Michael Sedich 1873 to 1942
Who was he really??
Family history tells the story that, Mike/Michael/Meta/ Sedich/Sedick/Sedic immigrated from Yugoslavia, coming to the US the first time around 1900, leaving behind his wife, Anna and 3 daughters, then returning to get them or sending for them, by this time one of the daughters has died. I have at this point not found Immigration or Naturalization papers on any of the family, only the statement in the 1920 census that Mike and Anna were "aliens" and in the 1930 census that Mike was a Naturalized citizen. The immigration year that they list is 1907 in both census'.
Mike came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire which was in existence as a monarchy from 1867 to 31 Oct 1918. This empire officially recognized the following languages and ethnicities of its citizens: Croatian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Turkish and Ukrainian. So who was Mike?? Serbian, Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Romanian??? All of the above! Family history states that Mike periodically attended St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, PA. He did not have an Orthodox burial service nor did the church have any record of his membership. I found this info or lack of it in 2003, when I contacted the church. Perhaps this is because of lack of money, divorce or because his sons were raised in a Protestant Children's home after the death of Anna.
The 1920 Census, Beaver Co, White Township, PA reveals:
Mike Sedick birth year 1875, Birthplace Hungaria, Father and Mother's birthplace Hungaria. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, at this point Mike is still an "alien". He states "yes" that he can read and write and that he can speak English. He is listed as a Laborer (non-specific where or what type) He rents the place where he lives.
Mike's wife is listed as Steffenie, this is his 2nd wife, birth year 1878, birthplace Hungaria, same for her mother and father. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, Steffenie is an
"alien" and can neither read or write or speak English.
Mike and Steffenie have his 3 sons living with them. These are the sons of Mike and his first wife Anna
William born 1916, PA
Zigma (Jim) born 1918, PA
George born 1920, PA (actual birthdate 8 May 1919 he was 7 months old at the time of this census)
There are 2 boarders living with them.
The two older daughters of Mike and Anna, who were both born in Europe, are already married, both in arranged marriages to older men. This was not uncommon, since the idea was to marry daughters within the same ethnic group and to men who had some substance or prospects.
Mike's wife Anna died sometime in 1920 and is buried in Beaver Falls Cemetery. It is said that she did not recover from the birth of youngest son, George and died from some kind of kidney failure. Her gravestone simply reads, Anna Sedich, mother 1878 to 1920.
Sometime between 1920 and 1925 Mike Sedich marries a woman (Steffenie unknown) in the hope that she will be a mother to his 3 small boys. Mike is working full time and cannot stay home to take care of the boys. The woman (unknown) was a slovenly housekeeper and did little to care for the boys. Mike divorces her and is left with little choice, but to put the 3 boys in the New Brighton Children's Home. George the youngest at the time is not old enough to go into the Children's Home, so is taken care of by his older sister Ella Sedich Nickich for a short time. Mike and the rest of the family would see the boys on weekends and holidays, but they were essentially raised in the Children's Home.
The 1930 census raises a few additional questions.
Mike is now listed as Michael Sedrich (this is a transcription error you can plainly see on the census document Michael Sedich).
Mike now lives in West Mayfield Borough, Beaver Co. PA. He owns his home, valued at $2,000. He is divorced (having rid himself of the slovenly wife). It lists his first marriage at age 20, somewhere between 1893 and 1895. Asked whether he can read and write, on this census he says no – in contrast to the 1920 census where he says yes to both questions. He now states his country of origin as Romania and that is the same for his father and mother. He states that his native tongue is Romanian. His immigration year is still 1907 and by this 1930 census he is a Naturalized Citizen. He says that he can speak English and he works as a laborer at an Enamel Works. We know this to be the historic Ing- Rich enamel works in Beaver Falls, PA.
The 1930 Census
Ella Sedich Nickich (oldest daughter of Mike) birthdate 25 Oct 1899, lists her birth in Romania and father and mother as Romanian. Her native tongue is now listed as Romanian.
Nick Nickich, husband of Ella, birthdate 15 Oct 1890, Romania. Father and mother are Romanian. His native tongue is now Romanian.
