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| Alex, ca. 1925/26 |
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Son
of Michael and Mary (Czihak) Brenzovich. Born 17 Mar 1877 in the village of Tychyj [R]/Tiha [H], Uzh [R]/Ung [H] County,
Subcarpathian Rus', Austria-Hungary (present day Ukraine); and died 23 Jun 1960, Washington, Washington County Pennsylvania.
He married Helena Chuma, date unknown in the village of Suchyj, [R]/Szuhapatak [H] and they
had eight children. Alex is buried in St Nicholas Greek Catholic Church Cemetery, Brownsville, Fayette County Pennsylvania.
Alex arrived in New York City on 26 Jun 1907 aboard the SS Carpathia departing from Fiume, Austria-Hungary (present
day Rejeka, Croatia). According to the ship's passanger list, he entered the United States under the name of Elek Sopanics
(correct spelling Pohanics). He first settled in the Forbes Road area of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania where his
brother Stefan was living. It is believed that his wife, Helena, joined him circa 1910 (undocumented at this
time). This is based on the fact that their first child to be born in the United States, was born in 1911.
Sometime between 1911 and 1914 they moved to Vestaburg, Washington County Pennsylvania. Sometime in 1916 the family
moved to Fredericktown, Washington County Pennsylvania. In 1920, Alex and Helen bought some land on North Fredericktown
Road, Fredericktown and build the family home over looking the Monongahela River.
In 1915, Alex declared his intentions to become a
citizen. According to his naturalization documents, he stated that his name was Alexander Pohanich
and that he was also known as Alex Brendzovich (note the spelling). Alex became a citizen on 21 Apr 1920 and officially
changed his name to Alex Brenzovich. Alex was employed as a coal miner by JW Rainey, Inc. in Fredericktown and worked
their until he retired. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Local 688, the Greek Catholic Union and
the Greek Catholic United Society of Brownsville. Apparently, Alex served in the Austro-Hungarian Army between 6 Oct
1899 and 9 Apr 1901. Throughtout most of his life, Alex maintained close ties to the land by always having a garden
and some farm animals.
After discoverning that Alex went by the Pohanics
surname at one time raised many questions as to the connection between Brenzovich and Pohanich. On a reseach trip
to the Ukraine in July 2003, I had the opportunity to interview Marianna Puzjak. Marianna is the grand-daughter of Petro
Brenzovics who apparently knew Alex. According to Marianna, as passed down by her family, Alex was a Brenzovics
and was from the village of Tychyj. He did live in the village of Suchyj prior to his immigrating to
the United States. He used the name Pohanics as an alias becasue there were so many Brenzovics' around the immedate
area that he wanted to more or less stand out from the rest of them. So he was known as Alex Pohanics-Brenzovics.
Becasued he used the Pohanics name to enter the United States, he had to officially change back to his real name.
Children of Alex & Helen (Chuma) Brenzovich and their descendants.
» Helen Brenzovich
b: 1920
m: Duane I Palmo b: 1915
c: Joseph W Palmo b: 1954
m: Joanne
Pompeo
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