Pauline Simco

I have new clues regarding my grandmother Dorothy's cousin Pauline Simco. It looks like familysearch.org has clues on Pauline's husband's page. Namely, his obituary.

Here is what I now know:

Pauline Simco
born July 12, 1912 in Ohio, USA
died Dec. 13, 1998 in Brookfield, Trumbull, Ohio, USA
buried at Saint Michael Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Hermitage, Mercer, Pennsylvania, USA

husband George Seech (parents George Seech and Anne Cmar, brother Michael Seech with wife Freda who were alive when George died, one brother and four sisters who proceeded George in death)
born Feb. 18, 1910 in Sharon, Mercer, Pennsylvania, USA
died July 19, 2002 in Brookfield, Trumbull, Ohio, USA
buried at Saint Michael Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Hermitage, Mercer, Pennsylvania, USA


Children:

1) Shirley (husband Edward B. Chaya) of Ridgeway, Pennsylvania
2) Arlene (husband Daniel D. McQuiston) of Frostproof, Florida

Dorothy as Child with Parents

My aunt J. posted this photo on Facebook.

It is Dorothy as a child with her parents August and Helen.

Helen Pollock's Siblings

Thanks Dacia for helping with this puzzle!!!

This is what she has found on Helen Pollock Kozub's sisters:

Annie Pollock - who married George Simko
Three children:

1) Stephen Simco - who married Vera Hromyak (1906-1997)
Born Dec. 25, 1907 in Sharon, PA
Died Sept. 1981 in Brookfield, OH

2) Emma Simco - who married John Joseph Schmidt (1907-1963)
Born Feb. 25, 1910 in Farrell, PA
Died Sept. 13, 1991 in Branford, CT

3) Pauline Simco
Born July 12, 1912
Died Dec. 13, 1998 in Brookfield, OH


Mary Pollock - who married Joseph Tarkanich
Mary was born Aug. 24, 1891 in Sharon, PA
Mary died June 23, 1946 in Sharon, PA
Mary is buried in Hermitage

Three children:

1) Stephen - who married Mary
Born Aug. 30, 1914 in PA
Died June 21, 1972 in Warren, OH

Child John

2) Helen - who married Peter Tomczak
Born Jan. 17, 1920 in Masury, OH
Died June 30, 1990

3) Joseph
Born 1922

Suzanne / Susan Pollock - who married George Ragan (April 23, 1890 to Nov. 8, 1959)
Suzanne/Susan was born May 12, 1894 in OH
Suzanne/Susan died Jan. 22, 1973 in Pittsburgh, PA
Buried in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA
(North Unit Mausoleum, Alcove 8, Grave 37)
(Note: George Ragan is buried in the same cemetery - Columbarium, Alcove Open Face Niches, Grave 17)

Three children:

1) Emma Ragan - who married William George Matta
Born April 23, 1917 in PA
Died July 1975
Buried in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA
(North Unit Mausoleum, Alcove 8, Grave 3)

Child George Ragan Matta

2) Mary Ragan - who married George William Baker
Born Aug. 27, 1918 in Nanty-Glo, PA
Died Aug. 29, 1995

Child Mary Elizabeth

3) Vivian Ragan - who married Joseph L Kuzma (1919 to 1982)
Born March 28, 1921 in PA
Died Sept. 17, 2010 in Bethel Park, PA

Mary Tarkanick Death Certificate - Helen's sister

Dacia found Mary Tarkanick's death certificate!

It says Mary was born August 24, 1891 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. She was 54 years old when she died on June 23, 1946 at 1:00 a.m. She outlived her husband Joseph Tarkanick, who was 57 years old at her death. She lived at RD #1 Burghill, Ohio. She was buried at St. John's Carpo-Russian Cemetery.

Susan N Ragan - Helen's Sister

Dacia found Susan N Ragan's gravestone at findagrave.com!

It says Susan was born May 12, 1894 and died Jan. 22, 1973.

She was buried in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Her plot -  Section: North Unit Mausoleum Lot: Alcove 8 Grave: 37

Her memorial ID is 91045172.

Helen Pollock's family

I have new clues!