In the 1920 Census Nick and Ella were listed as being born in Austria/Hungary and that their native tongue is Serbian.
The 1930 Census
Mary Dorothy Sedich Savage (2nd daughter of Mike), birthdate 7 July 1902, lists her birthplace as Romania, father and mother Romanian. Her native tongue is Romanian.
Kosta August Savage, husband of Mary, lists his birthplace a Yugoslavia.
In 1920 census Kosta lists his birthplace as Austria and his native tongue as Servian/Serbian
1930 Census
William, Jim and George Sedich, inmates of the New Brighton Children's Home and the Boy's Industrial home, are listed as Serbians.
The only conclusion I can draw is that with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, immigrants from that Empire were finally free to identify themselves by their real country of origin and identify their mother tongue. So is Grandpa Mike a Romanian that speaks Serbian or simply a Serbian American??
On a personal note, Mike was well known to be friendly and fun loving, his home was always open to others. He made his own wine, raised chickens and gardened. After he retired from Ing-Rich company one of the owners had Mike work as his gardener.
Who was he really??
Family history tells the story that, Mike/Michael/Meta/ Sedich/Sedick/Sedic immigrated from Yugoslavia, coming to the US the first time around 1900, leaving behind his wife, Anna and 3 daughters, then returning to get them or sending for them, by this time one of the daughters has died. I have at this point not found Immigration or Naturalization papers on any of the family, only the statement in the 1920 census that Mike and Anna were "aliens" and in the 1930 census that Mike was a Naturalized citizen. The immigration year that they list is 1907 in both census'.
Mike came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire which was in existence as a monarchy from 1867 to 31 Oct 1918. This empire officially recognized the following languages and ethnicities of its citizens: Croatian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Turkish and Ukrainian. So who was Mike?? Serbian, Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Romanian??? All of the above! Family history states that Mike periodically attended St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, PA. He did not have an Orthodox burial service nor did the church have any record of his membership. I found this info or lack of it in 2003, when I contacted the church. Perhaps this is because of lack of money, divorce or because his sons were raised in a Protestant Children's home after the death of Anna.
The 1920 Census, Beaver Co, White Township, PA reveals:
Mike Sedick birth year 1875, Birthplace Hungaria, Father and Mother's birthplace Hungaria. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, at this point Mike is still an "alien". He states "yes" that he can read and write and that he can speak English. He is listed as a Laborer (non-specific where or what type) He rents the place where he lives.
Mike's wife is listed as Steffenie, this is his 2nd wife, birth year 1878, birthplace Hungaria, same for her mother and father. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, Steffenie is an
"alien" and can neither read or write or speak English.
Mike and Steffenie have his 3 sons living with them. These are the sons of Mike and his first wife Anna
William born 1916, PA
Zigma (Jim) born 1918, PA
George born 1920, PA (actual birthdate 8 May 1919 he was 7 months old at the time of this census)
There are 2 boarders living with them.
The two older daughters of Mike and Anna, who were both born in Europe, are already married, both in arranged marriages to older men. This was not uncommon, since the idea was to marry daughters within the same ethnic group and to men who had some substance or prospects.
Mike's wife Anna died sometime in 1920 and is buried in Beaver Falls Cemetery. It is said that she did not recover from the birth of youngest son, George and died from some kind of kidney failure. Her gravestone simply reads, Anna Sedich, mother 1878 to 1920.
Sometime between 1920 and 1925 Mike Sedich marries a woman (Steffenie unknown) in the hope that she will be a mother to his 3 small boys. Mike is working full time and cannot stay home to take care of the boys. The woman (unknown) was a slovenly housekeeper and did little to care for the boys. Mike divorces her and is left with little choice, but to put the 3 boys in the New Brighton Children's Home. George the youngest at the time is not old enough to go into the Children's Home, so is taken care of by his older sister Ella Sedich Nickich for a short time. Mike and the rest of the family would see the boys on weekends and holidays, but they were essentially raised in the Children's Home.
The 1930 census raises a few additional questions.
Mike is now listed as Michael Sedrich (this is a transcription error you can plainly see on the census document Michael Sedich).
