Jan Swiechowski was the son of a very wealthy landowner on what they called “Wsi Grabowski” near Wieliczka, Poland (East of Krakow in Southern Poland). He gave his daughter, the fourth of five children, Regina Swiechowska d. 1918, in marriage to Karol Hadra about 1872.

c. early 1900s L to R: Top Row - Maria Hadra, Joseph Hadra, Antonina
Hadra
Bottom Row - Hanna Hadra, Frank Hadra, Regina Swiechowska Hadra in
Wieliczka, Poland
Children:
Maria Hadra born in b. 1876 – d. 1952. She was 10 yrs old when she became very sick and lost her speech.
Hania (Anna) Hadra b. 1879 – d. 1950 married Jozef
Seredinka. b. 1877 – d. 1942 Children;
Zosia Seredinka b. 1914 married Jozef Debowski, their children:
Hania and Janusz
Frydzia Seredinka b. 1917 - d. 1984 married Wladyslaw
(Wally) Children; Barbara (Basia) b. 1936
Frank Hadra (Chadra) b. Jul 16, 1886 - d. May 1968.
Married Florentyna Mlynek Came to America in 1906-1907. (Grandparents
of Dennis Chadra). Children:
John Chadra b. Jun 17, 1906 - d. Sep 20, 1989. (His birth certificate
shows the name Chadra)

A photo taken in 1906 in Michalkovice, Czech Republic. The baby is my father, John Chadra. The two standing in the back are my grandparents, Frank Chadra (Hadra) and Florentyna Mlynek Chadra. Front, left to right is an Mary Mlynek ?, or seated holding my father is Mary Mlynek ? and John Mlynek This was taken on the way to America and Scarbro, WV.
Jozef Hadra b.? married Wanda Anitek b>? - d.
1979. (When Wanda was 6 months pregnant, Jozef Hadra was
drafted to World War I and was killed in France). their Children;
Aleksandra Hadra b. 1914 married Stanislaw Malec b. 1904
Children; Zosia b. ? and Basia (Barbara) b. Nov 13, 1951
Antonina Hadra was born on Dec. 24, 1889 in “Wsi Grobowski” near Wieliczka and died on August 29, 1978 in Chicago. She was brought to America by Frank Chadra. Antonina married Stanley Kosowski in Scarbro, WV America 1911
Zosia Hadra b.1902 – d. 1961 She became a nun. She was stationed in Oswiecim. She became Mother Ermestyna and head on the Monastery. She died with many honors and accolades as per her niece Zosia Debowski. They went to her funeral at Oswiecim.

