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James Howard Cseh-Chek

My Family Connection is through my father, James Howard Chek

Our Cseh family is from Hungary (A socialist country).  Our Ancestors came to America to find the great promise of freedom.  (Dutch, German, Hungarian).  The names were thought to be Stephen James and James Stephen who are believed to be father/son.  The father was 21, the mother was 20 and the boy was 3 when they came to America.  My grandfather Stephan was the 3 year old boy so this should have been in 1906 or 1907.  My Dad had his name legally changed from Cseh to Chek on December 22, 1943.  Steve kept the spelling as Cseh.  The family said the name use to be spelled Csech.

·         Cseh-Chek Name
Hungarian: ethnic name for someone of Czech ancestry. Means Czech in Hungarian

 Ferentz Cseh ----(B. ___– D. ____) married Orzsebeth Vida

  Sebastian Cseh----(B. July 03, 1840– D. ____) Also known as Sebestyen Cseh who married Erzsebet Konczol, 19 Nov 1844.  Her parents were:  father: Gyorgy Konczol and mother: Erzsebet Cseresznyes.  Sebesteny Cseh was baptized in Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary.  His parents were Ferentz Cseh and Orzsebeth Vida  

·         Marriage:  Erzsebet Konczos

·         Hungary Catholic Church Records for Sebesteny Cseh

·         Name: Sebesteny Cseh

·         Event: BAPTISM

·         Event Date: 03, July 1840

·         Event Place: Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary

·         Gender: Male

·         Father: Ferentz Cseh

·         Mother: Orzsebeth Vida

·         Children: 

o   Aloyzia Cseh (12 April, 1871) Baptized Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary

o   Anna Cseh (07 Sept., 1872) Baptized Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary

o   Istavan Cseh (23 Dec, 1878) Baptized Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary

  Steven J. (James Stephen) Cseh--(B. December 23, 1878– D. about 1970) Also known as Istvan Cseh.  Born in Eala-Egerszog, Hungary.  He was baptized in Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary.  He married Elizabeth Eichinger (Born May 8, 1880-D.________)  She was born in either Austria, Germany or Hungary.  He came to the United States in 1907 with his wife Elizabeth Eichinger  Cseh and son Steven.  Registration card Serial #1170; place of residence 9323 Mt. Auburn, Cleveland, OH wife Elizabeth Eichinger Cseh, and he listed is date of birth as December 23, 1878.  He was a bricklayer according to the 1930 census where is was listed as living with his wife Elizabeth, son Steve, his wife Geraldine, and their son, James Cseh.  According to the passport he received December 10, 1920 to return to his homeland to visit his brother, his father's name was Sebastian.  His wife Elizabeth also received a passport to return to visit family.  At that time they were living at 2791 E 127th Street, Cleveland, Ohio.  Ben Schwartz signed he had known them for 6 years.  His address was 2825 E 79th street, Cleveland, Ohio

 Elizabeth Eichinger  Cseh

FACTS and DOCUMENTATION

·         1910 US Census-- Cuyahoga County, OH

o   Address: 9401 Mt. Auburn Avenue, Cleveland, OH

o   Occupation:  Bricklayer

o   Age:
Estimated Birth Year:
Birthplace:
Relation to Head-of-house: Head
Spouse's name:
Race: White
Age at first marriage:
Parents' birthplace:

·         1920 US Census-- Cuyahoga County, OH

o   Address: 2791 E 127th St, Cleveland, OH

o   Occupation: Bricklayer

o   Age:
Estimated Birth Year:
Birthplace:
Relation to Head-of-house: Head
Spouse's name:
Race: White
Age at first marriage:
Parents' birthplace:

·         1930 US Census-- Cuyahoga County, OH

o   Address:

o   Occupation:  Bricklayer

o   Age:
Estimated Birth Year:
Birthplace:
Relation to Head-of-house: Head
Spouse's name:
Race: White
Age at first marriage:
Parents' birthplace:

·         Physical Description:

o   5'8 1/2" tall, Brown hair, brown eyes, complexion-dark, scar on right cheek

·         Naturalization:  June 11, 1914 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. 

