I'd Like to Meet ~ Great Grandpa Alexander Pellack

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2023: Week 1 (I'D LIKE TO MEET)

I have always identified as Canadian when faced with choosing from the dropdown menus. I thought it was the best answer because I thought I was 'Heinz 57' like all the canine family members I have been lucky to have over the years. 

"Heinz 57 is a playful term kept to refer to mixed breed dogs. So basically Heinz 57 dogs are dogs from multiple ancestries. The naming secret as Heinz 57 lies in the slogan of the company HJ. Heinz “57 varieties”."  1

When we adopted Tori the paperwork said she was a TerrierX. We have since determined she is likely Irish Terrier crossed with some sort of Shepherd. She does not have 'clean' lineage. I'm all out of relatives for testing so I might do the dog's DNA next!

Snow Dog!!!

I thought my lineage was all over the place. I didn't think I could choose just one area my family was from. I thought my family was too mixed up therefor only 'Canadian' would adequately describe my heritage. 

I had always thought my family had roots to when Canada first began. 

It was only recently while talking about my family tree that I realized how recent my immigrant ancestors were. 

• My maternal grandmother is 2nd generation on her mother's side & 5th on her father's. 
• My maternal grandfather was 2nd generation on his father's side & mother's side.
• My paternal grandmother was 1st generation, born in Scotland.
• My paternal grandfather was 2nd generation, the first born child of immigrant parents.

When I looked at my husband's side of this bramble bush I discovered he is 5th & 6th generation on both sides of his family. It seems neither of our family lines are as deep rooted as I had thought. 

After doing Ancestry and 23&Me I discovered I am fully European. 

Ancestry - 100% European

23&Me - 100% European

When my DNA tests results arrived from Ancestry I discovered that one of my great grandparents was European Jewish or they were both half. 

It wasn't until recently that I learned about using the timeline tool at 23&Me.

When I looked at the most recent ancestor timeline for my Ashkenazi Jewish heritage I discovered my previous guess appears to be accurate. 

I had initially guessed one of my great grandparents was 100% Jewish or they were both 50%. 

23&Me's timeline suggests that either Alexander OR Mary (nee Maximiw) Pellack were 100% Ashkenazi Jewish. 

2 

I have decided it's likely the Pellack line where my Jewish Heritage comes from. In coming to this conclusion I used Ancestry's Ethnicity Inheritance tool for my father's DNA (still in Beta)

Ancestry's Inheritance Tool - my dad's paternal inheritance
I believe this is the Pellack heritage

Ancestry's Inheritance Tool - my dad's paternal inheritance
I believe this is the Maximiw heritage

Ancestry's Inheritance Tool - my dad's maternal inheritance
His parents were both born in Scotland
It seems maybe more research is needed to find these roots

Over 30 years ago I first heard that my Scottish grandfather, Clyde Robertson, might be a Ukrainian man named Max Pellack. 

It took me 20 years to confirm that using DNA matching. 

Over the years I have searched and searched for information about life in Ukraine before the family came to Canada in 1909. 

I have been unable to find any documentation from before they arrived on the ship, Willehad, bound for Canada. 

My grandfather was their first born on the homestead in Saskatchewan. 

In all the years I have been searching I have managed to add a few details, but only minimally. 

My Ancestor fan chart is full except that 1/4 of my father's paternal line. 

I have more questions than answers.

For this reason the person I would love to have a cup of tea with is my great grandfather, Alexander Pellack who I believe is my Jewish ancestor.

My great grandfather
Alexander Pellack

Alexander was born in 1873. His father, Mikihor, about 1850. His mother, Mary, unknown. All three are within the timeframe. 

I would love to hear more about his life, his family, and how he chose Canada for his family's new home. 

It would be an opportunity for me to thank him. 

I am Canadian because he chose to bring his family here. 

When I look at what is happening in Ukraine today I am grateful I live in Canada. 

When I look at what happened during World War II I am grateful my family was in Canada. 

I am Canadian because my great grandparents, Alexander & Mary, left behind everything they knew for what they believed was a better life.

I hope I am all they dreamed of providing their descendants!!! 

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Footnotes:

1  Heinz 57 Dog breed information. Originally published April 19th 2021. Retrieved January 2nd 2023 from 
https://www.petbutty.com/heinz-57-dog-breed-information/#:~:text=Heinz%2057%20is%20a%20playful,Heinz%20%E2%80%9C57%20varieties%E2%80%9D.

2  Our Courageous Pioneers : History of Gronlid and Surrounding Districts of Argus, Athol, Edenbridge, Freedom, Maryville, Murphy Creek, Sandhill Creek, Taelman, Taras, Teddington,." (Melfort Saskatchewan: Phillips Publishers , 1991), page 188

Sources:

Heinz 57 Dog breed information. Originally published April 19th 2021. Retrieved January 2nd 2023 from 
https://www.petbutty.com/heinz-57-dog-breed-information/#:~:text=Heinz%2057%20is%20a%20playful,Heinz%20%E2%80%9C57%20varieties%E2%80%9D.

Photos:

Ancestry Clip
23&Me clip
Personal

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

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