From the obituaries of Helen Pollock's parents, found in the Youngstown Vindicator newspaper (found at myheritage website), I learned that Helen has 3 sisters and 2 aunts!

Helen Pollock's sisters:
Mrs. [Annie] Simko of Masury, Ohio
Mrs. Joseph of Hartford [Connecticut]
Mrs. Suzanne Ragan of Masury, Ohio (1940 of NYC)

Helen's two aunts (her mother Anna Petrosky's sisters) are:
Mrs. Mary Tarnovich of Brooklyn
Mrs. Susanne Swab in Europe

I also know that when Anna Petrosky died April 23, 1944, she had 12 grandchildren - including Dorothy and Al (Helen's children). Anna's obituary is dated April 24.

Helen's dad Michael Pollock died July 19, 1940 and his obituary is dated July 20.

I know that Helen's sister, Mrs. Simko, has the first name of Annie - because of cards found in Dorothy's scrapbook from "Aunt Annie Simko."

Update - new blog

I have been using my family history research time to add all my findings to the familysearch website.

I have been reading my grandmother's three diaries for more clues. (Overall, the 3 diaries cover 1943 to 1959 when Dorothy is age 23-39).

I have also started creating a website that organizes what I have found so far. It can be found at

https://dorothykozub.wordpress.com/

I hope this helps in collaboration efforts!

Pollocks from Slovakia too

UPDATE 9/18: Helen does not have a brother named Henry after all. However, I still believe her family is from Slovakia. The information below may or may not be helpful.


It looks like my cousin R. has been doing family history and has discovered where Helen Pollock's brother Henry is from. Looking at Henry's WWI and WWII draft registration cards, it looks like he was born in Zilina, Slovakia. Zilina is the Slovak spelling, which was used when Slovakia was part of Czechslovakia (during WWII time). Zsolna is the Hungarian spelling, which was used when Slovakia was park of Hungary (during WWI time).

Zilina is in north western Slovakia, about 120 miles from the capital Bratislava.

Dorothy's Diary

I am reading Dorothy's diary which covers the years 1948 to 1953. I am so excited to find details! First of all, I now know that Florence's birthday is Jan. 8.

While Dorothy and her husband had four young kids at home, her mom Helen and brother Al and sister-in-law Flo were part of her life. She saw her mom Helen about every week or two. Helen "came up" and sometimes even spent the night. The three also joined Dorothy's family each Thanksgiving. Someone would bring the pies. Flo and Dorothy gave each other gifts throughout the year. The kids got presents from their aunt and uncle. I am guessing each lived 30-60 min. away. Al and Flo bought a house in Temple City, CA on July 27, 1950. That is east of Alhambra.

More to come!

Starting Helen Pollock mystery

So, I have been researching my Grandmother Dorothy's dad's line. Now, I am attempting once again to research her mom's line. Helen Bell Pollock Kozub died 40 years ago yesterday (Feb. 25, 1975). I was born shortly before that.

Today, I visited my local Family History Center. Les was still there, but this time Allison helped me. We attempted to find new info. for either Helen or her parents or grandparents. We didn't find anything.

But I walked away with an assignment. I need to find the cemetary in Farrel, PA where Helen's mom was buried. Then, I can find more clues.

Also, there may be news articles on her mom, who lived in the same community for 50 years. I should check the local family history center and the churches as well.

Dorothy's Scrapbook Pictures

I recently visited my parents. While I was there, we scanned pictures from Dorothy's old scrapbooks, which are falling apart.

 She had taken a lot of pictures! Here are some pages from her scrapbooks, showing her handwriting:

The Two Grandmas. First Grandson.

Grandma Kozub Day before leaving. April 12, 1947

Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Kozub, married in Las Vegas April 5, 4[???]

Al the Civilian "Thanksgiving Day" Nov. 1945.

And here are some of her pictures!!

The first ones are of her brother Alexander "Al" and his wife Florence. Alexander had changed his last name to "Alexander."

"Al and Florence married LV April 5, 4-"

"Al and Florence September 1947"

We were not sure when Al changed his last name to Alexander. I thought it was later in life, when he was married to his second wife Millie. But I came across the funeral program for his first wife Florence. Notice that her married last name is "Alexander," not "Kozub." My dad thinks Al changed his last name during WWII.

