Yesterday we spent the entire day in Stebnik...a full day to say the least as we visited five family homes.
The first stop was at the old log home where Adam's and my cousin Anna Pidani used to live. Her two sons were there and invited us inside.
Milan had gone mushroom picking earlier in the morning.
They were able to share a lot of older photos with us and more photos from Minneapolis that had been sent to them from the Felegy family!
Our second stop was to visit Mrs Hudak who is Debbie's grandmother's cousin. She was a dear, sweet lady who was full of emotion upon seeing Debbie and the photos she brought with her. Her youngest son had previously lived with them and renovated the house. It looked like something out of a decorating magazine...quite unusual by Rusyn village standards.
Next we went to the house where Randy's grandfather came from. The original house was no longer standing but a newer one was built in it's place. The Masica relative had died a few years ago but his wife had information along with family photos which she shared with Randy. Turns out that the wife was a Roman and she and Nina figured out they were related as well.
!
Their house had an in-ground swimming pool believe it or not
Our next stop was at my cousin Stefan Rusinak's house. I have finally figured out how we are related but it is not on my father's (Rusinak) side but rather on my mother's father's side AND my mother's mother's side. So confusing! No wonder genealogy in these villages is difficult!!! They know how I love mushrooms and sent me home with a huge bag of dried ones. I promise to share when I get back home!
We were able to go inside the church in Stebnik for a bit after the end of the service but not before we sang Many Years to the ladies coming out of church.
It is such a lovely and peaceful place.
Our last stop was at my cousin Jozef Tkach's house. We jokingly call him "Slivo" Tkach as he always keeps our glasses full when we are visiting and doesn't take no for an answer.
They have restored he old house where my grandmother was born so everyone had a chance to see what these houses actually looked like when their grandparents lived here.
Nina departed from our group mid-afternoon to visit her relatives in Svidnik. They had an enjoyable visit with three generations. We also saw a post on Facebook that Cheryl was able to connect with her relatives in Ukraine.
Today we are off to spend our last full day in the village of Becherov and to say some final goodbyes to others. We hope to check out some cemeteries and do some last minute shopping as well.
The first stop was at the old log home where Adam's and my cousin Anna Pidani used to live. Her two sons were there and invited us inside.
Milan had gone mushroom picking earlier in the morning.
They were able to share a lot of older photos with us and more photos from Minneapolis that had been sent to them from the Felegy family!
Our second stop was to visit Mrs Hudak who is Debbie's grandmother's cousin. She was a dear, sweet lady who was full of emotion upon seeing Debbie and the photos she brought with her. Her youngest son had previously lived with them and renovated the house. It looked like something out of a decorating magazine...quite unusual by Rusyn village standards.
Next we went to the house where Randy's grandfather came from. The original house was no longer standing but a newer one was built in it's place. The Masica relative had died a few years ago but his wife had information along with family photos which she shared with Randy. Turns out that the wife was a Roman and she and Nina figured out they were related as well.
Their house had an in-ground swimming pool believe it or not
Our next stop was at my cousin Stefan Rusinak's house. I have finally figured out how we are related but it is not on my father's (Rusinak) side but rather on my mother's father's side AND my mother's mother's side. So confusing! No wonder genealogy in these villages is difficult!!! They know how I love mushrooms and sent me home with a huge bag of dried ones. I promise to share when I get back home!
We were able to go inside the church in Stebnik for a bit after the end of the service but not before we sang Many Years to the ladies coming out of church.
It is such a lovely and peaceful place.
Our last stop was at my cousin Jozef Tkach's house. We jokingly call him "Slivo" Tkach as he always keeps our glasses full when we are visiting and doesn't take no for an answer.
They have restored he old house where my grandmother was born so everyone had a chance to see what these houses actually looked like when their grandparents lived here.
Nina departed from our group mid-afternoon to visit her relatives in Svidnik. They had an enjoyable visit with three generations. We also saw a post on Facebook that Cheryl was able to connect with her relatives in Ukraine.
Today we are off to spend our last full day in the village of Becherov and to say some final goodbyes to others. We hope to check out some cemeteries and do some last minute shopping as well.
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