was well established in the community. Forest City had a thriving Lithuanian population. Many of these immigrants also attended the same church.  Anthony Sr. and his son-in-law John Chanis were working in the coal mines. The oldest son Anthony was also likely employed working in the coal mines. The 1920 census records Anthony Jr.  as a motorman in the coal mines.

The 1910 census indicates that both Anthony Sr.  was able to read and write English. Eva is recorded as unable to read and write English. The 1910 census also indicates that Anthony, Sr. had not applied for citizenship and his status was recorded as “alien.”

After learning war had been declared Anthony and Eva may have pondered the impact their hometowns. Russian troops would have to travel through Lithuania to reach the border with Prussia held territory. The western potions of Lithuania also bordered Prussian lands. They each may have been worried about the families they left behind 20 years earlier.  Each would have realized their nephews of age were likely to be called to serve in the Russian Army.  

European Alliances in 1914 - West Point

It is currently unknown if this couple maintained any contact with their European family members. No details have been revealed to date which indicate there was any correspondence.

References:

1. 1910 U. S. census, 1910 United States Federal Census schedule, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; Online Images, Record for Anthony Meroski
2. 1920 U. S. census, 1920 United States Federal Census schedule, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Online Images, Record for Anthony Maroski
3. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1944 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Record for Frank Moroski
4. U.S., Naturalization Petitions of the U.S. Circuit and District Courts of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 1906-1930, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Middle District Court of Pennsylvania, District Court; National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Record for John Chanis
5. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Record for Anthony H. Murosky
6. 40 maps that explain World War I 
7. Historic maps of Forest City
8. Google Maps

WWI Centennial: Where were they? The Vincinety Frank Bukowski Family

On the evening of August 4, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany. The result was a long war with lasting consequences that would change the world. The war was one of the most deadly conflicts in history resulting in more than 9 million casualties. Great Briton lost its prominence as the leading world nation. The United States began assent as a world power. The war resulted in a tragic ending for the Russian monarchy when Czar Nicolas II, his wife and children were executed by the Bolsheviks. Other members of the Russian monarchy were also murdered. Those who survived lived in exile for the rest of their lives. Russia was forced to cede large tracks of land in the Ukraine and the Crimea – areas that remain in conflict today.   Prussia became a free state when Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated his throne.   The Treaty of Versailles broke up much of the Prussian empire – territory was ceded to Belgium, Lithuania and portions of Czechoslovakia.  The Second Polish Republic was formed from the lands Prussia had annexed in the partitions of Poland in the late 1700’s.

Earlier this week I found myself wondering – where were members of my family living on August 5, 1914 when they learned war had been declared in Europe. What thoughts may they have had? How were they impacted? I hope this series of blog posts around the WWI Centennial will be both interesting and informative for the reader.

The first family to be featured will be my 2^nd great grandparent -Vincinety Frank Bukowski and his wife Franciska Kwiatkowski.

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and his wife Franciska had been living in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania for 19 years when they woke up to the news that war had been declared in Europe. The couple arrived at Ellis Island May 1, 1895 with three small children. They had sailed from Antwerp, Belgium on the Noorland.  The census and other historical documents indicate the family was living in “Germany” before the WWI and “Poland” after WWI.  This likely indicates the family was living on the Prussian or German side of the Polish partition. The city where they were living prior to departure is currently unknown.

The couple’s oldest daughters were living in Erie, Pennsylvania with their spouses in close proximity to their parents. The families would have been able to walk between houses.

The Bukowski family residences in 1914

The oldest daughter TeoFila, age 25, was living with her husband Frank Gaczkowski and two small children. Arthur was 3 and Dorothy was 2. The 1914 City of Erie Directory indicates the couple was living at 705 E.  10^th Street. Frank was working as a constable.

The second daughter Catherine age 23, was living with her husband Joseph Zelazny. The couple had lost their first baby Frank who was born October 4, 1911. Daughter Irene was born in 1912. The 1914 City of Erie Directory indicates the couple, recorded as  “Zelazny, Stanislaus,  was living at 425 E. 13^th  street.  

