Sefcik - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Sefciks in Joliet/Will county, IL

stuff889 — 2009-09-12 13:27:08Z

I'm working on my husband's family who emmigrated to the Joliet, IL area. We have very little geneological information, but I have pieced together a couple of guesses and I'd be interested if anyone has done some research on the Sefciks in that area that may be able to help fill in the blanks or verify my guesses.

My grandfather (in law) was Thomas L. Sefcik m. Julia G. Burian, and he had siblings (I think): Andrew A. Sefcik m. Sophie B. Onchak, Joseph B. Sefcik m. Mary A. Onchak (potentially Sophie's sister), Margaret Sefcik m. John Rolih, and Robert Sefcik.

I don't know who the parents were, but I've got a guess at an Andrew and Elizabeth with maybe Andrew having a sister Amelia, but that's really a shot in the dark.

I've got a decent amount of information of the Burians as well as a few obituarys for the Onchaks and Rolihs mentioned if anyone is interested in those.

Re: Kojsov, Slovak Republic

ZlaticaBeca — 2009-09-03 03:07:48Z

Kojšov GL/KI spiš.
1773 Kojso, Koischo, Kojskow [!], 1786 Kojschó, 1808 Koissó, Koischdorf, Koyssow, 1863–1913 Kojsó, 1920 Kojšov, Kolšov, 1927– Kojšov,Slovak Republic
http://atlas.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&am...
Kojsov's church records in LDS-Mormons (Family History Center) site:
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermain...=

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

werd34 — 2009-03-22 20:40:40Z

Thank you very much. We have an exact match.

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

ourbidness — 2009-03-01 15:25:22Z

Yes, there is a connection, see my reply here. http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?o=10&m=21.2.1.2.2...

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

ourbidness — 2009-02-17 00:24:42Z

Yes they had 2 daughters, Pauline and Mary Jane. Mary Jane has a daughter Mary Alice and Pauline has a daughter Michale (or Michelle?). Anna passed on September 7th, 1963, John died about 3 months later on December 12th, 1963. John died of Cirrhosis of the Liver. He was born in Kojsov Austria-Hungry on November 22nd, 1894. He came to the states on December 22, 1906 from Fiume on the Carpathia with his Mother Zuzanna and his sister Maria (Mary). Zuzanna is my great grandmother, Mary is my grandmother. John and Anna were laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery in Ohio. I hope this helps.

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

Sefy8 — 2008-09-22 04:07:36Z

Hi Amy,

Do you know John Sefchick's parents names? I have family in Hawk Run and reason to believe John is one of my Sefchick's. I've heard my family has a connection to Malinak's in Hawk Run, but haven't quite been able to put it together 100%. I have a strong hunch this is it.

Look forward to and thank you in advance for your kind reply. If you'd prefer to reply to me directly ...Sefygirlathome@msn.com

Regards,
Barbara Sefchick Wood

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

Sefy8 — 2008-09-20 06:55:14Z

No, sorry no Pauline.

Re: Sefcik

ji28m1 — 2008-07-19 03:24:18Z

I found some old photos from 1952 one had the name carolyn sefcik on the back. Others in the box list St. Andrews Catholic Nahma March 1952. The pictures are small and in Black and white of course. If you are intersested in them let me know, they are of no value to me. thanks

Re: Sefcsik

lmdurkee — 2008-07-06 01:35:59Z

Could be. What you need to do now is find out where and when your parents were born. Then find out about your grandparents. Next, research your great-grandparents. The only way for anyone else to know if they are related to you is for you to give more information about which branch of a particular surname you are talking about.

Re: Sefcik

lmdurkee — 2008-07-06 01:31:28Z

My family (now spelled Shefchik but in times past spelled Ševčík and many other ways) came from Domazlice county in the western most part of Bohemia. It means cobbler, or shoemaker. My ancestors settled in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

I am responding to this email just to point out that not all sefciks were from Slovakia.

Lynn

Re: Sefcik family

crashtestkenton — 2008-03-20 23:38:26Z

Hey Uncle Tom. It's Kenton Sefcik here.

Send me an e-mail to crashtestkenton@gmail.com so that we can connect with each other. I'm interested in the family tree you are in the works of developing. My father is here visiting for Easter break and we were looking for genealogy stuff on the internet.

When I come back to Calgary for a visit, we'll have to get together!

