George Sarna 1866-1945

George Sarna

George SARNA, my maternal great-grandfather, was born on 21 Feb 1866 in Kurima, Slovakia. I found his birth/baptism record during a past trip to Salt Lake City in 2009 with the help of an Eastern European genealogist who sent me in the right direction in where and how to look at baptism, marriage and burial church records in a foreign language. Months later, the microfilm I copied below is now found online at the FamilySearch website.

"Slovakia Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V1QW-DX7 : 23 July 2017), Georgius Starna, 22 Feb 1866; citing p. , 9, Baptism, Kurima, Giraltovce, Slovakia, Odbor Archivnictva (The Archives of the Republic), Slovakia; FHL microfilm 1,792,392. Image 356 of 673. Accessed 27 Feb 2018.

Transcription of the entry -  

21 [Feb 1866 for birth], 22 [Feb 1866 for baptism], Georgius [m]ale, leg[itimate], parents are Joan: Szarna RC and Anna Kolibab RC, No. 52, God-parents are And: Hudak and Anna Jambra RC, baptized by [Idem. for name listed above] Parochus ??

The best record source for the mid-nineteenth century in eastern Europe is the 1869 Census taken by the Hungarians. These records can also be found on the FamilySearch.org website.

Slovakia, Sáros, Kurima, “1869 Census.” House No. 54, Szarna, Josef, [1867]. Database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-899K-ZLBC?cc=1986782&wc=QZ7W-33L%3A323642201%2C323846601 : 3 November 2015), Sáros > Kurima (Kurima) > image 59 of 264; Bytča, Banská Bystrica, and Nitra Regional Archives. Accessed: 27 Feb 2018.

I find the Szarna family in the 1869 Hungarian Census. This census was taken on 31 Dec 1869.The parents are listed as John Szarna and Anna Kolibab. Five sons are listed including :

-Janos born 1854

-Josef born 1861

-Adam born 1864

-Josef listed again born 1867. (This has to be  George, which year 1867 [1866] stated here).

-Andras Sarna born    1869

I know this is the right family with the maiden name of the mother listed as Kolibab. I also later searched for and found the other four sons' baptism records.

John on 6 Mar 1853 

Andrew on 17 Jun 1857 (Did this one die before census?)

Joseph 24 Sep 1860  

Adam 6 Jan 1863 

George 21 Feb 1866 (see above)

I also find another younger Andrew, born 23 Sep 1869 and sadly died five months later.

When George immigrated to the United States is questionable. I have several sources with different dates from 1869-1882. George settled in the small coal-mining town of Eckley, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. On 20 Aug 1883, miner George married Mary Koscelnik. I have a copy of their marriage certificate. On the bottom of the paper, it states that “the above is a true copy of the marriage register. Duplicate. Signed by Rev. Andrew Junca & dated 17 Dec 1911.”

Immaculate Conception Church (Eckley, Pennsylvania). Certificate of Marriage. 1883-1911. (Copy privately held by Mary Cooper, San Diego, CA). 2005. 

This church is well known for its external usage in the film "The Molly McGuires" which was filmed in the museum town of Eckley, Pennsylvania in 1970.

This photo was taken by the author.

They had seven children, with only five surviving to adulthood. These include:

Anna Sarna 1884-1970

George Sarna 1890-1912

John M. Sarna 1891-1984

Josephine Sarna 1892-1893

Mary Irene Sarna 1894-1991

Susan Sarna 1896-1896

Andrew E. Sarna 1899-1977

George and Mary were blessed with their first daughter, Anna Sarna born on 20 Aug 1884.

By 1888, George received his U.S. Citizenship from the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County in Wilkes-Barre on the 3rd of October.

Two more sons came along. George Sarna, Jr. was born in Feb 1890. John Sarna arrived on 12 May 1891 in Sandy Run, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Their second daughter,

Josephine arrived in 1892. She died months later. I have no documentation of Josephine.

Family lore states that George and Mary needed to return to the “old country” to sell family property. On 25 April 1893, George applied for a passport to go back to his homeland with family. 

"United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24F-65FS : 4 October 2016), George Sarna, 1893; citing Passport Application, Pennsylvania, United States, source certificate #1029, Passport Applications, 1795-1905., 405, NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). Accessed 8 May 2010.

On his passport application, George states his birthdate as 15 March 1866. On his actual birth/baptism registration, the date is 21/22 Feb 1866. His birth location is stated Kurima, Hungaria (Slovakia). He states that he sailed (ship unknown) from Hamburg on 20 Nov 1882. He states that he was Naturalized on 3 Oct. 1888 in Common Pleas Court of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pensylvania. Michael Zemany, his witness, is his brother-in-law married to his wife's sister.

