AMERIKAN NARODNI KALENDAR

Amerikan Narodni Kalendar was published in Chicago annually from 1878 through 1958. It is an important source for genealogists of Czech and Slovak lineage because members' biographies and personal stories were featured. Vincenc Luk's own story in the 1886 issue described his arrival in Iowa in 1854, a "coach" ride to Oxford Township in Jones County, breaking prairie with a breaking plow, working with his family and neighbors – a true survival story. Jan Vochoska from Hrdlorezy, south of Trebon, emigrated to Oxford Township in 1875 and later moved to Elberon IA. His interesting story is in the 1954 issue.

ANK issues are in the Czech language but are well-worth translating if your ancestor is found. I am compiling an index of the subjects' names with Czech origin, years of birth and arrival, American residence, how/where to order a copy, etc. When complete the index will be here and in several libraries that have Czech collections including Wregie Memorial Library, Oxford Jct. IA.

If you have a translated (to English) biography/story/interview from Amerikan Narodni Kalendar that you are willing to share, please send it to me. I'll "pay" you by looking up your surnames in the unfinished data base (already over 1000 names have been entered).

Judy Nelson, April 2008