Papers, 1903-1983.  6 ft.  Charles (Karol) Belohlavek was born in 1886 in Holic, western Slovakia and immigrated to the United States in 1903.  In 1912 Belohlavek settled in Pittsburgh, where he became the editor of Slovensky Hlasnik, the newspaper of the Slovak Evangelical Union.  He also worked in the editorial offices of the National Slovak Society.  Before and during World War I, Belohlavek was a minor leader in the movement to establish an independent Czecho-Slovak republic.  He moved to Detroit in 1944, where he founded the Slovak Radio Circle and hosted a half-hour radio program.  In 1952 Belohlavek and his second wife, Maria Jergo Belohlavek, founded Slovak Garden, a retirement community for American Slovaks in Maitland, Florida.  The collection contains correspondence with Slovak and Slovak-American leaders (including Paul Blazek and John J. Pankuch), writings and scrapbooks.  There are extensive records on the founding and operation of Slovak Garden along with records of Zivena Beneficial Society, National Slovak Society and Slovak Radio Circle of Detroit.  The bulk of the collection covers the latter part of his life, with little material concerning his early years in Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of John M. Belohlavek, Jr.

Belohlavek, Charles

Photographs, 1927-1981.  158 prints.  Family portraits, friends, Slovak-American organizations and other activities.  Gift of John M. Belohlavek, Jr.

Berko, John

Papers, 1974-1979.  .5 ft.  John Berko, a book dealer, lived in Jersey City, New Jersey.  The collection includes correspondence and printed materials and uncataloged photographs relating to Slovak authors and books.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of Martha Bann.

Papers, 1917-1984.  45 ft.  Dendur immigrated to the United States in 1920 and settled first in Chicago and later New York City.  He was publisher of Nas Svet (Chicago, 1930s).  The collection consists primarily of indexes to Slovak-American and Slovak publications, but it also includes correspondence, writings, subject files, and photographs.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.   Gift of Jan Dendur.

Evangelical Society of the Holy Trinity, Cleveland, Ohio

Records (microfilm), 1892-1942.  1 reel.  The collection contains minutes and membership records.  In Slovak.  Register available.

First Catholic Slovak Union

The First Catholic Slovak Union was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.  It is a national fraternal organization.  In addition to branches listed below, the archives holds 1 volume of membership records from an unidentified branch.

Holy Ghost Lodge No. 374, Nicetown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1901-1913.  .25 ft.  The collection contains one volume of minutes and financial information.  In Slovak.  Register available.   Gift of Anna Blasko.

Branch 55, Senior Membership, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1920-1920-1980.  .5 ft.  The collection includes minutes, and membership and financial records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John Gajdos.

Branch 87, Junior Membership, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1952-ca. 1980.  .5 ft.  The collection includes membership and financial records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John Gajdos.

Records, 1905-1982.  1 ft.  Originally named Bosak Manufacturing Company, the Gold Seal Manufacturing Company was a wine and liquor distribution business begun by Slovak immigrant Michael Bosak at the turn of the century. Based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the company made Bosak's Horke Vino, a wine-based elixir, and bottled and distributed other beverages.  The company changed ownership in the 1920s, and the name was changed to the Gold Seal Manufacturing Company.  The company closed in the early 1960s.  The collection contains paperwork on the process of acquiring port wine for Horke Vino, laboratory tests and correspondence with the Department of the Treasury during Prohibition regarding the status of Horke Vino, and personal papers of the last owner, Frank Chipak, including financial records.  In English.  Register available.  Gift of Frank Chipak, Jr.

Photographs, 1969, n.d.  3 prints.  Portraits and one building advertisement; Pennsylvania.  Gift of Frank Chipak, Jr.

Goodman, Reese and Irene

Documents, 1906, 1919, and n.d.  2 folders.  The collection contains the baptismal and confirmation certificates of Paul Guris, and a map of St. Clair, Pennsylvania as it appeared in 1875.  For related materials see the Guris Family Papers.  In English and Slovak.  Register available.  Gift of Reese and Irene Goodman.