Anyway, now I know this about Florence E. Alexander: She is a native of California. She died Oct. 3, 1980. She is burried in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

Also, from the pictures, I now know that Al and Florence were married in Las Vegas, NV on April 5 in the 40's.

Here is another picture of Al, but I do not know who his is with.

"Uncle Al 1940"

Here is a picture of Dorothy's mother Helen Bell Pollack Kozub:

"Grandma August 1963"

 

I think I have posted a copy of this picture before. It is of Helen Bell Pollock Kozub with her two children Alexander "Al" and Dorothy (Dorthea in one census). This was most likely taken in Pennsylvania before they all moved to California following August's death.

And here is Dorothy in 1965:

Anna Petrosky Pollack Death Certificate

I have had this document since 2011. It is the death certificate for Helen Pollack's mom, Anna Petrosky Polak (Dorothy's grandmother).

Here is the information from it:

 Death Certificate for Anna Petrosky Polak. She died at 39 Brookfield Ave., in Masury, (Brookfield Township) Trumbull, Ohio. She had been in the U.S. for 53 years, 50 in that community. She died April 23, 1944 at 4:43 p.m. of coronary thombosis. She had been a widow of Michael Polak. She was born in 1872 in Czechoslovakia and died at age 72. Her mother's maiden name is Anna Mitrik (born in Czechoslovakia) and her father's name is George Petrosky (born in Czechoslovakia).  Anna is buried in Farrell, PA.

Henry Pollack

UPDATE 9/18: Henry is NOT Helen's brother. The info. below is irrelevant.


I have been meaning to look into the Pollack side of my family. August Kozub married Helen Pollack. (And their daughter is my grandmother Dorothy.)

It turns out, my guy from the FHC had helped me find an obituary for Helen's brother over a year ago. At that time, I didn't even know Helen had a brother.

It is from the Ohio Plain Dealer on June 14, 1957.

It reads:

POLLACK. Henry A., beloved husband of Rose (nee Scholnick): father of Renee Caplan, Melvine Klein and James F.; brother of Helen Pollack of Los Angeles, Calif.; also grandfather. Funeral services at the Deutsch Funeral Home, 1490 Crawford Rd., Friday, June 14, at 2:30 p.m. Internment Mayfield Cemetery. Family at 3140 Courtland Blvd.


So. . . I should
1) find his grave
2) find info. on his children and wife
and maybe that will lead me to more info. about Helen and Henry's parents?

Alexander Kozub's Obituary

From jtgen's notes, I came across another clue!

This is Alexander Kozub's Obituary. In it, I learn that besides a brother, Peter, living in Perth Amboy, Alexander had two sisters in America! From baptismal records, I know his sisters names: Catharina, Johanna and Maria. So which is married to a Risko of Manville, NY and which is married to a Repatsky of Youngwood?

Here it is:

Alexander Kozub Obituary. Perth Amboy [NJ, USA] Evening News. Thursday, May 23, 1935. "Alexander Kozub 77, died last night at his home, 173 Broad Street. He is survived by a widow, Irene, one daughter, Mrs. J. W. Obuck of this city; two sons, Anthony A of Rahway and Alexander Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio; one brother, Peter, of this city; two sisters, Mrs. J. Risko? of Manville, NY, and Mrs. B. Repatsky of Youngwood and eight grand children. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 9 o'clock from the home and 10 o'clock from St. John's church where a requiem high mass will be celebrated by Rev. Michael Iskats?. Internment will follow in the St. John's church cemetery."

Hazleton 4th Visit - Alexander Evans Kozub Birth Record

Today I went to Hazleton, Luzerne, PA to find government records for August Kozub's siblings I found in the church records (see previous post).

I went back to the Hazleton City Hall, which was where I discovered Amelia Kozub (who died at age six from diptheria) over a year ago.

Carol from the Administration Office handed me the two old record books and let me spend two hours with them. She even gave me a Krispy Kreme doughnut at the end.



















