Monday Madness - Martin Domagalski

This Monday, I decided to talk about my 3rd-great-grandfather, Martin Domagalski. He has been the most difficult of my ancestors to trace and find.

Information on his birth and beginning is very confusing. What I do know, according to his marriage record, is that he is the son of "Alberti Domagalski et Maria Anna Yatak". I've been corresponding with a fellow Domagalski researcher who descends from an Antonia, daughter of Adalbert Domagalski and Marianna Gadacz. I believe Martin and Antonia are siblings. If you pronounce Yatak and Gadacz out-loud they sound pretty much the same. Also, the St. Mary's church parish records in Medina, NY, where Martin Domagalski was married, was infamous for misspelling nearly all the Polish surnames in the parish. An example is in Martin's wife's (Agnes Gotowa) family. Her mother is listed as "Josepha Vaselineska". Her mother's name was Josephine Lesniewski.

I had found a great resource called the Poznan project, and I found Martin's parent's marriage record. Adalbert Domagala and Marianna Gadacz were married in 1853 in Birkenfeld, Kreis Znin, Posen. Birkenfeld is now known as Brzyskorzstew, Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Anywho.. I have multiple birth date information for Martin. In the 1900 census he listed his birth month and year as August 1864. In the 1910 census he was listed as being born about 1863. His birthdate on his headstone is 18 Nov 1859. His birthdate on his death certificate was 22 Feb 1865. As you can see from the last two sources, VERY different birth dates from reliable sources. The most probable birthdate is taken from his death certificate; the census records agree with this.

Martin Domagalski and Agnes Gotowa had a total of 12 children:

1. Josephine, born 04 Sep 1886, Medina, NY
2. Ignacy, born 01 Mar 1888, Chicago
3. John, born 23 Dec 1889, Chicago
4. Lucy, born 11 Dec 1891, Chicago
5. Clara, born abt Oct 1893, Chicago
6. Wladislaw, born 16 Jun 1896, Chicago
7. Eleanora, born 15 Jan 1899, Chicago
8. Frank, born 05 Feb 1901, Chicago
9. Edward, born 10 Apr 1903, Chicago
10. Roman, born 15 Feb 1904, Chicago
11. Cecilia, born 22 Nov 1906, Chicago
12. Helen, born 06 Dec 1908, Chicago

Three of the children died young: Wladislaw, Eleanora and Edward.

Martin and Agnes both died in 1917 in Chicago. Martin died on May 5th, and Agnes died five months later on October 25th. Something interesting about Agnes, is that her death certificate lists that she was temporarily insane, and jumped from a window. A newspaper clipping from the Chicago Tribune on October 26th states: "Mrs. Agnes Domagalski, 49, died yesterday at the Englewood hospital from injuries caused Oct. 3 when she fell from a third floor window of house at 2417 West Fortyfifth street."

As for where Martin was born, I don't know. His death certificate didn't list his place of birth, nor did any other vital record of his or his children. His naturalization documents have yet to be found, although I know he was naturalized in Orleans county, New York on 09 Oct 1884. I do not know when he immigrated either. Without his naturalization papers, I won't know that information. I petitioned to the Gov't using the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requesting Martin's naturalization records, stating they were in Orleans county, New York, but received nothing from this request. They found nothing.. or didn't bother trying. I have a feeling a thorough search in the Orleans county court house will yield his naturalization papers.

It's A New Year!

Well, the new year is finally here. 2009 definitely was a great year for genealogy resources & records, but with 2010 it'll just keep getting better and better.

