LaPatka

The LaPatka surname, changed from the original of LoPatka, is of central European origin. Its exact origin is unknown but the surname can be found in the 1800’s in Hungary, Poland, Russia, and even Galacia in northwest Spain. Its meaning is also unknown.

Our LaPatka ancestors were from the Hungarian portion of the dual-monarchy of Austria-Hungary, an area now in the Presov Region of the modern-day Slovak Republic (Slovakia) and near the border of Poland. The region is considered the crossroads of eastern and western Europe and has seen much change to its geographical and political borders throughout history. The country was previously part of the Kingdom of Hungary from the ninth century, the dual-state of Austria-Hungary from 1867-1919, and Czechoslovakia from 1919-1992. Slovakia declared its independence in 1992.

The first large scale migration of Slovaks from the region of Hungary began in the late 1870’s, when scores of peasants (mostly farmers or manual laborers) began immigrating to the United States to seek economic opportunity.

Typically many of the Slovaks would walk or travel by horse-drawn wagons to the major German port of Bremen, but also to nearby Hamburg or Antwerp in Belgium. Bremen was a particular point of departure for Slovaks because the Hungarian government had an exclusive agreement with the Cunard Line based there. From Germany most would travel in the primitive “steerage” section of the steamships during the approximately two-week journey to the entry ports such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. From the port cities the Slovak immigrants would travel by railroad to their final destinations, usually where a relative or sponsor was waiting to receive them.

Many in the initial wave were male migrants who planned to find work, save money, and return to their native homeland to buy land. Others stayed on, especially later when land in Hungary became scarce, and eventually sent for their families to join them. Between 1880 and 1924 about 600,000 Slovaks immigrated to the United States, and about 450,000 stayed permanently.

About half of the Slovaks immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, especially in the region around Pittsburgh, and went to work in the many coal mines or iron and steel mills. The few Slovaks with the LoPatka/LaPatka surname settled mainly in New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The Slovaks, most of which were Roman Catholics, were a deeply religious people and founded many of their own churches and fraternal organizations in the United States.

My earliest definitive record of our LaPatka ancestors is Michal LoPatka – born in Hungary (modern-day Slovakia), immigrating to the United States (probably in the early 1880’s) with his son Jan and daughter Ann, and settling in western Pennsylvania. (See Michal LoPatka page)

Bobka (Bobkova)

The Bobko surname is of Russian (possibly Ukranian) origin. The exact meaning of the surname is unknown. Bobkova is the feminine version of the Slovak surname Bobko, with the suffix “ova” added to most Slovak surnames.

Our Bobko ancestors were from the Hungarian portion of the dual-monarchy of Austria-Hungary, an area now in the Presov Region of the modern-day Slovak Republic (Slovakia) and near the border of Poland. The first large scale migration of Slovaks from the region of Hungary began in the late 1870’s, when scores of peasants (mostly farmers or manual laborers) began emigrating to the United States to seek better economic opportunity.

Between 1880 and 1924 about 600,000 Slovaks immigrated to the United States, and about 450,000 stayed permanently. About half of the Slovaks immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, especially in the region around Pittsburgh, and went to work in the many coal mines or iron and steel mills. The handful of Slovak immigrants with the Bobko surname settled in Pennsylvania, with a few others in New York, Ohio, and Michigan.

My earliest definitive record of our Bobko ancestors is Maria Bobkova – born and died in Hungary (modern-day Slovakia) and the wife of our ancestor Michal LoPatka and mother of our ancestor of Jan LoPatka. Michael and Jan LoPatka immigrated to the United States sometime in the early 1880’s and settled in western Pennsylvania. (See Michal LoPatka & Maria Bobko page)

Brinczko (Brinczkova)

The Brinczko surname is of Ukranian origin. The exact meaning of the surname is unknown. Brinczkova is the feminine version of the Slovak surname, with the suffix “ova” added to most Slovak surnames.

Our Brinczko ancestors were from the Hungarian portion of the dual-monarchy of Austria-Hungary, an area now in the Presov Region of the modern-day Slovak Republic (Slovakia) and near the border of Poland. The first large scale migration of Slovaks from the region of Hungary began in the late 1870’s, when scores of peasants (mostly farmers or manual laborers) began immigrating to the United States to seek economic opportunity.

More the half of the Slovaks settled in Pennsylvania, especially in the region around Pittsburgh, and went to work in the many coal mines or iron and steel mills. Finding the Brinczko surname in U.S. census records is difficult, as it may appear the name was possibly altered or shortened (such as to Brinc).

My earliest definitive record of our Brinczko ancestors is Jan Brinczko - born and died in Hungary (modern-day Slovakia) and the father of our ancestor Maria Brinczkova. Maria Brinczkova immigrated to the United States in 1896 and settled in western Pennsylvania. (See Jan LoPatka & Maria Brinczkova page)

Burik (Burikova)

The Burik surname is of Ukranian origin and is a descriptive nickname derived from the word Bur, meaning “dark brown or gray.” The Burik surname could possibly be derived from the western or southern Slavic surname Burich. Burich is derived from the word buric, meaning “rebel.” Burikova is the feminine version of the Slovak surname, with the suffix “ova” added to most Slovak surnames.

Our Burik ancestors were from the Hungarian portion of the dual-monarchy of Austria-Hungary, an area now in the Presov Region of the modern-day Slovak Republic (Slovakia) and near the border of Poland. The first large scale migration of Slovaks from the region of Hungary began in the late 1870’s, when scores of peasants (mostly farmers or manual laborers) began immigrating to the United States to seek economic opportunity.

More the half of the Slovaks settled in Pennsylvania, especially in the region around Pittsburgh, and went to work in the many coal mines or iron and steel mills. By 1920 those few families with the Burik surname were concentrated in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

My earliest definitive record of our Burik ancestors is Maria Burikova – born and died in Hungary (modern-day Slovakia) and the mother of our ancestor Maria Brinczkova. Maria Brinczkova immigrated to the United States in 1896 and settled in western Pennsylvania. (See Jan LoPatka & Maria Brinczkova page)