Joseph and Minnie Motyka. Are we related?

This past December I got an email from my cousin, Kris Motyka. Kris is my mothers' brother (Stanley) granddaughter.  Her email stated she was contacted by a Karen Krupa who thinks her husband could be a cousin.  Her husband's grandmother is Sophie Motyka and is still alive at 95.  Karen sent her family history to Kris who in turn shared it with me.  Now my quest was to find the link in her Motyka family and in mine.

While in researching this link I found a BSO (bright-shiny-object) that I would have been discouraged by other genealogists to follow - keep on the current path - but I just had to do some digging on this new subject.  Sorry Kris and Karen, this was too weird to pass up. I'll continue my search for our connection again soon.

This is my BSO I couldn't resist:

While searching for a Joseph Motyka, in the Krupa line, I found on FindAGrave.com  a Joseph Motyka buried at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.  This is the same cemetery both my parents were laid to rest.  Ok now I'm intrigued.  My mother was a Motyka.

What I found was.... Joseph Motyka was born on 24 March 1886 in Poland.  I learned by the 1920 census he immigrated to the United States in 1904 and was Naturalized in 1915. He was married to a Minnie Yarosh, born 1894 also in Poland. They also had a daughter, Wilma, born 1914 and they all lived in Roundup, Musselshell, Montana, according to the 1920 census. Joseph was a miner and owned his own home.

By 1930 Joseph Motyka was listed on the Voter Registration Index living at 827 Sartori ave.  This is in Torrance, California.  Torrance is where my brother and I grew up.  My brother, Tom, is still there. I haven't been able to find them on any 1930 census though  I'm sure they are living at this same address because of the 1940 census put them at 827 1/2 Sartori Ave, Torrance, CA. Joseph was working at Coast Insulating Company in the asbestos industry in Torrance.

In 1937 their daughter, Wilma Motyka married George Perlewitz , born Idaho. His address listed on the marriage certificate was  2268 247th Street, Lomita, California.  George also worked at Coast Insulating Company along with Joseph.  I lived in Lomita for 26 years.  Just 67 years later.  I know exactly where this house is. The 1940 census also lists the Perlewitz's living next door at 827 Sartori ave., Torrance.

Joseph died 12 April 1963 at the age of 77 and was buried at Green Hills Memorial Park, RPV, CA

Minnie died in 1974 at the age of 90 and was also buried at Green Hills Memorial Park along with her husband. I'm not sure what happened to Wilma Motyka Perlewitz. I wonder if they or their family are still in the area.

I haven't been able to find a Motyka connection yet.  I know Joseph was naturalized in 1915 (1920 censes) but I'm having problems finding his papers.  Minnie was naturalized in the same year so I think they must have filed together. Their daughter, Wilma was born 1913 in Montana so I believe they were married. These papers would tell me what ship he/she came over on and where he/she was born in Poland.

 

I know he came to the United States in 1904 (1920 census). Minnie came a few year later in 1909.  If I could find the passenger list he is on this might tell me what relative he left in his home country (father, mother)  and who he was coming to the United States to see (relative or friend).

I was just so interested in a Motyka living in Torrance in the 1930's to 1963 I couldn't pass up this BSO . And being buried at the same cemetery as my parents, Bill Condit and Helen Motyka Condit. I just wonder what mom would have said if she was still alive? A Motyka in Torrance.

Next time I am in Torrance and go visit my parents grave I'm going to look for Joseph and Minnie and put some flowers on their grave.  Who knows, they might be my family too.