Joseph Mastykaz Tragedy in Lackawanna, New York
My first forays into recording family history included people that I knew, or the people that my parents knew. By talking with other relatives and researching records, I learned that some families had once been bigger, with children who did not live to adulthood.
For example, in the 1920 census, Gregory and Mary Mateka were recorded at 116 Rich Street in Lackawanna, New York. The household consisted of:
Gregory Mateka, age 44- Mary Mateka, age 28
- Mary Mateka, age 6
- Joseph Mateka, age 4
- Stanley Mateka, age 1 2/12
- Michael Mateka, age 46
- Jacob Sawanik, age 33
In 1930, the family was at 458 Steelawanna Avenue in Lackawanna. The household included:
George Mastykarz, age 52- Mary Mastykarz, age 39
- Stanley Mastykarz, 11
- John Mastykarz, 7
- Jacob Savanok, age 42
What happened to Joseph?
The answer was found on the front page of the Buffalo News and Courier for June 21, 1926.
There was a follow up story:
I was not able to determine if Joseph’s body was recovered, but it must have been a terrible time for the grieving family.
Update Dec. 2021: Joseph Mastyka was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, Erie, New York, on 24 June 1926.
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