Polish-Americans in Pennsylvania - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Semosh/Symns/Simus/ on and on?? Help?

pmolly — 2009-11-15 18:45:53Z

Its been hinted that I should look into the Carpathein-Rusyn aspect of the area. I have been reserching for some years now on American roots, howeve its not time to begin on the POLISH side of the family. So since I am such a newbie at it, I would appreciate any help I can get.

My immigrant ancestor was my grandfather...Jan (John) Symus bc 1899 in what is thought to be Rawkoka, Poland...accoring to some docs I have, but on others it says Russia??

Anyhow he immigrated in 1911 via Ellis Island, NY and settled in the mining region of Lackawanna county, PA. until he died. When he immigrated he left behind a wife and infant daughter. The wife immigrated in 1913 and the daughter not until 1928. (Why? who knows). Also can you tell me what is a TUTOR in Poland? Was it similar to what we call guardianship here?
I have seen his surname mangled up into many spellings over time, so am not sure just exactly how it was originally spelled back in the old country.

His immigration papers say he was Polish, but birth was Russia. So am I to assume that at one time Rawkoka was within Russian boundaries and over time it changed back into the country of Poland?

I also need to understand how the levels of gevernment go. (i.e our towns, counties, states, country etc). And so many name places contain the same names??? Awfully confusing to me.

Where is Strupin Maly Poland? And what is it classified as: town, village, hamlet, ?? And what province would it be in?

I have a partial act of marrige that makes absolutely no sense to me at all...its been transcribed..from what to English I don't have a clue, and it leaves out the crutial middle section.

Any assistance appreciated.

Re: KONEFAL, SUDOL

JANMAN211 — 2009-10-16 01:21:34Z

my grandfather 's name was adam konefal he came from wilczia wola he came to the usa in 1910 all I know is that he had a sister in poland and france.my grandmother named carolina sudol came from the same town. i hope this may help you in your search.

jeanette

kliszczewski

sky555 — 2009-06-19 18:57:50Z

My 4x great grandfather was Wladyslaw Kliszczewski his father was Piotr Kliszczewski from Winnary district Poland I am trying to trace anyone who maybe related to this family

Re: Minkel, Minkiel, Rutowicz surnames in PA

minkiel1 — 2009-06-15 13:23:19Z

I greet.
I seek the contact with John Rutowicz. I seek the information on the family MINKIEL. My family comes from regions of Vilnius in Lithuania. The part of the family emigrated to U.S.A.. If you have an information on the subject families Minkiel please for the information.
Andrew Minkiel

Re: Minkel, Minkiel, Rutowicz surnames in PA

minkiel1 — 2009-06-15 13:20:50Z

Re: Post your PA Rusyn or Polish ancestors here!

Gaylynnwallace1 — 2009-05-08 03:21:20Z

Im looking for information on Dessie M Miller, married Joseph Baierski about 1907. Found in 1910 Lewis TWP., Lycoming Co., Pa. census. 1920 in same location but states she is widowed. Nieces Malinda and Elsie Nevling listed with her as well.

Re: Post your PA Rusyn or Polish ancestors here!

Gaylynnwallace1 — 2009-04-25 09:22:14Z

Joseph Baierski a brother of Mary, married Dessie Mae Miller about 1817. Would you happen to have any information on them.

Re: Post your PA Rusyn or Polish ancestors here!

miyoob — 2009-03-20 03:13:52Z

my father is Nikolaj Rusyn. He lived in Philadelphia Pa until a year and a half ago. I have been trying to do research to find out more about his childhood. He was taken by the Germans but does not remember much anymore

Re: Baranowicz?

sjjmiller — 2009-02-04 20:39:34Z

I was unaware of that. I do have my grandmother's baptismal certificate, and the last name is spelled differently. It's hard to read, as it's hand written, but I believe it's something like "Bayanowich" or Bayanovich". Would you have any idea where I could search to find the actual name? Thanks again.

Re: Baranowicz?

RobertJerin — 2009-02-04 02:00:00Z

It is not a name that would be found in that part of the world...and if you look at Immigration records you will not find any BARANOWICZ listed with that name.

Robert Jerin
Croatian Heritage Museum
Cleveland Ohio

Re: Baranowicz?

sjjmiller — 2009-02-03 20:51:38Z

Hello. Thanks for your reply, it's very much appreciated. Yes, my great-grandfather did live in Conshohocken and his wife's name was Mary, so the information you provided is correct. Just wondering, why do you think that his given name was not Samuel? Thanks again.

Steven Miller

Re: Baranowicz?