Above: Emily Chadra, Florentyna Chadra (nee Mlynek), Josephine Chadra,
Unknown Official (possibly Company Official), Joseph Hadra, Frank Hadra
(Chadra) and
John Chadra circa 1913.
Florentyna Chadra died in September of that year and is buried in the St.
Sebastian Cemetery in Beckley, WV near the St. Francis de Sales Church.
Prior to coming to Eccles, WV the
Chadra / Hadra Family lived in Scarbro / Carlisle, WV from 1906 through
1912. The
John and Mary Mlynek family were relatives.
January 1, 1904 –
James Mlynek, age 19, arrived in New York, NY on the Kaiser Wilhelm II
from Bremen, Germany.
December 23, 1906 – John and Mary Mlynek arrive in New York, NY on
the Kaiser Wilhelm II from Bremen, Germany.
August 15, 1907 - The Frank Hadra (Chadra) family arrived in
Baltimore, Maryland on the Chemnitz from Bremen, Germany.
Antonina Chadra (Hadra), age 22, came to Ellis Island on March 16, 1911
showing her last residence was with her mother Regina Hadrzna of
Wieliczka, Galacia (Poland) on the vessel Zieten out of Bremen, Germany. She
indicated that she was married and was a housewife. Final destination was to
Husband Franciezk (sp?) Chadra (actually her brother) White Oak
Carlisle, WV.
Both the Hadra (Chadra) and Mlynek families came from the Alwernia &
Wieliczka (Krakow, Galacia Poland area). showing their last residence as
Michalkovice, Czech Republic, under the Rule of Francis Joseph, Emperor of
Austria. They lived over one year in Michalkovice and had to travel through
the Czech Republic and Germany to get to Port of Bremen. Both families went
straight to Carlisle / Scarbro, WV. The Mlynek family stayed in
Carlisle, WV into the 1920's and we have lost track of them. The Hadra
family moved to Eccles, WV around 1912 until the early 1927 and then moved
to Chicago, IL.
Frank Hadra (Chadra) was a survivor of the April 28, 1914 Eccles #5
Mine Disaster. He was trapped in Eccles #6, 250 feet below the surface, for
several hours before being rescued. Prior to moving to Eccles in 1912, they
lived in Scarbro / Carlisle, WV and Frank worked in the mines for New River
Company. The John and Mary Mlynek family were relatives. The family
lived, worked and played in Eccles, WV from 1912 through approximately 1923
with a brief stay in Jefferson Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio from 1918
through early 1920.
1920 US Census:
January 3, 1920 - The US Census shows that Frank Chadra was a lodger
living with the Charlie Kulona Family at 331 A Street Allentown in
Eccles Precinct Eccles, (Raleigh County) West Virginia. He lists his age as 40
yrs, immigrated in 1907, was naturalized in 1916. He lists his, his father,
and mother's place of birth as Austria and their mother tongue as German. He
said yes of being able to speak English. His occupation was pick miner.
The Hadra family moved to Eccles, WV around 1912 through approximately
1923 with a brief stay in Jefferson Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio from 1918
through early 1920 and then moved to Chicago, IL.
Return To Top
Archives and Museum Building at the State Capital Charleston, WV:
1. Declaration of Intention (USA Naturalization Service) Fayette County
Circuit Court,
Frank Chadra, age 30, Miner, 5'-8", 150 lbs, Brown hair, Brown eyes. Born
in Grabowki Austria (Poland) on Jul 16, 1882. Resides at Carlisle, WV.
Emigrated from Bremen, Germany on the Hemnity (sp). Last foreign residence was
Michalkowic Austria (CZ Republic). Arrived at Port of Baltimore Maryland on
Aug 15, 1907. Sworn October 16, 1913. (One month after
Florentina died)
2. Petition For Naturalization Raliegh County Circuit Court in Beckley, WV.
Frank Chadra of Eccles, WV, Occupation Miner, Born Jul 16, 1882 in
Grabowki Austria, Wife's name is
Anna Majerczyk Chadra born in Klushowcka, Austria. Children
John, Joseph, Emilia, Josephine and
Anthony. Residing in Eccles. Document dated Nov 13, 1915. Witnessed by St
Francis De Sales priest
J. D. Holzmer (sp) and Justice of the Peace,
Jesse Thomas of Eccles. The petition was denied because when Thomas
couldn't name
Frank's Children.
Frank later received his Naturalization Certificate on Aug 28, 1916.
St Francis De Sales Church Beckley, WV Raleigh County:
1. Record of Interments
of
Florentina Chadra
wife of
Frank Chadra
Died Sep 7,
1913 Buried Sep 8, 1913 Born in Alwernia Galacia Poland, 36 years, St.
Sebastian Cemetary in Beckley, WV.
2. Record of Interments
of
Maria Chadra
Died Nov 17, 1917, Buried Nov 18,
1917.Eclles, WV 1-1/2 years old. Died of Dyphteria. Buried in St. Sebastian
Cemetary in Beckley, WV
3. Baptismatorum
of
Stanislawam (Estelle) Kosowski
(Daughter of
Antonina
(Hadra)
&
Stanislas (Stanley) Kosowski
born Mar 3, 1912 Baptized Mar 31, 1912,
Godparents are
Wadislaus Kosowski
and
Anna Piecak.
4. Baptismatorum
of
Maria Chadra
(Daughter of
Frank & Anna Chadra) born Apr
29, 1916, Baptized May 21, 1916, Godparents are
John Bunk
and
Antonina
Kosowski.
5. Baptismatorum
of
Frank Chadra
(Son of
Frank & Anna Chadra) born Jun
13, 1917, Baptized Sep 23, 1917, Godparents are
Stanislaw Kosowski
and
Helena Kuluna. (Kuluna
was the family name that
Frank Sr.
stayed with during the 1920
US Census in Eccles, WV.)
Raleigh County Courthouse, Beckley, WV:
1. Register of Deaths of Florentina Chadra, age 36, Died Sep 7, 1913, Reported
Sep 20, 1913, married living in Eccles, WV. Died of short and loss of blood
due from childbirth. Dr. R.D. Rolbec, Jr.
2. Register of Births Antonia (Tony) Hadra Jan 16, 1915. Eccles, Mother
Annie
Hadra, Father Frank Hadra.
SS Peter and Paul Church (Scarbro, WV now in Oak Hill, WV) Fayette County.
3. Marriage of Antonina Hadra, Daughter of Karol & Regina Hadra, and
Stanley Kosowski on May 29, 1911 performed by Fr. Stanislas Jewasinski.
4. Baptismal of Joseph Frank Hadra born Feb 27, 1908 Baptized March 8, 1908
Godparents are Andreav Mlynek & Agatha Koziel.
5. Baptismal of Emiliam (Aunt Millie) Hadra born Oct 11, 1909 Baptized Oct 24,
1909 Godparents are Andreav Mlynek & Catherine Koziel.
6. Baptismal of Josephana Cunegundam (sp) (Aunt Josie) Hadra born Mar 12, 1911
Baptized Apr 17, 1911 Godparents are Andreav Mlynek & Catherine Koziel.
Fayette County Courthouse, Fayetteville, WV:
1. Marriage Registration of Antonina Hadra and Stanley Kosowski
on May 29,
1911
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