The 1914 City of Erie Directory indicates that Vincinety and Franciska were living at 720 East 15th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania. The remaining children were still living with them in August of 1914. The household would have included:

• Son William, age 20 is also listed in the 1914 city of Erie directory as Boleslaus living with his parents.
• Son John, age 17
• Son Gustave Joseph, age 15
• Daughter Helen Tillie, age 13, (my great grandmother)
• Daughter Clara, age 11
• Son Joseph, age 8

 Vincinety and Franciska also lost two infants a daughter Josefa in 1909  and a son Edward in 1911.

The 1914 City of Erie Directory. Vincent and son William, shown as Boleslaus,
are on the left hand page in the upper portion of the second column. 

By 1914 the family was well established in the Erie community. They were members of St. Stanislaus Church.  Both Vincinety and William were working as laborers. The 1910 census indicates that both Vincinety was able to read and write English. Franciska is recorded as speaking Polish.  

After hearing the news that war had been declared the younger children may not have understood the impact. It is also difficult to know how this knowledge resonated with the older sons – William, John and Gustave. Vincinety and Franciska would have understood that if they were still living in Prussia their oldest sons would very likely have been serving in the Army. The couple would also have had perspective on potential impacts to their hometown. They may have been worried about the family members they had not seen in 19 years. They would have realized their nephews of age were likely serving in the Army on their way into battle.

It is currently unknown and it may never be known how much contact the couple had with their European family members.  Edward Zelazny [son of Catherine  Bukowski & Joseph Zelazny, grandson of Vincinety Bukowski & Franciska Kwiatkowski] had a few old photographs he believed were from the European relatives. These images were black and whites. The photographs appear to have been taken after Vincinety & Franciska  were living in Pennsylvania.  The dates and the people in the photographs are unknown.  

Unknown relatives from Europe. 

References:

1. Ellis Island Records, Bukowski, Vincent Manifest: First Name: Vincenty Last Name: Bukowski Ethnicity: Germany Last Place of Residence: Date of Arrival: May 01, 1895 Age at Arrival: 33y Gender: M Marital Status: Ship of Travel: Noordland Port
2. 1910 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, 2nd Ward, 1910 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent
3. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 - Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1914 page 377 (digital 184).
4. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 - Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1914 page 501 (digital 249).
5. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 - Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1914 page 984 (digital 491).
6. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1944 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Record for Zelazny, Frank
7. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Record for Zelazny, Frank
8. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Record for Bukowski, Josefa
9. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Record for Bukowski, Edward
10. Edward Zelazny photo collection
11. Google Maps

Portraits of a Life – Step 2: Archive the Original Image

To bring the original family portraits and snapshots into the digital realm there are several steps that I follow. A series of blog posts will explain the workflow that is used for the Portraits of a Life project.

Step 1: Create a Digital Image
Step 2: Archive the Original Image
Step 3: Preliminary Sort
Step 4: Edit, Enhance & Restore
Step 5: Identification
Step 6: Finalize Organization
Step 7: Share

The second step in the process is archive the original photograph. Of all the steps in the process Step 1: Create a Digital Image and Step 2: Archive the Original Image are the most critical. Step 1 ensures that a copy of the original photograph exists and step 2 ensures that the original photograph is properly preserved and stored.  Proper preservation ensures that the photographs can be handed down to the next generation of researchers.

The Materials

The first step is to use quality archive materials. In order to protect the original photographs it is important to use the correct materials for storage. The recommended method is to store photographs in individual sleeves.  Photographs taken at different times can contain different chemicals. Storing the photos in sleeves will ensure that the chemicals from one photo do not leach into another and cause damage. An acid free backing board can be used for old photographs that are very fragile. After placing the photographs in sleeves, the photographs should be stacked on their ends in archival boxes that are acid free.  Storing an old photo on the end reduces the amount of pressure on the image. 

After some research I opted to purchase products from Bags Unlimited. Bags Unlimited was great and answered my questions when I called seeking advice.  Their line of polypropylene sleeves, acid free backing boards and storage boxes are designed to work as a system. There is also an option to purchase dividers which can be used with to organize photographs within storage boxes.  The prices were affordable and I was pleased with the quality of the products. 

Archive supplies in a range of sizes

The collections in my care feature many photographs there are some that are over one hundred years old. It is very important to purchase the correct materials. Note that different types of sleeve materials are available. Be sure to check with the manufacturer that the sleeve material you intend to use is appropriate for your storage method.