Papers, 1875-1988.  .35 ft.  This collection documents the Guris family from Klenovec, Slovakia.  Paul Guris immigrated to St. Clair, Pennsylvania in 1903, and his wife Susan Struhar Guris arrived in 1904.  They moved to Pottsville and in 1921 settled in Auburn, Pennsylvania.  The collection contains land, wedding and funeral documents, certificates, religious cards, anniversary materials, and histories.  In Slovak, Czech, and English.  Register available.  Gift of Albert R. Guris and other family members.

Photographs, 1910-1920.  9 prints.  Family portraits and group portraits of bible school classes and convention delegates; Pennsylvania.  Gift of Albert R. Guris.

Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church

Photographs, 1919.  2 prints.  Unidentified gathering in front of the church and group portrait of confirmation class; Palmerton, Pennsylvania.  Gift of Reese and Irene Goodman.

Papers, 1917-1965.  .75 ft.  Vladimir Hurban was born in Slovakia, son of Slovak nationalist leader Svetozar Hurban Vajansky.  A Czechoslovak diplomat, he served as minister to the United States and Cuba (1936-1946) and member of the Czechoslovak National Council (1939-1946).  The collection primarily covers the period 1939-1948 and consists of correspondence, memoranda, and reports concerning the Czechoslovak government-in-exile.  It also contains files on, and occasional correspondence from, prominent Czech and Slovak figures including Edvard Benes, Hana Benes, Thomas G. Masaryck, Jan Masaryck, and Alice Masaryck.  It includes a small amount of correspondence with Jan Dendur and other American Slovaks and a medical report concerning medical treatment which General Milan R. Stefanik received in the United States in 1917.  Unprocessed additions include diaries of Hurban's wife.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of Ladislav and Viera Boor.

Hurban, Vladimir

Photographs, 1916-1950.  157 prints.  Wartime photos of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, individual and informal groups, travel photos; Siberia, Egypt, Palestine, London and Stockholm, United States.  Gift of Ladislav and Viera Boor.

Ilavsky, Jan (1910- )

Papers, 1947-1979.  .25 ft.  Jan Ilavsky was born in Turcianska, Blatnica, Czechoslovakia and received his degrees in Prague.  He came to the United States to study under the auspices of the World Health Organization in 1947, and became a citizen in 1953.  The collection contains medical articles (some photocopies), offprints of articles authored and co-authored by Ilavsky, and ephemera.  In English and German.  Inventory available.  Gift of Edward A. Tuleya, Slovak Museum and Archives at Jednota Estates.

Photographs, n.d.  2 prints.  Two photos of Dr. Ilvasky; Czechoslovakia.  Gift of Jan Ilvasky.

Certificates, 1919-1924.  1 folder.  This collection consists of three membership certificates.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.

Krajsa, Joseph C.

Photograph, 1983.  1 print.  Group portrait of the Bishop of Harrisburg giving Krajsa the Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great; Pennsylvania.

Records, 1905-1984.  177 ft.  This national fraternal benefit society was founded in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, in 1898 and is now headquartered in Wilkes-Barre.  The organization has lodges in Pennsylvania and eight other states.  The collection consists of the national office records and includes minutes, insurance claims, membership lists, and publications.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of the organization.

Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union

Photographs, 1907-1930.  3 prints.  Group portraits of board of directors and convention delegates; United States.  Gift of Cecilia Sarocky and the organization.

Lehota, Mary

Photograph, n.d.  1 print.  Portrait of midwife Mary Lehota in front of her office; Philadelphia.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

The National Slovak Society was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  It is a national fraternal organization.  In addition to the assemblies listed below, the archives holds 8 volumes of minutes, membership records, and miscellaneous materials from unidentified assemblies (1890-1977).

National Records, 1915-1977.  75 ft., 7 volumes.

The collection includes correspondence, membership and financial records, printed materials, and uncataloged photographs.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of National Slovak Society.

Assembly No. 57, Mahonoy City, Pennsylvania

Records, 1947-1958.  2 volumes.  The collection contains membership and financial records.  In Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of the organization.

Assembly No. 58, St. Peter and Paul Assembly, Peckville, Pennsylvania

Records, 1891-1958.  7 volumes.  The collection contains financial and membership records.  Also included are some materials from Olyphant, Pennsylvania and Jessup, Pennsylvania.  In Slovak. Inventory available.  Gift of the organization.