Cseh Steven  (Steven J Cseh)
Address: 10737 Crestwood Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

422290 - Vol. 25,pg.175 Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, Ohio
Born: Hungary December 23, 1878
Date and Port: November 28, 1907, New York
Naturalized: 11-Jun-14
Witnesses: J. E. Myers, 2471 W. 11th Street & Laselo Schwartz, 2792 E. 79th Street
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohcuyah2/nats/coarch/part1/pg0048.html

·         DRAFT Registration card Serial #1170; place of residence 9323 Mt. Auburn, Cleveland, OH wife Elizabeth Cseh, and he listed is date of birth as December 23, 1878. 

·         Passport:  December 6, 1920

·         Residences:

Ø  1910 Cenus-9401 Mt. Auburn Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Ø  DRAFT Registration: 9323 Mt. Auburn, Cleveland, OH

Ø  Marriage license of Steven J Cseh to Geraldine McMurtrie listed address as 9323 Mt. Auburn, Cleveland, OH also

Ø  Jun 11, 1914 living at 10737 Crestwood Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio at time of naturalization as US Citizen

Ø  December 6, 1920 living at 2791 E 127th St, Cleveland, OH at time of filing for passport to travel to Europe (Yugo-Slovia and Hungary) to visit relatives

·         Marriage:  Elizabeth Eichinger Cseh about 1896

·         Children:  Steven (Istavan) James Cseh

·         Hungary Catholic Church Records for Istvan Cseh

Name: Istvan Cseh

Event: BAPTISM

Event Date:23 Dec 1878

Event Place: Zalaegerszeg, Zala, Hungary

Gender: Male

Father: Sebesteny Cseh

Mother: Erzsebet Konczos

Line Number:278

Film Number:602096

Digital Folder Number:4531579

Image Number:103

1930 Census of Cuyahoga County Ohio
Reel 1779 - Enumeration District 505
Page 20B to 23B

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohcuyah2/census/1930cen/section3/1779/505_20B23B.html

  Steven James Cseh (Istavan)--(B. 8/3/1903 - D. 11/16/1995)  He was born in Hungary and came to the United States in 1907. However, his marriage license states he was born in Austria.  He became a naturalized citizen June 14, 1911.  He married Geraldine McMurtrie May 12, 1925; Her family was from Ireland and possibly also Hungary. Read about “socialism” or “Hungary”.  At the time he married Geraldine, he was a bank teller.  He was a telephone repairer according to a later census.  He also worked at a bomber plant during WWII building bomber planes according to letters Daddy wrote home while serving.  He was age 92 Died in Cuyahoga County, buried in Eastlake, Ohio? Note:  Steve married second Elizabeth (Betty) and they had a daughter Catherine.  Betty Catherine was the daughter of Reid Leroy HOUSEHOLDER and Alice BRANDON. She was born 2 Apr 1910 in E Liverpool, OH.  They married about 1944 and divorced 42 years later in 1986.  Steve married again in 1988 to Connie M Rohfeld.  Steve was mostly estranged from his son and daughter from his first marriage.  We aren't sure if that was by his choice, his first or second wife's choice or just happened due to distance.  At any rate, it's the kids who suffer the loss a parent in their lives.  Geraldine married second Ray F. Esterle May 20, 1944.  We were not even aware of that marriage until stumbling across the marriage document recently.  She married third, Lawrence (Larry) ViK about 1950, they had no children of their own. (Jim's first generation of kids knew Larry as "Grampy")

 Steven James Cseh (Istavan)

 Geraldine McMurtrie Cseh

·         1910 US Census--9401 Mt. Auburn Avenue, Cleveland, OH

·         1920 US Census--2791 E 127th St, Cleveland, OH

·         1925 Marriage License-9323 Mt. Auburn Avenue, Cleveland, OH

·         1930 US Census--12515 Gruss Avenue, Cleveland, OH

·         Occupation:  repairman for telephone co

·         Naturalization:  June 11, 1914 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio. 