RobertJerin — 2009-02-03 01:31:48Z

Prior to the end of WW I, 1918, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and inc. all or parts of the modern countries of Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Monenegro and Serbia and had at least a dozen official languages....

Did he live in Conshohocken Montgomery Co PA? If he did then the info on the 1930 census concurs with his Naturalization Certificate stating he was from Romania, while his wife was from Galicia, Austria which is now (southern Poland)

Is this your family from the 1930 census? Note that the census shows Samuel's arrival date in the US as 1909 and that the last 2 are listed as boarders

Name Age
Samuel Baranowiz 44
Mary Baranowiz 38
Michael Baranowiz 16
John Baranowiz 14
Anna Baranowiz 12
Mary Baranowiz 10
Catherine Baranowiz 6
Stella Baranowiz 3 4/12
Helen Baranowiz 4/12
Mike Bundra 43
Andrew Bundra 18

The real issue is that his given name was not likely Samuel.

Robert

Re: Post your PA Rusyn or Polish ancestors here!

briand198 — 2009-01-08 05:34:32Z

Hi Mary,

I have just started putting my history together, a Christmas present for my family, and we may have a common thread. My brother found your posting. My grand father was John Possessky, his father, I believe was John Possesski, misspelled in the records. There are many misspelling of Possessky or maybe changes in the name over time. My grandfather John had a sisters named Olga, Stacia and Jenny. And a brother Carl who lived in Ringtown. Stacia had live in New York with her husband Paul Swater but moved back to Lost Creek PA in her later years. Jenny, last I knew, was still in that area and Olga I never really heard about. I use to spend summers with my grandfather and stacia was just down the road. This was in the early 80's and the time when I believe Stacia moved back to Lost Creek.

Re: need help on tracing polish ancestors to Poland, please..

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 22:14:30Z

In the 18th and 19th century Poland did not exist as a autonomous country, due to wars issues. Its land was divided into three parts, one joined to Russia, one to Austria and one to Germany.

"Austria, Poland" refers to that part of Poland, sometimes called "Galicja/Galizia", which was joined to Austria for 120 years at the moment the document was issued. It is the southern part of present Poland.

Hope that helps.

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 21:47:36Z

Please feel free to contact me, I'm really glad I could help you :)

Regards,
Joanna

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

Carol3291947 — 2009-01-06 21:44:43Z

Thank you.

If I have research questions in the future, can I contact you?

Carol

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 21:32:45Z

Regarding marriage certificate: you can try to ask a parish that Wydmusy belongs to.

I found only one Wydmusy village in Poland. It belongs to Myszyniec parish (http://zdzislawmikolajczyk.webpark.pl/index.htm 0 - only in Polish :-()

Parish address:
Parafia p w. Trójcy Przenajświętszej
ul. Rynarzewskiego 16
07-430 Myszyniec, Poland

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 21:26:58Z

Hi Carol,

Yes, you are completely right, internet is fabulous :)

I also noticed that I made a mistake in the translation - the birthplace the certificate refers to is Audenried, Pensylvannia (not "parish", I didn't realized "PA" is a state abbreviation). So if your grandmother was born in Poland, this is definitely not her certificate.

Joanna

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

Carol3291947 — 2009-01-06 21:00:56Z

Joanna,

This is wonderful actually talking to someone in Poland. Isn't the internet great?

I just re-read everything and perhaps I was too quick. My grandmother's maiden name was Franceska Wisniewska supposedly born in 1880 ( according to her death certificate here in the USA ). Her married name was Dombrowska. Her church in the USA sent me everything they could find about my family and I now think they made a mistake and sent me someone else.

Franceska arrived with 2 children in the USA from Wydmusy in 1910 to meet her husband Stanislaw Dombrowski.

Do you know how I should go about tracking down where they were married in Poland?

Thank you,
Carol

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 20:45:53Z

Hi Carol,

I'm glad I could help :)

I didn't noticed that it's a female certificate - and Latin is in some cases translated from context - so it rather translates to

"I, signed below, have baptized Francisca [=Frances], born 13 March 1894 in Audenried (?) parish, [daughter of] Antonio [=Anthony] Dobrzański from [place] Galicia and Rozalia [=Rosalie] nee Majocka (Majocha?) from there also.
God parents were: Joannes [=John] Dyl, Francisca [=Frances] Potera".

Also please notice that female version of the surname Dobrzanski is "Dobrzanska".

Best regards,
Joanna

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

Carol3291947 — 2009-01-06 20:37:33Z

Joanna,

Thank you very much. I have not heard a reply from anyone, so you are the first. Hopefully this will give me some leads about my grandmother because I have no information at all. Thanks again.

