This year, I ‘ve decided to begin a new project featuring the women in my family tree, beginning with my great grandmothers.

So often, their stories are lost or are just seen through the lives and accomplishments of the men in the family and historical context is often ignored. Four factors influenced the lives of everyone, regardless of when or where they lived – political, social/cultural, economic and religious events impacted lives, whether in small or big ways.

This series will talk about the lives of my female ancestors on both sides of the family tree, as perhaps seen through their eyes, although the posts won’t be written in first person, with some commentary about historical context.

Today, Anna Murczko, the second of my paternal great grandmothers,  will be the subject of this ongoing series.

First a short recap of the historical background in my first post:
Life in the Presov region of what is now eastern Slovakia has always been difficult. The majority of people were peasants, working hard just to survive in an area where land was generally poor for crops, political change was frequent as the area was frequently in the cross hairs of opposing armies and there was no opportunity for education, unless a promising young boy was selected to study for the priesthood.

The population was overwhelmingly Catholic. However, while the area is considered part of the Rusyn community and, therefore, Greek Catholic (today called Byzantine Catholic), there were a number of Roman Catholic churches in the area, most likely to be attended by ethnic Slovaks, rather than Rusyns. However, while that statement is generally true, there were no church objections to parishioners intermarrying, which happened frequently.

What was also true is that they were economically poor with no opportunities to better themselves. Most men were small farmers, shepherds, perhaps carpenters or millers, if they were lucky.

Their daily lives – births, marriages, deaths and holiday celebrations – centered completely around their church.

In reality, life for these peasant families wasn’t much different in 1859 compared to 1825, 1775 or even 1700. Modern conveniences like electricity didn’t arrive until the 1960s!

There were no doctors nearby. Long time home remedies provided the only medicine, along with prayers when illness or injury were severe.

After a hard day of mostly physical labor, the men would get together to enjoy drinks and alcoholism was a rampant problem in many families.

Although all of my paternal ancestors lived in the Presov region of Slovakia, the Kacsenyaks lived just east of Presov in what today would be considered the outskirts of the city, while the Murczko family lived 35 miles northwest of Presov, tucked in the foothills of the Tatras Mountains.

Hajtovka and Udol were the two villages that made up the parish of St. Dimitry’s Greek Catholic Church and, while Udol was 99% Rusyn and Greek Catholic, Hajtovka, being closer to some Roman Catholic villages, had more of a mixed population, with at least one long-time Roman Catholic family living there, the Tengis.

Anna Murczko (pronounced like Murchko and “Americanized” to Murcko) was born on 23 May 1872 in Hajtovka, Slovakia, the second child in a family of five daughters and one son, born to John Murczko and Maria Szova.

Anna’s daily life would have been no different than that of Maria Kacsenyak. However, Anna’s family was strictly Greek Catholic so there would have been few-to-no visits to any Roman Catholic churches.

Anna had no opportunity for education growing up, as there was no school in St. Dimitry’s Church parish, until the 1890s. Like Maria, she would have been helping with younger siblings and handling daily chores at home to help her mother.

While the mortality rate was also high in Hajtovka and udol, the Murczko family fared much better than most as only one child of six died in childhood – Anna’s younger sister, Helena, who died sometime between her birth in 1877 and her sister (also) Helena’s birth in 1881.

Life in the village had been virtually unchanged for hundreds of years, but Anna was born at just the right time in history. As a young teenager, something very different was happening in the parish.

The Industrial Revolution had begun and factories sprang up across the United States. Foreign laborers, who would work longer hours for less pay, were desperately needed and agents began visiting Eastern Europe, promoting the benefits to working in the mills.

At first, young men from Hajtovka and Ujak (today’s Udol), one mile away and also part of St. Dimiry’s Church parish, left for America. Stories about a better life and money sent back home encouraged more and more young people to make the trip across the ocean.

By the time Anna was 18, it wasn’t only the young men who were leaving – the young unmarried women decided to go, too.

Why? Because agents were actively recruiting eastern Europeans to work in American factories. Due to centuries of poor nutrition, men and women were smaller than most Americans and could more easily do some of the jobs required in the mills. Even more appealing to business owners was the fact that they would work for a mere pittance of pay because it was much more than they could earn at home in the same period of time.

Anna was one of those village teenagers, who with the blessing of parents, made the trip through Europe to Germany and then sailed to New York, greeted by the Statue of Liberty.

Whether or not she planned to permanently live in America is unknown. Many of the Rusyns planned to “become rich” and then return home to live comfortably. Within a few years, more and more young people made the decision to stay in the United States and became citizens.

In any case, I doubt that Anna went to America with the expectation of never seeing her family again, as happened with Maria Kacsenyak.

There is a passenger list dated 6 September 1890 that includes Anna Kovalycsik, 24,  Anna Murcko, 22, and Anna Kucsera, 20, all listed together. It is possible that this is my Anna, in spite of the age difference, which wasn’t unusual, as I know that she arrived in America that year and Kovalycsik and Kucsera are both village surnames.

Also arriving in America, but 2 years earlier in 1888 was my great grandfather, Michael Scserbak (simplified to Scerbak), also a Greek Catholic from St. Dimitry’s Church. The Scserbak family lived one mile away from Hajtovka in Udol.

