Genealogical Gems

Last week AncestryDNA was made available to even more countries! It is now available in over 30 countries. Participating countries are: Albania , Armenia , Australia/New Zealand, Austria , Belgium , Bulgaria , Canada , Croatia , Cyprus , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Georgia , Greece , Hungary , Ireland , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , San Marino , Slovakia , Slovenia , South Korea , Sweden , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , and Vatican City . I am so excited that Poland has been added! My ethnicity broke down in the following manner: 35% Europe East; 29% Great Britain; 17% Ireland; 14% Scandinavian; 3% Europe West; 1 % Italy/Greece; and 1 % Europe Jew. So what does that mean? Where did those percents come from? My AncestryDNA results Half my DNA comes from my father and half comes from my mother. I am sending in a DNA kit for my sister today and I can not wait to see the difference be...

While going through paperwork in my 3 rd great grandfather’s (George D Still) file, I came across a funeral invitation. It isn’t really a funeral card, in my opinion. It reads: Yourself and family are invited to attend the funeral of Robert McWilliams from his late residence 1507 Parish St. Phila. Pa on Jan 24 th /87. Meet at the house at 3 p.m. Internment at Mechanics Cemetery . I just love the wording, “are invited to attend,” but who is Robert McWilliams? My 3 rd great grandmother (George D Still’s wife) was Sarah Bing. Her mother was Sarah McWilliams so it is plausible that this Robert is a relative. He most likely is not Sarah McWilliams Bing’s father as that would put George’s wife Sarah in her late 70s when he passed, 76 to be exact. Through Ancestry.com, I was able to find him on the Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Death Certificates Index, 1803-1915 . While it does not tell me who his parents were, it does offer some more hints. He was born in Pennsylvania...

Ancestry.com explains how DNA testing can help solve - or at least put a dent in - those brick walls. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

February has not been kind to my family and this year has not been any exception. On Thursday, the 11 th I received a call from the police that a close cousin had passed. I am still dealing with everything that has to be done when someone passes and – to be honest – I have a new respect as a genealogist for all those record keepers! Last Thursday, the 18 th , as I was down his place cleaning and sorting, I got a phone call saying another cousin – Maria Toth – had passed that morning. Maria is one of my Uncle Nick’s daughters. Uncle Nick was my grandfather’s brother. Maria’s obituary reads: Maria Toth of East Fallowfield Maria Toth, 60, passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family. Maria was the loving wife of Michael P. Toth and they shared 37 years of marriage. Born on February 2, 1956 in Coatesville , Pa. , she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Ann Petro Ruczhak. In addition to her husband she is survived by three sons Micha...

Mary Rose Still is my maternal grandmother. Born 26 July 1911, she is the oldest child of Martin Welsh and Catherine O’Flaherty. She passed away 20 May 1989. Her funeral service was arranged by Albert F Kuzo Funeral Home in Kennett Square , Chester County. She is buried with my grandfather, her husband, at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett. The images on the front of her cards are mostly Marian images, although I do have one of St. Therese the Little Flower. The back, as can be seen here, is a quote of Cardinal Newman. This indicates, as I already knew, that she is Roman Catholic. Funeral Card Friday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

I recently came across my Uncle Theodore’s marriage certificate. Theodore Ruzchak married Mary Chernecky on 1 February 1941 at my church – the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church - in Coatesville. The Rev. Hilary H. Wroblewsky officiated. My uncle’s parents (my great grandparents) are Panko Hruszczak and Bessie Matys. Aunt Mary’s parents are Wasyl Chernecky and Tatianna Czapel. They had two children. The church is located in Coatesville, Chester County. Wedding Wednesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

Lloyd P Still is my maternal grandfather. Born 24 March 1914, he is the younger son of Pierson George Still and Mary Kilpatrick. He passed away 4 May 1993. His funeral service was arranged by Kuzo & Gofus Funeral Home in Kennett Square , Chester County. He is buried with my grandmother, his wife, at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Kennett. The front of his cards are images of Christ or of Mary. I actually have one of each. The back, as can be seen here, is a quote of Cardinal Newman. This indicates, as I already knew, that he is Roman Catholic. I am not sure where the name Lloyd came from but his middle name, Pierson, is that of his father. Funeral Card Friday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

Hagia Sophia is my bucket list. There is no genealogical reason to visit. To my knowledge my family has no connection to the sacred building. All the same, I will die a happy woman if I could visit the Hagia Sophia. So what is the Hagia Sophia? Located in Istanbul , it is truly a wonder. Her name means “Holy Wisdom.” For over 900 years, it was a Church. Then, for just shy of 500 years, she stood as a mosque. Now it is a museum with visual remnants of its past lives. It has stood as a museum since 1935. It has been built and rebuilt three times in the same location. It was first built in 360 by Emperor Kanstantios. It was burned down in a public riot in 404. A little more than a decade later, in 415, it was rebuilt by Emperor Theodosios II. This church too was destroyed after a public riot in January 532. Construction for the third structure began the next month and the church was complete by December 537. From 537 to 1453, she stood as the seat of the Patriarch of Constantin...

