Genealogy / Polish birth, death and marriage records in Russian scripts? [16]

Hi Pat, I have the same problem. I went to the Polish Archives and got the original records written in Russian for my family. Could possibly have someone, but I am still looking myself.

Travel / Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk and Krakow - Five Polish Cities in Google Street View [17]

When I was in Gdańsk, I stayed with friends one time, and another time when I was in Ireland I hopped on a Ryanair flight just to just walk around Gdańsk on my own. I was proud of myself for remembering where to go, and to be able to buy stamps at the post office, simple things that my very, very limited Polish allowed me to do.

I stayed at The Baltic Hostel which really looked kind of creepy, but the place was run by friendly people. The manager/owner provided breakfast every morning and snacks all through the day. Supper was not obligatory, but if you were around when he made his supper, you would be invited for bigos or whatever he had. I would avoid it in summer though as they do not have enough bathrooms for lots of people, but fall and spring are good times. It is close enough to walk anywhere you wish in Gdańsk.

BUT, right in the old town of Gdańsk, on the river, is boat that is a hostel. I was very tempted to stay there, but thought it might be too cold for me in the late fall when I was there.

hostels.com/hostels/gdansk/pepperland-hostel/25843

And who knows, if Wildrover is still in Poland, he'd probably welcome you to his farm.

Travel / Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk and Krakow - Five Polish Cities in Google Street View [17]


Yes, definitely! I've been to Germany and Poland and it was a L O N G trip! You are just a hop, skip and a jump! :-)

I believe you would find a lot to love about Poland.

News / Don't let Poland become like my country, France. [630]


Many generations, but there are layers of more recent immigrants. The largest influx was the late 1800's and early 1900's. That was mainly Eastern and Southern Europe.

And yes, I believe that most European immigrants have finally settled in nicely. There are no problems, maybe a joke or two and that's that. But they do worry about too many non-Europeans. Not so much because they are non-European, but because the numbers are large, and even our language as English is in danger. With the previous immigrants, English managed to remain the language of the USA.

News / Don't let Poland become like my country, France. [630]

I no longer live in the New York City area, so I am not sure if the Jewish influx you speak of is from Israel-born Jews. When I was growing up we were very familiar with Jewish people from Europe. I loved growing up with foods from all over the world. :-)

Jews do hold a lot of power, but the demise of Yorkville, had little to do with Jewish people unless they were the ones tearing down the elevated train lines and building the new high rises. And if so, it was collateral damage to the goal of making money.

My post was directed at several posters who felt that Germans got off lightly in the USA, and really only experienced pressure because of WWI. (Not much as a result of WWII). But actually, they experienced trouble after WWII, and that made them assimilate into the general population. Another poster, I forget which one at the moment made the point that maybe in countries like Germany and Poland in the future, the numbers of immigrants could be controlled more and some pressure to assimilate. It seemed to work well here in the States for a time till now we have a situation more like Germany has with Turks. It is such a complicated situation. People have always moved around and went to the places where they had the best opportunities. I would like that to continue, but in a way that adds to the existing culture without destroying it.

Life / European Capital of Culture 2016: Which Polish city do you wish to win? [42]

It's a good choice, too. Lots of beauty, and Wawel is very impressive.

Life / European Capital of Culture 2016: Which Polish city do you wish to win? [42]

I agree, I believe Gdańsk would be a good choice, or Toruń.

News / Don't let Poland become like my country, France. [630]


Yet, the effect of WWII was instrumental in the disappearance of New York City's Germantown. My background is Polish and German. My mother spoke Polish, my Dad spoke German. He was the leader of a band at The Lorelei, a German nightclub in Yorkville where I was immersed in Eastern European culture, particularly German. There is hardly a trace of this community now.

uppereast.com/germantown

"The heyday of Germantown was from the 1930s-1960s when the streets were filled with the sound of the German language spoken by Eastern European/Prussian immigrants from Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Russia. An abundance of newspapers, societies, sports clubs, shops, restaurants, movie theatres, bakeries grew to accommodate this diverse gathering of Europeans....

....what really signified the beginning of the end of Germantown was the tearing down of the 2nd and 3rd Avenue elevated lines. Slowly, the developers moved in and the factories and brownstones under the tracks were torn down to be replaced by large apartment buildings.

This, combined with anti-German sentiment due to WWII, was one of the many things that caused the Yorkville Germans to Anglicize their names and begin to assimilate into U.S. society."

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

The same thing was said of Christians and the Roman Empire.

Interesting theory about Poland and Catholicism. However, that is all it is, a theory. We can never go back and see what would have happened if the Protestant Reformation had gained a strong hold in Poland.

Love / Polish boyfriend coming to visit [52]

Thank you 123z. Glad you were moved. It was a beautiful time. It was sad for awhile, but it ended well. We are all happy now. :-)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]


I am not Catholic, myself. But, I did do a lot of research in college on the role the Catholic Church played in keeping alive the idea of Poland.

