Ancestry Chapter 49
1937 Great-Grandchildren, More Grandchildren, the “Tibus Cousins” Error
1937 Great Grandchilden births: one
Michael Norek's 73rd birthday, 1937, Chicago
Everyone, and apparently that really means just about everyone, gathered at Mozart Street for Michael Norek's 73rd birthday. (From Aunt Ruthie's 1955 mini-bio.)
Why on the 73rd birthday? Why not wait until his 75th? I understand that close to everyone routinely showed up on Mozart Street for his birthday every year.
The "Cousins" Error
When Aunt Ruth described this 73rd birthday party (mini-bio written 18 years later, in 1955), she explains that her father was married before, and then says he was married to her mother's cousin. Other second batchers have also said "cousins." First-batch descendants have said "distant cousins".
We know Helena and Antonia were aunt and niece, not cousins.
The second batch children and the first batch grandchildren called each other cousins -- a convenience title -- they are of the same generation age-wise. Ruthie explained that in another passage.
So if Ruthie was also explaining to whomever that her father's two wives were cousins, she meant just that. And so Michael and Antonia must have told their children that Helena was Antonia's cousin. Why?
And why did that legend go unquestioned? I presume that everyone had been to St. Boniface Cemetery. Helena's birth date is right there, on the tombstone. Helena was born thirty-one years before Antonia -- somewhat peculiar for cousins but not at all for aunts and nieces.
Left, the photo of the Noreks posed with snowballs.
From left, Vi (Mike's fiancé), Dolores, George, Gertrude, then Ruth and Dorothy (possibly but which is which?), and far right Tom.
Next is the A-frame photo. From photo left, Peter Weber, Peter Norek, Poppa Michael Norek, Gertrude, Antonia holding George in place, Ruthie, Vi and Mike Jr. as the affianced couple, Dolly (Anna's second daughter), Ruth Norek (Steve's wife) and Dolores.
Lois born, 1937, Chicago
Josephine and Chester's second and last child, Lois, is born in 1937.
She also will be one of the often photographed grandchildren.
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