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VINSH FAMILY HISTORY1827 - 2004
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Some Czech Idioms***Vyhazovat penize z okna.To throw money out of the window.To throw money down the drain.***Vstavat se slepicemi.To get up with the chickens.To get up with the lark.*** Chodit po tenkem lede.To walk on thin ice.To skate on thin ice.***
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- 3 -Table of ContentsTable of Contents……………………………………………… 3Introduction ……………………………………………………4Section I - Our Bohemian Roots .……………………………..6Section II - Journey to Gernik….……………………………... 10Section III - Life in Gernik…………………………………….. 11Section IV - Emigration from Europe…………………………. 17Section V - Life in America………..………………………….. 20Section VI – Descendents………………………………………. 27Appendices……………………………………………………. 35References……………………………………………………... 40
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- 4 -VINSH FAMILY HISTORYIntroductionThe purpose of this narrative is to tell the story of what is known about the family history of BartaJoseph Vinsh and Antonia Caroline Mezera, especially their decision to come to America. This hasbeen a collaborative effort written from the perspective of first and second generation descendentsliving in America. Available information has been collected from a number of sources. Principalsources of information used include interviews with surviving children of Barta and Antonia, aCzech Radio documentary on Czech speaking people living in the Banat Region of present-dayRomania (translated by a Czech student visiting America during summer of 2002), the 1851 - 1853village registry of Gernik, the April 29, 1911 departure manifest of the S.S. California from the Portof Glasgow, the September 7, 1911 departure manifest of the S.S. Chemnitz (2) from the Port ofBremen, trip diary of Jim and Judy Blaha to the village of Gernik, Romania during the Summer of2003, and available U.S. public records. Much of the information about their emigration fromEurope is known and supported with documentation referenced in this narrative. However, there areadditional aspects of the Vinsh family history, such as confirmation of the connection betweenpresent-day Romania and Czech Republic, where additional records may or may not be available atthis time. Effort has been made to use available information to support reasonable conclusions withdocumentation. Italicized text denotes areas where either further interpretation of availableinformation is needed or where additional information is needed to support reasonable conclusions. This narrative should be considered an initial effort to document the Vinsh family history. Corrections and additions will be made in the next edition. There is much to learn. Most certainly, economic and social realities during the time Barta and Antonia lived in Europeinfluenced their decision to leave the familiar surroundings of their little village of Gernik in 1911. Understanding the economic and social conditions under the Austrian-Hungarian Empire during theperiod 1867-1918 and differences among the ethnic groups inhabiting the Banat Region where Bartaand Antonia lived, makes documenting the Vinsh family history especially challenging. In 1907,the Austrian-Hungarian Empire covered a large land area of 262,577 square miles, includingpresent-day Germany, Czech Republic, and Hungary; and contained about 48.5 million people. Themap on next page provides some perspective on these present-day countries in relation to Centraland Eastern Europe. The Empire was comprised of 11 ethnic groups. About half of the populationwas either German or Hungarian. The Czech population comprised about 13% and was considereda minority. The official languages were German and Hungarian. The established church wasRoman Catholic. Prior to the defeat of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire during World War I, thisgovernment was involved in frequent conflicts and sometimes, warfare with opposing interests. Asnew lands were added to the Empire, efforts were often made to colonize these new land areas withsettlers loyal to the Empire and the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. A frequent basis forpolitical tensions during this time involved a struggle over which government or monarchy woulddominant or what the official language would be among the different ethnic groups within theEmpire. For example, the village where Barta and Antonia last lived in southwestern Romania iscalled Gernik in Czech, Weizenried in German, Szorenybuzas in Hungarian and Girnic in theofficial Romanian today. Some historical information on major
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- 5 -United Nations map of Central and Eastern Europe showing proximity of Czech Republic and Romania
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- 6 -governmental change between 1820 and 1910 in Central Europe have been incorporated into thisnarrative to help explain Vinsh family settlement patterns. The spelling of the surname Vinsh characterizes language differences among the ethnic groupsliving within the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Vinsh is spelled (accents omitted) Vins or Vinc inCzech, Winsch in Hungarian, Wunsch in German and, possibly some other form in Romanian. Thename Wunsch means “wish or desire” in Czech and German. Wunsch (accents omitted) was usedduring the time Barta and Antonia traveled to America. After emigration, Winsch was the versionused until it was changed to Vinsh during the time the children began to attend public schools inAmerica. However, Barta continued to use Winsch, the Hungarian version he learned in school. Wedon’t know if the meaning was changed by adding the letter h.This narrative is presented in several sections. The first section is called Our Bohemian Rootsbecause it includes the earliest known information about the Vinsh family. The section, calledJourney to Gernik, explains how Czech speaking peasants from Bohemia came to live in the BanatRegion of present-day Romania. The next section is called Life in Gernik and includes informationabout what living is this small remote village was probably like near the beginning of the 20thcentury. Emigration from Europe provides a perspective on the difficult economic and social timesBarta and Antonia faced while trying to support a young family in Gernik. Available informationabout how they managed to reach America is included. The fourth section is called Life in America. This section includes early memories from surviving second generation descendants about theirstruggle to get established and assimilate in Central Virginia. The last section is called Descendantsand contains partial biographical information about the 3 daughters and 6 sons of Barta and Antonia. A partial listing of the family tree has also been identified. A list of reference materials used forthis narrative has been included in the Appendix. Several maps, documents and a number ofphotographs have been added to help give the reader a visual perspective of the Vinsh familyhistory. Most of the individuals in the photographs are identified by name.Section I – Our Bohemian RootsHistorians attribute the origin of the word Bohemian to the name of a Celtic tribe called Boii whoinhabited portions of central and western present-day Czech Republic prior to the 9th century. Urban settlement patterns in the Bohemia Region of the present-day Central European country ofCzech Republic started centuries ago. During the 15th century, economic and social characteristicsof Czech urban centers, such as Pilzen and Prague, were comparable to cities in Western Europe ofsimilar size. Historical accounts indicate prior to 1867, the Austrian Empire ruled the BohemiaRegion. During the early 1800’s, several colonization efforts were made to relocate Czech-speakingsettlers, among other ethnic groups, from the Bohemia Region eastward to the Banat Region. Theruling monarchy had an interest in populating its borders with settlers loyal to its government andleadership of the Roman Catholic Church. Between 1718 and 1867, the Austrian Empire ruled boththe Bohemia and Banat regions, as well as other large land areas in Central Europe. In 1867, anagreement was reached between the Austrian and Hungarian governments to form a “DualMonarchy” known as the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. After this time, the Austrian governmentruled Bohemia and the Hungarian government ruled the Banat Region. Both governments agreed to
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- 7 -combine resources on matters involving foreign affairs and defense. After WWI, the AustrianHungarian Empire ceased to exist, Bohemia became part of Czechoslovakia and the Banat Regionbecame the southwestern part of Romania. Available information appears to indicate that during the 1820’s some of Barta’s ancestors wereamong a group of families granted permission by the Austrian government to move from a smallBohemian village named Sira and help establish a new village in the Banat Region called Gernik,located in present-day Romania. Sira is located in present-day Czech Republic at North latitude 49degrees 49 minutes and East longitude 13 degrees 43 minutes near the Town of Zbiroh. Zbiroh islocated near the main travel corridor between the major cities of Prague and Pilzen. One basis forthis assumption is because the 1851-1853 census of Gernik, the village where Barta and Antonialived prior to coming to America, indicates two households with the surname Winsch. In 1911,Gernik was under the control of the Hungarian government. Information contained in two shipmanifests confirms that Gernik is the place where they last lived in Europe. Girnic is located in theBanat Region of present-day Romania near the western foothills of the Carpathian Mountainsapproximately 46 degrees North latitude and 22 degrees East longitude. The vicinity map on page 8shows a portion of southwest Romania. This web location of this map is www.suchy.wz.cz/photos/banat/ban_mapa.gif and was used by a bike tour group during theSummer of 2001. This group has also posted several of the photographs used for this narrative. Girnic is located less than 2 miles North of the Danube River and just East of the town of MoldovaNoua, as shown on the lower left portion of the map. Entry # 10 of the Gernik census lists Johann Wewerka and Anna Winsch and entry # 23 is forTomas Winsch and Barbara Marianna, including what appears as a subentry in the same householdfor an elderly male named Joseph born in 1782. The birth village cited for Tomas, Barbara andJoseph are all listed as Sira. This fact provides another basis for the conclusion of Czech ancestry. The 1851 - 1853 Census indicates the population of Gernik is comprised largely of Czech speakingRoman Catholics that came from the Bohemia Region. Information from this census was posted onthe Internet http://scbk.hyperlink.cz/gertab.htm however; this site may no longer be available.
