Jay, have you tried the Stephen Morse site? Go to www.stephenmorese.org I opened the short form or gray form and typed in J Medve and found a Joser Medve. He arrived in 1897. Try it. Perhaps it is your ancestor. the Joser could be a translation error. Margaret ----- Original Message ----- From: <JAFSwkr@aol.com> To: <HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005 1:40 AM Subject: [HUNGARY-L] immigration ports > Dear List, > I am unable to find my great grandfather, Joseph Medvey (or Medve), listed > anywhere in the Ellis Island records. He was already here in 1900 working > in > Johnstown, PA. in a steel mill. > I thought I read that ships from Bremmensailed for certain companies > guaranteeing employment? Could he have come in through Philadelphia for a > job lined up > in Johnstown?His wife and kids came through Ellis Island in 1900 and he > was > already established in Pa. > Thanks for your words of wisdom. > Jay Farrell > >

Was there some kind of an age requirment to get into the military and one would lie their age to either get in or to stay out of the military? Evelyn

In a message dated 7/6/2005 5:58:58 AM US Eastern Standard Time, juliejb@ptd.net writes: I got the feeling that some company employee at the mine may have completed the information as best he knew and grandfather just signed the paper. Hello All I don't believe this was the case at all. 1917 was the FIRST draft the USA had -- and it was serious business at the time. Men (between certain ages) were required to report to the LOCAL DRAFT BOARD, and register. The boards were staffed with people who were there specifically to conduct these registrations. They completed the forms upon interviews with the registrants, and then the form was signed and dated by the registrant. As in all cases, some staffers are more careful than others, some draft boards would have been much busier than others, and the fact is, many immigrants lied as best they could to avoid military service. In small towns, the staffers were local and knew the registrants, making it more difficult to obscure the truth. In big cities, it was easier. WWI had been raging in Europe for over 2 years by the time the USA instituted this draft -- newspapers were filled with current events just as they are today. It was pretty obvious what was going on, and many people did not want to be conscripted into the military--which was one of the reasons for many having left the "old country" to begin with. My grandfather was a highly trained gunsmith -- yet he reported he was a "shop worker" as his occupation on his draft registration. True, he did work in a shop -- but not revealing that he was a gunsmith is a pretty obvious motivation to avoid military service. You can bet that men talked about this 'new' draft thing with one another, and having some information about the requirements, and about who would be deferred, or classified as non-eligible, (newspapers again!) some of these would do their best to try and avoid being classified as "eligible". Maybe I was just lucky, but having already researched the WWI Draft Registrations for my family, (8 men in all), I found them to be very accurate overall -- a lot of phonetic spelling on the "place where born" but otherwise, a very good source of family history information. Regards to all Linda

Dear Listers, Our family WWI Draft Cards, too, contain inaccurate dates. I got the feeling that some company employee at the mine may have completed the information as best he knew and grandfather just signed the paper. Julie

> > ...Birth date is now the third version that I have. (all 1888) > ... My grandmother and her two sisters came to America from Hungary. I remember the middle sister saying to us one day taking her home from a church party celebrating her younger sister's 98th birthday that growing up she was older than that sister. Through the years she became much older than that sister and now she is younger. How can that be? Marlene

My great-grandmother, it seems on every document that lists her age, well, it would calculate back to a different birthdate every time. I think the difference was about 15 years! And as time went on, well, I can't exactly say she was getting younger, but, like, 10 years would go by and it would have that she was 3 years older than she was 10 years before. I don't know if this is what we see today with people lying about their age. Or, well, if she just didn't pay that much attention. Maybe she'd say she was "Oh, about 52" when she was really 57. Maybe she'd shrug and whoever was writing down the information would make their best guess. I'm talking about census documents, etc, over a long period of time. If the birthdate differs by only about 2 weeks, I'd say it the Julian/Gregorian calendar thing. Some of my Greek Catholic ancestors "converted" their birthdates in America, and some kept the old dates. - Elaine On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 21:54:39 -0400, "John G. Walter" <jgw@johngwalter.com> said: > > ...Birth date is now the third version that I have. (all 1888) > ... > Any ideas? >

