One Last Surprise in 2011

On the last day of 2011, a letter arrived from Nove Ransko, Czech Republic.  It was from the clockmaker, Josef Stastny.  We had visited with him during our research trip in May while searching for the Briza family in Nove Ransko.  Mr. Stastny lives down the street from the former Briza house -  the return address on several letters written to John Zvolanek.

Above:  Records we found in Nove Ransko City Hall, May 2010 regarding the Briza's address.

This record led us to confer with the neighbor, Mr. Stastny, pictured below.

The letter contained original photographs of the Briza girls mentioned in letters to Grandfather, an old photo of the street where they lived, a photo of Antonie Briza as an old woman, standing in front of the Briza house,  and a newer photo of a child standing in front of the house.

Frantiska, Antonie and Ruzena Briznova

Above:  The old photo I received from Antonie's daughter, Ms. Lipova.

Blue "X" indicates the Briza house, recently demolished.

Below:  The photo I took in May 2010.

Antonie Briznova Smelcova

A child in front of the Briza house before it was demolished.

I still do not know exactly what John's connection was to the Briza family.  I suspect it was more than friendship, possibly they were related in some way.  I would love to follow up with Mrs. Marie (Smelcova) Lipova, Antonie's daughter, if she responds to my recent letter thanking her for the photos.