Both Anna and Michael made the short trip from New York City to Passaic, likely met by cousins or friends, and immediately went to work in the factory mills.

St. Michael’s Church in Passaic was founded about the same time, although the parishioners met in a wooden building that formerly housed a different church.

On 22 October 1892, Michael Scerbak married Anna Murcko. It seems they planned to make the United States their permanent home, as they started a family.

The 1890 census has been lost, but I don’t know if either was in New Jersey at the time to be enumerated anyway since this family DID travel back to Europe more than once, nor does any Scerbak of any spelling appear in Passaic city directories in the 1890s. Somehow, they missed out being in the yearly editions.

New Jersey did take several state censuses and the Michael Scerbak family is found living in Passaic in 1895. Fortunately, it was an every name census, so not only are Anna and Michael enumerated, but my grandmother, Julia, is there, as is her baby brother, Michael, born in January 1895.

That year must have been difficult for Anna. She had just given birth to Michael when husband Michael decided to make a trip back home. Anna remained in New Jersey with little Julia and Michael Jr.

Michael returned to Passaic in late October 1895, only to learn that his son had died several weeks before and was buried on 13 October 1895. Nana said that she remembers being told that the baby took a nap and never woke up. No death certificate has been found, but from the description, it sounds something like crib death.

Although she grieved the loss of baby Michael, Anna gave birth to another son, Peter, on Christmas Day 1896, also in Passaic.

Anna and Michael’s fourth child, daughter Maria, was born 5 June 1899 back in Hajtovka.

Anna hadn’t been back in the village since she left in 1890. I asked Nana why the family moved back to Europe. It seems Anna had some sway with husband Michael. They returned because Anna “didn’t like the air” – she said it wasn’t healthy. Given that their neighborhood was surrounded by dirty, air-polluting factories situated on the Passaic River, and tuberculosis was a very common disease, I’d say Anna was on to something!

Anna must have been very happy to return home to her parents, family and friends even with rough living conditions – there was no electricity in the villages until the 1960s. However, as a school was built in the 1890s, Nana and her siblings had the opportunity to receive a fourth grade education.

Michael, Anna and children Julia, Peter and Maria settled in Ujak, which was the Scerbak family home village. However, Hajtovka was just a mile away and Anna could visit her parents often.

Nana said that her mother lost a second child, although I can find no documentation to support that statement. Anna may well have had an early miscarriage. There is a huge gap between Maria’s birth in 1899 and those of her younger brothers, Michael in 1906 and Stephen in 1917, so it is certainly possible.

I have several photos of Anna. The first is unusual because it is a tintype wedding photo with Anna’s and Michael’s heads added onto bodies.

The other two pictures were taken in Udol, as it was renamed after World War II, when Anna was in her senior years:

Anna was widowed when Michael died on 16 March 1932 in Udol. She lived a long life, passing away on 28 June 1967, also in Udol.

I almost had a chance to meet Anna, as parishioners at St. Michael’s Church in Passaic, including my grandmother, had chartered a plane to go back and visit.

However, there was political turmoil in Czechoslovakia at that time – Prague Spring happened in 1968 – and the State Department recommended against travel to the area. The church trip was then cancelled.

Children of Anna (Murcko) and Michael Scerbak:

1. Julia, born 17 August 1893
2. Michael, born 30 January 1895
3. Peter, born 25 December 1896
4. Maria, born 5 June 1899
5. Michael, born 7 June 1906
6. Stephen, born 28 October 1917

Anna had to be sorry to see her three eldest children leave the village once again. My grandmother left in 1910, when she was 17, and returned to Passaic. She never saw her mother again and never met her youngest brother, Stephen.

Peter left for Passaic in the early 1920s, as did Maria in 1923. Sadly, Maria, who was married and left two young sons, died of tuberculosis just three years later on 8 May 1926.

By all accounts, Anna was a well-loved family member. Although daily life presented many struggles, she was happy with her life and her family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This family is part of my one-place study of St. Dimitry’s Greek Catholic (today Byzantine Catholic) Church parish, serving Udol and Hajtovka, Slovakia, covering the years 1827-about 1920. I will be sharing family records, roughly once a week, until all families in the parish are posted. Be aware that ages at marriage and death frequently don’t match baptismal records, when found. If you have ancestors who lived in these two villages and would like to receive an invitation to a shared Dropbox folder, please leave a comment and I will contact you.

MURCZKO, MURCKO

Murczko, Andrew, son of Michael, Ujak, born c1828, buried 17 January 1830, aged 2 years

Murczko, Andrew & Anna Fedus, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Michael, born c1812,  married Helen Fabian, born c1816, daughter of Alex Fabian & Maria Petrisin, 8 November 1837

Murczko, Andrew & Susanna Baran (c1765-11 February 1832), married 2 September 1811 in Plavnica, Hajtovka, GC, RC

Susanna, wife of Andrew, died 11 February, buried 13 February 1832, aged 67 years. Burial record in Plavnica.
Children:

1. Andrew, born c1812, married Maria Huszar, born c1816, daughter of Andrew Fedus & Helen Timko, 14 November 1831. Maria may have been a widow or else the priest erred in recording her name as Huzsar or erred in recording her father’s name as Fedus.

