Jan 'Johann' 'John' (Michálek) Mekalick (1829 - 1900)

Born 18 Oct 1829 in Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn

Husband of Anna Rosina (Hadasch) Michálek — married 1861 in Kelč, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn

Descendants

Died 4 Sep 1900 at age 70 in Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terrie Lloyd [send private message]

Biography

Jan's Timeline:

Birth: 18 October 1829, in Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn (Austria-Hungary). ^[1][2][3][4]

Jan was the son of Jiri Michálek and Rosina Honcova. Rosina was born in Sedlnice, Northern Moravia, in 1790, the daughter of Jan Hontsch. She was a young widow and mother of about 27 years old when her and Jiri married in 1818. Rosina's late husband was Jan Jaluvka (d.1817), and they lived at 22 Prachalov where they had two children. Jiri is described as "being from somewhere nearby". ^[1]

Children of Rosina & Jan: ^[1]

Rosina Jaluvcova b.1815

Joseph Jaluvka b. 9 April 1817 m. "Katerina" (b.1813)

Children of Rosina & Jiri: ^[1]

Anna b.1819

Katerina b.1821

Terezie b.1824

Jan b. 18 October 1829

Antonin b. 6 March 1832

Vincenc b. 8 May 1834

Barbora b.1836

Jiri b. 26 March 1839

Childhood Residence: 22 Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj (Moravia). ^[1]

Although today Moravia is part of the Czech Republic, and Austria is a different country altogether, in Jan's time Moravia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 22 Prchalov where Jan grew up was demolished in 1925. There is a newer home on the site now, and the street has been re-numbered.

2011 Google street view - the view looking south from where Jan's childhood home once stood.

Occupation: Taglohner - day worker. ^[1]

A "day worker" implies such skills as carpentry, brick-laying, agricultural work, coal mining, etc, but not long term work as known today. Day worker's worked when work was available.

Military Service: Conscripted into the Austrian Army during the Danish-Prussian War over the territory of Schleswig-Holstein. ^[1]

The First Schleswig War lasted from 1848 to 1851, when Jan was aged abt. 19 - 22. The Second Schleswig War began on 1 February 1864 and ended on 30 October 1864, when Jan was aged 34-35. Therefore it seems likely that Jan fought in the First Schleswig War.

Marriage: 1860/61, in Kelč, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn. ^[1][3][5]

Residence: circa 1861/62, in Větřkovice, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn. ^[1]

Birth of son: 28 Jul 1863, Josef was born at Větřkovice, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj. ^[1]

Residence: circa 1864, in Skotnice, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn. ^[1]

Birth of son: 15 Feb 1866, Valenty was born at Skotnice, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj. ^[1]

Residence: aft. 1866, at 22 Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn. ^[1]

Some time after 1866, Jan & Anna moved back to Jan's childhood home, 22 Prchalov. They returned as paying tenants. Two of Jan's siblings were likely still living at number 22 at the time, Jiri, his youngest brother then aged about 28 years, and Barbora, Jan's youngest sister, then aged about 31 years. Jan and Anna remained at 22 Prchalov until they decided to emigrate to New Zealand. ^[1]

Birth of son: 6 Jul 1868, Frantisek was born at Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj. ^[1]

Frantisek passed away just 10 days later, on 16 Jul 1868. ^[1]

Birth of daughter: 26 Jan 1871, Frantisky was born at Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj. ^[1]

Birth of daughter: 1873, Marie was born at Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj. ^[1]

Residence: March 1874, Sedlnitz, Nový Jičín, Moravskoslezský kraj, Österreich-Ungarn. ^[1][2]

Occupation: March 1874, Landmann. ^[2]

In March of 1874 the Michálek family left their home and made their way to South Moravia, probably to the rail station at Olomouc. They then went by train to Hamburg, Germany. In Hamburg they boarded the ship "Capella" which took them to London. ^[1]

German emigrants boarding a steamer in Hamburg, Germany, in 1874.