Organizations, counties and societies all across the country are digitizing and putting online their records. FamilySearch's project entitled RecordSearch has come a long way since it began. To date, it's currently at 165 different databases ranging from all around the world. And hopefully that list will grow vastly during this upcoming year. I consider RecordSearch the most vital new research tool to any and all genealogists. It's continually updating and uploading new records and it won't stop, for years to come. And the best part.. it's free! Here's a little wish list of records I'd like to see appear on RecordSearch:

• Completion of the Brandenburg records
• Completion of the Posen records
• Prussian Parish Registers
• Hungarian Parish Registers
• Baden & Württemburg Parish Registers
• Southern Poland Parish Registers
• Land Deed records for USA (grantor/grantee)

2009 was a grim year for my family. I had 4 aunt and uncles (Ray Heffner, Gloria Flemming Kolpack, Leonard Martin and Kathy Felton Larmon Johnson), 1 close cousin (Brian Loney) and 4 distant cousins (James E. Blaylock, James E. Howard, Leslie Scott Rodgers and Patrick Swayze.. yes, the actor) pass away this year. This definitely wasn't a good year. In hopes that 2010 would bring more happiness, it was quickly taken down by the passing of another 3rd cousin on January 2nd, Henry A. Jablon. Rest In Peace, my family, and let's all hope for a much brighter year.

Now on a happier note, I thought I would discuss the best genealogical find of the year for me. It was the marriage record for my 7th-great-grandparents, Mihály Tóth and Mária Izdenczy de Komlós.

Marriage of Mihály Tóth & Mária Izdenczy de Komlós - 29 Sep 1715

They were married on 29 Sep 1715 in Bőcs, Borsod county, Hungary. You can see the image of their marriage record above. You can see in the beginning it names "Mich. Tótt" and the second line begins the bride's name "Relicta Martini Isdentzi ?? Maria Komlosiensis". This states Mária, daughter of the widow of Márton Izdenczy. The date begins on the third line "29 7bris 1715". This is September 29th, 1715. The witnesses to the marriage consist of the remaining marriage information: (in Hungarian) György Kohányi, László Kohányi, András Balog.

Now for the good stuff! The Izdenczy family is a very old noble Hungarian family, who can trace their roots back to a man named Márk who lived during the reign of King Sámuel Aba of Hungary (1041-1044). Now, Mária's father Márton Izdenczy was a militaryman. In 1685 he was in top command of the Tokaj fortress under Prince Imre Thökölyi. Later on in the 1709, he served under Prince Ferencz Rakóczy II. Márton held land possessions in Komlós in Sáros county and Bodrog-Keresztur in Zemplén county.

Land Deed - 1696
Not long after I found the marriage record, I found a land deed record dating from 1696. It contained vital information needed to connect me back to two more ancestral families: Berzeviczy de Berzevicze and Horváth de Perlak.
The main important part of the document is highlighted and underlined in red. Click on the image for a larger view. Here is the excerpt of the key information: "Barbaram, Martini Izdenczy consortem filiamuero praenarrati Stephani quondem Horvath de Perlak, ex praedicta Nobili condem prae Margaretha Berzeviczy". This means Borbála (Barbara), wife of Márton Izdenczy, daughter of István (Stephen) Horváth de Perlak and Margit (Margaretha) Berzeviczy. You can find information on the Berzeviczy family on a previous post of mine entited "My Aristocratic Cousins!".
It's amazing to know that one single marriage record unlocked a treasure trove of information, all freely available on the internet. My next task now, is to track down information on the nobility and family tree of the Izdenczy's. And secondly to connect my Margit Berzeviczy into the MASSIVE Berzeviczy family tree, which is heavily documented and dates back to the 1200's.

Obituary - Henry A. Jablon

Henry A. Jablon, age 82, of South Holland, IL, passed away, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, loving father of Linda (Frank) Jablon-Katona, the late Lawrence Jablon, Adrienne Jablon, Joan(Warren) Millsaps and Jean (John) Jablon-Zeigler; cherished grandfather of Anthony and Michael Millsaps; devoted brother of Armela (Dave) Hammes; dear uncle to numerous nieces and nephews; fond former husband of Irene. Visitation, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home, 649 E. 162nd St. (Rt.6/159th St.) South Holland, IL. Prayer Service, Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, 9 a.m. leaving for Holy Ghost Church, Funeral Mass, 9:30 a.m. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL. Mr. Jablon retired from Governor's State University in University Park, IL and was a WW II Army Veteran. Memorial contributions may be given to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, www.michaeljfox.org. For further information 708-333-7000 or www.smitsfuneralhomes.com.