Murczko, Andrew, born c1806, son of Andrew Murczko & Susanna Baran & Maria Huszar, born c1810, daughter of Andrew Fedus & Helen Timko. (See commentary in above entry.), married 14 November 1831, Hajtovka GC, GC

Murczko, Andrew & Maria Arendacs, Hajtovka, GC, GC
Children:

1. Andrew, bp 16 December 1832; died young

Murczko, Andrew, Hajtovka, born c1766, buried 22 February 1836, aged 70 years

Murczko, Andrew & Maria Fedus, Hajtovka, GC, GC
Children:

1. John, bp 28 July 1843
2. John, bp 12 January 1845

Murczko, Andrew & Maria Ondi/Misko, Hajtovka 10, GC, RC
Children:

1. Anna, born 5 June, bp 12 June 1864

Murczko, Andrew (c1849-1869+), son of George Murczko & Maria Kseniak & Maria Szova (c1844-1869+), Hajtovka 10, GC, GC

Also at home in 1869 were George, born 1800, his wife, Maria Fengya, born 1805, and brothers John, born 1835, and Michael born 1846.
Children:

1. Maria, born 24 March, bp 29 March 1869

Murczko, Andrew (c1836-1888+), son of Michael Murczko & Maria Murczko (c1842-1888+), daughter of Michael Murczko, married 11 February 1861 in Plavnica, Hajtovka 11, 13, 14, 32, 36 & 39, GC, RC
Children:

1. Margaret, born 1870; died 19 June buried 21 June 1897. Burial record in Plavnica.
2. Maria, born 27 December 1870, bp 1 January 1871; married John Fedus, born 1 October, bp 9 October 1864, son of John Fedus & Helen Szurgent, 18 February 1889
3. Julianna, born 1 June, bp 3 June 1871 in Plavnica; married John Szova, born 21 March, bp 29 March 1863, son of John Szova & Susanna Sedlyar alias Lukats of Hajtovka 8, 31 January 1887 in Plavnica
4. Helen, bp 27 July, bp 3 August 1873
5. John, born 6 July, bp 12 July 1874 in Plavnica; died 23 February 1879
6. Susanna, born 26 September, bp 8 October 1876; died 28 October, buried 30 October 1879, aged 3 years
7. Susanna, born 21 December 1879, bp 1 January 1880; died 6 January, buried 8 January 1881, aged 1 year
8. Theresa, born 15 September, bp 22 September 1881 in Plavnica
9. Maria, died 26 February, buried 28 February 1882, aged 2 years. Burial record in Plavnica.
10. John, born 16 June, bp 18 June 1882; died 12 September, buried 14 September 1897, aged 15 years, 5 months
11. Andrew, born 18 January, bp 22 January 1888 in Plavnica

Murczko, Andrew (c1849-1880+),  son of George Murczko & Maria Kseniak & Helen Tengi (bp 7 May 1843-1880+), daughter of Michael Tengi & Anna Knapik, widow of Peter Arendacs; married 10 February 1873 in Plavnica, Hajtovka, 10 & 11, GC, RC

Helen married (1) Peter Arendacs, 25 November 1861 in Plavnica.
Children:

1. John, born 3 January, bp 3 January 1874; died 3 January, buried 5 January 1874
2. John, born 24 March, bp 25 March 1877; died 16 June, buried 18 June 1879, aged 2 years
3. Maria, born 22 April bp 25 April 1880; married John Fedus, born 14 May, bp 18 May 1873, son of Michael Fedus & Maria Fedus, born 14 May, bp 18 May 1873; married 7 February 1898

Murczko, Andrew, Hajtovka, RC, born c1808, buried 14 October 1810, aged 2 years. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Andrew, Hajtovka, RC, born cJuly 1814, buried 23 November 1814, aged 4 months. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Anna, Hajtovka, RC, born cMay 1804, buried 12 November 1805, aged 1 ½ years. Burial record in Plavnica.

 Murczko, Anna, Hajtovka, RC, born c1773, buried 12 March 1813, aged 40 years. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Anna, daughter of Michael, Ujak, born c1831, buried 21 October 1836, aged 5 years

Murczko, Demetrius, born c1808 & Susanna Fedor, born c1812, 13 November 1833, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Maria, bp 21 October 1834

Murczko, Demetrius & Susanna Buk, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. John, bp 20 December 1840

Murczko, Elias, Hajtovka, RC, born c1781, buried 28 December 1811, aged 30 years. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, George & Maria Kseniak (c1803-2 August 1873, Hajtovka 10 & 30, GC, GC

The 1869 census shows wife Maria Fengya, but her burial record calls her Kseniak, as do the marriage records of Michael and Andrew. Michael born in 1846 was still at home in 1869. Maria, wife of George, born Kseniak, died 2 August, buried 3 August 1873, aged 70 years.
Children:

1. John, born c1835
2. George, born c1839; buried 30 April 1839, aged 1 year
3. Michael, bp 19 August 1846; married Maria Arendacs, bp 2 September 1849, daughter of John Arendacs & Maria Gladis of Hajtovka on 19 January 1870
4. Andrew, born c1849; married Helen Tengi, bp 7 May 1843, daughter of Michael Tengi & Anna Knapik, widow of Peter Arendacs, 10 February 1873 in Plavnica
5. Peter, born 7 September, bp 7 September 1856

