2924 Melvale Street Property History

fig-1
Some of the original lots from the plan of the Village of Richmond superimposed on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map. In July 1844 Eli K. Price sold lots 25 (later 2925 Richmond Street) and 26 (later 2924 Melvale Street) to William Maughan. Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University

Development and Early Residents, 1843–1867

In July 1844, Philadelphia lawyer Eli K. Price sold a 20-x-200-foot lot located on the southeast side of Richmond Street—240 feet northeast of William Street (now East Cambria Street), and extending to Larch Street (now Melvale Street)—to William Maughan on a ground rent of $45 a year. 1 This lot was composed of two smaller lots numbered 25 and 26 on the plan of the village of Richmond. Maughan, who may have been the same individual as a 35-year-old Irish immigrant named William Mahon enumerated in the 1850 census in the Richmond District, sold the property after about six months to contractor Charles Smith for $600. 2

Smith, who owned other properties on the block, was forced into a sheriff sale in March 1849. Grocer Thomas Fey purchased the lot and another property at the corner of William and Larch Streets for $8,075 in March 1849. 3 According to the deed, a double two-story frame dwelling was located on the Larch Street side of the property at the time of the sale. This structure was presumably some form of a duplex, though its exact configuration is unknown. While it is possible that this structure was constructed during Maughan’s ownership of the property, it seems more probable that Smith built it. Fey divested himself of both properties he had bought in the sheriff sale in April 1853, when he sold them to Philadelphia merchants Patrick Levy and Andrew McBride for $18,000. 4 Levy became the sole owner just over two years later, when McBride sold him his half share of the lot, as well as other properties in the neighborhood, for $1,500. 5

fig-2
A plate from the 1862 Smedley’s Atlas of the City of Philadelphia, possibly depicting the double two-story frame dwelling on Larch Street. Courtesy of the Map Collection, Free Library of Philadelphia

In the late 1850s, Levy sold the half of the lot that fronted on Richmond Street (lot 25) to Charles Lennig, who had previously owned and operated a chemical works at the intersection of Richmond and Ann Streets before moving it to Bridesburg. 6 Levy retained the half of the lot fronting on Larch Street (which was renamed Melvale Street in the late 1850s) and presumably rented out the double house on the property, though the identities of most of the early tenants are lost to history. The first identifiable tenant was policeman Thomas Oakes, who moved to the address sometime between 1862 and 1864. 7 Information on Oakes is sparse, though he had become a policeman for the Richmond District in late 1853, just before the district was consolidated into the city of Philadelphia along with the county’s other municipalities. 8 The Irish-born Oakes was probably in his mid-40s when he moved his wife Mary, along with teenage sons Thomas and John, to Melvale Street from a house on Sorrel Street. The Oakes family continued to reside at the address into 1867, when Thomas Jr. died at age 17 and the property was sold. 9 Departing Melvale Street, the family moved to a dwelling at 1316 Thompson Street, where Thomas Oakes died several years later. 10

Charles McFadden’s Ownership, 1867–1878

In October 1867, Patrick Levy sold the property, which had now been given the house number 1620 Melvale Street, to Charles McFadden for $775. 11 As the deed only refers to a two-story frame house, it’s possible that the double dwelling from earlier had been replaced or heavily modified. Charles McFadden, an unmarried Irish immigrant laborer in his early 40s, owned several properties in the area, but resided with the family of his brother, John McFadden, on the east end of Sorrel Street. 12 The house at 1620 Melvale was occupied by the family of another brother, Andrew McFadden, which consisted of the widowed 40-something Andrew; his sons Dougald (also known as Douglass) and Michael, both in their late 20s; 18-year-old daughter Lydia; and Andrew’s unmarried sister, Annie. 13 Around 1870, Dougald married Mary Ann Larney and soon had a son, Andrew. 14 Though he continued to be listed at 1620 Melvale in the city directories, he was not enumerated there in the 1870 census, and instead seems to have moved in with his mother-in-law on Memphis Street. 15

The remainder of the family continued to reside at the address until about the middle of the decade. Annie McFadden died in February 1875 and Lydia married local grocer William Devine that same year. 16 In May 1876, when the sheriff seized and sold the property to cover Charles McFadden’s unpaid debts, Andrew and Michael followed Lydia to her new home at 1622 Bath Street. 17 The property had been purchased by clothier P. John Connelly, who may have rented the property out during the brief time he owned it. One possible tenant is Patrick Gilday, listed at the address in the 1878 city directory, but this may be merely a typo, as he appears to have resided next door at 1622 Melvale Street immediately before and after he was listed at 1620. 18

