Saturday, February 28, 2015

In Memory of Grandpa Art

With a sad heart this post brings the news that we laid the oldest living descendant of the Murosky and Bukowski families, Arthur Murosky, to rest on February 21, 2015. With snowflakes falling, surrounded by the canopies of old growth trees members of our family joined to lay him to rest alongside his beautiful bride Mary Eugenia McDonald in the peaceful, quiet serenity of Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Arthur & Mary Eugenia Collection &emdash; Arthur Murosky Funeral Rose

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." ~ Unknown

The last two weeks have been spent reflecting on many cherished memories of Grandpa Art. The story about how he met my Grandmother:

 "I met Jean at the Wilson Library in 1936.  We were both getting books. 
I would hang out at the library and walk the girls home."

They married on August 9, 1941 at St. John's Church in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Arthur & Mary Eugenia Collection &emdash; Arthur Murosky & Mary Eugenia McDonald Wedding
Formal Wedding portrait of Arthur & Mary Eugenia
.....stories about how Grandpa had his own full-service gas station Art's Sunoco at 21st and State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. The station was white with blue and gold accent's. His uniform was blue with his name stitched on. The Art's Service Station logo was gold and blue. How he ran the gas station himself but he did employ his father-in-law Loraine Anthony McDonald. The service station had 2 bays and 2 pumps. Gasoline was $0.29 a gallon....
Michelle M. Murosky: The Arthur & Mary Eugenia Collection &emdash; Art's Sunoco at 21st &  State Streets
Arthur photographed at his gas station
.....Grandpa working in his wood shop always allowing the Grandchildren to watch....Grandpa giving gifts of homemade  toys to the grandchildren at Christmas....Grandpa sitting quietly in his chair in the living room watching the chaos of a large family holiday that could easily have been fifty or more people .....Large family picnics held at his house in the summers......memories of Grandpa working in his large fenced in garden:

"I plant marigolds all round the edge to keep the bunnies away"

Grandpa in the kitchen baking a pumpkin pie....Grandpa chuckling when I showed him the a printed chart featuring his descendants numbering close to 100 and saying:

"I sure caused a lot of trouble"

....Grandpa sitting patiently as we photographed him with the entire family for at his 95th birthday celebration last April......
Michelle M. Murosky: Blog Images &emdash;
Grandpa Art photographed at his 95th Birthday Celebration with family friend Debi
The memories that will always stay with me are the ones that started me on this genealogy journey. At one point after my Grandmother had died I recall asking about our family tree - Grandpa sat with me and told me all he knew. His grandparents names, his aunts, uncles and cousins. He pronounced Murosky in the old Lithuanian way. He patiently answered all of my questions as I followed him around the house on numerous visits with a notebook making notes. Grandpa also connected me with his cousins and my grandmother Mary Eugina's cousins. Through these individuals the foundation of the family tree slowly came together.

One of my most distinct memories is one the days I went to visit him. I was returning his original wedding photos I had borrowed to make copies of. After putting the photographs back in the drawer in my grand-grandmother's old bedroom I turned to see Grandpa standing in the door way with a large cardboard box. He handed me the box saying this is for you. I asked him what was in the box and with a twinkle in his eye he told me to look. The box contained a large portion of his mother's photo collection. Together we looked at the old black and white photographs - a mix of loose photographs and my great-grandmother's albums. The box included photos from the Bukowski and the Murosky sides of the family. Grandpa was able to identify many people in the photographs. I recorded the names on scraps of paper that we slid behind the photographs. With the photographs came stories...of his brother Edward who served in Alaska during World War II...of the two day Polish weddings....of the trips to Forest City to see family when he was a child....of his Aunt Margaret who moved to Erie from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania...of his cousin Arthur Gaczkowski who died young in the late 1920's. That day I told him that in time I would make sure that these old photographs would be shared with the greater family.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." ~ Unknown

I have always felt these old family photographs are treasure to be shared.  Today that meaning rings true.....perhaps because the old photographs are a reminder that those that we love may have departed this life but they will never be forgotten.  Their memories and their spirit live on and the old photographs in that moment remind us that those memories have in deed become treasure.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Murosky Collection &emdash; 1925 - Harry A. & Arthur Murosky
Arthur Murosky, age 6, photographed with his brother 
Harry Anthony Murosky, age 4, in during a family trip to Forest City, Pennsylvania.


Arthur Murosky was my paternal grandfather. He was born April 13, 1919 in Erie, Pennsylvania. His father, Anthony Harry Murosky, Jr. was born in Forest City, Pennsylvania the son of Lithuanian immigrants before relocating to Erie. His mother, Helen Tillie Bukowski, was the daughter of Polish immigrants. Grandpa Art spent all of his 95 years in Erie, Pennsylvania. He married the beautiful Mary Eugenia McDonald on August 9, 1941 and they had ten children together. He passed away on February 16, 2015 at age 95. 

