Debra wrote: <<It might be more productive to follow Ladislaus to see whether there are any Chicago-area records for him. One may give a birthplace for him, and that could lead to a better understanding of where this family originated.>> I'm not an expert here, but might you be able to find naturalization papers for Ladislaus?? If so, I think the the naturalization papers after the early 1900s give more information than earlier ones.... Just my beginner 2 cents. Nancy M.