Cousins..

Cousins got together for a great family photo. From left to right: Wayne and Jamie, Jeff and Tammy, Kerry and John, Kathy and Frank, Jana, and Jay.

Smiles tell it all. The fun, the food, the family, the friendships. Everyone was talking about how the family resemblances were clear. From our parents, to 1st cousins and then to the next generation of 2nd cousins.

The smiles on the faces represent the smiles of the hearts. Family days of summer have been memorable.

So. Cal Reunion

Sunday August 23rd, 2009 was a great time for family to get together. Jeff and Tammy Cervenka were out from Philadelphia to visit their son Lyle. We took Sunday afternoon to get the cousins together.

A California style back yard bar-b-que was held at the home of Wayne and Jamie Weeks. The standard hot dog and hamburger menu was highlighted with potato salad, green salad, baked bean, fresh fruit, and two delicious desserts. Everyone had their fill and the weather was a typical fantastic So. California day.

Everyone exchanged job histories and for the young crowd we learned of college dreams. The smallest of cousins are still at home with mom and others face the elementary school challenges. No matter what the future may bring the family unity was overflowing.

The Cervenkas are now taking over the LA job market. We are supportive of every one's efforts and dreams. Holidays now are going to be a family filled event. We were thrilled to learn of a new engagement and a baby to come this spring. Life is good. Family is great. God Bless everyone.

Cervenka Family Headstones

The is the main monument for the Cervenka family. These are my Great Great Grandparents. Information as follows:

Jan Cervenka Born:29 Aug 1828 Died:12 Apr 1899 His occupation was a farmer and born in Bohemia.
Marie (Holubova) Cervenka Born:27 Aug 1834 Died:22 Mar 1901 and Burried: 25 Mar 1901 she was a house keeper.

Below the main headstone you will find two markers in Czech:
Matka: Mother and Otec: Father

Note the family name of Marie (Holubova) The ending of ova means a girl from the family of Holuba. Some records I have found referr to Marie as Mary.

Jan and Marie has 6 boys and 1 girl: *buried BNC
1. Frank 1863-1944 (my great grand father)* & spouse Bozena (Hrdina) 1866-1952
2. Joseph
3. Karel 1871-1896* & spouse Katerina (Hrachova) 1873-1892
4. Anton 1868-1952*& spouse Emma (Pekar) 1874-1947
5. John
6. Charles ?
7. Anna

Also buried in this location are:
3 of the 4 children of Frank and Bozina Cervenka
1. William John Cervenka my grand father Born:25 Jul 1894 Died:14 Dec 1958 & spouse Mildred (Vondra) Born:22 Nov 1895 Died:20 Sep 1979
2. Joseph F. 1889-1958
3. Antonia Cervenka Verba 1888-1977 & spouse Joseph Verba 1886-1929

One additional grave for a baby Vincenc only 11 days 1890-1890. I have not yet identified who his parent were.

I will post the pictures of the various grave stones in later postings.

Headstone Vondra: Jan, Rozalie, Marie

Jan Vondra: In many other references I have found the last name spelled Wondra. This is the case in his marriage licence to Rozalie Bares.

Jan Vondra Born 24 Jun 1844 and died 19 Feb 1911 burial 22 Feb 1911.

Jan lived and died at 2142 S. Washtenaw Ave. Chicago. He worked as a blacksmith at 1015 S. Washtenaw, Chicago.

We went by both of these addresses. His home is still there. Rozalie or often referenced as Rose or Rosie operated the place as a boarding house. This continue after his death until Rozalie died at home 27 Sep 1916. Rozalie was born 4 Apr 1859 and buried 30 Sep 1916.

They were both buried in simple burial boxes. These were very narrow and placed about 6 feet into the grave. Often times the families were so poor that they could not afford a head stone. They would place a simple rock marker. This may be the reason for so many markers missing.

I will be getting the translation of the Czech statement found on the head stone and post it a.s.a.p.

Front Entry

The front structure of the main entry is so inviting. Written in both Czech and English the name of the cemetry is beautifully presented.

Bohemian National Cemetery Entryway

The entrance to the Bohemian National Cemetery is full of dynamic architecture. It is a tribute to the craftsmanship of the people who build it. Many of the homes in the Czech communities of Chicago and the surrounding communities are constructed in brick.

Visit to Chicago and Berwyn

August 2009 Taking a trip to Chicago and Berwyn to continue our family research project. Wayne and I arrived on Wednesday and went right to work. We found our hotel and then went out for a great Italian dinner. Then came Thursday. We did great. We were up early and then out to the Bohemian National Cemetery, 5255 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL. There we met a great office coordinator and she got us organized. She gave us reams of information about the ins and outs of the cemetery business. She helped us locate the grave sites for the Vondra and Cervenka families.

It was a bit sad to see that the Vondra section had only one headstone remaining. However, it was that of my great grandparents. Jan Vondra 1844-1911 and Rozina Bares Vondra 1857-1916. Also on the same headstone was the information regarding his second wife Marie Vondra 1847-1893.

The following family members are burried in the Vodra plot:
Kvetava Korinet 11 mons. 1906
Josef Vondra 19 yrs. 1884
Milada Vondra 1 yr. 1884
Pauline Otto 8 days 1886
Bertha A. Otto 1 day 1887
Jerry Vondra 23 yrs. 1905
Marie Vondra 46 years 1893
John Vondra 66 yrs. 1911
Anna Otto 18 days 1890
Rosie Vondra 57 yrs. 1916
Joseph Korinek 78 yrs. 1942 ashes
Geroaldine Korinek 37 yrs 1945
Marie Korinek 85yrs. 1953
Miles Hruska 1 yr. 1897
Marie Hruska 10 days 1907
Josefa Krizek 2 yrs 1891
Milada Koubek 1 yr. 1892
Otto Misicka 9 mos, 1893

We then went to the Cervenka plot and many of the headstones remain in good condition. There are the following family members there:
Vincenc Cervenka 1 mo 1890
Jan Cervenka 1828-1899 & spouse Marie (Holuboa) Cervenka 1834-1901 GGGrandparents
son Karel Cervenka 1871-1896 & spouse Katerina (Hrachova) Cervenka 1873-1893
son Anton Cervenka 1868-1952 & spouse Emma (Pekar) Cervenka 1874-1947 ashes
son Frank Cervenka 1863-1944 ashes & spouse Bozena (Hrdina) 1866-1952
son William J. Cervenka 1895-1958 & spouse Mildred (Vondra) Cervenka 1895-1979 grave box
son Joseph F. Cervenka 1889-1958
daughter Antonnette (Cervenka) Vrba 1888-1977 ashes & spouse Joseph Vrba 1886
-1929

I will now post some of the grave markers. Jamie Cervenka Weeks