This is what I found:

1) I believe this is the Hazleton City birth record for August's older brother Alexander Evans Kozub, who was born on September 12, 1892. His birth record was not at the Luzerne County Courthouse because their records range from 1893 to 1905. Today at the Hazleton City Hall, I found his record on the first page of the birth records, which start in 1892.  (Click to enlarge)

Line 50 on one of the pages of the Hazleton record. There is no child's name listed. But the parents are listed as well as the birth date, which matches Alexander Evans Kozub.

A closer look at line 50. You can see here that Alexander Kozub is listed as the father.

Alexander Kozub's occupation is listed as printer???

Alexander's wife is listed as Therecia Kozub. Hmmm. . . not sure how they got that out of Irena. It says here that Alexander Kozub's child was born Sept. 12, 1892.

I believe the birth place says S.E. corner of Pine & Button[wood], third door from church. The Kozub family lived just doors away from that location.

First part of heading for Hazleton, PA' birth record book.

Second part of heading for Hazleton, PA's birth record book.

The name of the physician (or person signing certificate) was Anna G. Koehler.

2) I found a birth record for a Mary Kozub. This one confuses me. I thought August's sibling Mary Kozub was the same sibling called Maria Kozub, who was born in Slovakia in Oct. or Nov. 1885. But according to this record, there was a Mary Kozub born in Hazleton, PA on December 25, 1894. The weird thing is, on the Hazleton church records, I found an Irenea Cornelia Kozub born on December 24, 1894. So, is this Mary the person we were thinking was Maria? Or, was there a child born that they changed their mind about the name? Couldn't decide between Irenea Cornelia or Mary? So the church record had the Irenea Cornelia name and the city record had the Mary name. The city record was recorded on January 5, 1895. Here is another idea. . . maybe Mary is a twin of Irenea Cornelia? Next to the birth date, there is a "2" listed. Why? Also, why is the mother (wife of Alexander Kozub) listed again as Tresia? Did they get Irene wrong again? Or, is this another woman? Or the wrong family altogether?

Line 607 or 608 shows Mary Kozub's birth record in Hazleton, PA.

Mary Kozub's dad is listed as Alex Kozub, a musician (which fits with cantor), and her mom is listed as Trecia Kozub.

There is a 2 before the birth date for Mary Kozub. Does that mean she is a twin?? Her birth date is December 25, 1894. Her place of birth is 261 S. Pine Street. Her birth was recorded January 5, 1895. The physician is listed as A. [Anna?] G. Koehler. Mary Kozub's parents reside at 186 S. Pine.

3) I did not see a birth record (which would be Dec. 24, 1894) or a death record for Irenea Cornelia Kozub. I think she existed because of the church records. It does not mean it is not there. The books were unorganized. I didn't look at every single page. Could she be Mary?

4) I did not see a death record (which would be Sept. 13, 1897) or a birth record for Anna Kozub. I also think she existed because of the church records. The annoying thing was the records seemed to stop at Dec. 1894 and continue at January 1898. There did seem to be at least one page cut out of the book at that place.

5) Records are also missing during the time frame that my great-grandfather August Kozub was born. The Hazleton city records skip from March 1895 to April 1996. As noted earlier, I believe he was born March 20, 1897 instead of March 20, 1896. He is not listed in the March of 1897 Hazleton records. Luckily, I found his record at the Luzerne County Courthouse.

6) I was hoping to find a birth record for Amelia Kozub. The Hazleton City Hall record holds her death record. But I learned that it does not hold her birth record. The records start in 1892. According to the age she was when she died, and according to church records, she was born Sept. 8, 1890.

7) I did find a father in the records named Wasil Kozub. Could he be related?

Wilkes Barre 2nd visit

After a brutal winter, I finally ventured over to Wilkes Barre to see if I could find government documentation for the siblings I discovered at the Hazleton church. (See last post.) I went to the annex building of the Luzerne County Courthouse once again. It was a bitter cold day, despite the hints of spring we've had this week. After looking through the record books for two hours, I am sorry to say that I walked away empty handed. I had been hoping to walk away with some birth and death certificates:

1) Alexander Evans Kozub - I still need a birth certificate for him. Unfortunately, the Luzerne County records start in 1893. He was born Sept. 12, 1892.