Murczko, Helen, daughter of John, Ujak, born c1825, buried 10 February 1835, aged 10 years

Murczko, Helen, born c1839, buried 6 April 1843, aged 4 years

Murczko, Helen, Ujak, born c1798, buried 19 April 1848, aged 50 years

Murczko, John, born c1759 & Catherine Nyemetz, born c1763, daughter of Michael Nyemetz, married 14 November 1784 in Plavnica, Hajtovka, RC

Murczko, John & Catherine Dzatko, Ujak, GC
Children:

1. Demetrius, born c1808, married Susanna Fedor, born c1812, daughter of John Fedor & Anna Matisz, 13 November 1833

 Murczko, John & Anna Knap, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Susanna, born c1815, married John Fedor, born c1811, son of Unknown & Anna Fedor,  22 November 1836

 Murczko, John & Anna Hrinya, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Susanna, born c1818, married Michael Kacsmar, born c1814, son of Michael Kacsmar & Susanna Kutz/jurko, 24 January 1839
2. Anna, bp 2 June 1828

Murczko, John & Catherine Mlinaz, Ujak, GC
Children:

1. Peter, born c1811, married Maria Buk, born c1815, daughter of Alex Buk & Maria Szadloch, 22 November 1836

Murczko, John (1787-buried 21 August 1855) & Catherine Velkyvanya, Ujak, RC, GC

John was buried 21 August 1855, Plavnica 93, aged 68 years.
Children:

1. Anna, born c1818, married Andrew Miklus, born c1814, 17 November 1839 in Plavnica
2. Susanna, bp 8 January 1828; died 25 May, buried 27 May 1831 in Plavnica, aged 2 years
3. Joseph, bp 3 March 1831 in Plavnica
4. Catherine, bp 16 October 1833 in Plavnica

Murczko, John & Anna Liscinszki, Hajtovka, GC, GC
Children:

1. Maria, born c1824, married John Fengya, born c1820, son of Elias Fengya & Maria Murczko, 17 February 1845
2. Anna, bp 3 January 1830; father’s name faded but looks like Murczko, but mother is Anna Liscinszki
3. Anna, bp 28 October 1836
4. Peter, bp 29 July 1840
5. Anna, bp 23 September 1843

Murczko, John & Maria Patorai, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Michael, bp 16 July 1829
2. Maria, bp 27 January 1839

Murczko, John & Susanna Dalin, Ujak, GC, RC
Children:

1. Maria, bp 25 April 1833
2. Maria, bp 29 December 1835

Murczko, John & Anna Charmuchin, Ujak 11, RC, GC
Children:

1. John, bp 8 June 1841
2. Anna, bp 6 July 1843
3. Peter, bp 25 July 1845
4. Michael, born c1849; married Anna Szova, born c1852, daughter of John Szova & Maria Muchanin, 9 February 1874

Murczko, John (c1828-1874+) & (1) Catherine Kravecz (c1835-19 October 1879), married 22 February 1857, Hajtovka 11, RC, GC

Also in the same in 1869 were three other Murczko families – Michael Murczko & Susanna Liscsinszki and daughter Maria, Peter Murczko & Maria Lescisin & widow Caroline Murczko with three children. Catherine, wife of John, born Kravecz, died 19 October, buried 21 October 1879, aged 41 years.
Children:

1. Michael, born 22 June, bp 23 June 1858 in Plavnica, twin; married Anna Fedus, born 19 November, bp 24 November 1861, daughter of Joseph Fedus & Helen Arendacs of Hajtovka 42, 7 November 1881
2. John, born 22 June, bp 23 June 1858 in Plavnica, twin; died 23 June, buried 24 June 1858 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
3. John, born 28 August, bp 31 August 1858 in Plavnica
4. John, born 18 August 1862; died 13 July, buried 15 July 1881 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
5. Joseph, born 10 March, bp 20 March 1870
6. Maria, born 21 May, bp 24 May 1874; died 10 Auugst, buried 13 August 1876 in Hajtovka, aged 2 ½ years

Murczko, John (c1828-1892+), widower & (2) Helen Sedlyar (15 January 1857-1892), daughter of Joseph Sedlyar & Catherine Arendacs of Hajtovka 27, married 16 November 1879, Hajtovka 6, 11 & 12, RC, GC
Children:

1. John, born 4 December, bp 10 December 1882 in Plavnica, married Anna Zavacky, born 5 October, bp 11 October 1885, daughter of Joseph Zavacky & Anna Knap of Hajtovka 40, on 5 March 1905
2. Maria, born 18 October, bp 26 October 1884 in Plavnica
3. Anna, born 6 May, bp 15 May 1887 in Plavnica
4. Peter, born 1 April bp 4 April 1889 in Plavnica; died 18 October 1899. Baptism & death dates in Plavnica baptisms.
5. Susanna, born 4 November, bp 5 November 1892; died 6 November, buried 8 November 1892 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, John (20 November 1831-7 May 1917), son of John Murczko & Anna Liscinszki & Maria Szova (23 March 1845-6 January 1925, daughter of Andrew Szova & Maria Fengya, Hajtovka 10 & 11, GC, GC

