July 31, 2015

So far I have not gotten any results back from my search request from USCIS.gov for Valentine Motyka (1892-1967) file. But then the website did say to give them 90 days to retrieve the file.  According to Mary Leszcczak Motyka's affidavit" Statement of Facts for Preparation of Petitions" Valentine Motyka was naturalized on this date, July 31, 1927, 88 years ago today.

                                                       Wilbur Herbert Condit 1919-2011

Also on this date 74 years ago, July 31, 1941 my father Wilbur Herbert Condit enlisted into the Arm.  Many years ago, when he was alive, I had asked him about his time in the Army.  This is some of what he told me.
       " I spent a year in basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. I was then sent to Aberdeen, Maryland.  I was trained in ordinance-mechanical. I serviced aircraft guns. From Maryland I was shipped to California where I lived in tent in Burbank until housing in Torrance (Normandie and Torrance Blvd) was built.  I would work out at Point Dune assisting the military as they trained for war.  I remember going down to Torrance Beach and watching planes with attached parachutes being shot at by ground crews."

Another thing he remembered while in Torrance was how him and few of his buddies would sneak into downtown Torrance to go to the bars. If a car came down Torrance Blvd. they would all duck behind bushes to hide.  I guess none of them were ever caught.

At one point dad told me he had a Rainbow badge on the shoulder of his uniform.  I looked into this and found the 42nd Infantry Division that wore the Rainbow badge on their shoulder sleeve.   After being deactivated after WWI this division was activated again on 14 July 1943 then overseas November 1944 in the campaigns of Rhineland, Central Europe and is still currently headquartered at the Glenmoore Armory in Troy, New York with the New York National Guard(1).  On April 29, 1945 this 42nd Rainbow Division liberated a major sub-camp of Dachau, the first concentration camp established by Germany's Nazi regime.(2)  The Dachau camp system grew to include nearly 100 sub-camps which were mostly work camps located throughout southern Germany and Austria. My dad remembers being there in Austria. "People were very skinny.  They wore the blue and white stripped uniforms that hung from their thin bodies and were scrounging around for food.  There were piles and piles of bodies. As they walked around the liberated camp the prisoners would wave and thank them."

(1) Wilipedia, 42nd Infantry Division (United States)
(2) hppt://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dachau-liberated

After the war Wilbur H Condit met Helen M Motyka back in New Jersey,  got married , traveled to Southern California for an aerospace job. Bought their first home in Gardena,  California, eventually moving to Torrance, where they lived till their dying day.

AncestryDNA results comparisons / Mary Leszczak's arrival on the SS Potsdam?????

Another HOT month in Redding, California.  Was 120  deg. in our backyard yesterday.  A good reason to stay inside and do some genealogy research.

I have recently decided to change computer programs for my genealogy.  I'm going to reenter my family information from Reunion10 for Mac to RootsMagic.  RootsMagic has so many helpful videos, webinars and a Facebook page for help of all kinds.  I can't find that with Reunion.  So my goal is to reenter all the records I have ( vitals, census, directories, photos, etc) by individual into RootsMagic . Plus RootsMagic is synced with FamilySearch so I get a lightbulb in RootMagic when a new record is found in FamilySearch. My goal is to get every record, research note, photo I have of a person into RootsMagic. Everything in one place.    I'll let you know how this goes.


Now for the AncestryDNA results for Crystal Condit Gormley (myself), Thomas Condit (my brother) and Kenneth Condit (my uncle, brother to my father, Wilbur Condit).

                                                                                                              Crystal   Tom    Ken                              
East Europe - Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria,                   45%     36%     4%
                       Russia, Hungary, Slovenia, Ukraine, Belarus,
                       Moldova, Lithuonia, Latvia, Bosnia

West Europe - Primarily in Belgium, France, Germany,                        29%    49%      24%
                        Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg,
                        Liechtenstein. Also found in England,
                        Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic

Scandinavia - Primarily found in Sweden, Norway, Denmark                  5%      7%      22%
                      Also found in Great Britain, France, Germany,
                      Netherlands, Belgium, The Baltic States, Finland

Ireland - Ireland, Wales, Scotland. Also found in France, England          6%       5%     23%

Great Britain - England, Scotland, Wales.  Also found in Ireland,           4%       -          8%
                        France, ,Germany,  Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands,
                        Switzerland, Austria, Italy

Italy/Greece - Italy, Greece                                                                          4%      2%      14%

