Černík Documents — The Family Genealogy

Birth & Baptism Records

June 2, 1796 Jakob Cžernik Parish Birth/Baptism Registration The oldest Černík document found to date.

From the RCPO (Roman Catholic Parish Office) in Červená Lhota, vol. 10158, p. 99. (record in German)

Baptism date: 2 Jun 1796

Place: #14 (Číhalín)

Name: Jakob; Catholic, male, legitimate

Father: Joseph Cžernik, "Bauer" (farmer)

Mother: Mariana Waskin

Godparents: Martin Krul, "Schafmeister" (master shepherd) from Racžerowitz; Maria Sochorin, "Nachbarin" (resident) from Czihalin

Baptized by: Elias Ossner, assistant priest from Pržibislaw

February 19, 1872 Matěj Černík Birth & Baptismal Certificate Official birth certificate from the Margraviate of Moravia, Diocese of Brno.

Birth/baptism date: 19/19 Feb 1872

Place: House #41 Čihalin

Name: Matěj; Catholic, male, legitimate

Father: Ján Černík, "pullánik" (half-plot-land owning farmer) in Čihalin; Catholic

Mother: Rosalia, Catholic, legitimate daughter of Jan Vesely, "celoláník" (whole-plot-land owning farmer) in Čihalin

Godparents: František Vesely, "celoláník" in Čihalin; Marie, his wife

Baptized by: Matouš Šimbera, parish priest

In Červená Lhota on 31 Mar 1875 (Seal of the Červená Lhota parish office) Matouš Šimbera, parish priest

February 19 1872 Matěj’s 1872 Birth registration in the Moravian Provincial Archive in Brno Collection of Vital Registers, RCPO in Červená Lhota, vol. 10160, p. 158: (record in German)

Baptism date: 19 Feb 1872

Place: #14 (Číhalín)

Name: Mathias; male, legitimate

Father: Johann Černík, “Halblähner” (half-plot-land owning farmer) in Čihalin, legitimate son of + Jakob Černík, “Halblähner” in Čihalin, and his + wife Katharina née Stava; Catholic

Mother: Rosalia, legitimate daughter of + Johann Vesely, “Ganzlähner” in Čihalin and his wife, still alive, Maria née Zapoměl; Catholic

Godparents: Frantisek Wesely, “Ganzlähner” (whole-plot-land owning farmer) in Čihalin; Marya, his wife

Baptized by: Matthäus Šimbera, parish priest

Midwife: Rosalia Kotrba from #40 Čihalin, not certified

1897 Frank Černík Baptism Certificate Complete baptismal record for Frank Mathew Černík from St. Wenceslaus Catholic. His sponsors —John Vybiral and Francis, his Wife— were his maternal grandparents. Church.

December 24 1930 Marie Magdalene Carol Cernik Birth Certificate Marie's Birth Certificate issued in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska

An interesting item is the State Law that required an answer to the question: "Was silver solution instilled in each eye?" Yes.

According to the internet, it was commonly used be then to prevent blindness caused by ophthalmia neonatorum (gonorrheal infection).

Marriage Records

August 8, 1896 Matěj Černík & Mary Vybíral Marriage License Marriage license uniting two Czech families in Nebraska.

Matěj Place of Birth: Austria

Mary Place of Birth: Austria

Matěj Father's Name: John Cernik

Mary Father's Name: Frank Vybiral

Matěj Mother's Maiden Name: R Wesely (Rosalia Veselá)

Mary Mother's Maiden Name: F Jirovsky (Františka Jírovská)

June 19, 1922 Frank Černík & Bessie Zimola Marriage License Marriage license for Frank Mathew Černík and Božena "Bessie" Rose Zimola.

Frank Father's Name: Mike Cernik

Bessie Father's Name: Joe Zimola

Frank Mother's Maiden Name: Mary Vybiral

Bessie Mother's Maiden Name: Antonie NOT CORRECT (It should be Antonie Fila)

June 19, 1922 Frank & Bessie Wedding Invitation Original Czech wedding invitation.

Translation:

Mr. and Mrs.

Matěj and Marie Cernik

and

Josef and Antonie Zimola

cordially invite you to attend the marriage of their son and daughter

Mr. Frank M. Cernik

to Miss Bozena Zimola

which will be held on June 19, 1922,

at 12 noon in St. Joseph's Church

in Colon, Nebr.

After the ceremony, please proceed to the home of the bride's parents for a reception in

honor of the bride and groom.