Many of my old photographs are small. I opted to order a range of polypropylene sleeve sizes including 3-1/2x5, 4x5 and 4x6. All three sleeve sizes store nicely in the 4x6 archive box.  I also opted to order one large 8-1/2x 11archive box. This box allows me to storage larger 8-1/2x11 photographs, 5x7 photographs and other odd sized photographs.  I also opted to order 8x10 polypropylene sleeves and 5x7 polypropylene sleeves.

Handling the Photos

It is very important to make sure that your hands are clean when you handle photographs. Minimizing the amount of contact is important to ensure that oil and finger prints are not transferred to the photographs.

If you have a large quantity of photographs to sort through consider getting white cotton gloves that archivists use. These will allow the photographs to be handled without the risk of adding finger prints.

Moving from Chaos to Order

The workflow I am currently using is to re-photograph the original image as described in Step 1: Create a Digital Image. After taking a photograph of the original I place the original photograph in a polypropylene sleeve and store the photo in the archive boxes.  Photographing the originals before placing in sleeves minimizes the contact with the original photograph.

Old photographs in the original piles

If this step appears over whelming – one way to start would be to take old photographs that are currently sitting in piles, place them in sleeves and store on their ends.  The photographs can then be viewed, studied or sorted at a later time. The preliminary use of dividers allows the option to maintain the original piles or groupings in the storage boxes.

Move from old photographs stored in envelopes to 
photographs sleeved and placed in archival storage boxes. 

The use of dividers can also allow you to take another step – separating the photographs by family, event, ect. 

The 4x6 storage box with photographs placed in polypropylene sleeves and stored on end. 

Storage

It is important to store photographs in the correct conditions.  Old photographs can be damaged by exposure to light, moisture and temperature variations. It is not recommended to store old photographs in unconditioned spaces – basements and attics. The photos should be stored in climate controlled areas – for example a closet in a heating and air-conditioned portion of your home.

Display

If you have what you believe is an original or the only copy of an old photograph it is recommended that a copy be made for display and the original properly stored. Over time continued exposure to light can damage old photographs.  Additionally – over time photographs can bond to glass if displayed in frames. 

Very old photographs like Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes and Tin Types should be re-photographed and the original stored where it is not exposed to light.

If you have old photographs in original frames such as the oval frames popular in the 1920’s consider hanging the original in a location where the photograph will not be exposed to direct sunlight.  Old photographs in original frames can also be photographed in their frames using the steps discussed in Step 1: Create a Digital Image.

There are other helpful tips about care and storage of photographs available at this link.

The review of the Bags Unlimited products was done at my discretion. Our Ancestors - The Murosky & McDonald Ancestral Lines did not receive any compensation for providing a review of products.  

Portraits of a Life – Step 1: Create a Digital Image

To bring the original family portraits and snapshots into the digital realm there are several steps that I follow. A series of blog posts will explain the workflow that is used for the Portraits of a Life project. 

Step 1: Create a Digital Image

Step 2: Archive the Original Image

Step 3: Preliminary Sort

Step 4: Edit, Enhance & Restore

Step 5: Identification

Step 6: Finalize Organization

Step 7: Share

The first of many steps in this process is to create a digital image of the original photograph. Creating a digital image is important for several reasons. The first is if the original is ever lost or damaged a copy of the photograph can live on. Every year natural disasters occur and houses burn down. With careful planning you can ensure that a natural disaster or other incident does not destroy the only copy of family photographs.  Respected author Dick Eastman discusses this topic in detail in his article Suggestion: The Time to Digitize Historic Items is NOW

The second reason for creating a digital image is the opportunity to share these treasures.  The digital images can distribute to family members. Many genealogists are bringing their online family trees to life by including images of their ancestors. Family trees are no longer limited to facts and figures. The images can also be printed in family history books as I have opted to do. Copies of images can also be displayed in frames without having to worry about damage to the original. 

There are a few methods that can be used to do create a digital image – taking a photograph of the original or using a high resolution scanning.  If you are interested in archival photography Gary W. Clark has written a great guide called Archive Photography: How to photograph oversize photos, curled documents, and heirloom treasures. Some tips for creating digital versions of the original visit this link.

After some experimenting with both photography and scanning - the method I have opted to use is taking a photograph of the original. I opted to photograph the original for a few reasons. The first – I felt the resolution was much better. The second – higher resolution was achieved in less time. The third – the most flexibility for future sharing and printing. This method allows the original image to be printed at a larger size. A scan will only allow the original to be reproduced at the same size. 

