Happy Birthday Dorothy!

Dorothy's birthday is February 7. I wanted to get this blog out to family members before that date so that you can spend some time thinking about her on her birthday. (Okay, actually, I was planning to get this out to you ON February 7. But, I just can't wait!)

Please start from the bottom post and work your way up in order to follow the details in the right order.

Artifacts from Dorothy

Since this is my blog, I have the luxury of posting pictures of a few personal artifacts from my grandma.

Here is a baby card Dorothy sent to my parents when I was born.

I would be happy to post pictures of any personal items that family members have from Dorothy. Just email them to my dad! It would be fun to see all that she has left behind!

Dorothy's Descendents

Dorothy was married and had five children. Since all children are still living and I want to keep this blog open (so you don't have to log in), I will not print their names here for confidentiality purposes. Dorothy had two daughters, a son, another daughter and then another son. Perhaps in the future I will make this a private blog and add more details.

Here is a picture of Dorothy with her first son, my dad, who was 3 months old:

To date, Dorothy has 27 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren.  Thank-you Joyce for making the compilation this month!

Dorothy's oldest granddaughter shares her birthday.

I have few memories of my Grandma Dorothy since we lived in different states. But here is a picture of the two of us together:

I now have three children of my own.

Occupations of Various Kozubs

This is my attempt to organize. Note: I still need to add newly found directories and census data.

From what I have gathered, here are the occupations of various Kozubs over the years living in Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey unless otherwise indicated. The occupations come from the city directory unless otherwise indicated:


Alex and Irene Kozub Family:

Parents: Alex Kozub (wife Irene):
1900 - laborer (1900 census data)
1903 - grocer, living at 71 Penn
1910 - [mini]ster at Greek Catholic Church (1910 census data)
1917 - clerk (living with Irene and August), living at 4310 Bridge Ave. in Cleveland, Ohio
1918 - reverend? (On August's June 5, 1918 WWI Draft Registration card, it says closest relative is "Rev. Alexander Kozub" in Wilken, PA
1935 - Irene (widow to Alex) living at 173 Broad Street
1940 - Irene (widow to Alex) living at 173 Broad Street
1942 - Irene (widow to Alex) living at 173 Broad Street

Child #1 Mary Kozub (husband John Obuch)

Child #2 Amelia Kozub (died at age 6)

Child #3 Alexander Evans Kozub (wife Marie Peters):
1917 - clerk for Standard Parts Co. in Cleveland, Ohio (see WWI draft reg. card)
1942 - working for "Newburgh" South Shore RR in Cleveland, Ohio (see WWII draft reg. card)

Child # 4 August Kozub (wife Helen Pollack):
1917 - laborer, living (with Alex and Irene) at 4310 Bridge Ave., in Cleveland, Ohio
1918 - Working for [W.E. & M. Co.] in East Pgh [Pittsburgh], Pennsylvania, living at 116 Wilbur Ave. Turtle Creek, PA
1920 - mail reg. clerk, living at 1217 Airbrake Street in Turtle Creek, Allegheny, Pennsylvania
1928 - store manager, living at 1219 Hillmann in Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio

Child #5 Anthony Kozub:
1926 - clerk for post office, living at 77 Cherry in Rahway, New Jersey
1928 - clerk, living at 77 Cherry in Rahway, New Jersey
1933 - clerk for post office, living at 4 Maple Terrace
1935 - lab, living at 173 Broad Street
1937 - clerk for post office, in Perth Amboy (Rahway directory)
1940 - clerk, living at 173 Broad Street
1942 - clerk, living at 173 Broad Street


Peter and Minnie Kozub Family:

Parents: Peter Kozub (wife Minnie): 
1896 - tailor, living at 127 Broad Street
1897 - tailor
1906 - saloon
1929 - tailor, living at 167 Broad Street
1930 - tailor
1935 - tailor, living at 167 Broad Street
1942 - living at 167 Broad Street


 Child #1 William Kozub:
1929 - assayer, living at 167 Broad Street
1930 - assayer, living at 167 Broad Street
1935 - assayer, living at 167 Broad Street
1942 - assayer, living at 167 Broad Street


Child #2 Alex A Kozub (wife Helen L):
1930 - manager of Kozub Electrical Co., living at 169 Broad Street
1930 - wife Helen is pres-treas of Kozub Electrical Co.
1935 - electrical contractor, living at 169 Broad Street
1940 - electrical contractor, living at 169 Broad Street
1942 - electrical contractor, livingat 202 Washington

