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January '05 - December '05
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Svec conection: Albert Svec born 1860 was a Tailor in the Chicago area 1881..Was working with a relative.He was married to Emilia Gregor.She was born in Michigan.They married abt 1881..They had 9 children .Twin boys Albert and Charles were accidently drowned in the Chicago River 1897.They had relation living in the Wisconsin area. They lived on 4448 Pulaski Rd..where Emily and Albert both lived until their death.He in 1930 she in 1939.
I am looking for information on where in Bohemia they came from.If any of this sounds familiar please contact me.I have other information.

I am looking for anyone that might have known Michael Letavay (1881-1972) or any of his 9 children. He lived at 2121 W. Grand Ave. and 900 Avers in Chicago. He is my grandfather and he came here from Czechoslovakia in 1907. He was a forman at a Galvanizing company. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Carol
Also, he was very good friends with the Blaho family.

In the last Koreny Issue on page 15 was a story & a picture of the Slovanska Lipa, My g-grand father was a member & a supporter of this group.Is it possable to get a copy of the picture? and where,.

i have been trying to research my family and i have come up with nothing but road-blocks. The name today would be MICKLE originating in Bohemia,Austria. My great-great-grandfather was Josef MIKL and i believe he married Katie ? They lived in the chicagoland area, their son Mathew MIKL married Rozalia and they had a son John MICKLE who married Rose Marie PAPIK. They had 3 sons , 2 who died at very young age the surviving son Bernard MICKLE married Cecilia, iwould like to find out what the name of the church that they married in was somewhere near 55th and Damen Av.It was a methodist church. I would like to know if someone can tell me the name of the church or if you recognize the above mentioned names please email me . thank you.

Kathy Gunning asks on November 17: Is the "Denni Hlasatel" obituary index online anywhere? Obituaries for these individuals who died in Chicago would be very helpful to my research: Barbora HAK 1895, Aloisie/Aloisia/Lizzie KROC KOTTAL 3 Mar 1902, Julia JUNGWIRTH 1903.
Kathy, the only name you request tat is in the Index volume is Aloisie Kottal, dated March 3rd & 4th, 1902.

Is the "Denni Hlasatel" obituary index online anywhere? I've been unable to locate a copy here in Northern California. Obituaries for these individuals who died in Chicago would be very helpful to my research: Barbora HAK 1895, Aloisie/Aloisia/Lizzie KROC KOTTAL 3 Mar 1902, Julia JUNGWIRTH 1903. Is there anyone who does look-ups in the index? Thank you!

Liz Gillpatrick asked about finding the names of family members buried at St Adalbert Cemetery in Niles. If she lives in the Chicago area, she should try visiting the Queen of Heaven Cemetery (Roosevelt and Wolf Rds) where there is an online listing of burials in the Archdiocese of Chicago. I have found family members in that database that were not in the records of St Adalbert.

JANDA surname. Family arrived from Bohemia. Great grandfather Jacob JANDA arrived in USA in 1869. He was born in 1846 died in PA in 1886.
Looking for any information on this surname. He was a Stone mason. Any information on this job in Bohemia will be greatly appreciated.
Catholic.
Thanks, Laurie

hi! I would love to know if I have some relatives in the Chezc Republic and I wonder know where I can find marriage certificate of my grandparents they were from Mukacevo when it belonged to Checoslovakia.

I am searching for immigration information concerning my great grandfather and family that immigrated in 1872/1873 from Olmultz (Horka) Moravia. His name was Mathias Smesny (Smischny) and settled in the Elgin, Illinois area. Was there a port of entry in the Chicago area? I would appreciate your help in locating the port of entry. Don S.

In researching my family genealogy I have found that I have relatives (GGGrandparents)of Czech descent who are buries in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan. They are in a portion of the cemetery known as the Havlicek Lodge section. Can anyone advise me as to the history of this lodge and when it may have been in existance ?

Thank You.

