Genealogy / Turmoil in Small Villages Post-1905: How Extensive? [5]

The Soviets destroyed many archives in the eastern (Kresy) area of Poland after the great deportation of Poles to Siberia in 1939-1940. But some do remain in churches or public agencies. The best way to find out is to go there and to search. Another good source is the Kresy-Siberian Group at

groups.yahoo/group/Kresy-Siberia/

They have some archival lists of Poles who were deported and then ultimately rescued by General Anders. Anders made the lists of the Poles who were passengers escaping the Soviet Union and bound for Iran. Not everyone is listed and sometimes the names may have been spelled incorrectly but it's a beginning and worth looking.

Keep in mind that those Poles who got out were dispersed world wide. They may be in Canada, Australia, Iran, India, Mexico, the UK, USA or Africa. Some are still to this day stranded in Kazakstan. You can post your inquiry on the yahoo group and see if you get a response. The site has had quite a good outcome for many who were separated from their families as a result of that tragic occurance.

Good luck, Judka

History / UPA barbarian murders on Polish and Jewish neighbors during WW2 [150]

I still have a hard time reconciling the Soviet/Ukranian conspiracy to deport innocent Poles to Siberia in 1939-1940. And I am half Polish and half Ukranian. I feel a deep need to find my father's home in Gaje, now Haje, I believe, to look those in the eye (or their descendents) who stole my inheritance, my family. I will never be able to reconcile the injustice without this event. I hope I can do this one day soon.

Judka