"We succeeded in locating archival file which contains information about your grandfather Jan Zvolanek and his father (State archive of Kiev oblast: f.2, оp.138, file №13. Date: 1910). According to the found record (pp. 34/34v), an Austrian subject Ioanne Zvolanik aged 55 along with his son Iohann left his place of residence for Austria. Date of departure: 24 February 1910."
This passport information suggests that perhaps our 55-year-old Great-Grandfather Zvolanek was helping our 19-year-old Grandfather move westward to the Stare Ransko area. A little over a year later, my grandfather left Europe April 4, 1911, sailing to the USA. He arrived in Ellis Island on April 11, 1911.
Serhiy's update also gives us some useful information about our Great-Grandfather! Although residing in Russia (Ukrania) he was still considered an Austrian subject. (meaning that our Great-Grandfather was not born in Russia) Also, if his age was 55 in late February of 1910, he was born around 1855, and was 36 or 37 years old when our Grandfather was born (in Jahubec Russia) in 1891.
Another fact emphasized by this information -- It is hard to research our ancestors when their names change depending on place of residence. I would have never asked anyone to research what has happened to the family of Ioanne Zvolanik!