John died 7 May, buried 9 May 1917, aged 82 years. Maria died 6 January, buried 8 January 1925.
Children:

1. Maria, born 23 July, bp 25 July 1869; died 21 August, buried 23 August 1886, aged 17 years
2. Anna, born 23 May, bp 26 May 1872
3. Helen, born 18 August, bp 25 August 1877
4. John, born 19 November, bp 20 November 1879

Murczko, John (c1835-26 July 1873) & Barbara Viszoczki (c1840 in Plavnica-1875+), married 5 November 1862 in Plavnica, Hajtovka 29 & 36, GC, RC

They were aged 30 and 24 when they married. John died 26 July, buried 26 July 1873, aged 40 years. Barbara married (2) John Szova, born c1843, son of John Szova/Gmitro & Maria Muchanin, 26 May 1875 in Plavnica.
Children:

1. Maria, born 19 November, bp 21 November 1863; married Michael Fabian, born 27 December, bp 31 December 1861, son of Michael Fabian & Susanna Csanda of Hajtovka 21, 24 January 1887
2. Stephen, born 7 November, bp 10 November 1865
3. John, born 5 May, bp 10 May 1868; died 23 July, buried 24 July 1873, aged 5 years
4. Anna, born 12 January, bp 23 January 1870
5. Susanna, born 26 February, bp 2 March 1873; died 28 April, buried 30 April 1874, aged 1 year

Murczko, John (27 January 1864-1904+), son of Stephen Murczko & Maria Kravcsak & Susanna Tengi (2 September 1869-1904+), daughter of John Tengi & Helen Kravecz of Hajtovka 12, married 31 January 1887 in Plavnica, Ujak 8, 9 & 14, GC, RC
Children:

1. John, born 16 January, bp 19 January 1888; married Maria Knap, born 10 April, bp 24 April 1892, daughter of Basil Knap alias Biros & Helen Fecsisin, 1 June 1909
2. Stephen, born 26 March, bp 3 April 1892
3. Maria, born 24 February, bp 11 March 1894
4. Anna, born 15 March, bp 20 March 1896
5. Helen, born 30 May, bp 5 June 1898; married Nicholas Knap, born 12 November, bp 15 November 1896, son of Peter Knap & Helen Fengya/Ilyasa, 1 February 1915
6. Michael, born 20 November, bp 25 November 1900
7. Susanna, born 10 October, bp 14 October 1904

Murczko, John (21 February 1883 in Plavnica-1904+), son of Michael Murczko, RC of Plavnica & Anna Fedus (22 March 1889-1904+), aged 15 years, 4 months, daughter of Michael Fedus & Helen Tengi, married 9 May 1904, Hajtovka 9, RC, GC

Murczko, John & Maria Fedus, Hajtovka 9, GC, GC
Children:

1. Peter, born 10 November, bp 17 November 1907
2. John, born 6 June, bp 12 June 1911
3. Michael, born 29 July, bp 3 August 1913
4. Helen, born 11 November, bp 14 November 1915; died 21 November, buried 23 November 1915, aged 1 ½ weeks
5. Michael, born 19 November, bp 21 November 1916

Murczko, John (4 December 1882-1905+), son of John Murczko & Helen Sedlyar & Anna Zavacky (5 October 1885-1905+), daughter of Joseph Zavacky & Anna Knap of Hajtovka 40, married 5 March 1905, Hajtovka 11, RC, GC

Murczko, John (16 January 1888-1912+), son of John Murczko & Susanna Tengi & Maria Knap (10 April 1892-1912+), daughter of Basil Knap & Helen Fecsisin, married 1 June 1909, Ujak 62 & 94, GC, GC
Children:

1. Maria, born 18 September, bp 25 September 1910
2. John, born 25 August, bp 8 September 1912

Murczko, John, Hajtovka, RC, born c1735, buried 4 April 1805, aged 70 years. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, John, son of John, no village, born c1820, buried 15 August 1829, aged 9 years

Murczko, John, son of John, Ujak, born c1831, buried 21 December 1833, aged 2 years

Murczko, John, Ujak, born c1791, buried 24 October 1836, aged 45 years

Murczko, John, son of Andrew, Hajtovka, born c1836, buried 5 November 1837, aged 1 year

Murczko, John, Ujak, born c1818, buried 23 February 1850, aged 32 years

Murczko, Joseph & Susanna Baran, RC
Children:

1. Anna, bp 5 August 1799; bured 31 July 1800, aged 8 months. Burial record in Plavnica
2. Susanna, bp 14 August 1801 in Plavnica
3. Andrew, bp 14 August 1808 in Plavnica

Murczko, Joseph (c1842-20 July 1873) & Maria Csaputa (c1841-22 July 1873), Hajtovka 9 & 36, GC

Joseph died 20 July, buried 21 July 1873, aged 31 years. Maria, wife of Joseph, born Csaputa, died 22 July, buried 23 July 1873, aged 32 years.
Children:

1. Maria, born 7 March, bp 10 March 1872

Murczko, Joseph, Hajtovka 30, RC, son of Michael, born c1853, died 11 November, buried 13 November 1855, aged 2 years. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Maria, Hajtovka, RC, widow, born c1741, buried 21 March 1811, aged 70 years. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Maria, Ujak, GC
Child:

1. John, bp 4 July 1836; buried 21 February 1837, aged 4 months

Murczko, Maria, daughter of Michael, Ujak, born c1808, buried 4 February 1831, aged 23 years

Murczko, Maria, daughter of John, Hajtovka, born c1832, buried 29 October 1836, aged 4 years

Murczko, Maria, daughter of Andrew, Hajtovka, born c1866, died 15 July, buried 17 July 1868, aged 2 years

Murczko, Maria, daughter of Andrew, Hajtovka, born c1867, died 21 August, buried 23 August 1868, aged 1 year

Murczko, Maria, wife of Andrew, Hajtovka, born c1847, died 10 February, buried 12 February 1911, aged 64 years

Murczko, Mathias, born c1838, widower of Plavnica 85 & Anna Arendacs alias Huszar, bp 30 November 1851, daughter of John Arendacs alias Huszar & Helen Dragan of Hajtovka 1, married 26 October 1873, RC, GC

Murczko, Michael (?-1830+) & Anna Bisz (c1800-21 June 1830), married 6 November 1826 in Plavnica, Hajtovka, RC

Anna, wife of Michael, died 21 June, buried 25 June 1830, aged 30 years. Burial record in Plavnica.
Children:

1. Anna, bp 13 November 1827 in Plavnica; died 10 August, buried 12 August 1828 in Plavnica, aged 9 months
2. Maria, bp 20 September 1829 in Plavnica; died 23 November, buried 25 November 1829 in Plavnica, aged 2 months

Murczko, Michael & Victoria Czirbus, Hajtovka, GC, RC

Czirbus family is from Chmel’nica.
Children:

1. Anna, bp 16 March 1829
2. Joseph, bp 24 January 1841
3. Helen, bp 8 October 1843

Murczko, Michael & Helen Kolyar, Ujak GC, GC
Children:

1. Anna, bp 19 August 1829
2. Helen, bp 21 October 1832
3. Michael, bp 5 October 1835
4. Andrew, bp May 1838
5. Susanna, bp 2 January 1842

Murczko, Michael (c1794-6 February 1869), widower & Caroline Pruzsinszky (c1802-2 June 1890), married 3 August 1830 in Plavnica, Hajtovka 10, 11, RC, RC

Michael died 6 February, buried 8 February 1869 in Plavnica, aged 75 years. Caroline, widow of Michael, born Pruzinszky, died 2 June, buried 4 June 1890 in Hajtovka, aged 82 years. Burial record in Plavnica.Also in the home in 1869 was Margaret, born 1869, RC. They shared the home with three other Murczko extended families.
Children:

1. Anna, bp 17 June 1834 in Plavnica; buried 30 March 1835 in Plavnica, aged 10 months
2. Michael, bp 19 July 1836
3. Maria, bp 17 July 1842 in Plavnica
4. Andrew, bp August 1845
5. Nicholas, born 1848

Murczko, Michael, born c1812, son of Andrew Murcko & Anna Fedus & Helen Fabian, born c1816, daughter of Alex Fabian & Maria Petrisin, married 8 November 1837, Hajtovka, GC, GC

Murczko, Michael & Caroline Jurecsko, Hajtovka, RC
Children:

1. Peter, bp 19 June 1839 in Plavnica
2. Joseph, bp 21 April 1848 in Plavnica; buried 17 March 1851, aged 2 years

Murczko, Michael & Unknown, Ujak, GC
Children:

1. Maria, bp 23 July 1847

Murczko, Michael (c1820-6 July 1873) & Maria Kundrat (c1828- 7 August 1873), married 19 November 1849, Hajtovka 12, 18, 19, 21, RC, GC.

Marriage record incorrectly records her name as Helen. Note that 1869 census and children’s baptismal records all call her Maria Kundrat. Maria, wife of Michael, born Kundrat, died 7 August, buried 8 August 1873, aged 44 years. Michael died 6 July, buried 6 July 1873 in Hajtovka
Children:

1. Michael, born c1852
2. John, born 15 March, bp 22 March 1857; married Julianna Durgacs, born c1864, daughter of John Durgacs & Maria Burhardt of Plavnica, 31 January 1881. John lived at Plavnica 113.
3. Maria, born c1861
4. Joseph, born 5 August, bp 9 August 1863 in Plavnica; died 19 March, buried 21 March 1871 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
5. Anna, born 22 July, bp 25 July 1866 in Plavnica; died 11 January, buried 13 January 1872 in Hajtovka, aged 5 years

Murczko, Michael & Caroline Mudrik, Hajtovka, RC
Children:

1. Joseph, born 13 September, bp 25 September 1853 in Plavnica

Murczko, Michael & Maria Arendacs, Hajtovka 10, 18, RC, GC
Children:

1. Maria, born 26 August, bp 2 September 1860 in Plavnica
2. Anna, born c1876; married Andrew Liscinszki, born 25 February, bp 5 March 1871, son of Michael Liscinszki & Helen Kravcsak, 4 February 1895
3. Maria born c1878, married Andrew Fabian, born 11 May, bp 19 May 1872, son of Michael Fabian alias Kundrat & Susanna Murczko recte Szova, 27 May 1895

 Murczko, Michael (c1828-1883+) & (1) Catherine Murczko (c1824 in Pusztamero-20 May 1874), Hajtovka 36 & 37, GC, GC

There were no children at home in 1869. However, the family of John Murczko & Barbara Viszoczky lived with them. Catherine, wife of Michael, died 20 May, buried 22 May 1874 in Hajtovka, aged 50 years.