Neil McFadden and Family, 1878–Circa 1912

fig-3
The frame house at 1620 Melvale Street as depicted on the 1875 G.M. Hopkins City Atlas of Philadelphia, Vol. 4. Courtesy of the Philadelphia Historical Commission

In October 1878, after about a year and a half of ownership, P. John Connelly sold 1620 Melvale to Neil (also spelled Neal) McFadden, another of Charles McFadden’s brothers. 19 Neil, an Irish immigrant in his late 60s and a laborer on the Philadelphia and Reading Railway’s coal wharves, moved his extended family to the home within several months of the purchase. His immediate family was comprised of his Irish-born wife Ellen and the couple’s three daughters—Lydia, 21, Mary, 18, and Rose, 17. 20 In addition to his wife and daughters, Neil’s brother Charles, nephew Daniel McFadden (John’s son), and several others initially resided at 1620. 21 The identities of these other individuals—including 65-year-old laborer John Mullen (who may have resided with the family on and off since before 1860), Hugh McFadden, and George McFadden—are somewhat nebulous, especially the last two, as they are only listed once or twice in city directories. 22 By the end of 1885, when the address was changed to 2924 Melvale Street, these more nebulous individuals were no longer listed at the address and Charles had died of cancer, leaving only Neil’s immediate family and his nephew Daniel. 23

Ellen McFadden died of pneumonia in January 1887, and was followed by her husband when he died of bronchitis in December 1893. 24 The three McFadden daughters continued to reside in the house along with their cousin Daniel, who after losing his job as a boatman in the early 1880s had returned to his previous profession of marine fireman before eventually going to work in a glue factory. Lydia also worked outside the home, operating a machine in one of the local textile mills. 25 Rose McFadden married John William Roach in 1898 and moved to a house on East Allegheny Avenue. 26 James Robinson, another cousin, came to the household in about 1909, but he soon married and moved out. 27

The small household broke up over the course of 1912. Daniel McFadden entered (or was committed to) Philadelphia General Hospital in early January, likely for pseudobulbar palsy. He died there three years and eight months later at age 63. 28 Just about a month later, Lydia’s dress brushed against the grate of the heater in the basement and caught fire. Though Mary was able to extinguish the flames on her sister’s clothing, Lydia died after being taken to the hospital. 29 Mary moved in with her sister’s family on Allegheny Avenue and after several years put the house up for rent. 30

Polish-American Families and Final Years, Circa 1914–1966

fig-4
The frame house at 2924 Melvale Street as depicted on the 1919 Sanborn fire insurance map. Courtesy of Pennsylvania State University

By late 1914, the house at 2924 Melvale Street was being rented to the Pliszka family. 31 The family was comprised of 50-year-old Polish immigrant Frank Pliszka, his 39-year-old wife Josephine, and their four children—Charles, 19, Josephine, 13, Veronica, nine, and Chester, six. Frank was employed as a laborer, likely for the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and Charles as a weaver in one of the nearby mills. 32 The family only stayed briefly, possibly leaving in late 1915 for a house on Tilton Street before eventually settling on Salmon Street. 33

Following the Pliszka family’s departure, it becomes harder to track the residents of 2924 Melvale. Listed at the property in the 1917 and 1918 city directories was laborer Michael Colanski. 34 This may or may not have been the same individual as Albert Dolanski, who had taken up residence at the address by September 1918. 35 Dolanski, in turn, is very likely the same individual listed in city directories from 1919 through 1924 as “Albert Gilarski,” though neither of these names was enumerated at the address in the census. 36 Instead, it appears that Albert was enumerated as “George Dalinski” in 1900, “Weschak Dolinsky” in 1910, and “Walter Polinski” at 2924 Melvale in 1920. 37

When he moved into 2924 Melvale, Albert Dolanski was a 45-year-old Polish immigrant employed as a laborer by the Philadelphia and Reading Railway. He and his 37-year-old wife Magdalena had five living sons—Adam, 19, Leon, 15, Frank, 12, Joseph, 10, and John, seven. Adam, the eldest son, was employed by the William Cramp and Sons shipyard at the time, though he soon obtained a job in one of the local carpet mills. 38 As they reached adulthood, the younger sons found jobs in local factories, as well. The two elder Dolanski boys moved out sometime in the 1920s, likely after their marriages, but Frank, Joseph, and John remained a part of the household into the 1930s. 39