Child #3 Mike R Kozub (wife Esther Wagner):
1929 - chauffeur, living at 325 Kirkland Place
1930 - lab, living at 169 Broad Street
1935 - lab, living at 169 Broad Street
1940 - Esther is "slswn" at Marvel (saleswoman?), living at 169 Broad Street
1942 - Esther is slwn at Marvel, living at 169 Broad Street
1942 - driver, living at 169 Broad Street

Grandson Robert (Mike's son) M. Kozub (wife Irene Racz):
1942 - radio reporter at Winfield C Nichols, living at 169 Broad Street
1959 - serviceman for Anderson Radio, living at 169 Broad Street

Child #4 Mary Kozub (husband Mr. Pastuch)

Child #5 Peter D Kozub Jr. (wife Esther S):
1929 - assayer, living at 167 Broad Street
1930 - secretary for Kozub Electrical Co., living at 167 Broad Street
1935 - secretary for Kozub Electrical Col, living at 167 Broad Street
1942 - hlpr, living at 169 Broad Street
1959 - turbine tech for PSE & G Co., living at 167 Broad Street
1959 - Esther is clerk at Grammer School, living at 167 Broad Street
1967 - Esther is S of C sec for Perth Amboy Board of Education, living at 167 Broad Street
1967 - retired, living at 167 Broad Street

Grandson Peter D (Peter D's son) Kozub Jr. 
1967 - student, living at 167 Broad Street

Child #6 Minnie Kozub




Other Kozubs in Perth Amboy I don't know:


Alex Kozub (which one???):
1915 - bkkpr, living at 4006 John Ave. NW in Cleveland, Ohio

Alex Kozub (which one???):
1929 - living at 555 Penn
1930 - living at 555 Penn

Frank Kozub (wife Helen):
1929 - driver, living at 676 Charles

Jas Kozub (wife Julia):
1929 - lab, living at 642 Raritan Ave

John Kozub:
1929 - clerk at Kaplowitz & Levine, living at 741 Colgate Ave.
1935 - clerk at PA Packing Co., living at 741 Colgate Ave.

John Kozub (same one?) (wife Barbara):
1942 - whsemn, living at 319 Goodwin

Michael Kozub (wife Anna):
1929 - lab, living at 741 Colgate Ave.
1930 - lab, living at 741 Colgate Ave.
1935 - Anna living at 741 Colgate Ave.
1935 - lab, living at 741 Colgate Ave.
1942 - living at 741 Colgate Ave.
1959 - Anna (widow of Michael) living at 741 Colgate Ave.

Michael Jr. Kozub:
1935 - living at 741 Colgate Ave.

Michael Kozub (wife Ethel J):
1942 - living at 421 Brace Ave.
1959 - living at 421 Brace Ave.
1967 - yellow cab, living at 421 Brace Ave.

Michael R Kozub:
1959 - Custodian at PA Grammer School, living at 169 Broad Street

Albert Kozub (wife Helen):
1929 - electrician, living at 169 Broad Street
1930 - electrician, living at 167 Broad Street
1940 - Helen (right one?) living at 741 Colgate Ave.

Patricia Ann Kozub:
1967 - office worker for Gulten Industries, living at 421 Brace Ave.

Paul Kozub:
1967 - driver raritan mtl R  Metuchen NJ

Mary Kozub (which one? Living at Peter & Minnie's house - daughter?):
1935 - machine operator, living at 167 Broad Street

Patk Kozub:
1935 - lab, living at 167 Broad Street

Where are Kozubs From?

It has been difficult for everyone to trace Dorothy Kozub's roots because her ancestors came from the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. That means, different countries ruled the land they came from at different times. So in looking at census data, Dorothy's paternal grandparents (Alex and Irene) will say they were born in Austria one year and then Hungary another year and then Germany and then Czechoslovakia later on. The area they were from is now part of Poland.

With all the turmoil in that part of the world, it is a good thing that the Kozubs left and came to America!

Going off of a ship record found for Alex Kozub, we believe the Kozubs came from Zegiestow. In coming to America for the 2nd time, arriving at Ellis Island May 12, 1904, Alex says that he had just come from Zegiestow.  He says his ethnicity is "Ruthenian."

Alex Kozub's ship records in 1904, saying he had come from Zegiestow.

Before Zegiestow became part of neighboring countries Austria or Hungary or Germany or Czechoslovakia, it was part of a "country" called Galicia. Galicia was settled by people who came from Russia. They call themselves Ruthenians and they were Carpathian shepherds (they were shepherds in the Carpathian mountains), also called "Lemkos." Another name for the area is "Carpatho-Ukraine."

