Here are the October-December 1998 archived A&A entries:

Entry of Oct 3, 1998 at 20:01 [EST]
From: Bill Mivelaz - Billbalzac@aol.com

A&A Note: In reponse to the Sep 28 message of Lisa Strong, I offer the following information: Classes in the study of the Czech language are held at the T.G. Masaryk Czech School, 5701 West 22nd Place, Cicero, Ill. Registration fee is $10.00. For further inforamtion call Robert Baumruk at (708) 788-2552. Hope this help you Bob Uher

Entry of Oct 3, 1998 at 23:03 [EST]
From: Erin Kocka - ekocka@ucsd.edu

A&A Note: I was wondering if anyone had any information on the last name Kocka. I have virtually no family records to go on and any info would be a tremendous help. If you know anything about the name please contact me, I would love to learn about it.

Entry of Oct 4, 1998 at 19:00 [EST]
From: Scott N. Zalaha - szalaha@worldnet.att.net

A&A Note: My son Cameron, age 12, is doing some research in school on our last name and family. I know tht my grandfather, John Zalaha was from Streeter, Il and had 5 sisters. He moved out to Flagstaff, Az about 1912 or 13. Any information you can provide would be much appreciated. Thank you, Scott Zalaha (209) 261-1119

Entry of Oct 7, 1998 at 15:19 [EST]
From: Jason Johnson - jjohnso6@tampabay.rr.com

A&A Note: I am trying to translate a phrase I have seen on a cemetary entrance mabye you can help Cesko Slovansky' H'rbitorv I would appreciate any help at all

Entry of Oct 7, 1998 at 16:27 [EST]
From: gwen - opieshock

A&A Note: HELP!!!! My sister, my cousin and I went to Bohemian National Cemetery on Saturday to see the graves of our great-grandparents. We went to the office and we were informed that the bodies are either buried over or no longer there. We were told that the family had been informed that they could buy the graves (they were rented) but no one did. My uncle is very confused since he never knew this. The name is DRABEK. Please let us know how to find them. We have always been told that their grave stones had their pictures on them and the office told us they were probably thrown away. We would like to find out about this. Thanks.

Entry of Oct 8, 1998 at 17:16 [EST]
From: Leroy - fhurta@brazosport.cc.tx.us

A&A Note: How much are dues to CSAGSI and where do we send it.... Leroy

Entry of Oct 9, 1998 at 18:33 [EST]
From: Paul Fristensky - fristensky@cableone.net

A&A Note: I wondered if anyone knew of any of the Fristensky family in your area. I know three brothers (Frank, Joseph, and Charles ) settled in New Your about 1872, while the fourth brother settled in Seattle, then moved to Saint Paul. Any info?

Entry of Oct 9, 1998 at 23:46 [EST]
From: James Hurka - JnCo1981@aol.com

A&A Note: if you know the nationality of the last name Hurka or Boop please write back a.s.a.p ok thank you much James

Entry of Oct 11, 1998 at 18:26 [EST]
From: Nancy - travel@ameritech.net

A&A Note: my mother has some stocks & bonds that belong to her uncle. They are from the American Slovaks Woodworking Corporation. can you tell us where we can take them to find history on them & see if there is any value. most everything is written in Slovak so we are unable to read them. you can email me at travel@ameritech.net

Entry of Oct 12, 1998 at 09:21 [EST]
From: Chris Miksanek, CSAGSI Webmaster - ChrisMik@aol.com

A&A Note: There have been a number of inquiries as to membership in CSAGSI. This information can be found on our "Membership Information Page" which describes the benefits and costs associated with membership.

