Last Name Gieda

polishmama 3 | 279

8 Mar 2012 / #1

Would anyone have an idea on the last name Gieda? From Grodno, now Belarus, but was then Poland. I'm curious about this one as it's, imo, very unusual as a name (although it is Polish, I'm told).

Polonius3 980 | 12275

8 Mar 2012 / #2

GIEDA: derived from Hebrew name Gedeon meaning warrior. None too common in Poland but its users are centered in south-central Poland's Sieradz area.

OP polishmama 3 | 279

9 Mar 2012 / #3

Polonius3, thank you. I was thinking that as well. I'm looking in archives around the internet and it's extremely uncommon in the archives, as far as I can tell. That is, the Polish and Jewish archives. Belarus is another animal, entirely. Wish me luck with that!

Polonius3 980 | 12275

9 Mar 2012 / #4

I do. You'll need it!

OP polishmama 3 | 279

9 May 2012 / #5

Update: They located the files and only need $7 measly US Dollars wire transferred to the National Archives of Belarus. ;) I received a letter with details yesterday written in Russian, which I cannot read, speak or write. But (not to brag) if there are two words to describe myself, they would be Determined and Resourceful. I personally translated the letter and invoice within an hour.

My point is that I hope this inspired people in their genealogy searches to not give up and not to let something as silly as a language (or language AND alphabet) barrier stop them. Where there is a true will, there is a way. ;)

Na razie...