The family was dealt a heavy blow in March 1927 when Albert was killed in an accident at work. While unloading grain from a bin in the Port Richmond grain elevator, two automatic safety doors of a grain chute came down on him and crushed his skull. Though he was found by his Melvale Street neighbor, Joseph Adamczyk, and rushed to Northeastern Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. 40 Within a year or so, Magdalena married Antoni Sieklucki, a local factory worker who had two young daughters from a previous marriage, Frances and Sophia. Sieklucki moved into 2924 Melvale along with his children and continued to reside there until October 1934, when he and Magdalena purchased a home at 2964 Melvale Street. 41

In the months before the Dolanski-Sieklucki family moved out, 2924 Melvale saw a change in ownership. Rose (McFadden) Roach had died in 1919, and her husband John William Roach died 12 years later, leaving the ownership of the property divided among Mary McFadden and the four adult Roach children. In June 1934, Mary and two of the Roach children sold their interest in the property to the two remaining—Neal J. Roach and Rosemary L. Roach. 42 The residents of 2924 Melvale during the late 1930s and 1940s are unknown, though it is possible that one or more Roach siblings resided there for a time. Neal and Rosemary sold the property to Frank and Anna Aleksiejczyk in August 1947, who likely moved their family into the dwelling at 2924 shortly afterward. 43 Little is known about the Aleksiejczyk family, aside from Frank and Anna marrying in 1938 and having a daughter, Anna, about a year later. 44 Coincidentally, in 1959, the younger Anna would marry Martin McFadden of the Fox Chase neighborhood in Philadelphia. This McFadden had no known relation to the previous owners. 45

The Redevelopment Corporation of the City of Philadelphia condemned the property in 1966 for the construction of Interstate 95, and the dwelling on the property was subsequently demolished. 46

