What’s in a name?

There was an overwhelming fair-haired population in Bohemia and Moravia in the past and a man with dark hair or face was an exception. Thus a surname CERNY (and equivalent CERNIK ) came into existence.

Johann “Jan” Cernik and his wife Rosalia (VESELA) immigrated to the United States on June 12, 1875. They arrived at the Baltimore port on the steamship, the Ohio, with 8 children: Maria, Francisca, Josefa, Franz, Johann Jr., Anna, Mathias “Matej” and Antonia. Antonia was only 6 months old. Maria was the oldest at 17. Imagine spending weeks (she wasn’t a fast ship) in a confined area, with sea sick children and little entertainment. It’s hard to believe that they didn’t arrive with a few missing.

From the Captain’s log:

Bremen, Germany Baltimore, MD
12 June 1875

I, G. Meyer master of the Ship Ohio of Bremen do solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear that the annexed list, subscribed with my name, contains, to the best of my knowledge and belief, a just and true account or report of all the passengers who have been taken on board the said vessel at Bremen or any other foreign port, or at sea, and brought in the said vessel into any district of the United States since her departure from the said port of Bremen Germany sworn to this 12 day of June 1875 Gustave Meyer.

8 VERY bored and unhappy kids.

Passenger List for the SS Ohio on their voyage from Moravia via Bremen, Germany to Baltimore, Maryland on Jun 12, 1875.

From #14 Racerovice, Moravia to

Bremen, Germany to

Baltimore, Maryland to

Colon, Nebraska