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- 8 -Map used for bike tour showing the Village of Girnic within the Banat Region of southwestern RomaniaBarta’s death certificate indicates his parents were James and Caroline (or Carolina) Osvalt. However, a handwritten family record indicates the given names of Barta’s parents were Wesleyand Karalin. We are not certain if Wesley is an English version of Wenceslaus or if this was themiddle name used by James. It may be speculated that part of the Vinsh male line goes Barta,James, Tomas and Joseph. However, we do not have documentation on the connection withBohemia, other than the village name Sira is cited in the Gernik census. It may be possible that alisting of families granted permission by the Austrian Empire to leave Bohemia for the Banat duringthe 1820’s may be available, but we do not know this either. We are not aware of any attempts to
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- 9 -search civil or church records in either the Czech Republic or in Romania regarding the Vinshfamily history.The Gernik census also indicates several entries for Missera. This spelling may or may not be theHungarian spelling for Antonia’s surname Mezera or Masera. The birth villages for the Misseraentries are Hromnice, Tycek, and Zbiroh. These are all places in present-day Czech Republic. Antonia’s death certificate indicates her parents were John Mezera and Theresa Snauada. We knowless about Antonia’s family than about Barta’s. We do know her point of contact in the UnitedStates was Charles Mezera, who lived on Branders Bridge Road in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The Mezera family name exists today in the same vicinity. We are not sure if Charles Mezera wasAntonia’s uncle or one of her father’s cousins. Additional family pictures are shown in theAppendices, but we have not been able to identify many of the people.Available information indicates thattraveling by wagon and crossing theAppomattox River between Chesterfieldand the various Dinwiddie-Prince Georgelocations where the Vinsh family livedmade keeping up with Mezera relativesimpractical. Over time, contact was lostwith Antonia’s Mezera relatives. TheMezera connection to the Vinsh familyhistory is a significant area whereadditional information is needed. Antonia’s mother, Theresa Snauada and two small children
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- 10 -Section II – Journey to GernikEconomic conditions for Bohemian peasants during the 1820’s were not favorable. The AustrianEmpire taxed its subjects heavily to help pay expenses of a recent war with Napoleon’s armies alongwith other financial needs of this monarchy. The military forces of the Austrian Empire neededreplacement troops to serve its political and military interest, especially for guarding its extensiveborders against rival interests. Military service of 6 years for most males was a requirement. Theeldest male in a farm household usually inherited any farmland owned by a family and was usuallyexempted from military service. Many rural farm families did not own any farmland. Maleswithout farmland could lease farmland, work as farm laborers or join the military. Availablefarmland in Bohemia was limited and, as the population naturally increased over time, theopportunity to acquire farmland and some economic security was simply not possible for manypeople. Further, the practice of serfdom existed officially until a revolution in 1848. Prior to thistime, feudal lords controlled how serfs, including much of the peasant population, used the land.Therefore, a combination of high taxes, a lack of ability for many males to acquire farmland and themilitary service requirement all contributed to a general lack of economic opportunity for manyBohemian peasants. We do not know if Vinsh ancestors were serfs or freeholders.The Austrian Empire sponsored efforts to colonize the Banat Region on its eastern frontier byestablishing a series of villages. The first efforts to colonize the Banat Region with Czech settlerswas made during the 1820’s by Hungarian lumber interests in search of cheap labor to timber thevirgin forest of the Banat Mountains. In 1827, the Austrian government recruited a second wave ofCzech families to leave Bohemia and help colonize the eastern frontier of the Banat Region. TheHungarian government later organized a third wave of Czech settlers in 1862.It is believed that Barta and Antonia’s ancestors were among the second wave of Bohemian settlersthat decided to make the journey to the Banat Region, primarily in search of better economic andsocial opportunities. The Banat Region was located on the eastern frontier of the Austrian Empirebounded by the Mures River on the North, the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains on the East, theDanube River on the South and the Tisa River on the West. Leaders of the Austrian Empire wantedto maintain control over newly gained land areas in the heavily forested Carpathian Mountainslocated near the Danube River in the southwestern portion of present-day Romania. In order toenhance the presence of the Empire in the Banat Region, government leaders recruited peasantsloyal to Austrian Empire and the Roman Catholic Church. Families were recruited and grantedpermission to leave Bohemia to relocate in the Banat. About 11 ethnic groups, including Czechs,German, Hungarian, and Poles, established a number of villages in the Banat Region. Czechspeaking people established six of these villages. During the 1820’s Czechs were considered aminority ethnic group in the Banat, just as today. Families willing to relocate were assured ofreceiving free land and some financial support. Unlike conditions for peasants in Bohemia, thesesettlers were assured they would not be subjected to taxes or a military service requirement. Further, a Hungarian lumber merchant offered jobs to settlers willing to timber the virgin forest. Czech settlers first traveled from Bohemia to Vienna, the capital of the Austrian Empire, and thenfloated down the Danube River by raft until they reached the Banat Region. Although historicalaccounts indicate the complete journey took about 2 months, a direct line drawn on a map indicates
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- 11 -Sira and Gernik are less than 600 miles apart. Most likely, roads did not extend into the easternfrontier. Upon arrival, settlers were required to report to the local military command to receive anentrance certificate to allow them to stay. Settlers had to possess a passport, an entrance certificateand a certificate saying they had sold all their property in Bohemia. Settlers were given land andtemporary housing. They were told they could not leave the Banat. The new settlers soon realized conditions would not be as good, as promised. Their new home inthe Banat Region was completely forested, uninhabited and rocky. The settlers were promisedfarmland but what they received was hilly forestland. The dense forestland had to be cleared beforeany crops could be planted. The climate differed somewhat from what the settlers were accustomedas summers were warm and winters cold with temperature extremes ranging from a high of 100degrees to lows of –25 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Banat, most of the rainfall normally occurs duringthe warm periods and ranges between 20 and 40 inches annually. The physical work required of theBanat settlers was much more demanding than farming established fields back in Bohemia. Nevertheless, these hardy pioneers endured. They built log houses, cut timber and cleared suitableland to make into fields for farming. The men cut the trees and the women dug the stumps. Section III – Life in GernikThe village of Gernik was the largest of the 6 Czech villages established during the period 1827-1828 in the Banat Region. Gernik is located approximately 44 degrees 30 minutes North latitudeand 21 degrees 30 minutes East longitude in southwest Romania only about 1.5 miles north of theDanube River. Land elevation in the Gernik vicinity ranges between 1,300 and 3,300 feet above sealevel. This elevation is significantly higher than what the settlers were accustomed to in Bohemia. Gernik is located within Caras-Severin County about 3 hours travel time by car southeast of theRomanian city of Timisoaro. The Banat Region is known for its picturesque landforms, mineraldeposits, native flora and fauna. Today, the mountainous terrain and flowing rivers of the BanatRegion attracts visitors seeking high adventure activities, such as rock climbing, rafting and caving. The Czech settlements were able to survive despite unfavorable farming conditions, limitedresources and limited support from the Austrian government. Cold winters, diseases, wild animals,and unfamiliar pests impacted their lives. Historical accounts indicate the Czech settlers feltextremely isolated from their former homes in Bohemia. They received little guidance from thegovernment on how to survive in this remote and mountainous new land. Despite the hardships, the Gernik population increased from 469 in 1830 to a high of 1,400 by theyear 1937. However, after WWII its number of residents began to gradually decline. In 2002,Gernik, the largest of the 6 Czech villages, had only 525 residents. In recent years, a nearby coppermine closed. Some opportunity for employment continues in the coalmines located in the nearbyMolda Novo. Today, a number of young people are leaving Gernik and relocating in the CzechRepublic in search of more employment and social opportunities. In the Czech Republic, residents of Gernik and other Czech villages in the Banat Region are knownas Czech Banats. The Czech Banats are interesting to residents of the Czech Republic because their