Friday, February 27, 2015

James Arthur Murosky - Baby Portrait

A formal portrait taken of James Arthur Murosky as an infant. The photograph was likely taken late 1942 or early 1943.

James was born October 8, 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest child born to Arthur Murosky and Mary Eugenia McDonald.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Arthur & Mary Eugenia Collection &emdash; James Anthony Murosky

This photograph is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

James Arthur Murosky is my Uncle. 

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald - High School Graduation Photo

Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald photographed for her high school graduation in 1953.
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald
Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker was born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. A copy of this photograph was included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald is my great aunt. She is the sister of Mary Eugenia McMonald my paternal grandmother.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Mary Eugenia & James Arthur - mid 1940's

Mary Eugenia McDonald photographed with her oldest son James Anthony Murosky in the mid 1940's.

Depending on the date the photograph was taken Mary Eugenia would mostly likely have been between 23 and 25 years old. James Arthur would likely have been between 2 and 3 years old. The location of the photograph is unknown. This photograph was included in the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen Tillie Bukowski would have been James Arthur's paternal grandmother.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Murosky Collection &emdash; Mary Eugenia & James Anthony
Mary Eugenia McDonald with her oldest son James Anthony McDonald
Mary Eugenia McDonald was born January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker.

James Arthur Murosky was born October 8, 1942 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

This photograph is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. James Arthur Murosky is my Uncle. 

Friday, February 13, 2015

Kathryn Joan McDonald - Wedding Announcement

Kathryn Joan McDonald, daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker, married Jack Barr on November 18, 1950. A copy of their wedding announcement in the Erie Daily Times was included with her mother's photo collection. The newspaper page number is unknown.
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Kathryn Joan McDonald

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Kathryn Joan McDonald is my great-aunt. She is the sister of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Mary Eugenia McDonald - High School Graduation 1939

Mary Eugenia McDonald the daughter of Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker was born January 22, 1922 in Strattanville, Clarion, Pennsylvania.

The family relocated to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania in the 1920's. Mary Eugenia attended Academy High School in Erie, Pennsylvania and graduated on June 15, 1939. She was 17 years old when she graduated from high school.
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Mary Eugenia McDonald
Mary Eugenia McDonald Graduation Photograph
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Mary Eugina McDonald High School Diploma
Mary Eugenia McDonald High School Diploma
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash;
Mary Eugenia McDonald Diploma Cover
A copy of this photograph and Mary Eugenia's diploma were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Family Photo: Loraine Anthony McDonald & Frances Philomena Selker

Loraine Anthony McDonald & Frances Philomena Selker photographed together.
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Loraine Anthony McDonald & Frances Philomena Selker

The photo was found in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky. 

Loraine Anthony McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker are my great grandparents. They are the parents of my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. 

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Family Photo: Robert A. McDonald & Winifred A. O'Neill 50th Wedding Anniversary Party Guests

Another photograph from the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Robert Alphonsus McDonald and Winifred Agnes O'Neill was located in the Frances Philomena Selker collection. The original collection of photographs is available at the blog post Family Photo: Robert A. McDonald & Winifred A. O'Neill 50th Wedding Anniversary.

The 50th wedding anniversary celebration was celebrated in 1945. The couple was married June 23, 1895. Robert Alphonsus McDonald was 77 years old and Winifred Agnes O'Neill was 70 years old on their wedding anniversary.

Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Robert A. McDonald & Winifred A. O'Neill 50th Wedding Anniversar

The photo captures many of the party guests in attendance that day. Some of the known guests are labeled in the photograph below. Alice Grace O'Neill, Gertrude Anna O'Neill, Eleanor Monica O'Neill and Caroline Loretta O'Neill are all sisters of Winifred O'Neill. 

Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Robert A. McDonald & Winifred A. O'Neill 50th Wedding Anniversar

From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Robert Alphonsus McDonald and Winifred Agnes O'Neill are my 2nd great grandparents. They are the parents of my great grandfather Loraine McDonald. Loraine McDonald is the father of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Cabinet Card: Leopold George Selker, Jr.

Posted to the family photo album website is a cabinet card of Leopold George Selker, Jr. as an infant. Leopold may have been photograph in the fall of 1918 or the spring of 1919. The original cabinet card is lovely with an embossed border. The original photograph has an almost metallic appearance.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Selker Collection &emdash; Leopold George Selker, Jr.
Full cabinet card of Leopold Selker, Jr.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Selker Collection &emdash; Leopold George Selker, Jr.
Cropped and enhanced image of Leopold George Selker, Jr.
Leopold George Selker, Jr. was born July 28, 1918. He was the son of Leopold George Selker, Sr.(28 Sep 1891 - 10 Dec 1955) and Katherine V. Hartle (1894 - 01 Sep 1970). Leopold George Selker, Sr. was the oldest son of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth.

