As we go about the daily schedules that outline our lives, we read the paper, watch the news on television, and see things happening around our country.  Some of these displease and upset us; some are far removed from our lives, and then some things are quite personal.  After our encounter with the news, we usually go about our daily activities, sitting in our air-conditioned and heated homes with our freedoms of speech, religion, etc., and we never feel a need to leave our country.  This was not the case, many years ago in a country known as the Austrian Empire.
     During the 1800's, the Austrian Empire had many groups of people, who were trying to hold on to their ethnic origins, their nationalities, and future, as separate groups.  A few examples were the Germans, Czechs., and Hungarians.  The Austrian Empire was trying to force all classes of ethnic groups into one.  Each group had to give up all traditional ways of life, religion, education, and even their native languages, so as to make everyone the same.  Their lives were being controlled and directed by the Austrian Monarchy.  The farmers, not having a voice in government were often rioting in an attempt to be heard.  The people were being so oppressed that many felt a need to leave their country.  These hardships would be hard for us to imagine.  This group of people, who fled their country, had left behind everything known to them.  Some left family, friends, homes and their belongings; all for a new start in a country unfamiliar to them, but with hopes for a better way of life.
     Florian Sladovnik was born on April 24, 1867 in house #274, Roznov, Moravia, Austria, at which time this country was still under the control of the Austrian Empire.  Florian was born to Rosina Sladovnik, who, not being married, gave her last name to him.
     Rosina Sladovnik was born on June 15, 1842 in house #274, Roznov, Moravia, Austria.  She eventually married Florian Frnka on May 26, 1868 in Roznov, Austria.  Her mother, who was also named Rosina Sladovnik, was the daughter of Josef and Alzbeta (Pacuch) Sladovnik of Tyllowitz and later of Roznov, Austria.
     Rosina's husband, Florian Frnka was among the many people who had wanted to flee the country.  Florian and Rosina had planned to move to America along with son, Florian, father, Josef and stepmother, Anna (Kyncak) Frnka.  Then Rosina had a baby girl on August 29, 1869 in house #274; Roznov, Moravia, Austria, and named her Katerina Frnka, after Florian's mother, Katerina (Koscharek) Frnka.  Rosina later died of tuberculosis on May 30, 1870, and Florian's plans were shattered.
     Florian Frnka then married Veronika Rosak on July 4, 1870, in Roznov, Austria.  He still planned on moving to America with his father and stepmother, and their children, who were all Catholic.  Florian had a hard time getting passports for his family, so much so that he had to get them from a neighboring state-village or country.  Florian was then able to leave his country, Austria.  He took Veronika, Florian, and Katerina on the ship, Frankfurt, which carried a total of 276 Czech. passengers on board, and apparently departed on August 10, 1870, and arrived in New Orleans, LA. on November 15, 1870.