Best,
Kenton Sefcik

Sefcik family

sefcikt — 2008-02-29 20:05:37Z

My parents, Stefan Sefcik born 26 August 1883 and Anna Kubek born 29 December 1896 came from the Slovak part of the former Czechoslovakia now the Slovak Republic. They came from two small villages fairly close to the Polish border called Cimhova and Liesek Czecoslovakia. If you have any information regarding these two locations or any living relatives please contact me. Tom Sefcik

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

werd34 — 2008-01-09 12:08:03Z

Do you have a pauline as one of John and Annas children? If so, we have a match. Please respond

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

ourbidness — 2007-12-19 21:46:23Z

Hi, I realize that many times that I have done searches that it comes up with names that were the same or so close to being the same that it got confusing on who is who. What I have is that Janos Malinak 1st son of Zuzanna Mackovjak and Jozef Malinak born on 11.22.1894 married Anna Hudak who was born on 1900. Zuzanna and Jozef had 5 children, Janos, Mary, Anna, Elizabeth (Later married Lance Lymburner) and Peter. Mary Malinak married John Mackovjak (born July 10, 1884 from Kosjov). The Mary Malinak I have described here is my grandmother. They are laid to rest in New Salem Pa. It appears that there are a number of Mary Malinaks (as well as John Mackovjaks). There may/may not be a connecting thread here but the names and dates matched as well as the names but from what you described there may not be a thread or we could be a generation apart. From what I understand there is also a "Stefanic" on that side but I am not sure where they fit in. Is any of this sounding familiar or do you think we are discussing different families?

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

suzette9871 — 2007-12-18 04:10:33Z

Hello!! I was so excited to get your response to my post! Yes, please send me more information if you have it. I'm wondering, though... you mentioned they are buried in Parma, OH. I do have many relatives that live in that town but my great-grandparents (John Sefchick & Mary Malinak) are buried in Hawk Run, PA. If these are the correct people, Mary would be one of the daughters of John & Anna. As far as I was aware, though, John & Mary's parents did not come to the U.S., but as we all know, you can never assume anything in these sorts of searches.

Thank you so much!! I can't wait to hear back from you!!

Amy Ramage

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

ourbidness — 2007-12-13 00:56:01Z

I have John Malinak and Anna Hudak in my family tree, John was the son of Zuzanna (Mackovjak) and Jozef Malinak. Zuzanna and Jozef's had 4 additional children Mary (Maria), Anna, Elizabeth and Peter. They are laid to rest in Parma Ohio. Please contact me for additional information.

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

LynnDurkee — 2007-07-15 00:30:12Z

my ancestor was from Milavce, Domazlice, Bohemia and spoke Bohemian (Czech, I think). He spelled his name sefcik but changed the spelling to Shefchik to "facilitate its pronunciation in the English Language"

I know this answer is not definitive, but my sister-in-law from Slovakia says that the two languages are very closely related and that she can understand Czech just because she know Slovakian. Perhaps the last name exists in both languages.

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

Marianne50614 — 2007-05-30 15:39:24Z

As in the case of another "alias" surname situation, I think the alias may have been that of the owners of the home in which the family lived.

My Sefcik/Sevcik ancestors are from Jurkova Vola & Vysny Orlik -- most from JV.

My cousin DID see wooden crosses & actual stone headstones that were old & weather-beaten -- not good for either photography or rubbings as the deterioration was so bad.

In the photos my cousin sent of the JV cemetery, my sister & I noticed that the graves looked to be raised, as though the most recent generation was buried over another generation & headstones only on the most recent -- very few of the readable stones were for anyone born prior to 1900. Your explanation of why there weren't more gravesites sounds reasonable -- especially since JV is NOT a large village. (The same is true of VO & its cemetery.)

There were members of the extended family who married into families from Vysny Mirosov, Nizny Orlik, Krajna Bystra & a couple other villages in that area so at some point there may be a connection between our respective Sefcik ancestors.

MARIANNE

Re: Relatives of Robert & Myrtle Sefcik

2006-02-28 01:31:17Z

Hi! I have Sefciks among my ancestors, but I've found out that it is a very common Slovak/Hungarian surname, so knowing from where your grandfather or his parents came would be a help.

You said WHEN Robert was born, but not WHERE. Was he born in the U.S., and if so, where? Do you know where his parents were from?

Do you know what the first name of your grandfather's father (your paternal great-grandfather)? In some families the same first names repeat generation after generation -- as in my family, until the 2nd generation born in the U.S. -- and knowing that might help.

