UNCLE JÁN

Sometime after his mother’s death Štefanko was sent to live with his Uncle Ján (pronounced Y-on in Czech and Slovak - John in English). Štefan, Sr. apparently had written a letter to his brother, Ján, telling him that he would not be coming back from America and that Ján could have his land. When Miklós Sedláčik, Štefanko’s grandfather, heard this news he said something to the effect “Where the land goes you go.” So he kicked his grandson out and that is how Štefanko came to live with his uncle’s family.

A branch of the Miklo family, Vilma Miklová, the widow of Serfín, Štefan’s first cousin, is still living in Ján’s house where Štefan grew up. It is located at 21/469 A. Hlinku Street in Drahovce. 

Here is a picture of Ján and his family in Drahovce. I think that this photo was taken sometime in the late 1940’s. I base this on the age of Ján’s children and the clothing that they are wearing. Standing in the back row: Ján, Jr., Anton, Filip and Serafín. Front row standing: Ludmila, Anna, Maria and Vendel. Seated in front: Štefan’s Aunt Maria and Uncle Ján. Notice the fence in the background that is made of twigs and Aunt Maria’s traditional dress. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)