Finland/Northwest Russia                                                                            4%      -            1%

Asia                                                                                                               2%     <1%        -

Caucasus                                                                                                        1%                  1%

Liberian Peninsula                                                                                          -       <1%        -

European Jewish                                                                                             -          -         3%
                                                                                                                   ___________________
                                                                                                                     100%  100%   100%
Bold indicates the countries of which I know of heritage.
Wales or England is where John Cundit  (Condit) immigrated from.
Germany is where the Maile family immigrated from.
    Uncle Ken mentioned at my last visit in May, that his grandfather, Gottfried Maile spoke
    French.  He said he spoke English, German and French.  I'll have to ask my cousin Jerelyn Toath
    about this.  She may know. Maybe we've got some French relatives too.
Poland, Austria is where the Motyka, Leszczak, Naperiracz families are from.


 The continuation of Mary Leszczak Motyka's A-file.

On an affidavit" Statement of Facts for preparation of Petition"dated 22 Aug 1956 Mary Motyka stated she travels to New York with her cousin Matthew Bakowski coming to see Mary Bakowski in New York.  They had traveled on the SS Potsdam arriving 3/10/1908.

I have not found many passenger lists for the SS Potsdam. I could not find a Leszczak listed at all.  I did found one Matthew Bakowski b: 15 Aug 1884, Galicia, Poland in the 1920, 1925, 1930 and 1940 Federal US Census for Manhattan, New York. He was married to a Mary Bakowski about the same age. They had a son, Henry Bakowski born about 1908. On the 1930 Census it states that Matthew arrived in the US in 1909.  Mary Leszczak Motyka listed it as 1908.

I've looked EllisIsland.org, Ancestry.com, and FamilySeach.org , 1908, 1909, thinking if I could find Matthew on the passenger list then Mary Leszczak Motyka would be there too.  But to no avail.  I Have found nothing. But I will keep searching.

On another note: On Mary Leszczak Motyka's affidavit" Statement of Facts for Preparation of Petition" dated 22 Aug 1956 she states she was married to Valentine Motyka on 22 Oct 1916 in New York. He was naturalized on July 31, 1927 at Newark, NJ.  Certificate # 2477707.

I could not find his naturalization papers on-line but I did find where I could request a Index Search (USCIS.gov) for Valentine Motyka.  This would include his C-file ( Certificate of Naturalization) and any other records that exist on him. Once these are found they will contact me to see what records I would like copied.  I never knew my grandfather got his Naturalization papers so it will be interesting to see if there is any new information for me about him or his parents.


If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment at the end of this post.

Crystal Condit Gormley








                       




   

My Condit Family Tree / Motyka A-file

Welcome back.

A month has past and I have been thinking about this blog.  It's called Condit Family Finds but I also want to write about my mothers side of the tree.   My mother, Helen, was a Condit for 56 years but I don't know too much about her side, the Motyka side, of the family.  So I've decided to post what I know and what I've found  concerning the Condit's along with new discoveries about the Motyka's.  This way I can cover both sides of the family tree in the same blog.


Let me introduce you to my Condit Family Tree.


 My father:  Wilbur Herbert Condit        b: Mar 1919  d: Aug 2011
                     m: Helen Mary Motyka        b: Feb 1924     d: Aug 2004


My Grandfather:  Herbert H George Condit        b: Sep 1894     d: Oct 1982
                      m:  Elsie Margaret Maile        b: May 1897     d:Jul 1972


  My Great Grandfather:  Ezra Adolophus Condit        b: Mar 1893     d: Nov 1948
                      m:  Ernestina (Tillie) Oertel        b: Jan 1868     d: Dec 1905


My 2nd Great Grandfather:  Asa F. Condit          b: Jun 1835     d: 1883
                      m:  Susan Keefer        b:1840     d: possibly 1887


My 3rd Great Grandfather:  Ezra Fairchild Condit        b: Dec 1787     d: Feb 1829
                      m:  Phebe K Cobb        b: 1814     d: 1867


My 4th Great Grandfather:   Hiram Condit        b: Dec 1787     d: 1844
                      m:  Rhoda Corby        b: Dec 1788     d: ?


My 5th Great Grandfather:   Isaac Condit        b: Jul 1759     d: Feb 1829
                      m:  Phebe Baldwin        b: Oct 1760    d: Nov 1835


My 6th Great Grandfather:   Jonathan Condit        b: Oct 1736     d: Aug 1823
                      m:  Jemima Condit        b:   ?      d: ?


