John Sverha ^{1 2}

   FamilySearch ID: L8BB-43S.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1900 in Mahanoy Twp., Schuylkill, PA. ³ George Swarhun [indexed in Heritage Quest census as George Swarkien] is listed as coal miner, 43, born May 1857, married for 33 years to wife Dora, slate picker (coal), 33, Mar 1867. She had birthed 5 children, 4 still alive in 1900. Living with them: John, slate picker (coal), 12, Feb 1888; Annie, 6, Jun 1893; Susan, 3, Jul 1896; and ?eorge, daughter, 1, Feb 1898. Also with them is nephew John Lazer, day laborer, 19, Feb 1880. Everyone and their parents were born in Austria, except John and Annie were born in Pennsylvania. This suggests mother Dora was in Austria in 1896 and 1898 when her two youngest children were born. George immigrated in 1885; Dora in 1889.

2. Census in 1910 in Mahanoy Twp., Schuylkill, PA. ⁴ The 1910 census recorded renting on Fowlers Street: George Schwerka, coal mine laborer, 54, born in Austria,with wife Dora, 40, born in Austria. They were married for 23 years and she had birthed 8 children, 7 alive in 1910. Living with them: John, coal mine laborer, 21; Annie, 14; Susan, 12; George, 10; Joseph, 8; Michael, 6; and Mary, 2. All the children were born in Pennsylvania. George and Dora spoke Slovak, not English which the children could speak. George immigrated in 1885 and was naturalized. Dora immigrated in 1889.

3. Census in 1920 in Mahanoy Twp., Schuylkill, PA. ¹ The head of the household is Anna Beacher (age 25). She is a widow living with her daughter Mae (6); son George (4 years 7 months); and Anna (1 year 4 months.) Anna has no occupation.

However, we can assume who her father and mother are. Also in the same rental housing where Anna lives is a household headed by George Sverha (65, coal miner) and Dora (54). Both are listed as being born in Austria, Solvak. George immigrated in 1886. Dora and son John immigrated in 1887. All were naturalized in 1893. Their children living with them are John (34); George (20); Susan (23); Joseph (19): and Michael (17). The census was recorded on January 9, 1920.