Interesting that I found this site. I was searching for any information about my grandparents, John and Elizabeth Gecsey, who came by ship from Budapest (at that time two cities) to New York City. They were, maybe 17 years old at the time, met on board ship or in New York, I am not certain, and married. I have their wedding photo. I am the daughter of their youngest child, Eleanor (Lanka sp?). My mother was raised in Dunbar, Virginia, where her father was a coal miner, but died young with black lung disease. Her oldest brother, John, took over and raised the family. At that time, I understand the children were mother, her older sisters, Irene and Elizabeth, brothers, John, Peter, and Grady. I have photos of their days in Virginia and later on when they were married and had children. My grandmother, Elizabeth, remarried after all the children were grown, to a man named John Martin, and they lived in Painesville, Ohio. We visited there a number of times. I remember there was never a visit when a pot of chicken soup wasn't simmering on the back of the stove. Ummmm. I have many fond memories of my grandmother, aunts, but seldom saw my uncles. I remember one special cousin, I believe her name was Rosemary Zea, but I am unsure. My mother always spoke of her and thought she was very special. Mother passed away Dec. 8, 2001, eight months after my father, Robert E. Whitmore passed Feb. 13, 2001. My two brothers and I miss them dearly every day. I have a brother in Ashland, Ohio and a younger brother in Morehead City, North Carolina, where my parents spent nearly 20 years of retirement.
It is so exciting to hear about the Gecsey family. Our youngest daughter is working towards her PhD in archiology at University of Cincinnati and when she was in Europe last year (on a dig) someone said she looked Hungarian. She told them of her great grandparents - Gecsey - and these folks, who were Hungarian, said the family is royalty there. I would like to find out more about it. Last weekend my husband, Ohlen, and I toured the Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley, W.Va. and the experience renewed my interest in learning more about my roots. Thanks.
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