Entry of Oct 13, 1998 at 19:25 [EST]
From: Heather Sullivan - hjcs@aol.com

A&A Note: Trying to locate information on a Polish family Nicholas and/or Josef Michalski who purchased land in Illinois, Perry Co in 1870. Their farms are listed on the 1906 atlas of Dubois Township. Michalski may have been the railroad land agent who was instrumental to original settlers of Radom, Illinois. Also located an obituary for Anna Michalski in the D. H. Index. Original copy in Czech or Slovak so I can't read it. Unknown if it is even the same family as it is from the Chicago area. Any suggestions as to who to contact for other possible information. Need to do it by e- or snail mail as I am in NJ. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

Entry of Oct 18, 1998 at 07:05 [EST]
From: Harry Resis - hresis@worldnet.att.net

A&A Note: I will be traveling to Bratislava on Nov.1. I want to go to the villages of my grandparents, but can not locate them. My granfather was born in 1889 in the village listed on his birth certificate as "Siptov (Koocani)". I have been unable to find this today. My grandmothers birth place is listed as "Bialy joto". I can not find it either. She was born in 1888. I have been all over the net, and at the Newberry Library in Chicago. I need help! Harry Resis

Entry of Oct 19, 1998 at 21:24 [EST]
From: Jean Jurkiewicz - jrmwt@access1.net

A&A Note: Searching for the records from St. John of God Catholic Church and School.

Entry of Oct 22, 1998 at 15:43 [EST]
From: Ken Koupal - krkoup1@sbcld.com

A&A Note: How do I look up the names of boats (ships, barges) that operated around Chicago in the 1870's?

Entry of Oct 22, 1998 at 21:10 [EST]
From: Peggy Zant - zant@goodnet.com

A&A Note: Do your members do lookups for people who live out of state? Does anyone have records from the Movaria area about a family named Kainar?

Entry of Oct 23, 1998 at 10:12 [EST]
From: Shirley Kuba Neuzil - smneuzil@aol.com

A&A Note: Would like any info on Kuba family, or Frank Dusek family. Just starting on family history and need all the help I can get. The families have lived in the Chicago area since late 1890's. Thanks!

Entry of Oct 24, 1998 at 17:02 [EST]
From: Bill Anderson - bill28099@aol.com

A&A Note: I would really appreciate hearing from someone who could help me determine the correct Czech spelling of my grandmothers maiden name which is shown on her marriage license of July 2, 1908 as NEMSICK. Her marriage license states that she had been born in Bohemia (likely in or near the town of Velka Retova), she was 25 years old and her parents were listed as Robert Nemsick and Antonia Halvelka. She died when her 5 children were all under the age of 8 so the family does not even have a record of her exact date of birth. Family tradition says that she immigrated to the USA sometime between 1905 and 1908. My grandfather was Anton Stransky (born July 24, 1871 at Velka Retova #153 in Bohemia, immigrated to the USA in 1889, prospected for gold and silver and lived in Rimini, Montana from 1899 until his death in 1922.

Entry of Oct 25, 1998 at 01:04 [EST]
From: jane szymanski - grsski@discover-net.net

A&A Note: I have relatives buried in the St. Adalbert's Cemetery. I see that the Chicago Genealogical Society is selling a pamphlet about Norwood Park Home Cemetery, listed as being on the grounds of St. Adalbert's. Would this pamphlet include readings for the original St. Adalbert's Cemetery? Thanks for any help! Jane

Entry of Oct 26, 1998 at 02:08 [EST]
From: Barbara Marshall - ziems@worldnet.att.net

A&A Note: I have several postcards send from Bohemia to relatives in Chicago in the late 1800's. Does anyone know where I can get them translated? Thanks. B. Marshall (researching PLETICHA, NOVOTNY, MISOUN, DRBAL, VANCURA, TICHY)

Entry of Oct 27, 1998 at 16:53 [EST]
From: Annette Gathright - agathright@dtwc.com

A&A Note: This is in response to Dave Nichol's search for Dezanovec. This name is the name of a town in Croatia. My grandmother was born there about 1897. While her mother was Croat, family legend says her father was Bohemian ethnically. I know that he was born in Croatia, since I have his a birth certificate with appropriate information. The town he was born in, Ivanovo Selo, is supposed to have been founded for immigrants from Bohemia to Croatia and workers on the land of, obviously, a large land owner. I have not been able to locate anything to give me more info on this area and town. Both of these towns are located near the larger city of Daruvar, east and south of Zagreb. Since both of these areas were part of the Austrian Hungarian Empire for hundreds of years, movement within these areas was not unusual when sanctioned by the powerful.