Emigration: 20 Mar 1874, left Hamburg, Germany, on the ship "Capella". ^[2]

Immigration: London, England. ^[2]

From London the family was taken by train down to Plymouth where they would board the "Stonehouse" for the long journey to New Zealand. ^[1]

Emigration: 10 April 1874, left London, England, on the ship "Stonehouse". ^[4]

Immigration: 29 June1874, Akoroa, New Zealand. ^[4]

As assisted passengers the government decided where the Michalek's were most needed and so they were sent to East Oxford (now Oxford town). They went by train to Rangiora (abt. 30km north of Christchurch), and then by Bullock wagon to East Oxford (abt. 33km east). The family were settled into the Immigrant's Barracks, in what is now Barracks Road, where they stayed temporarily until they got on their feet and while they looked for work. ^[1]

Late 1800s Moravian family & home at Oxford, New Zealand. Homes like this were constructed of cast off slabs for the walls, the roof was usually thatched with Nikau branches or rushes, and chimneys were built of iron, green timber, or sod.

Residence: 1874, East Oxford, North Canterbury, New Zealand. ^[1][6]

Occupation: 1874, Bushman, in Sales Road, East Oxford, North Canterbury, New Zealand. ^[1][6]

Jan got work at the Hamilton Brother's Sales Road mill. The mill was surrounded with tree stumps, dead trees, and low shrubbery, and this was where the family built their first New Zealand home. ^[1]

Jan's and Anna's home had a chimney of sod, the floor was clay, and cooking was done over an open fireplace. Later on they got an iron woodstove. The family planted a garden which the elder children tended over spring and summer as Jan worked, dawn til dusk when the weather allowed, at the mill. There was an abundance of wild pork and pigeon in the surrounding bush which would have helped provide the family with meat. Their only neighbour was Jan Bauvlich and his wife whose home was about 150m away. ^[1]

On the 13th of May 1876, the family lost their home in a fire which also engulfed the Bauvlich's home, and the Hamilton Brother's mill 300 meters away. An inquest into the fire concluded that the fire had been accidentally started when a spark from the Michalek's chimney was swept up in a strong wind and deposited in the bush. The family moved back to the barracks after this while they got back on their feet. In time they rebuilt their home, and moved back in. ^[1]

Education of children: 1879, Marie & Frantisky started school in East Oxford. ^[1]

The children probably attended the public school in High Street. Frantisky missed as much school as possible saying that she was teased about her accent. Josef and Valenty didn't like school much either and their attendance was spasmodic. ^[1]

Jan, Anna, & Anna Therese Michalek, Kaitawa, 1885.

Birth of daughter: 22 Aug 1880, Anna Therese was born at East Oxford, North Canterbury, New Zealand. ^[1]

Residence: April/May 1885, Kaitawa, Pahiatua, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[1][6]

The family moved to Kaitawa in the North Island as there were more oportunities to be had there, including government subsidised parcels of land. Both Jan and his son Valentine were granted land, the lots of which were decided by ballot. Each recipient recieved 100 acres in the countryside, a 4 acre section in the suburbs, and a 1 acre residential site. Most of the countryside was covered in heavy bush and shrubbery. Initially the family lived in a punga and thatched roof whare until milled timber could be brought in from Pahiatua. They set to clearing the land, planting gardens and fruit trees, and building their homes. ^[1]

Marriage of daughter: 22 Jan 1887, Frances (Frantisky) married Anders Anderson (Johannesson) at Woodville, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[7]

Anders was born in Viken, Sverige (Sweden) in 1865, the son of Matilda (Gabrielsdotter) and Johannes Anderson (Andersson). He was 9 years old when he emigrated to New Zealand with his family on the ship "Humboldt" in Oct 1874, arriving 6 February 1875. ^[8]

Marriage of daughter: 28 April 1897, Anna married Christian Rasmussen. ^[1][9]

Christian was born 1866/68 in Denmark, the son of William (originally Villium) Rasmussen and Thrine Frederiksen. Villium, Thrine and their children, emigrated to New Zealand on the "Cardigan Castle" in 1873 ^[10]. Christian had a sister, Fredrica, who was the future wife of Valenty.