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- 12 -language, customs and traditions have changed very little over the last 170 years. The Banatremains isolated and free from many outside influences. Farming still accomplished with hand tools This photograph was taken in 1998 and shows a working water-powered mill used to grind grain into flour. This activemill is located within about a 3-hour walk of Girnic. and draft animals. Gernik farmers still make their pitchforks and build their wagons today. Thecurrent level of technological development in the Banat is not much more advanced than when Bartaand Antonia emigrated in 1911. The typical household contains few modern conveniences but isvery self-sufficient. Further, the negative impacts of communism generally never reached theremote Banat region. This is why Radio Prague and several Czech universities made thedocumentary on the Czech Banats several years ago. (This website is no longer posted on theInternet.) Gernik residents have remained largely isolated over the years and sheltered from manyoutside influences.
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- 13 -The picture above was taken by group of mountain bikers on tour just outside of Gernik during the summer of 2001 andposted on the Internet. The picture shows the hilly fields used for farming and draft animals still used to transport theharvest by wagon.Significant social changes in the Banat Region occurred after 1867 when the Austrian-HungarianEmpire was established as a Dual Monarchy. The Hungarian government assumed more directcontrol over the Banat Region was a more restrictive than the previous Austrian government. TheHungarian government directed many of the ethnic groups, including the Czech-speakingpopulation, be considered Hungarians. Czech schoolteachers were replaced with Hungarianteachers. Hungarian became the official language for administrative purposes. Changes in theofficial language used for education, civil and church record keeping were a cause for civil discordamong minorities in Central Europe during this time period. Changes in language are a form ofsocial change that makes genealogical research especially difficult. Depending on the period,Latin, German, Hungarian and Romanian have been used as official languages in the Banat. TheBlaha 2003 trip diary to the Banat mentions difficulties encountered in searching family names asdifferent languages for keeping official church and civil records have been used over time. It ispossible for an individual’s birth to be recorded in Latin, marriage to be recorded in German anddeath to be recorded in Hungarian all within the same archive. It appears some church records areavailable in Gernik. It is likely these records indicate some Vinsh families lived and may still live inthe Banat vicinity. Further, available administrative and church records in the Pilzen and Praguedistricts may also indicate connections with the Vins family in the Czech Republic.
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- 14 -Although information about Barta’s family is limited, available information indicates the names ofhis parents were James Vins and Carolina Osvalt. Barta’s father, James Vins (far left). The others are unidentified.Barta’s death certificate and hand written family records indicate he was born on July 12, 1882. Hewas the eldest of four brothers. The names of the boys were Barta, Fred, Joseph, and Stevie. Fredwas the farmer. The names of Barta’s sisters were Barbara, Anna and Katie.
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- 15 -Of the three sisters, Annawas suppose to come toAmerica with Barta, but forsome reason, did not makethe journey. Bartacorresponded with Annaafter coming to America. Each time she sent a letter hwould send her a letter alonwith a few dollars. Annagave birth to twins andcontinued to correspond wBarta until his death in 1942.Katie, as Barta, wasmusically inclined and sangopera. She immigrated inBelgrade, Yugoslavia andalso corresponded withBarta. Availableinformation indicates shemarried, but had no children. Barta received training inmusic from his father. Bartawas a musician and playedthe harmonica beforecoming to America. Information indicates thatJames; in addition to being afarmer, was a teacher ofmusic. Barta’s brotherswere concerned that Barta,being the eldest male, wouldlater return to Gernik andclaim ownership of thefamily farmland after Jamesdied. Available informationindicates Barta’s brotherssold the farmland after Barta’s sisters and motherJames died. We do not know egithif any Winsch relatives are presently living in Girnic.As military service for most males was required before marriage, we assume Barta completed his 6-year term of military service sometime between his 18th birthday in 1900 and the time he andAntonia married in April 1908 when she was 19 and he was 26. The custom was for the girl to
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marry at 18. However, Antonia wanted to save and wait another year in order to acquire a piece offurniture and additional items for her “hope chest” (household furnishings) before getting married. Photograph of Barta in center with two friends inAustria-Hungarian military uniform. Photograph of Antonia and one of Barta’s sisters. They were married on April 28, 1908. Barta was employed as a coalminer when their first child,Maria, was born June 25, 1909. His job in the coalmine paid well, but was dangerous work. Marie’sgiven name was changed to Mary after she entered grammar school in America. The village calledGernik in Czech, Weizenried in German, Szorenybuzas in Hungarian, or Girnic in Romanian, wasthe last place Barta and Antonia lived together in Europe. As stated earlier, available information indicates Antonia’s maiden name was Mezera. Her fatherwas John Mezera. We assume the Mezera family also lived in Gernik. Antonia was born on April13, 1889 and attended school through the sixth grade. The name of her mother was Theresa Snaudaor Trisa Shedva. Theresa died when Antonia was only 7 or 8 years old. A tragic story passed on by Antonia to her children provides a commentary regarding state of civilauthority that likely existed in Gernik during latter part of the 19th century. One day Antonia’syounger brother was with some other boys in an orchard eating fruit. The owner of the orchard got- 16 -
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angry and chased the boys. He caught the smallest one, Antonia’s brother, and kicked the little boyto death. There were no authorities to deal with the incident. The local priest was the villageauthority, but nothing was done about the death of the child.Today, children in Gernik are taught the Czech language thru the 3rd grade and then Romanian. Educational opportunities are still limited and, in recent years, many of the young people have beenleaving Gernik and relocating in the Czech Republic. Gernik was spared impacts of communism following World War II because of its relative isolationfrom outside influences. Farming has always been accomplished in the form of family units. Thefarmers live in the village and travel outside during the day to work in the fields. Photographs takenby visitors and posted on the Internet indicate much of the farming activity is focused on haying andpastureland for grazing animals. Village farmers actually make their own pitchforks and wagonstoday. Grains are made into flour by small water-powered mills. The Czech Banats are very self-reliant and make most of the necessities they need to live, just as their ancestors did over 170 yearsago. They eat locally produced natural foods. They provide their own entertainment withBohemian folk music and dancing. The church remains the center of social activities in thecommunity. The extent of the Czech Banat interaction with the general Romanian populationtoday is not known.During the summer of 2003, Jim and Judy Blaha made a trip to Gernik and have provided a detailedaccount of their trip. This trip diary provides much insight into life in Gernik today. In the vicinityof Gernik, nearly all the roads are unpaved and in poor condition. The village is located along avalley with a small stream. Houses and barns line the street. The buildings are well constructed,clean, but have few modern conveniences. The most prominent buildings in the village are thechurch worship center and community center. The church structure was originally constructed in1857 and dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, patron saint of Czech people. The original church,including a portion of the town, was destroyed by fire around 1900. The church was rebuilt and it islikely this was the church where Barta and Antonia were married in April 1908. A picture of therebuilt church, included in the Blaha trip diary, depicting the prominence of this structure in thecommunity and the Gernik countryside, is shown of the front cover of this document. The churchremains the spiritual and social focal point of the community. A Czech speaking priest is stillassigned to the Banat. He travels a circuit ministering and visiting a number of villages.