References

  1. Philadelphia County Deed Book RLL 36:38, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed February 2015, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  2. Philadelphia County Deed Book RLL 36:38  ↩
  3. Philadelphia County Sheriff’s Deed Book V:487, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  4. Philadelphia County Deed Book TH 122:1, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  5. Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 5:232, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web  ↩
  6. “The Bridesburg Story,” accessed 6 June, 2015, http://www.bridesburg.net/bridesburg/bridesburg_html/The%20Bridesburg%20Story.htm ↩
  7. A. McElroy, comp., McElroy’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1862, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Thomas Oaks (Oakes), p. 504; ibid. 1865, Thomas Oakes, p. 515; ibid. 1866, Thomas Oakes, p. 553 ↩
  8. “Meeting of the Commissioners of Richmond,” (Philadelphia) Pennsylvania Inquirer, November 4, 1853, p. 1, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed May 2015, http://www.genealogybank.com ↩
  9. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed May 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Thomas Oaks (Oakes), June 29, 1867; Philadelphia County Deed Book JTO 99:367, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed November 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  10. “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Thomas Okes (Oakes), 2nd enumeration, enumeration district 54, 18th Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed May 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Thos. Oaks (Oakes), December 11, 1872; “Thomas Oakes,” Public Ledger (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), December 13, 1872, p. 2, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed May 2015, http://www.genealogybank.com  ↩
  11. Philadelphia County Deed Book JTO 99:367 ↩
  12. James Gopsill, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1868, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Charles McFadden, laborer, h 1269 Sorrel, and John McFadden, laborer, h 1269 Sorrel, p. 1036; Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 51:163, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed July 2015, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John McFadden, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  13. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1868, entries for Andrew McFadden, p. 1035, Dougald McFadden, and Michael McFadden, conductor, p. 1036; Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 51:163, includes a recitation of the siblings of the deceased Alexander McFadden; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Andrew McFadden, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Andrew McFadden, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Andrew McFadden, 2nd enumeration, enumeration district 81, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  14. “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed May 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Douglas (Dougald) McFadden, January 12, 1918, File Number 11388; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed May 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Mary A. McFaddin (Mary Ann McFadden), June 29, 1924, File Number 65683; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Douglas (Dougald) McFadden, enumeration district 0588, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  15. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1870, entries for Dougald McFadden, p. 992, and Elizabeth Larney, p. 898; ibid. 1871, Dougald McFadden, p. 937; ibid. 1872, Dougald McFadden, p. 884; ibid. 1873, Dougald McFadden, p. 859; ibid. 1874, Dougald McFadden, p. 862; ibid. 1875, Dougald McFadden and Douglass (Dougald) McFadden, p. 966; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed May 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Thomas Mcfadden, April 13, 1872; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Douglas (Dougald) McFadden, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 61, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Douglas (Dougald) McFadden, enumeration district 0679, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa  ↩
  16. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed May 2015, https://familysearch.org; entry for Annie Mcfadden, February 8, 1875; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for William Devine, enumeration district 0587, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  17. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1875, Michael McFadden, p. 966; ibid. 1878, Andrew McFadden, laborer, h 1622 Bath, p. 1000, Michael McFadden, conductor, p. 1001; ibid. 1879, William S. Devine, p. 432, Andrew McFadden, laborer, h 1622 Bath, and Michael McFadden, conductor, p. 1033; Philadelphia County Sheriff’s Deed Book 40:535; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for William Devine, enumeration district 0525, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  18. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1877, entry for Patrick Kildare (Gilday), p. 803; ibid. 1878, Patrick Gilday, p. 598; ibid. 1880, Patrick Kilday (Gilday), p. 929; ibid. 1881, Patrick Gilday, laborer, p. 625  ↩
  19. Philadelphia County Deed Book DHL 200:196, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed November 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web; Philadelphia County Deed Book LRB 51:163; “Neil M’Fadden (McFadden),” death notice, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Record, December 20, 1893, p. 6, Google News, database accessed November 2014, https://news.google.com/newspapers?hl=en; “Neal McFadden,” death notice, Times (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), December 22, 1893, p. 5, Newspapers.com, subscription database accessed December 2014, http://www.newspapers.com ↩
  20. “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Neal (Neil) McFadden, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Neal (Neil) McFadden, enumeration district 0524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  21. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1880, entries for Charles McFadden, laborer, and Daniel McFadden, p. 1084; ibid. 1881, Charles McFadden, laborer, and Daniel McFadden, p. 1050, Neal (Neil) McFadden, p. 1051; ibid. 1882, Daniel McFadden, fireman, p. 996, Neal (Neil) McFadden, laborer, p. 997; ibid. 1883, Charles McFadden, laborer, Cornelius (Neil) McFadden, laborer, and Daniel McFadden, fireman, p. 1026; ibid. 1884, Daniel McFadden, fireman, p. 1024; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed May 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Daniel McFadden, September 29, 1915, File Number 91737, notes the names of Daniel’s parents—John McFadden and Margaret McMonigle ↩
  22. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1880, entries for Hugh McFadden, laborer, p. 1084, John Mullen, laborer, p. 1243; ibid. 1881, John Mullen, laborer, p. 1206; ibid. 1882, George McFadden, laborer, p. 996; ibid. 1883, George McFadden, p. 1026; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Neil McFadden, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Mullen, 19th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for John Mullen, enumeration district 0524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  23. James Gopsill’s Sons, comp., Gopsill’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Charles McFadden, wtchmn, and Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1131, Neal McFadden, p. 1132; ibid. 1886, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1096, Neil McFadden, p. 1097  ↩
  24. “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed November 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Ellen Mcfaddan (McFadden), January 17, 1887; “Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915,” database accessed November 2014, https://familysearch.org; entry for Neil Mcfadden, December 18, 1893 ↩
