Capal, Kopstein, Kopstain
The Kopstein family came to America around 1882. Maria Kopfstein (nee Klapkova / Klapk), my great grandfather’s mother, immigrated to the US from Bohemia. She arrived in New York on September 5, 1882 aboard the ship Neckar. She came alone with her 3 children: Elizabeth, Francis, and Maria. Her husband Frank, my great great grandfather, came to the US before them some time in 1882. It is unknown at this time if Frank's father, my great great grandfather, John came to America. The name of my great great grandmother is unknown.
My great grandfather Stephen (spelled with a “ph”) Kopstein was born on December 25, 1883 in Haverstraw, New York.
I assume Maria Kopstein, my great great grandmother, died in or before the year 1892.
By 1892, Stephen Kopstein’s family had made the move from New York to Chicago, Illinois. His father Frank Kopstein married Francisco Werstadt on September 20, 1892. On their marriage license they listed their residence and place of marriage ceremony as # 59 Hastings Chicago, IL.
According to the 1900 census record for Frank Kopstein, his family resided at 27 W. 16th St. in Chicago, Illinois.
Frank Kopstein died at the age 59 on March 28, 1903 in Cook County, Illinois. His second wife Frantska Kopstein died at age 55 on March 31, 1906 in Cook County, Illinois.
According to Frank Kopstein’s obituary, Frank Kopstein was born in Lisov, Czech Republic about 1844. His occupation was a cabinet maker. His brother Jan (John) and 4 children are mentioned in his obituary: Stephen, Marie, Francis, and Elizabeth.
Maria Kopstein, James Stephen’s sister, married Frank Chyska (sometimes found written as Chiskey). This marriage was assumed based on previous research.
Francis Kopstein, another sister, married Frank Pavek. Francis and Frank Pavek had at least 3 children: Emil, Henry, and Harry.
Elizabeth Kopstein, another sister, married Emil Ciner. Elizabeth and Emil Ciner had at least 3 children: Charles, Emil, and Sylvia.
Steve Kopstain married Emma Valenta in February 1906. This is the exact way their names were spelled on their marriage license. Their marriage license states they were married by Frank B Zomber a minister at the Congregation Bohemian Faithiuray.
In 1907, Steven and Emma Kopstein resided at 378 W. 20th Place in Chicago, IL, and Steven worked as a tailor.
In 1909, Steven and Emily Kopstein’s son Steven James (exact way their names were all spelled) was born. At this time, their family resided at 2719 Spaulding Ave in Chicago, Illinois.
According to a 1910 census record, Steven Kopstein was living on South Turner Ave. in Chicago with his first wife Emma and two children Steven and James. James’s occupation is listed as a tailor in a coat shop.
In 1911 Steven Kopstein resided at 1527 W. 18th St. Chicago, Illinois.
In 1912 Steven Kopstein resided at 1713 W. 18th St. Chicago, Illinois.
Between the years 1913-1917 it is unknown where Steven Kopstein resided.
By 1917, Steven Kopstein changed his last name to Capal.
In 1917 Steven Capal married Anna Schmidt in Newport, Kentucky.
Steven also went by the name James Capal.
James and Anna Capal had 6 boys: James, Raymond, Robert, Frank, Melvin, and Daniel.
James and Anna Capal’s first son died premature in 1917. At the time of the baby’s death, they resided at 832 Saratoga in Newport, Kentucky. On the death certificate James Capal signed his name Stephen J. Capal.
In 1926 my grandfather Frank Capal was born. His place of birth and residence listed on his birth record was 123 Ward St. Bellevue, Kentucky.
James Capal’s occupation was listed as tailor in both the 1920 and 1930 census records.
According to the 1930 census record for James and Anna Capal they resided at 403 10th St. in Dayton, Kentucky.
James Stephen Capal died on May 2, 1936 in Campbell County, Kentucky. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexandria, Kentucky. His last place of residence was 403 10th Street in Newport, Kentucky.
After James Stephen Capal’s death, Anna and her boys lived at the following addresses in Newport and Dayton Kentucky: 315 Terrace Ave, 623 Eighth Street, and 943 Walnut Street.
Anna raised her boys on her own. She is described as a hard worker. She bought and sold real estate and cleaned for extra money to provide for her boys.
Anna Capal died on October 4, 1952 in Dayton, Kentucky. She is buried by her husband side in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Alexandria, Kentucky.
On June 26, 2006 it was confirmed that Steven Kopstein changed his name to James Steven Capal. I received his birth record. All of James Steven Capal’s personal information matched Steven Kopstein’s.
Kopstein
Frank Capal
Frank Capal is the son of James Capal and Anna Schmidt. His father was born in New York, and his mother was born in Kentucky. He was born May 16, 1926 in Kentucky, and died August 18, 1982 in Ohio.
He served in the US armed forces from 1944-1947. After serving in the army, his occupation was a clerk for the US Postal Service.
Frank Capal married Rosemary Schneider on June 21, 1947 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together Frank and Rose had 4 children: Steven, David, Charlotte, and Stan.
James Stephen Capal
James Stephen Capal is the son of Frank James Kopstein and Catherine Mary Klapkova. Both of his parents were born in Bohemia. Stephen Kopstein was born December 25, 1883 in Haverstraw, New York and died on May 2, 1936 in Dayton, Kentucky.
Stephen Kopstein married Emma M. Valenta February 1906 in Chicago. Stephen Kopstein and Emma had 2 children: James and Steven.
Stephen changed his name to James Stephen Capal. He moved to Kentucky and married Anna Elisabeth Schmidt 1917 in Newport, Kentucky. Together James and Anna Capal had 6 boys: James, Raymond, Robert, Frank, Melvin, and Daniel.
His occupation was a tailor, and rumor has it, he was a boxer in Chicago.
Charlotte Lucas (nee Capal)
Charlotte Ann Lucas is the daughter of Frank Capal and Rosemary Schneider. She was born in 1953 in Kentucky.
Charlotte Capal married Donald F. Lucas in North College Hill, Ohio. Together they raised 3 children: Ronald, Michael, and Susan.
She will have worked for Provident Bank / National City Bank for 25 years in 2007.
Anna Capal (nee Schmidt)
Anna Capal is the daughter of Michael Schmidt and Catherine Fessler. She was born on July 4, 1895 in Alexandria, Kentucky and died on October 4, 1952 in Dayton, Kentucky.
She married James Steven Capal in 1917 at the Newport Justice of the Peace in Kentucky. Together they had 6 children: James, Raymond, Robert, Frank, Melvin, and Daniel.
