USA, Canada / Roncesvalles Polish Festival! [16]

Have to make plans to go again for the festival next Sept. It would be nice for those of us near enough to go to meet up for the event in Toronto and have a beer or 2. What say you to this Michaltk, Miranda and Shawn?

It might be on the 18 and 19 of Sept 2010 next time round. It would be nice to meet up and make new friends out of the deal.

Food / Recipes for a Polish dish [9]

Have you tried looking for a recipe book that covers European recipes. There might be the odd book. Recipes like cabbage rolls and borscht are a couple that I know of. One desert would be pazcki. Oh, a 3rd dinner item would be perogi. Good luck.

News / The Lisbon Treaty and land reperations [74]

Hi Dariusz

In regards to your question, look under petitiononline.com/kresy08/petition.html.

You have until the end of December of this year to file any claims. Go through all the documents that you have and sort them out by date and get them scanned. After that, get a lawyer Lukasz Piotrowski to help represent you.

After that, make copies of the documents and send them to the nearest Embassy and a set to the lawyer. You don't have to use the one I mentioned, but he is one I can think of at the moment. You are lucky to still have the documents. The website will give you some information that may help to settle some questions. But at the same time that is why I suggested a lawyer to help in filing the appropriate claims.

Real Estate / Foreigners: Please don't buy Polish Land! [823]

I think that most of the messages in this topic have deviated somewhat from the original posting. There are some people that want to immigrate to Poland thinking that Poland is much better than where they lived.

Second, what is the major complaint here? Polish people always had the first choice in buying the property, but most don't. Either because they don't want that particular piece of property or can't afford. So why deny someone else who wishes to buy the property? It means that there is someone else who can pay the appropriate taxes on the property.

If it is an industrial property, it can be stipulated that when the factory is ready to hire that Polish people are given first preference to the jobs. Lastly, what about those that are of Polish descent of where these people want to come back to their ancestors homeland to settle and bring back some of their hard earned money from that foreign country and spend it on renovating the house if that is needed and buying locally grown and made products.

News / 14 year old rape victim from Warsaw denied abortion! [348]

As for the Catholic Church, they should mind their own business. Here in Canada, there were some Catholic priests that were charged with child molestation/abuse and the church had to settle this. It cost them quite a few million dollars. That is why I said earlier that the Church needs to revamp their whole viewpoint and get out of the rut. History is not very favourable to an organization that wants to remain dictatorial. Look what happened to Napoleon, Hitler, and Communism.

So, I hope that the girl gets an abortion and therapy for what happened. Besides, who can tell what kind of health issued any one individual female may have that would cause complications in giving birth and what the long term effects could be as well.

USA, Canada / Roncesvalles Polish Festival! [16]

When is the Polish festival?

Gary

USA, Canada / Born in Poland came to Canada as Child -- Polish Passport questions [9]

Hi Kapusniak

Another website to check into is the expat of poland website. Then check the forums for Polish Immigration. You will then find 2 out of 3 forums that are closed, but the information contained in them will be of some assistance. The 3rd will be of help as well and you will be able to leave a comment or question.

Once you can find your birth certificate, make copies and keep one that is on a usb stick for future reference. Having a scanned copy may make things easier to email or make extra copies. I can be reached through email here if you want more information. I will be in Toronto, hopefully, at the end of August. So I might see you there.

Gary

News / 14 year old rape victim from Warsaw denied abortion! [348]

I am sorry to say that the Catholic Church and prolifers should get down off their high chairs. They seem to forget that the woman regardless of age may have health issues that may cause this individuals death or other serious issues.

And at the age of 14, I am not sure if this person can handle the full term pregnancy and delivery. What she needs is a lot of support and therapy to get over this rape. To many priests here in Canada have been accused of child abuse and the church has had to settle. Which proves that the church has antiquated views that need to be completely updated to the 21st century. The Catholic church has been far to dictatorial and rigid for the last 600 yrs.

Genealogy / Anyone Else 1/2 Polish??? [58]

I am 1/2 Polish and 1/2 German, but born in Canada. Will that count?

Law / Questions about gaining a Polish citizenship and the process of getting one. [29]

BrudnyBrudny

Check into poland foreigner and go to the forums then look under immigration. There you will/should find Immigration to Poland forum. In that forum you will find 3 sections that talk about what and how to obtain Polish citizenship. One person posted information about the 1920/1951/1962 citizenship acts.

If you have direct lineage with people from Poland, you will need to check these acts first to see when your people immigrated to the States. Then that act may give you an idea if you stand a chance. There is also postings about which lawyer to avoid. Also, if you can try to obtain any legal papers on your lineage. Such as when and where they immigrated from, when they obtained American citizenship, any expired passports they may have kept and so forth.

Ask the oldest person of your family if they remember anything of those that immigrated if they may have given up Polish citizenship. If they did, then you may be out of luck. But ask the oldest people of your family anyways in the guise of doing your family tree. Also check into the variant spellings of your last name as well. Sometimes the immigration officials botched up the names because they could not understand what was being said and how it was supposed to be spelled.

Life / Question: Illegal Aliens in Poland [17]

Can't help you on the overstaying part. But as for the other part check into happy expat in poland website. Click on the forum, then look into the 'Immigration to Poland'.

There you may or will find the answers to the other questions that you have in regards to older relatives. Also check into the citizenship act of 1920 and 1951. Any emigration prior to 1951 you will need to refer to the 1920 act. Then from 1951 to 1962, it will be the 1951 act, after 1962 will be the 1962 act. So far I have not heard of any further amendments or updates to this act.