Entry of Oct 27, 1998 at 17:06 [EST]
From: Annette Gathright - agathright@aol.com

A&A Note: In response to Mary Ann Florence's comment on a Church that is 450 years old and graves marked only back to 1900. You were lucky to find graves that old in the Czech Republic. Land is and has been in high demand for a long time in all of Europe. Cemeteries are necessary, but can not be continually expanded (Can you imagine how many people would need graves for even a modist church over the 450 years of its existence) The answer to your question is that these people aren't buried - in the sense we think of. The graves are reused by the next generation of family; many modern graves contain only burial urns since the deceased's remains are cremated. In some places, the bones of older generations are removed, or buried over when the space is required by newly deceased. In Poland, I know the re-use of graves entails removing the bones, and usually headstones, before reuse. The bones are 'stored' in a small hut in the cemetery. In the cemetery of my Czech ancestors, there is a similar structure, and this cemetery has existed since the 13th or 14th century. The reuse of graves is not unknown here in the US. The question of term graves in the Bohemian National Cemetery is one example of grave reuse. The Polish cemetery in Chicago also had term graves; some of my Polish ancestors decided to bury their dead in them - they cost much less than a permanent spot, and money was hard to come by for many of them.

Entry of Oct 28, 1998 at 20:21 [EST]
From: Barbara - ARTMAKER1@aol.com

A&A Note: Researching the family names of Roykouff, Loehr, Goff and Walter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Entry of Nov 3, 1998 at 20:53 [EST]
From: Kathy Mallin - KMallin@uic.edu

A&A Note: I have an article about my grandfather published in the Denni Hlasatel in 1939. I would like to have it translated. Are there any reasonably priced Czech translators in the Chicago area anyone can recommend? I also noticed another query about Czech language classes in the Chicago area. I would also be interested in this. Preferably in Chicago. Thanks.

Entry of Nov 3, 1998 at 21:19 [EST]
From: eileen Brusek - ebrusek@aol.com

A&A Note: my son is doing research on his ancestory and we have virtually no information. I was always told that I was part Bohemian, but I have no concrete information on that. Any information regarding the surname BRUSEK would be appreciated.

Entry of Nov 4, 1998 at 23:58 [EST]
From: John Maly - maly@servtech.com

A&A Note: Did anyone here see "US Marshall"? Is it just me...or was the cemetery scene filmed largely at Bohemian National? Seems like the kind of money-making opportunity they would jump on. The cemetery was not listed in the credits, probably at their own request...I've only been to BNC once, but it looked a lot like it, and there were a few names on the stones ending in "ek". Oh well. Maybe I'm crazy. If it really was BNC, you have to worry about the fact that they allow this kind of stuff to take place there...

Entry of Nov 5, 1998 at 11:57 [EST]
From: peter vnuk - pvoyager@hotmail.com

A&A Note: hello all, i just begin to search for my family's past and look for info on my fathers name,vnuk,(slovakie)and my mothers name of german decent(rank).They were both born in slovakie and czeck and came to canada during the end of the war.please help if you can!thankyou very much.e-mail address is pvoyager@hotmail.com

Entry of Nov 5, 1998 at 16:59 [EST]
From: Dorothy Janca - djanca@worldnet.att.net

A&A Note: How do you know what okres a village is in? I am trying to fill out the form to submit my ancestors' surnames and villages, but I do not know what to fill in (in most cases) for the okres? Is there a reference somewhere online? The maps I have seen do not show the boundaries. Also, how have the boundaries changed over the last 100 years? Any answers or suugestions would certainly help. Thank you, Dorothy

Entry of Nov 6, 1998 at 15:39 [EST]
From: Dale Benish - dbenish@avci.net

A&A Note: Can anyone tell me where I may find information on or about Eduard Benes (former Czecho-Slovakian President)? I was once told by my Great Grandfather that he is a relative...something like a Great Great Uncle if I rememeber right. I also understand that he had a brother named Vojtech (unsure of the spelling). "Vojtech" supposedly died here in the States...Indiana, Ohio or Illinois? Is anyone aware if there has been any work done on the genealogy of the Eduard Benes family? I have information that my ancestors came to America in 1884 via Galveston Texas. Can anyone also help me with finding passenger lists for that year. I do not what port they departed from or on what date they departed or arrived. After arriving in Galveston, the family then went on to Nebraska anywhere within months upto 1 1/2 years later. Any and all assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Entry of Nov 8, 1998 at 16:04 [EST]
From: Alan Sewell - bowser@essex1.com

A&A Note: What is the English equivalent of the Czech man's name "Vaclav"?

