Abraczinskas Lithuanian Ancestry

By Ray Abraczinskas

Preface
Who were the Abraczinskas? Where did they come from? Where did they go? What did they do? Why did they do it? All valid questions begging for answers. Most certainly they all started in Lithuania. I have been working on gathering family information for over 45 years since my mother and father told me a few of our relatives names and also that they were from Suvalki, Lithuania. I realize now that they really meant the Suvalkija Region of Lithuania. I now have over 6,000 names in my family tree file with many Abracinskas that no one ever knew about. This book just shows the peak of my ancestry and where some of them were actually from. It also has information about many other Abracinskas that changed their names and therefore were hidden or unknown throughout the world. Why they changed their name remains a mystery. Some probably wanted a new life in America, others changed their Abracinskas name due to mispronunciation, misspelling (by the census takers, etc.), and misunderstanding by the people around them. This book contains many names which may tend to confuse the reader because some times the names Abracinskas, Abraczinskas, and Abrachinsky, etc. are used interchangeably, especially in the family tree information in the back of the book. My apologies for burdening the reader to keep this in mind throughout. An example would be like Michael Abracinskas becoming known as Michael Abrachinsky, and his son Andrew Abrachinsky becoming Andrew Abraczinskas. Caveat emptor! Although every effort has been made to insure correctness in the lineage, birth and death dates, and family information, it is very possible that errors exist in the hearsay data that I received from relatives and friends, and even in the data I found in Social Security records and census records. I assume no liability for the correctness in this data but I hope that you enjoy this information for it is rapidly disappearing. Ray Abraczinskas

The country of Lithuania is divided into Districts or Regions called Rajonas. In every region there are Post Offices in the main towns that serve the area villages. The town with the Post office was referred to as Pastas. A village or small town was referred to as Kaimas or Kaimo (the O-ending means of the or to the. Endings have changed through the years, as people would speak the names of Post Offices, towns and villages. I have a list of some of the places that Abracinskas were from given to me by my relatives in the format of Rajo- The five Rajonas (Regions or Districts) in Lithuania. The Abracinskas came from the Suvalkija Region. nas, Pastas, and Kaimas. One of the peculiarities of Lithuanian names is the difference between the male surnames and those of married and unmarried women. The surnames of married women are formed by dropping the ending of the male surname and adding the suffix - iene, for example, Katilius - Katiliene, Varnas - Varniene, Zujus - Zujiene (or Zujuviene), Abraczinskas - Abraczinskiene. Thus, the suffix - iene carries the same meaning as the English Mrs. used before a married womans name. The surnames of unmarried women are formed by adding the suffixes - aite, - yte, - ute, - te, for example, Katilius - Katiliute, Zujus - Zujute, Varnas - Varnaite, Banys Banyte, Abraczinskas - Abraczinskaite. The second half of the 20th century saw the emergence of a new tradition for married women, artists in particular, to use their maiden names. These peculiarities in Lithuanian names sometime cause confusion in family tree records today. Another family tradition in Lithuania was to name their children after the parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts. That too sometimes causes confusion, as there are many William, Anthony, Michael, Joseph, John, Magdalena, and Anna Abracinskas. My Abraczinskas name in Lithuania is correctly spelled Abracinskas (without the z) and its normally pronounced Abra-chin-skas. Any c in a Lithuanian name would have a small mark above it that looks like the bottom half of an o and it would be pronounced as ch. In the Polish language, the cz is also pronounced ch. This language pronounciation rule probably caused many Abracinskas immigrants names to be modified upon entering the United States because they could not speak English and the immigration officers could not understand Lithuanian, so the names were probably written down like they sounded, hence, the names Abrachinsky, Abrashinsky, Abrazinski, etc. The immigration and census records are usually always misspelled! The Abracinskas came from Lithuania. The older generations lived on farms in the area south of Marijampole, which is the Lithuanian center of the Suvalkija region. Suvalkija or Sudovia is the smallest of the five cultural regions of Lithuania. Under the communist regime Marijampole

was called Kapsukos and the region around it was called the Kapsuko Rajonas, or Kapsuko Region. The town of Marijampole and its 6 surrounding communities make up the territory of Marijampole municipality. They are: Gudeliai, Igliauka, Liudvinavas, Marijampole, Sasnava, and Sunskai communities. Marijampole is the seventh biggest town in Lithuania situated on both banks of the Sesupe River. The people of Suvalkija Region were among the first and most numerous emigrants to the United States. My parents and other older relatives used to tell me that the Abracinskas came from Suvalki and I never understood what that meant until I researched my family tree information and Lithuanias geographical history. It is not the city of Suwalki in northeastern Poland southwest of the Lithuania border. Today Suvalkija still remains one of the most important agricultural regions of Lithuania, harvesting large crops of sugar beets. Members of the Abracinskas family came from the farming area south of Marijampole and began arriving in America in the 1880s, 1890s and early 1900s. They traveled by ship from Hamburg and Bremen Germany, Amsterdam and Rotterdam Holland, Liverpool England, and Glasgow Scotland, arriving in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Some came through Ellis Island. Most were laborers, farmers, and miners. They established themselves in eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois and Wisconsin. My research has shown that some of the young Abracinskas men worked in the mines in a town called Bellshill about 6 miles east of Glasgow, Scotland. Coal and iron deThe Abracinskas lived on farms in the area south posits were found nearby Bellshill after the of Marijampole shown by the red circle. mid 1800s and several mines were opened, the first of which being the Thankerton mine. The town greatly increased in population and size after this and immigrants, particularly from Lithuania, began to arrive. As a result it is sometimes referenced as little Lithuania. The rise in the migrant Lithuanian population led to the opening of The Scottish Lithuanian Recreation and Social Club within Calder Road in the Mossend area. (a Vincentas Abracinskas arrived in America from Bellshill). An Anthony Abracinskas immigrated to the U.S. in 1914 arriving from Clock Face, England on May 31, 1914 on the ship Carmania from Liverpool (the written name on the ships manifest was Arbacianskas). There were 1084 passengers on the ship when it arrived in New York. He was 18 years old, single, and listed as a miner. His info on the ships manifest indicated that he had a brother B. Arbacianskas living at 7 Hall Street, Clock Face, England, which is a short distance east of the Sutton Manor coal mine. It is not known how these men are related but apparently like many others, they were seeking better opportunities by moving to America to work in the mines.

Sutton Manor mine lift where many Lithuanians worked - 1898.

Towns or villages that were listed in family history and immigration records that Ive researched sometimes indicated where the Abracinskas were originally from. Following are their towns given in parenthesis after the actual town I found that is shown on todays maps. These are some of the towns and villages: Liudvinavas (Ludwinovo), Silavotas (Silavoto), Avikilai (Avikilu), Suvalkeliai (Suvalki, Suwalki), Naujiena (Naujenos), Raudenis, Pavalinas (Pabaline), Kalvarija Rajonas (Kalvaryos Rajonas), Zelstwos (Zelsva) (Zelsuous), and Mikalauka (Mikalaukos). These were very small villages located in the beautiful farming country south of Marijampole towards Kalvarija in the area west of highway 182 and north of highway 131. My great grandparents Michael (Mykolas) and Elizabeth Abracinskas and their six children settled in Shenandoah, PA. There was William, Michael Jr., Joseph, Elizabeth Ona, Andrew, and Victor, all born in Lithuania. Mykolas, his wife Elizabeth, and their son Victor arrived in New York on August 8, 1898 on the ship Spaarndam from Rotterdam, Netherlands and were the last ones to join their other children already in Shenandoah living at 29 West Coal Street. Michael (Mykolas) died on January 17, 1914 at age 74 and is buried in the Old Saint George Cemetery in The ship Spaarndam carried many immigrants to New York in the late 1890s. Shenandoah Heights, PA.

Sutton Manor mine being dismantled - 1992.

Sutton Manor mine lift early 1900s.

This map of the area south of Marijampole shows several of the villages that Abracinskas were known to live. At the top center is Avikilai and Silavotas, small villages that were served from the Post Office in Liudvinavas just 5 miles to the southeast. Along highway 131 at the bottom is Raudenis, Pabaline, and Naujiena, three other villages believed to be where Abracinskas once lived. In the center is Suvalkeliai and Mikalauka, two villages that Abracinskas also lived at. Based on information that I have, the main Abracinskas farm and homestead is believed to have been in the Avikilai / Silavotas area. Today this area still remains one of the most important agricultural regions of Lithuania, harvesting large crops of sugar beets. Michael (Mykolas) Abraczinskas tombstone in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania says Kaimo: Zelstwos, GMI: Ludwinawo. It is believed this means the village of Zelsva (Zelsuous) in the Liudvinavas District. The village is about five miles north of Naujenos. Thats where Michael Abraczinskas was from. Michael died on January 17, 1914. He is interred in old Saint Georges Cemetery in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. The Abracinskas in Wisconsin came from the Naujiena area.

L. to R. Victor, and parents Elizabeth and Michael Abracinskas in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania circa 1899 after arriving from Zelstwos, just south of Ludvinavos, Lithuania. They arrived at Ellis Island on Aug 9, 1898 on the ship Sparndam from Rotterdam, Netherlands and joined their other five children in Shenandoah, PA. This photograph was provided by Barbara Abrachinsky Brabeck daughter of Mamero Abrachinsky.

Michael (Mikolas) ABRACINSKAS b. abt 1840, Zelstwos (Village), Ludvinavo (Post Office), Lithuania d. 17 Jan 1914, Shenandoah, PA & Elizabeth (Elzbieta) BRUNDZA b. 1843, Kalwaeiszek, Lithuania d. 22 Feb 1912, Shenandoah, PA m. ca 1866 William Vincent ABRACZINSKAS (ABAR) b. 1 Nov 1867, (Grabowo) Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 1952, Near Chicago, IL & Maria (Mary) BRUSOKAS b. 1878, Lithuania Michael ABRACINSKAS b. 28 Feb 1869, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 7 Jun 1946, Brockton, MA & Ursula ZELONIS (GREENE) b. 16 Oct 1884, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 30 May 1967, St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Brockton,MA m. 1900, Shenandoah, PA Joseph (Juozas) Michael ABRACHINSKY b. 27 Feb 1873, Mariampolis (Suwalki), Lithuania d. 18 Jun 1944, Shenandoah, PA & (Hilarion) Ursula Agnes Unitas (JONAITIS) b. 5 Feb 1885, Lithuania d. 4 Oct 1961, Shenandoah, PA m. 24 May 1903 Elizabeth Ona "Annie" ABRACINSKAS b. Jul 1874, Suwalki, Lithuania d. 3 Jul 1934, Shenandoah, PA & Youzas "Joseph" A. FALECKIS (FLECK) FELESKY b. Jun 1867 d. 1 Jun 1932, Shenandoah, PA m. abt 1893 Andrew Adam ABRACZINSKAS b. 6 May 1877, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 4 Oct 1956, New Smyrna Beach, FL & Margaret Maggie K. GINNIS b. May 1885, Pennsylvania d. 1 Jun 1961, New Smyrna Beach, FL m. 9 Oct 1901, Shenandoah, PA Victor ABRACZINSKAS b. 10 Oct 1882, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 22 Aug 1929, Killed In Mines, Shenandoah, PA & Anna (Ona) DISCAVAGE (DESZEWICZ) b. 12 Mar 1885, Shenandoah, PA d. 9 Jul 1919, Shenandoah, PA m. 9 Jan 1907, Shenandoah, PA

Michael (Mykolas) Abracinskas and Elizabeth (Elzibeta) Brundza Abracinskas six Children information are shown here.

 Michaels oldest son William worked around Shenandoah and on Andrews farm near Catawissa and then moved to Spring Valley, Illinois, in about 1900. He worked in the mines there for over 50 years. He became a member of the Jehovahs Witnesses and changed his name to Abar. He married Maria (Mary) Brusokas and they had five children, Maria (Mary), William, Jr., Julia, Anastasia, and Charles. William died in 1952 and is buried in Peru City Cemetery in Peru, Illinois. Michael, Jr. worked in the mines in Shenandoah for 20 years and then moved to Brockton, Massachusetts where he built 3 apartment William Abraczinskas houses and operated a grocery Abar - about 1897. store in one of the apartment buildings. He Left - Michael Abracinskas, Jr. visiting at was a Director Andrews farm about 1945. Right - Mi- of the Brockchael, Jr. in a wedding in Shenandoah about ton Trust Co. 1905. Around 1917 or 1918, a committee of three including Michael Abracinskas had a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson to discuss the possibility of assistance to Lithuania. He married One of the three apartment houses Ursula Zelonis (Greene) in Shenandoah in 1901 and they built in Brockton by Michael Abracinhad seven children, Michael, Ambrose, Pauline, Peter, Ed- skas at 143 Ames Street - 1990. ward, Albert, and Elizabeth. Michael senior passed away June 7, 1946 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Brockton. His son Albert became a Catholic priest and was ordained in Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston on May 3, 1940. Albert died in Brockton on May 11, 2003 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Brockton. I attended his 50th-year Golden Jubilee in the Priesthood in Brockton in 1990 and also his funeral services there in 2003. Joseph lived in and operated a grocery store in Shenandoah, at 27 West Coal Street, which is still in business today and known as the Abrachinsky Hardware Store. Joseph and his sister Elizabeth Anna came to America together from Hamburg, Germany on the ship Bohemia, arriving new York on June 10, 1892. He was 19 years old and she was 18 years old. Both could not read or speak English. The ships manifest indicated that they were from Suwalki, Lithuania. Joseph married Ursula Unitas on May 3, 1903 and they had six children, Victoria, Mamero, Albert, Anna, Joseph, and George. Joseph died on June 18, 1944 and is buried at the Old Saint George Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights.
Joseph Abrachinsky Elizabeth Ona (Annie) married Joseph Falecki (Fleck) and was a visiting at Andrews midwife to many Abracinskas births and illnesses. Their son Anthony Fleck farm about 1945.

was a dentist in Shenandoah. Elizabeth Ona Abracinskas Fleck died on July 3, 1934 and is buried with her husband in old Saint Georges Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights next to her parents.

Carriage driver Andrew - 1900.

Young handsome Andrew Abraczinskas in about 1895.

Elizabeth Ona Abracinskas wedding photo about 1893.

Andrew (my grandfather) worked in the mines around Shenandoah, was a carriage driver at weddings and celebrations, and worked in his brothers grocery store on Coal Street. In 1907 he purchased a farm in the Roaring Creek Valley near Catawissa. In 1916, he purchased a second nearby farm and raised farm produce, Christmas trees and sawed lumber. His shrewd determination to learn by doing caused him to become very well educated in agricultural growing. Andrew married Margaret Ginnis in Shenandoah on October 9, 1901 and they had six children, Mary (Mariutie), Evon (Javanas) my father, Frances (Franciska), Telesforos, Anthony (Antanas), and Helen (Helena). Andrew and Margaret, or Maggie as she was called by many, enjoyed retirement years living in New Smyrna, Florida. Andrew died there on October 4, 1956. He and Margaret are buried at Our Lady of Mercy Church Cemetery, near Slabtown, Pennsylvania.

Maggie and Andrew Abraczinskas sitting on the Maggie and Andrew Abraczinskas at their farm lawn of their second farm in about 1917. Friends on the hill in about 1951. They were celebrating and relatives enjoyed visiting there. their 50th wedding anniversary.

As a boy in the 1940s, I can still remember Grandpop Andrew experimenting grafting different trees. One tree that I remember was an apple tree that bore five different species of fruit. He grew a lot of apples, cherries, hazel nuts, plums, and my dad Evon being the oldest, did a lot of the farm work. Andrews family worked hard and his foresight and tenacity in growing timber for cutting into lumber probably led him into the Christmas tree business. He would plant trees in the wasted spaces on his farm. Space in the fence rows, field corners, and on steep-sided hills was virtually worthless for farming but would grow the seedlings that Andrew planted. As they would grow, he and my dad Evon would replant them in the woods where timber was previously cut. The 5th and 6th generation of Abraczinskas are still operating the Christmas tree business yet today.

Andrews young wife, Margaret driving their first tractor on their second farm - 1916.

L. to R. - Margaret, baby Helen, and Margarets sister Sophia delivering milk to Slabtown - 1915.

Andrew driving a team of three horses pulling the new binder harvesting wheat on his farm with other family members - 1918.

Andrew watching Robert Pappy Miller on the tractor pulling a potato digger with Evon riding on it harvesting potatoes on the second farm - 1921.

Michael (Mykolas) Abracinskas youngest son Victor worked in the mines around Shenandoah. He married Anna (Ona) Discavage on January 9, 1907 and they had four children, Florent, Raymond, Mary, and Alverda. He was killed in a mine accident on August 22, 1929 and is buried in Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights. He left a will to his niece Ella Popik, who took care of his children after his death. Florent passed away in November 1985 in Tamaqua, PA. He had two sons, Florent, Jr. and Victor. Victor was in the U.S. Army and died in Korea in 1967. Mary passed away in Lehighton in 1998. Alverda passed away on November 2, 2001 in Nesquehoning, PA.

Matthew (Matas) ABRACINSKAS b. abt 1840, Zelstwos, Ludvinavo, Lithuania dp. Lithuania & Magdelena LEKETSKAS (LIEKECKAITE') bp. Lithuania Anna (Ona) Abraczinskas DAUKSYS b. 1874, Suwalki, Lithuania d. 26 Jul 1959, Newark, NJ & John DAUKSYS b. 28 Nov 1861, Lithuania d. 2 Mar 1944, Newark, NJ m. abt 1897 Joseph (Juozas) ABRACINSKAS b. abt 1884, Suwalki, Lithuania d. 1958, Lithuania & Ona (Magdelana) MINUSCIUTE b. 1905, Lithuania d. 5 Oct 1978, Lithuania Anthony (Antanas) J. ABRACINSKAS b. 25 Sep 1890, Silivotas, Lithuania d. 7 Oct 1959, Wocester, MA & Margaret M. Dereskevicius b. 21 Dec 1893, Lithuania d. 14 Oct 1962, Worcester, Massachussetts Mikasi (Mikolina) ABRACINSKAS bp. Lithuania & ? RAMONAUSKAS bp. Lithuania

Matthew (Matas) Abracinskas and Magdalena Lekeckaite Abracinskas four children information are shown here.

 Michael (Mykolas) had a twin brother in Lithuania named Matthew (Matas). I found this information written on a copy of a photograph I have of brothers Joseph and Anthony taken when they were both together in America in about 1910. Matthew was married to Magdalena Liekeckaite and they had four children (or more), Anna, Joseph, Anthony, and Mikolina (Mikasi). Michael and Matthew had an older sister named Ursula who married Louis Gabrieu (Gabris). They had five children: Louis (Ludwic), Stanley, Joseph, Ursula, and John (Jonas). Ursula Abracinskas family is described later in this book. Matthews daughter Ona (Anna), married John Dauksys in Newark, New Jersey and they had seven children, Julia, Joseph, Anna, Edmund, Valerie, Antionette, and Vito. They lived at 90 Warwick Street. I have communicated with several of the Dauksys family members but never met them. Matthews son Anthony Abracinskas came to New York on the ship Potsdam from Rotterdam Holland on November 29, 1910 and went to Newark. Later, he moved to and lived in Worcester, Massachusetts. He went back to Lithuania for a visit and returned to New York on November 22, 1935 on the ship SS Gripsgolm from Gothenberg, Sweden. At that time he was 45 years old, could speak English and was returning from Marijampole, Lithuania. He was married to Margaret Dereskevicius and they had no children on record. He lived at 13 South Ward Street, Worcester, MA and was a machine setter at Chain Belt Co. He died on October 7, 1959. Both he and his wife are buried at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, MA.
Joseph Abracinskas and his kas children, Joseph and Mikasi brother Anthony together in New Jersey in about 1910. Jo- (Mikolina), lived in Lithuania (there could have been more seph went back to Lithuania.

Other Matthew Abracins-

brother Joseph together in Silivotas, Lithuania in about 1935. Bronius and his wife Janina Juodekaite had four children, L-R front. Josephs wife Anna, Justinas, Petras, Irina, and Vytautas all living in Lithuania. son Bronius, and sister Mikasi.

children). Joseph did come to America on 26 September 1908 from Hamburg on the ship Graf Waldersee when he was 24 years old. However, after a while, he returned to Lithuania and lived on the family farm in Silavotas south of Marijampole. Joseph was born in 1884 and died in 1958. Joseph and his wife Ona Minusciute had three children, Juozas (Joseph) born in 1924, Bronius born in 1927, and Magdalena born in 1933. After Joseph died, his son Joseph Jr. (Magdalenas brother) took over the family farmstead, which was still used in the 1990s as a summer house by Joseph Jrs wife Leva and her family. Joseph Jr died in 1976. Joseph Jr and Leva had L - R rear. Anthony Abracinsthree children, Regina, Rimas, and Alfas, all living in Lithuania. kas from Worcester, MA and his

The John Dauksys family in Newark, NJ in about 1921. L. to R. front. Vito Dauksys, Anna Abracinskas Dauksys, John Dauksys, and Eugene Verba. L. to R. rear. Anna Dauksys, Edward Dauksys, Anthony Verba, Julia Dauksys Verba, and Joseph Dauksys.