I am yet to find other documentation on his immigration and naturalization.

The family returns to the U.S. after Mary and baby son, John, become ill. Mary becomes “homesick” for her home in the United States. On the 6 Jul 1883, three months later, the family boards the S. S. Ethiopia from Glasgow, Scotland, to New York.

“UK Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960,” digital image, ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 16 Mar 2014), Image 13 of 77, Line 1358, Georg Sarna entry: citing Outwards Passenger Lists. BT27. The National Archives, London, England. Ship Ethiopia out of Glasgow, 6 Jul 1893, G. C. Boothby, master, arrived New York 32 days later.

Interesting to see his occupation as a shoemaker. Is this what he did in the "old country" before he worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania. 

The following spring, Mary arrives on 26 April 1894 in the township of Foster, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Mary Irene Sarna is my grandmother. Two years later, Susan is born on 9 April 1896, in Upper Lehigh. Two months later, Susan dies of cholera infantum, which is a noncontagious diarrhea occurring in infants; formerly common in the summer months. This is the baby, my grandmother remembers with “holes” or blisters in her chest. Mary was 2 years old when her sister, Susan, died. Susan was buried at Woodside Cemetery (St. Anne’s Parish Cemetery) on 17 June 1896, according to death register.1  Was her sister Josephine buried there also?

Mary gave birth to her youngest son, Andrew on 27 April 1899.

I find the Sarna family in the 1900 census, with all five children, stating that Mary had a total of seven children. This verifies the loss of Josephine and Susan. Both George and Mary were born in 1863 and immigrated around 1880. 

George worked as a miner as seen in the US Census records from 1900 to 1930. 

Photo taken around 1904. Front row from left to right include Mary Sarna, Mary Kostelnic Sarna, Andrew Sarna and George Sarna Sr. Standing in back from left to right include George Sarna Jr., Anna Sarna and John Sarna.

Their son, George worked as a railroad brakeman in a local coal mine. An accident occured where a railroad car ran over him giving him a back fracture. He died days later in November 1912, in a local  hospital leaving behind a widow and young son. 

George Sarna, Sr. died on 7 Oct 1945. His eldest child/daughter Anna SARNA Remak provided the information. She listed her grandparents as John SARNA and Anna KOLIBABA. She states 3 Sep 1865 as his birthdate. He is buried at St. John’s Roman Catholic Cemetery.  

Pennsylvania, Luzerne County. “Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964,” Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. 1945. George Sarna File No. 86612. Image 2613 of 3644. ancestry.com : accessed 11 Dec 2016.

I have 3 different sources for George’s birth date. They include:  21 Feb 1866 - birth/baptism record, 15 Mar 1866 - US Passport, 3 Sep 1865 - Death certificate

I will go with his birth/baptism record.

George Sarna obituary, The Plain Speaker (Hazleton, Pennsylvania), Monday, 8 October 1945, p. 4, col 2.  newspapers.com on ancestry.com : Accessed 11 Feb 2016. 

1 

George and Mary Sarna 1940s. Photo in possession by cousin Edward Merrick.

Mary Hudak or is it Kostelnic? (1862-1951) Part 2

Mary Sarna with daughter, Mary Gabuzda 1951

I found Mary SARNA’s death certificate. She died in an unusual way going to her husband’s, George SARNA, gravesite in St. John’s Roman Catholic Cemetery on Maces Road. This is given more detail in her obituary found in The Plain Speaker Newspaper of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, 18 May 1951, page 32, column 3. (Newspapers.com) 

The Plain Speaker (Hazleton, PA) 1951. Newspapers.com Digital images:  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4355223/woman_drowns_at_freelandmary_sarna/  : 2016.

Her death certificate states “accidental drowning in coal mine hole”  otherwise known as “a water-filled stripping.”

Pennsylvania Department of Health. Historical and Museum Collection. Pennsylvania Death Certificates. 1906-1964. 

Ancestry.com : accessed : 10 Dec 2016.

Mary’s son, John SARNA, of 623 Main St. filled out her death certificate with family information. He listed John KOSTELNICK as Mary’s father and her mother was unknown. she was born in Czecho Slovakia, born on 2 June 1860.

Mary had been living with her eldest daughter, Anna Sarna REMAK, 709 Main St., since her husband, George SARNA, died in 1935. In 1951, Anna REMAK, was sent to Washington D. C. for medical reasons, as this obituary states she is “presently a patient in a hospital” in D. C. Mary SARNA is then sent to live with her younger daughter, Mary Irene Sarna GABUZDA or “Mrs. Stephen Gabuzda.” She had only been living at 899 Centre St. for a month. This verifies the family stories of Mary’s daily walking to her husband’s gravesite to bring fresh flowers for the plot vase. Mary was refreshing the vase water when she fell into the coal mine hole nearby. One of her grand-daughters, remembers the guilt her mother, Mary GABUZDA, felt as she was just put in the charge of her mother’s care.

