St. Martin Name Day

Here are a few sentences from Pavel Jareš on the occasion of Martin’s Name Day:

DNA Genealogy

I hear a lot about DNA and what it can tell me about my ancestors, so I thought I would check mine out.  I found out that I am a member of the paternal haplogroup T, the “Valley Farmers.”

American Beer, Czech Roots, and Me

Growing up in Nebraska
Today Nebraskans consume 37 gallons (138 liters) per capita which is almost double the U.S. average of 21 gal. (78 l.) and equivalent to the Czech national average of 35 gal. (132 l.).  The Czech national average is the highest in the world; more than Germany, Austria or Ireland. Nebraska holds its own with the big boys when it comes to drinking beer.

Cetoraz - Village Origins

by Pavel Jareš
The very first written and provable remark relating Cetoraz was made in 1307, although the village was there before then.

Cetoraz and How We Connected - a Dedication

In 2003 I had the good fortune to visit Cetoraz, Czech Republic, the ancestral home of our line of the Vacek family.  I traveled with my daughter, Marla and her husband John Broadfoot.  We didn’t have any contacts lined up there.  We just sort of winged it.  I knew Cetoraz was the ancestral home so we drove in and started looking around.

Names part 2 - Surnames

My surname, last name, is Vacek.  Why Vacek and not something else?  Where did it come from?  And when?

Names part 1 - Given Names

Why is my first name "Larry"?  When I was younger, I would have preferred "Mighty Warrior" or "The Red Avenger".  As I have grown older, I now prefer " He Who Knows All" or "Most Venerated One".  But I am Larry.  Blame it on tradition; Czech tradition.

Witches’ Night

Every year on the night April 30^th, we go out to light a big fire to celebrate Pálení čarodějnic  (The Burning of the Witches, or Witches' Night).   

Easter in Cetoraz -Pavel Jareš

April 8, 2012
Pavel Jares from Cetoraz, Czech Republic sends this explanation of Czech customs during Easter.

Easter customs are the same for centuries in Czech.