Anna (Ona) Abracinskas was a tall beautiful woman. She came to America in 1896 at the age of 22 and married John Dauksys about one year later. There is a possibility that it may have been a prearranged marriage because of the age difference between the two. She was in her 20s and he was in his 30s when they married, eventually, they had seven children.

 Magdelena married Ignas Dambrauskas and they had a daughter Danute, then Magdalena married Algirdas Bartuska and they had a son Rimvydas. Danute and Rimvydas live in Lithuania.

L - R rear. Reda and Rimas Abracinskas and their daughter Renata and son Vaidas. Rimas is the oldest son of Joseph Abracinskas, who is grandson of Matthew Abracinskas. twin brother of my great grandfather, Michael.

L - R rear. Danute (Magdalenas first daughter and wife of Albertas Dambrauskas), Magdalena, (?) friend of Rimvydas, and Rimvydas (Magdalenas son). Front. Jurga (Danutes daughter) and Algirdas Bartuska (Magdalenas husband). This photo was taken at their house in Marijampole, Lithuania in 1993.

There are many Abracinskas living in Lithuania yet today. In the early 1990s I corresponded with Magdalena through her grand daughter Yurga because Magdelena could not read or speak much English. In 2001, my cousin Jerome and his wife Marion went to Lithuania to visit their son Jerome Jr who is a Jehovas Witness missionary living in Lithuania. They met with most all the Abracinskas in Lithuania in August 2001 and took the following priceless photograph.

Two boys in front row, L-R. Karolis (Irenas son) and Edgaras (Petras and Ritas youngest son). Next row back, L-R. Jurga (Danutes daughter), Danute (wife of Albertas Dambrauskas and Magdalenas daughter), Magdalena (Algirdas Bartuskas wife), Marion Bunny Abraczinskas (Jeromes wife), Janina (wife of Bronius Abracinskas, deceased, Magdalenas older brother), Jerome Abraczinskas, Inga (Justinas daughter), Gwen Abraczinskas (Jerome Jrs wife), and Jerome Abraczinskas, Jr. (Jerome and Bunnys son). Next row back beginning with man behind Jurga, L-R. Alfas (son of Juozas, Magdalenas older brother), Eugenijus (husband of Regina. He died in Sept 2001 of a heart attack), Roma (Alfas wife), Regina (Eugenijus wife), Daiva (Irenas daughter), Irena, Rita (Petras wife). Last row beginning with man to right of the window, L-R. Algirdas (husband of Magdalena), Rimvydas (Magdalenas son), Rimvydas girlfriend (in front of Rimvydas), Petras (Ritas husband), Marius (Petras and Ritas oldest son), and Justinas. HELPFUL NOTES: Janina and Bronius Abracinskas children are Justinas, Petras (Rita), Irena, and Vytautus (Edita). Juozas Abracinskas (deceased older brother of Magdalena and Bronius) children are Regina (Eugenijus), Rimas (Reda), and Alfas (Roma). Magdalenas children are Danute (Albertas) and Rimvydas Bartuska.

Jerome Abraczinskas, Jr. stands in front of one of the farm homes near Silavotas, Lithuania that Matthew Abracinskas ancestors departed from on their journey to America in the late 1800s. Fruit trees still grow around the home, and behind Jerome, Jr. is the water well. This photo was taken in August 2001.

The front door of the Matthew Abracinskas home shown above.

Magdalena Abracinskas Bartuska and her nephew Rimas at the Matthew Abracinskas homestead near Silavotas, Lithuania.

The name Abraczinskas was changed to Abrashinsky in Wisconsin. Several Abrashinskys live in Wisconsin today who are descendents from William Anton Abraczinskas and Magdalena Sesnauskuite. William was also called Vincentas. He was born in October 25, 1885 in Suwalki (Region), Lithuania. William arrived in Baltimore in December 1910 from Bremen Germany and was listed as being from Naujenos. He went to Sheboygan in 1911 joining his brother Yanos (John) and sister Maria already there. He got married in 1912, and had three children, William Peter, Maria (Mary), and Frank. Those children resulted in about twelve Abrashinsky families in Wisconsin and beyond. I obtained a copy of Williams marriage certificate which indicated that he is the son of Anton (Antanas) Abracinskas and his wife Mary Sesnauskuite from Naujenos, Lithuania.

Michael, and Ursula. William died in Sheboygan on December 4, 1961 and was buried in Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

L. to R. Magdalena, William An At this time I do not know the exact family connection ton, and John (Yanos) Abrashwith William Antons lineage, but his father Antanas (Anton) insky at William Antons son possibly may be the brother of my great-grand parents Matthew, Bill Srs wedding in Sheboygan, Wisconsin - September 1940.

William Antons son William Peter and his wife Celia Margaret Scharenbroch, had two children, William Frank and James Peter. William Frank went by Bill and lives in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. James Peter went by Jim, he lived and died in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. My wife Katherine and I visited William Frank Bill Bill and Pat Abrashinsky in Sheand his wife Patricia Justinger in 2005. They gave me much in- boygan, Wisconsin - 2006. formation about the Abrashinsky family. They are wonderful people. We had a great time being shown around Sheboygan by them. Bill was born November 16,1942. He and Pat have six children, Michelle Marie, Kristin Lynn, Mary Ann, Katherine Ann, Patricia Jo, and Jessica Ruth. William Antons brother John (Yanos) Abraczinskas came to America in about 1909, went to Sheboygan and in 1910 boarded at 1317 Center Street. He worked at a local foundry and was not married then. In 1917 he lived at 1423 Huron Street. John worked at the Kingsbury Brewry located at the corner of New York Avenue and N. Water Street (after 1934). John and his wife Mary (Mariana) Alenskaite had two children in Sheboygan, Adela and Clement (Klemensas). His wife Mary went back to Lithuania circa 1915 and had Anna and Leonas. She later moved to Argentina and died there in about 1940. Leonas married Antonia Ceplaikaite and went to Montevideo, Uruguay and had two children, Lilian and Juan. John (Yanos) Abrashinsky died on December 8, 1956 and is buried in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Sheboygan.

John (Yanos) Abrashinsky - 1915.

 William Antons daughter Maria (Mary Helen) married Edward Lensen in February 1939 and they had two children Judy (1941) and Randall. Then Maria (Mary Helen) married Anton Green in January 1953 She died in 2003 and was buried at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. William Antons son Frank graduated from Sheboygan High William Abrashinsky, Jr. and Celia Scharanbrochs wedding September 28, 1940. L to R. Frank Abrashinsky, Mary Lensen (Abrashinsky), Celia School on June 10, Abrashinsky, William Abrashinsky, Jr., Magdalene Abrashinsky, William 1937. He was in the U.S. Army in WWII on Abrashinsky, Sr., John Abrashinsky. New Guinea in 1943. He married Dorothy Ann Schils in August 1945 and they owned and operated a meat market in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. They had two children Robert Frank (1954) and Ann Marie (1957). Frank died in 1961 at St. Nicholas Hospital from lung cancer and was buried in St. Georges Cemetery, Elkhart Lake, WI. James P. Abrashinsky 57, of Chetek, Wisconsin and formerly of Onalaska, died Monday, Aug. 4, 2003, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin as a result of viral Encephalitis contracted from a mosquito bite. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on April 18, 1946, to William and Celia (Scharanbroch) Abrashinsky. He married Jan Grenawalt in La Crosse on March 18, 1978. Jim had worked for the G. Heilman Brewing Co. for 30 years until his retirement to the Chetek area in 1998. He had served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, he loved the Packers and spending time with his family and friends. In addition to his wife, Jan, he is survived by two daughters, Nicki Abrashinsky of Eau Claire, and Jamie Abrashinsky of Chetek; one son, Ryan (Jody) McQuin of Onalaska; two grandchildren, Payton and Kiley; and one brother, Bill (Pat) Abrashinsky of Sheboygan. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Aug. 11, at the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery. The Rev. Jim Arends will officiate. Entombment with military rites by the Onalaska American Legion Post 336 will follow in the Garden of Peace Mausoleum.

 Simonas Abracinskas lived in Mahanoy City PA at 633 Spruce Street in 1890. He went by the last name of Brown. He was born in about 1851 in Lithuania and immigrated in 1882. Simonas helped start the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mahanoy City, PA in the late 1880s. They had children named George, Joseph, Anthony, William, and Katherine. Anthony married Domecelia Drogalis from Shenandoah in St. Georges Church. They had a son named Adolph and a daughter named Frances and all changed their names to Brown but the church records kept the name Abracinskas. Simonas died in 1940, Agnes died in 1937, and William died in 1923 and are buried in Saint Josephs Cemetery in Mahanoy City. Little is known about them because not much was ever spoken about them.

I visited with Adolph Brown and his wife Lola in Temecula, California in 1985. They gave me much information about their family background and I took pictures of them. Adolph died in California on February 23, 1995.

Lola and Adolph Brown (Abracinskas) in Temecula, CA - 1985.

Matthew Abracinskas (Abrachinsky) (Brown) and his wife Rose Pasacavage lived in Mahanoy City, PA at 539 Pine Street in 1890. Matthew was born in Lithuania in about 1860 and came to the United States in about 1882. Rose was born in Lithuania in about 1861. They had children named Anthony (1882), Anna (1884), Mary (1885), Joseph (1892), Margaret (1896), Peter (1897), Frank (1898), Florence (1902), and Cassie. Anthony was born in Lithuania, the other children were all born in Mahanoy City, PA. They all went by the last name of Brown. Several lived in Rochester, New York in 1910 to about the mid 1920s. Matthew Abrachinsky (Brown) died in 1938, his wife Rose died in 1943, and daughter Anna died in 1903. All three are interred Rose Pasacavage (Abracin- in Saint Josephs Cemetery in Maskas) Brown in about 1938. hanoy City, PA. It is not exactly known how Simon and Matthew Abrachinsky Brown were related. Some information indicates The Abraczinsky (Brown) headthat Matthew was one of seven brothers and could be one of the stone in St. Josephs Cemetery. sons of Matthew Abracinkas, twin brother of my great grandfather, Michael Abracinskas who is buried in Old Saint Georges Cemetery in Shenandoah, PA. Mary Brown married Anthony Grinevich in St. Josephs Church on June 17, 1906 in Mahanoy City and they eventually had five children, Mary, Stasia, Joseph, Helen, and Matilda. Matilda was a Flight Nurse in the Air Force with over 7,000 flying hours flown during WW II, Korea and Viet Nam wars. She died in Pinehurst, NC in 2005 at the age of 89.

 Once when I was visiting Shenandoah in the late 1970s looking at the records at Saint Georges Church, I viewed a record of Anthony and Domecelia Drogalis birth record of daughter Frances. It was that same time that I learned about Leonas Abracinskas in Montevideo, Uruguay from the visiting missionary Priest filling in at St. Georges then. The visiting missionary Priest gave me the Abracinskas address in Uruguay and I communicated with them for several years. Leonas Abracinskas was born in 1926 in Lithuania to Mary, the former wife of John Abrashinsky of Sheboygan Wisconsin. Leonas and his wife Antonia lived in Montevideo, Uruguay and both died there. Their daughter Lillian Abracinskas is a world famous feminist active in womans rights. Their son Juan was a basketball coach in Uruguay and a member of the National Basketball Federation. Juan has a beautiful daughter Daiana who is a sports announcer there. Leonas mother was Mary and she was in America in 1912 (she was the wife of John Abrashinsky in Sheboygan Wisconsin). She went back to Lithuania in about 1915 or 1916 from Wisconsin. She bore two children in America, one was Clement, a truck mechanic in Milwaukee, who is buried in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California with the last name of Abraschinsky and the other was a daughter Adela who died in Sheboygan shortly after birth. Mary also bore a daughter in Lithuania, Ona Scesnulensciene who lived and died in Uruguay.

Clement, newborn son Jerome, and Stanza Abraschinsky in Milwaukee, Wisconsin -1948.

Clement Abraschinsky Was a SSgt in the US Army during WWII. He returned from Europe on the Ship President Roosevelt from Hamburg, Germany on January 31, 1931 arriving in New York on January 24, 1931. He lived at 1212 1/2 Erie Ave., Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He moved from Sheboygan to Milwaukee in 1947 where he worked as a truck mechanic in a Stanza and Clement Abraschinsky of Corobig garage. Then they moved to San Diego in 1978. na, California in about 1996. Clement was the son of John Abrashinsky of Sheboygan, He and his wife Stanza Stankas has a son Jerome Clement born in January 1948 who provided me with Wisconsin. much information and photos. Jerome (Jerry) and his wife Marlene live in Corona, California and we stay in contact today. Jerry and his wife enjoy rescuing Greyhound dogs from the track and they specialize in special need dogs.

The notes that I have in immigration records about the towns in Lithuania where Abracinskas lived sometimes have another recognizable name associated with it, i.e., Kalwariszek & Suwalki, and Schilawsta & Silivotas. Other records I have had information for Joseph and Magdalena living in Silavoto (Ludviinavo Post Office); their son Bronius lived in Avikilu (Ludviinavo Post Office); and their daughter Magdalena was in Kapsuko (Marijampole). Josephs sister Mikolina Abracinskas Romanauskas lived in Balaisois (Sasnavos Post Office. The towns listed are called Kaimo or Kaimas in the records that I have. Other addresses I have are Ona Labutiene, daughter of Mikolina Abracinskas Romanauskas, lived in the Sasnava (Sasnovas) Region, in a village called Aukstoji (Aukstosios) approximately 8 miles northeast of Marijampole. Mikolina was a daughter of Matthew, Michaels twin brother. Another was Mikolinas daughter Albina Zalnerukiene who lived in the villages of Dambuvka or Dambava (Dambrasios) that was served by the Post Office of Igliskeliai (Igliskelu) located approximately 5 miles east of Marijampole and north of highway A16. Mikolina Abracinskas Romanauskas son Antanas lived in the Kalvarija Rajonas (Kalvaryos Region), in the village of Mikalauka (Mikalaukos) approximately 4 miles east of Kalvarija. This village is near another village called Suvalkeliai (Suvalki, Suwalki), where some of our Abracinskas relatives supposedly came from. All of the above villages are in the Suvalkija Region south of Marijampole. That explains what my parents and some relatives told me about the Abracinskas coming from Suwalki. Some Abracinskas changed their last name when arriving in America or shortly thereafter. They supposedly wanted an American name. Look closely at the slight differences in the following Abracinskas names. Names were changed to Abar (William Abar went to Chicago), Abbot (Michaels son Edward in Massachusetts went there because the water tasted better than in Detroit), Abrachinsky (Josephs family in Shenandoah, PA), Abraczinskas (Andrews family), Brown (Matthew, Simon, and Anthonys son Adolph), Abrazinski (Adams family in Worcester, MA), Abrashinsky (Williams family in Sheboygan, Wisconsin), and Abraschinsky (Clement Abraschinskys family in California from Wisconsin). Many of the immigrants were young probably because of the conditions in Lithuania under the Russian tsarist occupation (1866-1915). A demand often imposed then was a mandatory 25 year military enlistment for sons reaching the age of 21. That forced the young to leave. Another hardship was that as a general rule, only the oldest son inherited the family farm or other property in Lithuania, which left little for the younger sons who had to seek their own living elsewhere. Thus, the timing of the industrial boom in American cities drew young men. Siblings and cousins would write back home describing how easy it was to get work in factories and the mines and get a paycheck every week. They proclaimed the availability of a good life in America, so then entire families would migrate from the rural areas of Lithuania to America to join their children. That seemingly happened with my great grandparents Michael and Elizabeth Abracinskas who came to Shenandoah, PA in August 1898 after their children had already settled there. The ships manifest indicated Kalwariszek or Kalivariszek was their last place of residence (probably Kalvarija).

United States census records show that from the years 1890 to 1900, Mahanoy Citys population grew from 11,283 to 13,504 and Shenandoahs population grew from 15,944 to 20,321 with many of the people coming from Lithuania. In America in 1942, all men born between the dates April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897 were required to fill out a Registration Card (for WW II). Some Registration Offices simply registered men of all ages. Many of the immigrants were caught again with the possibility of armed service. Those Registration Cards along with immigration records and census records are excellent sources for Abracinskas information. There are still many Abracinskas descendents living in Lithuania. In fact, part of the original Abracinskas farm with the original buildings still exists south of Marijampole. My cousin Jerome and his wife Marian Abraczinskas visited there in August 2001 while visiting their son Jerome Jr. and his wife Gwen who live and work in Lithuania as Jehovas Witness missionaries. Magdalena Abracinskas Bartuskiene and I have communicated for awhile several years ago (1993). She supplied me with much valuable information about the Abracinskas still living in Lithuania along with several photographs. She could not read or write English and needed her grand daughter Yurga to help her. Magdalenas father is Joseph, son of Matthew, twin brother of my great-great grandfather Michael. Joseph came to America via Ellis Island in September 1908 but shortly thereafter, he went back to live in Silavoto. He was the oldest of Matthews children and possibly had to take over the family farm when Matthew died. During our communications, I sent Magdalena a copy of my book Stories From My Pennsylvania, Volume 1, and she was pleased to get it as it told stories about the Abraczinskas in America. She sent me the following letter dated December 31, 1993. It was the fourth letter I received in 1993 and it stimulated much thought: Dear Cousin Ray, Thank you for the letter and such wonderful and dear to me present - the book. Im really very happy that you found so many information about Abracinskas family and made such an interesting book. This is really a wonderful job of you and your family. Id like to kiss you for all this. I can understand how strong are your family traditions and what nice people you are. I looked through the book and tried to compare, according to the photos, lives of my grandfather Matas (Matthew) and his twin brother Michael. Their lives in Lithuania and America (I didnt know they were twins, and I think his Lithuanian name would be Mykolas). I thought also about my father Juozas and your father Evon, about lives of other our relatives. They differ greatly as day and night. I compared such simple things. When you worked on your land using tractors, we had only horses. When you built beautiful houses and bought lands, communist took everything from us, they nationalized our property and sent us to Siberia. Besides, during that period Lithuania had to suffer two world wars, and 50 years of Russian occupation, but nothing could be done. That was our fate. You know I dont read in English, so some timell pass, when the hole book translated and Ill read it. I hope to spend wonderful minutes with your book in future. Now I get acquainted with it only perfunctorily. Ill show it to my brothers children too.

I dont know names of great grandparents. There are no graves of grandparents too. They didnt survive. As far as I know their daughter Mikasi took care of the graves. They were buried somewhere in Marijampolis District. Ive got a letter and a very sad news about the death of my cousin Ona Miller. She spent a nice life, and now she is in peace. She did a lot for our family in Lithuania. Due to her we inherited uncle Antanas Abracinskas legacy. I send you an old photo. This must be 1935-1936, this was the time when uncle Antanas came to visit Lithuania from America. This photo is very dear to me, because it is the only photo of my parents. I think Dolores (Pydeski) will also be interested in it, because you can see two Dauksieni brothers and a sister in it. Id like you to return this photo to me some day. If you like it and think that it is interesting to you maybe its possible to reprint it somehow? (she explained the photo). Thanks to your wife Catherine for trouble about us. Im happy your children are coming for Christmas and your home will be full of happiness and joy. We had a lot of snow for Christmas, but it wasnt cold, 0 to 2 degrees C. I want to thank you for the gifts, congratulations, photos and a letter. My best regards, sincerely yours, Magdalena I found the following photos on-line from Marijampole Lithuania about the time that Magdalena speaks of in her letters to me. It causes one to think about how people lived in America then. Downtown Marijampole in about 1910. Transportation in Marijampole early 1900s. Magdalenas cousin Dolores Pydeski from Carteret, New Jersey and I used to correspond about our Lithuanian roots quite often and we talked on the telephone but I never met her. She visited Lithuania on a tour in 1994 and afterwards wrote me the following letter in November 1994: Dear Ray, It has been months since my return from Lithuania, but my thoughts are still filled with wonderful memories of our visit. It was an incredible experience. We were never aware of the beautiful scenery, magnificent architecture, sculpture and art of the country. Vilnius Old Town reminded me of Florence, Italy. Many of the churches and the university were built during the middle Ages. These are spectacular and National Treasures.