·         Marriage:  Geraldine Francis McMurtrie May 25, 1925; divorced about 1944

·         Children: 

1. James Howard
2. Lois

·         Marriage:  Elizabeth "Betty" Catherine Householder

·         Children: 

1.    Catherine

  James Howard Cseh-Chek--(B. 4/23/1926 - D. 9/18/1991)  He was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Steve and Geraldine Cseh.  I believe the James is from his father and grandfather on his father's side; while the Howard is from his uncle on his mother's side.  He is of Hungarian descent; and possibly German.  His father was only 3 years old when he came to America with his parents.  He became a naturalized citizen.  James is listed as James W in the 1930 census by mistake.  He grew up on Lakeshore drive and the Mentor-Willoughby area in Ohio.  He died at age 65; died in Largo, Florida, buried at Serenity Garden Cemetery, Largo, FL.  Jim took boxing lessons and dance lessons as a boy.  He attended school at Longfellow Elementary, Willoughby Union Junior High, and graduated from Willoughby Union High School June 1, 1944.  He was a member of the Lake County Scholarship in 1941; attending the banquet held at Kirkland High School.  He was engaged to Audrey Gifford of the same graduating class.  He joined the US Army Air Forces and served in Medical, then transferred to technical and was a Hamm radio operator during WWII.  We don't know what happened between Audrey and James, up until a couple months before he was discharged to return home, he was still writing letters about the engagement, making plans etc.  There were often several months between mail calls.  Perhaps she thought he didn't really love her because the letters were sparse, or she met someone else, or if he returned and they decided they weren't really meant for each other.  Jim became a draftsman and salesman.  He married Mildred Burwell approximately 1948, divorced October 13, 1960.  The "Four Musketeers" were split up at a very young age and deprived of having a relationship with both parents. James and Mildred started CHEK Trailer Sales, in Mentor, OH with three or four locations.   James and Mildred most of their 12 year marriage at CHEK trailer sales in Mentor, moving to Dream Haven in 1957 or 1958.   Then, bought a property in Madison on the Lake and started remodeling it to become a famous private club on lake Erie. It was on Chapel Hill Road, Madison On the Lake. It was called the Ashtabula Country Family Club-Dream Haven Resort.  I know that Carol was hired by Mildred as the secretary for CHEK trailer sales.  James and Mildred needed to be able to spend more time at Dream Haven and concentrate all their efforts on remodeling and building that business into a chain of restaurant-clubs in Ohio and Florida. Carol accompanied James on one of his trips to Florida to discuss with prospective business partners about expanding to Florida. Although we will never really know what happened between James and Mildred, one thing I do know is a marriage may survive many things, but once another woman enters the scenario the marriage rarely survives.  I also know that the a picture that recently surfaced, my parents sure looked like they were in love and very happy.  But, I know that a lot can happen between two people in a very short time.  I was just little girl, who did not understand how two people could fall out of love and what happens to them when that happens.  I did not realize how difficult that was for my Mom and Dad too.  Someone said once, that in marriage, you either have to love them more or stop loving them.  Without time and attention, marriages get stale or feel full of problems. They're tired and frustrated with their marriages and not knowing what else to do. You have an affair. It's about the stage the marriage is in. And the way we live today. Everyday life is terrible for love. Love needs time, and time is the air love breathes, and people have no time. On the weekends, they're running around schlepping, doing all kinds of things. And where do you have the time you had when you were falling in love? It just doesn't exist for people anymore. It's difficult to second guess any of them and what went on between them.  It's hard to keep sparks in a marriage, and although two wrongs don't make a right, it's hard to blame any of them because you can't choose who you fall in love with and my Dad was a very handsome successful business man, so I can even understand how Carol could have fallen in love with him.  I don't blame either of my parents or even Carol for what happened, I've come to terms with that part of my past and have been able to forgive all three of them.  James and Carol Eldridge were married in May 1961.  They moved to Florida and they had four children. Mildred later married Richard Buzzi and moved to Kansas to be near her daughters. 