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SECTION IV – EMIGRATION FROM EUROPEIn the year 1867, the Austrian Empire was defeated by Italy and Prussia. A result of this historicalevent was the development of an agreement between Austria and Hungary to establish a “DualMonarchy” in which the Banat was to be controlled by the Hungarians. In 1868, the Hungarianleadership introduced several strict laws. These laws included a provision that made Hungarian theofficial language of the Banat Region. Hungarian was taught in primary schools and used forofficial record keeping. Barta and Antonia were taught Hungarian in the school they attended intheir home village. Family surnames and village names in the Banat Region were changed. Many ofthe new names were unrecognizable to the Czech-speaking residents. The village name of Gernikwas changed to Szorenybuzas. Ethnic groups living in the Banat, including the Czech speakingpeople, did not view these social changes favorably. The Hungarian Army had been drafting males from the Banat Region for years. Males wererequired to serve in the military before marriage. In 1882, the Austrian-Hungarian Empire enteredinto an agreement with Germany and Italy to form an alliance to strengthen their mutual defense incase of attack by France or Russia. Available information indicates that during the spring of 1911Antonia was pregnant with their second child, Anna, when Barta was notified military servicerequirements had changed. He was being required to serve again in the Austria-Hungary military.Available information indicates Barta’s daily military pay would roughly have equaled the cost of apack of cigarettes at that time and would have provided little compensation to support a family. It isreasonable to assume this was the time Barta and Antonia made their decision to leave the BanatRegion for America. Antonia and baby Maria moved in with one of Antonia’s sisters. Barta quietlydeparted Gernik and managed to obtain a passport. Photograph of Barta and Antonia with daughter Mary and Houska family.- 17 -
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During this same time, it is our understanding news was being received from America that goodfarmland was available in the South along with employment opportunities. Further thegovernment was not oppressive. Also, information published by local land development companiesduring the 1910 time period encouraged Czech immigrant farmers to come to Central Virginia topurchase farmland. Land sales literature attracted a number of Czech and German families in themid-western states seeking a better farming climate. Testimonials were published in nativelanguages and told about abandoned farms in the South following the American Civil War. We donot know if these booklets or other promotions were sent abroad. Probably, a more convincing casefor Gernik residents to consider relocating in Central Virginia were reports from relatives andother contacts who had already emigrated, such as some of Antonia’s relatives. The presence of aCatholic Church, an existing Czech farming community, available farmland and a favorable climateall likely contributed to their decision to locate in Central Virginia. By the spring of 1911, Barta and Antonia had made their decision to leave for America. Because ofBarta’s military status, they most likely decided it would be safer to emigrate separately. It appearsBarta and Antonia obtained passports with different formats. However, both documents include theAustrian-Hungarian coat-of-arms. Available information indicates Antonia was not allowedpassage from the Port of Bremen, Germany until after her child was born. Anna, the second child,was born July 22, 1911. We do not know if Antonia returned to Gernik with Maria until Annie wasborn or remained near the Port of Bremen during this time period. We assume Barta started hisemigration during the late winter of 1911. Antonia and the two children did not leave Europe untilSeptember 1911. Barta’s passport appears to be dated March 7, 1911 and was obtained in Vienna, Austria. Hisoccupation is listed as journalist. The place name Szorenybuzas is written on his passport. Barta’semigration information includes a ticket dated April 25th for travel between Basel, Switzerland andAntwerpen, Belgium. This document appears to also indicate he was to board the S.S. California inAntwerpen, Belgium bound for New York, U.S.A. via Glasgow, Scotland. The manifest for theS.S. California indicates Barta departed the Port of Glasgow on April 29, 1911 and arrived in thePort of New York on May 8, 1911. A copy of a portion of this ship manifest is shown in theAppendix. Available information indicates Barta traveled first class and the S.S. California crossedthe Atlantic Ocean in 9 days. Barta’s ship manifest also indicates his destination was Petersburg,Virginia and point of contact as a cousin named Joseph Glazier. Antonia’s passport was dated August 22, 1911 and was obtained in a place located near the Port ofBremen in Germany. Her occupation is listed as housewife with Szorenybuzas, Hungary as lastplace of residence. Antonia’s emigration information includes a boarding authorization documentindicating passage charges for her and 2 children amounting to 150 marks, plus an entry fee for thePort of Baltimore of 20 marks. She and her two daughters departed the Port of Bremen, Germanyon September 7, 1911. A copy of a portion of this ship manifest is also shown in the Appendices. Her destination is listed as Petersburg, Virginia. Crossing the Atlantic aboard the S.S. Chemnitz (2),a modified freighter, took 14 days. Her ship manifest indicates the ship arrived at the Port ofBaltimore, Maryland on September 21, 1911. Antonia often told her children the ship was crowdedand the crossing was not a pleasant trip. There was very little drinking water and powdered milkavailable on the ship. After landing, she expressed no interest in boarding another ship. Mary wastwo years old and Anna was only 2 months old at this time. Fortunately, Antonia was able to- 18 -
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travel on the ship to Baltimore and later by train to Petersburg with friends from the Houska andUzel families. Jennie Houska, Antonia’s niece, eventually settled in Elsie, Michigan, frequentlycorresponded and visited with Antonia back in Virginia. Jennie Houska was 101 years old whenshe died on November 24, 1994. She was also from Szorenybuzas and married Frank Houska in1908, the same year as Antonia and Barta were married. Given the military status of Barta and thefact that he had been missing since April, it is unclear why authorities permitted Antonia and hertwo daughters to board ship in September at the Port of Bremen, Germany. Translation andinterpretation of these documents may yield further information. Little is known about processing requirements Barta and Antonia experienced after reaching America. Available documents appear to indicate that some type of physical examination and/orvaccination was required at both ports of entry. However, available information indicates Antoniawas eventually able to secure transportation via train for herself and her two daughters fromBaltimore, Maryland to Petersburg, Virginia. Her scheduled connection with Barta in Petersburgwas missed, initially, because of confusion related to the passenger and the freight station locationsin Petersburg. Help was