 It had been my intention to send post cards, but I neglected to take my address file in a last minute frenzy. Although we had months of planning, a comedy (?) of errors developed at the final hours, and we boarded the plane with not a moment to soon. Standing on Lithuanian soil and being in the land of our ancestors was an emotional experience. Seeing the Lithuanian flag flying everywhere and to be able to sing the National Anthem in a free Lithuania brings tears to ones eyes. Meeting with our cousins was just wonderful. Magdelena and her family are fine, gracious, and loving people. We fell in love with them all. It was amazing to see the family similarity both in character and physical appearance. Magdelena is a true Abracinskas, a stately, warm-hearted woman with strong determination and a lively personality. Her husband Algirdas is a very tall, shy man, very decent and with the heart of a true Lithuanian Patriot. Magdelenas daughter Danute is quite lovely and sweet and has a very vivacious spirit. Danutes husband Albertas is very much of a gentleman and did very much to make our trip comfortable and safe. Magdelenas son Rimvydus is gregarious and a charmer. His wife Edita is a beautiful young woman. Danute and Albertas have a beautiful daughter, Yurga. Her photographs do not do her justice. Yurga is a quiet, respectful teen-ager with long blonde hair and a gorgeous smile. We visited the old Abracinskas farmstead on the outskirts of Marijampole. To be in the same house that my grandmother grew up in was a terrific feeling. At the farmstead we met Magdelenas brother Josephs widow Leva and her children and grand children. They use the old farm as a summerhouse. They all made us feel very welcome and we had a really nice visit with everyone. The old farmstead was very interesting to see, especially because of its age. The exterior shows its age but the interior has been kept-up perfectly. It is so charming because it looks today as it probably appeared during my grand mothers time. A little point of interest: storks summer there and build their nests in old wagon wheels. In the fall they return to Africa. We were only in Marijampole one day, which was not nearly enough time. There is so much to see in Lithuania that two weeks is not nearly enough time. We traveled from border to border, but everything was so interesting that we would have liked to stay longer in each area. Our cousin Sister Concepta was also in Lithuania this summer. It appears that our paths crossed and we were never aware of it. I hope this letter (more like a tome) finds you and your family well. With love, Dolores

Dolores Pydeskis daughter Nadine contacted me in April 2009 and told me that her mother had passed away in November 2008. She mentioned that she had her grandmothers spinning wheel from the old Abracinskas homestead in Lithuania. She donated it to the Balzekas Lithuanian Museum in Chicago, Illinois along with biographical information about her grandmother, Ona Abracinskas Dauksys. There were other Abracinskas that lived in Worcester, Massachusetts that I do not know how or who they are related to in Lithuania. Adam Abrazinski was born January 1, 1877 in Lithuania. His father Adam was supposedly murdered in Lithuania so he ran away and came to America. He went to Bridgeport, CT and then to Worcester, MA. He didnt like to talk about the past even though he had a relationship with Michael Abracinskas when Michael lived in Montello, MA. Adam married Mary Degutis and they had four children, Adolph, Joseph, Mary Margaret, and William Peter. Adam died November 5, 1951, Mary died January 18, 1957, and both were buried in St. Josephs Cemetery in Worcester, MA. Adolph J. Abrazinski was born in Worcester in 1902. He worked as a foreman until he retired. Adolph married Helen Chesluk (Ciesluk) and they had three children, Doris, Elinor Marie, and Joyce. Adam died on April 11, 1966, Helen died on November 29, 1983, and both were buried at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, MA.

Adam Abrazinski married Mary Degutis and lived in Worcester, Massachusetts about 1901. They had four children, Adolph, Joseph William, Mary Margaret, and William Peter.

Joseph William Abrazinski was born on February 2, 1903 in Worcester. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 1928 to 1933. He married Mary Ridickas and they had one child, Maryann born about 1929. Mary died, then Joseph wed Techa Teresa Kaderovich in about 1930. They had three children, Claire Techa born July 8, 1932, Albert Joseph born April 28, 1935, and Richard Paul born March 22, 1939. Joseph was a semi-pro baseball player. He operated a fuel service in Worcester. He died on February 1, 1976, Teresa died on October 22, 1983, and both were buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mary Margaret Abrazinski was born on August 12, 1906 and never married. She was called Mae and worked as a bookeeper and clerk. She died on January 22, 2000 at Shrewsbury Nursing Home in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts and was buried in Memorial Cemetery in Paxton, Massachusetts. William Peter Abrazinski was born on October 12, 1908. He married Alice Rogers. He served in the USAF in the Solomon Islands during World War II and got malaria. He died on February 15, 1975 in Columbia County, Florida.

The second generations and beyond - William Vincent Abraczinskas.

My great grandparents Michael (Mykolas) and Elizabeth (Elzibetha) Brundza Abracinskas and their six children settled in Shenandoah, PA. There was William, Michael Jr., Joseph, Elizabeth Ona, Andrew, and Victor, all born in Lithuania. Michael and Elizabeth are buried in Old Saint Georges Cemetery in Shenandoah, PA. William Vincent came to America about 1888. He worked around Shenandoah, PA, in his brother Josephs grocery store, and on brother Andrews farm near Slabtown. He married Maria (Mary) Brusokas in Shenandoah in Michael and Elizabeths about 1897. They had two children in grave in Shenandoah Shenandoah, Maria and William George.
Heights, PA.

While the Abraczinskas families were Roman Catholic, William joined the Jehovas Witnesses and pressed his other brothers to join but they didnt. William and his family moved to Illinois in about early 1900 and lived on West 3rd Street, Spring Valley, Hall Twp, Illinois. The 1900 census indicated that William was born in April 1870 and came to America in 1888. Mary was born in Apr Wedding photo of William 1878 and came in 1896. They became naturalized citizens in 1910. Abraczinskas and Maria Brusokas in Shenandoah, PA The 1920 census indicates they lived at 1224 49th Avenue, Cicero in about 1897. Township, Illinois and his name as shown on the census form was Abraczinskas. William was a miner, Mary was a tailor, William Jr. was a printer, Julia was a tailor, and Anastasia was in school. In 1930 they lived at 1820 South 49th Avenue, Cicero, Illinois. William Vincent Abraczinskas and Maria Brusokas had five children, Maria (Mary) born in 1897, William Jr. born May 30, 1899, Julia born August 25, 1902, Anastasia born October 6, 1906, and Charles born January 1, 1908. It is not exactly clear when, why, and who in the family changed their name from Abraczinskas to Abar. William Jr. and Charles had the name Abar but when Julia died in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1988, her death certificate still showed Abracinskas spelled without the z. William Sr. worked in the mines near Spring Valley, Illinois for 50 years. He died in about 1952 and is buried in Peru City Cemetery, Peru, Illinois. It is unknown when his wife Maria died. She was still living in 1951 when she visited her son Charles Abar in California where the picture Maria Brusokas - abt 1930. shown here on the right was taken.

 Maria Mary Abraczinskas Abar was born in Shenandoah, PA in about 1897. Her Godparents were Michael Abraczinskas (Williams brother) and Rosella Rozzie Ritelis. Mary married John Gavin who was in the U.S. Army Corps in WW II (he may have been killed in the war). Mary and John Gavin had a son named John Jr. John Gavin Jr married Agnes and they had four children, Remi, Tony, Joan, and Cheri. Tony and Mary (Gavin) Butis and her sec- Joan are twins. In 1988 they lived in ond husband with children of John Worth, Illinois. Later Mary Gavin mar- John Gavin and Gavin Jr, presumably, Tony, Joan, ried a man with the last name of Butis. Mary Abar abt 1942.
Cheri, and Remi.

William George Abraczinskas Abar was born in Shenandoah, PA on May 30, 1899. His godparents were Joseph Abraczinskas (Williams brother) and Agata Urbanavich of Shenandoah. His Registration Card dated September 12, 1918 indicated that he worked as a Machine Hand at the Hill Pump Water Company in Chicago. It is not known who William was married to (possibly to Josephine and then divorced). They had two children, a daughter named Jeanette born in October 1926 and a boy named Jerry born September 30, 1927. The 1943 Morton School year book listed a Jerry Abar as a violinist in the school orchestra. My cousin Jerome Abraczinskas, Dukes son, told me that William George attended one of the Frank and Helen Petuskey girls wedding in Pennsylvania. Jerome also said that he personally visited William Abar once in Chicago while on a business trip in the early 1960s. William George Abar died on January 15, 1966. Julia Abracinskas was born on August 25, 1902 in Spring Valley, Illinois, never married and was living in St. Petersburg, Florida when she died on July 25, 1988. Her occupation was a binder at a publishing company. The informant on her death certificate was Dolores Dilegge from Lisle, Illinois. Julia was buried in the St. Casimir Cemetery, a famous Lithuanian cemetery in Chicago. Anastacia Abracinskas was born on October 6, 1906 in Spring Valley, Illinois. She married John Galdik (Galdikas) and they had four daughters, Dolores, Lorraine, Mary Ann, and Jeanie. Dolores married Joseph Dilegge in 1957 and in 1989 they lived in Lisle, Illinois. They had three daughters Laurell, Lynn and Janet. Joseph died in 1963 and Dolores died in Lisle in June 2005. Lorraine married Louis Raimondo in June 1954 and in 1989 they lived in San Diego, California. Lorraine was a realtor there in San Diego. Maryann married Steve Kurth in September 1965 and in 1989 they lived in Washington, Illinois. Jeannie married Ralph Sergott and in 1989 they lived in Louisville, Kentucky. John Galdik and wife Anastacia Anastacia was living in a nursing home in Louisville, Kentucky Abracinskas celebrating their in 1989. She had Alzheimers disease. Presumably it was her anniversary. daughter Jeannie that was looking after her.

 Steve Kurth wedding September 25, 1965. Charles Robert Abar was born on New Years day 1908 in Illinois. He became a seaman and lived and worked in Galveston, Texas. Charles used to work and sail on ships that carried oil and fuel. He sailed on the SS A.C. Rubel in 1943,and the L.P. St Clair in 1946. They were tanker ships that served the U.S. Navy sailing up and down the west coast during the war. A typical tanker crew then included 42 to 45 mariners and 17 Navy Armed Guard. Charles was a mariner. Charles met Elizabeth Betty Toth, a stenographer from Cleveland, Ohio, and they were married in Lake Charles, Louisiana on November 27, 1941. They moved to California and had three children, Charles Robert Jr. born August 15, 1946, Elizabeth Mary Ann born May 26, 1949, and Dolores Dawn born March 21, 1951. Charles and Betty loved their children and traveled often with them. Their two daughters Elizabeth and Dolores enjoyed riding horses. Charles used to collect Charles Jr., Dolores, and petrified wood around California. In Elizabeth Abar - 1952. her later years, Betty took up paining and produced a number of beautiful miniature floral paintings. She corresponded with me often in the late 1980s because she wanted to learn more about her husbands genealogy, and she sent me several small paintings. My aunt Frances Balschi would visit them quite often at Charles and Betty Abar shortly 345 Pinole Avenue in Rodeo, California. In the 1980s, it was my after they were married. The aunt Frances that heightened my curiosity about the Abars and I car license plate is 1942. started gathering information about them for the family tree.

Lorraine Galdik and Louis Raimondo wedding June 4, 1954.

Maryann

Galdik

and

L to R standing. Maryann. Jeannie and Dolores Galdik daughters of Anastacia Galdik (sitting). At Dolores Diligges daughter Laurells christening in 1959.

 Charles Abar Jr. wrote me a letter in March 1990 telling me about his family and mother Betty who was in the hospital at the time. He married Beverly Cone in December 1973 in San Francisco, California. Beverly has a Masters Degree in Psychology. She had two children from a previous marriage named Bethany and Bryan. Bethany was born on June 15, 1966 and attended graduate school at the University of California at DaCharles Jr., Frances Balschi, and Maria Abar, Charles Jr., Elizavis. Bryan was born on NoCharles Abar in Rodeo, Califorbeth, William Abar, and Charles vember 23, 1968 and attended nia at Christmas - early 1980s. Abar in San Franscisco - 1951. a university in New Zealand. Charles Jr. is an entrepreneur and has owned and operated a successful wholesale distributing business in San Carlos, California. Today, he and his wife Beverly live in Central Pond, Oregon. Elizabeth Maryann Abar married Arthur Ransome Taylor and they adopted a son, Matthew born September 19, 1984. They lived in Anchorage, Alaska for several years and moved to Tenino, Washington in 1992. They divorced after 30 years of marriage and then Elizabeth changed her name to Shay. In 2002 Elizabeth married retired Doctor Harry Smith and he passed away in 2005. Much to my surprise in April 2009, Elizabeth sent me an email and it was wonderful hearing from her. Dolores Dawn Abar married Lawrence Brooks and they have a daughter Diana Lee born February 9, 1972. They lived in Vallejo, California for a while. They moved to Oregon and live along the North Umpqua River east of Roseburg enjoying the solemn peace and quiet there.

Betty Abar relaxing at home in 1989. She impressed me as being very friendly, very talented, and very warm. I regret not ever meeting her in person - Ray Abraczinskas.

Dolores Abar Brooks and her lovely daughter Diana in August 1987.

The second generations and beyond - Michael Abraczinskas.

My great grandparents Michael (Mykolas) and Elizabeth Abracinskas and their six children settled in Shenandoah, PA. There was William, Michael Jr., Joseph, Elizabeth Ona, Andrew, and Victor, all born in Lithuania. Michael died on January 17, 1914 and Elizabeth died on February 22, 1912. They are buried in the Old Saint George Cemetery in Shenandoah, PA. Michael Jr. was born February 28, 1869 in the farming country south of Marijampole, Lithuania. He arrived in America in 1888 and lived in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He worked as a foreman in the mines around Shenandoah for 20 years making $100 per month. In 1900 he was 31 years old and married Ursula Zelonis from Mahanoy City, PA and they lived at 29 W. Coal Street in Shenandoah.. She was 16 and the oldest of seven children. The name Zelonis means green in Lithuanian and so many of the Michael Abracinskas Zelonis children ended up with the last name of Greene, e.g., Charles, John, Jr. in about 1892. Carl, and Victor Greene. Ursula was the oldest daughter of John and Mary Zelonis, who in 1900, lived at 617 West Spruce Street in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, also in the early 1900s, Simon Abracinskas (Brown) lived a few doors away at 623 W. Spruce Street in Mahanoy City. Presumably, there may have been a family connection between Simon Abracinskass family in Mahanoy City and the Michael Abracinskas family in Shenandoah but it is unknown what the connection was.

Michael Abraczinskas (on left) stands in front of his 3-story apartment house in Montello (the village) in Brockton. His family are on the porch behind him. This picture was taken in about 1912.

In 1908 Michael and Ursula moved to Montello (called the village) in Brockton, Massachusetts. He and his family lived at 187 Ames Street. He built three apartment buildings and operated a store in one of them near the St. Rocco Catholic Church where he was very active in the parish and different organizations. He was one of the first organizers of the LDS -- Darbininkas -- a Lithuanian newspaper. He became a Director of the Brockton Trust Company. Around 1917 or 1918, a committee of three including Michael Abracinskas had a meeting with President Woodrow Wilson to discuss the possibility of assistance to Lithuania. He assisted and sponsored many of the Lithuanian people in Montello in receiving their United States Citizenship papers.

The same 3-story aparment houses in Montello (the village) in Brockton. I took this photo while attending Fr. Al Abracinskas 50th anniversary in the priesthood - 1990.

In 1920, Nellie and Edward Sandusky were living with Michael and Ursula. Anna Nellie Sandusky is Ursulas sister and she and her husband Edward Alexander Ned worked in a shoe shop in Brockton and then he operated a barber shop at 27 Upland Road for many years. Ned died in Brockton, MA in October 1979 and Nellie died in Brockton in March 1984. In 1937, Michael sold his business and apartments to Leonard Kumpa and because of poor health withdrew from his activities in many organizations that he was active in.

St. Roccos church festival in the park. Thats Michael Abracinskas kneeling in the front center (on the right arm of the man with the white hat). In the right background are three apartment houses he built in the early 1900s. This photo was taken in about 1915.

Michael and Ursula had seven children, Pauline born January 5, 1901, Peter born January 31, 1903, Michael and Ambrose possibly twins born in about 1905 and died as infants (possibly from a cholera outbreak then), Edward born July 3, 1909, Albert born March 23, 1912, and Elizabeth born September 23, 1913. L to R. Andrew, Joseph, Josephs wife Ursula, Mary A visit to the farm. L to R. Andrew and Abraczinskas holding son Raymond (me) on her lap, wife Margaret, Michael and wife Ursula, Michaels wife Ursula, Andrews wife Margaret, Dukes and Joseph and wife Ursula. Three Abrawife Anna holding son Jerome on her lap, and Michael. cinskas brothers in about 1940. In the early 1940s, Michael and Ursula made a trip to Pennsylvania to visit relatives and spend the day on his brother Andrews farm. Through the years, Abraczinskas relatives enjoyed visiting Andrews farm which left many with happy memories and stories to tell their loved ones. Michael died in Brockton on June 7, 1946. Michael was buried June 11, 1946 in Calvary Cemetery in Brockton. Ursula was born on October 16, 1884 in Marijampole, Lithuania and died May 30, 1967 at St. Josephs Nursing Home in Brockton. She was buried on June 2, 1967 in Calvary Cemetery. Pauline Nellie Abracinskas was born in Shenandoah, PA on January 5, 1901. She was called Palessie in school. In about 1923, she married Francis Albert Frank Reynolds, a General Practice Physician, who graduated from Tufts College Medical School in Boston. They lived in Athol, Massachusetts at 43 Cottage Street where Dr. Reynolds maintained an office. Dr. Reynolds served in various positions on the Athol Credit Union Bank Board and as County Medical Examiner for Worcester County for many years. In 1956 he was a Director of the Athol Bank and Trust Company. Pauline and Frank Reynolds had two children, Patricia Marie born May 7, 1925 in Athol, and Francis Albert Jr. born September 20, 1928 in Athol. They had two children, Sharon and Robert. Patricia Marie divorced her Patricia Reynolds wedding. L. to R. Fr. husband Robert in April 1960. She was shot and killed in a Albert Abracinskas, Patricia, Robert horrible incident in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in Dec. 1960. Palco, Pauline and Frank Reynolds.

Francis Albert Fran Reynolds Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 1946 to September 1948. He served in China and upon his return to the U.S. in early 1948, he came cross country by train and stopped in Chicago to visit his sister Patricia and her husband Robert. He married Alberta McAdams in Athol, Massachusetts in 1950. Fran and Alberta could not have children so they adopted a boy Michael. When Frans sister Patricia Reynolds was murdered in Florida in 1960, Fran and Alberta adopted Patricias two children, Sharon and Robert Joseph. He and Alberta divorced in the late 1940s. Then Fran married Roberta Patten in 1971 in Sterling, Massachusetts. Roberta was marRoberta and Fran ried and divorced from Charles Cook, they had two children, Betty and Reynolds - May 2002. Robert. Fran and Roberta live in New Hampshire. In early 2009, I had several very nice telephone conversations with Fran renewing old acquaintances and obtaining information for the family tree. Peter V. Abracinskas was born January 31, 1903 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He married Dorothy Stride born June 8, 1917 in Maine, and they lived in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Not much is known today about Peter. He worked for a while at Andrew Abraczinkass farm near Catawissa. His brother Edward remembered him as a nice man...said that he had a tough time... but he was independent...eventually got married but had no children of his own...they adopted a son and named him Paul Albert. Peters wife Dorothy worked as a dietary aide in Middleboro, Massachusetts. Peter passed away in September 1968 in Sebring, Florida. Dorothy passed away on March 13, 1980 in Middleboro and was buried on March 17, 1980 in Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman, Massachusetts (east of Brockton). I do not known the exact information about Michael and Ambrose, the children of Michael and Ursula that died as infants in about 1905 or 1906 in Shenandoah, PA. It was at the time of a widespread cholera outbreak and so from the information in the memoirs of Betty Abracinskas Duke, it is surmised that they succumbed to it. Its possible that they were twins. The next child born to Michael and Ursula was Edward Ambrose, born in Brockton, Massachusetts on July 3, 1909. He graduated from Boston University Medical School and after completing his residency, moved to Holyoke, Massachusetts chosen over Detroit, Michigan because he thought that the water tasted better and that the surroundings were much nicer. Dr. Abbot purchased a practice from a retired eye doctor there and was an eye, ear, nose, and throat physician. In 1939 his four-suite office was located at 225 High Street in Holyoke. In 1940 their residence was at 1675 Northampton in Holyoke. Edward and Helen had one child, Edward Jr. born on March 8, 1940 in Holyoke. Dr. Edward volunteered for the U.S. Navy and served in the Medical Corps as a Navy Lt. He started at Chelsea Navy Hospital in Boston, went on the Camp Perry outside Norfolk, VA, where they were setting up the first training camp for construction workers that would become Seabees eventually. Then he was sent to a hospital set up at a small Naval Air Station in southern

Great Britain near a town called Dunkswell. After the war ended, he was shipped home and he resumed his practice in Holyoke. He retired in the 1970s and eventually moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida in about 1980. Edward and Helen attended a formal New Years dinner at Duke and Anna Abraczinskas home in New Smyrna Beach in January 1980 which I and my family dropped in on while visiting my in-laws in Florida. They were all very cordial and invited my family to join Duke and Anna Abraczinskas with Edward them. I will never forget the gold silverware on and Helen Abbot in New Smyrna Beach, Florida the table, the beautiful opulence, and the enjoy- having New Years dinner - January 1980. able conversations we had. I took the photo shown here and although it is of poor quality, showing it here is warranted. Edward and Duke regularly visited together and played shuffleboard often. Dr. Edward Abbott died in New Smyrna Beach in January 1987. His wife Helen passed away on March 2, 2009 and both Edward and Helen are buried at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Cemetery in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Edward Abbot Jr. was born on March 8, 1940. He was an American History teacher at the Sidney High School. He married Maureen Kathryn OShea from Chicopee, MA. They have three children, Kathyrn Mary Francis born on May 27, 1966, Kristine Helen born on October 26, 1968, and Edward A. III born on February 1, 1971. Kathryn Katie Abbot married Michael Struzik a music teacher on July 13, 1991 in Sidney, NY. They have two children, Christopher Joseph born on January 17, 1996 and Matthew Edward born on May 11, 1998 both born in Rochester, New York.

