Dead-a-Base at Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe, Pennsylvania

While I was unsuccessful in obtaining a birth record for my grandfather, Steve Orshoski, who was born on December 15, 1905 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, I found an outstanding obituary service from the Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe, Pennsylvania!

Dead-a-Base is the clever name of the obituary database. Obituaries and death notices from the Latrobe Bulletin have been indexed from December 18, 1902 to the present. The fee schedule is:

One name $4.00
Two names $5.00
Three names $6.00
Four names $7.00
Five names $8.00

Requests and payments can be made by contacting the address below:

Adams Memorial Library
ATTN. Kathy Tobolewski
1112 Ligonier St.
Latrobe, PA 15650

I did find any of my ancestors in the Dead-a-Base, but I am sure that some of my Orshoski ancestors' neighbors and co-workers have been listed in the database. If you have ancestors from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, check out this great genealogical resource!

Orshoski/Orsocky Marriage Record from 1905

In Westmoreland County, in the State of Pennsylvania, Joe Orsocky (later spelled Orshoski)and Julie Hercog applied for a marriage license before the Justice of the Peace on September 16, 1905.


Joe stated that his parents were Joe and Mary Orsocky, and he was born in Hungary on May 6, 1880. Julie Hercog, also born in Hungary, stated that her parents were Joe and Barber Hercog, and her birthdate was January 5, 1883. (Later records lists Julie's maiden name as Julia Herzog.) Joe's occupation was coal miner, and he was residing in Pricedale, Pennsylvania at the time he applied for his marriage license. Neither the bride or groom had been married before.




Joe signed his name on the second page of the document. Julie left her mark.



Joe and Julie Orsocky/Orshoski had a family of six sons. They moved to West Virginia for a short time, and then settled in Bay Bridge, Ohio, where Joe worked at a cement factory. Sadly, Mrs. Orshoski died when her sixth son was still an infant. The first Mrs. Joe Orshoski was buried at Castalia Cemetery near the tombstone of Joe Orshoski, Jr. Joe/Joseph Orshoski married Julianna Szomolya after his first wife died. Joe and his second wife are also buried at the Castalia Cemetery. See earlier blog postings to read more about the Joseph Orshoski family.