Any additional info you can provide will help others help you.

Marianne50614@att.net

Re: Looking for family of Anna Sefcik/John Klvac

2006-01-14 02:26:11Z

John Klvac is the son of Martin and Anna Palka Klvac of Slovakia. He was born in Vrbovce, on June 16, 1942 and migrated to the United States when he was 6 years old.

Re: george geozos

2004-12-08 06:25:56Z

there are lots of geozos in anchorage

Szewczyk

2004-04-09 19:48:25Z

My grandmother was Rose Szewczyk. She had one sister that I know of Antionette Szewczyk. Some of Rose's family was from Pennsylvania, Eversham (SP????). Rose somehow went to Chicago and married Martin Godlewski. Her sister also married in Chicago to Jacek (Jack) Koszyk. Are there any Szewczyks in Pennsylvania related to Rose and Antionette?? I know there are many spellings of the Polish version Szewczyk. Please contact me with any info you may have. Thanks in advance.

Re: unidentified Sefcik photo

2003-11-12 16:17:11Z

My group of Sefciks came over @ 1910 and several still live in NY/CT area. Would love to see the pic.

SEFCIK HOMEPAGE

2003-11-09 21:18:01Z

Hello... I've been reading the board and decided to make a SEFCIK homepage for us... please visit it, as I will update it when more information becomes available regarding our lastname.

http://www.student.yorku.ca/~sefcik

looking

2003-10-29 04:26:41Z

seems like a slew of scientests and artists share the name whenever I run a search Fields I am also into so its a chipper thought. I live in upstate ny am 25 and there are no other sefciks up here that are not closely related to me.-pete

Re: Does the family name of Sefcik have any Royal Blood

2003-12-17 11:22:44Z

Hi. My name is Maroš Ševčík i living in Žilina - Slovakia...

Re: Sefcik

2003-08-16 22:29:32Z

Hi Joseph....
Ironically, my father's name was Joseph Andrew Sefcik. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as was I but his parents Otto & Barbara immigrated from Bohemia. I now live in Lower Michigan near Lansing in a small German community (Fowler). I work awhile on trying to piece together our family tree and then I get discouraged and put it aside for awhile. Haven't really had the time to devote to it that I would like to....have been caring for my 91 year old Mom in my home and she passed away on Holy Thursday night. I must get back into it.

Re: Sefcik

2003-08-16 20:21:52Z

Hello, and God bless! You might want to try contacting the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. They have helped me alot. I am a medical student in Ohio, and like you, am curious about our "origin." So far, I've located back in my family to Germany and Iceland. It's really neat. Best of luck to you, and enjoy the "search."

Ps: As I wrote in my wife and I's recently published book, "if you believe it, you can achieve it!!! :)

Joseph

Michael Sefchick b. 1922

Kvickr — 2003-10-26 01:43:10Z

Is anyone researching Michael Sefchick born around 1922 and was in WW2?

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

Marianne50614 — 2005-03-17 04:29:00Z

I think Moravia is part of what is now the Czech Republic. I can't help you on the origin of the surname. In the microfilmed church records I saw for my ancestors, the name was spelled at least 4 different ways, the most common of which was "Sefcik" (pronounced "Sef-chick"). It was also spelled "Schefcsik", "Shefcsik" and "Shevsik".

My Dad's sis-in-law -- who's of Polish descent -- was writing down info on my ancestors for me once & spelled it the Polish way: Szewczyk. Dad's cousin (like Dad & me a Sefcik descendant) spelled it "Sefcik". On my paternal grandmother's death certificate it lists her father's name as "Andy Shevchik" (it also had Petruska misspelled, so I can understand why Sefcik was spelled that way!).

(My Sefcik ancestors are from the Slovak side of the border w/ Poland, from a village not far from Svidnik, Slovakia.)

Sefciks in Chicago area

Marianne50614 — 2005-03-17 04:29:00Z

There are quite a few Sefciks in the Chicago area. There's a pro baseball player named Kevin Sefcik who's from the Chicago area. He was with the Phillies for awhile, and I think was last w/ the Rockies.

I have recently been exchanging E-mail w/ someone who's researching some Sefciks in Joliet, IL (not far from Chicago). He's just getting started on that part of his family history research, but if you have any info to share, I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing from you.

E-mail me directly at Marianne50614@att.net and I'll forward your message to him.

