Genealogical Gems

Last week I mentioned the Honor Roll at my church – the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Coatesville. Our Honor Roll plaque is in the back of the church and was originally created for those who served in World War II but has added the wars and our soldiers since then. Today, I’d like to introduce you to our World War II veterans. The three marked with an * are the three who were Killed In Action (KIA).  They are: Babel, Harry Bilinski, Michael Bodnar, Stephen Bodnar, Michael Bodnar, Paul Branson, Lewis Jr Buckle, Andrew * Buckle, John Buckle, Michael Daniels, George R Jr Donkewicz, George Donkewicz, John Euler, Frank Gbur, John Grycky, William A * Hachak, John Handoe, John Hanna, William H Hasiey, Joseph Hewczuk, Michael Hruszczak, Nicholas ß my Uncle Nick (Gigi’s brother) Hruszczak, Paul ß my Uncle Paul (Gigi’s brother) Jacoby, John Jacoby, Steve Jacoby, William Kasuba, B Myron Katherina, Michael Keshuta,...

I'm cleaning out - the house, my "office", my personal holdings, my piles and piles of papers! While cleaning out, I came across a listing of local newspaper holdings at the Lancaster Library. These holdings are on microfilm and the library is located on Duke Street in Lancaster City. The Library offers: Lancaster Journal Lancaster Intelligencer Lancaster Examiner & Herald Lancaster Democrat Saturday Express Daily Evening Express Lancaster Inquirer Lancaster Daily Examiner Uncle Samuel Lancaster New Era Morning News Terre Hill Times and the Lancaster Sunday News Some of these collection date back to 1796. (c) Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016

Many communities – be it a town or a church family – have an Honor Roll of the brave men and women who served our nation over the years. Some wanted to serve and enlisted while others were drafted and have no choice. My church – Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Coatesville – is no different. Out Honor Roll plaque is in the back of the church. Both the American flag and the Ukrainian flag are attached.  The Honor Roll was originally created for those who served in World War II but has added the wars and our soldiers since then. Three of our men have gold star next to their names, implying they were killed in action. They are Andrew Buckle, William Grycky, and (my uncle) Paul Kurenda. Not every parishioner who served is actually listed. Most of the men are buried up in our cemetery. Some of their stories – like my Uncle Paul – I know but many I do not and fear their stories will be forgotten by the next generation or two if not retold. So, over the next several Mo...

Glenn and I were married on 22 August 1992. Here he is pictured with his parents - Dorothy Deyoe and Frank Eckman. Both passed away a few years ago - Dad in 1994 and his mom in 1996. The photo just felt fitting today. We were married by Father George Schneider at Our Lady of Consolation (I was Catholic at the time) in Parkesburg, Chester County. Wedding Wednesday is a genealogical prompt from GeneaBloggers. (c) Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2016