I now have two documents that say the name KOSTELNIC for my great-grandmother. Her death certificate filled out by her son and her marriage certificate copied from the local church records. Where does the “HAJDUK” name come from on her daughter Mary's baptism certificate?

Family stories state that Mary SARNA had an older sister, Anna ZEMANY, which everyone called “Mrs. Zemany,” including family members. Mrs. Zemany will be my next ancestor to research to solve this puzzle.

Mary Hudak or is it Kostelnic? (1862-1951) Part 1

Ever since I got interested in genealogy back in 1999 (attended a family reunion), I got started researching other family lines. My maternal grandmother’s, Mary Irene SARNA, both parents immigrated to the United States in the 1880s. I have yet to find actual records of their arrival. I first find the Sarna family in the 1900 US Census living in Freeland, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

1900 U.S. Census, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Freeland, p. 28B, dwelling 497, family 498, George Sarna; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 March 2016); citing NARA microfilm publication T263, Roll 1431.

According to this census record, both George and Mary SARNA came to the US in 1880. They were both born circa 1863. They were married for fifteen years. There are five children listed. This also states that Mary lost two children in death. I will cover in more detail Mary's life in her husband George SARNA's story.



They include:
Anna Sarna (1884-1970)
George Sarna (1890-1912)
John Sarna (1891-1984)
Mary Sarna (1894-1991)
Andrew Sarna (1896-1977)

Looking at my personal records in my own possession, I have a copy of my grandmother’s, Mary Irene SARNA Gabuzda, baptism record. This states that her parents are George SARNA and Mary HAJDUK. Her birth date is 26 Apr 1894 and was baptized three days later. This document is copied from the Baptismal Register of the Church (St. John’s Nepomucene Roman Catholic Church of Freeland, PA) on 8 Jan 1930. Was this an error in the copying of the original document?

X marks Mary Irene Sarna

I also find in my family possession, a group photo of the confirmed children of St. John’s taken around 1906. The girl with the x mark is Mary Irene SARNA. This is taken in front of the original church located at Ridge and Lucerne St. built in 1892. You can see the matching building in the photo below from a local Slovak newspaper, Kalendar Jednota, also dated 1906.

Translation - Slovak Church and Rev. Karol Pajdusak, pastor in Freeland, Pa.

Tancin, Charlotte. History of Freeland, Pa. website. (https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/ct0u/frldreligion.html : accessed 9 Mar 2016).

The second church building was built in 1915 at 420 Vine St. on the corner of Vine and South St. This church has been closed since 2008.

Tancin, Charlotte. History of Freeland, Pa. website. (https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/ct0u/frldreligion.html : 

accessed 9 Mar 2016).

I also have a duplicate copy of George and Mary’s Marriage Certificate. They were married on 20 Aug 1883 in the Immaculate Conception Church of Eckley, PA, by the Rev. Joseph Jaskovic. This states the bride as Mary Koscelnik. This was copied from the original on 20 Dec 1911. 

In reading about the history of St. John, The church's website as listed below states that
 “In 1889, with Fr. Fallihee's encouragement, 72 Slovak families united to begin the process of forming the present St. John Nepomucene Church. Having obtained land, and able to secure collateral for a loan, they received permission from Bishop O'Hara to commence construction of their first Church. It was dedicated on September 10, 1890 and in 1891 Rev. Josef Libar Jaskovik,” the one who married George & Mary, “became the first pastor.”

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish. Parish History. St. John Nepomucene 

Church. http://www.ourladyfreeland.org/history.html : accessed 6 March 2016).

Are these two different Marys? Could be? But, I do not think so. As the 1900 Census say they were married by 1885. Family says no; this is the same Mary! 

My next entry will cover my process of finding the answer to this Hudak or Kostelnic name mystery.

Stephen A. Gabuzda 1885-1966 Part 3

After Stephen GABUZDA and Mary SARNA were married on 25 June 1912, they move to a small 3 room house for six months on Birkbeck St. between the old silk mill and the lumber yard in Freeland, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. Because their first child, Irene, did not arrive for another year and a half; Mary said that she was often embarrassed by older women asking her, “Mary, when are you going to have a baby?”

After Steve’s marriage, his brother George GABUZDA continued to live at Palya’s for a while. Around 1913, the Gabuzda brothers decide to move on with a business of their own. 