Real Estate / Foreigners: Please don't buy Polish Land! [823]

The same is happening over here in Canada as well. The unions have driven up the price on a lot of the goods because the employers have to compensate to make money. So that means that others have to form/join unions to get more money to afford the higher priced item. The immigrants that come are happy enough to have a job at lower pay initially to be able to earn their own keep instead of being on welfare.

That is more than I can say for those that are born here that find lower pay jobs demeaning to them. I know of one guy that is on welfare that was argumentative and refused to work part time for less than $10/hr. That proves my point. I have dual with Germany and if I can find work there and be allowed to by property there I would happily do so.

If it can be proven that I can buy property in Poland based on my dual with Germany while working in Poland, I would do so. For I would be able to give back to the Polish economy because of what I am able to bring from here. Such as being a native speaker that has a neutral accent compared to the British. Not only that, I have worked on a farm and as a railway maintenance of way worker, and in renovations. Those skills would be worth something as well.

At least I might be able to do odd jobs to earn extra money while teaching English. There is the possibility that I can prove that I have Polish citizenship based on blood lines from my mother and grandparents (grandfather particularly). So in a sense, I won't really be a foreigner.

So can we put an end to this thread and have it closed.

Genealogy / Grandfather's village? (Katowice?) [10]

You will find the town (city) of Katowice is west of Krakow in SW Poland. Good Luck. In your search.

Genealogy / Has anyone taken Genealogy DNA tests? [87]

Hi Joe

Is the National Geographic still doing that test? If so, would they be interested in someone from Canada participating? How would I get in touch with them? How much did it cost?

Genealogy / how many know their own family histories? [139]

Here is both sides of a transport card (i think) that my grandfather had while he went to the Politechnika Warszawska in 1923/24. Would this school be willing to look through its archives to provide me copies of my grandfathers' transcripts and other information provided by him when he applied?

• 
  photo side
  
• 
  student id side
  

Work / ESCS in Tarnow, Poland - applied for an ESL job [6]

They did not tell me if it is net or gross. The 25-30 zloties is per hour for 20 teaching hours a week for a 6 month contract. They also said in an email about business courses. That part I may have to tell them I am not qualified to teach. They did mention free accommodation. But I would be responsible for the utilities though.

Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

Russian women are worse for deceit. They come out at first all sweet and so lovey dovey and then hit you up for money. When you don't put out with money, they quit writing. There is some hidden problem with this relationship that maybe a priest or lawyer can handle.

Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

To the poster of the girlfriend problem.
Do you know the church her family attends? If so, talk with the priest and explain the situation. Maybe the priest can act as a mediator. Worth a shot and good luck.

Genealogy / how many know their own family histories? [139]

Here is a picture of my great uncle Henry Froelich in uniform with a friend or colleague of his. Maybe someone can recognize the badge on the sleeve and let me know what it means.

• 
  Henry Froelich and friend
  

Genealogy / cemetary in Pabianice, Poland [7]

Hi all

Here is a photo of my great grand parents headstone. Just wanted to share this.

• 
  G.Grandparents headstone
  

Genealogy / Schmude (Szmude) [7]

Prince

My grandfather and his 4 siblings were born in Poland. That would include his sister who was married to Herbert Schmude. My great grandparents were married in Wegrow. As far as I know since I do not have their birth certificates or immigration papers, i would assume they were also born in Poland. Yes, most of the names are of German origin.

Even if i were to go through the LDS microfilm of the church records, it will not in most cases state where they either were born or immigrated from. I had a chance to talk with someone who went through the LDS reocrds and photocopied the records for their own purpose. Those records did not show much of anything to me at the time. I was hoping that since Herbert and his wife from what i was told had moved back to Europe may have had more than 1 kid. Or that Herbert might have had siblings that have stayed in Poland and they were also doing research into the family tree.

Work / Teaching English in Poland, no degree just certificate [41]

I do not mind a half year. It would get my feet wet so to speak. It would also give me some money to support myself for the summer until the next school year starts.

I do not see to many ads for schools in Poland though. And what few I do see would prefer someone with a university degree which I do not have.

Work / Teaching English in Poland, no degree just certificate [41]

Delphiandomine

No I am not in Poznan, unfortunately. I am still in Canada. I cannot afford to be there with no job or money to support myself. Much rather try and line up a job before coming. I have tried a school called ESCS and as of yet heard nothing from them. Frustrating.

Work / Teaching English in Poland, no degree just certificate [41]

Good luck Frida. I wish you all the best in trying to teach esl in Poznan. I sent an application in to ESCS and as of yet never heard back from them. Pity that you have a British accent. But that is what makes the world go around since I am trying to get in with a neutral Canadian accent.

For me it would be nice since my mother & grandfather were born in Poland.

News / Brits battle to save historic railway in Poland [9]

Any word on what is happening with this line? I must check to see if the wordpress has been updated.

News / New Polish Euro Coins [65]

I agree. The eagle should be there.

News / Brits battle to save historic railway in Poland [9]

Anyone have information as to what is happening with this line? What about workers for the line? Whether they be volunteers or actual paid employees? I would not mind getting in touch with whomever is in charge to find out if they need more workers.

Genealogy / how many know their own family histories? [139]

Hi all

I received some information about my grandparents after the war when they were in Germany as DP's. I was a little surprised to find out that they were not married until 1949. Right now I will take that part as truth until proven wrong. It was nice to find out when they arrived there and when they moved before emigrating to Canada. Now I can look into some information about a cemetary in Pabianice. Maybe they can provide copies of death certificates.