Tom Ward

imfoman@hotmail.com

In the year 1893 a group of Czech actors travelled on the board of the ship „AMERICA“ to the United States. They landed in New York on March 20th 1893. They had their first theatre performance in the Central Opera House. Then they travelled to Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, and many other towns. At the end of November 1893 they returned to Chicago. Some of them travelled back to Europe but the majority of them (12 persons) decided to establish the Czech Theatre in Chicago. For more information about the names of these persons, see the enclosure.
Among those actors were two sisters BOHUMILA LUDVIKOVA and BETTY KOZLANSKA. Before marriage both of them held the name NOVOTNA. Bohumila Ludvikova was the wife of the director of the above-mentioned Czech Theatre in Chicago. The director FRANTISEK LUDVIK was born in Prague on March 3rd 1843. During the period 1893 – 1903 the Czech Theatre in Chicago was very successful and the performances took place in the building built in 1882.

After the first world war, both sisters only sent postcards to Czechoslovakia sometimes and then all members of my family lost contact with them. And that is where my request comes in. Could you advise me as to whom I can approach to find the history of their families and their successors (children)?

Enclosure:

The actors travelling on the board of the ship “AMERICA” to the United States in the year 1893 were as follows:
Frantisek Ludvik, Frantisek Sipek, Karel Novak, Frantisek Mach, Rudolf Inemann, Bohumil Ludvik, Jaroslav Rajtman, Frantisek Lescinsky, Josef Skalsky, Jindrich Kovar, Frantisek Skaloud, Frantisek Kacer, Bohumila Ludvikova, Anna Junkova, Betty Kozlanska, Eliska Novakova, Josefina Machova, Bozena Krikavova, Kristina Hrncirova, Bela Pacaltova, Olga Klirova, Ludmila Inemanova.

Recently we family researchers came across a 1800s German newspaper, “Neuzeit”, describing a famous ancestral incident which occurred in Pullitz/Police in Czechloslovokia in the mid 1700s. Although we all know the incident and the players well, this was the first time we’ve seen a reference cited. It was: "included in the distinguished State- and Earl's Service- and Land book of [Count] Berchtold of Pullitz sub folio 39 ddo 12 June 1768". Does anyone know where we could find this "sub folio" today (if it even exists) ?

On my g-grandfather's death notice in the
newspaper, The Denni Hlasatel, there is a logo and inside the logo are letters in capitals, N.A.U. What do they stand for? Is this a fraternal organization? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
Carmela

Was wondering what the below listing refers to, as the name "Dolejsi" is mentioned. Sorry to not know which is first or last name...
"Dolejsi, Zdenka Cerny Vasak, The Greatest Bohemian Violon Cellist, Winter 2000"
Is there an article that could be obtained regarding a "Dolejsi"?
Thank you for any assistance.

Hi-

I will be visiting Chicago between 8/14/05 and 8/20/05. Looking for a good Slovak or Czeck market and/or restaurant. I have some Slovak friends here in Florida and would like to surprise them with gifts of treats from home. Please e-mail me directly with any hints. Thanks

How would you say in Bohemian,"This is where the rabbits say good night." (It's just something my g-grandmother used to say!)
Thank you.

I am looking for information on the Zishka / Ziska family tree, especially the roots in Moravia (Mistek).

I would like to know if anyone with the name hudakknows anything about a george hudak comming from eastern europe to the americas around the 1800s through elis island. if so please contact me

My father's mother's family came from Prague, Bohemia and settled in Johnson County, Iowa. Her father's name was Bohumil Petsel her mother's name was Lydia Lopata. Does anyone have information? I do have a bit, but would like to find more.

In their obituaries from the Denni Hlasatel, they stated that both my grandfather and his uncle were members of Liberty Lodge #83, Columbian Knights. Can anyone tell me anything about this organization? I know about the Knights of Columbus, but I don't think that either of them were Catholic.

I was told my great grandparents came here sometime after WWII and my grandparents became "american" losing any knowledge of the Bohemian language and culture with the exception of colatches(sp?) I have been looking for a English-Bohemian online translation site. Also wondering if wencl was once vencel?

I would appreciate any information regarding the following surnames: Razim from Vienna Austria and Czechoslovakia, Pavelec from Louzna Czechoslovakia, Bizek and Blaha.