Mike now lives in West Mayfield Borough, Beaver Co. PA. He owns his home, valued at $2,000. He is divorced (having rid himself of the slovenly wife). It lists his first marriage at age 20, somewhere between 1893 and 1895. Asked whether he can read and write, on this census he says no – in contrast to the 1920 census where he says yes to both questions. He now states his country of origin as Romania and that is the same for his father and mother. He states that his native tongue is Romanian. His immigration year is still 1907 and by this 1930 census he is a Naturalized Citizen. He says that he can speak English and he works as a laborer at an Enamel Works. We know this to be the historic Ing- Rich enamel works in Beaver Falls, PA.
The 1930 Census
Ella Sedich Nickich (oldest daughter of Mike) birthdate 25 Oct 1899, lists her birth in Romania and father and mother as Romanian. Her native tongue is now listed as Romanian.
Nick Nickich, husband of Ella, birthdate 15 Oct 1890, Romania. Father and mother are Romanian. His native tongue is now Romanian.
In the 1920 Census Nick and Ella were listed as being born in Austria/Hungary and that their native tongue is Serbian.
The 1930 Census
Mary Dorothy Sedich Savage (2nd daughter of Mike), birthdate 7 July 1902, lists her birthplace as Romania, father and mother Romanian. Her native tongue is Romanian.
Kosta August Savage, husband of Mary, lists his birthplace a Yugoslavia.
In 1920 census Kosta lists his birthplace as Austria and his native tongue as Servian/Serbian
1930 Census
William, Jim and George Sedich, inmates of the New Brighton Children's Home and the Boy's Industrial home, are listed as Serbians.
The only conclusion I can draw is that with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, immigrants from that Empire were finally free to identify themselves by their real country of origin and identify their mother tongue. So is Grandpa Mike a Romanian that speaks Serbian or simply a Serbian American??
On a personal note, Mike was well known to be friendly and fun loving, his home was always open to others. He made his own wine, raised chickens and gardened. After he retired from Ing-Rich company one of the owners had Mike work as his gardener.
Michael Sedich 1873 to 1942
Who was he really??
Family history tells the story that, Mike/Michael/Meta/ Sedich/Sedick/Sedic immigrated from Yugoslavia, coming to the US the first time around 1900, leaving behind his wife, Anna and 3 daughters, then returning to get them or sending for them, by this time one of the daughters has died. I have at this point not found Immigration or Naturalization papers on any of the family, only the statement in the 1920 census that Mike and Anna were "aliens" and in the 1930 census that Mike was a Naturalized citizen. The immigration year that they list is 1907 in both census'.
Mike came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire which was in existence as a monarchy from 1867 to 31 Oct 1918. This empire officially recognized the following languages and ethnicities of its citizens: Croatian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Turkish and Ukrainian. So who was Mike?? Serbian, Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Romanian??? All of the above! Family history states that Mike periodically attended St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, PA. He did not have an Orthodox burial service nor did the church have any record of his membership. I found this info or lack of it in 2003, when I contacted the church. Perhaps this is because of lack of money, divorce or because his sons were raised in a Protestant Children's home after the death of Anna.
The 1920 Census, Beaver Co, White Township, PA reveals:
Mike Sedick birth year 1875, Birthplace Hungaria, Father and Mother's birthplace Hungaria. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, at this point Mike is still an "alien". He states "yes" that he can read and write and that he can speak English. He is listed as a Laborer (non-specific where or what type) He rents the place where he lives.
Mike's wife is listed as Steffenie, this is his 2nd wife, birth year 1878, birthplace Hungaria, same for her mother and father. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, Steffenie is an
"alien" and can neither read or write or speak English.
Mike and Steffenie have his 3 sons living with them. These are the sons of Mike and his first wife Anna
William born 1916, PA
Zigma (Jim) born 1918, PA
George born 1920, PA (actual birthdate 8 May 1919 he was 7 months old at the time of this census)
There are 2 boarders living with them.
The two older daughters of Mike and Anna, who were both born in Europe, are already married, both in arranged marriages to older men. This was not uncommon, since the idea was to marry daughters within the same ethnic group and to men who had some substance or prospects.