I have the church record of my Grandfather's birth in Hungary, also his death cert. and obituary so I know he was born Aug.5, 1879, but the birthdate on his draft registration card is Nov. 21, 1877. Kathy -------Original Message------- From: rwhun.ee.4el41n3@0sg.net Date: 07/06/05 05:34:07 To: HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [HUNGARY-L] Free Database -- differing birth dates My great-grandmother, it seems on every document that lists her age, well, it would calculate back to a different birthdate every time. I think the difference was about 15 years! And as time went on, well, I can't exactly say she was getting younger, but, like, 10 years would go by and it would have that she was 3 years older than she was 10 years before. I don't know if this is what we see today with people lying about their age. Or, well, if she just didn't pay that much attention. Maybe she'd say she was "Oh, about 52" when she was really 57. Maybe she'd shrug and whoever was writing down the information would make their best guess. I'm talking about census documents, etc, over a long period of time. If the birthdate differs by only about 2 weeks, I'd say it the Julian/Gregorian calendar thing. Some of my Greek Catholic ancestors "converted" their birthdates in America, and some kept the old dates. - Elaine On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 21:54:39 -0400, "John G. Walter" <jgw@johngwalter.com> said: > > ...Birth date is now the third version that I have. (all 1888) > ... > Any ideas? >

John, I'm sorry, I don't have any comments on your research report. I was hoping you could describe how you came to get this report from the Slovak archives, were you satisified with the work they did, did you feel that the amount you were charged was reasonable, etc. Did you contact the Presov archives directly (if so, by phone? by paper mail? by e-mail?), or did you go thru something like CentroConsult (www.centroconsult.sk) ? I'm hoping your answers can give guidance to others of us who might have exhausted LDS avenues of research, etc, and are looking for more information. I welcome comments from others who have contacted archives in Europe directly. Thank you for your help, Elaine On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 23:26:10 -0400, "John G. Walter" <jgw@johngwalter.com> said: > I would appreciate anyone's comments on the following research report > from > the Slovak archives concerning my grandmother's family. > > http://www.johngwalter.com/simko_szabo/ > > Specifically, I am interested in the references to the combination name > of > Simko-Kocsis. > > I have some evidence amongst US records such as death certificates of the > name Anna Simko, and the Ellis record of Anna (the second one) shows her > coming to meet her Uncle Jozef Kocsis in my hometown of Fairport Harbor, > Ohio. However, I have never heard any mention of the name Kocsis by any > of > my family members as possible relatives. > > I'd appreciate any clues as to the meaning of this hyphenated name as > described in the report. > > Also, since I have not seen the actual records, only this Slovak > transcript > of their content, I am guessing that some of the names have been > translated > into Slovak. Such as, Jan = Janos, Alzbeta = Erzsebet, What would > Barbora > be? Barbara in English, but what in Hungarian? Actually, she was known > as > Bertha in the US. > > Thanks.

Dear List, I am unable to find my great grandfather, Joseph Medvey (or Medve), listed anywhere in the Ellis Island records. He was already here in 1900 working in Johnstown, PA. in a steel mill. I thought I read that ships from Bremmensailed for certain companies guaranteeing employment? Could he have come in through Philadelphia for a job lined up in Johnstown?His wife and kids came through Ellis Island in 1900 and he was already established in Pa. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Jay Farrell

I would appreciate anyone's comments on the following research report from the Slovak archives concerning my grandmother's family. http://www.johngwalter.com/simko_szabo/ Specifically, I am interested in the references to the combination name of Simko-Kocsis. I have some evidence amongst US records such as death certificates of the name Anna Simko, and the Ellis record of Anna (the second one) shows her coming to meet her Uncle Jozef Kocsis in my hometown of Fairport Harbor, Ohio. However, I have never heard any mention of the name Kocsis by any of my family members as possible relatives. I'd appreciate any clues as to the meaning of this hyphenated name as described in the report. Also, since I have not seen the actual records, only this Slovak transcript of their content, I am guessing that some of the names have been translated into Slovak. Such as, Jan = Janos, Alzbeta = Erzsebet, What would Barbora be? Barbara in English, but what in Hungarian? Actually, she was known as Bertha in the US. Thanks.