The photo was found in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photograph by Casterline Studio in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Leopold George Selker, Jr. is my 1st cousin 2x removed. He is a first cousin to my maternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are the common grandparents that link the cousins. 

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Loraine Anthony McDonald & Madelyn Ann McDonald

Loraine Anthony McDonald photographed with his daughter Madelyn Ann McDonald.

The photo taken in front of the family home at 422 E 19th St in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The photo was likely taken in the 1940's.
Michelle M. Murosky: The McDonald Collection &emdash; Loraine Anthony McDonald & Madelyn Ann McDonald
Loraine Anthony McDonald and Madelyn Ann McDonald
From the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Loraine Anthony McDonald is my great grandfather. He is the father of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

References:
  1. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 68-77. Record for Loraine McDonald

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Army Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski - Young American Patriot

Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski was born September 19, 1921 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Frank Bukowski and Theresa Filipkowski. In 1940 he was recorded living with his parents at 639 Twenty First Street in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Michelle M. Murosky: The Military Collection &emdash; Daniel L. Bukowski
Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski photo location unknown
On October 4, 1942 he enlisted with the United States Army at age 21. On December 17, 1945 he was discharged from military service.

In 1946 Young American Patriots was published. The collection of books was compiled to preserve the lives of the American men and women who served in World War II. The books were arranged by state. A biography for each soldier includes: name, branch of military served in, birth date, date and place entered service, and parents' names.

Sergeant Daniel L. Bukowski was featured in Young American Patriots on page 354. The text from his record reads:

"World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945 Bukowski, Daniel.  Sgt.,Army. Age 24. Entered Serv. Ict. 24, 1942. Cp. Claiborne; France; Ger.; Agrica; N. Zealand; Australia. Awarded GCM, As-Pac Rib., EAME Rib. Disch. Dec. 17, 1945. Attended Erie Tech HS. Catholic. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bukowski. Husband of Tillie Szulc Bukowski, 625 E. 14th St., Erie, Pa."

Michelle M. Murosky: The Military Collection &emdash; World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945
Young American Patriots Page 354
His entry in Young American Patriots indicates he was a decorated solider and received several military service awards. The military service awards he received are detailed below.

Army Good Conduct Medal:

"Authorized on June 28, 1941 for exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity and awarded to Army personnel who, on or after August 27, 1940, had honorably completed three years of active Federal military service. These military medals could also be awarded for one year of service after December 7, 1941 while the U.S. was at war. The award was not automatic and required certification by a commanding officer (usually a battalion commander or higher)." -Medals of America, Army Good Conduct Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal:

"Authorized on November 6, 1942, as amended on March 15, 1946. Awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 30 days of consecutive (60 days nonconsecutive) service within the European Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941 and November 8, 1945 (lesser periods qualify if individual was in actual combat against the enemy during this period). The front of the bronze medal shows a Landing Ship, Tank (LST) unloading troops while under fire with an airplane overhead. The reverse has the American eagle, symbol of power, standing on a rock, symbol of stability, with the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and dates, “1941-1945.”" -Medals of America, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

"Authorized on November 6, 1942 and amended on March 15, 1946. Awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 30 consecutive (60 nonconsecutive) days service (less if in combat) within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. The front of the medal shows a palm tree amidst troops with an aircraft overhead and an aircraft carrier, battleship and submarine in the background. The reverse has the American eagle, symbolizing power, on a rock, symbolizing stability, with the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the eagle’s back. The orange yellow of the ribbon represents Asia while the white and red stripes toward each edge represent Japan. The center blue, white and red thin stripes are taken from the American Defense Service Medal, referring to America’s continued defense preparedness after Pearl Harbor. A bronze star denoted participation in a campaign. A silver star attachment is used to represent five bronze stars. An arrowhead attachment is authorized by the Army and Air Force for participation in a combat parachute jump, combat glider landing or amphibious assault landing (only one arrowhead may be worn on the medal/ribbon despite the number of qualification events). The ribbon is worn with the center blue stripe on the wearer’s right." Medals of America, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 

The photograph of Daniel is from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Daniel L. Bukowski is my 1st counsin 2x removed. He is the son of John Frank Bukowski. John Frank Bukowski is the brother of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen's son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather.

References:
  1. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Year: 1940; Census Place: Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3650; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 68-75. Record for John Bukowski
  2. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990; Archive Collection Number: Series 2-1; Folder Number: 573.
  3. Ancestry.com. World War II Young American Patriots, 1941-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Record for Daniel Bukowski Page 354.
  4. Medal of America