Henry's sister, Armela, is a cousin of mine through the Domagalski family. We've been corresponding for several years now on our research.

Obituary - James Edward Howard, Sr.

James Howard was the son of Launa Rodgers-Howard. James would be my 3rd cousin.

James Edward Howard (January 12, 1933 - December 25, 2009) James Edward Howard of McCarley, born January 12, 1933, died peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2009. Mr. Howard was a resident of the State Veteran's Nursing Home in Kosciusko, where his battle with Alzheimer's Disease was managed by an extraordinary and loving staff. Mr. Howard was a retired truck driver and a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of McCarley Baptist Church in McCarley. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Cassie Howard and Launa Rodgers Howard. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Ann "Peggy" Mullen Howard; four children, Donna Howard Serio, Debbie Howard Bond (Rocky), James Edward Howard, Jr., (Renee), and Fred Ronald Howard; eight grandchildren, Mary Margaret Serio Holmes (Heath), Ann Claire Serio, Joseph Matthew Serio (April), An Howard Schubert, Joshua Casey Howard, James Bailey Howard, Andrea Nicole Howard, and William Cass Howard; and one great-grandson, Aaron Andrew Holmes. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, December 27, with visitation from noon until service time. Burial will be in Mission Cemetery near Winona. Rev. Rupert Ingram will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Matthew Serio, Joshua Howard, Cass Howard, Heath Holmes, Johnny Bennett, Billy Montgomery, and Wally Montomery; with Bailey Howard serving as an honorary pallbearer. The family would like to express their deep gratitude and love for the host of caretakers and friends that have so generously given their time and service over the last few years. Memorials may be made to McCarley Baptist Church or the the charity of the donor's choice.

My Aunt Kathy's Obituary - 29 Dec 2009

Chicago Tribune, December 29, 2009

Kathleen (Larmon) Johnson, suddenly, 59 years, beloved wife of Jeffrey S.; devoted mother of Kevin (Kathleen) Larmon, James (Jenna) Larmon, Amy Larmon (Robert) Meyer, Julie (Jim) Denny, Amy (Jeff) Olsen and Peter (Candice) Johnson; loving grandmother of 15; dear sister of Timothy Felton, Rene Podgorski, Tommie Lynn Gbur and Jeffrey Rodgers. Visitation Wednesday from 3 to 9 p.m. Funeral Thursday, 10:15 a.m., from the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 West 127th St., Crestwood, to St. Barnabas Church for a 11 a.m. Mass. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Martin dePores, 6423 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago IL 60637. (708) 824-9000.

Kathy is my aunt, my mother is her half-sister René.

Black Sheep Sunday - Alex Gombash

Sunday is almost over.. I better hurry up! lol

My great-grandfather, Alex Gombash, was a character alright. Later on in his life, he was known to always have a bottle of whiskey in hand or a stogie in mouth.

(Note: Both whiskey AND stogie! haha)

He was born 7 Dec 1896 in Tiszadob, Szabolcs megye (county), Hungary, to Sándor (Alex) Gombás and Eszter Tóth (a noblewoman). His father Sándor immigrated to America on 09 Jul 1902 to his brother-in-law Daniel Szuhay. Daniel's wife was Zsuzsánna Tóth, Eszter's sister. Eszter immigrated eight months later on 05 Mar 1903 to her husband. Eszter remained in America until about 1906 and removed back to Hungary. She then immigrated a final time on 16 Nov 1909 with her children Alex (my g-grandfather), Robert and Susan (who was born in America in 1904).