Re: history

Marianne50614 — 2005-03-17 04:29:00Z

Raymond, you didn't indicate from what area your Sefcik ancestors came.

Re: unidentified Sefcik photo

Marianne50614 — 2005-03-17 04:29:00Z

I'd also like to see this photo -- slight change to the E-mail address listed: It should read mmpetruska@aol.com (I've notified Ancestry to change it).

Thanks,

MARIANNE

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

Marianne50614 — 2007-05-29 15:12:14Z

Interesting that a reply comes so long after those original posts concerning the Sefcik/Sevcik surname's origin.

In the birth/baptismal record of one of my Sefcik great-grandfather's brothers it lists the alias of "Svecz". A cousin recently visited the area from which my Sefcik ancestors came & didn't find any "Sefcik" (or Sevcik) headstones in the cemetery BUT did find several for
Svec[z].

Which is more likely to have occurred: The Sefcik/Sevcik family in that village dying out OR the family keeping the alias of Svec[z]?

MARIANNE

OBIT: B. Louis Ranzini, father of Sefcik 1899 -- 2004 Italy --> Will County, Illinois

Lisa__Small — 2004-04-24 00:40:38Z

Posted in SEFCIK message board because on this date, there is not yet a RANZINI surname board on Ancestry.Com. SEFCIK is nearest relative (daughter's married name).

Posted as a random act of genealogical kindness in honor of his WW I service, his pet donkey, and his great age. No relation to me and no further info available from me, sorry. Copied here under the Fair Use provisions for non-commercial research use, qualifying under subsections (1) - (4) of U.S. Code Title 17 Chapter 1 Sec. 107 regarding copyrights. -- LS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joliet Herald-News
March 28. 2004

Recent Deaths

B. Louis Ranzini

Died on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at the home of his loving daughter-caregiver and surrounded by his loving family. He was a decorated WWI Veteran, serving in the Italian Army. He was born in the village of Cuggiono, Italy (near Milan) on July 31, 1899.

Survived by his devoted daughter Rose Mary Sefcik; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Mildred Ranzini; and a niece.

Preceded in death by his loving wife, Giacomina "Minnie" (nee Porro) Ranzini; his beloved son, Joseph L. Ranzini; his parents, Joseph and Enrechetta Ranzini; 6 sisters and 2 brothers all from Italy; and a son-in-law, Jerome R. Sefcik.

After retiring from the U.S. Steel Joliet Plant, he enjoyed gardening and traveling. Louis will be remembered for his many great stories, especially the story about his pet donkey "Bigio". His life spanned over a century of American and Italian history and we thank God for this very special gift. He will be missed by all.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum on March 27, 2004. Entombment Resurrection Mausoleum.
Arrangements by:
Tapella Funeral Services
1500 Black Road
(815)726-4054

[Funeral home probably in Joliet -- Will County -- Illinois]

Szewczyk in Chicago

bjsmolen — 2006-02-06 21:25:19Z

My gr-mother was Rosalja Szewczyk-Rapsky Godlewski. She had one sister, Antionette Szewczyk and a half-brother, Frank Rapsky, Jr. She had family in Pennsylvania (Everson) and married in Chicago. I do not know if she had any other siblings. If anyone has a connection to a Szewczyk or Rapsky families, please contact me to exchange information.

Thanks,
Barb

Re: Sefchick/Sefcik in PA/OH

werd341 — 2004-03-28 13:20:32Z

Amy,
Hi, I have a John Malinak (1894-1963) who was married to Anna Hudak (1900-1963) in my family. They were both born in Slovakia and lived in Cleveland, Ohio. Please email me if there is a connection.

Andrew Hudak

Re: unidentified Sefcik photo

smithwatson1 — 2003-11-16 22:45:39Z

Thanks,

I've emailed you a copy. Please let me know if you can identify.

Bob

unidentified Sefcik photo

smithwatson1 — 2003-07-13 19:14:04Z

I came across a photo in an old family album identified as "Mrs. Sefcik" and dated 1922. The picture is of a woman in her 40s or 50s with a very young child. It was likely taken in New York or Connecticut.

If anyone can help identify, I will gladly email it along.

Bob Smith
researching: Adamcik, Kolvek, Hoza, Mihok, Jencik, Janosack, Jencik, Nasansky.

Re: Sefcsik

caroline_sefcsik — 2003-08-06 11:51:36Z

My name is Caroline Sefcsik and I live in Belgium. I was wondering if there were any other SEFCSIK's out there who might be part of my family that I don't know. Please advise. Thanks.