Religion: abt. 1888-89, faith change from Catholic to Salvation Army. ^[1]

Marriage of son: 25 September 1888, Josef married Miss Clara Eagar at Pahiatua, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[1][11]

Clara was born abt. 1870, the daughter of Mr & Mrs W. Eager who had emigrated to New Zealand from England. Josef and Clara were the first couple to be married at Pahiatua.

From the Pahiatua "Star" ...

"Saturday witnessed the the celebration of the first marriage in Pahiatua, the happy couple being Mr Joseph McHalick and Miss Clara Eager. The Reverend Wrigley officiated. Now that the spell is broken we hope that many more of our lads and lasses will follow suit".

Marriage of daughter: 24 December 1889, Marie married Frederick Libeau at the Woodville Registry Office, Woodville, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[1][12][13]

Frederick was born in 1870 in New Zealand, the son of Clemence (nee Gendrot) and Joseph Libeau. Joseph & Clemence had both come to New Zealand with their parents as young children aboard the "Comte de Paris", the first ship of French settlers to Akaroa which arrived 13th of August 1840.

Widowed: 1 July 1892, Anna passed away at Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[1]

At some point Jan transferred his 400 acres to another party but he kept the smaller parcels of land. He milked two or three cows on the 4 acre lot, and lived and gardened on the 1 acre section. The only of Anna's and his children left at home by this time was Anna Therese. He did whatever work was practical at 63 years old to buy extra groceries. ^[1]

Marriage of son: 1896, Valentine (Valenty) married Miss Fredrica Rasmussen at Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. ^[1][14]

Fredrica was born in Canterbury in 1875, the daughter of William (Villium) Rasmussen and Thrine Frederiksen, formerly of Denmark. Valentine composed a now lost poem about the moment he first saw Fredrica. It described her under a willow tree washing clothes in a tub, and how he fell in love with her then and there.

Residence: 1896, at Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[15]

Occupation: 1896, Farmer, in Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[15]

Naturalisation: 24 February 1897, Jan "John" became a New Zealander. ^{[1] [16]}

Jan Michálek's Naturalisation application can be viewed here.

Occupation: cir. 1897, Mail carrier, in Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[1]

Jan was 68 years old now and would have ridden a horse settlement to settlement to deliver the mail. It was not an everyday job, and he continued in this role until 1900. ^[1]

Residence: 1900, at Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[17]

Occupation: 1900, Farmer, in Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[17]

Death: 4 September 1900, at son Valentine's home, Kaitawa, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[3][18]

Burial: 6 September 1900, Old Kaitawa Cemetery, Tararua District, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand. ^[18][19]

The Kaitawa cemetery is in a fenced off paddock near to Kaitawa School on Hinemoa Valley Rd, 8 km out from Pahiatua.

Children of Jan & Anna:

Josef: 28 Jul 1863 - 20 Aug 1938

Valenty: 15 Feb 1866 - 28 Aug 1936

Frantisek: 6 Jul 1868 - 16 Jul 1868

Frantisky: 26 Jan 1871 - 27 Jul 1941

Marie: 1873 - 10 July 1941

Anna Therese: 22 Aug 1880 - 5 Feb 1935

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.40 1.41} "Jan & Anna Michalek, The Story of a Moravian Migrant Family", by Alan and Ruth King, 2005. Documents the Michalek family from their roots in what is now the Czech Republic, their journey to New Zealand, and their lives in New Zealand. Detailed accounts of all the Michalek children, their lives, spouses, and children. Contains photographs, informative maps and diagrams. Vital dates and information regarding the family in Czechoslavakia is from the Regional Archives at Opava, Northern Moravia, and the village records of Prchalov, Nový Jičín, Czech Republic.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Source Citation: Staatsarchiv Hamburg; Hamburg, Deutschland; Hamburger Passagierlisten; Microfilm No.: S_13127. Source Information: Staatsarchiv Hamburg. Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2008. Original data: Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Bestand: 373-7 I, VIII (Auswanderungsamt I). Mikrofilmrollen K 1701 - K 2008, S 17363 - S 17383, 13116 - 13183.;

   Name: Johann Michalack

   Gender: männlich (Male)