Don Gilbert asks on May 27: "Need help in finding a photo of violin maker Ladislav F. Prokop. Born 1843".
A photo of him appears in the volume 'Album Representantu Vsech Oboru Verejneho Zivota Cesko-Slovenskeho' published in 1927 (page 592). This volume can be found in the CSAGSI Library in Cicero or the CSA Heritage Museum Library in Oak Brook.

Help...How can I find a proper place of death for someone who died in Czech Republic of Prague..residence XX914?

I've hit a roadblock with St. Adalbert's cemetery in Niles. I have photograhed some family headstones & believe there may be other family buried there. The gentleman I spoke with on the phone, however, was very disinterested in helping me, going so far as to tell me if he gave me info for someone who doesn't "belong" to me, they could get in trouble. Any advice on convincing them to help? Has anyone ever heard of it being illegal to give names of people buried there? Thanks!

Has it ever been known if any book is published about surnames with their Czech, Slovak, or Bohemian meaning? Such surnames aren't in any Slovak-English dictionary, and I don't know the core or root of the names. For example: Ciesko, Chilla, Psenicka/Psinicka, Suchan, Kocourek, Dolejsi, Burka/Berka, Fugsa (?), and Houdek.

(For Polish names, I can refer to William F. Hoffman's "Polish Surnames: Origins and Meanings.")

Please advise.

Need help in finding a photo of violin maker Ladislav F. Prokop. Born 1843 Hlinsko. Died 1919 Chrudim. Have one of his violins, would like to see this man face. Thanks

I am Looking for information:
BLAHA'S FROM CHICAGO:
John Blaha (b:1876), Josepha Blaha nee Soucek (b:1876), Frank J. Blaha (b:1915), Mary A. Blaha (b:1913), John Eskey (b:1910), Anthony J. Blaha (b:1908), Franis J. Blaha (b:1907), William Heun (b:1906), Rose Blaha (b:1902), Frank Schultz (b:1899), Joseph A. Blaha (b:1899), Anna Blaha (b:1905), Joseph Blaha (b:1889), Anna Blaha nee Kadlec (b:1892), Mary Blaha (b:1925), Shelton (or Sheldon), Ludwig-Joseph Blaha (b:1914), Ruth Blaha (b:?), James (Vencl) Blaha (b:1885).

At the May CSAGSI meeting, the speaker mentioned meatloaf purchased hot from the local butcher. My mouth was watering! Can someone tell me what this meatloaf is called and where I might find a recipe?

There is a obit for Marie Ajdrna listed in the Denni Hlasatel for Oct 8, 1927. How do I get a copy of the obit. Thanks, Carol Boger

The Folks restoring Thalia Hall (if you haven't seen it lately you must drive by, simply amazing!) mentioned to me today that they are interested in exhibiting historical photos (which they will have blown up) of Pilsen, 18th Street, historical photos of the early immigrants, Ludvik Players and especially Thalia Hall and it's original stores in the shopkeepers windows as they finish the interior renovations of what is once again becoming the beautiful gem the Czech community built here in 1894. If you have any photos for their consideration please shoot me an e-mail. Thanks

What is the significance of statues of horses with one or both raised forelegs for the riders?

How do I obtain genealogical records from the Czech Republic, circa, 1890 thru 1910?
Thanx in advance for any responses!

Could someone please look up the names of Joseph and Marie Vondrak (or Von Drake) in the Bohemian Natinal Cemetery index? Their death certificates say that is where they are buried. Thank you.

My ancestors were from Ploss and Eisendorf, Bohemia. My grandmother was born in Elgin, Illinois in 1876. Was there a Bohemian group in this area at that time, and if so, were there SPERL/SPORL/SPOERL, KAISER's or STANGEL'S Part of this group They eventually moved to Omaha, NE b7 1882. Johann Sporl b. 1843 was the son of Georg Sporl and Mararete Kaiser. His wife was Margaretha Stangel. Bonny

I AM LOOKING FOR INF0RMATION ON THE FAMILY NAME OF KAHUDA, FRANTISEK AND ELIZABETH LIVED IN CHICAGO IN THE EARLY 1900'S

Looking for info on the family names of Kallal,chocholousek,kral,raddatz they settled in Cook co, illinois