Dr. Edward and Helen Abbot - 1985.

Kristine Helen Abbot married Andrew Garfinkel and they have three children, Emma Sydney, born on May 4, 1997, Abigal Ruth born on July 19, 2000, and Joshua. Andrew and Kristine both work in Washington, DC and in 2009, they live in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Edward A. Abbot III married Kirsten Radell on July 10, 1999 and they have two children, Kevin Edward born on May 6, 2001 and Kiley Ann born on March 23, 2004. Ed works as a Government Contracting Agent in Washington, DC and in 2009, they live in Leesburg, Virginia.

Front Row L. to R. Lily the family collie, Joshua Garfinkel, Abigail Garfinkel, Kevin and Kiley Abbot, and Matthew Struzik. Rear Row L. to R. Emma Garfinkel, Kristine Garfinkel, Andrew Garfinkel, Ed Abbot III, Kirsten Abbot, Kathryn Abbot Struzik, Michael Struzik, Christopher Struzik, Maureen Abbot, and Edward Abbot - March 2009.

Albert C. Abracinskas was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on March 23, 1912. He went to school in Brockton and worked in his father Michaels store helping to deliver groceries. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1929 and Boston College in 1933 (with honors). He studied for the priesthood and was ordained in Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston on May 3, 1940. He served at St. Peters Church in South Boston, Immaculate Conception Church in Cambridge, St. Georges Lithuanian Church in Norwood, and St. Casimir Church in Brockton. May 6, 1990 was designated Fr. Al Abracinskas Day by proclamation of the Mayor of Brockton. It was the day that over 400 people gathered in Christos II hall in Brockton and celebrated Fr. Als 50 year Golden Jubilee in the priesthood. I flew out from Grand Rapids, Michigan and with my daughter Diane, who was working in Boston, went to the glorious celebration. Other relatives also attended; Mummy Abrachinsky, his wife Josephine, son Charles, and brother George Abrachinsky came from Shenandoah. Ed Abbot Jr. and his family came from Sidney, NY, his daughter played the piano and her fiance played the trombone - it was beautiful! Jim Duke and his wife Irene and family, Joe Duke and his wife, and Fran Reynolds and his wife were there also. In the morning, we had breakfast with the sisters at the Convent including Sister Consolata (Susan Chepacavage), a friend of my mother and relative of Fr. Al. I drove around Ames Street and took photos of the Abracinskas houses. Diane and I attended the 3 p.m. celebration Mass in St. Casimir Church. There were 25 priests assisting. Fr. Al gave a beautiful homily talking about the meaning of a Priests identity. Sister Imelda and her mother were at the church and the dinner. Her mother was 101 years old then and she walked to church.

The celebration dinner was fabulous! Fr. Als fishing friend Fr. Salunas told a story about how they would sneak past NO TRESPASSING signs to go fishing on their favorite lake. Jim Chester from South Boston told how Fr. Al used to raffle off a car at the ball-park in Boston to raise money for the convent. He said that it seemed like they raffled the same car off for six or seven years (but it wasnt true). Fr. Als favorite song was You are my sunshine and it was sung several times during the dinner. After the dinner that evening, Fr. Al closed with some brief parting words of advice. He said, Pat someone on the Fr. Al Abracinskas 25th anniversary as a priest. back before they go six feet under. They wont Standing L. to R. Dr. Edward Abbot (brother), hear your grief and see your flowers you give to Fr. Al, Elizabeth Duke (sister), Pauline Reynolds them as they are lowered into the ground, but (sister) and their mother Ursula - May 1965. they can hear your praise. After retiring in 1984, he resided at the priests home on the grounds of Our Lady of Sorrows Convent on Thatcher Street near Massaqoit College in Brockton. Many times we exchanged letters. He was appreciative of all the work I was doing with the Abracinskas family tree. He translated several letters for me that I received from Abracinskas in Uruguay written in Lithuanian. Fr. Al Abracinskas died on May 11, 2003 and was interred in Calvary Cemetery in Brockton. I went to the funeral ceremonies held in St. Casimir Catholic Church and I will never forget it. While there, I gave thought to all that this man had done. The church was originally St. Roccos and Fr. Als father, Michael along with many other Lithuania immigrants, helped build it then. St. Roccos Church burned down and in 1952, it was eventually rebuilt as St. Casimirs on Sawtell Avenue. Sadly, in June 2008 the Boston Diocese decided to close St. Casimir Fr. Al - 1990. Catholic Church and it was dismantled. It was 114 years old. Elizabeth Leona Betty Abracinskas, the youngest of Michael and Ursulas seven children, was born at 187 Ames Street in Brockton on September 23, 1913. She married Konstanti (Constant) James Dauksewicz (Duke) of North Abbington, Massachusetts in 1936. They had two children James Constant born on April 5, 1939 and Joseph Michael born on February 2, 1945. James graduated from the M.I.T. and acquired a PhD. He married Irene Tavin in 1970. They had two children James David born on August 31, 1973 and Pamela Ursula born on August 19, 1975. Joseph Duke married Victoria Mekosh in 1975 and they have two children, Joseph Michael born on January 28, 1971 and Rebecca born on December 31, 1974. Joseph divorced Victoria and later married Rebecca Daigle in 1981. They have two children, Miranda and Jeffery Thomas. Betty Duke and I corresponded through the late 1980s and the early 1990s, she was impressed

with my genealogy work. In October 1992 she sent me a copy of her recent handwritten memoirs from which the following information is taken. Mom and dad were born in Europe - Lithuania. They emigrated to America and both families settled in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. Dads family in Shenandoah and Moms parents in Mahanoy City. Dad was about eighteen years old and Mom was about two. In 1900, Michael Abracinskas and Ursula Zelonis (Greene) were married. He was 32 and she was 16. Actually I was a coal miners daughter, because my Dad worked many years in the coal mines as a foreman, earning $100 per month. After many years, he developed miners asthma and was advised by his Doctor to give up his job in the coal mines. On the advice of Michaels physician, he and Ursula decided to start a new life and career either in Detroit, Michigan or Brockton, Massachusetts. They had acquaintances in both cities. He checked out Detroit first but did not like their drinking water or surroundings as much as he liked Brockton, which was more like country with trees, etc., and was a smaller city. This was their choice. There were many Lithuanian families settled in Brockton. A six-family house was constructed with a store on the first floor, which was to be a grocery store, his new occupation. Mom and children arrived later after the house was built. Along with her came Pauline and Peter. That was perhaps in the year 1908. Edward, Albert, and Elizabeth were born in Brockton. A midwife delivered five of Moms children. She was her mother-in-law Elizabeth Abracinskas (married Joseph Felesky - Fleck in Shenandoah). Albert and I were the only ones to be delivered by Dr. Boucher, a French Doctor in Brockton. Grandmother Greene (Zelonis) mother was French and got married during the war with Europe. I think I owe her my love for music and dancing. Mom suffered a serious illness - smallpox. She had to have her hair shaved from her head and no mirrors were allowed on the premises. The hospital was quarantined to all visitors. One could only get a glimpse of the visitors beyond the fenced grounds. She was a beautiful woman and fortunate not to have deep pock marks on her face as a result of the sores. This occurred in Pennsylvania - a few years after her marriage. I was almost given the name of Regina, but our next-door neighbor, Mr. Miller, whose wifes name was Regina, persuaded my Mom to make another choice. Consequently, I was named Elizabeth for my grandmother Abracinskas. As a baby, I loved being held by grandpa Greene. He had a long grey beard, which I loved to stroke. This would keep me quiet when I was fussy. In the years that followed, Dad had a twelve-family and a six-family home constructed. This was a short street, at one end of the street was a playground. Dad was self educated and could read and write English. He was a naturalized citizen and sponsored and assisted many other Lithuanians in the Parish to do the same. He was strict, but generous, kind and fair. At home, we were only allowed to speak Lithuanian, our native tongue. When he heard us speaking English, he ordered us to stop. My two brothers and I went to Lithu-

anian School in the Parish Hall every Saturday. We also attended Catechism Class to learn our prayers in Lithuanian. I practiced playing the piano one hour per day, the piano was in the living room above the store. He always debated with me whether or not I played the full hour. Apparently he and the customers were enjoying the free concert. No one in the family smoked and he forbade customers and salesman from smoking in his store. This was about the year 1910. The store was open six days a week and the hours were long, from six in the morning to eight at night. At one time, Dad employed several workers. Mom would serve meals (lunch) for them as well as the family. She would often bake twelve pies at a time. Dad would often take a nap after lunch. Mom or one of us children would tend the store. Without using cookbooks, Mom was an excellent cook! Mom was also self-educated, she could read and write English and was also a Naturalized Citizen. She was always eager to learn more. I would come home from grammar school, out came the blackboard, and her English lessons commenced. I enjoyed doing this because my dream was to be a school teacher. Dad discouraged me from doing this because he said that if I married, I would not be able to teach. This was true in those days. A married teacher could only substitute. Therefore, I taught my Mother English, Catechism class at our church (in Lithuanian), and much later in years, English and Math to the Portuguese children in the Public School, as a volunteer. This was the extent of my teaching. Mom was a beautiful dressmaker. She would study the patterns mostly from the pictures and diagrams and add some of her own ideas. I can remember her sewing late into the night to complete a dress. Her crochet work was outstanding! She could study someones design and make a duplicate. I had double pneumonia at the age of three and was seriously ill. Dad hired a private nurse to take care of me day and night. The fever was high and I spoke incoherently. I would tell Mom about different pictures I saw on the wall. This upset her. After so many days, the crisis came. Mom said my body stiffened and then I lay very still. She prayed, the crisis was over and I regained my health. I had scarlet fever during the first grade at Grammar School. I was ill for a period of two months. The house was quarantined and I was in bed for many weeks. Many afternoons, my Mom would move the bed in front of the window (this was on the first floor) where I could see my friends outside. They would entertain me singing and dancing. This gave me a big lift. I finally returned to school, first grade, on the last day of school. Miss Clarke was my teacher, I was overjoyed to learn that I was promoted to the second grade. At the time of my illness, the three-family house at 187 Ames Street was quarantined, a sign was posted on the front door by the Health Department. Late Saturday nights, just before the store closed, Mom would come upstairs to put my hair in curlers. I remember being very sleepy while waiting for her but it was a must for Sunday. I would hate wearing long undies in the winter, and I remember rolling them up above my knees so they would not show under my stockings. We wore skirts instead of slacks.

One day when I was five years old, I decided to go to school. My brothers attended the Franklin School and I did not understand why I was not going too. I came in contact with Miss Tidd, the Principal. She was very kind and understanding. The next trip I went there was on a Friday. She talked with me for a while and then told me to return tomorrow. Tomorrow happened to be Saturday. I told my Mom of this incident and she explained to me that I was too young and not ready for school. On another day, I decided to visit the Lithuania Priest at the church rectory a few houses away from us. The housekeeper invited me in and I conversed with her and the Priest. They invited me for lunch and I accepted. Mom did not know of this incident, unless they told her. When the Priests came to the house to take the Parish census, I was always asked to play the piano. When I was a little girl, Mom made frequent visits to Pennsylvania to visit he Mom and family and she would take me with her. We would board the bus in Brockton to Fall River, Massachusetts. From there we would go by ship to New York City. It was an overnight trip, sleeping on board the ship. At one time, I remember being seasick. In New York City, we would board the train for Pennsylvania. In Mahanoy City, grandpa and grandma Greene (Zelonis) owned a series of tenements connected together as one building. There were steep stairs leading into the cellar, which was the kitchen. I remember falling down those stairs at one time. Apparently I did not get hurt and no one knew about it. There were many liquor bar rooms in the vicinity and on their counter, for their customers, were the tastiest pretzels. My uncles would usually take me in so I could enjoy them. I also loved bananas, so grandma Greene would give me money to buy some. Grandma and others in the area there (Mahanoy City) had out houses which were quite an experience for me. I was afraid to make a visit at night, even though they were well lit. After visiting grandma Greene, we would go to the Catawissa farm to visit uncle Andrew and his family, my Dads brother. The life style there was different and I enjoyed it. Helen, my cousin, and I had fun playing in the barn where there was a hayloft. I remember losing my ring there. It slipped off my finger. All the cousins walked barefoot on gravel and sandy paths. They would run, as I hobbled along slowly and painfully. There was a large kitchen where my relatives and the farm workers ate. The food was plentiful and delicious. My brother Peter worked there for a while. My uncle owned much property in Catawissa, PA. On the farm, he raised Christmas trees and apple trees. My sister Pauline was twelve years older than me, married to a Doctor, and living in Athol, Massachusetts. I was flower girl for her wedding. Many of my summers I vacationed in Athol. We went horseback riding, the horse I had seemed very slow, except when an automobile approached and then he would go like crazy. We would also go swimming at Whites pond and Lake Rohunta. There were blood suckers in Lake Rohunta, that I did not like, and you were charged a fee for going there. The Athol Lithuanian Priest had a cottage at Whites Pond and we went there more often. There were beautiful pond lilies there. I did not know how to swim and I wore water wings,

which I tied around me. One day I forgot to put them on and discovered that I was swimming in deep water without them. I never used wings again. The 4th of July was a big time at my sisters place in Athol. They bought beautiful fireworks and the parades were great. Our family lived across from the Lithuanian church (St. Roccos). Because of this, I was usually the last one to arrive for the Mass, fortunately I sang in the choir, which was located at the back of the church. The Mission Fathers would hold a Mission at the church once a year. On one occasion, their sermon inspired me so much, that when I returned home, I helped my Mom by washing a sink full of dirty dishes. In another incident my friend Mary and I were to be promoted to the senior choir and some of the senior members were against it, but the final vote was in our favor. Mom would ask me to write letters to her relatives, in return she would wash the dishes I was supposed to do. On Mothers Day, I would always buy her a gift. I remember asking my Dad for h money and he would never refuse. He was also generous in giving Mom the money to buy herself and the childrens clothes. I remember him saying to buy something pretty for me, dresses of satin or velvet. There would be movies once a week at the church hall. There would also be an exciting serial which was continued from week to week. We could not wait to see what was going to take place the next week. There would be a piano player playing music for the movies, which were silent pictures. We had a Victrola in our kitchen. I remember playing the song Chicago. My friend, Anna and I would dance to the music. If our steps were too heavy, Dad would bang on the cellar rafters, also if we spoke English. We had a white Pomeranian dog named Fluffy. I would take him for a walk everyday. I loved to pick blueberries. Sometimes I would sell them to a restaurant nearby. Mom bought me roller skates. I was so happy with them, it seemed I was skating on them day and night. In school, at my desk, I felt I had my roller skates on. After lunch, going back to school, Mom would give me money for ce cream. Instead, I would buy a sour vinegar pickle. It tasted so good! We children had strict orders to be in the house as soon as the street arc lights went on. Three of my dear friends died at an early age, one boy and two girls. One day, my Dad asked the family to decide whether we should have a sun porch added to the house, or buy an automobile. The answer was an automobile. My sister Pauline, twelve years older than me, was to be the driver of the Page automobile (the Graham Page automobile was manufactured in Evansville, Indian starting in about 1916). My Dad decided o try and drive. He was driving downhill and instead of applying the brakes, he stepped on the gas. That was the end of his driving.

 On a Sunday we would take a trip to Nantasket Beach (near Hull, MA), a distance of twenty-five miles from where we lived. The ocean was very cold most of the time. I can remember my legs turning blue from the cold. Mom liked to go in the water, but Dad would roll up his trousers and wade close to shore. After that, we would enjoy a picnic lunch. More than one Halloween I would dress up in my brother Alberts clothes. They wore knickers plus a cap those days, then I would visit my Dad in the store. He would always pretend he did not recognize me. That was the extent of my Halloween. I would then go back to the house. Dad would not allow us to eat candy, and at one time I had a difficult time proving to him that a frozen popsicle was not candy. He insisted it was. On one occasion he caught me eating one and I was told to go to the house. Every week, the ragman came by with his horse and wagon. My friend Mary and I yearned for a ride in this wagon. We asked the driver and he said, some day. Our wish came true, he drove us for a little while and brought us back. We were very excited. Things were different in those days. One time I went shopping in Brockton Center and remember leaning against some fresh paint in a store window. I dont remember the outcome of that. When I was a little girl, I came home from Sunday Mass with my best dress on. We had a pump outside with a barrel of water next to it. Mom told me to change my dress before I got it wet. Guess what? I got it wet! Another time water was rushing down the gutter on Ames Street after a heavy rainstorm. Mom found me sitting in the gutter, playing with the water, in my best clothes. Another time, the family was at a picnic in Norwood. I was wading in the pond there. All of a sudden I stepped into a hole and couldnt get back to shallow water. I could not swim at the time and remember being very frightened. I finally dog paddled my way out of the hole. I think that was the only time I came close to drowning. The Lithuanian Priest had a powerful telescope. He would bring it to the church hall when we had choir rehearsal, after rehearsal we would take turns looking at the sky and stars, through the telescope. Many times I was asked to play the piano at church affairs, or programs. Many others would participate. I would be a little afraid of doing this, but my determination won out. I would teach myself to overcome these fears. Then there was those piano recitals, consisting of piano solos and duets. I enjoyed the piano more as I grew older, it was an outlet for me. I considered it a friend. Four girls and myself, at a church affair, once danced with tambourines to the music of Stars and Stripes Forever. We wore a costume and I really enjoyed this. I loved music and dancing and feel I owe this to my French great-grandmother. I was the only one in the family that was so involved with music. I also entered many dance contests.

 Some of the church choir members were chosen by the choir director to participate in the play, Pirates of the Penzance at the City Theater in Brockton. We had beautiful costumes, dresses with hoop skirts, and sang in the chorus. I was one of the chosen ones and enjoyed it. I would blush easily, sometimes for no reason at all. A few times my Dad would tell me to wash my face. He would say I had makeup on, and I could not convince him otherwise. I would also blush in school when I was called on to recite. One way to avoid this was to volunteer to recite before I was called on to recite, then I would not blush. Many times they would ask for volunteers. Mary, my friend, and I were reprimanded for talking and laughing during class one time. This was in junior high. The teacher told us to remain after class. This was never repeated again. Aunt Nellie, my Moms sister (Nellie Sandusky) took me to the fist circus performance I attended. That was fun! I had blue yes and natural curly hair, these I inherited from my Mom. My quick smile was from Mom and Dad and the Abracinskas family. I was thrifty and drove a hard bargain. When I went to work, Dad aid I would not have to pay board if I proved to him that I could buy my own clothes and deposit something regularly in a bank account. This I complied with and enjoyed watching the money grow. Ward 6 Playground was located at the end of our street (Webster Street). There were swings, see-saws, and other forms of amusement, also teachers to instruct us in different crafts. After hours, when the swings were taken down, I would climb along the top bars and work my way along to the other side. Canned raspberries were a favorite of mine, fortunately my Dad sold them in his store, so I could enjoy them once in a while, topped with ice cream. On Christmas Eve, I would hang my stocking up, the next morning I would find several oranges, other fruit and nuts, plus a gift wrapped piece of coal, on the very bottom would be a new $1 bill. Our house was located at the bottom of a hill. In the winter, we would take our sled and go sliding down the hill, Ames Street. Once in a while, someone would come along with a double runner, two long sleds with a seat across the top. This would really go sailing down the hill and continue at least another quarter of a mile after it reached bottom. Fortunately there was little traffic on this street. There was a Montello (public) swimming pool close by. This was great on a hot summer day. A small fee was charged for admission and locker. I was susceptible to nose bleeds for many years, if I dived in the pool. The force of the water would cause a nose bleed, so that was the end of that. Mom and I would go to Pennsylvania to visit grandma during the summer. Nose bleeds would occur there also, I was told it was because of the high elevation. Years later, they subsided. When I was sixteen years old, I had a birthday party, my first. Sixteen boys and girls were invited and Mom and my Aunt Nellie were chaperones. That was the age we all had our one and

only party, it was similar to a graduation of some kind. The food was good and we had lots of fun and games. One of them was Spin the Bottle. Where the bottle stopped, you kissed the partner that the bottle pointed too. My hobbies were sewing, embroidering, reading, and playing the piano. I loved to play music by ear, whatever came to my mind. It was an outlet for me, relaxed me, I lost myself to my music, felt apart from everyone else. I studied piano for eight years, first from a Miss Pickering (whom I like best) and a Mr Burke who was a choir director and church organist. There were recitals where I would play solos and duets. Movies and ice cream were a treat, mainly on Sundays and Holidays. My parents gave me money for the bus to Brockton High School, which was a mile and a half from our house. Instead I would walk and splurge the money, when I had enough, on a sundae. Later in life, I was on a Russian Ship, the Mihail Lermontov, from New York to La Havre, France. I took a few lessons in Russian speaking and lessons in a Russian folk dance. Other passengers on the ship did the same. One evening, we performed this dance on the stage during the floor show. The ship crew gave fantastic shows every evening. The voyage lasted eight days over and eight days back. In my early twenties, I was asked to sew up a baby ducks head. He got caught in a barbedwire fence and the skin was torn from his forehead to the top of his eyelid. I decided to try as he needed help. I got some silk thread and a needle and held him in the palm of my left hand. He was very quiet. I think he sensed that I was going to help him. I commenced with the operation. I was very proud of myself because the operation was a success. The baby duck lived and grew up to a full size duck. I entered Brockton High School in 1927, studied the Commercial Course for four years, and graduated in 1931, in the month of June. 1931 was the start of the Depression. It was difficult to find any type of employment. The month of August, after looking through newspapers, the Want Ads, and discouraged, I studied the advertising section for Business Schools. Upon discussing it with my Dad, he gave me permission to attend Bryant Stratton Business School in Boston for a two-year Private Secretarial Course. This was an Individual Advancement Course. I completed the course in two weeks less than one year. My first position was working for a lawyer. Later I was employed by the New England Wine Company. I had to commute to Boston, which I did not mind, it was good to have found employment, and the train service from Brockton was good. 1936 was the year of my marriage to Constant Dauksewicz (Duke) a Polish young man from North Abbington, Massachusetts. 1939 was the year our first child was born, a boy whom we named James Constant. 1945 was the year our second son was born whom we named Joseph Michael. They both weighed nine pounds each (each one). In between them I lost a baby girl.

