Variations include: Ronkiewicz, Ronskewics, Ronckevic, Roncskovitz
The surname Ronckevic (along with its phonetic variations Ronkiewicz, Ronskewics, and Roncskovitz) is a patronymic name of Slavic origin meaning "son of Ronco," "son of Ronček," or "son of Ronka."
The wide variation in spelling is a direct byproduct of the complex multilingual environment of Stará Ľubovňa (historically Ólubló in Hungarian, Altlublau in German) during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name most likely derives from a shortened pet form or diminutive of an old West Slavic or Germanic given name starting with Ron- (like Hieronym/Geronim in Slavic or Ronald/Reinhardt in German). In some northern Slovak and Polish border dialects, ronka or rączka means a "little hand" or a specific tool handle, which could have originated as a descriptive nickname for a person with an unusual hand feature or a specific trade worker. The base ending is the traditional Slavic patronymic -evič or -owicz, meaning.
Kolodzey Connection
The Ronskevitz/Ronskavitz family is linked to the Kolodzey family through marriage from Franciscus Roncskevitz and Maria Kolodzey of Stara Lubovna. Also, the Ronckovits family is linked to the Kolodzey family through another Maria Kolodzey and Charles (Karol) Ronckovitz. We are in touch with living family members - contact us! (Spelling variations include:, etc)
Motto
Slovak: „Ruka tvorí, duch vedie“
English: “The hand creates, the spirit guides.”
Crest Description
Arms Azure, upon a mount Vert a hand Gules couped at the wrist, palm upright, symbolizing strength and creation; behind it, a silver birch tree proper with three branches, representing lineage and renewal; in chief, a gold star Or for aspiration and guidance; in base, a carpenter’s plane and chisel Or crossed, denoting craft and perseverance. Crest upon a helm affronté with mantling Azure doubled Or, a silver falcon rising, holding a small gold hand in its talons — emblem of vigilance and human resilience.
Supporter Dexter, a craftsman proper with a chisel; sinister, a forester proper holding a birch branch; both upon a compartment of forest floor and carved wood motifs.
Symbolism
Maria Kolodzey was the firstborn child of Joannes Kolodzey and Maria Tokarszky. She was born in Stara Lubovna on 30 August 1858 and was baptized on 5 September 1858 in Saint Peters Roman Catholic Church located in the square of the town. The church historian recorded her godparents as Georgius Molesanyi and Anna Vinogrovsky.
Ferencz (Franciscus) Ronczkevits, Maria's husband, was born on 31 October 1848 to parents Ferencz (an older version of the name 'Franciscus') Ronzkevits and Maria Dlugolinszky. He was baptized by Mihaly Molesanyi and his godparents were listed as Jakab Pahorcsik and Katalion Yorcs.
Together, they had at least 6 children:
Franciscus (Frank) Ronskavitz, was born in Stara Lubovna on 27 January 1878 to Franciscus and Maria Kolodzey. He was baptized on 3 Feb 1878 in the Roman Catholic church in O'Lublo. His godparents were listed as Franciscus Kolodzey and Catharina Leutemberg. According to his Declaration of Intentions in 1937, Franciscus documented that he immigrated to the US on 27 May 1895, entering at New York City aboard the SS Kaiser Wilhelm.
Victoria Urbansky was born in Stara Lubovna on 18 April 1878. She arrived in the United States in April of 1893.
Franciscus and Victoria Urbansky married on 19 November 1898 in Newark, NJ (Film 004211080 - F6619).
Franciscus and Victoria had nine children in all:
Julia (Flad-Petero) Ronskavitz born 14 Nov 1899-1974 in NJ (253)
Frank Jr. Ronskavitz born 22 Sep 1902-1943 in Glastonbury, CT (254)
Mary (Hale) Roncskavitz born 6 Mar 1904- in Glastonbury, CT (266)
Amelia T Ronskavitz born 18 Apr 1906-1995 in Glastonbury, CT (334)
Anna V (Skiba) Ronskavitz born 29 Sep 1908-1988 in Glastonbury, CT (335
Joseph John "Nunny" Ronskavitz born 10 Mar 1915-2006 in Glastonbury, CT (353)
Charles Robert+Ronskavitz born 14 Apr 1917-1991 in Glastonbury, CT (359)
Margaret Barbara (Kauset) Ronskavitz born 11 May 1920-2001 in Glastonbury, CT (360)
Helen (Lemke)+Ronskavitz+9 Jul 1921-2011 in Glastonbury, CT (370)
1910 - Frank 36, Victoria 31, Julia 10, Frank 7, Minnie 6, Amelia 4, Annie 2 - Frank was a laborer at a spoon factory and rented at Colchester Ave. Frank immigrated 1899, Victoria 1898. Neither read or write.
1920 - Frank worked in wool factory. Immigrated 1895, 1894.
1930 - Both spoke Slovak, Immigrated 1893, 1892, Frank was a carder in Stocking mill. 42 Colchester Ave.
1940 - Hebron Ave.
1950 - Frank 72, No Victoria. Jarat Rd
Franciscus' grandnephew (Frank) mentioned that Franciscus Roncskavitz and his brother, John Ronskevitz, arrived at Ellis Island with the same surname. The two brothers stood in two different lines, younger-brother John's surname was spelled correctly by the administrator, but older-brother Franciscus' surname was misspelled by his administrator. This is why Franciscus' surname is spelled differently than the rest of the family.
John Roncskevitz was born in Stara Lubovna on 20 April 1881 to father Franciscus was 32 and mother Maria Kolodzey was 22. He emigrated from Slovakia to the US, arriving in 1902.