  25. Gopsill, Philadelphia City Directory for 1880, entry for Daniel McFadden, p. 1084; ibid. 1881, Daniel McFadden, p. 1050; ibid. 1882, Daniel McFadden, fireman, p. 996; ibid. 1883, Daniel McFadden, fireman, p. 1026; ibid. 1884, Daniel McFadden, fireman, p. 1024; Gopsill’s Sons, Philadelphia City Directory for 1885, entry for Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1131; ibid. 1886, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1096; ibid. 1888, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1117; ibid. 1889, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1143; ibid. 1890, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1182; ibid. 1891, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1182; ibid. 1892, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1217; ibid. 1893, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1229; ibid. 1894, Daniel McFadden, laborer, p. 1260; ibid. 1895, Danl. McFadden, laborer, p. 1186; ibid. 1897, Danl. McFadden, laborer, p. 1262; ibid. 1898, Danl. McFadden, laborer, p. 1383; ibid. 1899, Danl. McFadden, laborer, p. 1439; ibid. 1900, Danl. McFadden, laborer, h 2942 (2924) Melvale, p. 1437; “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Daniel McFadden, 1st enumeration, enumeration district 81, 24th (25th) Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Dan. McFadden, enumeration district 0524, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Lydia McFadden, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Lydia McFadden, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  26. “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Rose M. McFadden, 1898, Marriage License Number 100777; “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for William (John William) Roach, enumeration district 0586, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  27. C.E. Howe, comp., Boyd’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1910, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.fold3.com; entry for Jas. Robinson, lab., p. 1699; ibid. 1911, Danl. McFadden, h 2926 (2924) Melvale, p. 1194, Jas. Robinson, weighmstr, h 2926 (2924) Melvale, p. 1590; “Marriage Licenses Issued,” Philadelphia Inquirer, October 27, 1910, p. 14, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed March 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com; “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Lydia McFadden, enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa  ↩
  28. “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed May 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Daniel McFadden, September 29, 1915, File Number 91737 ↩
  29. “Woman Dies of Burns,” Evening Bulletin (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), February 2, 1912, p. 1, microfilm on file at the Free Library of Philadelphia Newspapers and Microfilm Center, Parkway Central Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; “Woman’s Burns Prove Fatal,” Philadelphia Inquirer, February 3, 1912, p. 7, Genealogy Bank, subscription database accessed November 2014, http://www.genealogybank.com; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Lydia McFadden, February 2, 1912, File Number 19792 ↩
  30. “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for William J. (John William) Roach, enumeration district 0756, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa  ↩
  31. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1915, entry for Chas. and Frank Ptiszka (Pliszka), p. 1360 ↩
  32. “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Frank Pliszka, enumeration district 0756, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  33. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1916, entries for Chas. Pliszka, Frank Pliszka, lab., and Frank Pliszka, lab., h 2820 Tilton, p. 1338; ibid. 1917, Frank Pliszka, p. 1354; ibid. 1919, Chas. S. Pliszka and Frank Pliszka, p. 949; “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Frank Pliszka, enumeration district 0756, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa  ↩
  34. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1917, entry for Michael Colanski, p. 412; ibid. 1918, Michael Colanski, p. 426 ↩
  35. “U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Albert Dolanski, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ↩
  36. Howe, Philadelphia City Directory for 1919, entry for Albert Gilarski, p. 506; ibid. 1921, Albert Gilarski, p. 493; ibid. 1922, Albert Gilarski, p. 517; R.L. Polk, comp., Polk’s-Boyd’s Philadelphia City Directory for 1923, subscription database accessed March 2014, https://www.ancestry.com; entry for Albert Gilarski, p. 363; ibid. 1924, Albert Gilarski, p. 60 ↩
  37. “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for George Dalinski (Albert Dolanski), enumeration district 0592, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Weschak Dolinsky (Albert Dolanski), enumeration district 0545, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Walter Polinski (Albert Dolanski), enumeration district 0747, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa  ↩
  38. “U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Albert Dolanski, Philadelphia, Pa.; “U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Adam Dolanski, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Walter Polinski (Albert Dolanski), enumeration district 0747, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa ↩
  39. Philadelphia County Deed Book JMH 3815:296, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed May 2015, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web, shows Frank Dolanski’s name written as Dolan, making it plausible that the Adam Dolan on marriage certificate 1923:477027 is in fact Adam Dolanski; “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Adam Dolan, 1923, Marriage License Number 477027; “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Leon W. Dolanski, 1924, Marriage License Number 449088; “1930 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Anthony Sekluda (Antoni Sieklucki), enumeration district 51-0919, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Adam Dolan, 164-14-1835, confirms name change, same date of birth at World War I draft registration  ↩
  40. “Automatic Door Kills Man,” Philadelphia Inquirer, March 3, 1927, p. 7, Old Fulton NY Post Cards, database accessed October 2014, http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html; “Worker Crushed to Death,” Public Ledger, March 3, 1927, p. 2, microfilm on file at the Falvey Memorial Library, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania; “Pennsylvania State Department of Health Death Certificates,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed October 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Albert Dolanski, March 2, 1927, File Number 23373 ↩
  41. Philadelphia County Deed Book JMH 3815:296; “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Magdalena Dolansja (Dolanski), 1928, Marriage License Number 562027; “1930 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Anthony Sekluda (Antoni Sieklucki), enumeration district 51-0919, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.; “1940 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com, subscription database accessed March 2015, http://www.ancestry.com; entry for Maddlin Sieklucra (Magdalena Sieklucki), enumeration district 51-0738, 25th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa  ↩
  42. Philadelphia County Deed Book JMH 3780:515, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed May 2015, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  43. Philadelphia County Deed Book CJP 1798:257, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed July 2015, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web ↩
  44. “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Index, 1885–1951,” Ancestry.com subscription database accessed March 2015, http://ancestry.com; entry for Frank Josef Aleksiejczyk, 1938, Marriage License Number 688782; “Marriage Licenses Issued in Phila.,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 7, 1959, p. S11, Old Fulton NY Post Cards, database accessed June 2014, http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html ↩
  45. “Marriage Licenses Issued in Phila.,” June 7, 1959, p. S11  ↩
  46. Philadelphia County Deed Book CAD 632:292, “Historical Land and Vital Records,” subscription database accessed September 2014, https://www.phila-records.com/historic-records/web  ↩