The Church has a lot to answer for, Inquisitions, etc. I am aware of its history as well as the Concordat between Hitler and the Vatican. I have not looked at your link, yet. I will do it, however, just wanted to make the point that I am not naive about the Catholic Church, or religion in general.

My only point is that there is a positive role the Church played in Poland. Prussia was mostly Lutheran, Russia, Orthodox. Those countries each took big chunks of Poland. The Catholic Faith kept the Polish people culturally Polish. No denying this, and during Communism, the Church gave hope.

Life / Positive things which make a Pole stand out positively in the World! [30]


I am an American, and I agree!


Nevertheless, the question was asked. ;-)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]


Be that as it may....outside of the Vatican, The Catholic Church has played a very important part in Poland's history. If it were not for the Catholic faith, it may not have been possible for Poland to be Poland after the Partitions.

I believe that while the strong religious sentiments of the past may be declining somewhat now, most Poles are grateful for the way the Church supported them during the Partitions and during Communist times.

USA, Canada / Chicago's 1.1 million Polish Americans celebrated Constitution Day [47]


Good reply.

Delph's comment that they are morons is just his personal opinion. Obviously lots of other people feel differently. He still, evidently cannot tell the difference between ethnicity and nationality. These folks are celebrating their roots, not their citizenship. Anyway, who cares what he thinks. It is predictable that he will hop on a thread like this to pour cold water on something that makes a lot of other people smile.

Because he works hard in Poland, he beats that drum when it comes to anyone else who says they love the country. Maybe he just wants some kudos for what he does. Many misunderstand him and feel he hates Poland and Polish people. I've come to see that he evidently cares a lot for Poland. But not everyone cares in the same way. Thanks Delph for what you do for Poland. But, have a little respect for what others do even if you think they should be more like you.

Love / Hot Polish girls in clubs - why don't they dance/talk with the most attractive men only? [148]

In general, females love a man with a great sense of humor. And someone who is confident. Maybe the men that hold their attention are funny and full of confidence.

Genealogy / Schnell / Robinson - Finding Polish Ancestry/Relatives [5]

This might help, too:

boards.ancestry.com/localities.ceeurope.histreg.westprussia/118.2/mb.ashx

And here are other suggestions:

jewishgen.org/danzig/resources.php

Love / Your Thoughts about 20 Year Age Difference Between Men & Women in Poland? [74]

Anyone who needs to get great advice about age gap relationships can find a very helpful forum called Ageless Love. At one time, I was in an age gap relationship and it was a fantastic source of information.

They have great archives with just about every concern. Stories of success and failures and community support. Here is the link:

agelesslove.com/boards/index.php

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]

Well, it is an idealized belief. And if everyone practiced it, there would be no enemies.

And while there is a lot of accusations on this board about who killed who, (whether the Russians were worse, or the Germans worse), at least they can say they stood up to Hitler and and were good citizens of Poland, Germany and the USA, but would not follow Hitler's orders that went against their God-given beliefs. They were willing to die for this principle.

Others had no choice as they could hardly stop being Jews or Poles. But they were offered freedom in exchange for their allegiance to Hitler, and they would rather die than do that.

They obey all laws, and probably are more honest on taxes than those who swear allegiance.
So, they are model citizens, but give their allegiance only to God.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]


Yes, that is correct. And it was a little scary as a young child to take such a stand. But, I was taught that it is o.k. to be different as a matter of principle.

Some teachers in the assembly hall would frown and grab you, but then they would learn either from you or your own teacher that it was a stand for a religious belief, rather than disrespect.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]


No, I went to normal public schools. Jehovah's Witnesses won a legal case many years ago. The pledge is not considered neutral. You pledge your allegiance to the United States of America. Their argument is that only God should have that type of allegiance.

But, it is also drilled into Jehovah's Witnesses, that they must be model citizens in all other areas. Total honesty, paying taxes without cheating, and doing civic duty. You are an ambassador for Christ's Kingdom, therefore no swearing allegiance to any earthly government, but respecting the laws of the country you are in. They are taught that the nations of the earth are God's superior authority and bring law and order. However, if there is ever a conflict between God and Country, "...give Caesar's things to Caesar, and God's things to God."

Along with Poles and Jews, many Jehovah's Witnesses died in the concentration camps. They had the opportunity to Heil Hitler, and live, but refused. However, they could be trusted to shave the Nazi officers and obey in all things, except allegiance to an earthly leader especially one in conflict with God.

Model citizens, but neutral towards all governments requiring allegiance. Only allegiance to God's Kingdom.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]


Actually, no. :-)

I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and they maintain political neutrality. The reasoning being that Jesus said, "My kingdom is no part of this world."

I am no longer active in this religion, but I am out of school, so it has never come up.