Galicia, or Ruthenia, was later controlled by neighboring countries.

As a side note, there was an early existence of a Greek-Catholic church in Galicia. That is consistent with the fact that the Kozubs list "Greek Catholic" on a couple of the records I have found.

My family history center guy, Les, showed me information found at www.carpatho-rusyn.org/new/112.htm:

Zegiestow, in the Nowy Sacz District, in present day SE Poland has this history:

Lemko Surnames cited by Krasovs'kyj from 1787 Austrian Cadastral Records:
29 Surnames are listed. Number nine is the name "Kozub" and it says 3 families have that name.

In other words, YES, there were Kozubs living in Zegiestow. So it is another proof that Alex did in fact come from Zegiestow.

Les, my family history center guy, has been ordering in microfilms from Greek Catholic churches in Zegiestow and in surrounding areas, hoping to find a record of Alex Kozub's birth. So far, we have been unsuccessful and we are out of ideas. (Okay, I admit I never had any ideas of my own.) We were hoping that in finding Alex's birth records, we would find his parents.

Zegiestow is in the administration district of Nowy Sacz in the judicial district of Muszyna.

Today, Zegiestow is a spa town in Poland. Google it and see how beautiful it is!

Anyway, there is much to research on this part of the world. I have just skimmed the surface and I'm not sure if I got all my details right. 

Check out www.carpatho-rusyn.org and www.lemko.org! (I plan to take more time to read everything there myself!)

Here is something interesting I just read at www.lemko.org:

After the World War II - pursuant to the idea of transforming Poland from a multi- into a mono-national state - the Lemko minority was sentenced to extinction, and, as the first stage, the decision was made, in concert with the Soviet authorities, to displace them to Ukraine (1945-1946). In spring 1947, the remaining Lemkos (app. 40 thousand) were ruthlessly deported to the Regained Territories in the west, and scattered around to avoid the settlement of any larger groups. Those who tried to resist were imprisoned at the Jaworzno camp ("the Vistula River" Operation). After 1956, some short lasting opportunities emerged to return to the mother lands, unfortunately known to very few. Not many Lemkos returned. Their houses and farms did not exist or were occupied by Polish settlers. Orthodox churches were either devastated or demolished. Some villages disappeared from the map... 

Maps

These maps will help you to visualize the places mentioned in this blog:


Here is a map showing how close Perth Amboy is to Rahway, New Jersey. They are both not far from New York City.

Here is a map showing where Hazleton, Pennsylvania is:

Here is a map showing where Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania is:

And here is a map of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio. The marker is showing where Dorothy was born - Turtle Creek:

Exploring Perth Amboy, NJ

In December, my husband and I drove to Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey. We checked out the houses on Broad Street. (See earlier post on Peter and Minnie Kozub for pictures).

We went to a very old Perth Amboy Public Library. We found old Perth Amboy City Directories and took photos and made photocopies of the pages, which were crumbling. I have since found the directories online.  It was exciting to see the various occupations of various Kozub people over the years. And to verify places of residence.

Perth Amboy Public Library

Perth Amboy Public Library

The oldest Perth Amboy City Directory we looked at was from 1896.

This Perth Amboy City Directory was from 1940.

1942 Perth Amboy City Directory. Irene is a widow to Alex and lives at 173 Broad Street, with son Anthony, who is a clerk. Various Kozub relatives live near-by.

My husband and I also went to the Alpine Cemetary, where Kozubs were buried. We found one headstone. On one side, Michael "Mike" and wife Esther Wagner are listed. On the other side is their son Robert and wife Irene Racz. If you remember, Mike is Peter Kozub's son.

While this information was helpful, we were hoping to find more Kozubs near-by. Especially August's dad Alex and August's mom Irene. We'll have to keep searching for them.

Exploring Hazleton, PA

In October, my parents and I drove to Hazleton, Luzurne, Pennsylvania to see what we could find.

We went to the City Hall.

We were given two old books that held hand-written birth, marriage and death records.

My dad searching the Hazleton Birth, Marriage and Death Record Books

We were allowed to take them into another room and search through them. We were hoping to find a record of August Kozub's birth. August is my dad's maternal grandfather. In our limited time, we did not find it. But, we found something very exciting. . . . his sister Amelia! At this time, I cannot confirm that she is his sister. But my heart tells me that she is.

Line 2121 in Death Records is Amelia Kozub

She died at age 6 years, 3 months of Diptheria. She died on December 31, 1896.

Amelia Kozub died at 6 years, 3 months on Dec. 31, 1896 of diptheria.

