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?