·         1910 US Census--

·         1920 US Census--

·         1930 US Census--

·         December 22, 1943, James Cseh officially changed name from James Howard Cseh to James Howard Chek

·         Residences:

·         12515 Gruss Avenue, Cleveland, OH at the time of his birth on 4/26/1926

·         Graduated from Willoughby Union High School June 1, 1944

·         Army Serial Number: 151284444; Enlisted 4 years:   Atterbury, Columbus, Indiana, October 6, 1944; Army Air Corp. Medical Corp. single-no dependents

·         Engaged to:  Audrey Gifford, classmate from Senior Year

·         Marriage #1:  Mildred Ruth Burwell about 1948; divorced October 13, 1960

·         Children of James and Mildred Chek: 

o   Diana Christine (1949-1978)

o   Sandra Lee (1950-     )

o   Cheryle Ann (1952-  )

o   Jimmy (1953-1953)

o   Deborah Jean (1954-  )

·         Marriage #2:  Carol Louise Eldridge May 1961

·         Children of James and Carol Chek: 

o   Ricky James (6/21/1961- living)

o   James Glennon  (11/26/1964 & DOD 1/18/1985)

o   Kimberly Louise (11/18/1965-living)

o   Vicki  Marie (9/17/70-living)

  Deborah Jean Chek--(B. 1954-D. still living) Deborah met xxxxxxx while home on leave from the U.S. Navy. They were married 1973 at United Methodist Church. The Reverand Dellenbaugh proceeded the ceremony

·         US Census--

·         Marriage:  XXXX Grow September 18, 1973

·         Children of Deborah and XXXX Grow:

• Jennifer (1974) married Jeremy
• Megan
• Jimmy
• Gayle (1976) married Larry (divorced); later married Eduardo xxxxx
• Lacy
• Christopher
• Alexis
• Madison
• Jamie (1981) married Kevin
• Kevin
• Novalie
• Christian

We have a few Mysteries and questions

who is Steve Csech (Born: Austria April 24, 1865) (I had totally forgotten but our family name was spelled this way in the old days too, so this has to be relation.  Is it possibly a brother to Sebastian; who our Steve's got their name from?)

·         he lived almost across the street from our Steven Cseh and I am certain if we dig deep enough we will find a connection to our family

·         1910 US Census, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio

o   Address: 9401 Mount Auburn Ave., Cleveland

·         1930 US Census, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio
This Steve CSECH was naturalized in Common Pleas Court, Cuyahoga Co. OH, Petition #18648:
Address: 82 McCurdy, Cleveland, Ohio
Born: Austria April 24, 1865
Date and Port: January 14, 1886
Naturalized: 27-Oct-00

Facts and Documentation about this family

SURNAMES

Our Surnames

My Mother’s

Bennett

Bunnell

Burwell

Brown

Cogswell

Devine

Englephaut

Garwood

Gehr

Madison

Millen

McArthur

Robinson

Pedan

Warren

My Father’s

Chek

Cseh

McMurtrie

Spouse’s Mother

Bingham

Buckley

Newberry ~ Herrington

Hickcox

Hoschouer

Hutchinson

Madison

Monroe

Rigney

Spouse’s Father

Black

Grow

Crabtree

Stice

Garwood

March

Pruett

Piet

Extended

Anderson

Blaker

Crawshaw

Buzzi

Benitez

Critchfield

Sutcliffe

Rodriguez

Hayes

Railsback

Stout

Tatro