Settlements of East SLOVAKIA

Ruské (Oroszruszka)

We have very little information about this village.  If you would like to contribute knowledge or material about this village, please drop us a note.

Highlights

History

The village was evacuated in 1980 as it was in the watershed area for the construction of the Starina Reservoir.  One building and the cemetery remain.

This village is now a part of the Poloniny National Park.

Ruske was the scene of a WWII battle in 1944, as the Red Army moved southward across the pass.  The Ruske pass contained a thoroughfare from Roztoki Gorne, Poland, over the ridge to Ruske.  The Russians moved on this area on October 3rd.  The village was taken on October 11.  It was reported that the majority of the village was destroyed.  See the military map for more details.  I am preparing a narrative of the battle for publication in October, 2006.

Presently, a border crossing for foot travelers operates at the Ruske Pass from May to September every year.

1567 Orozka, 1773 Ruska. In 1567 it belonged to Humenné town when it is mentioned for the first time. In the XVIII century passed to Szirmay family. Source: Roberto Cannoni, Italy

Photos

Cemetery Photos by Juraj Cisarik

Rusyns - Lost Homes - A picture essay of the land of the seven villages cleared to make way for the Starina Reservoir.

Rusnaci - Another photo essay along with a written history

Census

1869 Ruske Census Surname Transcription (generously compiled by Paul Stagen)

Surnames

Bindzar, Bunganits, Czoraccsin, Danko, Hrib, Kasritz, Makay, Paczola, Pelyo, Piros, Szlivka, Szvialinyak, Vaszilytzo, Vaszko, Zacz (1869 Census)

 Bindzar, Bodnar, Csornanin, Drinka, Dubjak, Gida, Habusta, Hrib, Hribik, Hudak, Huszarcsak, Jancsik, Kalnyanszky, Kasrics, Kirnak, Koracsik, Krisko, Laurik, Litik, Makay, Mankovits, Miczak,

Minova, Orinits, Pelyo, Piros, Polastsak, Rohats, Samulka, Spetyyuch, Szinicsak, Szusko, Tita, Vaszko (Church Ledger – Birth/Marriage)

 Thanks to Paul Stagen for extraction of surnames from Census and Church records.