obtained after Mrs. Uzel was able to speak with a Jewish lady in Germanregarding directions to Wagner’s store on Halifax Street. A black man showed them the way toHalifax Street. The distance from the train station(s) in Petersburg near the Appomattox River upthe hill to Halifax Street was considerable for Antonia to walk with 2 small children. Both Uzelsand Houskas accompanied her to the store. Barta and Antonia only had $50.00 at this time and theyowned money for passage expenses. They initially lived with Joe Mezera in Dinwiddie. Thefamily later moved in with Charles Mezera in Chesterfield, along with the Frank Uzel family, andmanaged to live in two rooms. It is not known if Wagner’s store functioned as settlement house inPetersburg for newly arrived immigrants. The Mezera relative(s) evidently had left Europesometime earlier and became a Winsch point of contact in America. Also, a Mezera relative mayhave provided a loan for the passage expenses of Antonia. SECTION V - LIFE IN AMERICAAvailable information indicates the Winsch family stayed with a Mezera household in Dinwiddiefor a period of time. Antonia’s father, John Mezera, remained in Gernik. Charles Mezera lived inChesterfield and Joe Mezera lived in Dinwiddie. They were cousins. Prior to the time Barta andAntonia purchased the Temple farm on West Quaker Road in Prince George County, they hadmoved 9 times since they were married and did not want to move again. At some point during thistime period, Barta was able to secure a job working as a laborer for the railroad for 25 cents a day. Barta also earned money by farming and playing music. Available information indicates the moneyhe earned was used to help repay a loan from the Mezeras. The places the Winsch family lived inCentral Virginia were as follows:1. Dinwiddie with Joe Mezera - During this time Barta and Antonia acquired a mule and $50towards a second mule.2. Chesterfield with Charles Mezera - Along with the Frank Uzel family, the Winsch familylived in a small 2-room house. The names of the Uzel children were Joe, John, and Theresa. - 19 -
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During this time, Margaret Malon’s grandfather, Frank Blaha sold Barta a cow, and foradditional 2 dollars, received 2 pigs. Franks’s wife gave the Winsch family 5 hens and arooster. She said the children needed to eat eggs. 3. Dinwiddie, U.S. Route 1 near railroad tracks - Farmland was rented from a family namedCacks (spelling and pronunciation uncertain). This place had a nice two-story house, butwas sold to the Mack family. Frank, the 3rd child, was born on October 8, 1913 at thislocation. While living on the farm near the church in Dinwiddie, Mary was assigned theresponsibility of caring for baby Frank while Barta and Antonia worked in the fields. Oneexample of how the work ethic was instilled in the children at an early age was Mary’s jobof caring for baby Frank. Mary was responsible for pulling a small cart carrying Frank outto the fields where Barta and Antonia were working so Antonia could nurse him. Mary wasonly 4 or 5 years old at this time. One time, the cart over turned. Frank was not hurt butMary got a spanking from Barta. Antonia felt bad about Mary’s spanking. 4. Dinwiddie, Squirrel Level Road – This farm apparently included a home site that only had astanding chimney. Barta and some neighbors built 2 small rooms onto the chimney. Bartacut firewood and then hauled it into town for sale. When he made trips to town, Barta wouldload the wagon with manure and haul the manure to the sandy farm fields he rented in orderto amend the nutrient poor soil. Barta was not successful in improving the sandy land. Thefarm was sold at auction and the Winsch family moved out of Dinwiddie.5. Prince George, Bull Hill Road – Barta rented a farm owned by Frank Kvasnicka, but had tomove out after a crop share dispute. Theresa was born on January 7, 1916 at this location.Joe was born November 29, 1917 six months before they moved from this location. 6. Prince George, Birchetts Place – This farm was fine, except it was located too far from thechurch on Route 460 and school on Rives Road. 7. Prince George, Wagner’s farm (near Church of the Sacred Heart) – Barta was able to raise agood crops here, but got upset and moved after staying only 1 year following a crop shareagreement with the land owner.8. Prince George, West Quaker Road, Temple Farm After moving to the Temple Farm on West Quaker Road (Quaker Road), Antonia and Barta decided they were tired of moving. They wanted to purchase the 70-acre farm from JamesTemple, its owner. The owner wanted cash. A loan from Stephen Glazier was secured inthe amount of $4,500 at a 6 percent interest rate to purchase the farm. At this time, theTemple farmhouse was a 4-room, 2-story structure. - 20 -
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Photograph of Barta and Antonia with 6 children. The location of this farm is not known. From left to right, the namesare Frank, Joseph, Wesley, Barta, Theresa, Mary, Antonia and Annie.- 21 -
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Undated aerial photograph of the Vinsh farm on West Quaker Road in Prince George, Virginia Robert, the seventh child, was born February 1, 1922 during the first winter at the Temple place. Later, Barta added several rooms on the north side of the house to accommodate his growing family. Barta and Antonia made the final farm payment only a few years before Barta died during the winterof 1942 on the 23rd of February. He had returned home from a hunting trip near the vicinity of theBrandon Plantation in southeastern Prince George County near the James River. The day was foggyand he was sick. A doctor was called to the house and Barta was admitted to the hospital. He died3 days later of a heart related problem. By any measure, the farm purchase on West Quaker Road has to be considered a milestone in theVinsh family history. It must have been source of much pride for Barta, Antonia and the children. Its proximity to the church on Route 460 and the school on Rives Road was something they desired. It must have been a financial struggle for the family to make the farm produce enough income tosupport a family of 11 and make the farm payments, especially during the “Great Depression” years. We really can never know how hard all the family members had to work on and off the farm, so thefamily could financially survive during these early years in America. To make financial ends meet,the children often had to work on the farm rather than continue their education in public schools.Available information also indicates that although Barta had experience as a musician, soldier andcoal miner in Europe, he apparently did not have much prior experience with farming. According tomarket demand, the primary crops raised on the farm were Spanish peanuts and corn. Farm life inAmerica was very different than farm life Gernik. In America, farmers lived in a dispersed patternwith houses physically located on the farm. In Gernik, farmers lived clustered in the village- 22 -