My 7th Great Grandfather:    Samuel Condit        b: Dec 1696     d: Jul 1777
                     m:  Mary Dodd       b: Nov 1698     d: May 1755


My 8th Great GrandfatherL   Peter       b: 1670     d: 1714
                      m:  Mary Harrison     b: 1673     d: 1761


My 9th Great Grandfather:   John Condit (Cundict)        b: 1653    d: 1713


That's my tree in a nut shell.  More about each of them in future posts.

Now for a DNA update.  I met with my brother, Tom Condit, and my uncle Ken Condit while in Southern California this month and administered their DNA test, sealed them and off in the mail.  I checked Ancestry.com the other day and they have both been received and I should get the results in 6 to 8 weeks.  Now there is a future post.


                    Now for my Motyka Family Tree


1. Walenty Motyka       b: 1892   d: 1967
               m: Mary Leszczak       b:1891   d: 1978

2.  Pawel Motyka        b: 1876     d:?
               m: Maria Napieraez     b: ?     d:?


Like I said, I don't know much about the Motyka side. So welcome to my journey of discovery.

In my last post I stated that I requested and received my grandmother, Mary Leszczak Motyka's, Alien Case File from the National Archives at Kansas City. This is what the 24 photocopied pages contained.

     Date stamped Sep 19, 1940 is the Alien Registration Form #1950932.
 It states that Mary Motyka , entering the US as Mary Leszczak (Maiden) was born on 22 Feb 1891 in Jaraslaw, Czelatyce, Poland.  She was a polish citizen.  She measured 5'2", weighing 136 lbs with grey hair and blue eyes.  She arrived in New York City on 3/10/08 upon the S.S. Potsdam.  She has lived in the US for 32 years (which calculates to being age 17 when she arrived). She was a housewife living at 374 Elm St., Newark, Essex, New Jersey.  She was married with 3 children and belonged to the Polish American Falcons - Newark, N.J.    Signed by Mary Motyka

     Date stamped Feb 3, 1942 is an Address Report Card - Alien Registration #1950932.  This postcard was mailed to Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Alien Registration Division, Washington,  DC.
It states Mrs Mary Motyka last address was 374 Elm Street, Newark, New Jersey is now living at 574 Grove Street, Irvington, New Jersey.  Dated November 1941. Signed Mary Motyka

     Dated Jan 8, 1951 is a Address Report Card #1950932
Stating Motyka, Mary registered under the name Mary Motyka is living at 457 14 Av, Irvington, New Jersey, county of Essex. She was born Feb 22, 1891 and is National of Poland.  Signed Mary Motyka

     Dated 7/16/56, Al 950 932 App.gp, District Newark.NJ - Application for Immigration and Naturalization Service.  There is a FBI - Identification Division copy, a FBI - Investigative Division copy, a File Copy, a Washington Field Office Copy and a Chief, and a Investigations Section copy
These all copies of the same form that states Mary Motyka was for 2/2/1891 in Poland. Her maiden name is Mary Leszczak.  Her parents names are Michael Leszczak and Marcella Leszczak. She is 5'3"( she was 5'2" in 1940) weighting 138 with grey eyes (notice the eye color change from the 1940 form too), grey hair, white complexion with two moles on chin.  Residence of last five years is 457 14th Ave., Irvington, New Jersey.  From 1948 to present.  Spouse's name is Valentine Motyka born 10/27/1892 in Poland. Organizations she belongs to it the Falcons-104A .
The FBI-Identiciation Division form has a stamp on it " FBI Fingerprint Record A-4 Attached". Plus there is a photo of Mary Motyka with the application.