The first son, James, married Irene Tavin and they have two children, Jamie and Pamela. Our son James is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. He enrolled in NROTC after he graduated from Brockton High School and entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The family resides in Furlong, Pennsylvania. Their son Jamie, graduated high school this year, June 1992. Our second son, Joseph, married Rebecca Daigle. They have four children, Jeffery, Miranda, Joseph, and Rebecca. They reside in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Our son is Food Service Director for the Wood Company, Allentown, PA. He has received many awards and promotions. Josephs wife, Becky, is Director of Community Services at Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, PA, a retirement area with beautiful homes and surroundings. Last but not least, I must mention my husband Connie. He was a foreman in a weaving company. He was also a musician who played the violin and the drums and he loved to Polka. Just another note, I won three dance awards. One was a waltz contest to choose Miss Plymouth County which was held at the Lithuanian National Hall in Brockton. Congressman Wigglesworth presented the award, a silver loving cup, to the winner, me, Elizabeth Abracinskas. The second was at the polish Club in Mattapan, Massachusetts (a suburb of Boston). A silver loving cup was presented to the winners of the Polka Dance Contest, Elizabeth Abracinskas and Constant Duke. The third award was at the Lithuania Church hall in Nashua, New Hampshire. A Polka Contest was scheduled for a Saturday night. The winners of the Polka Dance were Elizabeth Abracinskas and Constant Duke, the prize was a bottle of liquor. This is the end of my memories, such as they are, the good and the bad. I have completed what I attempted to do three...four years ago, such as they are. It will be my 79th birthday on September 23, 1992, and I am glad that I have accomplished this, with the help of my daughter-in-laws typewriter (Beckys), while visiting with them in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She kindly let me borrow it. It was always a pleasure receiving letters from Elizabeth Duke, she wrote with excellent penmanship and perfect English. She spoke positively about her family and friends, I regret never having the pleasure of meetL. to R. Ray Abraczinskas, Jim Duke and Joe Duke ing her in person. Elizabeth Betty In June 2009, I met with her two sons Jim and Joe Duke in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania and took them around showing them the St. Joseph Church and Cemetery. We also found the address of the Zelonis home on West Spruce Street but unfortunately, it had burned down about ten years earlier. We drove to Shenandoah and stopped at the Abrachinsky Store on West Coal Street and then drove up to the Old Saint George Cemetery and showed them Michael and Elizabeth Abracinskas headstone. It was a fun reunion!
at the Zelonis home site in Mahanoy City - June 2009. Duke - 1965.

The second generations and beyond - Joseph Michael Abracinskas.

Joseph (Juozas) Michael Abracinskas was the third child of Michael (Mykolas) and Elizabeth Abracinskas. He was born on a farm south of Marijampole, Lithuania on February 27, 1873. Joseph and his sister Anna came to America together from Hamburg, Germany on the ship Bohemia, arriving in New York on June 10, 1892. He was 19 years old and she was 18 years old. Both could not speak, read, or write English. They settled in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. From then on his name became Abrachinsky. The 1900, 1910, and 1920 cenJoseph Michael Abra- sus information indicates cinskas in Shenandoah, that they lived at 29 West Coal Street. Pennsylvania - 1892 Joseph was the quiet one. He was a thinker and built a store in their home to sell from. In the family, he was always known as the grocery man. The 1930 census indicates their home was at 27 West Coal Street (so the store was in the building next door at 29 West Coal Street).

tures to improve the store. He obtained several Patents.

Shown here is one of Joseph Abrachinskys During the course of building the store and several Patents, this one for a store fixselling different wares, Joseph invented different fix- ture with built-in sliding storage drawers.

Joseph married Hilarion Ursula Agnes Unitas in Shenandoah on May 3, 1903. They had six children, Victoria, Mamero, Michael, Albert Joseph, Anna Ursula, Joseph Edward, and George Clarence. Joseph died on June 18, 1944, Ursula died on October 4, 1961. Both are buried at the Old Saint Georges Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights, Pennsylvania. Joseph and Ursula had a daughter named Victoria born in May 1904 but there was a cholera epidemic and she died on June 16, 1906.

Mamero, Victoria, and Joseph Abrachinsky - about 1906.

The headstone for Joseph and Ursula Abrachinsky in old Saint Georges Cemetery.

Joseph Michael Abrachinsky and Ursula Agnes Unitas were married in St. Georges Church in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania on 24 May 1903. These photos were provided by Josephs grand daughter Barbara Abrachinsky Brabeck.

Josephs wife Ursula was from a large family. They lived on West Coal Street in Shenandoah, PA. Her mother Margaret was initially married to Andrew Unitas in Lithuania and they had four children, Ursula Agnes, Margaret Mary who became Sr. Anthony Marie, Anna, and Mary. Andrew Unitas died in about 1897, then Margaret married Joseph Paulonis in about 1898. They had three children, Agnes, George, and Mary.

L. to R. standing. Margaret (Sr. Anthony Marie), Agnes, Mary, and Anna. L. to R. sitting. Ursula, George, and Margaret Unitas.

 Joseph and his family attended, and were avid supporters of, Saint Georges Roman Catholic Church just three blocks away at 129 South Jardin Street. The Lithuanian Parish in Shenandoah was established in 1872, the cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1891. Saint Georges was completely refurbished in 1988 under the supervision of Rev. Robert J. Potts and it was beautiful. I visited in 1989 and obtained information from the visiting Priest about Abracinskas in Uruguay. Saint Georges was closed in May 2006. There were pieces of the stonework falling off the towers and the front of the church. The Diocese apparently decided that the repairs would be too expensive to undertake, even though the congregation insisted they would come up with the necessary funds.

The pipe organ and choir loft in Saint Georges Church in Shenandoah. Decorated in 1988, closed in 2006.

By the decision of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Saint Georges church was declared a Pennsylvania historical monument in October 2007. In June 2009, my wife and I visited Shenandoah and drove around the church. It was closed and fenced off but still the beautiful stained glass windows and doors were intact. There was fencing around the two towers supposedly to contain the stonework from falling. There were pieces of stonework laying on the sidewalk but some claim they were placed there for effect. Things have changed drastically in 118 years.

Saint Georges Church in Shenandoah, PA in June 2009. Black fencing surrounds the two towers to retain the stonework.

On pair of the front doors on Saint Georges Church in Shenandoah. The beautiful stained glass windows are still intact.

The Joseph Abrachinsky family in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania in about 1925. Front row L to R. George, Joseph, and Ursula. Rear standing L to R. Albert, Anna, Mamero, and Joseph, Jr.

Mamero Mummy Michael was born on May 11, 1906. He worked in Josephs store and attended Shenandoah High School where he played football. He married Josephine Petranella Lukasiewicz on February 17, 1935 in Saint Georges Church. They were devote Catholics. They had four children, Charles Joseph born on November 13, 1935, George William born on January 16, 1938, Mary Jo born on October 7, 1939, and Barbara Ann Rita born on May 16, 1945. In 1989, my sister Regina, my wife Katherine, and I visited Mummy and Josephine in Shenandoah and he was still the gracious host he always was. A bottle of soda, cookies, friendly conversation, and stories. He went with me up to the cemeteries in Shenandoah Heights where he pointed out the various family grave sites in several cemeteries there, including where he and his wife Josephine plan to be interred in the Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery. I took pictures and learned a lot about our family. Josephine died on April 1, 1991 and Mummy died on October 6, 1996.
Mummy Abrachinsky the football player about 1922.

 Albert Joseph Abrachinsky was born in Shenandoah on May 16, 1908. He married Sophia Catherine Oshman on August 25, 1927. They had four children, Albert Joseph born on July 4, 1928, Joseph Anthony born on September 18, 1931, Dolores born on September 21, 1937 who went into the Convent and became Sister Albert Dolores, and Mary Ann born on December 11, 1943. Sophia died on March 25, 1969 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Joseph died on October 13, 1988 in Wilkes Barre, PennsylRay Abraczinskas, Regina Filipowicz, Mummy and vania and is interred at Queen of the Universe Josephine Abrachinsky in Shenandoah, PA - 1989. Cemetery in Pottsville. Anna Ursula Abrachinsky was born in Shenandoah on February 22, 1911. She went to school in Shenandoah and worked in her fathers store. She married Joseph Bogdon (Bogdonawich) on January 7, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA. They had three children, Ursula Ann born October 13, 1934, John Charles born on June 17, 1940, and Joseph who died very young. Joe Bogdon lived on a farm near Brandonville north of Shenandoah and he worked in the mines. He died on September 17, 1903 and Ursula Ann died on February 22, 1911. Both are interred in Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights, Pennsylvania with the last name of Bogdonawich. Joseph Edward Abrachinsky, Jr. was born in Shenandoah on August 19, 1915. He attended school in Shenandoah and worked in his father Josephs store. He enlisted in the U. S. Army on November 19, 1942. After the war, he married Bertha Berger on July 29, 1945 and acquired the nickname of Tiger. They had two children, Virginia born in January 1947 and William Edward born in October 1950. I distinctly remember Tiger and his wife Bertha attending the Abraczinskas family reunions held at the Abraczinskas grove on the first Abraczinskas farm near Millgrove, usually in the late summer just before school would start. They would tell stories, play horseshoes, and play cards with my father Evon, and other relatives. Tiger liked to hunt and he would occasionally go on moose hunting and fishing trips to Quebec with my father in the 1950s. George Clarence Abrachinsky was born in Shenandoah on April 21, 1918 and was the youngest of Joseph seniors family. He attended school in Shenandoah and worked in the Abrachinsky Store on West Coal Street. He enlisted in the US Army on April 9, 1941 and achieved the rank of Corporal. He married Lillian T. Setavage on September 21, 1947 in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. They had three children, Gale born on February 28, 1948, George J. Jr. born on June 6, 1949, and Paul John born on October Lillian and George Abrachinsky 13, 1952. George was a member of Saint George Roman having a good time at the AbracCatholic Church, St. Georges Holy Name Society, Catholic zinskas family reunion in 1989.

War Veterans of the USA, Knights of Columbus, Shenandoah AMVETS, and was a partner and proud owner of Abrachinskys Hardware Store, known as Toyland to many in the 1950s. In his younger years, he was an avid fisherman, participated in helping firefighters, and was always a joker. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of nature and annually passed blessed palm crosses to the sick and elderly unable to attend Easter services. George also enjoyed fishing and hunting in Quebec with my father Evon. George Daughter Gale Lorton and George AbrachinClarence Abrachinsky passed away on Sep- sky at the last Abraczinskas family reunion tember 6, 2005. His wife Lillian passed away held at the Abraczinskas Grove in 1989. on January 19, 2001. Both George and Lillian are interred at Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, Pennsylvania.

The second generations and beyond - Elizabeth Ona Annie Abracinskas.

Elizabeth Ona Annie Abracinskas was the fourth child of Michael (Mykolas) and Elizabeth Abracinskas. She was born in July 1874 in Suwalki, Lithuania and came to America with her brother Joseph together from Hamburg, Germany on the ship Bohemia, arriving in New York on June 10, 1892. He was 19 years old and she was 18 years old. Both could not speak, read, or write English. They lived in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania at 29 West Coal Street where she worked in her brother Josephs store. In about 1893 Annie married Youzas Joseph Faleckis Fleck who had a grocery store at 124 East Coal Street in Shenandoah, PA. Her two brothers Michael and Joseph were in the small wedding ceremony. Annie became a midwife helping many Abracinskas families with births and sickness in Shenandoah. In the early 1900s, Annie helped deliver three of her brother Michaels and his wife Ursulas babies (Pauline, Peter, Michael, Ambrose, and Edward). Annie and her husband Joseph Fleck had two children, Anthony Andrew born on September 24, 1898 and Joseph, Jr. born in 1899 and died an infant death. Andrew became a Doctor of Dentistry graduating from the University of Pennsyl- Elizabeth Anna Abracinsvania in 1923. He was kas Fleck in the early 1900s. a dentist in Shenando- She helped as a midwife at ah and simply known many Abraczinskas births. as Doc Fleck. He married Catherine Coogan Joseph Faleckis Fleck and Elizabeth Anna on November 4, 1933 in Abracinskas Fleck wedding in Shenandoah, Philadelphia, she taught PA in about 1893. Back L.to R. are Elizabeths at the J. W. Cooper High brothers, Joseph and Michael Abracinskas. School in Shenandoah. I remember Doc Fleck attending the Abraczinskas Reunions held at the Abraczinskas Grove in the 1950s. He would be smoking a big cigar while playing cards and having a good time. His wife Catherine died in 1947 at the Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia and he passed away in Shenandoah, PA. in 1963. Joseph Fleck died on June 1, 1932. His wife Annie died on Dr. Anthony Fleck was a July 3, 1934. Both are buried in the Old Saint George Cemetery. dentist in Shenandoah.

The second generations and beyond - Andrew Adam Abraczinskas.

Andrew Adam Abraczinskas was the fifth child of Michael and Elizabeth Abracinskas born May 6, 1877, in a farm village a few miles south of Marijampole, Lithuania. He came to America from Hamburg, Germany, arriving in New York on October 17, 1896 on the ship Viktoria. He lived at 29 West Coal Street in Shenandoah, PA with his parents, brothers, and sister and worked in the mines at the PAC-3 colliery. His brother Joseph started a grocery store in the house and Andrew was a partner in the store. Andrew also did odd jobs around Shenandoah and was a carriage driver for weddings and funerals. Its not known when he adopted the name Abraczinskas with a z in it, his brother William changed his name to Abar and his brother Joseph became Abrachinsky. Andrew married Margaret Ginnis in Shenandoah on October 9, 1901. She was the daughter of Anthony Ginnis and Evelyn Maczis. In April 1907 Andrew purchased a farm from Harvey Mensch in the Roaring Creek Valley near Catawissa. There he planted Christmas trees and cut timber. In the 1930s, he used some of the lumber to build on to the house adding overhanging rooms on the front of the house, under which Margaret and Andrew stand on newly sawn lumber they used to he would sell fruit and Christmas add on to their first house in the Roaring Creek Valley - 1908. trees. In 1916, he purchased a second nearby farm owned by Sam Cherrington and raised farm produce, i.e., potatoes, apples, and grains. He also raised Christmas trees and sawed lumber. He received and studied all the agricultural bulletins from the Pennsylvania Agricultural Service. His shrewd determination to learn-by-doing caused him to become very well educated in agricultural growing. All the Catholic Priests in Shenandoah used to come to Andrews farm to visit. He enjoyed it because they were educated people and Andrew liked to talk to educated people. Once, a Priest in Shenandoah wanted Andrew to go back to Lithuania and start fruit orchards there. He was even willing to pay him but Andrew would not leave his growing farm. It was a haven for Andrews friends and relatives from Shenandoah who would come and visit The first Andrew Abraczinskas homestead in the Roaring often on weekends. There was always Creek Valley near Catawissa, Pennsylvania, in the 1940s. food, drinks, and conversation to be had.

While visiting once, Andrew told his cousin, Elizabeth Abracinskas Duke. The family (Abraczinskas) should never forget each other - even if it only meant sending a card at Christmas. In the 1920s and 1930s, Andrew had many farm hands working for him and boarding at his farm. There was Freeman Miller, Robert Miller, Stanley Toback, Adam Papechkis, Peter Petuskey, Joseph Szalaszawicz, Charlie Kichas, Sabastin Butaitis, William Laskey, Pete Yonkus, and many relatives (some names are probably misspelled from the obscurity of the 1930 census record). In July 1930, Andrew purchased the 120-acre Tewksbury farm 2-miles south of Catawissa, which my father Evon lived on (I grew up there). On it was a wonderful flowing spring known as Shakespeares Springs because it was once owned by a descendent of William Shakespeare named David Shakespeare who received it from William Penn. The flowing spring fed a small pond full of green tasty watercress which is still harvested and sold yet today by my sister Regina. A spring house was built around the spring and in it fruit and milk from the farm was kept cold. Below the spring, a ram pump worked endlessly to pump the cold water 300 feet up to the house where it filled a 300 gallon copper tank on the third level, which then supplied water to the house and barn. Daffodils grew in the field around the spring house making a beautiful sight in early spring. We used to discover arrowheads in the nearby fields around the spring where Indian hunters would probably bag deer going to the springs for a drink. The stream that flowed from the spring meandered through an apple orchard and contained many muskrats in the winter which, as a young boy, I would trap for the furs. Andrew and Margaret had six children, Mary (Mariutie), Evon (Javanas) my father, Frances (Franciska), Telesforos, Anthony (Antanas), and Helen (Helena). Andrew and Margaret, or Maggie as she was called by many, enjoyed retirement years living in New Smyrna, Florida. I visited them once in 1955 as I was in the Marines stationed at NAS Jacksonville. Andrew died in New Smyrna Beach on October 4, 1956. Margaret died there on June 1, 1961. The E.M. Tewksbury farm house near Catawissa, PA that Andrew Andrew and Margaret are bur- Abraczinskas purchased in 1930. The Evon Abraczinskas family ied at the Our Lady of Mercy grew up in this house. The house burned down in 1986. Church Cemetery, near Slabtown, Pennsylvania. Andrew and Margarets first child Mary (Mariutie) was born on 14 September 1902 in Shenandoah, PA and died four months later. She is supposedly buried in the Old Saint George Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights but there is no known grave marker.

Evon Abraczinskas at the Pennsylvania Farm Products Show in 1923.

Evon (Javanas) Anthony was born in Shenandoah, PA on 27 October 1903. When his father Andrew moved to the Roaring Creek valley farm in 1906, Evon grew up working on the farm. He attended the grade school at Kulp, which was just over the hill from the farm. Later, he attended the Newlin School in Numidia. While attending a County meet in his 4th year, Evon won the shot-put event and his record stood until the 1950s. He graduated in 1923 and started attending Penn State in the Fall studying agriculture, but he got the mumps and was quarantined for four weeks missing school, then never went back. He weighed 185 pounds and the varsity coach at Penn State wanted he to come back, offering him a varsity position but Andrew needed him on the farm so he stayed on the farm. Evon went to the Pennsylvania Farm Products Show in 1923 and won a prize for the best corn. Later in September, Evon showed some pigs at the Bloomsburg Fair and won an award. He was an experienced farmer.

