This trip to Prague began almost a year ago because of the drive to see where Steve’s family ancestors were from and where they lived their lives. In the small village of Dolní Hbity is where we found that a lot of his relatives were from. Gene, Steve’s younger brother, had done extensive work on the Sevcik family tree which eventually led us to the trifecta of the village Dolní Hbity, Charles J. Vopicka and their great, great grandmother.
Mr. Velas, Dagmar & Steve are looking at pictures of houses and grave stones of the family Vopicka and then with their help we get to see a little history.
Our planned first stop was the town hall to gather more information on the Vopickas. The town hall was closed (of course) but there was a phone number listed to call if you needed help or had questions, so…..Dagmar called. As she is speaking in Czechoslovakian, Dagmar is nodding her head and saying Dēkuji (thank you). Her conversation was with Mr Vlastimil Velas, the town historian, and he invited us to come to his house to talk and ask questions. Steve and I were quite excited. We all get back in the car and started heading up the street to meet Mr. Velas.
What an honor! We were invited into Mr. Velas home and had a 30 minute conversation, of course it was all in the Czech language but it didn’t matter it was the moment of a lifetime.This is the family house of Charles J. Vopicka, who was the Ambassador to the Balkans from 1913-1920. He was appointed by President Woodrow Wilson and is Steve’s 3rd Great Uncle. This is his childhood home where he had 15 brothers & sisters (insert ouch face, my uterus hurts just thinking about that).We found out that this house was purchased 3 years ago with the intent to restore the house. This information made Steve and I very happy.The barn and shed are still standing but just barely.The village church is right across the street and it is our thought that Steve’s ancestors including his great, great grandparents were married here.Number 9 was another house that Mr. Velas brought us to that was owned by the family Vopicka.This was the last house we went to and Mr. Velas told us a story about a time when the first President of Czechoslovakia, Tomas Masaryk, was visiting the village of Dolni Hbity with Charles J. Vopicka and there was a big dinner that the town had been preparing for all day to welcome the President. But instead, Charles brought him first to his Aunt’s house who prepared them both his favorite dish, a simple potato soup.
The above pictures are of Steve and Grannie Annie at the grave of Anna Vopicka who is Steve’s great great grandmother and Annie’s grandmother. The grave sight on the right is well taken care of in 1977 when Annie visited. When we saw the grave it was overgrown and in need of loving care. We were only there for a short time and were sadly unable to care for her grave.
There were many people that were caring for the grave sight that showed the devotion and love they still had for their loved ones. This photo tugs at my heart as this couple is lovingly taking care of a grave sight by watering the flowers of someone who was very important to them.
When searching for my ancestors, I discovered that my great-grandmother was Anastásia Vopičková, but she was born in village Líšnice Luží. Her father was Matěj Vopička (born 1839 in Nepřejov 11) – he was a miller from Vopicka’s mill Líšnice Luží 1 http://vodnimlyny.cz/mlyny/objekty/detail/183-vopickuv-mlyn
Matěj’s father – was Matěj Vopička senior (born 1811 Dolní Hbity 2, died in Nepřejov 11)
Father of Matěj Vopička senior was Václav Vopička (born 1769 Dolní Hbity 2) – who, I think, was also great-grandfather of your’s Karel Vopička
Václav Vopička (born 1769) – had a lot of children, one of his sons – Josef was married to Anna Nekolná (born 1808) and they had the son Josef (born 1834) – he was the father of Karel Vopička (born 1857). Mother of Matej Vopička senior was Lidmila Palivcová (born 1775 in village Palivo)
So we are a little related, but a different branch of a family.
Food, travel, and such.... 
Barbora Plavcová – http://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/12690/6
Karel Vopička – http://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/5126/44
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Thank you so much! How did you find my blog? Are these records from the church? Are you related to the Barbora Plavcova or Karel Vopicka?
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When searching for my ancestors, I discovered that my great-grandmother was Anastásia Vopičková, but she was born in village Líšnice Luží. Her father was Matěj Vopička (born 1839 in Nepřejov 11) – he was a miller from Vopicka’s mill Líšnice Luží 1 http://vodnimlyny.cz/mlyny/objekty/detail/183-vopickuv-mlyn
Matěj’s father – was Matěj Vopička senior (born 1811 Dolní Hbity 2, died in Nepřejov 11)
Father of Matěj Vopička senior was Václav Vopička (born 1769 Dolní Hbity 2) – who, I think, was also great-grandfather of your’s Karel Vopička
Václav Vopička (born 1769) – had a lot of children, one of his sons – Josef was married to Anna Nekolná (born 1808) and they had the son Josef (born 1834) – he was the father of Karel Vopička (born 1857). Mother of Matej Vopička senior was Lidmila Palivcová (born 1775 in village Palivo)
So we are a little related, but a different branch of a family.
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