John Olexsak and Cecelia Blaschak both lived in the village of Dziar, Slovakia. Although they did not know each other at the time, they met aboard the ship which brought them to America in March of 1900. John's destination was Renova, PA, and he found work in the coal mines of Bitumen. Cecelia's destination was New York, where she worked as a maid for a wealthy family. They corresponded for a year and were eventually married on Sept. 28, 1901. They lived in Bitumen and raised 10 children there. Their children's names were John Jr., Mary, Elizabeth (Betty), Anna (Roseann), Paul, Andrew, Susan, Michael, Frank, and Margaret (Peg). I am one of Susan's four children. My siblings are Doris Hull, Andrew (Sonny) Daniels Jr., and Ken Laughery.

John Olexsak and Cecelia Blaschak both lived in the village of Dziar, Slovakia. Although they did not know each other at the time, they met aboard the ship which brought them to America in March of 1900. John's destination was Renova, PA, and he found work in the coal mines of Bitumen. Cecelia's destination was New York, where she worked as a maid for a wealthy family. They corresponded for a year and were eventually married on Sept. 28, 1901. They lived in Bitumen and raised 10 children there. Their children's names were John Jr., Mary, Elizabeth (Betty), Anna (Roseann), Paul, Andrew, Susan, Michael, Frank, and Margaret (Peg). I am one of Susan's four children. My siblings are Doris Hull, Andrew (Sonny) Daniels Jr., and Ken Laughery.