Emilia Zseleczky was born in Stara Lubovna on 5 October 1883 to parents Jacob Zseleczky and Julia Kalita.
John and Emilia were married in New Jersey in 1907 (State Record 24 545; F6741).
1910 Census said married 3 yrs. They had two children:
- Mary J (O'Brien) Roncskevitz born 7 Apr 1908-2001 in SI, NY (376)
- Frank Jacob Roncskevitz born 14 Jun 1909-1987 in SI, NY (380)
They lived in Richmond, Staten Island, NY until their deaths.
1910 - US - John was a linoleum factory laborer, Aus-Ger, and could read and write, lived in rented house; Emilia could read/write. Pennsylvania Ave, SI, NY
1915 - NY - John was a linoleum factory laborer, Emilia listed as living in US for 30 years (1880?) Mary 7, Frank 5
1918 - WWI Draft Reg - Bday as 24 Apr 1881 - laborer at Wheeler C&E Co
1920 - US - Both listed as Slovak; Emilia listed as 1882 immigration; 40 Watson Ave.
1925 - NY - John 44, Emilia 41, Mary 17, Frank 16- John factory laborer lived next to Emilia's parents
1930 - US - John 48, Emilia 46, Frank 20; John was a laborer in a tube factory; Frank was a chaffeur for Express Truck; same place but named "15 Rawson Place" next to Emilia's dad
1940 - US - John 58, Emilia 56; Emilia worked as maid. John, Emilia, and their two children all lived next to each other in Linoleumville, on Staten Island.
1942 - WWII Draft - 66", 240lbs, Blue Eyes, Fary Hair - scars on back
1946 - CoD - 40 Watson Ave, Travis, SI, NY
Emilia died tragically on 18 February 1946 after being struck by a vehicle and dragged for nearly a mile. She had multiple fractures and wounds from the accident. Heartbroken, John died a few months later on 26 October 1946.
Both John and Emilia were buried in Saint Peter's Cemetery in Staten Island, NY.
Stephanus Roncskewics (27222) was born on March 14, 1886, in Stará Ľubovňa, Prešov, Slovakia, his father, Franciscus, was 37 and his mother, Maria Kolodzey, was 27.
Maria Julia Danielovics (27221) was born on December 30, 1901, in Hniezdne, Prešov, Slovakia, her father, Franciscus, was 24, and her mother, Maria Tatar, was 29.
Stephanus Roncskewics married Maria Julia Danielovics on 28 April 1920, in Podolínec, Prešov, Slovakia. They had five children during their marriage:
- Karol Roncskevitz born in Havrila on 8 Apr 1921- (27220)
- Aranka Roncskevitz born on 10 May 1923- (27225)
- Margita Roncskevitz born on 25 Jun 1925-2002 (27217)
- Helena Roncskevitz born on 4 Mar 1926- (27216)
- Stefania Roncskevitz born on 25 Dec 1927-(27215)
Stephanus Roncskevitz died on July 2, 1936, in Podolínec, Prešov, Slovakia, at the age of 50. Maria Danielovics died on 2 April 1972 in Zilina, Slovakia.
Charles Ronckovitz [13360] was born on 25 November 1881, in Stará Ľubovňa, Prešov, Slovakia, his father, Franciscus, was 30 and his mother, Maria Killiany, was 22. Charles completed his naturalization on 26 Jul 1905.
Mary V Kolodzej [25917] was born on February 4, 1889, in Stará Ľubovňa, Prešov, Slovakia, her father, John, was 27, and her mother, Mary Lacny, was 28.
Arrived in the US 1890.
Charles Ronckovitz married Mary V Kolodzej on 14 November 1908, in New York (Cert 386) [F6640] Charles 27, Mary 19 per 1930 Census. They had three children during their marriage.
- Helen Victoria (Yaczko) Ronckovitz born 22 Oct 1909-2009 on SI,NY [26306]
- Charles Joseph II Ronckovitz born 16 Jan 1911-2004 on SI, NY [26307]
- Maryanne (Graham) Ronckovitz born 15 Nov 1914-2013on SI, NY [26308]
1910 - Charles 28, Mary 21, Helen 7mos. Charles was a factory laborer. Richmond Turnpike
1917 - WW1 Draft - 37yo, Printer at Ann Limo Co., 44 Burgundy Hill Rd, SI, NY
1920 - Both listed as Slovak w/arrival in 1899, Painter in linoleum factory; Lived a few doors down from August Smarsch. 44 Burgundy Hill Rd
1925 - Charles was laborer at Linoleum factory. 44 Glenn St.
1930 - Charles 48, Mary 42, Helen 20, Charles 19, Mary 15. Charles Painter at a condenser factory, Helen packer at soap factory. 44 Glenn Pl. All could read and write.
1942 - WW2 draft - 60yo, Foster Weler Cateret,66", 150lbs, Brown eyes, Gray hair. 44 Glenn St.
1950 - Charles 69, Mary 61, Mary (Graham)'s family lived with them. Lived next to Smarsch families.
Charles Ronckovitz [13360] died on January 27, 1951, in New York, New York, at the age of 69, and was buried in West New Brighton, New York.
Mary V (Ronckovitz) Kolodzej [25917] died on April 26, 1967, in Staten Island, New York, at the age of 78, and was buried in West New Brighton, New York.
-de69ebe.png/:/rs=w:400,cg:true,m)
As the picture depicts, this site is dedicated to the Kolodzeys that left behind the mountains of Slovakia, Galicia, Deutchia, and Prussia to live in the United States of America. This is our story.