<<Interestingly enough, the data on this card does not correspond to other data that I have.>> Many of us have run into the same discrepancies. <<For example, it is dated 1917, and he lists a wife and child. He had three of his five children by that date.>> He may not have filled the form out himself and it might have been sufficient just to list child instead of children. If he didn't speak English very well perhaps the person who was listening to him give the answers only heard child. <<It also lists his employer as Diamond Alkali (which was the largest employer in the town from about 1912 to 1978), but on his retirement notice in 1957, it said he began working there in 1921, and the 1920 census lists his employer as the B&O railroad (they had a large yard in the town, a block from Orchard Street).>> I can think of a lot of explanations for the above. He may have worked at Diamond Alkali, quite, was let go, there was a strike and so on and then he went back later...1921. In the meantime he worked for the Railroad. <<Birth date is now the third version that I have. (all 1888)>> You didn't mention where the other versions came from....what documents. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Have you found a passenger manifest with him on it? Though keep in mind, the name of the place our immigrants came from isn't always the village he was born in. For you, if I am correct in that you want to locate his exact place of birth, it is more important to find the name of the village then perhaps you can find him on Hungarian records. <<I guess it could have been a language barrier, as I doubt that he spoke very much English. He didn't right up to his death in 1975.>> Many of our ancestors were content with knowing only a few words. Elizabeth V. Cardinal evc1369@comcast.net

Interestingly enough, the data on this card does not correspond to other data that I have. For example, it is dated 1917, and he lists a wife and child. He had three of his five children by that date. It also lists his employer as Diamond Alkali (which was the largest employer in the town from about 1912 to 1978), but on his retirement notice in 1957, it said he began working there in 1921, and the 1920 census lists his employer as the B&O railroad (they had a large yard in the town, a block from Orchard Street). Birth date is now the third version that I have. (all 1888) I guess it could have been a language barrier, as I doubt that he spoke very much English. He didn't right up to his death in 1975. Any ideas? -----Original Message----- From: John G. Walter [mailto:jgw@johngwalter.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 3:38 PM To: HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [HUNGARY-L] Free Database - USA - WWI Draft Registration Cards Thanks for the tip. In 30 seconds, I found the WWI Draft Registration for my Grandfather. Now, I have to just figure out what it says, at is pretty blurry. I'm primarily interested in line 5, as I am not sure of what town in Hungary he was born. Any interpretations? http://www.johngwalter.com/bagin_wwi_dc/ -----Original Message----- From: Jan Ammann [mailto:janammann@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 1:09 PM To: HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [HUNGARY-L] Free Database - USA - WWI Draft Registration Cards Hello Listers...... Well, another "good source" is again free this time for two weeks...July 4 to July 17. Go to this website: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/ww1/draft.htm "Ancestry has opened up its World War 1 Draft Registration records for visitors of Access Genealogy for free. The only thing required to view the records is an email address and your name. No credit card required! This is not a 14 day trial of all of their material. It is strictly limited to their World War 1 Draft Registration images. I went to the site (after clicking on its address on the accessgenealogy site and started searching. Even after I clicked to see the image, I was not asked for anything. However,I have registered there in the past and perhaps that is why. This database covers the years 1917 and 1918. It shows the person's name, age, birth date, where born, citizenship, where living now, occupation, employer, dependent relatives, and a good physical description. Hope everyone finds something useful!! Cheers, Jan

I also had a problem with blurry records. Is there any way to clear them so they are legible. Margaret ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elizabeth V Cardinal" <evc1369@comcast.net> To: <HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 3:52 PM Subject: RE: [HUNGARY-L] Free Database - USA - WWI Draft Registration Cards > Looks like Davics to me. > > All of the ones I found were also blurry. > > Elizabeth V. Cardinal > evc1369@comcast.net > > > >

Looks like Davics to me. All of the ones I found were also blurry. Elizabeth V. Cardinal evc1369@comcast.net