Josephine "Josefa" Anna and Josef Maiwald (CERNIK) Marriage License

June 19, 1922 Josef Maiwald & Josephine "Josefa" Anna Černík Marriage License Marriage license for Josef Maiwald and Josephine "Josefa" Anna Černík.

Josefa was one of Matěj's sister that came from Moravia in 1875.

They were married in Fremont Nebraska, yet the witnesses were the wife of the Reverend that married them and someone I do not recognize. Based on Josef's last name, he would seem to have been of German ancestry and could very well have NOT been Catholic. Additionally they were married by a Reverend and not a Priest and Josef was 18 years her senior. That no Cernik's are listed as witnesses and the fact that they moved back to Colby Washington —Josef's birthplace. Finally, when I look at the US Census for Jan Černík in 1900, Josefa is listed as living with her parents at the age of 33. And her Marital status is listed as divorced. Not a common thing for a Catholic woman in those times. I have been unable to find any marriage or divorce records for her first marriage. I get the sense that this second marriage was not looked upon favorably by the family.

Sometime around 2000 I received an email from someone who had found my old website when searching for a Josefa Maiwald (ČERNÍK). It seems that she had befriended a woman by the name of Rosie Mary Maivold, the only child and daughter Josefa and Josef. When Rosie died in 1992, she had no children and her items were left in the attic of her friend. Years later that friend found me —thanks internet— and asked me if I wanted those items. I said yes, of course. They included 18 photos of Černíks in a photo album once owned by Josefa. All of the photos were taken by a well-known photographer in Wahoo, Nebraska. Unfortunately, no names were written on the back. Another item was Josefa's bible.

The last items were a painting and this marriage certificate of Josefa and Josef. Such a small world.

Donald K and Marie C Smith (CERNIK) Marriage West Virginia Application

May 29, 1950 Donald Keith and Marie Carol Černík West Virginia Marriage Application Marriage application from the County of Greenbrier in West Virginia.

Cornelia Smith (DIXON), dad's mother, signed the application. I guess, as the document states, you needed your guardian's signature if you were under the age of 21.

June 8, 1950 Donald Keith and Marie Carol Černík West Virginia Marriage License Marriage License from the State of Nebraska, Saunders County.

Our parents were both 19 years of age when they married in Wahoo, Nebraska. Our mom's brother, Ray and his wife Elaine, were the witnesses. They were married at St. Wenceslaus church in Wahoo, Nebraska. Based on pictures from their wedding day, either the reception or an after party, was held out on the farm.

Immigration Documents and Records

1875 The Ship's Manifest for the 1875 Ohio voyage The Černík family —father, mother and eight children. This included our great-grandfather, Matěj.

1875 A Program for a Concert on the SS Ohio The concert was for the "Benefits of the Widows and Orphans Fund of the Crew of the SS Ohio. I purchased the program to be added to my "Family History" collection. This particular program was most likely after our Černík ancestors immigrated to America on this ship.

1875 Program Details for the Concert Giving you a good sense of the times, the last "set" of the program is #4, Negro Songs.

2000's Immigrant Wall Certificate In 1982, President Ronald Reagan asked Lee Iacocca to raise private funds for the historic restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and to honor our American Immigrant past. The restoration is ongoing and will never finish. Part of the fund raising is via the "Immigrant Wall".

2000's Panel 738 Immigrant Wall I purchased a spot on the "Immigrant Wall"Ellis Island Immigrant WallThe American Immigrant Wall of Honor, located on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, commemorates the immigrant experience and is one of the only places in the United States where individuals can honor their family heritage at a National Monument. for the Matěj (the Černík family) who came in through Baltimore. As well as his wife —Marie Vybíralová— whose family came in through Castle Garden, in New York City prior to the creation of Ellis Island.

Land & Property Records

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Cedar Township Section 34 - First tract of land near Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska purchased by Peter Paul Černík.

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Center Township Section 34 - First tract of land near Colon, Nebraska purchased by Frantisek "Frank" Černík.

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Center Township Section 13 - Second tract of land near Colon, Nebraska purchased by Frantisek "Frank" Černík.

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Center Township Section 11 - First tract of land near Colon, Nebraska purchased by Charles Černík.

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Center Township Section 10 - First tract of land near Colon, Nebraska purchased by Matěj "Mike" Černík.

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Center Township Section 4 - Second tract of land near Colon, Nebraska purchased by Matěj "Michael" Černík.