Youth Group No. 91, Chester, Pennsylvania

Records, 1943-1975.  2 volumes.  The collection contains financial records.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Youth Group No. 158, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1931-1984.  .75 ft.  The collection contains minutes and financial and membership records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Assembly No. 122, Chester, Pennsylvania

Records, 1912-1972.  2 volumes.  The collection contains membership and financial records.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Assembly No. 170, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Records, 1905-1955.  1 volume.  The collection contains death claim records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Assembly No. 211, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1939-1982.  8 volumes.  The collection contains financial records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Assembly No. 238, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1948-1958.  1 volume.  The collection contains death claim records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Youth Group No. 272, Assembly 418, Akron, Ohio

Records, 1948-1975.  2 volumes.  The collection contains membership and financial records.  In English and Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of the organization.

Assembly No. 294, Beacon, New York

Records, 1918-1955.  2 volumes.  The collection contains membership and financial records.  In Slovak.  Inventory available. Gift of the organization.

Assembly No. 305, Nicetown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1898-1945.  4 volumes.  The collection contains minutes and financial records.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available. Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Assembly No. 418, Akron, Ohio

Records, 1937-1975.  9 volumes, 1 folder.  The collection contains minutes and membership and financial records.  Also included are materials from assemblies no. 273 and 419.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available.  Gift of organization.

Assembly No. 738, Flint, Michigan

Records, 1925-1977.  5 volumes, 4 folders.  The collection includes correspondence, minutes, and membership and financial records.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available.  Gift of the organization.

Assembly 768, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Records, 1935-1938.  2 volumes.  The collection contains minutes and financial records.  In Slovak.  Inventory available.  Gift of John S. Gaydos.

Records, 1897-1916.  6 folders.  The collection contains miscellaneous items from Assembly 58 of Zivena Beneficial Society, a benevolent and educational association of Slovak American women, including a rate book, receipts, and medical excuses.  There are also two rate books from unidentified Slovak-American organizations.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of Ceil O'Boyle.

Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union

The Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  It is a national fraternal organization.

National Records, 1898-1986.  152 ft., 14 vols, 119 reels.  The records include membership ledgers from local branches, minutes, correspondence, financial and insurance records, constitution and bylaws, death claims, and printed materials.  115 microfilm reels contain death claim records, two contain minutes.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available.  Gift of the organization.

St. Joseph's Society of Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Records, 1885-1904.  3 folders.  St. Joseph's Society of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was a mutual benefit society chartered in 1887.  It later became Branch 1 of the Pennsylvania Slovak Roman and Greek Catholic Union (now the Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union).  The collection contains a charter, a constitution, and miscellaneous certificates.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of Steven Kavulich.

Assembly No. 57, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Records, 1930-1969.  1 volume, 1 folder.  The collection contains minutes and financial information.  Also included are financial statements from Youth Branch No. 8.  In Slovak.  Register available.

Philadelphia Slovak Club

Records, 1910-1929.  .25 ft.  The collection contains correspondence and one volume dues book and other financial records.  In Slovak.  Register available.  Gift of Anna Blasko

The Presbyterian Beneficial Union is a fraternal benefit society open to Presbyterians and other Christians, which provides life insurance, endowments, and annuities.  Chartered in 1901, the organization was originally known as the Slovak Calvinistic Presbyterian Union, and was formed to gather and unify the Protestant Slovak residents of the United States, to instruct them in religious duties, to provide financial assistance to the sick, and to provide proper burials.  The organization is headquartered in Philadelphia.

Presbyterian Beneficial Union

Photographs, 1913-1968.  5 prints.  Group portraits of convention delegates; Pennsylvania.  Gift of Rev. George Virchick.

Raysik (Raisek) Family

Photographs, n.d.  3 prints.  Stephen Raisek in front of flower shop, two wire sculptures from Raysik wireworks; United States.  Gift of Joseph and Edward Janco.

Saint Clair, Pennsylvania

Photographs, 1919-1987.  16 prints.  Family portraits, group portraits related to St. John's Lutheran Church, church building and group of miners; Pennsylvania.  Gift of Leona Slopovsky Dower, Reese and Irene Goodman, Julia Lichanee Pivarnick, and John Zamecnik.