This process works best when done with a partner. My husband assists me with this step.  He operates the camera and I place the images in range on the view finder. We use an old photo album with a black page as the background.  

HERE

A two person process makes it go faster. I am holding my grandparent's wedding photo. 

We place our digital SLR camera on a tripod and adjust the camera to face the image.  The camera is set to manual mode to photograph the images in Raw format (.raw). [Note that some newer digital cameras may have the ability to photograph in Raw format in automatic mode.] We use manual mode in order to shoot with natural lighting and no flash.  Natural lighting provides the best coloring of the original image. We shoot in our kitchen and use the blinds to adjust the light level. The lamp above the table is off when we photograph the originals.

Digital SLR Camera mounted on tripod. 

Digital SLR Camera mounted on tripod. 

The goal is to fill the view finder with the image. Filling the image with the view finder is important to ensure the image has the highest resolution possible.

Why shoot in Raw?

A Raw image preserves the largest range of information from the original image. Using the Raw format the details from the original image can be picked up and enhanced. The raw format also provides the ability to increase the size of the original.

In the examples below the original image is approximately 4 inches x 3 inches. The printed size of the book is a 12 inch x 12 inch page. The original photograph is shown with the same image printed in the book. In these examples the printed image was double the size of the original while maintaining resolution.

Original image 4x3 - Printed book page is 12x12

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Original image 4x3 - Printed book page is 12x12

Opting to shoot in photograph the original images does require more steps to produce an image that can be used for sharing and printing. The additional steps will be detailed in future blog posts. 

What is most important is that if you find the method that works the best for you. If you have priceless family photos – make a digital image to preserve the original. 

Portraits of a Life

Old family photos are a treasure – the images have the ability to transport us to the moment in time when the photos were taken. We can learn so much - what our ancestors looked like, what they wore and how our families lived. Sometimes the emotions shine through – joy and sadness.  Sometimes we recognize similarities that pass down through several generations.

My family is very fortunate that we have a large collection of formal family portraits and snapshots.  When I was in college my grandfather entrusted his mother’s photo collection to me. My great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski was the original family historian. She took many photos of her children, her parents, her husband’s parents, her siblings, her husbands, her nieces and her nephews. There are hundreds of photos ranging from the early 1900’s through the 1950’s.  She also recorded the names and dates on many of the images. Her record keeping was impeccable and has assisted with identifying individuals in the unlabeled photos. In addition to several large albums there were also many loose photos, newspaper clippings and post cards.  She left so many clues – a roadmap to assembling our family history. An amazing perspective of their lifetime.

My Great Grandmother - Helen Tillie Bukowski - the original family historian

In 2011 I worked digitized the images.  A portion of these photos were published in Our Ancestors The Book: Volume I: The Murosky and Bukowski Family History. The book dedicated to my paternal grandfather, who was 92 at the time,is a 276 hard backed book featuring collection of family tree research, historical records and family photographs for the ancestral lines on the paternal side of the Murosky family. The Bukowski and Murosky families are featured. The book also features a collection of family recipes. A few samples from the book are shown below. To browse the book please view this 
link.

Earlier this spring I acquired another large collection of family photos. These include additional previously unknown photos from my great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski’s collection. My great grandmother Frances Philomena Selker’s photo collection was also included. Frances Philomena Selker was my paternal grandmother's mother. It was previously thought that almost no photos existed from this side of the family. Included are photos of her ancestors – the Selker, Guth and Loll families. There are also photos of her children – my grandmother’s generation and my father’s generation. This collection also includes several hundred photos.

I am starting a project called “Portraits of a Life."  The goal of this project is to digitize, archive, restore and share the large collection family photos. This will include the remaining photos from my great Grandmother Helen Bukowski's collection. This will also include the Frances Philomena Selker photo collection.

Family photos belong to all of the descendants - history is meant to be shared. To keep family updated on this project I will be providing regular blog updates with the leading title “Portraits of a Life”. Working to digitize the images is one of the most ambitious and complex projects I have undertaken.

As the caretaker my role is to preserve and share our family history for future generations.  Preserving our family history and allowing the legacy of my great grandmothers to live on is one of the more important things I have ever done in my life. I feel honored to have this role.

Philip Selker - Battle of Normandy Veteran

Special thanks to Leo Selker for contributions to this blog post. 