My name is Anne McGee. I live in Michigan but my mother's family lived in Cicero. My grandfather's name is Edward Cerny, his family owned a grocery store in cicero. His father died when he was 16, leaving his mother,Anna Cerny a widow who remarried and eventually moved to Michigan to start a farm. My grandfather married Helen Goyer from Argo. They met rollarskating and after they married they came to michigan and had a grocery store and rollar rink. My great grandmother Anna died a few months before I was born, but she lives on in my mothers stories. We have been going through family things and there are so many photos with friends. I would just like to know if anyone remember my grandparents, great grandparents, in their photos I see my eyes, my chin, etc. Both of my grandparents are still living in Michigan.

Need a translation of two pages of Genealogy information from the Solvakian Archives recieved March 2005. Translation can be verbal reading over the phone. Will pay for this service.

My Father passed away in '72 and unable to find much info on previous generations. He belonged to a Bohemian Society in Chicago but don't know name or even if it is still in existence. Can anyone help? Thank you.

What is the address to the archives in Prague, Czech Republic so that I can request a birth record? Thank you, Sincerely, Catherine Houcek

my grandfather , leo nicholas was a guard at cook county jail in chicago illinois. he was killed there and i am trying to find newpaper articles and information about him. he was killed sometime in the 1920's,possibly early 1930's . i would appreciate any help i can get

I recrently received informmation from the Slovakian Ministry of the Interior. Their Catholic Church records from Bardejov listed my great grandmother with a dual last name: Olejnik/Kocsik and in another instance hyphenated. Her parents were Olejnik and Valyko. What does this second family name mean? Was she married before?

An ancestor died of trhava krec. Does anyone here know the name of that disease in English?
Thanks much, Jim

H. C. Hesline asks on February 3: "Would like to know if anyone knows location a a Czech town called "Suchental" in German- current maps do not have it as such."
The name today is Suchdol. It is 97 miles south of Prague.

Would like to know if anyone knows location a a Czech town called "Suchental" in German- current maps do not have it as such. Would be grateful- my Dad had fond memeories of it and I have some old pictures of the area but can't find it, would like to visit some day.

I am trying to find out information on Mayor Cermak's family. My last name is "Shermak" and I am from Southwestern Michigan. It is believed that following his shooting, the Cermak family moved to Southwest Michigan to hide from the mob. It was said that they changed the name from Cermak to Shermak. I have some records of the name being "Chermak", but I'm trying to trace my roots to figure out how the mayor might be related. Any help would be appreciated...thank you.

I have knowledge of Australian Czech relatives of Anton Joseph Cermak Mayor of Chicago, on their behalf I need more ancestors and descendant of Joseph.

In hopes that they may help someone else, I'm listing some Denni Hlasatel obits I've got that aren't 'my people.' If you think any of them are 'yours' I'll scan & e them to you.
Josef BENDA, d. Oct. 12, 1912 age 60
Josef BENDA, d. Oct. 20, 1910 age 70
Josef BENDA, d. Feb. 7, 1918 age 21
Bohumil BENDA, d. Dec. 9, 1898 age 3 days
Bartolomej BENDA, d. Mar. 15, 1908 age 74
Vaclav BENDA, d. Aug. 14, 1923 age 59
Vaclav BENDA, d. Mar 12, 1914 age 66
Frank BENDA, d. Jul. 10, 1962 age 59
Marie BENEDIKT, d. Jul. 10, 1962
Vincenc BLECHA, d. Feb. 6, 1918
Frank JELINEK, d. Jul. 11, 1962 age 62
Emilie KARAS, d. Dec. 9, 1898 age 1

I hope to post more as I go through "The Pile."

I am trying to locate information on the Chavtal family from Trebon, Budejovice, Czech Republic. Family came to Chicago area in late 1800's.

Does anyone have any information about the (Slovak) Mras family on Luther street, in Chicago from about 1903 to about 1915? He owned a grocery store. Any information about Luther street would also be welcome. It is only one block long and in the early 1900's had three saloons along with my Great Grandfathers grocery store. It is at 24th street and Rockwell.