Genealogical Gems

It was On This Day, 40 years ago, in 1975 that my Aunt Mary passed away. She was one of my Baba’s sisters. I have vague memories of visiting her when I was little. I used to stay a week in the summer with each of my grandmothers and Baba and I used to visit her sisters and my grandfather’s sisters.   Born 10 July 1910, she was the daughter of John Kurenda and Frances Skrabalek. On a brief side note, I’ve seen Skrabalek spelled various ways over the years and this one is the one I go with officially since it is the one my great grandmother Frances appears to have used.   She married Andrew Joseph Sokso. They had three children: Andrew , Frances , and William.   Vichnaya Pamyat!   CORRECTION : I must have been extremely sleepy this morning when I wrote this piece this morning. Aunt Mary passed away on 9 August 1975.   On This Day is a prompt to further explore historical events.           ...

Panko Hruszczak is my great grandfather. Today is the 46 th anniversary of his passing so it seems only fitting that today he is the focus of Friday’s Faces from the Past. Vichnaya Pamyat Note: The photo is from a copy of his naturalization papers. Friday's Faces From the Past is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

Joseph Sokso,  age 87, of Milton, DE formerly of Sadsburyville, PA passed away on Monday, November 11, 2013 at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, Newark, DE. He was born January 29, 1926 in Coatesville, PA, son of the late George and Mary (Kernke) Sokso. Mr. Sokso retired as a foreman in 1988 after a 40 year career with Lukens Steel, formerly Bethlehem Steel in Coatesville, PA. After retirement, he relocated to Milton, DE where he enjoyed sunny days fishing and boating on local waters. Mr. Sokso could fix anything he tackled, especially household projects, with a very analytical mind. He thoroughly enjoyed designing and building the family's two homes. When time permitted, Mr. Sokso loved travelling, experiencing all this country had to offer. He also served as a Lecturer and Bible School volunteer at Zion United Methodist Church. Previously, Mr. Sokso served as a Trustee on the Board of the Lutheran Church in Coatesville, PA. He was a humble man, never looking for ...

Today I learned a new word: Magyar! I was researching my cousin's SOKSO line and came across the "native tounge" of Magyar. Hungarians, also known as Magyars (Hungarian: magyar), are a nation and ethnic group who speak Hungarian and are primarily associated with Hungary. My grandmother's sister was Mary Frances Kurenda. She married Andrew Sokso. Today I connected with one of my Sokso cousins. Andrew's parents were George and Mary Sokso, according to census records. Andrew was one of eight (8) children!   George and Mary immigrated in either 1902 (as per the 1920 census) or 1903 (as per the 1930 census). The later census showed their birthplace as being Austria and they both spoke Hungarian. Ten years earlier though, in 1920, the census reveals them as have been born in Hungary and their native tounge is Magyar.  

  Andrew Joseph Sokso b. 5 May 1905 d. 3 August 1962   Andy is my Uncle, having married Baba's (my grandmother) sister Mary Frances Kurenda. Together they had three children, two of whom have passed.

PFC Paul Kurenda was only 22 when he gave his life for our country. He became ill fighting in Europe during WW2. He was brought back to the States and finally was transferred to Valley Forge General Hospital where he died. He was buried in the Holy Ghost Ukrainian Cemetery in Valley Township, Chester County sharing a plot with his parents. His father had predeceased him and is buried to the other side so that Paul is between his parents. He was born in 1922 to John and Frances (nee Skrabalek) Kurenda. Paul had two brothers: Peter and John. In addition, he had three sisters Mary, wife of Andrew Sokso; Catherine, wife of John Yuzwiak; and Anna, wife of Joseph Ruczhak. (Anna & Joe were my grandparents).