Mike's wife Anna died sometime in 1920 and is buried in Beaver Falls Cemetery. It is said that she did not recover from the birth of youngest son, George and died from some kind of kidney failure. Her gravestone simply reads, Anna Sedich, mother 1878 to 1920.
Sometime between 1920 and 1925 Mike Sedich marries a woman (Steffenie unknown) in the hope that she will be a mother to his 3 small boys. Mike is working full time and cannot stay home to take care of the boys. The woman (unknown) was a slovenly housekeeper and did little to care for the boys. Mike divorces her and is left with little choice, but to put the 3 boys in the New Brighton Children's Home. George the youngest at the time is not old enough to go into the Children's Home, so is taken care of by his older sister Ella Sedich Nickich for a short time. Mike and the rest of the family would see the boys on weekends and holidays, but they were essentially raised in the Children's Home.
The 1930 census raises a few additional questions.
Mike is now listed as Michael Sedrich (this is a transcription error you can plainly see on the census document Michael Sedich).
Mike now lives in West Mayfield Borough, Beaver Co. PA. He owns his home, valued at $2,000. He is divorced (having rid himself of the slovenly wife). It lists his first marriage at age 20, somewhere between 1893 and 1895. Asked whether he can read and write, on this census he says no – in contrast to the 1920 census where he says yes to both questions. He now states his country of origin as Romania and that is the same for his father and mother. He states that his native tongue is Romanian. His immigration year is still 1907 and by this 1930 census he is a Naturalized Citizen. He says that he can speak English and he works as a laborer at an Enamel Works. We know this to be the historic Ing- Rich enamel works in Beaver Falls, PA.
The 1930 Census
Ella Sedich Nickich (oldest daughter of Mike) birthdate 25 Oct 1899, lists her birth in Romania and father and mother as Romanian. Her native tongue is now listed as Romanian.
Nick Nickich, husband of Ella, birthdate 15 Oct 1890, Romania. Father and mother are Romanian. His native tongue is now Romanian.
In the 1920 Census Nick and Ella were listed as being born in Austria/Hungary and that their native tongue is Serbian.
The 1930 Census
Mary Dorothy Sedich Savage (2nd daughter of Mike), birthdate 7 July 1902, lists her birthplace as Romania, father and mother Romanian. Her native tongue is Romanian.
Kosta August Savage, husband of Mary, lists his birthplace a Yugoslavia.
In 1920 census Kosta lists his birthplace as Austria and his native tongue as Servian/Serbian
1930 Census
William, Jim and George Sedich, inmates of the New Brighton Children's Home and the Boy's Industrial home, are listed as Serbians.
The only conclusion I can draw is that with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, immigrants from that Empire were finally free to identify themselves by their real country of origin and identify their mother tongue. So is Grandpa Mike a Romanian that speaks Serbian or simply a Serbian American??
On a personal note, Mike was well known to be friendly and fun loving, his home was always open to others. He made his own wine, raised chickens and gardened. After he retired from Ing-Rich company one of the owners had Mike work as his gardener.
Who was he really??
Family history tells the story that, Mike/Michael/Meta/ Sedich/Sedick/Sedic immigrated from Yugoslavia, coming to the US the first time around 1900, leaving behind his wife, Anna and 3 daughters, then returning to get them or sending for them, by this time one of the daughters has died. I have at this point not found Immigration or Naturalization papers on any of the family, only the statement in the 1920 census that Mike and Anna were "aliens" and in the 1930 census that Mike was a Naturalized citizen. The immigration year that they list is 1907 in both census'.
Mike came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire which was in existence as a monarchy from 1867 to 31 Oct 1918. This empire officially recognized the following languages and ethnicities of its citizens: Croatian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Turkish and Ukrainian. So who was Mike?? Serbian, Yugoslavian, Hungarian, Romanian??? All of the above! Family history states that Mike periodically attended St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, PA. He did not have an Orthodox burial service nor did the church have any record of his membership. I found this info or lack of it in 2003, when I contacted the church. Perhaps this is because of lack of money, divorce or because his sons were raised in a Protestant Children's home after the death of Anna.