Philip Selker was born April 25, 1907 in Montabauer, Westerwald, Germany.  He was the son of Karl Friedrich Selker.  Philip became a tailor by trade.  The custom in Germany was for the oldest son to carry on the trade of the father.  Philip had to take on the trade of tailor when his older brother died. 

Philip was old enough to vote for German President Paul von Hindenburg in the 1925 election.  At age 21 Philip made the decision to leave Germany and immigrate to the United States. Philip explained that he made the decision to come to the United States because it offered a better life and opportunities than Germany had to offer at the time. On February 8, 1929 the vessel S.S. Hamburg set sail from Hamburg, Germany.

The S.S. Hamburg was a German Ocean liner built by the Blohm & Voss Shipbuilders and owned by the Hamburg America Line. The ocean liner was 21,132 gross register tons and 635 feet long. The ship had space for 222 first class passengers, 471 second class passengers and 456 third class passengers. 



S.S. Hamburg 

On February 19, 1929 Philip arrived at Ellis Island in New York aboard the ship Hamburg.  He said the ocean voyage was terrible.  He shared a cabin for four.  He was terribly seasick and the weather was quite stormy.  The ships manifest recorded Philip as age 21, occupation of tailor. His birth location and last residence are recorded as Montabaur, Germany.  A brochure advertising the ships service in 1938 is available at this link. 

After being processed at Ellis Island Philip Stopped in Clarion, Pennsylvania where he had family. His uncle Joseph William Selker was living in Clarion with his family. He was the owner of J.W. Selker & Cigar.  On July 5, 1906 Joseph returned to his home town of Fuersteanau, Germany. He took his son Frederick William Selker with him. On his return he brought two of his nieces back with him. One was Philomena Selker, daughter of  Gerhardt Selker and Mary Agnes Rakers, the other was Johanna Anna Selker, daughter of Karl Friedrich Selker and Margarita Wolf.

The meeting in Clarion was the first between brother and sister. Johanna arrived  July 5, 1906  before Philip was born.  After spending some time in Clarion Philip went on to Chicago, IL

 In Chicago he lived with a cousin who had immigrated in 1923.  Philip worked as a tailor for Marshall Fields for several years and eventually rising to the status of master tailor.  Philip became a naturalized citizen on March 4, 1936 at the U.S. District Court in Chicago, IL.

On January 25, 1944 Philip enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Infantry. He landed at Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944 on the second day of the invasion of the Allied Forces.  The following reading is recommend to provide perspective on what it must have been like to arrive on June 7.  Omaha Beach was still in a critical state. The men arriving in the second wave were faced with the causalities of the day before.

From the Daily Chronicle of the Battle for Normandy:

“At Omaha Beach, the situation of the 1st and 29th American divisions, having landed at dawn of the previous day, is more critical. By June 7th, these divisions control only a small amount of territory; as such, the risk of being pushed off the beaches from German counter attack remains high. To the east, at Sword, Juno and Gold, the British and Canadians, while their landings were also difficult, are having an easier time of things. The Canadians remain in control of Anisy and Cainet, having fought off a major counter attack by the 21st Pz Division the day before. By end of day, the 6th Airborne Division have managed to take bridges on the Orne river and have linked up with elements of the British 3rd Infantry Division at Sword Beach.”

From Normandy After D-Day: June 7-30, 1944 

“At Omaha, too, reinforcements began coming in to the beach before the sun rose above the horizon. Twenty-year-old Lt. Charles Stockell, a forward observer in the 1st Division, was one of the first to go ashore that day. Stockell kept a diary. He recorded that he came in below Vierville, that the skipper of the LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) feared the underwater beach obstacles and mines and thus forced him to get off in chest-deep water, that he saw equipment littering the beach, and then "The first dead Americans I see are two GIs, one with both feet blown off, arms wrapped about each other in a comradely death embrace." He was struck by the thought that "dead men everywhere look pathetic and lonely. You feel as if you would like them to be alive and the war over."

Stockell didn't get very far inland that morning. The front line, in fact, was less than a quarter of a mile from the edge of the bluff, running along a series of hedgerows outside Colleville. That was as far inland as Capt. Joseph Dawson, CO of G Company, 16th Regiment, 1st Division, had gotten on D-Day -- and Dawson had been the first American to reach the top of the bluff at Omaha. On June 7, he was fighting to secure his position outside Colleville, discovering in the process that he had a whole lot to learn about hedgerows.