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surrounded by farmland tracts. Farms in Central Virginia were only about 150 feet above sealevel and contained few rocks. The winters in Central Virginia were milder than those in theCarpathian Mountains. The language difference became an issue as the Winsch children began attending public schools. The schoolteachers did not allow the children to speak Czech in school and the parents did not allowthe children to speak English at home. In fact, available information indicates the children werepunished at home and in school, if they disobeyed these practices. We can only imagine howdifficult it must have been for the children to attend school and try to make friends with others whilenot being able to speak English. Barta was fluent in several languages, including Czech,Hungarian, and German and had some knowledge of a several others. However, he did not knowany English or understand the American monetary system when he first came to America. Antoniaalmost always spoke Czech. Even after living for many years in America, she spoke very littleEnglish. On April 9, 1921, Barta Winsch received his Certificate of Naturalization (shown in theAppendices) after completing legal requirements in Richmond, Virginia. Naturalization in theUnited States at that time was a 2-step process that took at least 7 years to complete. Naturalizationwas not a requirement for Barta or any immigrant. However, this process enabled him and hisfamily members as aliens to become U.S. citizens and, upon age, vote in local, State and nationalelections. The first step for naturalization may be initiated after the alien has been in the U.S. atleast 2 years and is called the Declaration of Intent. This document, signed by the applicant,indicates a desire to become a U.S. citizen; renounces allegiance to any foreign government andprovides background information on applicant’s immigration. The second step involved a petitionto the court for citizenship; an oath of allegiance to the U.S. of America and contained statementsfrom 2 witnesses indicating the applicant is of good character and residency. Also, until 1922,wives of men who completed the naturalization process and, until 1940, children under the age of 21automatically became U.S. citizens. Barta’s Certificate of Naturalization names all existing familymembers. Joseph, youngest at this time was 3 years old. A copy has been included in theAppendix. It is not understood why Barta traveled to the State capital in Richmond to complete hisnaturalization certification as any court of record could administer this process. Historicalinformation indicates that frequently Protestants from Western Europe who had settled in the UnitedStates earlier did not view Catholic immigrants from Central and Eastern European countriesfavorably because of their religious connection with the Pope in Rome. Regardless, the completionof the naturalization process is likely to have been a source of satisfaction because Barta andAntonia certainly never had the opportunity to vote in democratic elections previously. TheHungarian government in the Banat Region did not conduct elections to determine governmentalleadership. Barta interest in music continued until his death. He learned to play the E-Flat clarinet from a mannamed Urban. He later taught his sons to play musical instruments: Frank the trumpet, Joe thebaritone, Wesley the B-Flat clarinet, and Robert the E-Flat clarinet. We have not been able to locatea photograph of Barta and his sons with their musical instruments.- 23 -
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Photograph of Barta, shown on the left, with one of his bands. Band members pictured left to right are William Hanzlik,Albert Cizek, Joe Chudoba, Wesley Olevarus, Joe Hanzlik, Joe Piecek, Louis Hanzlik, Wesley Hanzlik and Joe Bendal.Barta also taught music to children at church. During the summer months he would travel toVirginia Beach to play music and earn extra income for the household. While out of town, he oftenstayed in hotels. The hotels provided boxes of breakfast cereal for its patrons. Barta would packboxes of cereal in his suitcase and bring them home for his children as treats. Barta organized several brass bands with 10 to 12 men each that played polkas and waltzes forsocial gatherings. Barta often played his harmonica for weddings. It is likely many of the socialgatherings included dances in the parish halls of the Church of the Sacred Heart in New Bohemia,located near the Vinsh farm on West Quaker Road in Prince George County, and at the originalparish hall of St. Johns on Squirrel Level Road in Dinwiddie County. Barta and several of his sons joined the Virginia National Guard Band. The military unit met inPetersburg once a week. Membership in a military unit demonstrated their support of thegovernment in America and provided some additional income for the family. Several of the sonsjoined military services with specialties as bandsmen. Later, some were transferred to active dutyduring WWII. - 24 -
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arta’sdaaeurg. t.Antonia enjoyed watching hergrandchildren grow up. She likedgrowing plants, especially gladiolus andpeonies, and maintained a small flowergarden near the farmhouse. Her flowerarrangements were frequently taken tochurch on Sundays and placed on Bgravesite before Mass. As mentioneearlier, Barta died in 1942 at the age of59, just a short time after he and Antonipaid off the loan for the farm. Antoninever remarried. She continued to livon the West Quaker Road family homeplace. Later, she lived with her daughterTheresa on Young’s Road in PetersbAntonia died on August 19, 1983 at theage of 94. Her cause of death was aresult of stroke during a brief stay in thehospital. Both Barta and Antonia areinterned in the cemetery located adjacento the Church of Sacred Heart on U.SRoute 460 in Prince George County,Virginia. Barta and Antonia sought bettereconomic and social opportunities forthemselves and their children. Throughout their 34 years of marriedlife, they took risks and worked hard toestablish a family in a different countywhere, at first, they did not know thelanguage or even what living in a Barta in Virginia National Guard uniform with 2 daughtersdemocratic society would be like. They believed America would provide better economic andsocial opportunities. They managed to raise a family, acquire property, help assure freedom in theirnew homeland with military service and continued to receive spiritual guidance from the CatholicChurch. During their lifetimes they were able to fully realize Life in America did indeed provide thevery opportunities they sought for themselves and their children. - 25 -
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SECTION VI – DESCENDENTS Barta and Antonia raised 9 children during their lifetime. A family portrait taken near the frontporch of the home place on West Quaker Road in Prince George County, Virginia is shown below. Brief biographical sketches of the children have been provided along with partial listings ofdescendents. The numbers towards the left margin of the descendancy chart indicate the generationnumber beginning with Barta and Antonia. The start of the 6th generation has commenced and thereare now over 130 descendents. Corrections will be made and additional information added withfuture updates of this family history.Seated with Barta and Antonia are John and Charles. Joe and Frank are standing on the left. Robert and Wesley arestanding on the right. Theresa, Annie and Mary are standing in the second row. - 26 -