Re: Michael Sefchick b. 1922

jebuwarriormonk — 2005-07-23 23:51:05Z

Michael Sefchick, born 19 August 1922 is my grandmother's brother. --- Carolyn Lewis

Re: Rudolph Sevczyk

BarbSmo48 — 2004-12-23 17:19:15Z

Hi John, I am also researching the Szewczyk family. Never knew there were so many ways to spell it, but the original Polish spelling is Szewczyk. My gr-mother was Szewczyk before she married my gr-father, Marcin Godlewski. She was born in Maniowy, Poland in 1885 and came to the US in 1905. She came through Ellis Island and then went to her family in the Pittsburgh area, Everson to be exact. The next I know is that she is in Chicago in 1907 and married to my gr-father. Don't know how they knew each other before they were married as he was living in Chicago. Maybe their families knew each other in Poland. She had a sister, Antionette who married Frank Koszyk in Chicago. There is also a connection with Frank Rapsky, maybe even her father. There were Szewczyk's in Poland that never came to the US - these are some of the people I am looking for. If you have any connection, please let me know.

Obit: Mary D. Starkovich (nee Sefcik)

Trish_Bliss02 — 2004-09-30 17:03:37Z

source: Post-Tribune Gary, IN., U.S.A.
deceased: Starkovich, Mary D. (nee Sefcik)
age: 86
died: Feb. 21, 2003
place of death: Portage, IN

Full obit upon request
Please contact me at : krmom@indy.rr.com

Note: I am not related. I am just posting this, as a courtesy, hoping to help someone with their genealogical quest.

Re: Does the family name of Sefcik have any Royal Blood

spotstain — 2007-05-30 04:19:13Z

My research on my Sefcak family only goes back to 1725. However, I'd be amazed if there was every any royalty anywhere in the family. The landowners and nobility were mostly Hungarian or German. There was only one Rusyn that was a noble in that area named Francis Rakoczi that our relatives may have fought under during the Rakoczi rebellions (1671-1711). He had a castle north of Bardejov and a mansion in Presov.

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

spotstain — 2007-05-30 04:02:46Z

PS: My Sefcak relatives are just to the SW of Svidnik, in several villages, Hankovce is one of them.

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

spotstain — 2007-05-30 03:53:57Z

Svec is an entirely differnt last name. Svec is the Slovak spelling. When Hungary ruled the Hungarian spelling Svecz was used. The family could have moved to antoher village or to the US or there may not have been any males left to carry on the name. In the small villages the graveyards are dug up once they are filled and new plots made available. Also, the old graves had wooden crosses with the names carved into them. They may have deteriorated. What village were you looking in? I have both Svec and Sefcak relatives. The post is very late because I have just started to use the boards. Glad you got the message.

Re: Does the family name of Sefcik have any Royal Blood

spotstain — 2007-05-28 21:14:53Z

Hi Maros (sorry I can't use the diacritcs). Did you originally come from Eastern Slovakia-upper Saris or Zemplin region? That is where my Sefcak family lives.

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

spotstain — 2007-05-28 21:07:15Z

PS: The Shefchaks probably got to Moravia herding sheep. Please contact Leo Baca, in the Texas-Czech geneology society to learn all the details. This bring in another cutural identiy to your family called Vlaci (pronounced Vlasi by the Slovaks) or Vlacs (Vlachs--they have the diacritic on the c) in Czech.

Re: Sefcik or Sefcak origen?

spotstain — 2007-05-28 20:57:48Z

If the name Sefcak was spelled correctly in English it would be Shefchak. It is a Ruthenian name from Eastern Slovakia and occurs most often in Zemplin and upper Saris counties that extend to the Polish border. The spelling in Slovak has a little 'v' above the s and the c which is called a diacritic mark. Both of these are letters in the Slovak alphabet that don't exist in the English alphabet but the correct English translation is Sh and ch respectively. Many Eastern Rusyns (Ruthenians) were Slovakianized and today think that they are Slovak. This is because of the old custom that if you marry a Slovak you no longer retain your original heritage. Sefcik actually means "little son of" Sefcak.

Re: Relatives of Robert & Myrtle Sefcik

psefcik69 — 2004-04-06 03:49:24Z

My grandfather who went by Bob was born in Texas. That is all I know. He married my grandmother named Myrtle. She was also from Texas. This is all I know.