Looking for Information on the last name Nykuliak

[Mechelle]

I am looking for information on my husband great grandfather Ornufrey Nykuliak. We know nothing about him except he came to Canada sometime before 1930. We think he came from North Ukraine. He married Ann Korski, but from what we have heard he didn't meet her until he came to Canada. We do not know when he was born or when he died. By the time we got interested in genealogy my husband grandfather passed away, before we could ask him questions about his father and mother. I know it is a long shot since I have very little information, but if anyone could help us it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Jiggy]

Hi there.

Have you tried looking for ship's manifest? You can search on Ancestry.ca and you can do it for free at your local library. Bring a USB stick with you and you can copy documents to it. The ships manifest (depending on year of travel) can have place of origin (village name) on it. Without knowing exactly where he came from you will not be able to trace his roots in Ukraine.

You can also search Canada website: Bienvenue au site Web BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES CANADA | Welcome to the LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA website You must also be flexible with the last name. Spelling of the name may have changed over time. If ggf was a farmer there maybe homestead records you can search as well on the above site. Also Canada census records may help to establish a time line. Is there any idea when he travelled? Before WWI or after? Do you know that?

If greatgrandfather came after WWI than there should be naturalization records. Check the above website and you need to obtain the record number and than you can order it for $5. It took 4 or 5 months to get the copies but they will hold a wealth of information for you.

I highly recommned the book: Ukrainian Genealogy by John D. Pihach. I ordered it through the University of Alberta but I am sure you could borrow it from a library. It has lots of tips on researching your family.

Other sites that will be helpful for you are:

Welcome to Cyndi's List

Ellis Island - FREE Port of New York Passenger Records Search (another possiblity for passenger list - some ancestors came through the States to Canada)

Halgal: Genealogy of Halychyna/Eastern Galicia This is must to read if you are just starting to research Ukrainina Genealogy!!!

I would like to assist you but would need more info. We need to work backwards. You do not know his birthdate but do you know when his son (grandfather was born)? Was the eldest child? Youngest of how many? This can help to establish a time line and approx age of ggf. Do you know when he died? Perhaps you can order a death certificate of ggf. Keep in mind that all info on it may not be accurate as the information is taken from living person's who may not have all the information. This could also provide you with a timeline and approx age. Where did ggf settle in Canada?

If ggf traveled and was naturalized before WWI then those records (Natrulization) will not exist. Ships manifest to CAnada did not always state the village name. I found the village name for my gf from his sister's records when she came to Canada. If there are any living relatives that are older (cousins, aunts, uncles etc) start asking quesitons. Sometimes they have info they may not realize is important. It can be like piecing a puzzle together. One Aunt tells you some info then another tells you something that fits with the first one etc.

Good Luck,

Sandra

[Jiggy]

I found a Simeon Nykuliak arriving at Ellis Island in 1909. He was coming from Hancrowa, Austria (as Ukraine was then part of Austria-Hungarian empire) Do you know if ggf had any siblings at all that immigrated as well? You may have to look for them as well. I have not tried alternative spellings. Also, sometimes names are transcribed incorrectly. I had a last name starting with "i" that was input as "T" so it is good think of what else a handwritten letter might look to someone who is transcibing records for the internet when searching. Once you find the document you can look at yourself to see if it maybe your family.

This is very much being a detective.

Sandra

[Jiggy]

I also found a Natasha Nikuliak through the Canada website arriving in 1930. Might not be of relation. You really need to establish a time line. If you know gf or siblings year of birth than it helps with timeline.

You must find where he came from otherwise you will never be able to trace his roots in Ukraine.