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Mary/MariaMary/Maria Antonia Vinsh, the first child of Antonia and Barta, was born on June 25, 1909 inGernik, Hungary. She married Charles Albert Blazek on November 23, 1925. They made theirliving on a farm in western Prince George County and raised two children, Rose Marie and LouisCharles. Charles Albert Blazek died in December 1981. Mary now resides with a granddaughter onHalifax Road in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. 1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Mary Antonia Vinsh b: June 25, 1909+Charles Louis Blazek b: November 28, 1902 d: December 19, 19813 Louis Charles Blazek b: June 16, 1926+Ann Harrison Blazek b: August 21, 19284 Charles Louis Blazek b: March 19, 1951+ Sherry Johnson Blazek b: July 15, 19535 Tarah LuAnn Blazek b: February 4, 19765 John Charles Blazek b: December 13, 1980+Vanja Janjetovic Blazek b: January 5, 1982 m: April 14, 20006 Ella Noel Blazek b: February 8, 20015 Charles Louis Blazek, III b: May 25, 19824 Glen Edward Blazek b: June 11, 1957+ Sue Blazek b: July 16, 1957 m: October 23, 19825 Daniel Stephen Blazek b: December 25, 19855 Sarah Ann Blazek b: September 14, 19873 Rose Marie Blazek b: November 5, 1928 d: March 31, 2000 +Gordon Calvin Hickman b: _______ 4 Rosemary Elaine Hickman b: August 12 1949+William Lewis Jennings b: October 11, 19495 Jon Christian Jennings b: October 24, 1970+Malynda Strickler b: ______6 Charles Anthony Jennings b: December 31, 2002+ Peter Anthony Feddo b: Oct.18, 1941 m: Jan. 5, 1980 d: March 7, 20015 Peter Anthony Feddo, Jr. b: June 28, 1983 +Alton Uzel b: July 11, 1921 m: _______ d: April 21, 19924 Caroline Alexandra Mary Uzel b: May 7, 1960 +Robert Hudson Fowler, Jr. b: March 19, 1962 m: August 23, 19935 Alexander Fowler b: July 10, 1996 5 Hannah Marie Fowler b: March 23, 19985 Eric Fowler b: May 18, 20005 William Alton Fowler b: May 18, 2000 d: May 17, 2000- 27 -
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4 Robert Mack Uzel b: August 24, 1962 +Sara Jones b: October 8, 1962 m: June 4, 19875 Mallory b: March 3, 19925 Camille b: November 13, 1993Anna/AnnieAnna Carolyn Vinsh, the second child of Barta and Antonia, was born July 22, 1911 in Gernik,Hungary. She married William Joseph Hanzlik of Prince George, Virginia on April 10, 1934 atSacred Heart Catholic Church in New Bohemia. They had two children, William (Billy) Charlesand Elizabeth (Betty) Ann. Their first residence was a farm located on Rives Road. Later, thefamily moved to a farm on Wagner Road, also located in Prince George County. Anna, William(Willie) and their son William (Billy) are buried at Southlawn Cemetery, located in Prince GeorgeCounty, VA. 1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19832 Anna/Annie Carolyn Vinsh b: July 22, 1911 d: December 14, 1971+ William Joseph Hanzlik b: October 11, 1904 m: April 10, 1934 d: July 5, 19783 William Charles b: February 3, 1935 d: August 3, 19623 Elizabeth Ann b: November 22, 1936 + Curtis Harlow b: January 10, 1937 m: December 15, 1957 4 Joyce Arleen Corriere b: September 5, 1958 5 Karen Louise b: July 23, 19854 Jeffery Curtis b: July 20, 1963 + Lauri Ann Turconi b: September 30, 1966 m: October 17, 19925 Brittany Ann b: April 17, 19945 Rachael Elizabeth b: September 22, 19965 Jenna Marie b: November 22, 19994 David William b: December 19, 1964+ Elizabeth Schade b: June 26, 1965 m: April 23, 19885 Logan Patrick b: March 15, 2001- 28 -
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FrankFrank Charles Vinsh, the 3rd child of Barta and Antonia Vinsh, was born on October 8, 1913. Hemarried Annie Barbara Blaha on October 29, 1935 in St. John’s Catholic Church in Dinwiddie,Virginia. They lived in Dinwiddie, Hopewell, Petersburg, and then moved back to Dinwiddie wherehe farmed and worked at Allied Chemical. In 1952 they moved to Squirrel Level Road with theirfour children Franklin, Cecilia, Harvey and Connie. Annie died in November 1955 and Frank inSeptember 1995. They are buried in St. John’s Church cemetery in Dinwiddie.1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Frank Charles Vinsh b: October 8, 1913 d: September 13, 1995+Annie Barbara Blaha b: October 3, 1912 m: October 29, 1935 d: Nov. 19, 1955 3 Franklin Charles Vinsh b: September 22, 1936+Mary Cruz Baca b: May 16, 1937 m: June 28, 19584 Michael James Vinsh b: April 3, 19604 Anna Maria Vinsh b: May 6, 19625 Hunter Austin Vinsh b: June 23, 19944 Susan Yvonne Vinsh b: August 21, 1963+Phillip Brown b: January 9, 1963 m: March 22, 19865 Brittany Brown b: February 20, 19875 Reed Brown b: November 28, 1989+Ron Jolly b: January 13, 1947 m: September 26, 19925 Garrett Jolly b: November 12, 19914 Steven Anthony Vinsh b: September 6, 1966+Kathy Daly b: April 6, 1967 m: June 20, 19925 Kyle Steven Vinsh b: September 4, 19935 Kelsey Marie Vinsh b: July 17, 1998 3 Cecilia Ann Vinsh b: January 25, 1938 +Jerry Blaha b: August 11, 1935 m: August 9, 19624 Jeffrey Lynn Blaha b: October 23, 19624 Gregory Lee Blaha b: May 8, 1964 +Toni Kline b: October 22, 1963 m: April 19, 1997 5 Joshua Ryan Blaha b: January 20, 20005 Jacob Alexander Blaha b: October 8, 2001 4 Melissa Gayle Blaha b: November 29, 1966 4 Daniel Thomas Blaha b: September 25, 1973+ Stacey Miller b: August 31, 1972 m: October 25, 20035 Riley Alexandra Blaha b: April 14, 20024 Brian Patrick Blaha b: October 22, 1977 3 Harvey James Vinsh b: August 10, 1945+Patricia Pillow b: November 27, 1946 m: November 11, 19724 Harvey James Vinsh, Jr. b: June 29, 1974 4 Angela Marie Vinsh b: March 21, 1979 - 29 -
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+John Richard Cabaniss b: October 1, 1975 m: October 10, 19983 Constance (Connie) Marie Vinsh b: January 29 19504 Kelly Frances Marcum b: April 23, 1968+ Darrel Elmore b: May 31, 1966 m: April 8, 20005 Holly Marie Elmore b: February 20, 20015 Cole Jacob Elmore b: February 20, 2001 4 Elizabeth Kaye Marcum b: July 30, 19794 Timothy Scott Marcum b: January 28, 1971+Terry Kline b: December 6, 1966 m: September 18, 2004 TheresaTheresa Josephine Vinsh, the 4th child, was born January 7, 1916. She was married in the Church ofthe Sacred Heart in Prince George, Virginia on October 30, 1937 to Louis John Blaha. Louis isburied in Southlawn Cemetery, located in Prince George County. They raised four children. Thefirst two children, Jennie and Lucille, were born in the farmhouse on Rives Road, also in PrinceGeorge. The second two children, Rosemarie and Louis, Jr. were born in Petersburg GeneralHospital after the family moved to a farm on Squirrel Level Road in Dinwiddie County. The lastmove Theresa and Louis made was in 1953 to their home at 1710 Young’s Road in DinwiddieCounty, now part of the City of Petersburg.1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Theresa Josephine Vinsh b: January 7, 1916+ Louis John Blaha b: February 21, 1915 m: October 30, 1937 d: August 14, 19743 Jenny Blaha Jones b: March 13, 1940+William Jones b: July 12, 1939 m: July 9, 19604 Cheryl Jones Bales b: April 8, 1961+Jeffrey Scott Bales b: August 6, 19665 Christopher James b: October 25, 19815 Ryan Scott b: September 4, 19925 Maria Nichole b: April 20, 20014 Kevin Scott Jones b: June 24, 1963 d: November 25, 19903 Lucille Blaha Moran b: November 10, 1941 + Raymond Moran b: Oct. 24, 1934 m: Sept. 20, 1974 d: July 28, 19873 Rosemarie Blaha DiMantova b: May 24, 1946 d: January 15, 1999+ Harry Harvey Jones b: February 27, 19464 Thomas Louis Jones DiMantova b: October 18, 1965+Anita LaMonica b: April 21, 19545 Sara Elizabeth b: June 8, 19874 Brian Mathew Jones DiMantova b: September 29, 1967+Barbara Lee b: July 28, 1948 +Kathy Izyk b: December 26, 1966 - 30 -