They rented the wooden building that still stands (quite barely) at the northeast corner of Center and Chestnut Streets in Freeland and operated their new business from there. At this time, Mary finally had her first child, Irene, on 10 Jan 1914. 

In August/September 1914, the two brothers bought the land right across the street, at the southeast corner of the same intersection. In October, they had a contract started to build a brick store and house on that corner. Directly, across Centre from the store is St. Ann’s, the Irish Catholic church, now called Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. 

One day, Mary went over to watch the workmen pour the cement foundation for the new brick building. She was twisting her wedding ring on her finger, a habit she never got rid of, when it popped off and fell into the wet cement while they were pouring. The ring was never retrieved, and Steve had to buy her a new one. Sometime in 1915, Steve, Mary, little Irene and Steve’s brother George, moved into the new brick home and store at 899 Centre St.

899 Centre Street on the corner of Chestnut and Centre Streets

My aunt Marion states that their home was unique in that it was built “as a big beautiful home with a built-in store and small office. The large side porch led into a living room, large formal dining room and a very large eat-in kitchen; an open stairway to six large bedrooms upstairs, all with walk-in closets, and one large bathroom.”

Later that same year, when the brothers had moved into the brand-new brick building, Stephen and Mary welcomed their first son, George, born 5 Nov 1915.

Two years later, Stephen’s brother George, brought home a new family member, marrying Anna SILVASI on 6 Aug 1917, at St. John Nepomucene Church. Months later, Steve and Mary welcomed their third child, Edward born 17 April 1918.

George & Anna Silvasi Gabuzda

By this time World War I was raging for four years in Europe. By August 1918, George Gabuzda left Freeland to join a US Army motor transportation corps as a truck mechanic, in Pittsburgh, Virginia and Florida. Sometime during his service in the south, George contracted a case of the influenza virus which killed about 600,00 Americans in 1918. It is possible that this influenza that almost killed him saved his life from being sent overseas for the last days of one the bloodiest wars in history.

When George finally came home, he quickly agreed it was time he and Anna had a place of their own. George and Steve signed papers renewing their business partnership interrupted by the war. George found an empty double lot just a half block away from their business at 941 Centre St.

The next decade would bring the promise of hard work for these two immigrant brothers from Slovak peasant farmer parents. 

Stephen A. Gabuzda 1885-1966 Part 2

My grandparents’ Wedding Day

My grandfather, Stephen A. GABUZDA, with his brother, George GABUZDA, decided the coal mining business was not for them. They left Mahanoy City to the small town of Freeland, Pennsylvania, about 25 miles northeast. They apprenticed for their cousin’s husband, George E. PALYA, in his meat market business. See previous post.

Mary SARNA, was a regular customer at this time. She lived with her older sister, Anna Sarna REMAK in Freeland, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. The Remaks had their own business running a hotel and bar. Mary would watch her nieces and nephews as their parents minded the business. Mary had her eye on the older brother, George, and at the same time Stephen, the younger, had his eye on this special costumer. 

Stephen Gabuzda finally got the courage to ask Mary Sarna out on a date. He was so nice to her that she soon forgot about George. Their dates included going on walks, dancing and an occasional movie, when Steve had the 20 cents to pay for their admission. They were both good dancers and enjoyed it even into the early years of their marriage. They did more than polkas, mostly ballroom dancing, the waltz and fox trot. They often won prizes like a box of chocolates, for being the "best couple on the dance floor." One Sunday, with box lunches, Stephen and Mary joined five other couples for a fun afternoon. Here is a photo of them, third couple from the left, playing a relay game. Mary wrote the date on the photo and kept this in her Bible. It was found here after Mary died. That must have been a very special day when Stephen captured her heart.

They were married on 25 June, 1912. Mary (18) would not marry Stephen (27) until he was Naturalized as an American citizen. He was naturalized 24 days before on 1 June. During this time, if a female American born citizen of the United States married an alien from another country she would lose her citizenship.

I am fortunate to have all three copies of the three steps Stephen took to become an United States citizen. 

Naturalization Petitions and Declarations , 1901-1931, from court held in Scranton, Index 1906-1991. Petitions Vol. 7, No. 1503-1752. 1912. NARA Series M626 Roll 24.  LDS Microfilm#1,666,914. Accessed online Image 522-523 of 1124 from FamilySearch.org on 28 Jul 2016.

Step 1: Declaration of Intention

On the 12th day of June 1908, Stephen went to the Common Pleas Court of Schuylkill County to begin his first step of American Citizenship. The application reads

“I, Steve Gabuzdza, aged 22 years, occupation Fireman, do declare on oath that my personal description is: Color White, complexion Light, height 5 feet 6 inches, weight 164 pounds, color of hair very light brown, color of eyes blue, other visible distinctive marks none.

