The “Old Country”/Slovakia (1863 to 1900):
Cyril and Anna Mary Sofka Ralbovsky were born in Kúty, Senica, Slovakia, Austria-Hungary, more recently known as Czechoslovakia and currently (2009) Slovakia.226,8,210,292,305,295

"A similar movement (to the Czech movement to promote a rebirth of the language, culture and national feeling) developed in Slovakia, which belonged to the Austrian Empire as part of Hungary. But Slovakia's rulers stamped out the Slovak movement. In 1867, Austria and Hungary formed a monarchy called Austria-Hungary." World Book Encyclopedia, 1985, page 972-973.

Cyril is described as being of medium stature with grey eyes, blonde hair and eyebrows, a regular nose and a normal mouth.295

According to the recollections of his granddaughter, Annamarie Gifford Reed8, Cyril Ralbovsky was influencial in the railroads299 of Austria-Hungary (Slovakia). According to the family story, he was being forced to "Germanize" or change his name, refused, and was forced to leave the country secretly and in a hurry. He left behind his wife, Anna Mary Sofka; one son Antone, and one daughter Anna Eve.8 226 Apparently, there was a second daughter, Emily, that was born after Cyril left for America. That child died as an infant either just before Anna Sofka left for America or while they were at sea.226 8 (When wife Anna traveled to America, there was only one child listed on the ship’s manifest, Anton Ralbovsky, a son.)304 The daughter, Anna Eve, was left in the old country with her grandparents.8 227 The family could not afford her passage at that time8,227. (Raymond Gifford says she was left with “friends”227). Irma Ralbovsky (Cyril’s daughter-in-law) and Annamarie Reed both recalled hearing that the infant daughter, Emily, died at sea.226

While the railroad story is what Anna Eve Ralbovsky Gifford’s family always understood and believed, Irma Ralbovsky stated in 1996 that her husband Bill Ralbovsky (Cyril and Anna’s son), through his conversations with Cyril, always understood that Cyril delivered wine to the King's Palace in Budapest, Hungary.226 Slovakia is just north of Budapest, Hungary and was part of Austria-Hungary at this time. Cyril’s ethnicity and nationality is listed as Hungarian and his occupation is listed as “railroader” on the Hamburg Passenger List299. Anna Sofka is also listed on the S. S. Lahn ship’s manifest as a subject of Hungary.304 Did Cyril ship wine via the railroad?

Apparently, according to the family, Cyril Ralbovsky was a very important man in Kúty, Austria-Hungary (Slovakia). Annamarie Reed remembers her grandmother telling her about how the other residents of Kúty used to leave chickens, food, and other tribute on Anna’s and Cyril’s front porch in the old country as a sign of respect or patronage. Irma Ralbovsky recalled this, as well.8,226

Previous to their marriage in 1894, Cyril Ralbovsky lived in house number 317 in Kúty, Austria-Hungary (Slovakia). Anna Sofka lived at house number 150 in Kúty.308

1894:
On 5 February 1894, Cyril Ralbovsky and Anna Sofka were married in the Archdiocese of Kutti (Kúty), Kúty, Austria-Hungary (Slovakia) by the Rev. Stephan Tukanczk(?). Witnesses at their wedding were Michael Palkovics and Joseph Ralbovsky. Cyril was 30 and Anna was 20 years old.308 Annamarie Reed recalled, “Gramma (Anna Sofka Ralbovsky) was Grampa’s second wife. He was married before in Austria. This wife died. They did not have any children.”8 The marriage certificate seems to indicate that Cyril was previously married. Whether he was widowed or divorced is unclear on the form, but since Banns were read and they were married by the Catholic Church, most likely he was widowed as recalled by Annamarie.308

1900:
Cyril immigrated to the United States in 1900.216,296 He sailed from Hamburg on the ship S. S. Columbia on 2 or 3 May 1900 and he arrived in the Port of New York on 12 May 1900.291,299 He was 37 years old at the time. His destination was listed on the ship’s manifest as Johnstown, NY where he was to join his brother, Anton Ralbovsky. He was listed as a laborer. He had $12.00 and his passage was listed as paid by his brother. He was listed as Hungarian, a subject of Hungary and his native tongue was Slovak. He was listed as able to read and write. His last residence was listed as Szekula.291,299

Anna Sofka immigrated to the United States 6 Dec 1900 on the ship S. S. Lahn.304 A son, Anton, accompanied Anna to the United States 6 Dec 1900 on the ship S. S. Lahn.304

Based on the date, Cyril and Anna Sofka probably passed through the temporary processing center located at the old Barge Office in Manhattan, NYC instead of Ellis Island. The Ellis Island facility had burned and was in the process of being reconstructed.283 The “new” Ellis Island building opened 17 Dec 1900, so Anna and son, Anton, must have missed going through it by only days! Daughter, Anna Eve, probably was processed through the newly opened Ellis Island facility.