Sound Recording, 1979.  1 audiocassette.  This collection consists of a recording of an Easter Mass in Slovak at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, April, 1979.  In Slovak.  Register available.  Gift of Joseph Pekar.

Slabey, Andrew Paul (ca. 1890-1983)

Papers, 1917-1966.  3 folders.  Slabey was born in Liptov, Slovakia and immigrated to the United States before World War I.  A strong Slovak nationalist and a Baptist pastor, he was head of the Bethlehem Slovak Congregational Church in Dusquesne, Pennsylvania, from 1936 to 1983.  He also taught Slovak language and literature at Columbia University during 1935-1936.  The collection consists of letters from friends and colleagues.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of Andrew Slabey.

Slovak Catholic Sokol is a social, recreational, and sports association open to people of Slovak or Slavic descent, organized in 1905.  Its primary purpose is to unite Catholic Slovak Americans in social and recreational activities.  The organization sponsors athletic events and provides scholarships and insurance benefits.  The archives also holds 1 volume of financial records for an unidentified assembly (1950-1967).

Records, 1901-1985.  6 ft., 1 reel.  The Slovak Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity was organized in 1900 and incorporated in 1920 in Philadelphia.  It was dissolved in 1988 due to declining membership.  The collection includes financial records, congregational reports, printed materials, music books and sheet music.  Also included is a volume of minutes of congregational meetings (on microfilm).  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available. Gift of Milos C. Simek.

Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol

The organization provides insurance benefits and promotes Sokol ideas.  It was founded in 1896 and is headquarted in East Orange, New Jersey.

Document, 1983.  1 folder.  The purpose of the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania is "to advance an awareness of the Slovak heritage and culture among all people by means of education and social interaction."  Any resident of Pennsylvania is eligible for elected membership.  The collection consists of the organization's bylaws.  In English.  Register available.

Correspondence, 1917-1918.  3 folders.  The letters to this New York City organization are from Slovak prisoners of war who were recruited into the Czechoslovak Legion.  Writing mostly from Russia, but also from France and Italy, the authors ask the SNA to help them find relatives in the United States by publishing their names in the organization's newspaper.  Some letters relate their experiences as prisoners.  In Slovak, Czech, Russian, and English.  Register available.

Slovak Presbyterian Church, Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania

Photographs, ca. 1940s.  2 prints.  Group portrait of religious and laity, church building; Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania.  Gift of Rev. George Virchick.

Records, 1925-1944.  1 volume.  The volume contains minutes; also included are some financial records and lists of members.  In Slovak.  Register available.  Gift of Citizens Publishing Company.

Smunt, Anton

Papers, 1960-1985.  .5 ft.  The collection consists of three notebooks of Czech, Moravian, Slovak, and English songs collected by Smunt.  In Slovak and English.  Inventory available.  Gift of Anton Smunt.

Sokolska Jednota

Photograph, ca. 1904.  1 print.  Group portrait of S. J. gymnastic team; Iowa.

St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Photograph, ca. 1919.  1 print.  Group portrait of children with Rev. York; Philadelphia.  Gift of Rev. Falatek.

St. John Nepomucene Roman Catholic Parish

Photograph, 1952.  1 print.  Golden Jubilee Banquet of the St. John Nepomucene Parish; Philadelphia.  Gift of St. John Nepomucene Parish.

Stolarik Family

Photographs, 1895-1905.  2 prints.  Portrait and wedding group; St. Louis and Slovakia.  Gift of M. Mark Stolarik.

Svehlik Family

Photographs, 1900-1960.  13 prints.  Family portraits and groups; Czechoslovakia and New Jersey.   Gift of Mary Svehlik.

Records, 1899-1973.  3 folders.  The United Lutheran Society was formed in 1962 when the Slovak Evangelical Union, Augsburg Confession of America, founded in 1893, and the Evangelical Slovak Women's Union, organized in 1906, merged.  This fraternal benefit society is now open to all persons of the Lutheran faith and provides life and health insurance.  It is headquartered in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.  The collection includes membership book, change of beneficiary forms, and bylaws.  In Slovak and English.  Register available.  Gift of Helen Partilla.