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5 Billie Marie b: December 1, 19895 Brian Mathew II b: December 1, 1989+Victor DiMantova b: November 16, 19394 Courtney DiMantova Baltos b: February 10, 1973+Joseph Charles Baltos, Jr. b: July 17, 19665 Alexander Joseph b: December 13, 19995 Brooke Rosemari b: May 2, 20023 Louis John Blaha, Jr. b: April 5, 1948+Brenda Peyton b: August 31, 1949 m: June 20, 1970JosephJoseph James Vinsh, the 5th child of Barta and Antonia, was born on November 29, 1917. Hemarried Emily Theresa Chudoba on June 13, 1947 in St. John Catholic Church in DinwiddieCounty, Virginia. He and his wife made their home on West Quaker Road in Prince GeorgeCounty, Virginia. They raised four children: Joseph Vinsh, Jr., Fred Tony Vinsh, JoAnn Skalskyand Barbara Antonia Vinsh Priode. Emily died of breast cancer in September 2, 1970 and Josephdied of colon cancer in January 13, 1990. They were buried in the Church of the Sacred Heartcemetery in Prince George County, Virginia. 1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Joseph James Vinsh b: November 29, 1917 d: January 13, 1990+Emily Theresa Chudoba b: March 2, 1920 m: June 13, 1947 d: September 2, 19703 Joseph James Vinsh, Jr. b: May 21, 1950 +Mary Elizabeth Booker b: January 5, 1954 m: March 20, 19824 William Joseph Vinsh b: April 19, 1984 3 Fred Tony Vinsh b: October 30, 1953 d: August 25, 1997 3 Joann Vinsh b: August 21, 1956 +Charles Skalsky b: May 6, 19504 Melissa Nicole Skalsky b: April 2, 1977 4 Amanda Emily Skalsky b: October 8, 1981 4 Bryan Charles Skalsky b: February 26, 1985 4 Kelly Jo Skalsky b: February 26, 19853 Barbara Antonia Vinsh b: August 8, 1959+Kenneth Leon Priode b: October 17, 1958 m: May 19, 1984 4 Antonia Renee Priode b: August 9, 1989- 31 -
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WesleyWesley William Vinsh, the 6th child of Barta and Antonia Vinsh was born on January 25, 1921. Raised on the family farm I Virginia, he left home in 1942 to join the U.S. Navy and serve in WWII. He was stationed on the USS Washington based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He met AnnaGrayaske at a USO function. They were married in May 1947 and made their home in Philadelphia. Wesley and Anna had 5 children: Donald, Carole, Thomas, Celeste and Sharon. Wesley is currentlyretired and living in Petersburg, Virginia.1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Wesley William Vinsh b: January 25, 1921+Anna Marie Grayaske b: April 28, 19193 Donald Joseph Vinsh b: April 5, 1950 Philadelphia, PA+Karen Withsosky b: June 17, 1952 Philadelphia, PA4 Robert Wesley Vinsh b: March 1, 1972 Abington, PA3 Carole Ann Vinsh b: April 23, 1952 Philadelphia, PA+Glen McCann m. July 14, 19714 Timothy McCann b: May 22, 19744 Maureen McCann b: December 30, 19794 Caroline McCann b: September 25, 19843 Thomas John Vinsh b. September 20, 1953 in Philadelphia, PA+Janet West b. June 18, 1953 m. May 19, 19794 Adam Vinsh b. March 26, 19834 Allison Vinsh b. January 15, 19863 Celeste Vinsh b. July 29, 1955 in Abington, PA+Kenneth Wolf m. May 18, 19814 Jacob Wolf b. December 12, 19853 Sharon Vinsh b. January 18, 1961 in Abington, PA+Bruce Kitchen b. May 1959 m. December 12, 19824 Elizabeth Kitchen b: November 22, 19804 Brian Kitchen b. May 27, 19834 Paul Kitchen b. January 18, 1989- 32 -
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RobertRobert Joseph Vinsh, the 7th child of Barta and Antonia Vinsh, was born on February 1, 1922. Hemarried Josephine Marie Kump on August 19, 1944 while serving in the military and stationed atFort Benning, Georgia. After WWII, they made their home near Washington D.C. in the City ofAlexandria, Virginia. They raised 3 children: Bartholomew (Bart), Dianne and Matthew. Robertand Josephine retired on April 1, 1982 and moved to Concord, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. 1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Robert Joseph Vinsh b: February 1, 1922+Josephine Marie Vinsh b: January 16,19223 Bartholomew Francis Vinsh b: August 6, 1950 in Washington, D.C.+Connie Diane Yates b: September 4, 1955 m: July 3, 19933 Diane Romona Vinsh b: August 12, 1955+Norman Lepchitz b: April 10, 1955 m: November 19, 1977 3 Matthew Vinsh b: May 3, 1959 +Kimberly Odam b: March 21, 19694 Matthew Justin Vinsh b: June 18, 1989 4 Kistin Brook Vinsh b: August 7, 1991 JohnJohn Fred Vinsh, the 8th child, was born April 1, 1924 at 5100West Quaker Road, Prince George,Virginia (the Vinsh family home place). In 1951, he married Rosie Marie Horak in Sacred HeartCatholic Church in New Bohemia, Virginia. Both are buried at Southlawn Cemetery, located inPrince George County, Virginia. They raised three children. Joyce, David and Jean were born inPetersburg General Hospital and were raised at the family home place.1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 John Fredrick Vinsh b: April 1, 1924 d: October 8, 2004+Rosie Horak b: October 8, 1929 m: _______ d: July 5, 19923 Joyce Vinsh b: April 12, 1952+Donald Rackley b: ________ 4 Amy Nichole Rackley b: ________+Danny Walters b: _________5 Brianna Nichole Rackley b: ____________3 David Michael Vinsh b: March 11, 1955+Mary Evelyn Rose McConnell b: Sept. 15, 1959 m: March 7, 2980 4 Lisa Ann Vinsh b: August 13, 19824 Mallory Kay Vinsh b: November 5, 1984- 33 -
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4 Aaron Lynn Vinsh b: January 18, 1986+Carter George Jackson b: January 29, 1986 m: Jan. 29, 20035 Conner George Jackson b: April 14, 20044 Antonia Danielle b: April 13, 19874 David Michael Vinsh, II b: November 11, 1988 3 Jean Frances Vinsh b: October 4, 1958CharlesCharles Francis Vinsh, the 9th child, was born August 26, 1926. He married Margaret Simmons ofPrince George. They made their home on Baxter Road in Petersburg. They raised two children,Thomas and James. Charles and Margaret are buried near their son James at Southlawn MemorialPark in Prince George County, Virginia. 1 Barta Joseph Vinsh b: July 12, 1882 d: February 23, 1942+Antonia Mezera Vinsh b: April 13, 1889 m: April 28, 1908 d: August 19, 19422 Charles Francis Vinsh b: August 26, 1926 d: July 9, 2000+Margaret Simmons b: _______ m: _______ d: December 31, 20023 Charles Thomas Vinsh b: November 18, 19633 James Everett Vinsh b: November 7, 1954 d: August 5, 2004+Mary Mulligan b: _________ m: May 14, 19834 Jennifer b: _________4 April b: ___________- 34 -
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- 42 -References“Colonization of the of Czechs in the Southern Romanian Banat”http://www.genealogy.ro/cont/czechs.html“Why they went, Czech Emigration to America, 1848-1914”, Rozmberk Society, 1998-2002.(http://www.rozmberk.org/English/Kojakovice?Why_They_Went.htmlPrzecha, Donna, “Notes on Naturalization,” from Genealogy. Com, April 1, 1998.(http://www.genealogy.com/1_donna.html)Trip Diary of Jim and Judy Blaha Titled “Road to Girnic”, Summer 2003.“New Bohemia’s Origins Are Still Quite Vivid”, The Progress Index, September 23, 1979.“Czech Immigrants Continue To Enrich Prince George In Early 1900’s”, Prince George Journal,Oral History Series, October 19, 2001.“Austria-Hungary”, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary)“The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy”, The Catholic Encyclopedia,http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02121b.htm
