Maria (Cech) Bednar (1821 - 1884)

Born 1821 in Bohemia

Descendants

Died 1884 at about age 63 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: J Horak [send private message]

Biography

Mary (Cech) Bednar has Czech Roots.

Mary (Cech) Bednar migrated from Bohemia to USA.

Maria was born in 1821 in Bohemia (Czech Republic). At this time, her parents are unknown.

She married Cardel Bednar while living in the Czech Republic, who was 4 years her senior.

Maria immigrated with her husband and children to the USA via Baltimore in 1860 when she was 39. Their children upon arrival were: Joseph, 18, Cardel, 17, Catherina, 15, Franz, 7 ½, Rudolph, 4 ½. Their youngest Mary is listed later a being born in Bohemia, so she was an breastfeeding infant at this time, as these babies were often excluded in passenger lists. ^{[1] [2]}

On the 1870 census, she is head of household and is living next door to her daughter and son-in-law, Daniel and Catherine Horak.

For the 1880 census, she is living with an AB Mcdonald with her daughter, and is clearly incorrectly labeled as "wife". Her husband, Charles, is living with their son Rudolph and is listed as widowed, in the same enumeration district, 256.

She passed away in 1884. In her last will and testament, she spreads out some of her money to her children, children-in-law, and nieces and nephews, but most notable she leaves the bulk to her daughter Mary with the written expectation that Mary will take care of Charles Bednar, who was in feeble health, should her husband survive her. It is signed 12 Jan 1884. Her probate is proofed and sealed on 16 May 1884. ^[5]

Research Notes

Mary's birth name is likely not "Cech" for several reasons. Will update it when I can confirm. But "Cech" just means Czech, which is where she is from. Someone on ancestry has her name listed as Mariana Whilelmova, and I have reached out to tree owner to see if they have the sources for that.

I'm not sure where the Jan 14th dates for birth and death are coming from. The cemetery index and her headstone show 1821-1884, but no mention of month.

- Horak-292 05:00, 6 December 2022 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Passenger List: "Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., Passenger Lists, 1820-1964", database with images
   The National Archives At Washington, D.c.; Washington, D.c.; Records of the Us Customs Service, Rg36; NAI Number: 2655153; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85
   Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
   Ancestry Record 8679 #1683802 ($).
2. ↑ Passenger List: "Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., Passenger Lists, 1820-1964", database with images
   The National Archives At Washington, D.c.; Washington, D.c.; Records of the Us Customs Service, Rg36; NAI Number: 2655153; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85
   Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
   Ancestry Record 8679 #1683802 ($).
3. ↑ 1870 Census: "1870 United States Federal Census", database with images
   Year: 1870; Census Place: Cedar Rapids Ward 1, Linn, Iowa; Roll: M593_405; Page: 118B
   Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
   Ancestry Record 7163 #34980708 ($).
4. ↑ 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census", database with images
   Year: 1880; Census Place: Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa; Roll: 351; Page: 88C; Enumeration District: 256
   Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
   Ancestry Record 6742 #47777026 ($).
5. ↑ Probate: "Iowa, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1758-1997", database with images
   Probate Records, 1840-1941; Index, 1840-1944; Author: Iowa. District Court (Linn County); Probate Place: Linn, Iowa
   Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
   Ancestry Record 9064 #1688623 ($).

• Memorial: "Find a Grave", database with images
  Find A Grave: Memorial #108866122
  Memorial page for Mary Cech Bednar (1821-1884), citing Oak Hill Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, USA.

• Spouse Draft Card: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947", database with images
  National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New Jersey, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 38
  Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
  Ancestry Record 2238 #332077420 ($).

• Marriage of daughter Mary Bednar: "Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1945", database with images
  Iowa Department of Public Health; Des Moines, Iowa; Series Title: Iowa Marriage Records, 1880–1922; Record Type: Marriage
  Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
  Ancestry Record 8823 #1503507454 ($).