Entry of Nov 9, 1998 at 00:26 [EST]
From: Barbara Marshall - marshallb001@hawaii.rr.com

A&A Note: We have changed e-mail addresses since my posting last month in regard to translations of a Czech postcard. Please change the return address. Thank you

Entry of Nov 9, 1998 at 07:55 [EST]
From: Joe Zima - zima@edmail.com

A&A Note: Does anyone know if there is a list available of Bohemian tailors working in Chicago in the 1880's? Could there have been a Bohemian tailor's association?

Entry of Nov 11, 1998 at 10:45 [EST]
From: Jeffrey Nayadley (Nejedly) - jeffrey-nayadley@uiowa.edu

A&A Note: In answer to Alan Sewell’s query of Nov. 8, the English equivalent of Vaclav is James. Can anyone help me with a related question -- Are Vaclav and Wencel the same name? They seem to be used interchangeably on information pertaining to my great-great-grandfather Krofta.

Entry of Nov 14, 1998 at 01:59 [EST]
From: Lorraine Soucek Richards - wrich112@aol.com

A&A Note: Does anyone know what kind of organization Klubu Krajanu Obce Podmokle might have been? This was in a relative's obituary. My grandfather was from Podmokly. Was this possibly a club for those who came from there?

Entry of Nov 14, 1998 at 12:13 [EST]
From: Michael Giometti - mikegiometti@hotmail.com

A&A Note: I am a reference assistant at Prairie Trails Public Library and unable to locate an item that a patron, Phyllis Barattia (and member of your organization, I think) is interested in obtaining. Both myself and the reference service of the library system are stumped. The item is Slovak v Amerike (Slovak in America); I believe it is some sort of almanac. She is especially interested in a portion of this work in the 1958 edition/volume entitled "Lineage of Major Jan Polerecky." Any help would be greatly appreciated by me and my Slovak-American patron Thanks, Mike Giometti

Entry of Nov 14, 1998 at 12:49 [EST]
From: Michael Giometti - mikegiometti@hotmail.com

A&A Note: Is anyone familiar with the book "History of Turca" by Jan Sikura. I have been unable to locate an exact match. The closest I (and the reference service at my library system) can get is a work in slovak by the same author called "Miestopisne Dejiny Turca", though we have been unable to translate this to see if this is a match. Thanks, Mike Giometti, Reference Assistant Prairie Trails Public Library

Entry of Nov 17, 1998 at 21:24 [EST]
From: Robert V Blecha - jamaicasolar@msn.com

A&A Note: My name is Robert and my parents came to the US in 1968. My father is Czech and from a town called Mikolov. My mother is Slovak and from Bratislava. I was trying to locate any relatives I may have in the USA.

Entry of Nov 18, 1998 at 09:30 [EST]
From: Chris Miksanek, CSAGSI Webmaster - chrismik@aol.com

A&A Note: On Oct 25, 1998 at 01:04 [EST], jane szymanski (grsski@discover-net.net) posted: I have relatives buried in the St. Adalbert's Cemetery. I see that the Chicago Genealogical Society is selling a pamphlet about Norwood Park Home Cemetery, listed as being on the grounds of St. Adalbert's. Would this pamphlet include readings for the original St. Adalbert's Cemetery? Thanks for any help! Jane. The Webmaster replies: Jane, we are not associated with the Chicago Genealogical Society. You may want to visit their web site at http://www.jorsm.com/~juliana/ it is possible they describe the pamphlet or perhaps have an email address where you can get more information.

