What we know as fact:
- Samuel had a brother and sister, Peter and Anna.
- Peter (Petras) spelled his last name Ryckis, and went to Canada on May 24th 1930, while Samuel and Anna went to America.
- Peter's immigration papers indicate that his father was named Wincas Ryckis, birthplace Vilkaviskis, Lithuania. Conclusion = the name Ryckis was changed either by Petras, or by Samuel when he came to America.
What still remains a mystery:
- I have yet to find more information about Samuel's other brother Victor. Kim Ryckis of Canada has a hand written letter from Victor to Peter from Australia! It is written in Lithuanian so he is trying to get it translated into English. This may offer some answers about Victor.
- There are still several Peters and Victors in Edinburgh UK (Scotland) that spell their name Rickis, and have no apparent tie to our Samuel or Peter. This makes no sense to me, as the name is just too obvious to be a coincidence. I'll keep digging. Maybe there were two brothers named Peter? It happens - after all - my Dad's brothers were all named Albert, Alan, Albert after their dad Albert. Maybe there were two Peters?
- Who is Wincent Rickis??? Ellis Island Immigration papers indicate he came to America to join (or visit) his son Simanas (Sam) Rickis in E. Hartford Connecticut in 1913. Did he come visit our Samuel (Sam)? If so, then is Wincas Samuel's father, or is it Wincent - or are they the same person? See images way below of the Immigration papers!
John & Gerry Rickis Gamba, Peter Ryckis and Samuel Rickis
Alice Rickis Borek, Agnes Rickis Adykoski, Elsie, Elizabeth, Lillian Rickis Bouza (kneeling)
The image below is the actual ship's log from the S.S. Montclare that carried Samuel's brother Peter (Petras) Ryckis to Canada in 1930. Scroll to the right and you will see information about Wincas Ryckis - who is listed as Peter's father.
Location of Wincas Ryckis (Rickis) birthplace, Vilkaviskis Lithuania. United States and Canada are to the east.
A close up view of Vilkaviskis Lithuania
Click this link if you would like to see the interactive map above on Google http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=Vilkaviskis%20Lithuania%20
Wincas Ryckis (Samuel, Peter, Anna, Victor's?) Father
Tessie (Anna's daughter), Algird (Peter's son), and Samuel's sister Anna Rickis Chesnas
See the images below - these are actual copies of Wincent Rickis' Immigration Papers. You'll see that he came to visit his son Simanas (Sam) Rickis in Hartford CT, and that Wincent's wife's name was Maria! Wincent is line 11. Who was Wincent???
Contact me at tim.rickis@gmail.com or you can find me on Facebook