Genealogical Gems

Nicholas Ruczhak – my paternal grandfather’s brother – and his wife Anna are buried at the S. Nicholas Russian Cemetery in Valley Township , Chester County . Their stone reads: Ruczhak Nicholas           Mar. 9, 1921     Mar. 4, 2008 Anna                Oct. 22, 1922   May 26, 2014 I was fortunate enough to know Uncle Nick and Aunt Ann. Uncle Nick was born 9 March 1921 in Coatesville to Panko & Bessie Matys Hruszczak. He fought in World War II, serving as a Corporal in the Army. He served in the South Pacific in the Philippine Liberation with one Bronze Star, according to his obituary. After the War, he came home and married Aunt Ann – then Anna Petro – in 1948. They had three children, all girls. Tombstone Tuesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers. © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

Birthdays Happy birthday this week to Beth Garris, Abigal Buckley, Dennis O’Flaherty, and Angele Sammons! This Saturday (Valentine’s Day) would also have been Uncle Tom (Still)’s birthday. He is my Godfather, mom’s brother, and Beth’s father. May God grant you all Many Years.   Valentine's Day   Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!   Memory Eternal Today is the second anniversary of the passing of Naomi “Aunt Nonnie” O’Flaherty Catanese. She was born in 1934 to Dennis and Naomi Souder O’Flaherty. She was the oldest of six children. She married Dominic Catanese, to whom she had five children. She passed on 8 February 2013. That’s her brother Dennis mentioned above in the birthday session. Monday is the 113 th anniversary of my 3x great grandfather Chrispin Pierson VanHorn’s passing. He was born 21 September 1839 to George Washington and Jane Dudbridge VanHorn. He was the oldest of seven children. He married Maria Rice, with whom he fathered six c...

Awhile back I saw this sort of post on someone else’s genealogy blog. I forget who wrote but I love the idea of each week remembering those who have passed, wishing the living a happy birthday or happy anniversary or simply remembering family events. Hence, this coming year – 2015 – I have decided to do the same.   Sunday, 28 December M. Virginia Acre Garris passed 5 years ago in 2009. The wife of Charles S. Garris, she was 90 years old when she passed. Their grandson Kevin married my first cousin Beth Ann Still. Charles Joseph Buckley turns 12 today!   His great grandfather, Raymond Welsh, was one of my grandmother’s brothers. Wednesday, 31 December Mattie L. Kittinger Eckman passed 25 years ago at the age of 87. She was married to Charles D. Eckman, son of Darius J. and Ella M. Doner Eckman. Darius was brother to hubby’s great grandfather, Charles Eckman. John Lawrence Schlichter turns 51. John is, according to FTM...

Uncle Nick and Aunt Ann were married in 26 June 1948 in Coatesville. Their wedding announcement was published in the Coatesville Record on 7 July 1948 and it read: Miss Ann Petro, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Metrofan Gromotovesh of Coatesville RD3, and Mr. Nicholas Ruczhak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Panko Ruczhak, of this city, were married during a ceremony performed at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Saturday afternoon, June 26, at 4 o'clock. Rev. John Morozoff officiated during the double ring ceremony.

My Aunt Ann passed on Monday. Her obituary as it was published in the Daily Local:   Ann Ruczhak of Coatesville Ann Ruczhak, 91, passed away on Monday, May 26, 2014, at Hickory House Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. Ann was predeceased by her loving husband, Nicholas Ruczhak in 2008 after 60 years of marriage. Born on Oct. 22, 1922 in Coatesville, she was the daughter of the late Metrofan and Matrona Gromotovesh. Ann was an avid gardener. She loved to crochet and her handiwork is cherished by her daughters. Her greatest love was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ann was a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.   Ann is survived by daughters, Sandra (Val) Dzwonczyk of Baltimore, Md., Karen Campbell of Coatesville and Maria (Michael) Toth of Coatesville; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and nieces, Nina Petro and Valerie Fox. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a brother, John Petro, and sister, ...