1907 From the 1907 Platt Maps Center Township Section 8 - First tract of land near Colon, Nebraska purchased by Johann F. "John" Černík.

1918 From the 1918 Platt Maps Marietta Township Section 31 and 32 - Third (swapped/upgraded) tracts of land near Wahoo, Nebraska purchased by Matěj "Mike" Černík.

1918 From the 1918 Platt Maps Wahoo Township Section 8 - Fourth (swapped/upgraded) tracts of land near Wahoo, Nebraska purchased by Matěj "Mike" Černík.

1918 From the 1918 Platt Maps Center Township Section 36 - Fifth (swapped/upgraded) tracts of land near Wahoo, Nebraska purchased by Matěj "Mathias/Mike" Černík.

1918 1918 Farmers Directory of Marietta Precinct It lists all of Matěj "Mathias/Mike" Černík's sections.

1967 Saunders County Township Maps - Frank M., Frank B., Ray and Marie Černík All tracts near Wahoo, Nebraska.

1907 Warranty Deed Record Deed for Matěj "Mathias" Černík and his wife —Marie— for the purchase of North 1/2 of S/W 1/4 of Section 32 and the South 1/2 of fractional Section 31 in Township 15, North, Range 7 (Marietta), Saunders County, Nebraska.

1917 Warranty Deed Record Deed for Matěj "Mathias" Černík and his wife —Marie— for the purchase of North 1/2 of S/E 1/4 of Section 36 and ALL of the N/E 1/4 of said Section 36 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Center), Saunders County, Nebraska.

1919 Warranty Deed Record Deed for Frank M. Černík for the purchase of South 1/2 of S/E 1/4 of Section 36 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Center), Saunders County, Nebraska. This plot of 80 acres, whom Frank purchased from William Miners, was just below and adjacent to his father's —Matěj— plot of land.

1931 Warranty Deed Record Deed for Frank M. Černík for the purchase of East 1/2 of N/W 1/4 of Section 5 in Township 14, North, Range 8 (Wahoo), and South 1/2 of S/W 1/4 Section 32 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Marietta) all in Saunders County, Nebraska. These two plots of land —both purchased from Alfred Thompson and across the road from each other— would add another 80 acres south of his father's —Matěj— plot of land in Section 32. And additionally, add the initial 80 acres —in Section 5— that would become the homestead that Frank and Bessie would build, and that we all explored and worked on.

1956 Warranty Deed Record Deed for Marie C. Smith (ČERNÍK) for the gift of North 1/2 of S/E 1/4 of Section 36 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Center), Saunders County, Nebraska. This was one of Matěj Černík's purchases that had been inherited by his wife, Marie Vybíral, when Matěj died in 1948. His other properties had been inherited by his son —Frank M.— and his two grandson, Ray and Frank B. So this was a start in our mom inheriting some land, the first 81 Acres.

1958 Warranty Deed Record Deed for Marie C. Smith (ČERNÍK) for the gift of South 1/2 of S/E 1/4 of Section 36 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Center), Saunders County, Nebraska. This was one of Matěj Černík's purchases that had been inherited by his son, Frank M., when Matěj died in 1948. This was the second plot of land —80 acres— our mom inherited.

1972 Quit Claim Deed Record This Quitclaim Deed for Marie C. Smith (ČERNÍK) for South 1/2 of S/E 1/4 of Section 36 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Center), Saunders County, Nebraska. This was recorded six years after Marie Černík (VYBÍRAL) died in 1966. Which essentially removed Marie's parents from the previous deed for these acres.

1973 Warranty Deed Record Deed for the sale by Marie C. and Donald K. Smith (ČERNÍK) to Breunig Rendering Works Inc., the South 1/2 of S/E 1/4 of Section 36 in Township 15, North, Range 8 (Center), Saunders County, Nebraska. This land was sold so that our parents could build their new house out in the Trendwood area of Omaha, Nebraska. My dad told me the dilemma they faced since no bank was willing to loan them $20K construction loan, even with the farm property as collateral. He told me how pissed he and mom were about having to sell land that had been in the family so long.

Government Records

1880 US Census This is the first US Census where the Černík family, having immigrated in 1875, were recorded in the US. Our 2nd-great-grandparents, Jan and Rosalia and our great-grandfather, Matěj "Mike" are among those listed. You can see that the Census taker struggled with how to spell their last name. So they spelled it phonetically —Chernick. Since Jan and Rosalia spoke limited english at the time, they were in no position to correct the spelling. Seven of the children that immigrated with them, remained at home. Their oldest daughter, Marie, had married the previous year —Frantisek Joseph Simodynes. Their son Charles, is also listed, and was the first Černík born in America.

