Martin Szabados and Josephine Szerna

The European roots of the Szabados and Szerna Families can be found in many areas Hungary due to the numerous travels of the Szerna family. The Szabados family story begins with the birth of Lajos Frank in 1838 in Ker, Hungary which is about 100 miles northwest of Budapest and near the city of Miskolc. Another important part of our story is the fact that his son Mozes changed his name about 1900 to Martin Szabados. This was about the time Martin married Josephine Szerna. Lajos was Jewish and he was upset that Martin married Josephine Szerna who was catholic. Lazar made Martin/Mozes choose between his Jewish family and Josephine. The Szerna family story begins with Joannes Szerna's birth about 1830 in Nytra County, Hungary (or possibly in Pisek, Bohemia). Around 1860, Joannes moved south to Bcs-Bodrog County area where most of his children were born. We next find the family east of Budapest in Jsz-Nagy-Kun-Szolnok County where granddaughter Ilona was born in TorokSzentmiklos. The last place I found the Szerna family was 200 miles south in Pankota in Arad County where Martin Szabados and Josephine Szerna were married in 1900. Martin and Josephine immigrated to Bloomington, Illinois in 1907 where they brought up their children.The Szerna family may have been gypsies and this may have caused their frequent moves. The lack of economic opportunities for gypsies in Hungary may have been the main reason for Martin and Josephine's decision to immigrate to America. Once in Bloomington, their gypsy past was hidden. Martin worked hard at the C & A Railroad shops in the boiler making department; they owned their homes; Josephine was a very active member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church and they seemed to have achieved a better life for their family.