The 175th Regiment of the 29th Division came in on schedule at 0630, June 7. But it landed two kilometers east of its intended target, the Vierville exit. Orders came to march to the exit. In a loose formation, the regiment began to march, through the debris of the previous day's battle. To Capt. Robert Miller, the beach "looked like something out of Dante's Inferno."

Sniper fire continued to zing down. "But even worse," according to Lt. J. Milnor Roberts, an aide to the corps commander, "they were stepping over the bodies of the guys who had been killed the day before and these guys were wearing that 29th Division patch; the other fellows, brand-new, were walking over the dead bodies. By the time they got down where they were to go inland, they were really spooked."

Philip saw action in France, Belgium, and Germany.  He was injured during the Bulge when his troop train was hit with artillery or rockets. Philip jumped clear of the train but the concussion from the blast blew out his ear drums. He lost all hearing on one side and suffered partial hearing loss in the other ear. Many men from his unit did not make it of the train. After recovering he later served in the Pacific Theater.

If another American soldier questioned Philip’s loyalty he was ready to fist fight with them.  One challenge for Philip during the war was his proximity to his hometown of Montabauer. He did not know the status of his German family. Were they safe? Were they injured?  He was also not permitted to have contact with them. Philip also had cousins who were fighting for the German Army. 

On December 7, 1945 Philip was released from his service.  He returned to Chicago, IL. In 1947 he opened his own tailor shop in northeast Chicago. He operated his shop until 1987. At age 83 he was still working in his shop 11 hours a day 6 days a week. Philip was a founding member of the Rheinischer Gesangverein Chicago (RGV).  The society was founded in 1933.  He has received the Deutscher Sangerbund Award and the Gold Pin in recognition of his continuous attendance and valued participation for 60 years of service.  He was known by the RGV as a loyal and vigorous member. He is remembered as one of the liveliest and most active singers.

Philip passed away on September 25, 2006 at age 99.  

References:

1. Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Year: 1929; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 4433; Line: 4; Page Number: 209.
2. Ancestry.com. Passenger Ships and Images [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
3. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Soundex Index to Naturalization Petitions for the United States District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois and Immigration and Naturalization Service District 9, 1840-1950 (M1285); Microfilm Serial: M1285; Microfilm Roll: 158.
4. Ancestry.com. Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1930-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
5. Ancestry.com. U.S. Public Records Index, Volume 1 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
6. Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
7. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.
8. Individual - Sr. Janet Staub
9. Individual - Leo Selker

Bridge to the Past - DNA Testing Our Oldest Living Family Member

This spring my paternal grandfather had a milestone birthday – 95 years old. All four of his grandparents were immigrants who arrived in the United States in the 1890s.  His paternal grandparents, Anthony Murosky, Sr. and Eva Zielinski, arrived separately from Lithuania. The couple met in Forest City, Pennsylvania and were married.

His maternal grandparents, Vincent Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski, came from Poland with three young children. These four individuals are currently the oldest known ancestors on his side of the family. These families unfortunately did not leave many clues behind. At this time there are no definitive information on what cities they were living in before departing for the United States.

The Test

In attempt to learn more about these families I tested my grandfather with the AncestryDNA kit. This DNA test looks at an individuals’ autosomal DNA. The autosomal DNA provides an understanding of the individual’s inheritance as it will show DNA inherited from their mother and father. 

My grandfather is the oldest living person in the family on his paternal and maternal sides. He is the closest link to the oldest known ancestors. When evaluating his results there are only four starting variables - making it plausible to learn more about each of the four lines he descends from.

The AncestryDNA test kit arrived shortly after ordering by mail. The instructions are easy to follow. The kit arrives with a bar code, which needs to be activated online. A saliva sample is collected from the test individual. The sample is then placed in the pre-paid mailer provided in the kit. Simply place the sample in the mailer and take it to the post office to send it in. The test lab uses the activated bar code and never knows the name of the individual tested .  The bar code system is one of the methods AncestryDNA uses to protect the identity of individuals tested.  To learn more about the AncestryDNA privacy policies please visit this link. Once the sample is received at the laboratory for processing Ancestry.com (Ancestry) will send you a notification.

