Sunday, September 18, 2011

Welcome!

Greetings, and a very warm welcome to my new genealogy blog.  In it I will share my Mika/Mickey/Dacko family research and I hope to connect with cousins or others who are researching the family.  The picture above is of my grandfather, George Mika (later Mickey), contemplating his fields near German Township, Fayette, Pennsylvania.

My mother was born Margaret Mickey - the youngest of ten children and a first-generation American.  Her father's name was George Mika and her mother was Teresa Dacko.  They were both from Parihuzovce, a small village in the Carpathian Mountains in what is now Slovakia.  They immigrated to the United States in 1903 and settled first in Monessen, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania.  It was in Monessen that they married and began their family, although it is almost certain they knew each other in the old country.  From what I have learned, I am convinced that they were members of the Carpatho-Rus ethnic group.  I hope to share some stories about the Carpatho-Rus as this blog progresses.

Unlike many stories of family names getting changed at Ellis Island, my grandfather used his given surname until sometime between 1920 and 1930, when the name was changed to Mickey.  According to my mother, it was her eldest brother, George, who instigated the change.  He thought Mickey sounded "more American." 

George Mika had at least two brothers who also came to the United States.  I believe his brother, Frank, spelled his surname "Micka."  I hope to meet some of Frank's descendants through this blog.  Please contact me if you are related!

7 comments:

Susan Clark said...

I'm looking forward to learning more about your family and research. My paternal grandmother was born in Prislop, very near to where your grandparents were born.

Unknown said...

My grandfather was Frank Micka from Monessen and he was killed by a drunk driver. I never met him but I do have some photos.

Teri said...

To the unknown poster above, I would love to see pictures of Frank Micka and his family. I will share them on the blog with your permission.

Rosemary Woods said...

Frank Micka was my grandfather too

Peggy Woods said...


frank Micka was my grandfather. I was an infant when he was killed by drunk driver.

Unknown said...

My grandfather's name was Frank Micka

Teri said...

To Peggy and Unknown...

Do you have any photographs of Frank Micka you would like to share. You can email them to me @ mika2mickey@ga=mail.com.

Thanks!