Alex grew up mainly in Butler County, Pennsylvania. At the age of 19 years old, he married a fellow Hungarian named Emma Hido. Her Hungarian name was Irma Hajdú. Coincidentally enough, Emma and her family came from the same village as Sándor Gombás.. Büdszentmihály. And coincidentally again, Emma and her family were listed below the Gombash's on their immigration manifest in 1909. They were obviously family friends, and as research showed, relatives of Sándor through the Pethe family.

Anywho, Alex and Emma were married 19 Aug 1916 in Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. I don't know much about their marriage, other than what was in their divorce papers. Alex apparently left the home quite often and wouldn't return for periods at a time. In other words, he would abandon her for a while, then come back and then do it again.

They had a daughter and a son during all of this. As for the daughter, I don't know when she was born or died, but she died sometime after new year of 1919. Their son was named Joseph Anthony Gombash, later changed to Csordas when he was adopted by his step-father. He was born 23 Sep 1919 in Aultman, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He abandoned her one final time, so Emma moved in with her parents, Andrew Hido and Sophia Pethe. Emma later went to court and petitioned for a divorce. The sherrifs of Indiana and Butler counties couldn't find Alex anywhere, so that he could appear at the divorce hearing. He never showed, nor saw his son ever again.

Alex then began to traveling in open railway cars around the midwest, primarily in the PA-OH-IL area. He finally settled in Joliet, Will County, Illinois where he met my great-grandmother, Catherine Grządziel. Catherine was the first born into an arranged marriage, 05 Nov 1906 in Barycz, Brzózow, Poland. Her parents were Franciszek Grządziel and Amelia Stec. I do not know the marriage date for Alex and Catherine, but I assume it to be sometime between 1920 and 1922. Alex and Catherine later relocated to McDowell County, West Virginia, where their children were born and raised.

Alex's mother who was previously mentioned, died on 04 Apr 1950 in her daughter Julia's home in Richland Township, Guernsey County, Ohio. Alex didn't attend her funeral. Because of this and other things, he became very unfavorable with his siblings and family. In 2004, I contacted my great-great-aunt Julia to ask questions for my research. She nicely replied to my questions, but later asked me to stop writing.

She had tons of pictures and information from Hungary that I would've been ecstatic to have copies of. Pictures from Hungary.. with Hungarian writing on the back! Need I say more?! Originals would've been great, but I don't need them. Just to see a decent clear picture of my great-great-grandparents Sándor and Eszter would've been... simply put, AMAZING! Julia passed away in 2008 at the age of 87 years old. Everthing of hers and her sister Esther's (who passed in 2000, before I started my research), has now been passed onto their niece Patricia. She has spoken with me on the phone several times, and I have asked for copies of things.. even said I would reimburse. But her son told her not to share anything with me, so alas.. I have received nothing. It's unnerving knowing the actions of my great-grandfather are having this effect on my interaction with family that I've never met, and have been nothing but nice and courtesy with.

New Database: Mecklenburg, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1876-1918

Ancestry added a new database on December 7th entitled "Mecklenburg, Germany, Parish Register Transcripts, 1876-1918".

I was browsing through the images of this database, and this is one great resource that they've put online! It states: "The majority of the records cover the years 1876-1918. However, there are some earlier records, some as early as 1716." These are digital images of the actual records! Let's hope they continue with this and upload more and more records from other parts of Germany, and Europe too!

There's four (4) initial categories to choose from, for the database:

• Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Schwerin
• Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Strelitz
• Garnisongemeinden (Garrison Communities)
• Catholic

I can offer my assistance with a quick look-up or translation help. Anything after 1/2 hour, I charge at a fair hourly rate. Here's a list of the towns available for each category.

Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Schwerin:

Ahrensberg

Alt Rehse

Althof

Ankershagen (mit Möllenhagen)

Bäbelin

Bad Sülze

Badendiek

Barkow und Brook

Basedow

Basse

Baumgarten

Beidendorf

Belitz

Bellin

Benthen

Bentwisch

Berendshagen

Berhren-Lübchin

Bernitt

Biendorf

Biestow

Blankenhagen

Blücher

Boddin

Boitin

Boizenburg

Borgfeld

Börzow

Bossow

Breesen

Brenz

Briggow

Bristow

Brudersdorf

Brüel

Brunow

Brünshaupten

Brüz

Buchholz

Buckow-Burow-Camin

Bülow

Bützow

Camin

Cammin

Chemnitz

Conow

Cramon

Crivitz

Dambeck

Dammwolde

Damshagen

Dänscheburg

Dargun

Dassow

Demen und Hohen Pritz

Diedrichshagen

Döbbersen

Dobbertin

Dobbin

Doberan

Dömitz

Dreibergen

Dreilützow

Dreveskirchen

Eichsen-mühlen

Eickelberg

Eldena

Elmenhorst

Federow

Frauenmark

Friedrichshagen

Gaarz

Gadenbusch

Gägelow

Gammelin

Garwitz

Gehlsdorf

Gielow

Gnevsdorf

Gnoien

Goldberg

Goldebee

Gorlosen

Gorschendorf

Grabow

Grambow

Granzin bei Boizenburg

Granzin bei Lübz

Grebbin

Gresse

Gressow

Grevesmühlen

Gross Brütz

Gross Flotow

Gross Giewitz

Gross Helle

Gross Laasch

Gross Methling

Gross Poserin

Gross Salitz

Gross Trebbow

Gross Upahl

Gross Varchow und Luplow

Gross Vielen

Grosse Lukow

Grubenhagen

Grüssow

Güstrow Dom

Güstrow Landarbeitsh

Güstrow Pfarrkirche

Haustorf und Heiligenhagen

Herzfeld

Hohen Mistorf

Hohen Sprenz

Hohenkirchen

Holzendorf

Hornstorf

Ivenack

Jabel

Jabel Alt

Jesendorf

Jördenstorf

Kalen Alt

Kalkhorst

Kambs bei Röbel

Kambs bei Schwaan

Karbow und Darss

Karchow

Karin Alt

Kastorf

Kavelstorf

Kessin

Kieth

Kiewe

Kirch Jesar

Kirch Kogel

Kirch Mulsow

Kittendorf

Klaber und Grosse Wokern

Kladow und Vorbeck

Kladrum

Klinken

Klüss

Klütz

Kölzow

Körchow

Krakow

Krein

Kritzkow

Kröpelin

Krümmel

Kuhlrade

Kuppentin

Laage

Lambrechtshagen

Lancken

Lärz

Leizen

Leussow

Levin

Levitzow

Lexow

Lichtenhagen

Lohmen

Lübow

Lübsee

Lübsee bei Güstrow

Lübtheen

Lübz

Lüdershagen

Ludorf

Ludwigslust

Ludwigslust-Bethlehem

Lüssow

Lütgendorf

Malchin

Malchow

Marlow

Marnitz

Massow

Mecklenburg

Melkof

Melz

Mestlin

Meteln

Moisall

Mölin

Möllenbeck

Muchow

Mummendorf

Neese

Neschow

Neubukow

Neuburg

Neuenkirchen

Neukalen

Neukloster

Neustadt-Glewe

Paarsch

Pampow

Pankow

Parchim St. Georgen

Parchim S. Marien

Parkentin

Parum bei Güstrow

Parum bei Wittenburg

Passee

Passentin

Peckatel

Penzin

Penzlin

Perlin

Petschow

Picher

Pinnow

Plate

Plau

Poel

Pokrent

Polchow

Prestin

Pritzier

Proseken

Qualitz

Raden

Rambow

Rechlin

Recknitz

Redefin

Rehna

Reinshagen

Retgendorf

Rethwisch

Retschow

Ribnitz Kloster

Ribnitz Stadt

Rittermannshagen

Röbel Alt

Röbel Neu

Röckwitz

Roggendorf

Rossow

Rövershagen

Rühn

Rumpshagen

Russow

Sanitz

Sankt Nicolai (Schelfkirche)