In June 1926, Evon married Mary Mikolaitis from Shenandoah. Regina Mary was born on October 31, 1927. Evon Anthony was born on December 27, 1928. William Joseph was born on March 22, 1930. They lived on Andrews farm until 1931 when they moved to the E. M. Tewksbury farm in Catawissa Township. Andrew had bought the farm from Hannah Tewksbury in July 1930. In 1931, Evon hired men to work for him in the business and to do farm work. Robert Pappy Miller who worked for Andrew on Andrews farm began working to fix up the former Tewksbury house by adding asphalt siding and a porch around the perimeter, including a glassed-in sun porch. The big twostory house had four bedrooms, a large kitchen area, a small formal living room and dining room which were hardly ever used. It had a dug out basement with a coal fired furnace providing steam heat with radiators in each room that went psssstttt all winter long. Evon used to sell coal in the 1930s by robbing Mary Abraczinskas holding the pillars in the vacated coal mines around Shenandoah. Rob- newborn Regina Mary - 1927. bing the pillars is an old mining term that refers to a practice in which miners would remove the pillars of coal that were supposed to hold up the shaft and sell it. It was a dangerous practice that resulted in numerous cave-ins either immediately or years later. Evon and Pete Yonkus (a worker at Andrews farm) used to dig the coal by hand and sell it to people in the Roaring Creek Valley. Once he sold a truck load to a Judge and it didnt burn so Evon had to replace it. In the mid 1930s, along with farming, Evon used to haul things such as coal, fertilizer, lumber, peaches, cantalopes, and cork. He hauled all the cork for the cold storage building at Andrews farm number one, from Newark, New Jersey (where Anna Abraczinskas Dauksys and her husband John lived). He had an old truck and he used to haul antracite coal west to central Pennsylvania. Once, he heard about an International potato planter for sale out around State College.

He bid $50.00 and got it. He then took a load of coal to State College and sold it and bought the potato planter home. He used to deliver coal to the Edison Power Plant at York, PA. He would buy coal for $3.00 a ton and sell it for $8.00 a ton. He sometimes would buy fertilizer at the Dempwolfs plant in York and haul it home with his 12-ton Dodge tractor-trailer. Sometimes he would return with a load of lime from Bellefonte for himself or other farmers. In 1939, Evon became a dealer for the Massey-Harris company and other farm equipment. New machinery was being hauled from the Massey-Harris factory in Batavia, New York and the A. B. Farquar Company in York, PA. A building was built to serve as the office for the business and the business began to grow. Evon and Marys family started to grow more also. Robert John was born on March 28, 1933 but then a tragedy happened when little Evon was struck by a car while crossing the Route 42 highway in front of the house. He died on May 1, 1933 and was buried in the back northwest corner of the old Saint George Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights, PA. There is no grave marker. On July 19, 1936, me, Raymond James was born, and finally on April 21, 1943, my younger brother Dennis Edwin was born. In 1947, tragedy struck again with William Joseph Bill experiencing a burst blood vessel while playing basketball at the Catawissa High School after working hard all morning to load a trailer truck full of potatoes. He was trans- Regina Mary, William Joseph, and Evon ported to the Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia Anthony sitting on the garden bench - 1933. and eventually died there on May 21, 1949 ending a potential baseball career as a pitcher for the New York Yankees team. He was going to pitch for their Cornell, New York farm team. Bill was buried in the back northwest corner of the Old Saint George Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights, PA. There is no known grave marker.
A truckload of shiny new tractors from Massey-Harris just arrived. L to R. William, Robert, and Raymond are sitting on them ready and wanting to drive them away in the summer of 1941.

The Evon Abraczinskas homestead and farm implement business located along Route 42 two miles south of Catawissa, PA (where I grew up as a young man). Andrew Abraczinskas purchased it in 1930 from E.M. Tewksbury of Catawissa. The house on the left was the former Tewksbury residence in the late 1890s. It burned down in January 1977. The barn in the background was built in about 1829 and burned down on March 6, 1951. It was replaced with a modern concrete block building. The sales showroom and shop on the right was built in 1949 and in 2009, it serves as the headquarters for the operations of Abraczinskas Nurseries, Inc., which has been selling Christmas trees since 1910.

The house that the Evon Abraczinskas family lived in as it appeared in the 1960s. The upper window shown here was an attic that contained a huge water tank which was filled by the ram pump located several hundred feet below the spring. It was the water supply for the house and the barn.

When I was older in the 1950s, and able to drive a big truck on the highway, I used to make two trips a week hauling hay balers from the New Holland factory in New Holland, Pennsylvania in preparation for the busy haying season. There was a joke about driving to New Holland which is located in the Pennsylvania Dutch region southeast of Ephrata and northeast of Lancaster. They had some funny names for their towns. There was Paradise, Blue Ball, Rheems, Intercourse, Smoketown, and the like. The joke saying was, To get to Paradise, youve got to go through Intercourse, Rheems, and end up going through Blue Ball.

Evon and Marys children: Regina, Robert, Raymond, and Dennis all grew up and eventually left the farm. Regina married Leonard Flip Filipowicz from Kulpmont, PA in New York City in April 1948. Robert married Mary Ann Patricia Glenn from Tunkhannock, PA in August 1960. Raymond married Katherine Ann Oleksy from Charlevoix, Michigan in August 1963, and Dennis married Patricia Lagana in August 1966. My mother, Mary Abraczinskas, was active in church activities at the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Slabtown, PA during her life. She loved flowers and she enjoyed playing bingo. She died in June 1976 and was buried at the Our Lady of Mercy Church Cemetery in Slabtown. My dad Evon retired from the farm implement business in the late 1970s ending a 40-year legacy. He sold the property to the Abraczinskas Corporation run by his brother Duke Abraczinskas and his children. Then he spent relaxing retirement years in New Smyrna Beach, Florida fishing and playing shuffleboard with relatives where he died on January 2, 1980. He was buried at the Our Lady of Mercy Church Cemetery in Slabtown, PA. Andrew and Margarets next child born was Frances Mary (Franciska) born on October 10, 1904 in Shenandoah, PA. When grandpop Andrew bought and moved to the farm in the Roaring Creek valley and when Frances was old enough, she started doing a lot of the housework, even painting the kitchen walls with white wash, a solution of lime and water called calcimine. Frances married Stephen John Balschi in October 1924 and they had three children, Alvin (1925), Arlene (1926), and Stephen (1936). The next child born to Andrew and Margaret was a boy named Telesforas, born on January 5, 1906. In that year there was a lot of chronic cholera occurring. Telesforas died on August 2, 1906 and was buried in the northwest corner section of the old Saint Georges Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights, PA. There is no grave marker. Margaret Abraczinskas

Andrew and Margarets next child was Anthony Albert (Antanas) born on May 10, 1909. In later years, he was better known as Duke to all of his friends ad relatives. Duke worked on the farm, attended Kulp School just over the hill, and carried on with Andrews growing and selling Christmas trees. They expanded operations by purchasing other farms to grow trees on, becoming one of the largest suppliers of Christmas trees in eastern Pennsylvania.

holding Telesforos born January 5, 1906. On her right arm is Frances Mary born October 4, 1904, and on her left arm is Evon born October 27, 1903. Baby Telesforas died in August 1906.

Anthony Duke married Anna Domanski on November 12, 1932 in the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Slabtown, PA in a double wedding ceremony with Dukes sister Helen, who married Frank Petuskey. Duke and Anna eventually had four children: Anthony (1933), Donald (1934), Jerome (1938), and Eugene (1944).

Anthony Abraczinskas standing tall in the center of the back row. There were five students and one teacher at the oneroom Kulp School in 1923. The small school is shown on the right.

A beautiful double wedding ceremony at the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Slabtown, PA. L. to R. Helen Abraczinskas married Frank Petuskey and Anna Domanski married Anthony Abraczinskas - November 12, 1932.

The next child born to Andrew and Margaret was daughter Helen Marie (Helena) born on November 6, 1914. She married Frank Petuskey on November 12, 1932 and they had four children: Larry (1936), Jane (1941), and twins Teresa and Patricia (1945).

In the 1940s and 1950s Frank and Helen lived at the first Abraczinskas homestead where the huge cold storage facility was located and used to store apples that were grown on the farm. There they would also sell fruit and Christmas trees. Later on they lived at the saw mill facility located down the road from the cold storage. They were always friendly and liked to play card games (pinochle) with other relatives. Helen Petuskey passed away on December 9, 1966 and is buried at the Our Lady of Mercy Church Cemetery near Slabtown, PA. Several years after Helens passing, Frank Petuskey married Helen Puchino and they lived near the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Slabtown, PA where he was active as a commentator. Frank died on August 9, 1995.
Selling Christmas trees. Helen Abraczinskas Petuskey shows a potential customer two scotch pine Christmas trees in 1946.

The second generations and beyond - Victor Abraczinskas.

Victor Abraczinskas was the sixth child of Michael and Elizabeth Abracinskas born on October 10, 1882, in a farm village a few miles south of Marijampole, Lithuania. He came to America from Rotterdam, Holland arriving in New York on August 9, 1898, on the ship Spaarndam. Victor married Anna Discavage on January 9, 1907 in Shenandoah, PA. They had four children: Florent Victor (1911), Raymond Joseph (1912), Mary Anna (1915), and Alverda (1917). Victor did odd jobs around Shenandoah and worked in the coal mines as a superintendent. His wife Anna died in 1919 and tragically, he was killed in a mine disaster in August 1929. Their children were then raised by Annas niece, Ella Discavage Popik. Both Victor and his wife Anna are buried in the Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, PA. Florent Victor was born on November 28, 1911 in Carbon, PA. He married Ann Shigo on May 25, 1935 in Minersville, PA. They had two children: Florent Edward born on December 10, 1936 and Victor Brian born on December 23, 1945. Florents wife Ann died on July 7, 1968 and Florent Victor died in November 1985 in Tamaqua, PA.

Victor Abraczinskas and Anna Discavage were married on January 9, 1907 in Shenandoah, PA. The best man and brides mate are unknown but possibly are Joseph Popik and his wife Ella Discavage Popik.

Their son Florent Edward was in the U. S. Navy serving aboard submarines. When he got out of the Navy in 1957, he changed his last name to Abbey. He married Ruth Ann Rickert in Boundbrook, New Jersey in 1960. He started an appliance repair business now called the AbbeyGraham Appliance Repair Co., 5590 Macy, Jacksonville, Florida 32211, which he is still operating in 2009. Victor Brian joined the U. S. Army achieving the rank of Specialist 4th Class. He died during the Korean war in Korea on September 19, 1967 from previous non-battle related injuries.

The third generations and beyond - William Vincent Abraczinskas

William (Vincent) ABRACZINSKAS (ABAR) b. 1 Nov 1867, (Grabowo) Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 1952, Near Chicago, IL & Maria (Mary) BRUSOKAS b. 1878, Lithuania div. | Maria (Mary) ABRACHINSKY* | b. 1897 | d. Willow Springs, IL | & John GAVIN | | John GAVIN Jr. | | b. abt 1941 | | & Agnes | | | Remi GAVIN | | | Tony (twin) GAVIN | | | Joan (twin) GAVIN | | | Cheri GAVIN | Maria (Mary) ABRACHINSKY* | b. 1897 | d. Willow Springs, IL | & ? BUTUS | William George (ABRACINSKAS) ABAR | b. 30 May 1899, Pennsylvania | d. 15 Jan 1966, Chicago IL area (Cicero) | & Josephine ? | b. 1906 | | Jerome Jerry W. ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) | | b. 30 Sep 1927 | | d. 25 Apr 1999, Guadalupe, TX | | Jeannette ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) | | b. Oct 1926, Cicero, IL | | & Frank OSESANKO | Julia ABRACINSKAS | b. 25 Aug 1902 | d. 25 Jul 1988, Hotel Cordova, St. Petersburg, FL | Annastacia C. ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) | b. 6 Oct 1906 | d. May 1979 | & John GALDIK (GALDIKAS) | b. abt 1907 | | Dolores J. GALDIK | | b. 14 Feb 1935 | | d. 6 Jun 2005, Lisle, IL | | & Joseph DI LEGGE | | b. 13 Sep 1933, Cook County, IL | | d. May 1963 | | m. 1 Feb 1957, Cook County, IL | | | Laurell DELEGGI | | | b. 1959 | | | Lynn DELEGGI | | | Janet DELEGGI | | Lorraine M. GALDIK

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| b. Cook County, IL | & Louis P. RAIMONDO | m. 4 Jun 1954, Cook County, IL | Mary Ann GALDIK | & Steve KURTH | m. 25 Sep 1965, Chicago, IL | Jeannie GALDIK | & Ralph A. SERGOTT | b. Jun 1941, Live in Louisville, KY Charles Robert (ABRACHINSKY) ABAR b. 1 Jan 1908, Cook County, IL d. 20 Oct 1985, 345 Pinole Ave., Rodao, CA 94572 & Elizabeth Margaret (Betty) TOTH b. 28 May 1920, Cleveland, OH d. 3 Sep 1991, Contra Costa, CA m. 27 Nov 1941, Lake Charles, LA | Steve (ABRACHINSKY) ABAR | b. 11 Mar 1945, Alemeda, CA | Charles Robert, Jr. (ABRACHINSKY) ABAR | b. 15 Aug 1946, Alameda County, CA | & Beverly A. CONE | b. 8 Mar 1944 | m. 8 Dec 1973, San Francisco, CA | | Bethany ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) | | b. 15 Jun 1966 | | Bryan ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) | | b. 23 Nov 1968 | Elizabeth Maryann ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) SHAY* | b. 26 May 1949, Alameda County, CA | & Arthur Ransome TAYLOR | | Matthew Arthur TAYLOR | | b. 19 Sep 1984 | Elizabeth Maryann ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) SHAY* | b. 26 May 1949, Alameda County, CA | & Harry SMITH | d. 2005 | Dolores Dawn ABRACHINSKY (ABAR) | b. 21 Mar 1951, Solano County, CA | & Lawrence BROOKS | b. 28 Sep 1943 | | Diana Lee BROOKS | | b. 9 Feb 1972

The third generations and beyond - Michael Abracinskas

Michael ABRACINSKAS b. 28 Feb 1869, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 7 Jun 1946, Brockton, MA & Ursula ZELONIS (GREENE) b. 16 Oct 1884, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 30 May 1967, St. Josephs Nursing Home, Brockton,MA m. 1900, Shenandoah, PA | Pauline Nellie ABRACINSKAS | b. 5 Jan 1901, Shenandoah, PA | d. Aug 1982, Athol, MA | & Francis Albert Frank REYNOLDS (RINGAILA) Dr. | b. 24 May 1895, Winthrop, MA | d. 29 Jul 1992, Pompano Beach, Broward, Florida, United States of America | m. abt 1923 | div. | | Patricia Marie REYNOLDS | | b. 7 May 1925, Athol, MA | | d. Dec 1960, Murdered in ft. Lauderdale Fla. | | & Robert Joseph PALCO | | b. 24 Dec 1923 | | d. 27 Sep 1971, Broward, FL | | div. Apr 1960, Ft. Lauderdale, FL | | | Sharon REYNOLDS | | | & Kevin TULLY | | | Robert Joseph | | Francis Albert Fran REYNOLDS Jr.* | | b. 20 Sep 1928, Athol, MA | | & Roberta B. PATTEN | | b. 8 Nov 1920 | | m. 1971, Sterling, MA | | | Sharon REYNOLDS | | | & Kevin TULLY | | | Robert Joseph | | | Michael Francis REYNOLDS | | Francis Albert Fran REYNOLDS Jr.* | | b. 20 Sep 1928, Athol, MA | | & Alberta McADAMS | | m. abt 1950, Athol, MA | | div. | | | Sharon REYNOLDS | | | & Kevin TULLY | | | Robert Joseph | | | Michael Francis REYNOLDS | Peter V. ABRACINSKAS | b. 31 Jan 1903, Shenandoah, PA | d. Sep 1968, Sebring, FL | & Dorothy G. STRIDE | b. 8 Jun 1917, Maine | d. 13 Mar 1980, Middleboro, MA | | Paul Albert ABRACINSKAS* | | b. 1951, Brockton, MA | | & Ruth Marie BARBER | | b. 1954, Baltimore, MD

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| m. 4 Apr 1969, Florida | div. 11 Sep 1974, Highlands County, Florida | | Paul Albert ABRACINSKAS Jr. | | b. 27 Mar 1973, Brockton Hospital, Brockton, MA | | & UNNAMED | | Michelle Ann ABRACINSKAS | | Amy ABRACINSKAS | Paul Albert ABRACINSKAS* | b. 1951, Brockton, MA | & Debra | b. Jun 1955 Michael ABRACINSKAS b. abt 1905, Shenandoah, PA d. abt Aug 1905, Shenandoah, PA Ambrose ABRACINSKAS b. abt 1905, Shenandoah, PA d. Aug 1905, Shenandoah, PA Edward Ambrose (ABRACINSKAS) ABBOT Dr. b. 3 Jul 1909, Brockton, MA d. 6 Jan 1997, New Smyrna Beach, Florida & Helen F. DOMIN b. 17 Oct 1912, Boston, MA d. 2 Mar 2009, New Smyrna Beach, FL | Edward (ABRACINSKAS) ABBOT Jr. | b. 8 Mar 1940 | & Maureen Kathyrn OSHEA | b. 26 Jun 1942, Chicopee, MA | | Kathryn Mary Frances ABBOT | | b. 10 Dec 1965, Kingsville, TX | | & Michael STRUZIK | | b. 27 May 1966, Woonsocket, RI | | m. 13 Jul 1991, Sacred Heart Church, Sidney, NY | | | Christopher Joseph STRUZIK | | | b. 17 Jan 1996, Highland Hospital, Rochester, NY | | | Matthew Edward STRUZIK | | | b. 11 May 1998, Highland Hospital, Rochester, NY | | Kristine Helen ABBOT | | b. 26 Oct 1968 | | & Andrew GARFINKEL | | b. 3 Feb 1965 | | | Emma Sydney GARFINKEL | | | b. 4 May 1997 | | | Abigal Ruth GARFINKEL | | | b. 19 Jul 2000 | | | Joshua GARFINKEL | | Edward A. ABBOT III | | b. 1 Feb 1971 | | & Kirsten RADELL | | b. 27 Dec 1970 | | m. 10 Jul 1999 | | | Kevin Edward ABBOT | | | b. 6 May 2001 | | | Kiley Ann ABBOT | | | b. 23 Mar 2004, Maryland

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Albert C. ABRACINSKAS Reverend b. 23 Mar 1912, Brockton, MA d. 11 May 2003, St Josephs Manor, 215 Thatcher St., Brockton, MA 02402 Elizabeth Betty Leona ABRACZINSKAS b. 23 Sep 1913, 187 Ames St., Brockton, MA d. 5 Apr 2000, Annville, PA & Konstanti (Constant) James DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) b. 4 Jul 1912, Abington, MA d. 2 Mar 1994, Lebanon, PA m. 30 Aug 1936 | James Constant DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) Dr. | b. 5 Apr 1939, Address 2002: Box 419, Forest Grove, PA 18922-0419 | & Irene TAVIN | b. 6 Apr 1945 | m. 26 Apr 1970, Norwood, MA | | James David DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | b. 31 Aug 1973 | | Pamela Ursula DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | b. 19 Aug 1975 | | & Jeffrey COBB | | m. 26 May 2002 | | | Connor James COBB | | | b. 3 Apr 2005, Pennsylvania | | | Ryan Jeffery COBB | | | b. 21 Jul 2008, Pennsylvania | Joseph Michael DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ)* | b. 2 Feb 1945, Brockton, MA | & Victoria MEKOSH | m. 1969 | div. 1976 | | Joseph Michael DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) Jr. | | b. 28 Jan 1971, Quakertown, PA | | & Leslie DENNIS | | | Cassandra Alexis DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | | b. 25 Feb 1996, Perkasie, PA | | | Nicholas DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | | b. 8 Jul 2002, Perkasie, PA | | | Michael DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | | b. 19 Apr 2003, Perkasie, PA | | Rebecca DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | b. 31 Dec 1974 | Joseph Michael DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ)* | b. 2 Feb 1945, Brockton, MA | & Rebecca DAIGLE | b. 8 Jan 1952, Philadelphia, PA | m. 26 Sep 1981 | | Jeffery Thomas DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | b. 27 Oct 1983, Selingsgrove, PA | | Miranda DUKE (DAUKSEWICZ) | | b. 6 Nov 1979

