![it hardly seems like Spring as we start our driving trip from Prague...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666294.FJ5ZMtkj.jpg) it hardly seems like Spring as we start our driving trip from Prague... |
![...so much rain has fallen here this season](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666295.lSxXpwz7.jpg) ...so much rain has fallen here this season |
![our first stop is the city office of Podolí I, where we visit with Mayor Michal and Mrs. Tupa...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666296.3fUvrRny.jpg) our first stop is the city office of Podolí I, where we visit with Mayor Michal and Mrs. Tupa... |
![...who helped us so much last year in Jay's Kálal family research](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666297.nR0H7ILO.jpg) ...who helped us so much last year in Jay's Kálal family research |
![then we are reunited with the Kalous/Polívka family from nearby Olešná and Písek...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666298.YLJrEolH.jpg) then we are reunited with the Kalous/Polívka family from nearby Olešná and Písek... |
![...and we begin a day-long gathering of fifth cousins and more!](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666299.wqI8SKaO.jpg) ...and we begin a day-long gathering of fifth cousins and more! |
![Věra and her brothers have excellent documentation of our common family history](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666300.WxmJw2xh.jpg) Věra and her brothers have excellent documentation of our common family history |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666301.d4cliOZ9.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666301.d4cliOZ9.jpg) |
![and Věra has prepared lunch and koláče to feed the entire clan!](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666302.aKFRI5u1.jpg) and Věra has prepared lunch and koláče to feed the entire clan! |
![we're lucky the Polívka and Kalous families are so interested in their history](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666303.k6QHo5tE.jpg) we're lucky the Polívka and Kalous families are so interested in their history |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666305.Nt5kmWE4.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666305.Nt5kmWE4.jpg) |
![there's a lot of material to sort](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666304.8WSWpe8n.jpg) there's a lot of material to sort |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666306.b420P6Yd.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666306.b420P6Yd.jpg) |
![but there's also some current documentation to do!](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666307.9gzvvyIl.jpg) but there's also some current documentation to do! |
![Věra and her husband Jindřich have much to be proud of](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666308.t6U2tCuf.jpg) Věra and her husband Jindřich have much to be proud of |
![that afternoon, Věra takes us to nearby Slabčice...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666309.eWIUAmmu.jpg) that afternoon, Věra takes us to nearby Slabčice... |
![...where she tends to the Polívka family grave](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666310.WU4tvWXa.jpg) ...where she tends to the Polívka family grave |
![that night the family gathering continues in Písek...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666311.P32lL5Od.jpg) that night the family gathering continues in Písek... |
![...with more members of the Polívka and Kalous families](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666312.cf9dT3Tx.jpg) ...with more members of the Polívka and Kalous families |
![it's clear these families enjoy each others' company...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666313.vnm2wLoR.jpg) it's clear these families enjoy each others' company... |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666314.7ulQgeqo.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666314.7ulQgeqo.jpg) |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666315.LvF4VLMk.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666315.LvF4VLMk.jpg) |
![...and we are thrilled to join them this evening](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666316.Ok6jwCI8.jpg) ...and we are thrilled to join them this evening |
![the next day we continue in Písek, at the house and garden of Zdeněk and Eva](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666317.XSnIcbmd.jpg) the next day we continue in Písek, at the house and garden of Zdeněk and Eva |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666318.HFdXJUC9.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666318.HFdXJUC9.jpg) |
![it's another tight family](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666319.yYBK1mJ2.jpg) it's another tight family |
![Lenka and Markéta have been our translators through most of this visit](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666320.d1vvNgZp.jpg) Lenka and Markéta have been our translators through most of this visit |
![oh, look - another feast!](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666321.KFkZRqWI.jpg) oh, look - another feast! |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666322.2xz8wLZo.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666322.2xz8wLZo.jpg) |
![homemade marble cake... it's bábovka...!](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666323.URKqXzhB.jpg) homemade marble cake... it's bábovka...! |
![(the chef is modest)](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666324.JuQxk8ea.jpg) (the chef is modest) |
![...and another grandchild shyly appears](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666325.PaYJRCpg.jpg) ...and another grandchild shyly appears |
![here's the only tree where this family member will appear...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666326.ZesrJ5sc.jpg) here's the only tree where this family member will appear... |
![our last stop is at Věra's brother Jindřich's house, where we meet his son, a lawyer and educator (and we eat again!)](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666327.nsPeDxAM.jpg) our last stop is at Věra's brother Jindřich's house, where we meet his son, a lawyer and educator (and we eat again!) |
![then we bid farewell to this generous family, and head off to seek other family and town connections](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666328.Bjr4SlRf.jpg) then we bid farewell to this generous family, and head off to seek other family and town connections |
![first we stop in Milevsko; here's a former synagogue, now Hussite church](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666329.19VUeyPu.jpg) first we stop in Milevsko; here's a former synagogue, now Hussite church |
