Revend J.M. Trunk Index - AL, CT, MA, NJ, and RI
Rev. J.M. Trunk - 1912
Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island
© Copyright 1996, Slovenian Genealogy Society International, all rights reserved
Provided by and courtesy of Al Peterlin, President, Slovenian Genealogy Society International
This Rev. J.M. Trunk text was published originally in 1912 as Part 8, History of Slovene Communities, contains significant genealogical information about Slovenian immigrants, the places they lived, the organizations they formed, and the churches they attended.
Translators for the Slovenian Genealogy Society have been working to translate many texts published early in the 1900s that contain significant genealogical information. Our translators are not professional linguists, and they do not complete a translation with rigorous academic oversight. The goal of our translation projects is to make information available to the American descendants of Slovenian immigrants. If you believe we have made serious errors in translation, please contact us and volunteer your time to us in order to make the corrections. We strive to do good work; we are always willing to correct errors to the extent we can; and we ask others to join us in this worthwhile endeavor.
The Slovenian Genealogy Society International collects church histories. Readers with information on Slovenes in the communities listed, the churches mentioned, or other information on Slovenes, can contact the Society at 52 Old Farm Road, Camp Hill, Pa 17011. The society accepts donations of Slovene books, texts, and publications.
Beginning of translated text for:
1. ALABAMA
2. CONNECTICUT
3. MASSACHUSETTS
4. NEW JERSEY
5. RHODE ISLAND
1. ALABAMA
Blocton: By 1903 there were about 40 Slovenes here. They came from Dolenjska (Lower Carniola) and worked in the coal mines. If I am not mistaken, they attend Sunday masses in an Irish church. They are enrolled into two Societies: St. Barbara's Lodge #24 KSKJ, and the St. Barbara Society with headquarters in Forest City, Pennsylvania.
Piper: Mr. J. Avbel submitted the data that there are four Slovene families here and about ten single emigrants. Close by there are also some Slovenes. They work in the coal mines, but their residences is not a permanent one here. They attend the church in Blocton and are members of the lodges seated in Blocton.
2. CONNECTICUT
Bridgeport. Rev. M. Golob sent me the following report: "On the West end about 600 Slovenes have established their homes. They have come mostly from Prekmurje (eastern region of Slovenia, along the river of Mura), and emigrated because of poor living conditions and because of the Hungarian suppression. They started to emigrate about four years ago. The men and women work in factories where silver jewelry is manufactured. Many have also found work in the factories manufacturing record players. Their earnings are rather good.
"However, there are no church or social activities here. They attend Mass in the Church of St. Stephan, but the Hungarians do not welcome them. They feel (Prekmurci, of course) that they are intruders. The priest does not understand Slovene at all. Around Easter the Rev. K. Zakrajsek from New York paid the Slovene parishioners a few visits. I have been here since 1 September 1912. I am the assistant pastor at the Slovak parish of St. John. I do hope that I will be able to organize a Slovene parish."
3. MASSACHUSETTS
Walpole. Mr. J. Knavs mentioned that he came here in 1898. In Walpole and in Norwood there are three Slovene families and two single men who work in the leather factory and they are proud of their homes.
4. NEW JERSEY
Hoboken. There is a large number of Slovenes here who actually belong in New York.
Newark. Many Slovenes are employed in various factories, and have their Society Novi Dom #102 KSKJ.
There are also many Slovenes here and there in other factory towns of this State. It is not likely that there are any major settlements anywhere.
5. RHODE ISLAND
Riverside. The Slovene sculptor Ivan Zalar came here in 1907 from Ljubljana and settled with his family.
Providence. There are some Slovenes who work in the factories, but they are scattered around the city and have no contacts with their compatriots. Some individuals of Slovene descent can be found in other communities of the State.