Alvin Still is my 4 th cousin. I have seen his name spelled Alban and also Alvan. In 1916 he married Catherine Leahy in Coatesville, Chester County. The Coatesville Record (sadly, now defunct) used to run a section, as many papers do, in which it would re-print news from the past. On 5 August 1946, under the “30 years ago” heading, it ran the following: Miss Catherine Leahy and Alvin Still, this city, were united in marriage. Alban is the son of Robert and Albina Williams Still. Robert is the son of my 3 rd great grandparents, George David and Sarah Bing Still. Catherine is the daughter of Henry and Clara Supplee Leahy. Wedding Wednesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

Robert B Still is my 3 rd great uncle. He is the son of George David Still and Sarah Bing Still, my 3 rd great grandparents. He is buried, next to his wife Albina, at the Hephzibah Baptist Church Cemetery in East Fallowfield Township , Chester County . His stone reads: In Loving Memory Robert B Still Born Aug 15, 1823 Died Feb 16, 1903 Age 64 Years At Rest He was born in East Fallowfield Township . He married Albina Williams in 1874, probably in East Fallowfield Township . He owned and ran a farm in East Fallowfield Township . He and Albina raised two sons – George and Alban – in East Fallowfield Township . He died and was buried in East Fallowfield Township . And yet, I know so little about him. He is but a ghost of East Fallowfield Township .  Tombstone Tuesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

Catharine Still was the wife of my fourth cousin Alban Williams Still. His name is spelled wrong in her obituary. He was an inspector for the US Government so shortly after they married in 1916, they headed West. They stopped in Ohio before settling in California . After Alban died there in Los Angeles in 1930, Catharine headed back East. Her obituary reads: Mrs. Catharine M Still, 51 Pennsylvania Avenue , widow of the late Alvan Still, died this morning in Coatesville hospital as a result of a heart condition She was a daughter of the late Henry and Clara Supplee Leahy. Quite active in Olivet Methodist church here, she taught Class No 3 in the Sunday school many years until she became ill. She was a member of the Eastern Star in California where she resided some years. Surviving are a sister and brother, Miss Bessie M Leahy and John Leahy, both of Coatesville. Funeral services will be held at the Paul Roberts funeral home, here, Friday afternoon at two o’clock wi...

Three years ago today (5 February 2013) my mom passed. Here she is pictured with her brother Thomas Garrett Still, who has also since passed. Next Sunday, the 14th, would have been Uncle Tom's birthday. Both my mom (Barbara Still Ruczhak) and Uncle Tom were 69 when they passed. She passed on this day in 2013. He passed on 6 August 2014. Special thanks to my cousin, Loretta, for providing me with this photo. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

Helen Still Webster is my 2x great aunt. Specifically she is the sister of my maternal grandfather’s father. Born 24 August 1903 in East Fallowfield Township , she is the youngest child of Franklin Still and Sarah Jennie VanHorn. She passed away 1 March 1995 at Pocopson. Her funeral service was held on Saturday, 4 March at Doe Run Presbyterian Church in East Fallowfield Township , Chester County . She is buried in the church’s cemetery across the street. The Reverend Dr. Sarah B Taylor officiated. The front of his card shows a cross with some purple flowers. The back shows the funeral home which facilitated her service and burial. It was the Robert A Harris Funeral Home in Coatesville. Inside the card, on the left side, is a poem by Tennyson, titled “Crossing the Bar.” The viewing was held at Harris Funeral Home, which is located in a beautiful old house on Lincoln Highway . The procession from the funeral home to the church could have taken a couple routes. The most...

George W Still is my 3 rd great uncle. He was one of six children of George David Still and Sarah Bing. In 1874 he married Rebecca Jane Wilson, the daughter of John Wilson and Rebecca Speakman. The announcement – as transcribed: Still-Wilson – In Downingtown, at the residence of B.F. Lewis, on March 19 th 1874, by the Rev. Francis J. Collier, Mr. George W. Still, of West Marlborough township, to Miss Rebecca Jane Wilson, of New Garden township, Chester County . The B.F. Lewis mentioned in the announcement is George’s brother-in-law. B.F. Lewis was married to George’s sister Jane. Wedding Wednesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

George David Still is my 3 rd great grandfather. He is the elder son of Margaret Still. I have yet to determine who fathered him. He is buried at the Doe Run Presbyterian Cemetery in East Fallowfield Township , Chester County . His stone reads: Our Father George D Still Born May 3 rd 1808 Died Nov 8 th 1888 Finding George’s father remains on my To Do List. His mother, Margaret Still, is the daughter of Charles Still and Margaret Rhoades. George and his brother David were both born out of wedlock. George’s granddaughter – my Aunt Helen – was awesome in helping me when I first got interested in tracing our family. She did not know who her great grandfather was though. She always thought perhaps it was a passing soldier or something even more questionable. I have to admit I tried so hard to find out who fathered George before my aunt passed but sadly I did not make that connection. I still have not though I am closer! Hence, he remains on my To Do List and...

John Still is my 3 rd great uncle and – like his grandmother Margaret Still – is a bit of a mystery. He was the first child of George David Still and Sarah Bing. He was born 3 October 1832 and died on 6 May 1910. He married Edith Jane Naylor in 1864. They had a daughter named Clara. I have traced him through the Census records, Civil War records and newspaper articles but still cannot confirm - without a doubt that is - if he is white or black or mixed! Allow me to back peddle a moment. Margaret Still, my 4th great grandmother and John's grandmother, fathered my George - yes John's father - out of wedlock. There are many speculations: a passing soldier, a patron at her father's tavern, a family member, a slave, etc. So, imagine my surprise when I found John's Death Certificate and it said "colored." Was he really colored? He died at the old Embreeville State Hospital. Did the informant not even look? Was he simply darker than one would e...