Looking for Kovalchik, Kowalchik, Kovalchick, Kowalczyk, or other ways to spell this surname - from Pa. Or Ohio. Family came from Przemysl (Peremysal) in Austria/Hungary - Galicia, back at the turn of the 19 th centruy to 1910. Grandfather had two wives and at least 6 children. Father's name was Michael, with a brother Peter - both came over to this country around 1909. Peter left a family over in the old country and never returned. Believe his wife Pashka (Pearl) remarried. There were half brothers (Steve, George, and ?) and at least one sister, believe Kashka (Catherine) who may have gone to Youngstown, Ohil and got married. They were all born late 1800's and over in the old country. Peter served in the Prusian army under Franz Joseph. Any parties which may have some interest, please contact me at 'wallacew@steelcity.net'
Thanks,
Walter

Hi, did you ancestors happen to anglecize e their name to Kowal once in the US? I have an uncle who is now deceased and his name was Michael Kowal. I believe his relatives might have come from the same area in Galicia

As far as I know there was no short version of the name, but the name
could be written a number of ways, dpending on
who was writing what document. Michael Kovalchik we know and
his name was never shortened. Koval or Kowal was a popular name
in most Pa. or Ohio towns. Just keep trying,
you're doing the right thing.

Walter

Hi Walter,
Just found this list and saw a familiar name. I have a MARY KOWALCZK married to JOHN TYCHAEZ. They had 2 daughters, both emigrated to Philadelphia, then Wilmington DE. Tillie ,born 16 Mar 1897,emigrated first, some time before 1914. I do not know who sponsored her,as she was a young girl. We think it was a family member, but no idea who.
The other daughter was Anna(my Grandmother), born 15 Feb 1894, she arrived 10 Jun 1914 on the SS RHEIN, in Philly.Again we don't know the sponsor.
MARY KOWALCZK died before Tillie left, so I tend to think that it was a cousin or Aunt/Uncle from Mary's family that paid for both emigrations. JOHN TYCHAEZ, the girl's father lost both legs in a war and could not support them, plus he remarried and Anna was the sole support of her father and stepmother. This family was from PRZEMYSL.I am still waiting for Anna's immigration records, hopefully with a village name.

If Mary came from Przemysl and was born around
1877 - she could be some relative.

More binding would be if she was Ukrainian Orthodox.

I don't know of a Mary, but it could still be
an aunt or cousin....possibly a sibling of Peter,
Michael, Steve, George, Catherine, and ?.

Don't know the Parent's names of these off-springs
but may be related to the father.

Never heard of Tychaez - so that's where we
stand.

Walter

Hi Walter,
Thank you for the response.This family WAS Ukranian Orthodox. The year for Mary/Maria's birth logically would have been around 1875, as she would have only been 17 when her 1st child was born. I don't know what the "normal" marriage age would have been in Ukraine at that time period.
There is more to this "story" that involves the Church. How much is "fact" I don't know, but from my Gmother Anna's telling of it, I tend to believe it.
According to Anna, this is the tale: Anna's young sister,Tillie, was allowed to emigrate as she was a child and not of any "use" to her father. Anna however was sent to work as a "in-house" servant and her wages paid directly to her father. Anna wanted to join her sister but her father forbade it. He made it very clear to Anna that he would have her killed if she attempted to "escape". This was taken seriously by the local priest and the American relatives. The American relatives notified their priest in Philadelphia and a plan was made between the two priests, in PA and Ukraine, to "smuggle' Anna out. Money and documents were sent to the Ukranian priest via the Philadelphia priest. Anna was then secretly taken away by her priest and sent to PA, without her father knowing. Without the help of the Orthodox church on both sides of the Atlantic, Anna never would have come to the US. The relatives that made this possible would surely have been the Kowalczks.
Tille married NICHOLAS HATZ and lived in Wilmington, DE, they had the following children: Nicholas, Olga, Walter, Anna, Mary,and Michael. Tillie died April 1981.
Anna,married Michael Bosak in 1920. They were married by "George Vadimur" in Chester PA. They had 2 children, Mary and Julie( my mom). Anna died in 1961.
The surname of JOHN "TYCHAEZ" has several different spellings, all from various docments.They are: TEHACZ,TEHACH,TAGHICZ,and TYCHAOR.
I told this long story in hope that it may ring a bell for someone, I would dearly love to find the family that saved Anna.
Thanks for your time,Linda

Based on what you have sent me, there may be a
connection between your great grandmother Mary and my
grandfather, since they were at the same place and about the same
time. My grandfather (don't have his given name) was married twice.
Two of his last siblings were Peter (born 1878) and Michael
(born 1880). That would make my grandfather
being born around 1850 - having his last child in 1880. I don't know
who he married at any of the two times. There were more children, but I never
heard of a Mary. It could be that she is related, but without some
no significant ties, yet. The story of Anna and
her flight to America is something I have not heard in the family
circles. My father (Michael) did sponsor at least two people. but
they were my uncles from my mother's side. - that was
in the early part of the century. Your other names do not ring any bells.
My people came on the ship 'Breham' - it may be spelled wrong,
but that was wometime before 1910. Usually,
the people who were sponsored came to the person who sponsored
them. In your case it would have to have been Philly. Our family settled
in the Cambria county area. See what you make of what I said, maybe we can unravel the
puzzle.

Walter

Hi Walter,
Thank you for the reply. This is all very difficult without further information. First, I would like to think that we have a connection. Second, We both need more info, the name of the town/village is a real must.I am waiting for immigrant documents for Anna, as at least I have the actual date of arrival, ship, and ports.
When we find her actual place then we can go through the Parish Church records.
Have you tried that with your family as yet?Meanwhile, lets stay in touch so that we can share whatever info comes up, Mind you, the info comes VERY slowly...
Yours in hope,Linda

I haven't gone as far as you have with the
document bit. There is a new service on line with the 'Mormans',
which can give you access to documents that they (the Mormans) have
microfilmed and now are in the process of
building a data base for all to use. Some of
this is free but the good parts come at a price.
Przemysl was and still is a fairly large city
of about 100K population - so, what I'm saying is that there
were different parts of the city and rural
areas that come into play...what church ( as there had to be
more than one in such a large community - back then).
I don't have any passport or certificates that
even show how the surname was spelled. I'll
be doing some investigation in the town where
the obituaries can be found. The church that
my parents were married in is no longer there.
I've even gone to a college class to learn to
read and write Ukrainian. Can't say that I'm that
good, especially with the written script.
I will keep in touch....just to let you know
that my e-mail address may change...someone
is buying someone out and I may not get my
mail as promised. Things always get in the
way of progress, but one must perservere.
Walter

I am at a dead-end searching for Kowalchik links in Galicia. I know that my gg-grandfather was Andrew Kowalchik from Uscie Rus, county of Gorliceco, state of Galicia. He married Catherine Eachnowsky. There were ten children born to them: Lescho/Alex, Walter, Helen, Maxim, Anna, Yakim/James, Ahafia, Daniel, Richard, and Harry. Any chance that my Kowalchiks are related to yours?