Murczko, Michael (c1828-29 May 1900) & Susanna Arendacs alias Bircsak (c1849-27 December 1916); married 19 January 1870, Hajtovka 9, 10, 18, 28, 40, 43 & 57, GC, GC

Maria died before daughter Anna married in 1895. Michael died 29 May, buried 31 May 1900, aged 75 years.

Susanna, widow of Michael, born Bircsak, died 27 December, buried 29 December 1916, aged 65 years.
Children:

1. Michael, born 21 September, bp 29 September 1872
2. Michael, born 9 May, bp 16 May 1875
3. Maria, born 2 January, bp 13 January 1876
4. Anna, born 10 January, bp 21 January 1877.
5. Anna, born 14 June, bp 17 June 1878; died 27 January, buried 30 January 1879
6. Susanna, born 2 October, bp 9 October 1881; died 2 July, buried 4 July 1882, aged 9 months
7. Catherine, born 29 June, bp 9 July 1882
8. John, born 3 August, bp 5 August 1883
9. Peter, born 3 March, bp 12 March 1887; died 7 March, buried 9 March 1890, aged 3 years
10. Maria, born 25 July, bp 1 August 1890
11. Nicholas, born 27 December 1894, bp 7 January 1895

Murczko, Michael (bp 19 July 1836-1883+), son of Michael Murczko & Caroline Pruzsinszky & Susanna Liscinszki (bp 19 January 1844-17 September 1914), daughter of Michael Liscinszki & Susanna Rauberstrauch, married 9 November 1862, Hajtovka 10, 11, 18 & 28, RC, GC

Because of the multi-Murczko families living together in Hajtovka 11, it is likely that Michael was the son of Michael & Carolina Unknown, above. Susanna, wife of Michael, born Liscinszki, died 17 September, buried 19 September 1914, aged 72 years.
Children:

1. Maria, born 20 September, bp 22 September 1863 in Plavnica
2. Jacob, born July 1869; died 13 August 1869 in Plavnica, buried in Hajtovka 16 August 1869, aged 3 weeks, twin
3. Martha, born July 1869, died 15 August 1869 in Plavnica, buried in Hajtovka 16 August 1869, aged 3 weeks, twin
4. Stephen, born 15 May, bp 19 May 1871 in Plavnica; died 12 March, buried 14 March 1879 in Hajtovka, aged 7 years
5. Anna, born 15 July, bp 18 July 1875 in Plavnica
6. Michael, born 30 December, bp 30 December 1879 in Plavnica, twin; died 5 January 1881 in Hajtovka. Burial recorded in Plavnica.
7. Susanna, born 30 December, bp 30 December 1879 in Plavnica, twin
8. John, born 21 February, bp 24 February 1883 in Plavnica; married Anna Fedus, born c1889,  15 years, 4 months, daughter of Michael Fedus & Helen Tengi, 9 May 1904

Murczko, Michael (c1843-1868+) & Maria Murczko, daughter of Michael Murczko, deceased (c1849-1868+), married 19 November 1868, Hajtovka, RC, GC

Murczko, Michael (c1849-1891+) & Anna Szova (c1852-1891+), daughter of John Szova & Maria Muchanin, married 9 February 1874, Hajtovka 3, 11, 16, 19 & 20, RC, GC
Children:

1. Martin, born 15 November, bp 16 November 1874 in Plavnica; died 20 February 1879 in Plavnica
2. John, died 23 January, buried 25 January 1879 in Hajtovka, aged 4 years
3. Anna, born 28 February, bp 3 March 1878 in Plavnica; died 11 March, buried 13 March 1879 in Hajtovka, aged 1 year. Burial record in Plavnica.
4. Michael, born 16 December, bp 22 December 1879 in Plavnica; emigrated to Ohio
5. John, born c1883, died 5 July, buried 7 July 1885 in Hajtovka, aged 2 years. Burial record in Plavnica.
6. Maria, born 8 January, bp 18 January 1886 in Plavnica; died 31 March, buried 2 April 1890 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
7. John, born 8 August, bp 14 August 1891 in Plavnica

Murczko, Michael (22 June 1858-1881+), son of John Murczko & Catherine Kravecz & Anna Fedus (19 Novemb3er 1861-1881+), daughter of Joseph Fedus & Helen Arendacs of Hajtovka 42, married 7 November 1881, Hajtovka 9, RC, GC

Murczko, Michael, son of Michael, Ujak, born c1823, buried 10 February 1835, aged 12 years

Murczko, Michael, Ujak, born c1785, buried 16 October 1851, aged 66 years

Murczko, Michael, Hajtovka 10, born c1794, died 8 November, buried 10 November 1858, aged 64 years