Satow bei Malchov

Satow bei Rostock

Schlieffenberg

Schloen

Schorrentin

Schwaan

Schwandt

Schwarz

Schwerin Alt

Schwerin Dom

Schwerin Paulskirche

Schwerin Schlosskirche

Schwinkendorf

Serrahn

Sietow

Slate

Spornitz

Stavenhagen

Steffenshagen

Sternberg

Stralendorf

Stuer

Suckow

Sülsdorf

Tarnow

Techentin

Tempzin

Tessin

Tessin Grosse

Teterow

Thelkow

Thulendorf

Thürkow

Toitenwinkel

Uelitz und Goldenstadt

Upahl Grosse

Varchentin

Vellahn

Viecheln Hohen

Vielist und Sommerstorf

Vietlübbe

Vietlübbe und Gadebusch

Vilz

Vipperow

Volkenshagen

Walkendorf

Wamckow

Wangelin Hohen

Waren

Waren St. Georgen

Waren St. Marien

Warin

Warnemünde

Warnkehagen

Warsow

Wasdow

Wattmannshagen

Wessin und Bülow

Westenbrügge

Wismar St. Georgen

Wismar St. Marien

Wismar St. Nicolai

Wittenburg

Wittenförden

Witzin

Woosten

Woserin

Wustrow

Zahrensdorf

Zapel

Zarrentin

Zehna

Zernin

Zittow

Zurow

Zweedorf

Evangelical-Lutheran Mecklenburg-Strelitz:

Badresch mit Klein Daberkow und Klein Miltzow

Ballwitz

Bredenfeld mit Neigarten

Brunn

Carlow

Daberkow mit Mildenitz

Dahlen mit Birkhof, Beseritz und Dishley

Demern

Dewitz mit Cölpin

Eichhorst mit Liepen, Jatzke und Gentzkow

Feldberg

Friedland mit Lübbersdorf

Friedland St. Marien

Friedland St. Nicolai

Fürstenberg mit Buchholz

Fürstenhagen

Gaarz

Gehren mit Galenbeck und Wittenborn

Göhren

Göhren midt Georginenau, Plath und Leppin

Grosse Helle

Grünow

Hagenow

Helpt mit Holzendorf und Krekow

Herrnburg

Hinrichshagen mit Rehberg und Ballin

Jatzke mit Genzkow

Kaebelich mit Petersdorf

Kotelow

Kratzeburg

Kuhblank mit Neetzka und Golm

Mirow

Neddemin

Neubrandeburg St. Marien

Neubrandeburg Johanniskirche

Neuenkirchen mit Neverin und Glocksin

Neustrelitz Militägemeinde

Neustrelitz mit Zierke

Neustrelitz-Hofgemeinde

Plath

Prillwitz mit Hohenzieritz

Ratzeburg

Rödlin

Roga

Rühlow

Schillersdorf

Schlagsdorf

Schönbeck

Schönberg

Schwanbeck

Schwichtenberg

Selmsdorf

Serrahn

Stargard

Staven

Strasen

Strelitz mit Userin Quassow

Strelitz-Alt

Teschendorf

Tornow

Triebkendorf mit Woldegk Synode

Wanzke

Warbende

Warlin

Weitin

Wesenberg mit Drosedow

Wokuhl

Woldegk mit Cancow

Woldegk mit Pasenow

Wulkenzin

Ziethen

Garnisongemeinden (Garrison Communities):

Garnison Colmar

Garnison Ludwigslust

Garnison Parchim

Garnison Rostock

Garnison Schwerin

Garnison Wismar

Catholic:

Barkow Rostock

Ludwigslust

Rostock

Schwerin

Wismar