Entry of Nov 21, 1998 at 23:08 [EST]
From: Jason Dudycha - vision101@hotmail.com

A&A Note: hello, i was curious as to how i would go about finding out if there are any other people living in czechoslovakia with the same last name as myself...DUDYCHA

Entry of Nov 21, 1998 at 23:08 [EST]
From: Jason Dudycha - vision101@hotmail.com

A&A Note: hello, i was curious as to how i would go about finding out if there are any other people living in czechoslovakia with the same last name as myself...DUDYCHA

Entry of Nov 22, 1998 at 22:11 [EST]
From: Tom Bednar - tommybed@sprynet.com

A&A Note: My Grandfather was born in Osved, Bohemia and came to the USA in 1882. Does anyone know the present name of Osved, as I cannot find it on any maps, and the Library has only recent maps.

Entry of Nov 24, 1998 at 11:56 [EST]
From: Lynne Atterberry - latterbe@hotmail.com

A&A Note: I just discovered this homepage and I'm sure I will enjoy it. Does anyone have information or knowledge of the Koval or Berta family living around Streator, Illinois. I would love to hear from rerlatives we don't even know we have. Thanks.

Entry of Nov 29, 1998 at 17:55 [EST]
From: Sarah - vickers@companet.net

A&A Note: Hi ! I'm a senior in high school from Alabama. I was wondering if anyone could let me know about the on going news in the Czech Republic. I'm doing a report on Czech. And any news on the economic situations would be appreciated. Thank you!!

Entry of Nov 29, 1998 at 22:04 [EST]
From: Shirley Slanker - S3333@aol.com

A&A Note: Would like to exchange information on two names...Dite and Vokoun.

Entry of Nov 30, 1998 at 05:47 [EST]
From: Pavel Pokorny - pavel.pokorny@seznam.cz

A&A Note: For Lorraine Soucek Richards (Nov 14): Your version of "Klub krajanu" meaning is precise. For Jeff Nayadly (Nov 11): Wencel (or, more correctly, Wenzel) is German version of Czech Vaclav and its bilingual using (mainly in official papers) was common in the times of Austro-Hungarian Empire. Your Vaclav-James scheme seems quite strangely to me, I would prefer Wenceslas as English equivalent. Bye.

Entry of Nov 30, 1998 at 13:41 [EST]
From: Carol Van Wyk - 104330.20751@compuserv.com

A&A Note: I have recently received copies of vital statistics records from the Archives in Prague & am now entering them into my computer program. Because the boundaries of the current Czech Republic have changed over the centuries, I'm not sure what is the best way to enter the country of birth, death, etc. Should I do them all by the current name, Czech Republic, or the name at the time of the event, eg. Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic? It's possible that someone was born in Bohemia, married in Czechoslovakia, & died in the Czech Republic. Is it ok to enter them under all three names? Thanks for your insights. Carol

Entry of Nov 30, 1998 at 19:18 [EST]
From: Steve Patterson - patterson3@erols.com

A&A Note: I have been researching the CIZEK, PICHA, AND SKOPEK lines. If anyone else is interested in these surnames, please advise!

Entry of Dec 3, 1998 at 14:50 [EST]
From: John Maly - maly@servtech.com

A&A Note: I recently discovered that my great great grandfather (Martin Vranek) had either a cousin or a brother, who was a carpenter, build his house at 7425 St. Lawrence in Chicago. Is there a way to find out the name of the person who built a particular house? Perhaps it's on file somewhere at town hall? This was back around the turn of the century, not sure if they had any sort of zoning back then. I'd welcome any suggestions. Thanks!!!

Entry of Dec 4, 1998 at 11:51 [EST]
From: Peter Seblonka - cathys@uproc.lib.mi.us

A&A Note: Hello I am looking for information on my father's family. My grandfather came from Lab in western Slovakia and was an orphan. He did not have the name of the family that raised him and came to this country as a young man. I stopped in Lab this spring and the people knew of a S(hacech)ablonka, who didn't live there anymore. I can find no information here in the US on either sablonka's or seblonka's. Do you have any ideas on where to look? Thanks. Peter Seblonka

Entry of Dec 4, 1998 at 17:54 [EST]
From: Gordon Miller - gorami@juno.com

A&A Note: I have an ancestor, Joseph Blecha (who was married to Anna Roth) supposedly immigrated from Hlines Bohemia in 1866. What can I do to locate more info?

Entry of Dec 5, 1998 at 20:39 [EST]
From: Kathy Edwards - Kedwardsch@aol.com

A&A Note: I am searching for information on my maternal grandmother, Helen Ann Devorjak. Her mothers name was Helena Devorjak. How do I go about searching for info??