2) Amelia (Emelia) Kozub. Again, no records before 1893. She was born Sept. 8, 1890. I looked again for a death record and again, found nothing. According to the Hazleton City Hall records, she died Dec. 31, 1896.

3) Irenea Cornelia Kozub. According to church records, she was born Dec. 24, 1894. But I found no government records. And I did not see any death record either. I don't know when she died, but she must have been very young.

4) Anna Kozub. According to church records, she died Sept. 13, 1897. But I found no government records. I looked for a birth record as well. I don't know when she was born. But again, I think she was very young when she died.

There may have been something there that I missed. It is hard to read the handwriting of those old record books. Also, they are organized in an interesting way. For the birth record books, You find the book with the right year range. Then you find the first letter of the last name. Then, it is the first names that are alphabetized. I tried different spellings (Amelia/Emelia). I looked at parent names to see if I could find Alexander and Irene (or Irenea or Rena).

Perhaps the only good thing that came out of the drive is that I was able to take a better picture of my great-grandfather's birth record. This picture more clearly shows how the writer could have mistakenly written the birth year wrong by using " instead of writing the year. Note that the date of record is a year later.

August Kozub is listed as Gustie Kocyoob, born March 20 in Hazleton. His parents were living at 222 Pine. He was born in 1897 but this record mistakenly writes " , indicating 1896.

August's parents are listed as Elexander and Arena. They are residing in Hazleton and he is a "W Teacher. The date of record is May 6, 1897.

Here is a review of what your experience is like at the Wilkes-Barre's Luzerne County Courthouse Annex Building:

Luzerne County Courthouse (Recorder of Deeds) Annex Building.

The Annex Building is across the street from the Luzerne County Courthouse.

These are some of the record books I searched through.

This is where I found August Kozub (Gustie Kocyzoob) listed.

This is the room that is open to the pubic.

My next stop: Back to Hazleton City Hall to see if I can find any more proof that Irenea Cornelia Kozub and Anna Kozub existed. Maybe I could also find a birth record for Amelia Kozub there? That is where I found her death record.


I am also going to mention that I found an Anthony Kozub. But the parents listed are Jos. and A. Kozab. He was born April 18, 1896. I don't think this is our guy. But I do think there may have been a Kozub sibling named Antony who lived from about 1900 to 1902. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for him too.

Hazleton 3rd visit - St. Mary's Byzaninte Catholic Church

Today I drove to Hazleton for my 3rd time. I went to St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church and looked at old baptism, marriage and death records.

St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church: Est. 1889, new building erected 1940

This church is right around the corner from 222 S Pine Street, where Irene and Alexander Kozub lived. And it is across the street from St. Gabriel's Cemetary, where Amelia was buried.


Father Donish was very kind to let me look through the old records. He has worked there for 11 years. He said the original church building was made of wood and was kiddie-corner from the current church building. He said this brick church building was erected in 1940.

Old records at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hazleton, PA

These records are falling apart! How do I get the LDS church to microfilm these? Father Donish said he looked into preserving them but it would cost thousands of dollars. It would be free for the LDS church to microfilm and then digitize these, right? I want the LDS church to also microfilm and digitize the records found at Hazleton City Hall. They are also falling apart! Who do I talk to?

Father Donish

The office next to the church, where I looked at the records.

I found a few more pieces to the Alexander and Irene Kozub puzzle!

First of all, I found Amelia's baptism record! It was on pages 14 & 15 of the "baptismal register."

Emilia Kozub, female, legitimate, father Alexander Kozub - Greek Catholic, mother Irena Kello - Greek Catholic

Emilia Kozub born Sept. 8, 1890, baptized & confirmed Sept. 21, 1890

Emilia Kozub born in Hazleton, godparents Michael Stefanski(?) - Greek Catholic - and Anna T/Panner(?)

Emilia Kozub godparents Michael Stefanski (?) - Greek Catholic - and Anna T/Panner (?) - ? Cath.; baptized by Rev. Eugen Volkay (?) - Greek Catholic p.?  Harl??