The third generations and beyond - Joseph Michael Abracinskas

Joseph (Juozas) Michael ABRACHINSKY b. 27 Feb 1873, Mariampolis (Suwalki), Lithuania d. 18 Jun 1944, Shenandoah, PA & (Hilarion) Ursula Agnes Unitas (JONAITIS) b. 5 Feb 1885, Lithuania d. 4 Oct 1961, Shenandoah, PA m. 24 May 1903 | Victoria ABRACHINSKY | b. May 1904, Shenandoah, PA | d. 16 Jun 1906, Shenandoah, PA (Cholera) | Mamero Michael ABRACHINSKY | b. 11 May 1906, Shenandoah, PA | d. 9 Oct 1996, Shenandoah, PA | & Josephine Petronela LUKASIEWICZ | b. 30 May 1916, Shenandoah, PA | d. 1 Apr 1991, Shenandoah, PA | m. 17 Feb 1935, Shenandoah, PA | | Charles Joseph ABRACHINSKY* | | b. 13 Nov 1935, Good Samatarian Hosp., Pottsville, PA | | & Grace Irene MUSSER | | b. 7 Feb 1938, Grier City, PA | | m. 2 Sep 1957, Washington DC | | div. | | | Michelle Marie ABRACHINSKY* | | | b. Barnesville, PA | | | & Donald W. RINALDI | | | div. | | | | Nicole Nicci iMarie RINALDI | | | | & Keith HAFER | | | | | Wyatt HAFER | | | | | Abigal Grace HAFER | | | | Vito Vincent RINALDI | | | Michelle Marie ABRACHINSKY* | | | b. Barnesville, PA | | | & James SMITH | | | div. | | | | Brandon James SMITH | | | | Joshua SMITH | | | Terry Charles ABRACHINSKY | | | b. Aug 1961, Barnesville, PA | | | & Cathy McDONOUGH | | | b. Aug 1961 | | | | Joseph Edward McDONOUGH, III | | | | & Heather Mae ENGLE | | | | Stephen ABRACHINSKY | | | | Holly ABRACHINSKY | | | Brian Carl ABRACHINSKY | | | b. Apr 1966, Barnesville, PA | | | & Joy Maria HOWLEY | | | | Carla ABRACHINSKY | | Charles Joseph ABRACHINSKY* | | b. 13 Nov 1935, Good Samatarian Hosp., Pottsville, PA | | & Tina Marie LESLIE

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

George William ABRACHINSKY b. 16 Jan 1938, Pottsville, PA & Rosanne Theresa MELNICK b. 8 Jul 1945, Shenandoah, PA m. 11 Sep 1962 | Mark William ABRACHINSKY | b. 28 Mar 1963, Barnesville, PA | & Lisa M. LAWIN | b. Apr 1939 | | Cody (twin) ABRACHINSKY | | b. 3 Feb 1995 | | Wyatt (twin) ABRACHINSKY | | b. 3 Feb 1995 | Pamela Ann ABRACHINSKY | b. 26 Mar 1965, Barnesville, PA | & Michael MARTIN | | Nathan MARTIN | | b. 15 Nov 1994 | Michael George ABRACHINSKY | b. 21 May 1975, Barnesville, PA | & Nicole Marie WAGNER | m. 2 Oct 2004 | | Olivia ABRACHINSKY Mary Jo ABRACHINSKY b. 7 Oct 1939, Shenandoah, PA & Thomas Joseph DOHERTY m. 1 Jun 1963, Laguna Beach, CA | Diane Marie DOHERTY | b. 25 Jan 1954, Laguna beach, CA | & Eric GESHKIE | | Lauren GESHKIE | | b. 2 Mar 1990, Chicago, IL | | Scott GESHKIE | | Riley GESHKIE | | Thomas GESHKIE | | b. 1997 | Susan Marie DOHERTY | b. 3 Jul 1955, Laguna Beach, CA | & Howie ROSEN | | Juliana ROSEN | | Sam ROSEN | Jennifer DOHERTY | b. 12 Feb 1958, Laguna Beach, CA | & Gregory GONZALES | b. 31 Oct | | Elise GONZALES | | b. 22 Mar 1996 | | Mitchell GONZALES | | Matthew GONZALES | Thomas Joseph, Jr. DOHERTY | b. 8 Apr 1969 | & Kim | | Alicia Mary DOHERTY | | b. 1998

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| Barbara Ann Rita ABRACHINSKY | b. 16 May 1945, Shenandoah, PA | & Thomas Richard BRABECK | b. 5 Jun 1947, St Paul, MN | m. 2 Aug 1969, St Catherines Church, Laguna Beach, CA | | Christopher Thomas BREBECK | | b. 23 Jan 1970, Laguna Beach, CA | | & Tracy FARMER | | b. KANSAS CITY, KS | | m. Sep 1996, LAS VEGAS, NV | | Matthew Michael BREBECK | | b. 25 Jul 1975, LAGUNA BEACH, CA Albert Joseph ABRACHINSKY b. 16 May 1908, Shenandoah, PA d. 13 Oct 1988, Wilkesbarre, PA & Sophia Catherine OSHMAN (AUSHMAN) b. 17 Nov 1907 d. 25 Mar 1969, Pottsville, PA m. 25 Aug 1927 | Albert Joseph ABRACHINSKY | b. 4 Jul 1928, Pottsville, PA | d. 31 Jul 2008, Pottsville, PA | & Jennie N. ROSS | b. 14 Jun 1922 | | Maryann C. ABRACHINSKY | Joseph Anthony ABRACHINSKY | b. 18 Sep 1931 | d. 25 May 1932 | St. Albert Dolores (Nun) ABRACHINSKY | b. 21 Sep 1937, Pottsville, PA | d. 2 Dec 1995 | Mary Ann ABRACHINSKY | b. 11 Dec 1943, Pottsville, PA | & Norman Paul LEIBEL | b. 12 Jan 1932, Pottsville, PA | m. 11 Feb 1977, Mary Queen of Peace Church, Pottsville, PA | | Kevin Fredrick LEIBEL | | b. 26 Jan 1978, Baltimore, MD | | d. 31 Dec 2003, Truckee, CA | | Kimberly Louise LEIBEL | | b. 2 Jul 1980, Towson, Md Anna Ursula ABRACHINSKY b. 22 Feb 1911 d. 6 Jun 1976, Shenandoah, PA (65 yrs old) & Joseph (Joe) BOGDON (BOGDONAWICH) b. 17 Sep 1903 d. May 1973, Shenandoah, PA m. 7 Jan 1932, Philadelphia, PA | Ursula Ann BOGDON | b. 15 Oct 1935, Shenandoah, PA | & John COMINSKY | b. 13 Oct 1934, Morea, PA | d. 29 May 1992, Johnstown, PA | m. 28 Jun 1953, Shenandoah, PA

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | John Joseph COMINSKY Jr. | | b. 26 Nov 1954, Pottsville, PA | | d. 21 Aug 2002 | | & Darlene | | div. | | | Kimberly Ann COMINSKY | | | Brian COMINSKY | | | Paul COMINSKY | | David COMINSKY | | b. 15 Sep 1957, Pottsville, PA | | Mark COMINSKY | | b. 28 Dec 1960, Pottsville, PA | | & Tina M. FAAR | | b. Jan 1967 | | m. 13 Oct 1994 | | | Blake COMINSKY | | | Jacob COMINSKY | | Brian Michael COMINSKY | | b. 13 Dec 1964, Johnstown, PA | | & Connie CUSTER | | b. May 1964 | | | KELLY COMINSKY | | | Kristi COMINSKY | | Joseph COMINSKY | | b. 15 Aug 1967, (Twin of Michael) Johnstown, PA | | & Claudia J. MANGUS | | b. 22 Aug 1967 | | m. 1988, Johnstown, PA | | | Joseph COMINSKY | | | b. Oct 1995 | | Michael COMINSKY | | b. 15 Aug 1967, (Twin of Joseph) Johnstown, PA | | & Cynthia LUCAS | | b. 12 Dec 1966 | | | Michael Andrew COMINSKY | | | b. 14 Oct 1983 | | | Kayla Marie COMINSKY | | | b. 23 Aug 1990, Johnstown, PA | John Charles BOGDON* | b. 17 Jun 1940 | & Mary BARTUCIK | sep. | | Susan BOGDON | | b. 11 Mar , Shenandoah, PA | | | Veronica FEGLEY | John Charles BOGDON* | b. 17 Jun 1940 | & Shirley ? | Joseph BOGDEN | d. Died Joseph Edward Tiger ABRACHINSKY b. 19 Aug 1915, Shenandoah, PA d. 3 May 1992, Shenandoah, PA & Bertha BERGER

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

b. 12 Jun 1924, Pine Grove, PA d. Mar 1989, Shenandoah, PA m. 29 Jul 1945, Shenandoah, PA | Virginia Ginny ABRACHINSKY* | b. Jan 1947, Shenandoah, PA | & Edgar W. BUSILA, JR | b. 13 Nov 1946 | d. Aug 1980, Mahanoy City, PA | div. | | Leisa BUSILA | | Jason BUSILA | | b. Jan 1976, Shenandoah, PA | Virginia Ginny ABRACHINSKY* | b. Jan 1947, Shenandoah, PA | & Dave MARTIN | div. | William Edward ABRACHINSKY | b. Oct 1950, Shenandoah, PA | & Deborah M. BUHL | m. 12 Mar 1979, Elkton, M aryland | | Dana Marie ABRACHINSKY | | b. 11 Dec 1979, Shenandoah, PA | | & Anthony Joseph CHUPLIS, III | | m. 6 Sep 2003 | | Dustin William ABRACHINSKY | | b. 22 Jun 1983, Shenandoah, PA George Clarence ABRACHINSKY b. 21 Apr 1918, Shenandoah, PA d. 6 Nov 2005, Shenandoah, PA & Lillian T. SETEVAGE b. 26 Jan 1924, Mahoney City, PA d. 19 Jan 2001, Shenandoah, PA m. 21 Sep 1947, Mahoney City, PA | Gale ABRACHINSKY | b. 28 Feb 1948, Shenandoah, PA | & Ron LORTON | m. St. Catherines Church, Laguna Beach, CA | | Kimberly Ann LORTON | | b. 30 Aug 1969, Laguna Beach, CA | | | Wyatt | | | b. 25 Mar 2005, Chelan, WA | | Tamara Ann LORTON | | b. 18 Aug 1974, Laguna Beach, CA | | & Brett BURCH | | m. Kauai, HI | | | Brayden BURCH | | | b. 7 Nov 2004, Laguna Beach, CA | | | Sienna BURCH | | | b. 7 Dec 2006, Laguna Beach, CA | | Eric Justin LORTON | | b. 23 Oct 1979, Orange Co., CA | George J., Jr. ABRACHINSKY (ABBY) | b. 6 Jun 1949, Shenandoah, PA | d. 4 Mar 1982, (killed driving to Vermont)

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

& Mary Katherine COUGHLIN b. 16 Jan 1952, RINGTOWN, PA | Matthew Peter ABRACHINSKY (ABBY)* | b. 1976 | & Charity Ann MCROBERTS | div. | | Kendra ABRACHINSKY (ABBY) | | b. 23 Feb 1995 | | Kelsie ABRACHINSKY (ABBY) | | b. 23 Feb 2000 | Matthew Peter ABRACHINSKY (ABBY)* | b. 1976 | & Unnur | m. 5 Nov 2001, Iceland | Johnathan ABRACHINSKY (ABBY) Paul John ABRACHINSKY b. 13 Oct 1952, Pottsville, PA & Marie Irene SOSNO b. Shenandoah, PA m. 10 Jun 1973 | Paul Robert ABRACHINSKY | b. 5 Oct 1974, Pottsville, PA | & Ann Louise FARNSWORTH | m. 2 Oct 1999 | | Shai ABRACHINSKY | | Cierra ABRACHINSKY | | Issac ABRACHINSKY | Nicole Nickie Marie ABRACHINSKY | b. 13 Apr 1979, Pottsville, PA | | Alyssa

The third generations and beyond - Andrew Adam Abraczinskas

Andrew Adam ABRACZINSKAS b. 6 May 1877, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 4 Oct 1956, New Smyrna Beach, FL & Margaret Maggie K. GINNIS b. May 1885, Pennsylvania d. 1 Jun 1961, New Smyrna Beach, FL m. 9 Oct 1901, Shenandoah, PA | Mary (Mariutie) ABRACZINSKAS | b. 14 Sep 1902, Shenandoah, PA | d. 21 Jan 1903, Shenandoah, PA | Evon (Javanas) Andrew ABRACZINSKAS | b. 27 Oct 1903, Shenandoah, PA | d. 2 Jan 1980, New Smyrna Beach, FL | & Mary Eleanor MIKOLAITIS | b. 24 Jan 1905, Shenandoah, PA | d. 25 Jun 1976, Geisinger Hospital, Danville, PA | m. 12 Jun 1926, Shenandoah, PA | | Regina Mary ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 31 Oct 1927, Catawissa, PA | | & Leonard Joseph Flip FILIPOWICZ | | b. 10 Feb 1927, Excelsior, PA | | d. 3 Mar 1986, Catawissa, PA | | m. 10 Apr 1948, New York, NY | | | Mark Stephen FILIPOWICZ | | | b. 27 Apr 1949, 9:20 a.m., New York, NY | | | d. 11 Oct 1966, Catawissa, PA | | | Karen Rose (FILIPOWICZ) PENSYL | | | b. 30 May 1952, 3:32 a.m. EST, Bloomsburg, PA | | | & Bill PENSYL | | | d. Got killed in an accident | | | div. | | | | Valerie Ann PENSYL | | | | b. 25 Oct 1970, Bloomsburg, PA | | | | & John MENSCH | | | | m. 1989 | | | | | Shayna MENSCH | | | | | b. 14 Feb 1990 | | | | | Jeremy MENSCH | | | | | b. 25 Aug 1995 | | | Charles Edwin FILIPOWICZ* | | | b. 7 Apr 1955, 6:12 p.m., Bloomsburg, PA | | | d. Add: 1134 E. Springfield Dr., Bellefonte, PA 16823-8285 | | | & Sandy FITZ HARRIS | | | div. | | | | Charles Paul Chuck FILIPOWICZ | | | | b. 16 May 1983, Catawissa, PA | | | Charles Edwin FILIPOWICZ* | | | b. 7 Apr 1955, 6:12 p.m., Bloomsburg, PA | | | d. Add: 1134 E. Springfield Dr., Bellefonte, PA 16823-8285 | | | & Theresa WINTERSTEEN | | | b. 27 Feb | | | | Kenton FILIPOWICZ | | | | b. 22 Mar 1990

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | Clayton Joseph FILIPOWICZ | | b. 18 Apr 1994, Bloomsburg, PA | | Lauren FILIPOWICZ | | b. 26 Oct 1995 | Leonard Joseph FILIPOWICZ Jr. | b. 27 May 1959, 3:28 a.m., Bloomsburg, PA Evon Anthony ABRACZINSKAS Jr. b. 27 Dec 1928, Catawissa, PA d. 1 May 1933, Catawissa, PA William Joseph ABRACZINSKAS b. 22 Mar 1930, Catawissa, PA d. 21 May 1949, Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, PA Robert John ABRACZINSKAS b. 28 Mar 1933, Catawissa, PA & Mary Ann Patricia GLENN (GUZENSKI) b. 23 Nov 1933 m. 6 Aug 1960, Tunkhannock, PA | Robert ABRACZINSKAS Jr. | b. 7 Apr 1963, Sussex, NJ | Mary Ann ABRACZINSKAS | b. 1 Dec 1965, Sussex, NJ | & Ron ROMANO | b. 1953, Bronx, NY | m. 4 May 1997, Princeton, NJ | | Justin ROMANO | | b. 19 Dec 2000, New Jersey | William Joseph ABRACZINSKAS | b. 31 Dec 1966, Sussex, NJ Raymond James ABRACZINSKAS b. 19 Jul 1936, Bloomsburg, PA & Katherine Ann OLEKSY b. 3 Aug 1941, Charlevoix, MI m. 15 Jun 1963, Charlevoix, MI | Laura Marie ABRACZINSKAS | b. 9 Sep 1964, St. Charles, MO | Diane Renee ABRACZINSKAS MD | b. 27 Jun 1966, Grand Rapids, MI | & Raymond Taeyong CHUNG MD | b. 7 Sep 1960, Madison, WI | m. 29 Oct 1994, Grand Rapids, MI | | Nicole Catherine Shinae CHUNG | | b. 4 Aug 2000, Boston, MA | | Camille Elizabeth Jonghee CHUNG | | b. 2 Oct 2002, Brookline, MA | Carol Ann ABRACZINSKAS | b. 5 Sep 1967, Grand Rapids, MI | David James ABRACZINSKAS | b. 12 Aug 1969, Grand Rapids, MI Dennis Edwin ABRACZINSKAS b. 21 Apr 1943, Bloomsburg, PA & Patricia Ann LAGANA b. 24 Sep 1943, Brooklyn, NY m. 6 Aug 1966 | Michael Augustus ABRACZINSKAS

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | b. 9 Apr 1975, Bloomsburg, PA | | & Jennifer GOODWIN | | b. 11 Sep 1972, Kingston, NY | | | Hannah ABRACZINSKAS | | Nicholas John ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 31 Jul 1978, Bloomsburg, PA | | & Catherine Rachael MASICH | | m. 12 May 2007, Harrisburg, PA Frances (Franciska) Mary ABRACZINSKAS b. 10 Oct 1904, Shenandoah PA d. 1 Jun 1995, Geisinger Med Ctr., Danville, PA & Stephen John Steve BALSCHI b. 10 Dec 1895 d. 29 May 1975, Mausdale, PA m. 13 Oct 1924 | Alvin James BALSCHI | b. 14 Jul 1925, Catawissa, PA | d. 27 May 1994, Catawissa, PA | & Elizabeth Rose Betty PETUSKEY (PETUSZKA) | b. 10 May 1922, Shenandoah, PA | d. 15 Mar 1999 | m. 21 Aug 1949, Shenandoah, PA | | James Alvin BALSCHI* | | b. 18 Aug 1950, Bloomsburg, PA | | & So Ling CHAN | | b. 21 Sep 1955, Hong Kong, China | | m. 19 Aug 1979, New York, NY | | | Ian Wai Cue BALSCHI | | | b. 9 Mar 1988, Boston, MA | | | Sean Wing Cue BALSCHI | | | b. 28 Jul 1992, Birmingham, AL | | James Alvin BALSCHI* | | b. 18 Aug 1950, Bloomsburg, PA | | & Jane ULMAN | | b. 31 Aug 1951 | | Judith Ann BALSCHI | | b. 5 Nov 1952, Danville, PA | | & James Michael Mick JAEGER Dr. | | b. 22 Mar 1953, Allentown, PA | | m. Aug 1975, Catawissa, PA | | | Lauren Elizabeth JAEGER | | | b. 10 Jun 1983, Burlington, VT | | | Audrey Leigh JAEGER | | | b. 15 May 1986, Burlington, VT | | Elizabeth Ann (Beth) BALSCHI | | b. 13 Jun 1960, Danville, PA | | & Vito James GALLUCCI | | b. 8 Mar 1967, Bronx, NY | | m. 2001 | | div. | Arlene Mary Frances BALSCHI | b. 4 Oct 1926, Catawissa, PA | & Edmund LUKE (LUTKIEWICZ) | b. 18 Mar 1921

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| d. 30 Jan 1989, Denver, CO | m. 17 Feb 1946 | | Dion Michael LUKE | | b. 26 Nov 1947, Bloomsburg, PA | | & Dixie Lee JACOBS | | b. 9 Aug 1948, DELTA, CO | | m. 11 May 1968, PAONIA, CO | | | Reubecca Jane LUKE | | | b. 13 Jul 1968, Paonia, CO | | | & Jason Allen YOUNG | | | b. 21 Mar 1968, Long Beach, CA | | | m. 2 Jul 1995, Glenwood Springs, CO | | Gregory Scott LUKE (LUTKIEWICZ)* | | b. 19 Jan 1951, Colorado | | & CATHERINE KATHY TODD | | Gregory Scott LUKE (LUTKIEWICZ)* | | b. 19 Jan 1951, Colorado | | & Karen PETERITE | | m. Denver, CO | | div. | | | Asti Alexandria LUKE (LUTKIEWICZ) | | | b. 14 Nov 1982, Colorado | Stephen Jay Steve BALSCHI* | b. 13 May 1936, Catawissa, PA | & Pamela Kay POWERS | b. 16 Dec 1941, Bell Garden, CA | m. 5 Sep 1960 | | Stephen Jay, III BALSCHI | | b. 20 Mar 1962, Lynnwood, CA | | & Michele Louise PASTORET | | b. 5 Jan 1963, Loyalton, CA | | m. 30 Jun 1984, Northglen, CO | | | Daniel Jacob (PASTORET) BALSCHI | | | b. 13 Feb 1979, Daly City, CA | | | Dustin Joseph BALSCHI | | | b. 6 Apr 1992, Santa Rosa, CA | | | Kristen Nicole BALSCHI | | | b. 23 Sep 1993, Santa Rosa, CA | | Richard Rick BAIRD | Stephen Jay Steve BALSCHI* | b. 13 May 1936, Catawissa, PA | & Vivian Mildred ROBERTSON | b. Apr 1923 | d. 2003, Glenwood Springs, CO | Stephen Jay Steve BALSCHI* | b. 13 May 1936, Catawissa, PA | & Joann M. KOCHER SHANNON BALSCHI | b. 23 Jun 1936, Danville, PA | m. 4 Apr 2003, Riverside, PA Telesforos ABRACZINSKAS b. 5 Jan 1906, Shenandoah, PA d. 2 Aug 1906, Shenandoah, PA Anthony Albert (Antanas) Duke ABRACZINSKAS b. 10 May 1909, Near Millgrove,Pa