She is listed as "Austrian" and died in the city, which is Hazleton. Her address was 222 Pine Street. Her parents are Alex and Rena (nickname for Irene?)

Amelia Kozub died in Hazleton City, had parents Alex and Rena, lived at 222 Pine

Amelia was buried on January 1, 1897 in the St. Gabriel Cemetary.

Amelia Kozub was buried on January 1, 1897 in the St. Gabriel Cemetary

We know that Irene gave birth to 10 children and that only 4 survived. Can Amelia be one of the six who was not alive during a census?

We decided to go to St. Gabriel's Cemetary to look for Amelia Kozub's grave. We had no luck. When I called a local church later, I learned that most likely, she was buried in an unmarked grave.

I am hoping to get a copy of Amelia's death certificate as well as a copy of August's birth certificate. Both should be found at the Luzurne County Courthouse. Since those events were only a few months apart, it is likely that Alex and Irene (or "Rena") were living at 222 Pine Street during both events. If so, we can prove Amelia and August are siblings. So far, I have had two strikes. I was planning to drive to the Luzurne County Courthouse and had childcare lined up when Hurricane Sandy came and struck on the very day I planned to make the drive. Then, I mailed a check to have someone else do the work. Well, my check seems to have disappeared and no one has been looking. I'll either have to try again to make the drive or send more money.

[August 30, 2013 Note: I initially thought the record said "Price Street" but later learned it was "Pine Street" when I received August Kozub's birth certificate, which lists his parents as living on 222 Pine Street. Price Street never existed. . . Pine street did.]  


While we were in Hazleton, we spent time at other cemetaries as well, hoping for some more clues. While we did not find any direct ancestors that we know of, we found lots of names that seem to have come from the same part of the world as the Kozub family. And we discovered how popular the names "Helen," "Anna" and August" were. We also saw some "Pollack" and "Petrosky" headstones.  Dorothy's mom was Helen Bell Pollack and Helen's mother was Anna Petrosky. Check out these headstones:

There are several cemetaries on Cemetery Lane in Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Scenic view of cemetary on Cemetary Lane

A headstone showing the popularity of the names "Helen" and "August"

View of cemetary on Cemetary Lane in Hazleton, PA

Headstone showing the popularity of the names "Anna" and "August"

A Petrosky headstone. Related to Helen Bell Pollack somehow?

Again, a headstone showing the popularity of the names "Anna" and "August"

A Pollock headstone in Hazleton, PA. Related to Helen Bell Pollock?

Another Pollock headstone in Hazleton, PA. Related to Helen Bell Pollock?

Another Pollock headstone in Hazleton, PA. Related to Helen Bell Pollock?

Another Pollock headstone in Hazleton, PA. Related to Helen Bell Pollock?

Another Pollock headstone in Hazleton, PA Related to Helen Bell Pollock?

Another Pollock headstone in Hazleton, PA. Related to Helen Bell Pollack?

A Petrosky headstone in Hazleton, PA. Related to Helen Bell Pollack?

A view of Cemetary Lane in Hazleton, PA

So the question is. . . did Alex and Irene Kozub move to Hazleton for work? Or, did they know someone there? August was born in Hazleton but was living near Pittsburgh about the time he married Helen Bell Pollack. Where did he meet her and where did he marry her?

Uncle in Ohio?

My latest thinking is that Alex and Irene Kozub have more relatives in Ohio. Lots of Kozubs lived in the Cleveland area.

I just discovered that Alex, Irene and August lived in Cleveland, Ohio in 1917. That would have been between their 1910 stint in Menallen, Fayette, Pennsylvania and their 1920 stint in Rahway, Union, New Jersey. They could have lived in Cleveland to be near family. Or. . . they were there for yet another job.

Check out this listing in the 1917 Cleveland City Directory:

In 1918, August is living at 116 Wilbur Ave. in Turtle Creek, Allegheny, Pennsylvania when he fills out his WWI Draft Registration Card. On Feb. 7, 1920, he is living at 1217 Airbrake St. in Turtle Creek, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Turtle Creek is a suburb of Pittsburgh, and not far from Ohio. I am not sure, but I think August was living with parents Alex and Irene in 1918. He lists his nearest living relative as "Reverend Alexander Kozub."


Also, August died in Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio - not far from Cleveland - Dec. 30, 1928.

In addition, August's older brother Alexander Evans Kozub seems to have lived in Ohio.  If I have the right guy, Alexander Evans is living in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio in 1917 when he fills out the WWI Draft Registration Card (where he lists Hazleton, Pennsylvania as his birthplace). He is living at 7716 Jones Road in Cleveland, Ohio when he fills out his WWII Draft Registration Card (where he lists Sept. 12, 1892 as his birthday). With the 7716 Jones Road address, I find the names of his wife and children on the Federal Censuses.