I was born in Razlavicza, Austria, on the 12th day of November; anno Domini 1885; I now reside at Mahanoy City, Penna. I emigrated to the United States of America from Hamburg, Germany, on the vessel Pennsylvania; my last foreign residence was Razlavicza, Austria.

It is my bona fide intention to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularity to Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria, of which of now I am a subject: I arrived at the port of New York, in the state of New York on or about the 2nd day of March, anno Domini 1906; I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein: SO HELP ME GOD.
Steven Gabuzdza"

Step 2 : Petition for Naturalization

Four years later, on 21 February 1912, Steven traveled to the District Court of Scranton, Pennsylvania to apply for his Petition for Naturalization. 

“To the Honorable the District Court of the United States for the Middle District of Pennsylvania: The petition of Stephen Gabuzdza, herby filed, respectfully shows:

First: My place of residence is 72 S. Center St, Freeland

Second: My occupation is Butcher

Third: I was born on the 12th of November, anno Domini, 1885, at Razlavicza, Austria.

Fourth: I immigrated to the United States from Hamburg, Germany, on or about the 16th day of February anno Domini, 1906 and arrived in the United States, and arrived in the United States at the port of New York, N. Y., on the 2nd day of March anno Domini, 1906 on the vessel “Pennsylvania.” 

Fifth: I declared my intention to become a citizen of the United States on the 12th day of June, anno Domini, 1908 Pottsville, Pa. to the Common Pleas Court of Schuylkill County.

Sixth: I am not married. This section is crossed out. 

Seventh:I am not a disbeliver in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I am attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and it is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign princes, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularity to [stamped] FRANCIS JOSEPH EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA AND APOSTOLIC KING OF HUNGARY of whom at this time I am a subject,  and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States. 

Eighth: I am able to speak the English language. 

Ninth: I have resided continually in the United States of America for the term of five years at least, immediately proceeding the date of this petition, to wit, since the 2nd day of March, anno Domini, 1906, and in the state of Pennsylvania, continuously since preceding the date of this petition, on the 3rd day of March, anno Domini, 1906, being a residence within this state of at least one year next preceding the date of this petition.

Tenth: I have not heretofore made petition for citizenship to any court. 
Attched hereto and made apart of this petition is my declareation of intention to become a citizen of the United States, together with my affidavit and the affidavits of the two verifying witnesses thereto, required by law. Wherefore your petitioner prays that he may be admitted a citizen of the United States of America.

Signed Stephen Gabuzdza

Declaration of Intention filed this 21st February 1912.

Witnesses included: Dominic A. O’Donnell, occupation Clerk, residing at Foster, Luz.[erne] Co., Pennsylvania. and Patrick Moehan, occupation Contractor, residing at Freeland, Pennsylvania. 

Step 3: Certificate of Naturalization

Stephen was granted his U. S. Citizenship on 1 June 1912 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It is interesting to read that this document is later dated on 4 January 1929 with the embossed seal.

U.S. Certificate of Naturalization of Stephen Gabuzdza in possession of the author.

I noticed the spelling of GABUZDZA on all three documents. The second Z at the end of his name was eventually removed.

Mary SARNA was born in 1894 in Sandy Run, Foster Township, Luzurne County, Pennsylvania. Her parents came to the United States in 1880. Her father, George SARNA, worked in the local coal mines as a miner.

"Pennsylvania County Marriages, 1885-1950", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familyseach.org/ark:/61903/1:1KFHJ-6SF : 24 June 2016), Stephen Gabuzdza and Mary Sarna, 1912.

After their marriage in the local church of St. John’s Nepomucene Church of 420 Vine St., Freeland, Pennsylvania, by Father Andrew Jurica, they took a rented “surrey with a fringe on top” with their wedding attendants, Anna and Julius Demshick, to the local Ice Lake Hotel in White Haven for the wedding luncheon. The hotel was owned by Tim REILLY, and managed by an on-site couple, brother-in-law, Anthony O’DONNELL and Mary Reilly O'DONNELL.  On the way back to town, the surrey broke in two, leaving the bride and groom stranded as Anna and Julius left for help in the two wheel-one seat buggy. I wish I was a bird nearby to hear what the newlyweds discussed as they waited for their rescue with the returning vehicle.

Stanhope Surrey in the Seeley Yard Museum, San Diego, CA. Used with permission.

Later in family history, Stephen and Mary’s daughter, Irene GABUZDA, married the son of Anthony and Mary, Donald O’DONNELL.