The Process

Ancestry has developed 26 ethnicity regions.  Each of these regions has a DNA reference panel. Ancestry sequences the DNA sample and runs numerous separate analyses to compare the sample to reference panels for each of the 26 regions. The goal of the analysis is to identify how the sample compares to the typical person living in the regions. The results determine which combination of the ethnicity regions makes up the DNA of the test individual.

The Results

The results indicate that my grandfather is 100% Eastern European. A 100% match to one region is rare but occasionally occurs. The results suggest that his ancestors lived in the same location for several generations.

The countries in the Ancestry Eastern European Group include:  Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia.

Linking Family

After DNA for an individual is tested, AncestryDNA begins to search the DNA database (which grows each day) to identify other individuals with similar genetic markers. These individuals may be parents, grandparents or cousins. The process used will attempt to predict the relationship between the individual tested and the DNA match.

It is highly recommended that the DNA sample be linked to an individual in a family tree. Using data from the family trees it is possible to identify the common ancestor between the individual tested and the match. In some cases the common ancestor may be unknown. Working together the researcher and match may be able to identify the ancestral line and/or the common ancestor that links the two individuals together.

Making Connections

After reviewing the results the next step is to begin to review the AncestryDNA matches to determine if it is possible to identify the ancestral line and/or the common ancestor between the tested individual and the match. What is very exciting is my grandfather has several matches – meaning he shares a common ancestor with other individuals that have been tested.

2nd cousins

In my grandfather's results the first grouping of matches identifies 2nd cousins. The current results have identified two second cousin's with my grandfather. In this example Vincent Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski are the common ancestors. The two cousins are descendants of Catherine Bukowski - my grandfather's aunt.

4th cousins

The next grouping of matches in my grandfather's results identifies potential 4th cousins. This grouping is very interesting as it identifies a relationship between one of my grandfather's unknown ancestors and the individual with the match.  The common ancestor could be my grandfather's 3rd great grandparent or 4th great grandparents who was most likely in Lithuania or Poland (but could also have been living in one of the other countries in the Eastern European group).

This example of a 4th cousin match is best illustrated by the graphic below. The green boxes represent known information:  my grandfather, his parents and his grandparents. The white boxes represent my grandfather’s unknown ancestor’s line. The red box represents the ancestor that is the link between the test individual and the match.  The grey boxes represent the connections between the common ancestor and the match. The blue box represents the match. In some cases the match may know the names of the individual who populate the grey boxes and possibly the red box. In other cases they may not.

 

I am currently working with some of these 4th cousin matches in attempt determine which of the four lines the match occurs on. These matches may provide some insight into what regions the families may be from. In time these matches could also uncover additional ancestors.

It should also be noted that the match could be another variation which places the test individual and the match the same number of degrees away from each other. Fourth cousins are 10 degrees apart. What do the degrees mean? The degrees compared to the graphic above are listed below.

• Individual Tested - 0 degrees
• Parent - 1 degree
• Grandparent - 2 degrees
• Great-grandparent - 3 degrees
• Great-great grandparent - 4 degrees
• Great-great-great-grandparent - 5 degrees [The common ancestor]
• Great-great grand (Aunt or Uncle) - 6 degrees
• 1st cousin (3x removed) - 7 degrees
• 2nd cousin (2x removed) - 8 degrees
• 3rd cousin (1x removed) - 9 degrees
• The Match - 10 degrees.

Other relationship types that are 10 degrees apart include: 3rd cousin (2x removed) and 2nd cousin (4x removed). The match could also be to a 5th cousin. To lean more about cousin relationships view the blog post First Cousin 2x Removed, Second Cousin - What does it mean?

Distant cousins

The third grouping is for matches that may be 5th cousins or greater. For individuals with tree details for several generations it might be possible to identify the common ancestor. In my grandfather's case, with limited knowledge, it may be difficult to understand the common ancestor or line.

To learn more about the Ancestry.com DNA test works please visit this link.

Michael McDonald & Anna Haggerty - Golden Wedding Celebration

The joy of family tree research is meeting wonderful researchers who are so kind as to share their findings. The findings enrich the perspectives we have of our ancestors.

Recently I had this experience. I connected with another researcher, Mr. Cary Christopher, who has been so kind as to share his research on the McDonald line.  I am so grateful that he was willing to share his findings. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.