![we head for the town museum...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666374.ZT9TVXTY.jpg) we head for the town museum... |
![...which we are fortunate to discover is having its grand re-opening today](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666375.gnhWGp6p.jpg) ...which we are fortunate to discover is having its grand re-opening today |
![we find a small display on the conjoined Blažková twins...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666376.0HAMQ1Eu.jpg) we find a small display on the conjoined Blažková twins... |
![...who were related to Jay's Kálal family in this area](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666377.LE2afMlu.jpg) ...who were related to Jay's Kálal family in this area |
![then we begin our search for houses and land where Jay's family once lived in Bohemia; here's Skrýchov...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666379.eJGcoKeW.jpg) then we begin our search for houses and land where Jay's family once lived in Bohemia; here's Skrýchov... |
![...where the Blažek family lived for generations](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666380.Buuv8ZVx.jpg) ...where the Blažek family lived for generations |
![here's the parish church at Hodušín, where several of Jay's relatives were married...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666381.cr8zXKev.jpg) here's the parish church at Hodušín, where several of Jay's relatives were married... |
![...and likely some were buried](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666382.XrQ8MqP5.jpg) ...and likely some were buried |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666383.EwP9IpNb.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666383.EwP9IpNb.jpg) |
![in Opařany, this tavern may be on land where ancestors once lived...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666384.2mDyJhW4.jpg) in Opařany, this tavern may be on land where ancestors once lived... |
![...and this garden in Podboří probably once had a related family house](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666385.dwrD6mYm.jpg) ...and this garden in Podboří probably once had a related family house |
![the rivers and creeks are at their limits now](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666386.t9sASt47.jpg) the rivers and creeks are at their limits now |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666387.Of4X4qDM.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666387.Of4X4qDM.jpg) |
![we drive slowly thru Bojenice, birthplace to another pair of twins in the family](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666388.IdVqfTwg.jpg) we drive slowly thru Bojenice, birthplace to another pair of twins in the family |
![somewhere near the house on the right once stood a family house in Rakov](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666389.mo9bThNN.jpg) somewhere near the house on the right once stood a family house in Rakov |
![we couldn't identify a family house in Borovany, but it's a lovely village](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666390.fuERowmm.jpg) we couldn't identify a family house in Borovany, but it's a lovely village |
![we leave old Bohemia for Moravia (actually the Vysočina region that blends them)](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666392.h09GDkC7.jpg) we leave old Bohemia for Moravia (actually the Vysočina region that blends them) |
![here's land in Líšná where a family house probably once stood](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666391.EMsozB9A.jpg) here's land in Líšná where a family house probably once stood |
![finding our way in Lísek is difficult; this entry didn't work...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666393.uxM81VBU.jpg) finding our way in Lísek is difficult; this entry didn't work... |
![...nor did this one; we move on](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666394.suE2J1aC.jpg) ...nor did this one; we move on |
![here in Bohuňov, a family house once rose from this garden](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666395.rvshvTJ9.jpg) here in Bohuňov, a family house once rose from this garden |
![even this stork is having trouble drying out](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666396.bfBAjPjM.jpg) even this stork is having trouble drying out |
![the village of Janovičky is very small, but big in Chvála family history](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666397.B1oxf903.jpg) the village of Janovičky is very small, but big in Chvála family history |
![we can't find exact locations, but here's another garden which was probably once family land...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666398.SDaGDQqa.jpg) we can't find exact locations, but here's another garden which was probably once family land... |
![...and somewhere on this green, another house stood](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666399.H10VWgmh.jpg) ...and somewhere on this green, another house stood |
![the next morning we drive toward Kuklík...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666400.RQl0gQjQ.jpg) the next morning we drive toward Kuklík... |
![...thru the forested highlands](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666401.nIuW3WUr.jpg) ...thru the forested highlands |
![houses in this village are in small clusters across the valley](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666402.3JlOXBde.jpg) houses in this village are in small clusters across the valley |
![the Chvála family lived in at least eight different places in Kuklík...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666403.BDRoLTF2.jpg) the Chvála family lived in at least eight different places in Kuklík... |
![...two somewhere on this main road, and one just off](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666404.PokUmaOa.jpg) ...two somewhere on this main road, and one just off |
![in this area above the creek...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666407.49dErgKR.jpg) in this area above the creek... |
![...three of their houses once stood, somewhere](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666408.z4q6fbh5.jpg) ...three of their houses once stood, somewhere |
![and on this road above the old mill...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666409.Ks7Trgwx.jpg) and on this road above the old mill... |
![...with a great view across the valley...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666410.yElrVKlC.jpg) ...with a great view across the valley... |
![...a large house once stood](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666411.li2Z5n04.jpg) ...a large house once stood |