Murczko, Michael alias Hrinya, Hajtovka 40, born c1829, died 20 December, buried 22 December 1899, aged 70 years

Murczko, Paul, son of John, Hajtovka, RC, born cAugust 1823, buried 29 June 1826, aged 2 years, 10 months. Burial record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Paul, Ujak, born c1825, buried 4 July 1847, aged 22 years

Murczko, Peter & Anna Stegena, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Maria, bp 4 July 1833; buried 30 October 1836, aged 3 years
2. Peter, bp 19 August 1836; buried 6 January 1840, aged 3 years

Murczko, Peter, born c1811 & Maria Buk, born c1815, married 22 November 1836, Ujak, GC, GC

Murczko, Peter & Maria Szadloch, Ujak, GC, GC
Children:

1. Maria, bp 14 November 1840
2. Anna, bp 11 March 1843

Murczko, Peter (c1835-1886+) & Maria Leskojurka (c1846-19 February 1891), married 18 February 1866, Hajtovka 10, 11 & 30, RC, GC

Maria, wife of Peter, born Leskojurka, died 19 February, buried 21 February 1891, aged 45 years.
Children:

1. Martin, born 17 November, bp 18 November 1866 in Plavnica
2. Anna, born 12 January, bp 15 January 1870 in Plavnica
3. Joseph, born 13 September, bp 14 September 1872 in Plavnica
4. Maria, born 18 June, bp 25 June 1875 in Plavnica; died 22 March; buried 24 March 1890. Burial record in Plavnica.
5. Veronica, born 4 May, bpt 11 May 1878 in Hajtovka; died 19 February 1890; Records in Plavnica.
6. Anna, born 1 March, bp 3 March 1880; died 5 August, buried 7 August 1883 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
7. Anna, born 1 January, bp 4 January 1884 in Plavnica
8. Helen (sic – see Anna, directly above), born 7 May 1884; died 21 February, buried 23 February1890 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
9. Veronica, born 15 July 1886; died 19 February, buried 21 February 1890 in Hajtovka

Murczko, Peter (c1843-1893+), widower & Susanna Szovik (16 October 1866-1893+), daughter of Michael Szovik & Maria Bartko of Ujak, married 18 May 1891, Hajtovka 11, RC, GC

Children:

1. Maria, born 28 April, bp 8 May 1892; died 25 July 1892, buried 27 July 1892 in Hajtovka. Burial record in Plavnica.
2. Helen, born 10 July, bp 23 July 1893 by G. Andrejkovits. Record in Plavnica.

Murczko, Peter, born c1846 in Hajtovka, RC

See Plavnica 1869 census for home of John Arendacs & Catherine Dzatko.

Murczko, Peter, Hajtovka, born c1772, buried 29 October 1832, aged 60 years

Murczko, Peter, Ujak, born c1802, buried 4 July 1842, aged 40 years

Murczko, Peter, son of John, born Hajtovka, but living at Plavnica 93, RC, born c1835, buried 29 March 1854 in Plavnica, aged 19 years

Murczko, Peter, Hajtovka 10, born cJanuary 1857, died 22 May, buried 24 May 1858, aged 16 months

Murczko, Stephen (c1832-5 January 1894) & Maria Kravcsak (c1838-12 November 1883), married 1 November 1863, Ujak 5, 7, 8 & 9, GC, GC

Maria, wife of Stephen, born Kravcsak, died 12 November, buried 14 November 1883, aged 45 years. Stephen, 50, widower, married (2) Anna Dornics, born c1838, widow of Michael Veszelenyi of Ujak 95, 27 January 1884.

Stephen died 5 January, buried 7 January 1894, aged 63 years.
Children:

1. Paul John, born 27 Janaury, bp 31 January 1864; married Susanna Tengi, born 2 September 1869, daughter of John Tengi & Helen Kravecz of Hajtovka 12, RC, 31 January 1887 in Plavnica.
2. Anna, born cApril 1868, died 18 January, buried 20 January 1869, aged 9 months
3. Maria, born 23 February, bp 23 February 1870; died 2 March, buried 4 March 1870
4. Anna, born 23 May, bp 2 June 1872; died 8 June, buried 10 June 1872, aged 10 days
5. Susanna, born 18 June, bp 28 June 1874; died 12 May, buried 14 May 1878, aged 4 years, 4 months
6. Michael, born 9 January, bp 11 January 1880; died 10 February, buried 11 February 1884, aged 4 years

Murczko, Stephen & Anna Arendacs, Hajtovka 5, GC, GC

Note: Married in America.
Children:

1. Veronica, born 12 October, bp 15 October 1893; died 22 January, buried 24 January 1896, aged 2 years, 4 months

Murczko, Stephen & Helen Fengya, Ujak 11, None, GC
Children:

1. Anna, born 1 January, bp 9 January 1922

The Murczko family in the Presov region is quite large.  In St. dimitry’s parish, most Murczkos lived in the next village over of Hajtovka.

The family was also split between Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic church membership. It is not known whether these two groups are related or just share a common surname with no single ancestral patriarch.  Some of the Greek Catholic family settled in the Passaic, New Jersey area by the early 1900s.