The Family Peterka

Welcome to the Web Site of

This site provides information and memorabilia for members of the Peterka family.
It relates particularly to Peterkas living in or related to those of the homeland of Southern Bohemia, in the area between Tabor and Trebon.

	English
	Czech

Family Trees

Tomas (1772) of Borkovice 29

Frantisek (1838) of Borkovice 29

Josef (1886) of Borkovice 29

Martin (1819) of Horni Bukovsko 11

Vaclav (1846) of Minnesota

Jan (1854) of Minnesota

Francis (1873) of North Dakota

Ancestral Homeland

Click to enlarge.

A note about surnames:

The Peterka name was generally passed on by sons. However, in order to retain title to real estate within a family when it passed to a daughter, it was considered prudent for the daughter's husband to assume her family name. By custom, the daughter of a Peterka used the name Peterkova (i.e., daughter of Peterka) until she married. At that time, she would usually assume the surname of her husband, but they might both assume the surname of her father.

Updated on July 14, 2005

A list of persons who wish to have their Email
addresses associated with this web site
(password required)

Read about Bohemia

The Music of Bohemia

There is a saying; "To be born a Czech is to be born a musician!" The polka originated in Bohemia. Among the most popular are

The Beer Barrel Polka

by Jaromir Vejvoda

and

The Blue Skirt Waltz

by Vaclav Blaha.

And none who heard his band play a polka could ever forget the great Bohemian-German accordionist, Whoopee John Wilfahrt.

Memories in Music

Music from our childhood can bring back vivid memories of the family at home. Here are a couple that do so for me...

Marble Halls

From the opera "The Bohemian Girl"
(Lyrics)

The Ballade of Abdul & Ivan

My father Jim played this on his accordian and sang
all of the verses, which he knew by heart. - James Peterka
(Lyrics)

There are the Czech composers of classical music:
Janacek, Dvorak, Smetana, ...

Click on the stamps to read about them.

Dr. Marc A. Peterka

Marc Alan Peterka, Doctor of Musical Arts. An accomplished organist and choirmaster, Dr. Peterka published his own arrangements of classical and religious music, together with some of his own compositions. Examples (Please be patient, as these music files may take some time to load):

The Sunken Cathedral

Bwana Awarabiki

Czech to English Dictionary

Enjoy a picture tour of Czech cities
as a Virtual Tourist:

Prague Ceske Budejovice Cesky Krumlov Brno

We welcome suggestions and corrections. Suggestions may be implemented or posted to this web site for discussion.