Carol

Re: Need help translating baptismal certificate

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 20:24:46Z

Hi,

Have you already received help?

The certificate says (columns):

"Dobrzański [Dobrzanski]"

"18 March"

"I, signed below, have baptized Francisco [=Frank], born 13 March 1894 in Audenried (?) parish, [son of] Antonio [=Anthony] Dobrzański from [place] Galicia and Rozalia [=Rosalie] nee Majocka (Majocha?) from there also.
God parents were: Joannes [=John] Dyl, Francisca [=Frances] Potera

Rev.(?) M. Tarnowski"

Re: Need help with translation - Polish or Slovak

jgrzywna — 2009-01-06 20:07:28Z

I can help if you still didn't have it done.

Baranowicz?

sjjmiller — 2009-01-04 23:50:27Z

Hello. My great-grandfather's name was Samuel Baranowicz. I'm pretty sure that he was of Polish descent, but I'm a bit confused. His naturalization certificate says that he was from Roumania, while another document he wrote that he was from Austria. I'm not sure when he came to America, but he was born around 1887. Any info would be most appreciated.

Re: Polish American Army--Haller's Army

billgenealogy — 2008-12-29 19:03:56Z

Thank you for the identification and tips.

Bill

Re: Polish American Army--Haller's Army

s_slg — 2008-11-09 22:02:26Z

Bill,
If you relatvie was indeed a Polish American Volunteer in Haller's Army you will find him in the enlistment documents that are all online now. Try this link to start your search.
http://feefhs.org/links/Poland/pafi/halrdesc.html
I found 2 records for a Boleslaw Rucki of Philadelphia, PA.
The picture of your relative appears to have the uniform supplied by the French Army but I note he is missing the wide belt.
My grandfather was a volunteer from 1918 to 1920 and fought along side other Polish troops to secure Poland's eastern borders immediately after WWI.
Good luck with your research!
Regards,
Gary Mis

Re: SUDOL, MALY

ZBeca — 2008-09-27 03:44:13Z

rmalay_1

Katarzyna is Polish spelling
www.skarbczyk.com
Macey is Americanized version of Maciej (Polish)
SADRAKUL~A in Poland
Antoni not Autoni which is obvious that the first N was written as U and transcribed as such. Polish
map of Bohemia (now with Moravia make up a Czech Republic)
http://feefhs.org/maps/AH/ah-bohem.html
Mary would be Marie in Czech,
a map of Austria:
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/austhung.htm Bohemia, Moravia and Galicia = Austria.
HAJUDL ? ?

Re: SUDOL, MALY

ZBeca — 2008-09-27 02:14:50Z

Ron

send a scan of the document to
zlatalzbetka2 at hotmail.com

Re: SUDOL, MALY or MALEC

rmalay_1 — 2008-09-27 01:55:34Z

Best News yet! I finally tracked down there Marriage application and it has a lot of information on it. The bad news is, I am no good at trying to determine the handwriting. Please, are there any handwriting experts out there that I can scan these documents and email them to? Here's what it looks like.

My G-Grandmother is spelled Katarzyna Sodul with the accent mark on the o. I'm not sure how this turned into Sudol in other documents we have on her. Her address was 752 Taylor, Avalon, PA. It looks like her Father was Maciy or Macey Sodul with his residence listed as Homestead, Pa. His Birthplace says Austria. Her mothers name is listed as Gertruda. The Maiden name is really hard to make out. Possibly Sadrakul? I cannot make out the name of the mothers birthplace.

My G-Grandfather is definitely spelled Jozef Maly. His Father looks like it says Antoni or Autoni. Birthplace Bohemia. His Mother is Mary. Her maiden name looks like Hajudl, but is is really hard to tell. Her birthplace is Austria. Both residences at the time are Austria, so it's possible that they never arrived in America. Probably stayed in Grodowiec.

I once again want to thank everyone who is helping me with this search.

Re: SUDOL, MALY or MALEC

ZBeca — 2008-09-26 21:00:02Z

Ron

In Grodowice's phone book a surname MALEC. Of course without a full address no idea if this is the ancestral village that MALY was from. Something for you to keep in mind. The manifests were written up at the port of departure but there have been spelling mistakes.
Is it possible this is the "original" surname?

Re: SUDOL

rmalay_1 — 2008-09-26 20:54:36Z

I have found some information out that changes things a little. I found the Obituary for Katherine Sudol by using the Google Archive Newspaper search. It states that she has a brother Stanley Sudol from California. I haven't had a chance to do the research on him as of yet, but it may open a new door.