Sources I have for Ohio relations: None

Leads I have for Ohio relations: 1917 Cleveland City Directory - listing Alex, Irene and August, August's death certificate in Ohio, Alexander Evans Kozub WW I and WW II Draft Registration Cards.

Peter & Minnie Kozub

As I mentioned in the last post, I believe that Peter Kozub of Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey is August's uncle. If so, here are other people related to him. Here is the Peter & Minnie Kozub family:

Peter Kozub and Williamina "Minnie" Sacbus:

Peter Kozub was born July 1866 in Austria or Hungary (Galicia)
He married Minnie in 1890.
Peter is a tailor.
Minnie was born in Feb. of 1873 in Austria.

Their children are:

1) Wilhelm or William "Willie" Kozub, born June 1891 in New Jersey. He doesn't seem to have married.

2) Alexander "Alex A" Kozub, born July 10, 1894 in New Jersey. He later married Helen L. His children are Albert, William and Robert. They lived at 202 Washington Dr. in Perth Amboy.

3) Michael "Mike" Kozub, born Sept. 1897 in New Jersey. He died in 1960 (I found his grave! It is at the Alpine Cemetary in Perth Amboy). He had married Esther Wagner (1899 to 1941, according to her grave). His son is Robert Kozub, born in 1922 in New Jersey and died in 1986. Robert was married to Irene Racz (1927 to 1981). Robert and Irene are buried next to his parents.

4)  Mary Kozub, born April 1900. She married Mr. Pastuch and had children Claire (born 1926 in Perth Amboy) and Joan (born 1928 in Perth Amboy).  [Later. . . . learned that Pastuch could be Pasternak]

5) Peter D. Kozub Jr., born in 1905 in New Jersey.

6) Minnie Kozub (also junior, in a female way), born in 1910 in New Jersey. [ Later. . . . learned that she married John Murdock and had 2 girls and 1 boy, if right person.]

Since this family stayed in Perth Amboy for over 40 years, it was easy to follow them with census records and with the city directory, which lists occupations and addresses. They stayed on Broad street that entire time. The Peter Kozub children with their spouses and children were found living in Perth Amboy for years. (Perhaps we still have relatives living there who have records of their great grandparents,  Peter and Alex's parents. . . wishful thinking).

Sources I have on the Peter & Minnie Kozub family: Various federal censuses - I will list later.William Kozub's WWI Draft Registration card (shows him living at 167 Broad Street), Michael "Mike" Kozub's WW I Draft Registration Card (which shows him living at 167 Broad Street) and Alex Kozub's WW II Draft Registration Card (has him living at 202 Washington Street in Perth Amboy and Mrs. Helen Kozub seems to be his wife).

Sources I want for the Peter & Minnie Kozub family: Peter's death certificate. If it lists his parents and they match Alex Kozub's parents, then I will know for sure that Alex and Peter and brothers.

Leads I have on the Peter & Minnie Kozub family: Various Perth Amboy city directories - I will list later.

August's Uncle Peter Kozub?

I don't have proof yet. . . but I strongly believe that Peter Kozub of Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey is Alex Kozub's brother. . . or some other relative.

Why?

Peter Kozub lives on Broad Street in Perth Amboy for decades.

Alex and Peter cross paths many times.

First of all, Peter signed Alex's Naturalization Papers.

     Sorry, the blog wants to turn this sideways.
This is one of the Naturalization Papers for Alex Kozub.         
 Notice that Peter Kozub is a witness!

Fast forward about 40 years, during which the Alex Kozub family spent time living in Perth Amboy.

After Alex dies, his widow Irene lives on Broad Street with her son Anthony. . . . three doors down from Peter Kozub.

Check out these pictures I took of Broad Street in Perth Amboy, New Jersey!

Gray house (167 Broad Street): where Peter Kozub lived for decades. Tan house (169 Broad Street): where Peter's son Alex (and wife Helen) was living in 1940. Skip a house and then see the back half of the brick home. That is where Irene Kozub was living in 1940 (173 Broad Street).

 Here is the brink house. And a close-up of the old part.

The brick house with the bike is the address where Irene Kozub was living in 1940 (173 Broad Street). Skip the brick house with the green awning and then you get to Alex (Peter's son) and Helen Kozub's house and then to Peter and Minnie Kozub's house.

Another picture of Peter's house, where the Peter and Minnie Kozub family lived for decades.