Thanks for the tip. In 30 seconds, I found the WWI Draft Registration for my Grandfather. Now, I have to just figure out what it says, at is pretty blurry. I'm primarily interested in line 5, as I am not sure of what town in Hungary he was born. Any interpretations? http://www.johngwalter.com/bagin_wwi_dc/ -----Original Message----- From: Jan Ammann [mailto:janammann@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, July 05, 2005 1:09 PM To: HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [HUNGARY-L] Free Database - USA - WWI Draft Registration Cards Hello Listers...... Well, another "good source" is again free this time for two weeks...July 4 to July 17. Go to this website: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/ww1/draft.htm "Ancestry has opened up its World War 1 Draft Registration records for visitors of Access Genealogy for free. The only thing required to view the records is an email address and your name. No credit card required! This is not a 14 day trial of all of their material. It is strictly limited to their World War 1 Draft Registration images. I went to the site (after clicking on its address on the accessgenealogy site and started searching. Even after I clicked to see the image, I was not asked for anything. However,I have registered there in the past and perhaps that is why. This database covers the years 1917 and 1918. It shows the person's name, age, birth date, where born, citizenship, where living now, occupation, employer, dependent relatives, and a good physical description. Hope everyone finds something useful!! Cheers, Jan

I had the surname Verezel in my data bank of family from Band, Hungary. Yesterday, a possible distant relative gave me the name Vebesz. Could these be the same name...different interpretations of handwriting? Elizabeth V. Cardinal evc1369@comcast.net

Hello Listers…… Well, another “good source” is again free this time for two weeks…July 4 to July 17. Go to this website: http://www.accessgenealogy.com/military/ww1/draft.htm "Ancestry has opened up its World War 1 Draft Registration records for visitors of Access Genealogy for free. The only thing required to view the records is an email address and your name. No credit card required! This is not a 14 day trial of all of their material. It is strictly limited to their World War 1 Draft Registration images. I went to the site (after clicking on its address on the accessgenealogy site and started searching. Even after I clicked to see the image, I was not asked for anything. However,I have registered there in the past and perhaps that is why. This database covers the years 1917 and 1918. It shows the person’s name, age, birth date, where born, citizenship, where living now, occupation, employer, dependent relatives, and a good physical description. Hope everyone finds something useful!! Cheers, Jan

I am sorry to have ask but what does this one say? I find it interesting that I respond in English saying I don't understand the Hungarian language but get a reply in Hungarian...the person writing must be able to read English...Yes? No? Elizabeth V. Cardinal evc1369@comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: RadixForum [mailto:support@radixforum.com] Sent: Monday, July 04, 2005 1:47 PM To: evc1369@comcast.net Subject: Re: [Schonig] információ Latta mar uj oldalunkat? http://www.topoindex.com/hu/ ToPoIndex: kepeslapok foldrajzi indexe totesz uzenete a forumban: http://www.radixforum.com/surnames/schonig/ Erwin. Köszönöm a fordítást. Én azt sem tudtam hogy Bándon is voltak Schönigek és a Grundokról sem tudtam. Az egy más ág lehet mert ilyen névrõl még a nagyapám sem tett említést.Lehet hogy ez a név Német o.-ban olyan mint a nálunk ismeretes u.n. gyakori nevek. A Nagypapa ha jól emlékszem nem M.o-gon született. Azt hogy esetleg testvére volt-e, nemtudom. Minden estre Elisabethnek köszönöm a tájékoztatást Unsubscribe the forum: http://www.radixforum.com/unsubscribe/20050704194654tmjtcdsbwx

In a message dated 7/1/05 11:26:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cherlock@cheqnet.net writes: > 1930 Census Hungarian Reformed Orphans and Old Peoples Home > > Ligonier Westmoreland, Pennsylvania District 83 > Cheryl, Thank you for listing this report. It's good to know, another facit of this earlier "orphanage" developed into the current: Bethlen Nursing Home Excerpt from their website: The Bethlen Nursing Home was founded in 1921 as a charitable, non-profit organization of Hungarians residing in the United States. Its first objective was the care of orphans who had lost their families through mine disasters or other tragic means. As the number of orphans increased, farmland was purchased for housing and provisions. Several older couples farmed the land and dedicated their lives to caring for the orphans. In the mid 1930's, as these couples grew older, the need to care for them was foreseen. The first home for the aged was built in Ligonier in 1951 and is now part of the present west wing. In 1975, the north wing was built, providing the Bethlen Home with its present capacity of 103 beds. http://www.hrfa.org/BethlenHome.asp Marika

Thank You Joe. I put a message on Radix in January and the message you translated for me was posted in April. It is so difficult to communicate when you have two people who do not know each others language. Thanks again Happy Fourth of July Elizabeth V. Cardinal evc1369@comcast.net