I also found that my Josef Maly died January 26th, 1959. I had the incorrect date of deathe before.

Re: SUDOL, MALY

ZBeca — 2008-09-25 19:09:07Z

Your welcome.

A post waiting on you on http://genforum.com I take it you were notified about all of my posts.
Was he naturalized citizen? If yes, you might want to try to locate the naturalization petition. If not naturalized, lived pass 1940 than an Alien Registration Form.
Poland's phone site www.ksiazka-telefoniczna.com but because of privacy law, no full address.

Re: SUDOL, MALY

rmalay_1 — 2008-09-25 19:02:44Z

Thank you so much for all of your help. The links you provided are really helpful. I found my G-Grandfathers Military Draft card and he wrote his birth place as Grodowiec, Austria. That should help narrow down the village somewhat as it was penned that way from his own hand. I also just ordered their marriage license from the court house. I'm hoping it lists parents names and previous residence since it is post 1915.

Ron

Re: LUDOL/LUDAL/SUDOT/YUDOL sp? = SUDOL

ZBeca — 2008-09-25 01:37:38Z

Ron

Check EI manifest of LUDOL, LUDAL, SUDOT, YUDOL.
Wilcza was transcribed as Wileza

Re: SUDOL

ZBeca — 2008-09-25 01:26:47Z

Ron

http://www.mapywig.org/m/WIG100_300DPI/P47_S34_RUDNIK_300dpi... Wilcza Wola
left side of the map between Pas and large 16 pass the town Zmyslow. I wonder if the village was renamed or incorporated into another. I think the Poland's board might be able to shed more light on the village.
Check also SUDA/SUDO/SUDOE manifests as they too were from Wilcza/Wilcza Wola.

Re: SUDOL

ZBeca — 2008-09-24 21:55:03Z

Ron

SUDAL from Wilczawola; SUDOL from Wilcza, Wilczawok, Wilcza Wola, Wilczawolka, Wilcza wola, Wilcza rola, SUDOLA from Wilczawola, SUDOT from Wilcza; Josef ...dol from Wilcza Wola, Josef ANDOL (Sudol on the manifest) from Wilczawola. Now this helps in trying to locate the correct Wilcza. A Wilcza Wola in Podkarpackie wojewodztwo is in historical region Galicia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilcza_Wola,_Subcarpathian_Voiv....

Re: SUDOL, MALY

ZBeca — 2008-09-24 21:34:31Z

rmalay_1

A post with websites for research waiting on you on Austria's Ancestry board.
http://mapa.szukacz.pl Grodowiec a village with 150 inhabitants in Dolnoslaskie wojewodztwo.
Ah, spelling is very important in old country. You add a letter or take one away and you are on a different road researching the surname or the village.
Josef MALY arr. in 1912 from Grodowice.
Grodowice is a village with 270 inhabitants in Swietokrzyskie wojewodztwo. BUT this Grodowice is to be in part of Poland that Austria controlled, Galicia as your Josef was Ruthenian. Back to drawing board to find the right Grodowice. Possible that the village Wilczna and Grodowice are close in proximity to each other.
found a Wilcza by a town of Przemysl on
http://www.mapywig.org/m/WIG100_300DPI/P49_S35_PRZEMYSL_300d... right side of the map by large 56 Need more research to make sure this is your ancestral village Wilcza.

Re: KONEFAL, SUDOL

rmalay_1 — 2008-09-24 14:59:37Z

I know this post is about 7 years old, but I figured I'd reply anyways. I also just opened a new post about this as well. My great grandmother came from Wilcza. Her name was Katarzyna Sudol. Immigration papers list it as Wilcza, Austria, but nationality as Polish. She was born in 1895 and came to the US in 1914. She married Josef (Joseph) Maly (Malay). He was from Grodowiecz. This might be the same family line. I know nothing more of her. Hoping to find a name of her parents or any siblings in she had any.

Re: Balchan,Leputa and Zarnowska names

RobertJerin — 2008-08-10 20:09:53Z

Your birthdate differs from a WW I Draft registration found
Name: Jan Balchan
City: Donora
County: Washington
State: Pennsylvania
Employer: American Steel and Wire
Birthplace: Wyzne-Stzyrow,Galicia
Birth Date: 7 Oct 1887

He listed a wife and 2 children

John is not a spelling you would find in Poland, it may have been Iwan, Ivan or Jan.

FYI the great Polish Empire was divided into 3 parts at the end of 1700s with the west going to Prussia, the south to Austria (this Austrian part was Galicia) and the east to Russia. Poland would not be reunited as a country until after WW I (1918) and even after that Russia kept part of the east after WW II and the east part of Galicia became part of Ukraine.

