"West Virginia"
- Trunk 1912 -
Slovenia translation
© Copyright 1996, Slovenian Genealogy Society and FEEFHS, all rights
reseved
First Posted: 16 October 1996
Provided by and courtesy of Al Peterlin, President, Slovenian Genealogy Society
International
This Rev J. M. Trunk text was published originally in 1912 as Part 8, History of Slovene
Communities, contains significant genealogical information about Slovenian immigrants,
the places they lived, the organizations they formed, and the churches they attended.
Translators for the Slovenian Genealogy Society have been working to translate many
texts published early in the 1900s that contain significant genealogical information. Our
translators are not professional linguists, and they do not complete a translation with rigorous
academic oversight. The goal of our translation projects is to make information available to
the American descendants of Slovenian immigrants. If you believe we have made serious
errors in translation, please contact us and volunteer your time to us in order to make the
corrections. We strive to do good work; we are always willing to correct errors to the extent
we can; and we ask others to join us in this worthwhile endeavor.
The Slovenian Genealogy Societycollects church
histories. Readers with information on Slovenes in the communities listed, the churches
mentioned, or other information on Slovenes, can contact the Society at 52 Old Farm Road,
Camp Hill, Pa 17011. The society accepts donations of Slovene books, texts, and
publications.
Beginning of translated text:
WEST VIRGINIA
Coceton. There is the Lodge #10 of St. Barbara here.
Charleston. Many Slovene miners work here and are members of Lodge #38 of St.
Barbara.
Davis. The first Slovene came here about 27 years ago as reported by G. F. Penko,
but several years ago they came in greater numbers. There are about 250 Slovene immigrants
here. They work in the different factories, paper mills and leather factories. There are about
20 families. They worship in St. Veronica's Irish Church. Around Easter, a Slovene
Franciscan Father visits the community. In 1911, the Lodge of St. John, JSKJ was founded
and it is progressing nicely.
Durbin. In 1907 the first Slovenes settled down here. Among the first ones was Iv.
Humer from the region of Primorje (along the Adriatic coast), but most of them came from
Carniola (Kranjska). Mr. J. Vabcer mentioned in a report that there are six Slovene families
and about 40 single men. There are no fraternal organizations, but they have a bowling alley
which is getting crowded on Sundays. There is no church. I asked where do the Slovenes
attend Mass and received the following reply: "They go to the woods since we are
surrounded on all sides by forests. There is no religious life here." The report added that the
Slovene workers earn good money and save some of their earnings. It is a sad situation.
Gormania. Mr. A. Korencan reported: Among the first settlers there were A.
Lorencan and J. Javornik, who came from Vrhnika in 1892. P. Ponikvar came from Iga.
There are two Slovene families and eight single men living in the community. They are
employed in the leather factory. Except for the Slovenes, there are no Catholics here. The
Hoffmann Company erected the church and once a month an Irish priest visits the
community. There are no fraternal organizations here. That is why the people are leaving
the community. They are not building homes.
Henry. There are some Slovenes employed here. They are enrolled in Lodge #96
of St. Georg with seven members.
Monogah. There is the Lodge #100 of Blessed Mary of Carmel JSKJ.
Moundsville. In the coal mine seven Slovene families plus some single men are
employed. There are no fraternal organization in the town; they belong to organizations with
offices located elsewhere.
Richwood. There is the Lodge #102 "The Diamond of the Mountain", JSKJ,
here.
Thomas. This community is considered the largest Slovene community in the State
of West Virginia. The workers are employed in the coal mines and forest. I was told there
are several hundred Slovene immigrants here. Some time ago Rev. J. Tomsic was their parish
priest. At the present time Slovene Franciscan Fathers visit the community.
Some Slovenes can be found in Benwood and Hacker Valley.
0 - 0 - 0
Rev. Trunk Translation INDEX
Slovenia CROSS-INDEX
Ethnic, Religious and National Index
Location (Address) Index
Master IndexPage
FEEFHS FrontPage
Full Text [search engine] Web Site Index