The following sequence of photos were taken at the Golden Wedding anniversary of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty.  Some family members traveled Vowinckel to attend the celebration. The photos are taken in  front of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty's home in Vowinckel, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. One of the photos contains a caption which indicates Summer 1916.


Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty with 10 of their 15 children. This photo includes a description which named the individuals.

Back row: Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Robert Alphonsus McDonald (my 2^nd great grandfather), Leo Benedict McDonald, Jerome McDonald, Patrick J. McDonald
Middle: Clara Loretta McDonald, Sister Alfrida [Mary Elizabeth McDonald], Mary Rebecca McDonald, John McDonald, Michael Burke McDonald
Front: Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty



Using the known names from the photo above I have attempted to identify some of the individuals in the photo. Their first names are recorded above. More details are listed below.

John McDonald is to the far left (the tallest) with the bow tie below the window.
Michael McDonald is in the center of the photo with the hat, beard and cane
Anna Haggerty is to the right of Michael.
Jerome McDonald is standing to the lower left of Michael.
Robert A. McDonald is standing to the upper right of Michael looking down.
Winifred Agnes O'Neill, the wife of Robert A. McDonald may possible be standing to the back behind Anna.
Sr. Alfrieda [Mary Elizabeth McDonald] is to the right of Anna Haggerty.
Mary Rebecca appears to be standing in the back behind Sr. Alfrida.
Ambrose A. McDonald is holding a baby - his wife Gertrude O'Neill may be next to him. the baby is likely Helen McDonald, Ambrose's daughter.
Patrick J. McDonald is seated to the far left.
Michael Burke McDonald is seated at the front with the mustache just below the children.
Leo Benedict McDonald is seated to the right of Michael Burke.
Clara Loretta McDonald is seated to the right of Leo Benedict McDonald.






























The final photo contains may people. Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty are seated at the front of the photo. Michael McDonald can be identified with his beard and cane. Anna Haggerty is to his right.

Virginia McDonald believes she is the small girl wearing the headband at the front of the photo. John McDonald's daughter may be to the left of Anna Haggerty. Ambrose McDonald is barely visible behind baby Helen at the front of the photo.

Virginia recalled attending the party as a small child when her sister Helen McDonald was a baby. Sr. Alfrieda traveled to the party with a companion, Sr. Dorothy is included in the photo.

Murosky Family - New Relatives Discovered

Recently the Ancestry.com databases were updated to include the more than 2 million Pennsylvania Death Certificates from 1906-1924. The database included information on several Bukowski family members I knew of. The database included information on several Bukowski relatives that were previously not known. Tragically, many of these were children who died young.

Existing family members with new information:

George Murosky was the son of my great grandparents Helen Tillie Bukowski and Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. George was born June 1, 1918 and died June 2, 1918. The cause of death indicates he was premature. Helen would have been 17 when George was born. He was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

On George's death certificate his name is recorded as George Moraswki. His father signed the death certificate as Antoni Morawski.

Florence Murosky was daughter of my great grandparents Helen Tillie Bukowski and Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. Florence was born March 28, 1922 and died June 6, 1922. The cause of death indicates she was premature at 7 months gestation.. She was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

On Florence's death certificate her name is recorded as Florentina Murawski. The father's name indicates Antoni Murawski but is signed by Anthony as Anthony Muroski - a shift in spelling closer to what we see today. Note the handwriting between the recordings of the two names is different.

Both of Helen's children do not have a tombstone because my great grandparents did not have the money to purchase a stone for their graves. Helen's daughter Rita indicated her mother went often to see the graves of her deceased children.


New Relatives Discovered:

Frank Murosky is a previously unknown child to my 2nd great grandparents Anthony Murosky Sr. and Eva Zielinski. Frank was born June 18, 1907 and died October 26, 1907.  The cause of hisdeath is listed as intestinal obstruction. He was buried at St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

Frank's name is recorded as Frank Moroski. His fathers name is recorded as Anthony Moroski. His death certificate is significant as it is the first recorded instance of Eva's surname. The birth certificate indicates the family was from Russia, in 1907 Lithuania was part of Russia.

Raymond Chanis is a previously unknown child to John Chanis and Margaret Murosky, my 2nd great aunt. Raymond was born November 4, 1917 and died August 10, 1918. The cause of death indicates he died from Gastroenteritis. He was buried in St. Anthony Cemetery, Forest City, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

On Raymond's death certificate Margaret's name is recorded as Margaret Muraski.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.