Entry of Dec 7, 1998 at 01:55 [EST]
From: Tom Ruzicka - czech1@gte.net

A&A Note: I've been wondering if the Ruzicka name has any Jewish ancestry? Could you contact me with any information on this question? Thank you for your help. Thomas Ruzicka

Entry of Dec 7, 1998 at 13:19 [EST]
From: Gail Marzano Estok - fidgetyg@silcom.com

A&A Note: Hello there, I am a long-distance member, from California. I have a problem, in that my computer will not send mail through internet, so when I want to write to someone, and click on the highlighted area, all I get is the message, Internet mail not able to be used..So, unless an Email address is given on the website, I cannot contact the webpage people. Your Email address doesn't seem to be anywhere on the pages I looked at. Can you please send me the Email address, I would like to send in my surnames, and order the cd of the newspaper obituary listings for the entire period available. My postal address you have, I have two email addresses, each the same first part, with the endings changed: fidgetyg@aol.com fidgetyg@silcom.com Thank you very much, Gail Marzano Estok, Santa Barbara, CA.

Entry of Dec 7, 1998 at 20:00 [EST]
From: LeighAnne Brosious - quadtone@voicenet.com

A&A Note: Hi! My name is Leigh-Anne Brosious. I am a friend of Anna Mukhina. Anna is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. I am helping her look for her relatives now that she is in the United States. This is what I know about her geneology already: Samuil - Great great grand-father from Hazenpot, Germany Children: Iakov Isaak Lina Sholom - Great grand-father (1882-1942) Rahil Libertal- Anna's grandmother Rosalia Libertal - Rahil's sister Robert Libertal- (1884-1890) Fanny - Wife to Robert Shula & ___?___ - Sisters to each other. Daughters to Robert. Same age as Anna's grandmother and her sister, Rosalia. Fanny and Robert moved to Chicago before 1917. Shula wrote letters to Rosalia in English until World War II (1941). After that, the address was lost. Anna is looking for any relatives living in the United States. The family last name is Libertal; however, it might have changed once they reached the states. If you recognize any of these names or think you might be related to Anna, please e-mail me back promptly. Thank you for your time! Leigh-Anne PogGirl1@aol.com

Entry of Dec 8, 1998 at 03:50 [EST]
From: Eduard - czech.nigga@usa.net

A&A Note: Ahoj hledam nekoho, s kym bych si mohl dopisovat. {pokud mozno cesky}. Napiste mi na E - mail . Tesim se na Vas.... Ahoj EDA

Entry of Dec 9, 1998 at 22:43 [EST]
From: Barbara Burgess - gypsybyheart@webtv.net

A&A Note: I was born in chicago Illinois Sept.13,1937,to a Romanian Father who had changed his name in Argentina,before he came to New York,where the Statue of Libberty stands,he went and traveled to the Middle East,came back to New York,and then ended up in Chicago where he met my mother,who was from Charlevoix,Michigan. There is a lot of history that happen- ed in that year, could you help me find out about it? I know that there is a book written about 'the KING OF the GYPSIES"BY PETER MAAS. I rode in a basket on the front of my father's bycicle when he talked to these people. Do you know what area the Gypsies lived in?

Entry of Dec 10, 1998 at 01:12 [EST]
From: Patricia Buckmaster - bike@cet.com

A&A Note: I am searching for any information on MEHOK family ancestors. Frank MEHOK, born 24 April 1872, Gomor County Hungary, married Marie KRISTON, born 12 Dec. 1881, Jolsvafo, Abauj-Zemplem County, Hungary. They were married 16 Feb. 1901 in Bridgeport CT, USA. Frank died 2 July 1942 in Hammond, IN. Their children were..Mary Ann, born 17 Sept. 1910, Steve born 20 Apr 1902, Frank born 30 July 1903, Geza born 17 Apr 1905, David born 11 Oct. 1906, Helen born 16 Aug. 1908, Andrew born 28 Nov. 1912, Julius born14 Nov. 1919. Frank's parents were Steve MEHOK and Rosalia BOLLO(ZSOLDOS).