   Departure Age: 42

   Occupation: Landmann

   Birth Date: abt 1832

   Residence: Sedlnitz, Österreich (Austria)

   Departure Date: 20 Mrz 1874 (20 Mar 1874)

   Port of Departure: Hamburg

   Port of Arrival: London (Neuseeland (New Zealand) via London)

   Ship Name: Capella

   Captain: Witt

   Shipping Clerk: Aug. Behrens, später Carl Seligmann

   Shipping line: Friedrich Georg Schmidt

   Ship Type: Dampfschiff

   Ship Flag: Deutschland

   Accommodation: ohne Angabe

   Volume: 373-7 I, VIII B 1 Band 024

   Household Members:

   Johann Michalack 42

   Anna Michalack 30

   Josef Michalack 9

   Valentin Michalack 7

   Francisca Michalack 3

   Marie Michalack 6 Monate

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} New Zealand Death Certificate
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973, database with images, FamilySearch Stonehouse Passenger List, Arrival Port Canterbury, National Archives, Wellington; FHL microfilm 004411984.
5. ↑ Anna's NZ Death Certificate
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} "Anderson, Anders William, and Mekalick, Franciska", "by Gwen Falconer, with much help from all other relations". Booklet documents the life of Anders and Franciska, thier children, and thier grandchildren. Please contact Nicky if you would like any further information about/from this resource.
7. ↑ Anders' & Franciska's Marriage Certificate
8. ↑ 1874 "Humboldt" passenger record for the Anderson family.
9. ↑ NZBDM marriage search;

   Registration Number: 1897/624

   Bride's Given Name(s): Annie Theresa

   Bride's Family Name: Mckalick

   Groom's Given Name(s): Christian Herman

   Groom's Family Name: Rassmussen

10. ↑ 1873 "Cardigan Castle" passenger record for the Rasmussen family.
11. ↑ 1888, in New Zealand. NZBDM marriage search;

    Registration Number: 1888/2213

    Bride's Given Name(s): Clara Stanning

    Bride's Family Name: Eager

    Groom's Given Name(s): Joseph

    Groom's Family Name: Mchalick

12. ↑ New Zealand Copy of Register of Marriage for Frederick Libeau & Marie Michalek.
13. ↑ NZBDM marriage search from date 24/12/1889 to date 24/12/1889;

    Registration Number: 1889/2953

    Bride's Given Name(s): Mary

    Bride's Family Name: Mchalick

    Groom's Given Name(s): Frederick

    Groom's Family Name: Libeau

14. ↑ NZBDM marriage search;

    Registration Number: 1896/2156

    Bride's Given Name(s): Fredrica Rasmena

    Bride's Family Name: Rasmussen

    Groom's Given Name(s): Valentine

    Groom's Family Name: Mekalick

15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981. Original data: New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853–1981. Auckland, New Zealand: BAB microfilming. Microfiche publication, 4032 fiche. 1896 - Manawatu-Wanganui - Pahiatua Roll.
16. ↑ Jan Michálek's Naturalisation application.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981. Original data: New Zealand Electoral Rolls, 1853–1981. Auckland, New Zealand: BAB microfilming. Microfiche publication, 4032 fiche. 1900 - Manawatu-Wanganui - Pahiatua Roll.
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1} Tararua District Council records search;

    McKalick, John

    Age: 71

    Date of Birth: -

    Occupation: Farmer

    Marital Status: Unknown

    Denomination/Religion: Unknown

    Date of Death: 4/09/1900

    Date of Interment: 6/09/1900

    Interment Type: Burial

    Cemetery: Kaitawa Pahiatua

    Cemetery Section: Main

    Sub/Block: 1

    Row (Alpha)

    Section/Plot Number: -

    Grave: 27

    Interment ID: 17583

    Burial Warrant Number: 08

    Funeral Director: -

    Funeral Officiator: -

    Notes: No headstone. Memorial Inscription: "McKalick, John. 6.9.1900, 71. Farmer."

    memorial image 1 memorial image 2

19. ↑ Find A Grave John's memorial.