Americans who call themselves Polish - how do you feel about that?

I am American born, and only 1 part Polish in my ancestory. However I grew up in a Polish neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, went to a Polish Elementary and High School and Polish Catholic Church and as an Alter Boy I had to learn the Mass in Polish. I cherish the Polish Koledy that I learned at Midnight Mass all those years. The rest of my ancestory is Slovak and 1 part Hungarian. But my Polish influence growing up, comes out the most. I am very proud to be at least one part Polish.

Spiritchsr1

I am Polish with American citizenship... America is loaded with all cultures

just as those who are british with Polish citizenship.. and those who are
born to british parents who decided to live in Poland ,, their children are only POLISH
by citizenship.. not by blood.. or Irish and living in POland or muslim and living in Poland
and Serbian living in poland.

My daughter was born in the US. We moved to Canada when she was 2. Both her parents are Poles, born in Poland. She speaks perfect Polish. She's active in Polish cultural events, clubs and such. The language at home is Polish. Strangely, by your definition she is American.

To me, a person who feels Polish is Polish.

actually he is. what defines "polish" to you then.

you say that if one has polish blood then one is polish.. how much of this blood has to be polish? there is no such thing as pure polish person. look into it if you don't believe me.

Good question. If someone loves his country so much then why the hell immigrate to another country? Travel YES but why immigrate?

America: Love it or leave it

An old saying passed down through generations of immigrants

Have a nice day:)

OK and the "ski" on my name must be American. In 1951 my family came to the USA. My father being born in Poland is still Polish and has dual citizenship. As his daughter I am also able to hold dual citizenship.


After fighting WW1/WW2 being betrayed and communism taking over Poland, Poland was no longer. 1989 Poland is back. Look up exiled, this was not a choice for military.


I can relate to this 100%. If not for communist takeover my family would not be denied their Polish heritage. I always thought once I contacted Poland and let them know I am here and have missed them, they would feel the same. Silly me as it seems we are a threat to there property and never given a second thought. How many years did I defend my people to have them question me. My Grandfather was their "Hero" at, "Miracle at Wisla" front line. So much for Poland being there for her people.

I am truly shocked at how cold some can be. Maybe the ones deported that went to free country's are in fact more Polish than the ones that stayed under communist brainwashing?

Carol, "Ski" in USA

Well "ski" doesn't mean it's Polish. It's common for people of Slavic descents to have their last names ending with ski.


What does this even mean????

Were your parents communist collaborators... is that why they moved and that's why you don't seem to be welcomed in Poland???


The whole Polish blood law is old and stupid. If you're born in the US, you're an American. If you're born in Angola, you're an Angolan. If your parents happen to have been born in Poland then that would make you an Polish-American...

You're born in the US, Canada or wherever. Why not respect the place of your birth??? why denounce the country of your birth by just acting like you're all Polish but not Polish-Americans??

What a load of rubbish tut tut tut.

I am Polish-American.


No in fact they fought and won your freedom in WW1 and WW2 when Polish army were betrayed, they were exiled to USA . Maybe some remember the Polish hero's that fought "Miracle at Wisla".


Yes, I do respect USA.


Moved or were exiled?

If you were in the service and returned to communist after 1947 chances are you were considered, "'enemies of the state", this was known. This was not a choice issue for top brass, they were marked men.

After German Instrument of Surrender, 1945, Polish troops took part in occupation duties in the Wester Allied Occupation Zones in Germany. They were however not invited to the London Victory Parade of 1946.[6][7][1] The formation was finally disbanded in 1947, with many of its soldiers chosing to remain in exile rather than to return to communist-controlled Poland, were they were often seen by the Polish communists as 'enemies of the state', influenced by the Western ideas, loyal to the Polish government in exile, and met with persecution and imprisonment (and in extreme cases, death). Failure of allied Western governments to keep its promise to Poland, which now fell under the Soviet sphere of influence, became know as the 'Western betrayal.' [6][7] The number of Polish ex-soldiers unwilling to return to communist Poland was so high that a special organization was formed by the British government to assist them in settling in United Kingdom, the Polish Resettlement Corps (Polski Korpus Przysposobienia i Rozmieszczenia);[2][8] 114,000 Polish soldiers went through that organization. Since during the war many Poles were stationed in United Kingdom and served alongside British units, many Poles settled in United Kingdom after the war, becoming part of the Polish minority in United Kingdom.[5]

Carol, American/Polish

I'm still confused about this statement.

