Genealogy / Surname Info Request:Napierkowski [9]

My extensive research has indicated that my last name Napierkowski can be shortened to Napiorac, which means "to advocate," so yes, I'm 99.99% sure that the names are interchangeable.

However, I'm curious about the concentration camps you mentioned in your post. I'm Roman Catholic & my husband is Jewish. We look very similar but definitely NOT related (first generation in the U.S.) & I feel that the ONLY thing that separates us is our religion. The more I've been exposed to his family heritage I've discovered that Jewish people might of hated Polish people, not my husband's family though (except for Polish Jews, of course...which I know are rare). I know Hitler was Roman Catholic & I REALLY detest that he might represent others that share my religion. I told my husband not to base a whole religion on this deranged man (but unfortunately I know that there has been long term abuse of the Catholic church when it comes to the treatment of the Jewish people as recent as 1960 & I'm hurt by as well).

With that said, I know personally that my family helped save the Jewish people from the Nazis & risked their own lives, and since Hitler was also targeting Poles then to be Polish & also Roman Catholic was not enough for protection from him. Finally, I wonder if my family changed from being Jewish to Roman Catholic out of fear of persecution & that is why, again, I'm interested in why you mentioned concentration camps. Any info you might have with regards to this would be greatly appreciated.

Janina Napierkowski Streiner

UK, Ireland / 90,000 Scottish Immigrants in Poland! [67]

When you said "Napierkowski" is a polonised scottish name from the 17th century how certain are you? Is there any place I could research to better substantiate this. I ask this because I have always been told I have prominent celtic features & do not have anyone left in my family to inquire as to why, and because I'm the only surviving descendent it's obviously important to me to know about my heritage as much as possible. Thank you for your help in advance.

Genealogy / Surname Info Request:Napierkowski [9]

Thank you so much for all your help. This explains alot. When my grandfather passed he spoke 5 languages. I was always told indirectly that there was more to my grandfather's heritage, but since I was the youngest, and thus, I was too young to inquire before he passed. I know my grandfather was VERY proud of his lifestyle (mainly the values) that he experienced growing up in Poland. My own father was too young to remember that experience when his family came to the United States. Also, even though I have 13 other family members that should have in interest in our family name, I am the only one that possesses an extreme likeness to my grandfather's side (even beyond my father). My cousins favor a likeness (who are all in one family) to their own father's cherokee indian heritage (for which they are all very proud of) and my two aunts favor my grandmother side - surname Korzunowski (she passed just before my grandfather...in fact my grandfather only died due to a broken heart).

With that said, I am the only family member (out of those who are "directly" related to me) who has a child. My 14 year old daughter seems to resemble her "Polish" side, and thus, is also very interested in knowing about her heritage. She is currently learning the language and wishes to live there. We both are asked constantly if we hail from Poland just from our appearance. My daughter is English & Scottish on her father's side so I never related these attributes to her Polish heritage. However, I also have been questioned though about my own "celtic" features which has always baffled me since I'm the only one that possesses them in my surviving family.

AGAIN, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Genealogy / Surname Info Request:Napierkowski [9]

Thanks for replying. My family moves to the states in the late 1930s in settled in Massachusettes. I've found most of other Napierkowski's/Napiorkowski families in Pennsylvania, Conneticut, Colorodo. Unfortunately, my grandfather died before I could find very much (basically just how to learn to count to "ten" when I was 4 yrs old). My father, being the oldest, hadn't really taken an interest in his heritage until recently. My mother's parents never associated with any family outside of their immediate family. I guess since I'm the youngest (and lost my only brother/sibling) of our Napierkowski clan I've taken the most interest of all. Plus, when my family immigrated to the US they felt so fortunate because of the hard times in Poland and even though they spoke many languages (up to 5) my parents on both sides didn't have the opportunity to learn their native language because of the family's newfound pride in being americans.

As far as where they were from before they immigrated, they came from the province of Poznan which is now the Province of Wielkopolskie. Nonetheless, the village of Napiorac (modern day name Napierk) is in what is now known as the Province of Warinske-mazurski at least according to my research. This borders the Baltic Sea across Sweden as you might know. I've been told that not only are we considered Slavic but also have Celtic roots. There's even a rumor were part Mongolian said by my grandfather probably though when he was dillusional before he died. He literally died of a broken heart. His wife (my grandmother) Stacia nee Korzun (short for Korzunowski I believe) didn't get to know her roots because her father was devastated when my grandmother's biological mother died at birth. He remarried twice to German women who I am not directly related to of course. However, there is also a rumor that because of all the wars (especially in the 19th century) that we could be part German as well. I know on my mother's Polish side they settled in Austria after hiding from warfare for decades. Even though the name is Armbruster on that side it is believed it was altered as part of an attempt to blend into Austria.

Is your brother-in-law have an interest or know a bit more than I do about his Polish roots?