Vaitkunas Family
Andrius/Andrew Vaitkunas, was born in 1856 or 1857 in Lithuania, possibly in Guadelli.
He met and married Ona (Anna) Keturakis, who was born in 1851 in Lithuania to parents Michael Keturakis and Anna Klimavičiūtė (which was shortened to Klimas).
Andrew and Ona had a store in Lithunania, however, Ona was a better storekeeper. Andrew had also been an overseer for a large estate. Only men went to school then and were taught Russian by the Russian government. Andrew learned four or five languages and was considered "educated." [Note: the 1920 census said that Andrew was not able to read and write so either that's a miscommunication or mistake when the census was taken or the story above is not correct or at least he knew those languages but was illiterate].
Ona and Andrew had four children: Katarina (Katrina), Agatha (Agnes), Veronica and Joseph. (See more on each child below)
After many years, America beckoned and Andrew had the wanderlust. According to a family history written by Catherine "Kitty" West, Andrew said "good-bye to his family and three brothers and two sisters in Lithuania and sailed for Canada, but since his daughter, Agatha, lived in Pennsylvania at that time, he settled in Scranton and eventually sent for Ona to join him."
So far, no records have been found to prove he was ever in Canada.
Andrew Vaitkunas and Ona Keturakis were married 09 Feb 1879 in Garliava (Gotlevo) Trinity Church in Garliava, Kauno, Lithuania. Records show he was living in the village of in the village Kampiskiai in Kaunas, Kauno, Lithuania until at least 1885.
Andrew and his family went to Scotland, but it is unclear if they went together or in various groups. By 07 Mar 1897, he and his wife were living at 40 New Row in Holytown, County of Lanark, Scotland and he was working as a laborer at an Iron Works. His youngest child, Joseph, was born that day and Andrew's last name is written as Wojtkunas.
Andrew then worked as a coal miner in Scotland from 1904 to 1907, when he left Blantyre, Scotland alone on the ship Astoria and sailed for New York. The manifest says this was his first time in the United States, which contradicts stories that he'd traveled to Michigan before settling in Pennsylvania. The manifest says his passage was paid for by his brother-in-law and that he planned to see his "friend" Adam Litwinas at 1163 Keyser Avenue in Scranton, PA; however, Adam was really his son-in-law (Agnes' husband). He was described as 5'3", dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes.
He met and married Ona (Anna) Keturakis, who was born in 1851 in Lithuania to parents Michael Keturakis and Anna Klimavičiūtė (which was shortened to Klimas).
Andrew and Ona had a store in Lithunania, however, Ona was a better storekeeper. Andrew had also been an overseer for a large estate. Only men went to school then and were taught Russian by the Russian government. Andrew learned four or five languages and was considered "educated." [Note: the 1920 census said that Andrew was not able to read and write so either that's a miscommunication or mistake when the census was taken or the story above is not correct or at least he knew those languages but was illiterate].
Ona and Andrew had four children: Katarina (Katrina), Agatha (Agnes), Veronica and Joseph. (See more on each child below)
After many years, America beckoned and Andrew had the wanderlust. According to a family history written by Catherine "Kitty" West, Andrew said "good-bye to his family and three brothers and two sisters in Lithuania and sailed for Canada, but since his daughter, Agatha, lived in Pennsylvania at that time, he settled in Scranton and eventually sent for Ona to join him."
So far, no records have been found to prove he was ever in Canada.
Andrew Vaitkunas and Ona Keturakis were married 09 Feb 1879 in Garliava (Gotlevo) Trinity Church in Garliava, Kauno, Lithuania. Records show he was living in the village of in the village Kampiskiai in Kaunas, Kauno, Lithuania until at least 1885.
Andrew and his family went to Scotland, but it is unclear if they went together or in various groups. By 07 Mar 1897, he and his wife were living at 40 New Row in Holytown, County of Lanark, Scotland and he was working as a laborer at an Iron Works. His youngest child, Joseph, was born that day and Andrew's last name is written as Wojtkunas.