Entry of Dec 11, 1998 at 23:01 [EST]
From: robin - torreyxs4@aol.com

A&A Note: My "Babi", Great-grandmother, immigrated to U.S. as a young women from Czechoslovakia. She was born in 1886, died in 1976, but I do not know when or why she immigrated, nor at what port of entry. How would I go about finding out these things? Thanks in advance..Robin

Entry of Dec 12, 1998 at 07:42 [EST]
From: Phil Baer - philbaer@aol.com

A&A Note: Any help would be appreciated - Like many many others, I am trying to trace my heritage and pass the information along to decendants. My father's family is Slovak. My great-grandfather's name was John Medvetz who came to the US (? date) and lived in Streator, IL approx 1890 -1900. John's spouse was Anna Majerski (or Majersky, Meyersky or Meyersky) and they had 7 children. The oldest (my grandfather) was John M. Medvetz born March 9, 1893 in Streator, IL. The family moved to Robbins,Ohio about 1900 I am trying to find out where John Medvetz was born in Czechoslovakia, any information at all about my great-grandmother Anna Majerski or her parents, any information about records in Illinois that may help in my searches. Part of my difficulty has been that the family members changed the family name several times: to "Bear" "Bare" and "Baer", while some of the records still had the Medvetz name. Thanks in advance for any help or information you may be able to provide. Phil Baer (281)485-4889 or e-mail.

Entry of Dec 12, 1998 at 18:45 [EST]
From: robert fuller - robert_fuller@antiochla.edu.com

A&A Note: Is it possible to find information about family history using your system? I am seeking information of my mothers father, jan sebek, born in prague around 1880.

Entry of Dec 13, 1998 at 17:33 [EST]
From: Karen Knight - kvknight@rocketmail.com

A&A Note: I am interested in finding any information on the name "Brossman." It is a family name, and I have found it rather difficult to find information on it. I would appreciate any help. Thank you. Karen Knight

Entry of Dec 13, 1998 at 17:41 [EST]
From: Karen Knight - kvknight@rocketmail.com

A&A Note: If anyone has any information on the Austo-Hungarian names Brossman and/or Kral, please send information. Thank you. :)

Entry of Dec 14, 1998 at 01:44 [EST]
From: Toby Swanger - TPSwanger@aol.com

A&A Note: I was wondering if anyone could help me get started on looking up Czech records. All I have is a name and a birthdate. I don;t know enough about Czechoslovakia to know how many counties(are they even called counties?), there are or how to start looking for this person's records. Help anyone? Thanks in advance.

Entry of Dec 14, 1998 at 23:08 [EST]
From: Steven Biroschik - trt911@CRTELCO.COM

A&A Note: Very interesting - I live in Streator and am interested in tracing my ancestry - would like help getting started. By the way St. Stephens IS the oldest slovak church in the USA.

Entry of Dec 16, 1998 at 17:03 [EST]
From: Adam Umperovitch - ajumper@norcom2000.com

A&A Note: Has anyone ever seen the name Umperovitch, also spelled Umpervitch, Umprovitch, Umporowicz, and Umpirowicz. If so do the know where the name comes from. Thank you in advance.

Entry of Dec 27, 1998 at 02:23 [EST]
From: Barbara Marshall - marshallb001@hawaii.rr.com

A&A Note: PLETICHA, NOVOTNY, TICHY, VANCURA, MISOUN. Need help translating postcards sent from Czechoslovakia in early 1900's to family in Chicago. Does anyone offer translation services?

Entry of Dec 30, 1998 at 18:10 [EST]
From: Mike Thomas - laratz@worldnet.att.net

A&A Note: Does anyone know where you can write to for vital records in the Trebon area. My ancestors came from Trebon and Zic (Z and c have marks but I can't enter them). Anyplace you can write in English?

Entry of Dec 31, 1998 at 11:09 [EST]
From: Susan Hin-Koncelik - suki@amazed.nl

A&A Note: I have tried to access the Czech Ancestor Club page via the Czech Info Center, but no luck. They say that I cannot access the URL. Being a computer novice, does that mean that Microsoft Explorer cannot access it and I must have Netscape or what? Help!