Not Much To Do in McAdoo

McAdoo is an old coal mining town about 75 miles northeast of Harrisburg. It has a population of about 2,200 people. At one time, there were 22,000 miners working in Schuykill County because the anthracite coal was important to the industrial age. The railroad used to come to McAdoo but not any more.

I met up with cousin Thelma in Mechanicsburg, and we drove to see the town where the Horvath and Bolla families lived. This is the town where our great grandparents John and Anna Horvath raised their eight children. The Pennsylvania countryside is beautiful, even charming, and we enjoyed the day and getting to know each other. The day started out to be sunny but it was overcast when we got to McAdoo. We first stopped at East Blaine Street to see where the families lived.

Blaine Street

The Bolla lot had been cleared and was for sale. It is my understanding that John Horvath, who was a carpenter, and his sons built many of the old duplex homes for the families to live in. The town was very small surrounded by the old mine and several large cemeteries testifying to the tragic loss of lives by the miners.

We walked over to the cemetery to find our ancestors but first I wanted to see the church, located on Grant Street just two blocks from the Blaine Street properties. To my surprise, St. Stephen's Magyar Church had been converted into a private home. The trees had been allowed to grow around the front to disguise its former use so it was difficult to photograph.

Front of House

Formerly St. Stephen's Magyar Church

We visited the cemetery in their "back yard" and I found the gravestones for both John and Anna Horvath and some of their children including my grandmother, Anna Horvath Bartha. We did not find Frank Ivancics, the father of Anna Horvath.

I learned today that there are old photographs of McAdoo on display in the McAdoo Diner. If only ...
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Pittsburgh and Aunt Gail

Aunt Gail

This June I traveled to Pittsburgh with my eldest daughter Heather. Pittsburgh is where I was born and I hoped to learn more about my Hungarian ancestors. We surprised my mother's sister, Gail, with a visit one afternoon. I had not seen her since I was a young child and she is now about 88 years old. I tried unsuccessfully to visit her five years ago. This time we drove to her home in a beautiful wooded neighborhood, walked down her long walkway and knocked on her door. When I announced who we were, she was both surprised and gracious as she welcomed us to her home. We enjoyed the time spent with her and believe it was mutual. There were many things about my aunt that reminded us of my mother Lynn both in mannerisms and appearance. She was very sharp both mentally and physically and asked us if we would like to feel her muscles when we noticed the small hand weights on the table. They both enjoyed crossword puzzles.

Violet, Helen, Lynn and Gail

Heather and Lynn - 2007

Because Gail was the youngest Bartha daughter and remained in Pittsburgh, she became the caretaker of her mother (my grandmother) Anna Bartha. Just before we left, Aunt Gail shared an old photo album with us and explained each photo. The album had belonged to my grandmother. I was very excited to see a photograph of our great grandparents, John and Anna Horvath, as well as a photo of our second great grandfather, Frank Ivancics. I never knew such photos existed and excitedly began taking photos of the photos.

John and Anna Horvath

Frank Ivancics (father of Anna)

As I began to take photographs, Aunt Gail said that there was no need. I could have the album because I was so interested, that she would not take it to the grave with her. Needless to say, these photos have been carefully inspected, scanned and archived. The writing on the backs of some held relevant family information. I am very grateful to be entrusted with this treasure and will always remember that afternoon in Pittsburgh when we boldly knocked on that front door.
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