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

d. 20 Aug 1984, Geisinger Hospital, Danville, PA & Anna Rose DOMANSKI b. 23 Jul 1911 d. 29 Sep 1988, New Smyrna Beach, FL m. 12 Nov 1932, Slabtown, PA | Anthony Albert, Jr ABRACZINSKAS | b. 4 Apr 1933, Roaringcreek Twp, PA | d. 27 Aug 1998, R D 1, Catawissa, PA | & Sara Sally SCOVERN | b. 16 Sep 1933 | m. 6 Jun 1953, SHAMOKIN, PA | | Catherine Kitty Ann ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 19 Jul 1955, Catawissa, PA | | & David Wayne SCHOPF | | b. 27 Sep 1955, York, PA | | m. 7 Nov 1981, BLOOMSBURG, PA | | | Rebecca Marie SCHOPF | | | b. 21 Mar 1985, Lancaster, PA | | | Elizabeth Ann SCHOPF | | | b. 29 May 1989, Lancaster, PA | | Peter Paul ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 16 Jul 1958, Danville, PA | | & Nancy M. KRAYNAK | | b. 28 Jul 1958, Shamokin, PA | | m. 23 Aug 1980, Kulpmont, PA | | | Sarah Theresa ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 9 Jan 1981, Ashland, PA | | | Jennifer ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 23 Oct 1984, Bloomsburg, PA | | | Bethany ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 27 Apr 1987, Bloomsburg, PA | | Anthony Albert Tony, ABRACZINSKAS III | | b. 29 Jun 1963 | | & Sharon Helen CARUSO | | b. 15 Jul 1963, Providence, RI | | m. 27 Jun 1987, Robert bellarmine Church, Providence, RI | | | Emily Catherine ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 1 Feb 1989, Bloomsburg, PA | | | Melissa Marie ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 24 Jun 1992, Willamsport, PA | | | Julie Grace ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 26 Jul 1995, Bloomsburg, PA | | | Gina Renee ABRACZINSKAS | | | b. 26 Oct 1997, Bloomsburg, PA | Donald Anthony ABRACZINSKAS | b. 23 Jun 1934, Roaringcreek Twp, PA | d. 29 Jun 1995, Halifax Med Ctr, Daytona Beach, FL | & Jeanette JODLOWSKI | b. 2 May 1936, Shamokin, PA | m. Apr 1953, Shamokin, PA | | Donald Anthony ABRACZINSKAS Jr. | | b. 13 Jan 1955 | | & Susan Gabriella TADDEO | | b. 21 Apr 1955, DANVILLE, PA

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| m. 5 May 1984, ATLAS, PA | | Chloe Monyah ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 1 Aug 1985, Bloomsburg, PA | | Evan Patrick ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 25 Aug 1986, Bloomsburg, PA | Gregory Michael ABRACZINSKAS | b. 5 Jun 1959 | & Kathy Marie FENSTEMAKER | b. 26 Feb 1958, DANVILLE, PA | m. 2 Jul 1988, Catawissa, PA | | Alicia Marie ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 19 May 1992, Bloomsburg, PA Jerome Edward ABRACZINSKAS b. 1 Mar 1938 & Marion Elizabeth KISTLER b. 24 Oct 1940 m. 19 Sep 1959 | Andrew B. ABRACZINSKAS | b. 28 Jun 1960 | & Mary E. BOSTWICK | b. 24 Nov 1959 | m. 8 Jun 1985 | | Megan ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 2 Feb 1990, Matamoras, PA | | Lauren ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 24 Dec 1992, Matamoras, PA | Jean Marie ABRACZINSKAS | b. 4 Jun 1961 | d. 29 Sep 1968, Hit by a car at Millville,PA | Jerome ABRACZINSKAS Jr. | b. 18 Sep 1962 | & Gwen WEEKS | William Joseph ABRACZINSKAS* | b. 5 Nov 1963 | & Karen M. KOONS | b. 6 Oct 1967 | m. 9 Mar 1988 | div. 17 Nov 1991 | | William Jerome ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 2 Sep 1988 | William Joseph ABRACZINSKAS* | b. 5 Nov 1963 | & Kerrylee CARTER | b. 15 Jun 1960 | m. 1 Oct 1994 | Michael ABRACZINSKAS | b. 15 Dec 1969 | & Charleene LOPEZ | | Caleb ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 18 Aug 2004, Raleigh, NC Eugene Dennis ABRACZINSKAS* b. 6 Feb 1944 & Maryann B. ZYSKOSKI b. 12 Apr 1944

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| d. 27 Dec 1993, Catawissa, PA | m. 13 Aug 1966 | | Marianne V. ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 1 Oct 1967, Danville, PA | | & Edwin R. FREEMAN | | b. 20 Sep 1962, Shamokin, PA | | m. 9 Jul 1993, Bloomsburg, PA | | | Rachel Elizabeth FREEMAN | | | b. 2 Apr 1994, Bloomsburg, PA | | | Nicholas Samuel FREEMAN | | | b. 25 Dec 1997, Bloomsburg, PA | | Michelle ABRACZINSKAS | | b. Oct 1984 | Eugene Dennis ABRACZINSKAS* | b. 6 Feb 1944 | & Patricia Patsy Margaret (DORASKI) MOLICK | b. 29 Sep 1946, Bloomsburg, PA | m. 6 Jul 2002, Slabtown, PA Helen (Helena) Marie ABRACZINSKAS b. 6 Nov 1914, Near Mill Grove, PA d. 9 Dec 1966, Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, PA & Frank A. PETUSKEY b. 16 Jul 1912, Shenandoah, PA d. 9 Aug 1995, Slabtown, PA m. 12 Nov 1932, Slabtown, PA | Lawrence Larry A. PETUSKEY* | b. 4 Sep 1936 | d. 30 Nov 1993, Sailors memorial Hosp., Wellsboro, PA | & Nancy ULBINSKY | b. 31 Jul 1937 | | Marcia PETUSKEY | | b. Jun 1957 | | & Paul BREECH | | Annette PETUSKEY | | d. Apr 1998, Wellsboro, PA | | & Greg GREGO | | Mary Jo PETUSKEY | | & David I. CHALLICE | | b. ENGLAND | | m. 15 Jun 1991, North Holmwood, England | | Lawrence Larry A. II PETUSKEY Jr. | | b. 20 May 1964 | Lawrence Larry A. PETUSKEY* | b. 4 Sep 1936 | d. 30 Nov 1993, Sailors memorial Hosp., Wellsboro, PA | & JOANNE (Darling) OLMSTEAD | b. May 1932 | m. 16 Jul 1983, Wellsboro, PA | Jane Mary PETUSKEY | b. 19 Feb 1941, Roaring Creek Twp., PA | & David John G. BULL | b. 5 Mar 1939, Lambeth, UK | m. 25 May 1963, Slabtown, PA | | Lara Ellen BULL

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| b. 29 May 1967 | & David Alexander BONTEMPO | b. 1 Sep 1966 | m. 9 Nov 1991, Stanley, VA | | Sean Edward BONTEMPO | | b. 1 Mar 1998, Silver Spring, MD | | Alexander Joseph BONTEMPO | | b. 8 Apr 2001, Annapolis, MD | Meglyn Rebecca BULL | b. 21 Jul 1971, Silver Spring, MD | & Kevin WALSH | b. 12 Dec 1970 | m. 8 Nov 1997, Whitefield, NH Teresa Terry PETUSKEY b. 8 Jan 1945 d. Sep 1976 & Robert WATSON | Tracy WATSON | Tricia WATSON Patricia PETUSKEY b. 8 Jan 1945 & Frank ANGELO b. 13 Apr 1941 d. abt 2008, Catawissa, PA div. | Christine ANGELO | b. 2 Aug 1968, Bloomsburg, PA | & William Joseph FREEMAN | b. 23 Apr 1966, CT | m. 25 Aug 1990, Shamokin, PA | | Kate Marie FREEMAN | | b. 7 Sep 1994, Bloomsburg, PA | Jeanine ANGELO | b. 7 Mar 1970

The third generations and beyond - Victor Abraczinskas

Victor ABRACZINSKAS b. 10 Oct 1882, Mariampolis, Lithuania d. 22 Aug 1929, Killed In Mines, Shenandoah, PA & Anna (Ona) DISCAVAGE (DESZEWICZ) b. 12 Mar 1885, Shenandoah, PA d. 9 Jul 1919, Shenandoah, PA m. 9 Jan 1907, Shenandoah, PA | Florent Victor ABRACZINSKAS | b. 28 Nov 1911, 18255 Weatherly, Carbon, PA 18255 | d. Nov 1985, Tamaqua, PA | & Anna SHIGO | b. 3 Mar 1916 | d. 7 Jul 1968, Sommerville, NJ | m. 25 May 1935, Minersville, PA | | Florent Edward (ABRACZINSKAS) ABBEY | | b. 10 Dec 1936 | | & Ruth Ann RICKERT | | m. 1960, Boundbrook, NJ | | Victor Brian ABRACZINSKAS | | b. 23 Dec 1945 | | d. 19 Sep 1967, Killed in Korean War | Raymond Joseph ABRACZINSKAS | b. 16 Dec 1912 | d. 1913 | Mary Anna Abby ABRACZINSKAS | b. 23 Jan 1915 | d. 1998, Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, PA | & Stephen Peter Steve YELITO | b. 18 Dec 1905 | d. 6 Jan 1958, Coaldale, PA | | Joan YELITO* | | b. 6 Aug 1935 | | & George SUROTCHAK | | b. 26 Jul 1933 | | div. abt 1973 | | | Bruce SUROTCHAK | | | b. 2 Jun 1955 | | | Wendy SUROTCHAK | | | b. 26 Sep 1960 | | Joan YELITO* | | b. 6 Aug 1935 | | & George WARGO | Alverda ABRACZINSKAS | b. 8 Feb 1917 | d. 2 Nov 2001

Other Abracinskas Information - Ursula Abracinskas Gabreau (Gabris)

Ursula Abracinskas is a sister to twins Michael and Matthew Abracinskas described earlier in this book. She was born in Lithuania. Her birth date is unknown, but presumably it was in the second quarter of the 1800s. She married Louis Gabreau (Gabris) circa 1856 and they had five children, Louis (Ludwic), Stanley, Joseph, Ursula, and Jonas. The name Gabreau is understood to be French, probably from the era of Napoleon being stationed there. Many French soldiers stayed in Lithuania and eventually married Lithuanian women. However, like many name changes that occurred when people came to America, the name Gabreau got changed to Gabris. Not very much is known about Louis (Ludwic) Gabreau Gabris and his family (Louis and Ursulas first son). I did come across a photograph of one of his daughters wedding photos and the only person that was identified in it was Elizabeth Gabris, Stanley Gabris daughter, who married Michael Milas. In 1930, they lived in Brooklyn, New York in the same house with the Joseph Anthony Gabris family at 563 Crescent Street. Her mother Margaret (Verbyla) was living there also. She was 68 years old then.

Louis and Ursula Abracinskas Gabreau (Gabris) family. Left to Right is Louis and Ursulas daughter Ursula, sitting next to her is her husband (name unknown) holding their daughter (name unknown), Ursula (Abracinskas) and husband Louis Gabreau (sitting). Standing is Louis and Ursulas son Joseph, then Louis and Ursulas son Jonas. Photo circa mid-late 1880s.

Stanley Gabris married Margaret Verbyla (Werbyla) in Lithuania in about 1882. They had three children, Anthony, Elizabeth, and Joseph Anthony. I have no information about Anthony. Elizabeth was born on January 31, 1889. She married Michael Milas in Brooklyn, New York and they had two children, Felix (about 1906) and Ferdinand (1911). Michael Milas was a rail road inspector in New York City. Felix Milas was a driver for a truck company in New York and later he became a Baptist minister at the Delhi First Baptist Church in Delaware County, NY. Ferdinand Milas was a seaman working on the U.S.S. Galveston. Elizabeth Milas died in February 1982 in New York City. Ferdinand Milas died in 1995 in Largo, Florida. Joseph Anthony Gabris was born on September 6, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York. He worked as a chauffeur for a truck company in New York. In 1923 he married Anna Lillian Milasauckas (1905) from Scranton, PA. They had two children, Eugene Frank (1925) and Arthur Stanley (1927). In 1940, my mom and dad (Mary and Evon) took their family to the New York Worlds Fair and we stayed with the Gabris. After he got out of the U.S. Navy, Eugene Gabris would drive a big motorcycle and One of Louis Gabris daughters wedding. Everyone is un- he would come on it all the way
known except the woman in the dark dress is Elizabeth Gabris, Stanley and Margaret Gabris daughter. She married Michael Milas in Brooklyn, New York. This wedding photo was taken at the G.Benson Studio at 324 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

from New York to our farm in Pennsylvania and give us rides. He lived in Mount Vernon, New York and had a winter home in Largo, Florida where he died in April 2007. His brother Arthur Stanley Gabris died in May 1960. Margaret Verbyla had a sister Mary who married John Navisky (Navicas). They had four children, Mary, Constance Connie, Anthony, and Steven. Mary Navisky was born in 1911 and died in Florida in 1982. Constance Navisky was born in 1913. She married Laurie Larry Salerno in June 1931 in Queens, New York. Connie and Larry Salerno had three children, Patricia Joan (B 1933 - D 1984 ), Lawrence Joseph (Larry) (B 1935), and Robert John (Bob) (B 1938). I can remember visiting them and staying at their house in Queens, New York in the late 1940s and going to Rockaway Beach and to Coney Island and back on the elevated train which ran near their house.

Eugene Gabris visiting the Evon Abraczinskas farm at Catawissa, Pennsylvania shown with Regina Abraczinskas in about 1945.

 Larry Salerno died in August 1984 in Hudson, Florida and Connie Salerno died in September 2000 in New Bern, North Carolina. Larry Salerno, Jr. lives in Galloway, New Jersey and I still keep in touch with him in 2009. Not much is known about Louis and Ursula Gabreau Gabris son Joseph and daughter Ursula. Constance Connie Navisky and Louis and Ursulas Louisa Konstantis and Jonas Laurie Larry Salerno were married youngest son, Jonas Gabreau (Gabris) in Lithuania. in June 1931 in Queens, New York. Gabris was born in Lithuania in about 1844. In 1912 he was living in Rasiai, Lithuania, several miles northwest of Kalvarija. Jonas Gabris married Louisa Konstantis (Konstantinovich). They had five children, John, Magdalena, William Vincent, Ursula, and Mariona who was called Anna. Jonas Gabris died in Lithuania in 1928. According to information from Anna Chepucavage Putirskas, Louisa Gabris was a country doctor in Lithuania. That is, she acquired the knowledge in the use of herbs to effect cures. All that is known about Mariona Gabris is that she married a man named Stachokas and she died in 1952. The next child, Magdalena Gabris, was born on March 4, 1882 in Lithuania, possibly in Vilkaviskis, located 16 miles northeast of Marijampole. She married Peter Cepukevicius (Peter Chepucavage) in Lithuania. According to his Naturalization papers, he was born in Naumiestis, Lithuania on April 16, 1872 and he arrived in New York on the ship Lapland on 19 February 1912 from Antwerp, Belgium. He lived and worked in Essen, Germany before he came to America. He and Magdalena had four children in Lithuania, Peter (B 1901), Anna (B 1903), Adele (B 1904), and Susan (B 1910). Magdalena and their four children came to America from Bremen, Germany arriving in New York on November 1912 on the ship Barbarossa. They lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania and had two more children, Agnes (B 1913), Clement (B 1915) and Margaret (B 1919). Peter Chepucavage worked in the mines and was killed in a mine accident on May 6, 1927. Magdalena died in Scranton on March 4, 1955.

Magdalena Gabris Chepucavage arrived in New York in February 1912.

 Peter and Magdalena had seven children. Peter was born in Lithuania in 1901 and died in Scranton in March 1971. He worked in the coal mines and after retirement, he succumbed to black lung disease. Peter married Mary Meikle and they had one child, Peter, married to Kate Connolly and they have two children, Thomas and Michael. Peter is a lawyer in Washington, DC (2009) and provided me with a copy of the genealogy book that Anne Marie (Nancy) Sabia finished writing in January 1995, just before she passed away in September 1995. Anna was born in Essen, Germany in August 1903. She worked in a lace factory in Scranton making handkerchiefs. In 1922, Anna married Peter Purtiskas. For years, Peter operated the Purtiskas Jewelry Store in Scranton. They had five children, Victoria, Constance, Dorothy, Anne Marie (Nancy), and Peter Clement. Anna Chepucavage Purtiskas died in 1993: Peter died in 1974. Adele Chepucavage was born in December 1904. She married Alexander Astrosky. They had two children, Helen and Florence. Adele L. to R. Peter Chepucavage, Nancy Putirskas Sabia, Sr. Con- died at the age of 25 in 1930. Helen solota, Peter Sabia, Florence Rice, Dorothy Putirskas Cal- married Harold Hoke and they had laghan, Jimmy and Brian Callaghan, and Anna Chepucav- four children, Susan, Florence, Paulette, and Harold, Jr. Florence marage Putirskas holding Theresa Sabia. Photo circa 1962. ried Edward Rice and they had three children, Edward, Jr., Gerry, and Michael. Florence died in 1991 from cancer. Susan Chepucavage was born in 1910. She entered the Order of Poor Sisters of Jesus Crucified and of the Sorrowful Mother and is known as Sister Marie Consolata. She resided in the Mother House in Brockton, MA for many years serving with Fr. Albert Abracinskas. (When Fr. Al celebrated his 50th golden jubilee in the priesthood, I had breakfast with Sr. Consolata - Ray Abraczinskas). Sr. Consolata died in Brockton, MA in 1995. Agnes Chepucavage entered the Order of Servants of Jesus Crucified and was known as Sr. Angela. She died in in 1939 Miners Mills near Wilkes Barre. Clement Chepucavage was born in 1915 and died shortly thereafter as a infant.

Magdalena Chepucavage was born in December 1919 in Scranton, PA. She too entered the same order as her sister Susan (Sr. Consolata) and was known as Sr. Concepta. My mother, Mary Abraczinskas, used to stay in touch with her and cherished her photograph. In her later years, Sr. Concepta resided in a Convent in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Other Abracinskas Immigrants Information

On December 28, 1910, Dominik Abraczinsky, age 18, single, was listed as a laborer arriving in St. John, New Brunswick on the steamship S.S. Montreal from Antwerp, Belgium after 16 days at sea. He was going to join his brother Stanislaw Abraczinski in Grand Forks, Nebraska. He was unable to read or write in English. The trip was paid for by his brother and he had a ticket to travel to Grand Forks. On May 16, 1900, Tomasz Abrazanckas, age 18, single, arrived in NY from Antwerp, Belgium on the ship Westerland. He was listed as Russian and his last place of residence was listed as Brzozowa. He was going to his brother Anton Abrazanchas home in Shenandoah, PA. The 1911 Canadian census for Saltcoats, Saskatchewan showed Thomas Abrachinsky, age 19, single, living as a servant with Charles Millare and Theresia there in Saltcoats. The record indicated Thomas was born in July 1881 and he immigrated into Canada in 1911. Saltcoats started in 1887 as a railway town on the Manitoba and Northwestern Railroad and was named after Saltcoats, Scotland. On 8 June 1900, Vin Abraczinski, age 49, single, lived at 214 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland in apartment 2 C. He immigrated in 1888 and was in America for 12 months when the census was taken on 8 June 1900. His birth date was listed as September 1850. He could read, write, and speak English. In 1890, William Abrashynski, age 19, lived at 100 Bower Street in Shenandoah, PA. The following appeared in the census. Although Shenandoah is one of the youngest, it is the most populous borough in the county. It owes its existence and prosperity entirely to the development of the coal mines surrounding it. As late as 1862 it was a wilderness, infested by bears, deers and small game in abundance, being a favorite hunting ground for lovers of sport. It was incorporated as a borough on the 16th of January 1866, and in spring of the same year, borough officers were elected. Frederick Wright being the first Chief Burgess. The borough is divided in 5 wards and contained a population of 2,951 in 1870; 10,061 in 1880 and 15,365 in 1890. On June 29, 1913, a Maria Abraiczisky, spelled Abraiczuty in the records, arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on the ship S.S. Main. She was Lithuanian, age 18, single, and listed as a maid servant from Lithuania going to Philadelphia. Her father was listed as Josef Abraiczisky of Kowno. She was born in about 1895 making her a possible daughter of Joseph Abracinskas. On April 25, 1904, Wincenty Abraczinskas arrived in New York on the ship S. S. Columbia from Glasgow, Scotland. He lived in Bellshill, Scotland, which was commonly referred to as little Lithuania because many Lithuanian immigrants settled there to work in the nearby coal mines. Wincenty was age 28 (born about 1876), single, worked as a miner, and was going to Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. His cousin Jozas (could be Abraczinskas) who lived at 635 W. (???) in Mahanoy City paid for his trip