Here are the headings for pages 14 & 15:

Heading for pages (my understanding): birth date, baptism date, confirmation date, child's name, gender, legit or not

Headings for pages (my understanding): child's name, gender, legit or not, godparents

Headings for pages (my understanding): town born in, godparents, clergy who performed baptism & confirmation

Here is Page 14:

Emilia Kozub's baptism record on page 14 at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hazleton, PA

Here are pages 14 and 15:

Emelia Kozub's baptism record on pages 14 & 15 at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Hazleton, PA

 This was in the records. I find it interesting.

It is an example of what a baptism & confirmation certificate would have looked like early on from St. Mary's Greek Catholic church:

An example of a baptism & confirmation certificate from St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church, written up in 1941 from a 1892 baptism & confirmation

This was interesting as well.

An example of a 1892 birth certificate, issued in 1953. The town is next to Hazleton.

Here is one more loose Greek Catholic baptism & confirmation certificate found in the records. Written in Hungarian??? It is from Hazleton, PA in 1897.

An example of a Greek Catholic Hazleton, PA baptism and confirmation certificate from 1897

Next, I found a baptism & confimation record of a girl named Irenea Cornelia, with parents Alexander Kozub and Irenea Kello on pages 128 & 129:

Irenea Cornelia Kozub, born Dec. 24, 1894, baptized and confirmed Jan. 7, 1895, legitimate, parents Alexander Kozub (Kozubor?) - gr (Greek catholic) - and Irenea Kello - gr (Greek catholic)

Irenea Cornelia Kozub born in Hazleton, PA; godparents Joannes Gids - Gr (Greek Catholic) and Anna ??; baptized and confirmed by Micalaus Ste. . ?????  (note that the symbol that looks like gl! in the third column is like using " to convey that the answer is the same as above. . . according to Father Donish)

Here is a closer look at Irenea Cornelia Kozub's godparents' names:

Irenea Cornelia Kozub's baptism & confirmation record, page 128 & 129 at St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Hazleton, PA

Last of all, I found a death record on pages 370 & 371 for Anna Kozub (Line 9), daughter of Alexander Kozub. She died Sept. 13, 1897.

Death record on pages 370 & 371 (line 9) for Anna Kozub, daughter of Alexander Kozub. She died Sept. 13, 1897.

Anna, daughter of Alexander Kozub, died Sept. 13, 1897

Anna, daughter of Alexander Kozub died in Hazleton, PA. She was age ?????? (9 months? 9 years 7? what?)

Anna Kozub died in Hazleton, PA, she was age ????, she died of ???? (dipheria??)

Anna Kozub died of ????; recorded Sept. 14, 1897? Reverend Volkay did what? (Note: the "oth" means repeat what is written above).

Here is a closer look at Reverend Volkay's name. It is written a few lines above Anna's information. The line above has additional info. - listing a nearby town. But the "oth" is repeated until the name of Reverend Volkay (Greek Catholic curator?):

Anna Kozub's death record, recorded Sept. 14, 1897. See above to see name of Reverand Volkay.

Here are the headings to help translate Anna's death record on pages 370-371:

Headings for death records at St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Hazleton, PA

Headings for death records at St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Hazleton, PA

Headings for death records at St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Hazleton, PA

Headings for death records at St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Hazleton, PA

In conclusion: I found the baptism & confirmation record for Emelia (Amelia) Kozub. Her birth date is Sept. 8, 1890. She was baptized and confirmed Sept. 21, 1890. I found the baptism & confirmation record of Irenea Cornelia Kozub. She was born Dec. 24, 1894 and was baptized & confirmed on Jan. 7, 1895. She may also be August's sister. I don't know when she died. I also found the death certificate for Anna Kozub. She died on Sept. 13, 1897. She may be August's sister as well. I don't know when she was born and I can't translate how old she was when she died. All three recorded events took place in Hazleton, Pennsylvania.


Sources: St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church (formerly St. Mary's Greek Catholic Church). 227 E Beech St. Hazleton, PA  Phone: 570-455-3232, Father Donish. Handwritten record books for baptisms & confirmations, marriages and deaths