According to Annamarie, Cyril and Anna Sofka could both read and write in Slovak and in German, but only Cyril could read and write in English, although Anna could speak English.226 In fact, Annamarie learned to understand spoken Slovak from her grandparents although she could not read it or write it and could only speak it on a limited basis.8 The 1920 Census said Anna and Cyril could both read and write.216 According to the ship’s manifest, Cyril and Anna could read and write.304 291,216

What does the family name “Petras” mean? According to Irma Ralbovsky (Cyril’s daughter-in-law), the Slovaks all have family "nicknames" based on family occupations. Petras is the Ralbovsky family nickname, but no one is sure of the occupation. Irma Ralbovsky tried to find out, but was not successful. Petras is pronounced: "Paatrush".226 Virginia Gifford understood that this is a “clan” name and possibly means “Peter”. However, she does agree that it was a name that distinquishes one unrelated Ralbovsky family from another.230

There were five distinct and non-related Ralbovsky families in Johnstown, NY. Irma Ralbovsky's maiden name was also Ralbovsky, but she was not related to the Cyril Ralbovsky’s Petras family.226 Since these families came from the same area (Kutty) in the old country, were they related way back in history? The only related Ralbovsky in Johnstown that Annamarie Reed or Irma Ralbovsky knew was a cousin Steve Ralbovsky. How was he related? Was Steve Ralbovsky related to Cyril’s brother Anton who also immigrated to Johnstown, NY?226 291

Cyril was a member of St. Anthony’s Church in Johnstown, NY. Cyril and Anna donated much of their family income to help build St. Anthony’s.8

1913:
In 1913, at about age 15, daughter Anna Ralbovsy is pictured in the wedding party of Barton Palcovic and his bride Julia. Barton and Julia had three daughters. At the far left of the wedding party is Louis Kralovic who is also a relative.226 (This photo is now in the possession of Laurel Reed Berbach, Family File 69, RALBOVSKY/SOFKA.)

According to Annamarie, her grandfather Cyril Ralbovsky had severely injured his hand in a mill accident. The hand was injured so badly that he was unable to continue working. Instead all his children worked and contributed to the family, while he worked a large garden to earn money:
“Cyril Ralbovsky of Pennsylvania Avenue [Johnstown] met with an accident yesterday morning shortly after 11’oclock, while working on the fleshing machine at the Johnstown Mocha mill, where he is employed. Mr. Ralbovsky’s right hand was caught in the machine in an unknown manner and was badly bruised and crushed, necessitating the amputation of the first three fingers and the thumb of that member. Dr. F. M. Neuendorf was called to the mill following the accident and had Mr. Ralbovsky taken to St. Mary’s hospital in Amsterdam, where the operation was performed. At a late hour last night, Ralbovsky was resting as comfortably as could be expected.”300

The Johnstown highway department is currently (2008) located at the original site of the Ralbovsky home where Cyril and Anna lived and that the Gifford siblings visited often as children. The exact location is under the current salt barn (2008). The house was moved (date unknown) to its current location at the end of West Madison Ave., Ext. next to the highway department property. This information was confirmed by both Annamarie Reed in 2002 and Raymond Gifford in 2008.227 According to Raymond Gifford, the house was built by Cyril. Cyril’s son, Antone (This is a second son named Antone. The first son named Anton died shortly after arriving in America), sold the property after Cyril’s and Anna’s deaths and purchased their tombstones with the proceeds.227

1943:
Cyril died at home (West Madison Ext., Johnstown, NY) at 10:30 am on 17 Feb 1943 after “failing health for more than a year with a complication of diseases.”292,293 The death certificate states that he died of acute cardiac insufficiency as a result of chronic myocarditis.296 His funeral was held at the Dunn funeral home in Johnstown, NY followed by Mass at St. Anthony’s Church. Bearers at Cyril’s funeral were: Stephen Malik, Peter Ralbovsky, Joseph Lorenc, Barton Palkovic, Joseph Ralbovsky and Andrew Kubina.297 Floral tributes were from: Ralbovsky Bakery, National Grain & Yeast Co., Ernst Market, New York Lunch, Nuway Lunch, American Baking Co., and Zivena 53, family and friends.297 Cyril was a citizen of the United States at the time of his death.

Anna and Cyril are buried in St. Anthony's Cemetary, Johnstown, NY in the "Ralbovsky/Petras" lot. If one is looking up at large center Crucifix, the gravesite is just below the Cross to right.172