Andrew then worked as a coal miner in Scotland from 1904 to 1907, when he left Blantyre, Scotland alone on the ship Astoria and sailed for New York. The manifest says this was his first time in the United States, which contradicts stories that he'd traveled to Michigan before settling in Pennsylvania. The manifest says his passage was paid for by his brother-in-law and that he planned to see his "friend" Adam Litwinas at 1163 Keyser Avenue in Scranton, PA; however, Adam was really his son-in-law (Agnes' husband). He was described as 5'3", dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes.
Katrina Vaitkunas
According to a 1901 census, Katrina and Veronica lived together in Scotland.
A census for Andrew and Anna and Agnes haven't been found yet; however, Joseph was born in 1897 in Scotland, proving Andrew and Anna were there for a bit. Agnes also spent some time in Scotland because her first child was born there.
Anna Vaiktunas and her son, Joseph, sailed on the Furnessia (coincidentally the same ship her daughter, Katrina, would take about a year later) from Glasgow to New York. She was listed as Annie Vajtkunas and said she last lived in Dundee, Scotland.Katrina Vaitkunas was born on Nov 25, 1881 in Garlava, near Kovno, in Lithuania.
According to Kitty West's family history, she went to Scotland as a young girl and worked in a factory learning to knit. For certain, she lived in Scotland between 1900–1909.
She married Jurgis (George) Pukas on Aug 11, 1900 in at St. Joseph's Church in the Parish of Blantyre in the county of Lamark in Scotland. They had three children together:
1. Opalionia Pukas (her birth certificate says this but she was better known as Polly, a derivative of Pauline) - born June 17, 1901 in Blantyre, Scotland. She would later take the surname Cummings.
2. Katrina - born Oct. 18, 1903 at James Place, Parish of Blantyre, County of Lanark, Scotland.
3. Andrew (nicknamed Heinzie) - born May 29, 1905 at James Place, Parish of Blantyre, County of Lanark, Scotland
When they were first married, Katrina and Jurgis were living at 95 Bairds Rows in Blantyre, Lanark County, Scotland. In the 1901 census, Veronica Vidhunus was living with her sister, Katrina, and her family on Bertram Street in Hamilton Burgh, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
1906 was a terrible year for the family. Katrina's husband, Jurgis, died on Mar 16, 1906 in Blantyre; his cause of death was chronic nephritis (kidney disease). Just months after losing her husband, she also lost her daughter, Katrina, in September - just shy of the little girl's third birthday. She died Sep 22, 1906 at Hart's Land, Stonefield in the Parish of Blantyre, County of Lanark in Scotland, after suffering from Catararrhal laryngitis for 2 days.
Perhaps to join her sister, Agatha, as well as her parents in the new world, Katrina left Scotland in 1909 with her two children and her sister, Veronica. From Greenock Docks, Scotland, 28-year-old Katrina boarded The Furnessia with her children, Pauline "Polly" ( 8 years old) and Andrew "Heinzie" (4 years old) and her sister, Veronic a (15 years old).
Polly and Andrew sang to entertain people on the boat crossing.
In May 1909, they arrived at Ellis Island and were processed. They were all detained for two days, according to the Record of Aliens Held for Special Inquiry. The code LPC, "Likely Public Charge," is written next to their names. LPC was often used for unmarried women, people with no money, etc and were detained until a relative could come for them. They were then reunited with Agatha, who had married Adam Litvinis (changed to Litwin).
She married Joseph (Kaminchaitis) Kamichitis on Jun 20, 1911 in Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pa. thanks to the matchmaking skills of her sister, Agatha/Agnes. Katrina and Joseph then started a family and had six children together: George, Anna, Joseph, John, Leonard and Catherine "Kitty."
She died on Nov 30, 1962 in Cummings Pond in Clarks Summit, Pa.. She was buried on Dec 03, 1962 in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton, PA.
Agatha/Agnes Vaitkunas Litwin
Agatha/Agnes was the second child born to Andrew and Anna Vaitkunas in Lithuania. She was born on February 5, 1883.