United Lutheran Society, Assembly 51

Photograph, ca. 1930.  1 print.  Portrait of children of the Slovak Evangelical Union, Assembly 51; United States.  Gift of Helen Partilla.

Wildgrube Family

Photographs, 1913-1955.  17 prints.  Family portraits and weddings; United States.  Gift of Irene Wildgrube.

Certificate, 1932.  1 item.  This collection consists of a membership certificate for the Zivena Beneficial Society of the United States of North America.  In English and Slovak.  Register available.  Gift of Anna Wysocki.

Papers, 1934.  1 folder.  The collection contains a certificate of first-aid training and related correspondence from the Bureau of Mines, Washington, D.C. to Zamecnik's father John.  In English.  Register available.  Gift of John Zamecnik.

Newspaper, 1894-1913, 1915-1952.  26 reels.  The official organ of the Greek Catholic Union of the United States of America.  Published weekly in Scranton, Pennsylvania, by the Greek Catholic Union.  Continued by the Greek Catholic Union Messenger.  Also published in a Carpatho-Rusyn edition ( in Ruthenian), Amerykanskii Russkii Vistnyk, 1894-1926.  In Slovak, Ruthenian, and English.

Greek Catholic Union Messenger (Viestnik Greko Kaft. Sojedinenija)

Newspaper, 1952.  Partial reel.  Published weekly in Homestead, Pennsylvania, by the Greek Catholic Union, 1952-1976.  Official organ of the Greek Catholic Union of the United States of America.  Continues the Amerikansky Russky Viestnik.  Continued by the Greek Catholic Union Messenger.  In English and Slovak. 

Narodne Noviny

Newspaper, 1910-1941.  30 reels.  Published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by Narodny Slovensky Spolok v. Sp. statoch Americkych, beginning in 1910.  Official organ of Narodny Slovensky Spolok v. Sp. Statoch Americkych.  Scattered issues wanting or damaged.  In Slovak and English.

Slovensky Obcan (Slovak Citizen)

Newspaper, 1936, 1941-1946.  2 reels.  Published in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by the Citizen Publishing Company.  In Slovak. 

Slovensky Obcan (Slovak Citizen) (Luzerne County Edition)

Newspaper, 1941.  Partial reel.  Published weekly in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by Citizen Publishing Company."  An American newspaper printed in the Slovak language."  In Slovak.

Slovensky Obcan (Slovak Citizen) (New York and New Jersey Edition)

Newspaper, 3/7/1941.  1 issue.  Published weekly in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by Citizen Publishing Company.  Published in numerous editions.  Official organ of the Slovak Workingmen's Brotherhood, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Lansford National Association, Lansford, Pennsylvania, and the Slovak Workingmen's Club, McAdoo, Pennsylvania.  Some advertisements in English.  In Slovak.

Slovensky Obcan (Slovak Citizen) (Panther Valley Edition)

Newspaper, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946.  2 reels.  Published weekly in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by Citizen Publishing Company.  Published in numerous editions.  "An American newspaper printed in the Slovak language."  In Slovak.

Slovensky Obcan (Slovak Citizen) (Allentown-Bethlehem Edition.)

Newspaper, 4/11/1941, 5/2/1941.  2 issues.  Published weekly in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by Citizen Publishing Company.  Published in numerous editions.  Some adverstisements in English.  In Slovak.

Slovensky Obcan (Slovak Citizen) (Hazletonske Edition)

Newspaper, 1936, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946.  2 reels.  Published weekly in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, by Citizen Publishing Company, 1912-1946.  Published in numerous editions.  Official organ of the Slovak Workingmen's Brotherhood, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the Lansford National Union, Lansford, Pa, and the Slovak Workingmen's Society, McAdoo, Pennsylvania.  Some advertisements and columns in English.  "An American newspaper printed in the Slovak language."  In Slovak.

Slovensky Sokol

Newspaper, 1907-1910, 1912-1914, 1916-1927, 1925-1936, 1940-1943, 1945-1964.  25 reels.  Published in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, by the Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol, beginning in 1905.  In Slovak and English.

Wisconsinsky Slovak (Wisconsin Slovak)

Newspaper, 1936, 1938-1939.  1 reel.  Published in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by Slovak Publishing Company, beginning in 1929.  In Slovak and English