![that leaves one house location we couldn't find (we hope it's here!)](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666412.ZrJRyGhd.jpg) that leaves one house location we couldn't find (we hope it's here!) |
![now we are determined to find the old Lísek house; some map work overnight...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666451.NkZU2elZ.jpg) now we are determined to find the old Lísek house; some map work overnight... |
![...revealed that the original hamlet of Lísek is off the main road, thru some trees...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666453.nTkIqzcJ.jpg) ...revealed that the original hamlet of Lísek is off the main road, thru some trees... |
![...and up this road; across from this house...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666454.fsaxBUJ1.jpg) ...and up this road; across from this house... |
![...is another garden...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666455.H88hplzb.jpg) ...is another garden... |
![...which reveals the ruined foundation of what was probably the Naid family home](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666456.bpNP8PFl.jpg) ...which reveals the ruined foundation of what was probably the Naid family home |
![it's a good end to our search](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666457.W4sKQbX0.jpg) it's a good end to our search |
![next we visit the Veselý Kopec open-air museum...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666458.QB2nSoSZ.jpg) next we visit the Veselý Kopec open-air museum... |
![...for reference on how people lived in this area in the 18th and 19th centuries](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666459.FxLdj5C6.jpg) ...for reference on how people lived in this area in the 18th and 19th centuries |
![buildings and furnishings from around the region...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666460.phEEj0SZ.jpg) buildings and furnishings from around the region... |
![...were moved here to preserve examples of material culture](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666461.ylxRhnM8.jpg) ...were moved here to preserve examples of material culture |
![Marla practices her Czech language skills](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666462.PrYW2SA6.jpg) Marla practices her Czech language skills |
![not all old houses were made of wood...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666464.Cvh8maWh.jpg) not all old houses were made of wood... |
![...every family town historic map shows some made of stone](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666463.eGY8VkjZ.jpg) ...every family town historic map shows some made of stone |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666465.CZ2Fes9o.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666465.CZ2Fes9o.jpg) |
![many of the buildings are utilitarian](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666466.3u6GKJaf.jpg) many of the buildings are utilitarian |
![here, a sawmill](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666467.T7ZTvH9N.jpg) here, a sawmill |
![and here, a bee house](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666468.asPUlAFh.jpg) and here, a bee house |
![there are also workshops for carpenters and oil pressers, and religious buildings](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666469.T0dfIRgD.jpg) there are also workshops for carpenters and oil pressers, and religious buildings |
![but the building which most interested us was this small house for a farming family...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666470.77lTdw50.jpg) but the building which most interested us was this small house for a farming family... |
![...which might be representative of some places Jay's Moravian family would have lived](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666472.TGnp9UKP.jpg) ...which might be representative of some places Jay's Moravian family would have lived |
![g9/66/607666/3/150666474.HB478u24.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666474.HB478u24.jpg) |
![it's small but comfortable-looking](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666475.AkiZEnTe.jpg) it's small but comfortable-looking |
![the thought lingers as we depart](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666476.XeOyCWr9.jpg) the thought lingers as we depart |
![outside the nearby town of Dřevíkov...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666477.cNzfdSbB.jpg) outside the nearby town of Dřevíkov... |
![...we visit an historic Jewish cemetery](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666478.Pm9I2jtF.jpg) ...we visit an historic Jewish cemetery |
![the community here grew and then declined in the 19th century](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666479.R5J59rVe.jpg) the community here grew and then declined in the 19th century |
![the last Jewish family left this town before WWI...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666480.Bc2lrIr5.jpg) the last Jewish family left this town before WWI... |
![...though we note there have been a few recent burials here](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666481.75NfMDce.jpg) ...though we note there have been a few recent burials here |
![time for us to call it a day](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666482.9Hm3aA9p.jpg) time for us to call it a day |
![our last morning begins with a walk to the Zelená Hora in Žďár nad Sázavou...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666483.V1Hf27GN.jpg) our last morning begins with a walk to the Zelená Hora in Žďár nad Sázavou... |
![...site of the pilgrimage church of St. Jan of Nepomuk...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666484.WaH8WFIo.jpg) ...site of the pilgrimage church of St. Jan of Nepomuk... |
![...an unsual 5-sided Baroque-style church](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666485.gxhwVDR0.jpg) ...an unsual 5-sided Baroque-style church |
![it honors the saint who kept confession secrets despite royal pressure...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666486.4DzVDGmU.jpg) it honors the saint who kept confession secrets despite royal pressure... |
![...so his tongue was declared incorruptible by the Vatican...](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666487.5ZCP10Jh.jpg) ...so his tongue was declared incorruptible by the Vatican... |
![...and tongue imagery abounds inside the church](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666488.oo7XKN3W.jpg) ...and tongue imagery abounds inside the church |
![alas, our own tongues still cannot pronounce Czech so anyone here understand us!](https://a4.pbase.com/g9/66/607666/3/150666489.iQBQp2c9.jpg) alas, our own tongues still cannot pronounce Czech so anyone here understand us! |