She lived in Scotland for a time, along with her sisters, and had a distinct Scottish accent. She was listed as a witness for her sister, Katrina's first marriage to Jurgis Pukas in 1900 in Blantyre, Scotland, and her name was written as Agata Woytkunas.
While in Scotland, Agatha met and married Adomas Lithvinas (Adam Litwin), born on December 24, 1886 in Lithuania. Adam wanted to be a priest but his mother died when he was young and his father remarried. His uncled offered him out as a farmhand. So he ran away, got a job on a ship, and went to Scotland. After meeting and marrying Agatha/Agnes (Aggie), he took a job on another ship bound for America. Then he jumped ship and found work and eventually sent for his wife. She had immigrated in May 1905 according to records so Adam must have come sometime before that.
Their first of 14 children, Anna, was born in Scotland. A passenger manifest shows Anna's birth around 1901 but censuses say she was born around 1905 (but one also says she was born in PA which is wrong). Family lore says that Agnes was pregnant with her second child, Catherine, during the trip to America but there is an inconsistency. Some records show that Catherine was born in August 1906, which means Agnes couldn't have been pregnant with her in May 1905. Those records could be wrong or perhaps Agnes was pregnant with another child? Birth dates or even the birth order for all of her children haven't been established.
I haven't been able to find a census or marriage or birth record to pinpoint their time in Scotland but I believe I found the passenger manifest showing that Agatha, now named Agnes Litwinez, left Scotland on the Caledonia for America in May 1905. She was coming to see her husband, Adam, so he had to have come to America sometime between 1901 and May 1905. The 1920 census says he came in 1902 but the 1910 census says he came in 1905.
Agnes knitted, sewed, and was a real "craft person." She loved gardens, swimming and was a fun person to be with. She was also a matchmaker.
Agnes and Adam had 14 children including two sets of twins (Kitty's history said their were 3 sets of twins but the family refutes that): Anna, Catherine, Mary, George, Benedict, Helen, Agnes, Joey (or Joie, or Joy), Veronica (Vera), John and Julia (twins), James and Joseph (twins), and Jeanne. All born in Pennsylvania except for Anna. Unfortunately, Benny, Helen, Agnes and Joey all died in infancy.
Based on records found so far, the birth order seems to be:
1. Anna Litwin Dalon 1901 or possibly as late as c. 1904/1905
2. Catherine Litwin Bendor Apr 24, 1906
3. Mary Litwin Muhler – Nov. 10, 1907
4. George Litwin – April 1, 1909
5. Veronica/Vera Litwin Dyer – May 10, 1913
6. John and Julia Litwin - Jan 08, 1915
7. Joe and James Litwin – abt 1920/1921
8. Jeanne Litwin Russell (the youngest) – Dec. 23, 1926
Four children I’m still not able to place: Benedict, Helen, Joie (Joy or Joey) and Agnes. If Kitty West's history is right in the order, then all four of these kids would have to have been born between 1909 and 1913 (between George and Vera), which doesn't work. It's possible one or two were born then. Other gaps were 1915 to 1921 (between both sets of twins) and between 1921 and 1926 but without records it's impossible to say when these four children were born or died.
Agnes and Adam raised their family in Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre, Poconos, eventually moving on to New Jersey and finally Florida. Adam died in November 1948 and Agnes died December 1966.
She lived in Scotland for a time, along with her sisters, and had a distinct Scottish accent. She was listed as a witness for her sister, Katrina's first marriage to Jurgis Pukas in 1900 in Blantyre, Scotland, and her name was written as Agata Woytkunas.
While in Scotland, Agatha met and married Adomas Lithvinas (Adam Litwin), born on December 24, 1886 in Lithuania. Adam wanted to be a priest but his mother died when he was young and his father remarried. His uncled offered him out as a farmhand. So he ran away, got a job on a ship, and went to Scotland. After meeting and marrying Agatha/Agnes (Aggie), he took a job on another ship bound for America. Then he jumped ship and found work and eventually sent for his wife. She had immigrated in May 1905 according to records so Adam must have come sometime before that.