It seems as if Poland could care less what happened to the ones that had to leave. Thank God my grandfather did not see this site as I know it would have broke his heart. Look at one of my first questions when I came here. It's asking if the Polish families search for us like we search for them? This may take your confusion away. When I did have a phone # to call I was warned about being taken for a ride by Polish just wanting money. This came from people that had been here, done that. I know that my grandfather lived for his family and I always felt this was a trait passed down from Poland. I came to this site hoping to find my Polish family looking for us and yet so far I don't see the Polish looking.

I may be wrong and if I am wrong that would be fantastic. If I am, than Poland please step forward and tell me I am. I grew up never knowing my grandmother, I always looked for her family and this is where I am coming from. Does anyone else here feel this way or am I alone? Carol, USA

Looking for ones roots is a luxury that can only be afforded by the ones that have reached a certain level of financial independence and generally speaking have some free time to dedicate for that sort of activity. However that’s not a reality for most people. People tend to their daily lives their children constantly looking for new opportunities, they may even go abroad to find a job. All of those things keep them busy. There are other factors as well, like lack of English. If it’s not the immediate family but some distant relatives we usually don’t make the effort. Most of the Polish families have some sort of story about distant relatives that they have lost contact with, but that usually happened during the war or right afterwards and if the family did not have contact they are like strangers now. Anyway you know how frustrating it could be when you constantly have some kind of obstacle in your way or just hit dead end. So kipping this in mind don’t get discouraged by the fact that no one is looking for you. After all someone has to make the effort.

Good luck in your quest.

PS.
Don’t expect the reunion to be rosy. (You might be disappointed)
Its’ the expectation that brings the disappointment, but the fact that we accomplished something gives us Pride.

Thank you and I will continue and pray for the best. Carol, USA

Why would they look? They havent gone anywhere whereas you could be anywhere. From their perspective if you want a reunion it is much easier for you to find them then for them to find you.

Also, if they're from some little village or town they may not be able to hop on the Sony Vaio and surf the net.

they do trust me, ive been contacted several times.. some in Polish and english
and its amazing.


not entirely true.. dont get discouraged.. you run into characters in every forum.


yes some do. no different then our solicitors.. lol just have to be careful. good and
bad in every country ..


maybe they dont know your looking.. it takes time..


well I wouldnt say expect the worst.. ive had not one bad experience with anyone.
Im not saying they do not happen.. but dont label them before knowing them..
everyone is different personality.. some might not be people persons..
if you ask me, I think its more frustration then anything, language barriers pose a
problem with everyone..

I was told to call in the evening as younger family are more apt to be home and more apt to speak english. After so many years of searching I never thought I would be so scared of being rejected. Or calling and having them just hang up. It's just a matter of time before I call because I need to know who they are. In the USA our family is so close, yet out of respect to step mother, no one said anything about my grandmother.

Carol, USA

That's true. Besides It looks like they aren't close relatives (like siblings/parents/children) so It's possible that they don't even know there is someone they should "look for".


Maybe first find some Polish speaker, who could call them and explain the whole situation or send them a letter.

because idiots were ruining PL when i got the hell out of there. you, on the other hand, were stupid enough to put up with it. :)


the main thing that still pisses me off. so much in fact that i considered chucking my PL citizenship for good.


because i am not.. i am 100% polak, 0% yankee. besides.. children of immigrnats, no matter where they were born, are still polish.


nope. out of sight, out of mind.

Funny thread. :)

As to Americans who call themselves Polish: I'm against calling yourself *anything* other than American if you were born here. It's just silly, and always annoyed me as a kid. If your parents are Polish, or Italian or whatever, then you're an American with Polish or Italian (etc.) parents. If you were born in another country, then you can choose whether to hyphenate. Seems simple enough to me, but then I have no clue who my parents were and never cared. :p

So, maybe annoying tourists from the U.S. infuriate the Irish and the Polish and who knows who else for claiming another ethnic identity, but I'll bet that the majority here don't care who their ancestors were. :)

IrishAmericans are particularly bad at this. I've got Irish friends and I remember how embarrassed they were when some load IrishAmericans started talking about 'the Emerald Isle' and 'the boys'. I was enjoying it be honest as the opportunity for taking the p1ss was too good to miss.

One parent of mine is from Poland and the other parent is from USA.

I count myself as both really but I never really have to make the distinction to anyone unless its with a passport or other legal issues.