     Date stamped Aug 10, 1956 is Application To File Petition For Naturalization
Alien Registration Mary Motyka No. 1950932
In the Court in Newark, NJ Mary Motyka living at 457 14th Ave, Irvington, Essex, NewJersey  desired to file a petition for naturalization.  She has lived from 1948 to 1956 at 457 14 Ave, Irvington, NJ. Is a Housewife. Married once. Husband married once. Never has been in an insane or similar institution. Has never had a mental disorder. Belongs to the Falcons - 104A organization. Filed Income Tax in 1955.
                                Statement of Facts for Preparation of Petition
Mary Motyka living at 457 14Av, Irvington, Essex NJ, housewife. Born Feb 22, 1891 in Czelatyce, Poland.  5'3", 138lbs, 2 mole on chin. Citizen of Poland.  Married Valentine on Oct 22, 1916 in New York, NY. He was born Nagnajow, Poland on Oct 27, 1892. He entered the US at New York on March 10, 1911. He was naturalized on July 31, 1927 at Newark, NJ Certificate # 2477707 (I was unaware of this and have been unable to locate so far).  They have 3 children.  Stanley Motyka born NY on Aug 7, 1917 now living in Chicago, ILL.  Henry Motyka born Newark on Jan 30, 1921 now living in Paterson, NJ. Helen Condit born Newark on Feb 9, 1924 now living in Gardenia, Cal. (notice the spelling of Gardena). Mary entered New York under the name of Mary Leszczak on Mar 10, 1908 on the Rotterdam or Potsdam (I believe its the Potsdam from Rotterdam). Her fathers full name is Michael Leszczak. Her Mothers name is Marcella Leszczak. She immigrated to the US with a person named Matthew Bakoskwi - cousin, going to New York to see Mary Bakoswki.  (Written on the bottom of this form is a statement.  "No arrival Postdam or Rotterdam at New York on March 1908". with a stamp UNABLE TO VERIFY) (So far I haven't been able to locate it either).

     A letter to Mary Motyka dated October 22, 1956 from 1004 Broad St., Newark, NJ
States that from the information furnished to there office they were unable to locate a record of evidence of her lawful admission into the United States.  Unless she could supply them with more information she would have to apply to have a record of her legal admission created under the provisions of Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

     Not sure if this is where it ended for Mary to obtain her naturalization papers or not.  Included in this batch of 24 photocopied pages were 2 letters to a Mrs. Maria Motzka living at 200 West Prospect Street, Waldwick, New Jersey.  They stated if she wanted to bring her case up-to-date she needed to submit a new application and be refingerprinted. I don't have any information of Mary and Valentine ever being at this address.  Not sure if this letter got into the wrong folder. There is another letter from Mary Motzka to a Mr. Tornberg but the signature of Mary Motzka is a lot different than Mary Motyka's on all the other forms.  I think I will just assume these two letters got filed into the wrong place. They just don't seem to fit.

For future research I need to:
      -find Mary Leszczak arriving into New York on the S.S. Potsdam
     - look for Valentine Motyka's naturalization papers
     - find out who Mary's cousin Matthew Bakoskwi who was traveling with her on the Potsdam
     - find out who Mary Bakoswki is living in New York
     - what is the organization Polish American Falcons that Mary Motyka belonged to

I've got my work cut out for me.

Please come back next month to see what other treasures I've uncovered.

Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page and any suggestions you may have for me on about this post or future posts.







                       







       

Welcome to the first Condit Family Finds blog post.

30 April, 2015

Welcome to my new blog, the Condit Family Finds.  I'm glad you stopped by.

 In my blog I plan to post everything I am doing in my genealogy family research. Instead of sending emails to family members to explain what I've found, I will be posting all of my "finds" here on the last day of each month. Then it will be my families' choice to follow these blogs if they wish.

Names I will be researching are Condit, Motyka, Leszczak, Maile, Oertel. Others will be added as research expands.

For my first blog I want to share with you my DNA results from AncestryDNA.

East Europe is from the Polish/Austria side of the family (Motyka, Leszczak).
West Europe is from the German side of the family (Maile).
Scandinavian - who knows where this came from????

What I read into this is that I received more DNA from my mom's side of the family, Helen Motyka Condit, then from my dad's side, Wilbur Condit.  I have the results attached to my Ancetry.com tree.  And with that I have one shared ancestor, my 6th Great Grandfather, Captain. Jonathan Condit who fought in the Revolutionary War, plus 16 4th cousins who's trees are either not public or I need to visit their trees to find the matching ancestor on Ancestry.com.  Lots of work to be done here. And then my Uncle Ken Condit and my brother, Tom Condit have agreed to be DNA tested next.  It will be interesting to see what their results are.

Interesting don't you think?

Next month I will be posting about my grandmother, Marie (Mary) Leszczak Motyka. I sent away for her A-file ( alien file) from the National Archives.  A-Files contain all records of any active case of an alien not yet naturalized as they passed through the United States immigration and inspection process.  I will post what I find so make sure you come back next month.

If you have any questions or comments please leave a comment at the end of the post.