Their first of 14 children, Anna, was born in Scotland. A passenger manifest shows Anna's birth around 1901 but censuses say she was born around 1905 (but one also says she was born in PA which is wrong). Family lore says that Agnes was pregnant with her second child, Catherine, during the trip to America but there is an inconsistency. Some records show that Catherine was born in August 1906, which means Agnes couldn't have been pregnant with her in May 1905. Those records could be wrong or perhaps Agnes was pregnant with another child? Birth dates or even the birth order for all of her children haven't been established.
I haven't been able to find a census or marriage or birth record to pinpoint their time in Scotland but I believe I found the passenger manifest showing that Agatha, now named Agnes Litwinez, left Scotland on the Caledonia for America in May 1905. She was coming to see her husband, Adam, so he had to have come to America sometime between 1901 and May 1905. The 1920 census says he came in 1902 but the 1910 census says he came in 1905.
Agnes knitted, sewed, and was a real "craft person." She loved gardens, swimming and was a fun person to be with. She was also a matchmaker.
Agnes and Adam had 14 children including two sets of twins (Kitty's history said their were 3 sets of twins but the family refutes that): Anna, Catherine, Mary, George, Benedict, Helen, Agnes, Joey (or Joie, or Joy), Veronica (Vera), John and Julia (twins), James and Joseph (twins), and Jeanne. All born in Pennsylvania except for Anna. Unfortunately, Benny, Helen, Agnes and Joey all died in infancy.
Based on records found so far, the birth order seems to be:
1. Anna Litwin Dalon 1901 or possibly as late as c. 1904/1905
2. Catherine Litwin Bendor Apr 24, 1906
3. Mary Litwin Muhler – Nov. 10, 1907
4. George Litwin – April 1, 1909
5. Veronica/Vera Litwin Dyer – May 10, 1913
6. John and Julia Litwin - Jan 08, 1915
7. Joe and James Litwin – abt 1920/1921
8. Jeanne Litwin Russell (the youngest) – Dec. 23, 1926
Four children I’m still not able to place: Benedict, Helen, Joie (Joy or Joey) and Agnes. If Kitty West's history is right in the order, then all four of these kids would have to have been born between 1909 and 1913 (between George and Vera), which doesn't work. It's possible one or two were born then. Other gaps were 1915 to 1921 (between both sets of twins) and between 1921 and 1926 but without records it's impossible to say when these four children were born or died.
Agnes and Adam raised their family in Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre, Poconos, eventually moving on to New Jersey and finally Florida. Adam died in November 1948 and Agnes died December 1966.
Veronica Vaitkunas Barkauskas
Veronica, Ona and Andrew's third daughter, was born in Lithuania on April 13, 1894.
Veronica also lived in Scotland and worked in a factory.
She came to America with her sister, Katrina, and Katrina's children on the Furnessia, Cunard Line, in 1909.
She married John Barkauskas (Burke) and had five children: Johnny, Ona, Albert, Alphones and Clemence. She always said "If you drop in unexpectedly, you have to take 'pot luck,' "but she always had room for one more. Everyone would later gather at her home on Lafayette Street in Scranton, Pa., to sing Christmas songs because her daughter Ona played the piano. Veronica later married Jonas Kudirka after John Barkauskas died. She lived in Nicholson, Pa., and then after Jonas died, she bought a farmhouse.
Veronica also lived in Scotland and worked in a factory.
She came to America with her sister, Katrina, and Katrina's children on the Furnessia, Cunard Line, in 1909.
She married John Barkauskas (Burke) and had five children: Johnny, Ona, Albert, Alphones and Clemence. She always said "If you drop in unexpectedly, you have to take 'pot luck,' "but she always had room for one more. Everyone would later gather at her home on Lafayette Street in Scranton, Pa., to sing Christmas songs because her daughter Ona played the piano. Veronica later married Jonas Kudirka after John Barkauskas died. She lived in Nicholson, Pa., and then after Jonas died, she bought a farmhouse.
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