The 1920 Census, Beaver Co, White Township, PA reveals:
Mike Sedick birth year 1875, Birthplace Hungaria, Father and Mother's birthplace Hungaria. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, at this point Mike is still an "alien". He states "yes" that he can read and write and that he can speak English. He is listed as a Laborer (non-specific where or what type) He rents the place where he lives.
Mike's wife is listed as Steffenie, this is his 2nd wife, birth year 1878, birthplace Hungaria, same for her mother and father. Mother tongue Slavish. Immigration year 1907, Steffenie is an
"alien" and can neither read or write or speak English.
Mike and Steffenie have his 3 sons living with them. These are the sons of Mike and his first wife Anna
William born 1916, PA
Zigma (Jim) born 1918, PA
George born 1920, PA (actual birthdate 8 May 1919 he was 7 months old at the time of this census)
There are 2 boarders living with them.
The two older daughters of Mike and Anna, who were both born in Europe, are already married, both in arranged marriages to older men. This was not uncommon, since the idea was to marry daughters within the same ethnic group and to men who had some substance or prospects.
Mike's wife Anna died sometime in 1920 and is buried in Beaver Falls Cemetery. It is said that she did not recover from the birth of youngest son, George and died from some kind of kidney failure. Her gravestone simply reads, Anna Sedich, mother 1878 to 1920.
Sometime between 1920 and 1925 Mike Sedich marries a woman (Steffenie unknown) in the hope that she will be a mother to his 3 small boys. Mike is working full time and cannot stay home to take care of the boys. The woman (unknown) was a slovenly housekeeper and did little to care for the boys. Mike divorces her and is left with little choice, but to put the 3 boys in the New Brighton Children's Home. George the youngest at the time is not old enough to go into the Children's Home, so is taken care of by his older sister Ella Sedich Nickich for a short time. Mike and the rest of the family would see the boys on weekends and holidays, but they were essentially raised in the Children's Home.
The 1930 census raises a few additional questions.
Mike is now listed as Michael Sedrich (this is a transcription error you can plainly see on the census document Michael Sedich).
Mike now lives in West Mayfield Borough, Beaver Co. PA. He owns his home, valued at $2,000. He is divorced (having rid himself of the slovenly wife). It lists his first marriage at age 20, somewhere between 1893 and 1895. Asked whether he can read and write, on this census he says no – in contrast to the 1920 census where he says yes to both questions. He now states his country of origin as Romania and that is the same for his father and mother. He states that his native tongue is Romanian. His immigration year is still 1907 and by this 1930 census he is a Naturalized Citizen. He says that he can speak English and he works as a laborer at an Enamel Works. We know this to be the historic Ing- Rich enamel works in Beaver Falls, PA.
The 1930 Census
Ella Sedich Nickich (oldest daughter of Mike) birthdate 25 Oct 1899, lists her birth in Romania and father and mother as Romanian. Her native tongue is now listed as Romanian.
Nick Nickich, husband of Ella, birthdate 15 Oct 1890, Romania. Father and mother are Romanian. His native tongue is now Romanian.
In the 1920 Census Nick and Ella were listed as being born in Austria/Hungary and that their native tongue is Serbian.
The 1930 Census
Mary Dorothy Sedich Savage (2nd daughter of Mike), birthdate 7 July 1902, lists her birthplace as Romania, father and mother Romanian. Her native tongue is Romanian.
Kosta August Savage, husband of Mary, lists his birthplace a Yugoslavia.
In 1920 census Kosta lists his birthplace as Austria and his native tongue as Servian/Serbian
1930 Census
William, Jim and George Sedich, inmates of the New Brighton Children's Home and the Boy's Industrial home, are listed as Serbians.
The only conclusion I can draw is that with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, immigrants from that Empire were finally free to identify themselves by their real country of origin and identify their mother tongue. So is Grandpa Mike a Romanian that speaks Serbian or simply a Serbian American??
On a personal note, Mike was well known to be friendly and fun loving, his home was always open to others. He made his own wine, raised chickens and gardened. After he retired from Ing-Rich company one of the owners had Mike work as his gardener.
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