1900 US Census This is the third US Census where the Černík family was recorded in the US. The second one was actually done in 1890. However, most 1890 U.S. Census records were destroyed by a 1921 Commerce Department fire and subsequent water damage. This time around, they were able to ensure the spelling of their last name was correct. Living at home now were their two youngest children. One of their older daughters —Josephine "Josefa"— was also living with them. You can see in the "Marital Status" column that she is divorced.

1900 US Census This is the first US Census where Matěj "Mike" Černík and his wife —Mary Vybíral— are recorded. Along with their only son, Frank Mathew Černík, our grandfather. They had married in 1896.

1910 US Census Jan Černík had died in 1907. We can see in this census that his wife and our 2nd-great-grandmother —Rosalia "Rosaria" Veselá— had now moved into the home of her 4th oldest daughter, Anna Josephine Benal (ČERNÍK).

1910 US Census This is the second US Census where Matěj "Mike" Černík and his wife —Marie Vybíralová— are recorded. Frank is now 12 years of age. You can also see that it lists Matěj's date of immigration as 1877. We know that the correct year is 1875. They incorrectly listed his immigration date as 1882 in the 1900 US Census. Perhaps there was confusion since his wife, Marie Vybíralová, immigrated in 1882.

1920 US Census Here we have the 3rd and final US Census where husband and wife Matěj "Mike" and "Mary" Černík (VYBÍRAL) are listed along with son, Frank, now 22 years of age.

1930 US Census Matěj "Mike" and "Mary" Černík (VYBÍRAL) are now on their own. Their only child, Frank, had married Bozena "Bessie" Zimola in 1922. They had a farm of their own now.

1930 US Census The first US Census listing our grandparents and uncles, Ray and Frank. You can see that Ray is now 5 years of age and Frank is 2 1/2.

1940 US Census This would be that last US Census that Matěj "Mike" Černík would be listed in. He dies in 1948 and his wife, Marie, would move into the town of Wahoo and live alone until moving to a home for the elderly. Marie had diabetes, which almost all the women on our Czech side of the family seem to have a predisposition towards. I remember great-grandmother Marie in a wheelchair after having part of one leg amputated due to her diabetes.

1940 US Census In this US Census, we now have the entire Frank Černík family listed. The last member to be added was our mother, Marie, who is now nine years of age. She had been born shortly after the 1930 Census "taker" had visited the Černík household.

1950 US Census This is the last US Census year that is available for researchers. Records are released 70 years after the data was collected by the US Federal Government. That means that in 2030, they will release the US Census records for 1960.

The oldest son, Ray, had married Elaine Patzloff in 1945 and had moved to their own farm. That left Frank and Marie, as the two remaining children of Frank and Bessie living with them. This Census was taken just two months before our parents, Don and Marie, would marry.

1950 US Census This is the US Census that shows Marie Černík (VYBÍRAL), having moved into the town of Wahoo. This occurred sometime after the death of her husband, Matěj "Mike" Černík in 1948. She would live alone until moving to a home for the elderly in Wahoo.

September 12, 1918 WWI Draft Registration Card, Page 1 This is our grandfather Frank's registration for potential WWI service. You can see that his father, Mike Cernik, is listed as his employer. The draft didn't usually impact a ton of farmers, since the country and the soldiers all needed steady farm output. Frank never served.

September 12, 1918 WWI Draft Registration Card, Page 2 On this second page of the Draft Registration, you can see that Frank is listed as: Tall, Slender, Brown eyes and Brown hair.

1907 Center Township Section 10 Map Township map showing Mike Černík's land holdings in Section 10 of Center Township, Saunders County.

Social and News Publications

1947 School Yearbook Photo The Wahoo High School Junior year class photo for Marie Cernik —our mom. She's in the sixth row, second one in from the right.

1947 School Yearbook Photo The Wahoo High School "Glee Club" photo for Marie Cernik. She's in the fifth row, dead center.

circa 1940 School Yearbook Photo Ray is at the "Top-Right" of the photo taken around 1940.

"The end" – Death Certificates and Obituaries"

1907 Warranty Deed Record North 1/2 of S/W 1/4 quarter of Section 32 and the South 1/2 of fractional Section 31 in Township 15 (Marietta), Saunders County.