Author: Dr. John P. Elcik, IV

Dr. John P. Elcik, IV is married to Pamela McClanahan and they have two children: J.P. and Michelle. John is retired from a marketing career for administrative software in Higher Education. His interests include child advocacy (as a Mason and Shriner); animal rescue, education (especially eLearning), mysteries, and science fiction.
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Cousin Nancy Joins the Ancestry Group

8/6/2020 10:22 AM

Nancy,

I am having so much fun in retirement. Reaching out to family regarding my updating the family tree has been a lot of fun.

The last time I worked on this was in 2008. Back then, Kari was the only one with whom I had contact. She asked for access to what was called “My Cousins” on Ancestry.com.

In addition to you and Beth, I have had contacts with Janet Welch and Mark Elcik. I believe Janet is going to reach out to Kari, and Beth is reaching out to Cheryl.

All my contacts began with Facebook, which, despite my familiarity with computers, is a program I had never used. I fancy myself a researcher, and I looked hard for your account. Jack finally told me that you don’t have one. It was a relief. That and not Beth would have driven me crazy.

Because I have your email, I will send you an invitation to join Ancestry as a guest. You will have permission to see everything, including information on living people. I don’t have an active subscription because I’m making updates on my personal computer using Family Tree Maker 2019.

I will send you a couple of follow-up emails. I need to assemble the information.

I am delighted that you are joining Beth and me in these discussions. I know we all have questions to answer, and this is an opportunity not to miss.

To bring you up to date on the Florida clan.

All is well. Pam and I are both retired. We just adopted a new puppy: Lucy Belle. J.P. is getting married this year and has bought a house with his fiancé Ana. We are enjoying that they both are teachers with lots of time off. ? J.P. teaches science and math, and Ana is a kindergarten teacher. Michelle works as a Pharmacy Tech for Walgreens. We are seeing her a lot while she makes renovations to a condo. She bought it together with her brother. We all live close to each other in Florida, so life is good.

Your cousin,

John, IV

15117 Cloverdale Drive
Fort Myers, Florida 33919

  • John: johnelcik@msn.com
  • Pam: pamelcik@gmail.com
  • J.P.: elcikjp@yahoo.com
  • Michelle: mkelcik@yahoo.com

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The Oldest Known Photo of Elcik Family

The Elcik Family about 1910 - We Have Traveled Far


Thu 8/6/2020 10:54 AM

Rebecca,

This is the oldest known photo of the Elcik family.

John Elsik in the 1910 Census. John (42 years old), Marie (35) have been married 21 years: John Jr. (15), Mike (13), Mary (10), Andrew 8, and the twins Annie and Lizzie (5). Both John & Marie’s birthplace is given as Austria. Immigration status is “alien.”

John, IV

P.S. The Elcik family in 1910 top row from left to right: John P. Elcik, Jr.; Michael Elcik, and Andrew Elcik. Bottom row from left to right are Mary (Dutko) Elcik, Elizabeth (Small) Elcik, John P. Elcik, Sr.; Mary (Pelcarsky) Elcik; Susan (Kiszonak) Elcik; and Annie (Karkos) Elcik.

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Slovak Lokše


Thu 8/6/2020 11:56 AM

Becky,

Pam and I both retired early, and we are happy to have done so. We love the Villages, but they were out of our price range, one of the consequences of early retirement. That doesn’t stop me from wanting a golf cart. I don’t want to play golf; I want the cart. ?

It’s not the same, but I occasionally break down and buy Lefse on the Internet. Even Amazon sells it.

“Slovak lokše (pronounce lokshe) was a staple when the Elcik boys would visit our Auntie Gertrude in Maine. Like Maine lobsters, it was an excuse to eat butter. That’s all it needed, though, in Norway, they have Lefse. Unlike in Slovakia, they prefer eating them sweet – with sugar, cinnamon, peanut butter, and jam. They also add butter, milk, or cream to their mashed potatoes while we normally don’t. Butter was enough.” – From one of my Facebook posts.

Might your husband like his lokše Norwegian-style?

Bottom line: Yes, you have family in Fort Myers. Bless you!

John, IV

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A Brother Named Joseph Elsik?


Thu 8/6/2020 3:37 PM

Everyone,

I have a theory about a possible brother.

I think I have proof that John Elcik (Elsik), Sr., my great-grandfather, had a younger brother Joseph.

If so, this answers the question I put on the research agenda about were their siblings. There was at least one.

My evidence is in the 1910 United States Federal Census:

  • The men are just three years apart in age.
  • Both immigrated from Austria.
  • Both settled in Durham, Androscoggin, Maine.

But the clincher for me is that both men spell our surname “Elsik” for themselves while spelling their children’s names “Elcik.”

John, IV