Wyzne is located near the town of Stzyrow 164.5 miles SSE of Warszawa

http://atlas.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&am...

This is perhaps your John arriving at Port of NY 1906
Name: Jan Balchau (u and n are often mistaken)
Arrival Date: 25 Apr 1906
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1888
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Antwerp, Belgium
Former Residence Wyzna, Austria
Race: Polish
Ship Name: Finland
Destination Yorkville, NY to bro in law Jan OBUCH
He was traveling with 2 other men from Wyzna.

I could not find your BALCHAN in the 1920 nor 1910 census but I noticed there was a George LEPUTA living in Donora PA

Robert Jerin
Croatian Heritage Museum
Cleveland Ohio

Balchan,Leputa and Zarnowska names

padiba — 2008-07-31 20:35:03Z

I'm just starting research. Have found John Balchan Sr.(b. Sept 7, 1887 presumably in Poland) who married Anna Leputa(b.March 20, 1894) Anna was born in Cieklin,Poland they were married in Pennsylvania and moved to Detroit where they raised their children. I can't find anything on the Balchan family. Anna's parents Joesph Leputa and Marianne (Maria) Zarnowska were also born in Cieklin. I can't find anything on these families either.

Re: Masto should be Maslo on Census

SKosciuch — 2008-07-31 14:27:40Z

Emily
I have been looking for years for Kosciuch name is always mispelled. I know the year they came over and the location
I find one brother Henry in 1910 but not Joseph. Have tried every concievable spelling I can think of Right now I am going through the census records page by page! in Erie Pa to find him. I also can't find what ship these brothers came over on in 1904. It is a bit daunting at times isn't it
When I do find them I make certain I let Ancestry.com know for an alternate name since each time the name has been misspelled
Good luck on your searches

Re: Masto should be Maslo on Census

SKosciuch — 2008-07-31 14:26:45Z

Re: Masto should be Maslo on Census

emilyberdell1 — 2008-07-30 17:03:43Z

I am having similar difficulties with relatives from Poland...but not all of them. For part of my family, it feels like they just appeared in time for the 1930 census! Glad to know others are having this type of issue as well.

Re: Bukoski-Bukowski Roskoski

par94 — 2008-07-26 21:52:38Z

Mary Bukowski Roskoski was my aunt and my godmother. Her sister Lottie is my mother (deceased) Contact me with any questions...I am new to this site and am trying to build our family tree. Perhaps you are a relative of mine???

Need help with translation - Polish or Slovak

emilyberdell1 — 2008-07-07 12:51:26Z

I have just found quite a few old photos with writing on the back. It looks like it's Polish or Slovak. I'm in the process of uploading the photos...is anyone on the boards able to assist with this type of thing?

Thanks,
Emily

Re: Macina Velyka and Wapienne Poland

cmurianka — 2008-07-03 19:49:56Z

You csan contact me by email: cmurianka@verizon.net

I am curious to know your connection to the family name Murianka. Yes, Muriankas are aslso related to the Smarkola family.

Re: Macina Velyka and Wapienne Poland

fourlambs1 — 2008-06-06 05:05:06Z

Hello Marek,
I notice that you are living in Nowa Sol. I wonder if you can help me.... ? I am trying to research my ancestors who were living in Freystadt (Kozuchow)between 1880 and 1940.. but I am struggling to find any information.

I live in Australia so cannot access local records, can you provide any guide as to where to look on the web ?

Regards
Phil

Need help translating baptismal certificate

Carol3291947 — 2008-04-29 17:29:24Z

I have just recieved my paternal grandmother's baptismal certificate from the parish she belonged to in Mahanoy City, Pa. I am trying to translate it but I definitely need some help as the certificate is in both Latin and Polish. Can anyone help?

My grandmother, Frnaciska married Stanley Dombrowski, emigrated to Mahanoy City, Pa from Wydmusy Poland in 1910 and belonged to The Church of St Casimir's on Catawissa St., Mahanoy City, Pa.

Thanks,
Carol

Re: Macina Velyka and Wapienne Poland

wojtekpawlowski — 2008-02-26 21:15:49Z

Hi,
If you send me more specific data: names and surnames, any dates I can help you
Wojtek

Re: Macina Velyka and Wapienne Poland

mkoltko1 — 2008-02-07 15:02:53Z

Hello
I'm Marek Koltko. I live in Nowa Sol but my parent live in east Poland maybe we have the same places?
Marek