My mother told me a story about her great-grandfather. His name was Sylvester Florecki or Floreki and came to America from Poland as a young man around the 1880's. On the way over to America he heard other Poles talk on how Americans put down Polish peolple. And since he was Kashubian and considered 2nd class by Poles he drop the "i" at the end of his last name to sound more Polish "he thougth Kashubians would be treated worse than Poles". He knew of Polish families with the name Florek and thougth it to be better. Since the last name of Florecki, Floreki, or Florek is a common name it is very hard for me to find any info on this I would greatly appreciate any info that anybody has. Thanks
Yes I do. He lived in Joliet, Il. and worked on a farm for room and board. Sometime after he moved to the South Chicago area. His wife's name was Apolina. They had five children-Joseph Victor, John, Adolf, Felix, and Apolina. Joseph Victor Florek is my great-grandfather and he lived in Burnham, Il. with his wife Anastasia nee Ignowski and they later moved to Watseka, Il. Burnham, Il. and the South Chicago area had five men living there by the name Joseph Victor Florek, Again very common name. Joseph and Anastasia had three children Joseph Paul Florek ( my grandfather ), Raymond, and Marion ( nicknamed Bobby ). I hope this info will help...............Thanks
I forgot to state that I have two great-grandfathers by the name Joseph Florek. One married Anastasia Ignowski and the other married Helen Brandys. They come from two different Florek families. The one who married Helen Brandys was from Hegewisch and lived there their whole lives. Joseph and Helen Florek are the parents of Bernice Florek my grandmother. She later married a Serbian, my grandfather, Paul " Pieo " Tepavcevich.
There are Floreks everywhere. I think the name might have originated in Florek, Poland which is about 75 km from Warsaw. For that matter there are Floreks in MO, IL, MI, etc. Quite a popular name.
