My Dad's Dad.. was from Elmira, NY and named Donald Woyakski- But growing up..My fathers last name was Mills, naturally I got Mills also. Had 3 sons with 3 different fellows.. To save awkward situations for her, my father changed his last name to match one of his brothers..Mills. Now I find out at age 26- I'm Polish! - And not the grandson of some guy named "Mills" I'm excited and had to tell someone.. So I signed up here...
Any ideas of this Last names Origins..or anything?
Thanks so Much, Josh Woyakski- -Also, Donald Woyakski ended up dropping the "ski" so went by Donald Woyak.
Awesome... Guess I need to do more research. Thanks for the replies.. I guess I could be either..My father said he dropped the "Ski" - that's where I got that from, but who knows where he got that from, considering he didn't know him.
Was able to find this- .... It kinda weird that he died So close to me about 45min. away...and I had no clue....
WOYAK Donald T. Age 73, of Orlando, FL, died on June 21, 2007 after a courageous battle against cancer. Don worked with Fawn Beverages in Elmira Heights for 40 years before moving to central Florida. Survivors include his wife, Pat; and mother, Marie in Orlando; his sister, Celeste (Mario) Toffolo of Horseheads; and his sister, Loni Friddle of Georgetown, KY. Published in the Star-Gazette on 7/11/2007.
- also ...did find a ....
://namesdatabase.com/people/FRIDDLE/YOLANDA%20MARIE/18430728 Yolanda Marie Woyak Friddle Class of 1961 Elmira Free Academy High School Elmira, New York, United States
Either Timeline is wrong or.. The names are off a little bit. "Friddle".. I will keep digging. But thanks again. Josh W. lol
the y isn't polish in the middle of your surname.. that's an anglicized form.. however wojakski doesn't sound right either.. keep searching.. someone messed with that name when they got here. good luck.
WOJACKI would be the current Polish spelling, although centuries ago it could indeed have been spelt Woyacki. Only 36 people in Poland use the Wojacki surname at present, most of them living in Upper Sielsia (Katowice/Bielsko-Biała area). It could have origianted as a patronymic nick for the warrior's (trooper's) son.
Wow.. Thanks guys.. Is it weird to say I feel like I have more of an Identity now? Billions of people in this world.. and I have a history now... I will keep on looking. I really appreciate everyone's comments -
Hi Josh, I knew your grandfather, and his sisters, and his parents, which would have been your Great-Grandparents. You said your grandfather dropped the -ski, however, every since the 1960s when I knew your Great grandparents, they were always just Woyak. Your great grandfather was famous up here in Elmira Heights, he invented Fawn Beverages, a local soda pop, started in 1936 and closed in 1977. Before that he bottled Orange Crush soda, and even a few backroom beers during prohibition. I went to school with some kids who would be your second or third cousins. If you wanted some more info, contact me at cokemanv81@stny.rr.com. Best Wishes, Skip
Josh, who are you and who is your father? My name is Loni Friddle and I live in Georgetown, KY. But that's not going to tell you much. I was born Yolanda Woyak, daughter to John Woyak, creator of Fawn Beverages. Donald Woyak is my diceased brother. He had 4 children- Darryl, Dana, Christine, and Brandy. There's a long and sad story in between but I have always wondered what happened to those children. I cared about them. Christine was even my namesake. Christine Yolanda.
Josh, just one more thing. My e-mail is lonifridd@ymail.com. Get in touch.
My name is Angel Woyak. My ancestor emigrated to North America from West Prussia in the 1850's. Some went to Canada and others thru NY. Most settled in or arround Portage County, WI. cities such as Stevens Point and Sharon, eventually some moved to MN and Chicago IL. West Prussia is now Poland. It is located in the NE end of the country. I am unware of any connections to the name Woyakski as my ancestors originally spelled our name Wojak. There was never a ski that I know of.