News / 9 year old Polish girl and 10 year old brother killed by World War II bomb [46]


Pretty amazing accomplishment. I have a coffee table book that was made in the 1960's and was given to me by the grandmother of my host family in Poland. It shows the incredible devastation and how all the people were actively involved.

I marvel at what they did. And Poland is advancing now. More well established places are at the point where they need to rebuild things. Nothing stays the same. Hopefully the EU with Germany as a major participant will continue to benefit Poland. It is impossible to fix everything bad that ever happened. To dwell on it, hinders progress.

There is an old saying that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Friendships between countries benefits everyone.

News / 9 year old Polish girl and 10 year old brother killed by World War II bomb [46]


There is a big difference between the desire to be fully compensated for damages, as opposed to saying that you wish other people would die. Especially those who had nothing to do with what happened in the past.

That kind of retaliation keeps hatred going forever like in the Arab world. You did this, I kill you. You killed my family, so I kill yours back. It never ends. Is that the world you wish for your children?

From my visits to Poland, I have talked with many who had suffered immensely, so it is natural to have raw feelings. It is understandable. But, it is better to direct those feelings to something that can be done that is positive. Anything else results in more killing, more strife, and Poland will never reach her full potential.

News / 9 year old Polish girl and 10 year old brother killed by World War II bomb [46]

Good question Wildrover! My sentiments exactly.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]


Yes, it sure has! It's been about ten years. But even then, I was amazed. My mother was baptized in the church, Our Lady of Częstochowa and my family is buried at Holy Name Cemetery.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]

If you listen to Delph, your Serbian diaspora would also be traitors no matter how much they are involved in Serbian affairs. Just becoming a citizen here in the USA would mean they were traitors. But this is only in his extreme mind and in his extreme way of thinking.

Most people move to a place where they have new opportunities and make a new life. There is no thought to fighting against their former homeland. The possibility exists that this could happen. But it is not a very likely scenario. It is splitting hairs unnecessarily.

Said to make people feel bad more than to point out a valid likely reality.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]


Well, being born an American, I never had to swear to anything. :-P

And my ethnically Polish grandparents would loved to have been nationals of Poland, but they were Prussian citizens and it was out of their control.

My German grandparents were also in a situation beyond their control. They volunteered to come to Poland to help drain the swamps and in return they received land. They got along well with the Polish nobles, but then they were victims of the partitions and became Russian citizens against their will.

Not everything is about swearing allegiance. Nations often decide who you are whether you like it or not. My grandparents all came to America seeking freedom from the forced upon them nationalities.

When Poland became a country again, my great grand parents were still there and alive. So, technically, I could probably apply for a Polish passport as the rule says that citizenship can be passed down to someone like me, if they have but two great grandparents.

So, then.....would I be a traitor to the USA to do this? Or a traitor to Poland to ignore this option. See? Not all things are so cut and dry as you make it out to be.

USA, Canada / Where is loyalty of Polish diaspora in America? In USA or in Poland? What is priority? [63]

Crow....I am sure feelings are different depending upon the individual and whether one is a recent immigrant to America, a recent citizen of the USA, or removed several generations.

Those who come to this forum, come to learn about their history, today's culture in Poland, and take pride in their roots. My grandparents were born in Poland, but some of my ancestors were Polish by ethnicity, and the others were Polish by nationality, until Russia took over where they lived.

My grandparents lived in a Polish community (Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY and Jersey City, NJ), when they first came to this country. After a time, they moved to other parts of the New York City area. My mother spoke Polish and my father spoke German, but were Americans. Growing up, I appreciated my ethnic background, but always considered myself American.

As I got older, I had more of a hunger to know more and began to do genealogy and to learn more about the history of Poland and the history of Prussia.

I have come to have a deep love for Poland, but I am an American. (Not plastic anything) ;-)

And on my visits to Poland, I often wonder about what it would be like to move back to Poland. How surprised my grandparents would be if they were alive.

Genealogy / Family name Kustosz [13]

Here is where there is property for sale in Ostrowite that is just lovely.....I am SO tempted! :-)

moje-miejsce.net.pl/en/41/offer/ostrowite.html

UK, Ireland / How ENGLISH has been affected by POLISH [73]


Yes, Zloty is not well known, but we do know Sejm in the USA. Not a common everyday word, but people who are in history class would be familiar that it is a type of parliament.

I am surprised that any Polish words influenced English. I liked the example about spruce up. I learned something new. :-)

The reason Polish is so hard to learn for English speakers is that the words are not similar at all. In French, Spanish, or German you can find words that sound something like the English equivalent and it makes learning the vocabulary easier.

This is a difficult assignment. However, while many foods may have Russian origin, everyone in the USA associates kielbasa with Poland. And in most big cities people know pierogie and eat them even if they are not Polish. Heck, I can even get frozen pierogie in South Carolina. And there are hardly any Polish people here.