Alex Bobersky

My Family roots in the Ukraine

My grandfather on my Mother's side, Alexander Bobersky (pictured here) was born in a small village in the Ukraine (Stary Sambir) and immigrated to the US in 1912 when he was 18 years old.

Alex came to the US with his brother and left 17 siblings and half siblings in the Ukraine. I learned that 7 of my grandfathers brothers became priests. The relatives that we met in Russia and the Ukraine are my Mother's first cousins (Maria, Ivan and Demetri) and their children.

My grandfather's name is listed on the wall of honor at Ellis Island.

Ukraine Trip - 1979

My first trip to the Ukraine in 1979 changed my life. I became so appreciative of the freedom that I had and the material wealth that I was blessed with. Seeing our poor, oppressed relatives made me understand how easily my life could have been different if my grandfather decided not to leave the Ukraine and come to the US.

I visited the Ukraine in 1979 under Soviet rule,
again in 2004 and 2006.

Maria S. Miller



The first visit I made to the Ukraine was in 1979 with my Aunt Ann. During that time, the Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union and we were not permitted to visit our relatives in their village. This old (before digital) picture shows Ivan (with the briefcase) next to his wife, my Aunt (center), Kateryna and her Mom Maria. I think the boy in the back is Ivan's son Stepan.
Seated are Ivan's daughters, Maria, Genya and Natalia.

Ukraine2 

I am pictured above with my distant cousins. The little girl in red is Genya and the girl next to me is Katheryna.
I meet both of them again in 2004 and 2006. Pictured below is Genya with her sisters Maria and Natalia.

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My cousins Genya and her sisters Maria and Natalia. In 2008 Genya made it to the US on a work visa
and is staying in Chicago!
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My Aunt Ann meets her cousin Ivan and his son, Yuroslav. Ann was able to speak enough Ukrainian to communicate but most of my communication was with smiles and hand gestures.



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Updated June, 2008