Genealogy / Polish military records 1920 to 1925 in today's Belarus [4]

Do you have a name of your grandfather? It's the most important part in genealogy search.


How did you get those spellings? Such names are very often misspelled and thorough check of handwriting is highly recommended.


Maybe join a facebook group called "Polish Nowogrodek Family Ties" and contact its members: facebook.com/groups/13864873594/

Edit: I found some info about Szorkinie - Nowogródek province, Lida district, rural municipality of Ostryna
wikimapia.org/16621795/pl/Szorkinie

and Shchuchyn / Scucyn (Szczuczyn):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shchuchyn

Life / Internet access, speeds and companies in Poland. [8]

The fastest and quite cheap internet has Vectra, so I would choose this provider if possible - 150Mb/s for 70PLN.

Check their offer:
vectra.pl/pakiety/internet

Genealogy / Wychowski / Yorrick - Searching for my father [3]

Both names Wychowski and Wachowski exist in Poland - the Wachowski surname is much more popular though.


Is there a possibility that this is his first name? I'm asking because it may sound similar to Jurek in Polish - diminutive form from the Jerzy first name in Poland.

Life / Fitting balanced flue Gas Central heating boiler in Poland [32]

The best Polish plumbers went abroad a long time ago. I live in Szklarska Poręba and call mostly a local plumber from our municipal water supply plant - they are always short of time, but when near our area they are quickly at the place.

In the case of a more serious things maybe try somebody from the jelonka.com adverts - I don't know anybody from Karpacz area. I know - not much help.

Study / Student life (with a dog) in Lodz, Poland [18]


I'm not sure - there were cases when a dog was shot in a forest, when not leashed to the owner. I myself experienced threats from a drunk forest guard in his jeep about shooting my dog, although it was about 12 years ago. And it was a trained dog (German shepherd) - who came back to me after the first call. But they (the 'guards') are still checking the forest areas for stray dogs and may hunting them.

Australia / Mail/courier options for sending packages back to Australia [4]

Check Polish couriers price comparison for an example package of 3kg:
kurierem.pl/paczka-Australia-3.html

If the package is smaller - up to 2kg, then I think the best option is to use Poczta Polska after all. But ask for list (small packet) and priorytet (priority = air mail) - dimensions available and prices in the link below:

polish-post.pl/international-mail/letters/first-class-letters/#tab3

Although the cheapest option could be to find someone on Australia forum who moves there - they sometimes have some extra space in a container.

Related: Sending parcels to Poland from Melbourne?

Use Normal post from Post Office.
It is quite cheap :p

Also, you can find some polish cargo companies online. one is called Mazur i sent parcels with them . ordinary post is very expensive.

Real Estate / Land and farm purchase - Is half a hectare (5000m2) the limit in Poland? [5]

In Poland, the land is mainly divided into forest / agricultural and building land. Any investor who wants to build, must first apply for a decision establishing the type of land. If it's agricultural, the conversion for a building requires a permit and cost quite a big money.

Another issue is the type of property you want to build. If it's residential then you can later change the type for business purpose. According to the law, each change of use of a building should be notified to governor. But it's only when the whole building will be used for business and some employees will be employed. If it's an office type self-employment activity then such permit isn't needed. Everything depends on necessary changes in the building to adapt for the business purposes. I wrote about it in an another thread - please check:

https://polishforums.com/real-estate/poland-living-flat-rented-habitable-legalities-72721/

Real Estate / Land and farm purchase - Is half a hectare (5000m2) the limit in Poland? [5]

If it's not an agricultural or forest land then such limit doesn't apply (a foreigner needs permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs in Poland if such land exceeds 1 ha)

I don't see similar limits in the case of residential land purchase.

UK, Ireland / How can I get my Polish bank statement from abroad (UK)? [3]


You should explain that to them. It's very important to have online access to your bank account and their duty is to provide it to you.

Maybe you're doing something wrong with the password? What kind of Polish bank you have on your mind? Somebody here may have the same and maybe show you step by step how to get access to your account.

Law / Tunisian man got married with a Polish girl. How to get a temporary residence in Poland? [29]

From what I have read:
You may try to apply for the Poland's visa, but the fact that you're married with Polish citizen doesn't help you much in this case. You'll still need to proof connection with your own country - you should own an apartment there, have a good job - as an assurance that you would come back to your home after.

I know - it is not a welcome answer - but's just the sad reality. Seems that other EU citizens have not much hassle when they want to bring their spouses with them.

Genealogy / "Krasseminsk"? Does a town like this exist in Poland? [2]

For me Krasienin may be a good guess, Krassenin seems like Russianized version of this name, Krasseminsk too.
Maybe you have noticed it already but someone had similar dilemma before:
forum.casebook.org/archive/index.php/t-3039.html

Law / Poland Travel Medical Insurance Query! Is it needed when my employer provides medical and life insurance? [2]

It should be enough to provide a printed copy / proof of insurance from your employer. According to the site migrant (my translation):

Travel / What are the best tips that can save me money during my travel in Krakow and Warsaw? Internet sim card. [4]

Check out Virgin Mobile - for 19pln you'll get 2GB of data (LTE) and free calls to Virgin and Play and SMS's to all (as far I remember)

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


Yes, it could be - according to wiki:


Polish surname ending -czak - WOJTCZAK = ALBERTSON?

The Polish surname ending -czak is a typical patronymic suffix, used to indicate who somebody's fatehr was. It can apply to both Christian names (Jakubczak = Jacob's boy) and professions (Kupczak = the merchant's son).

Statistically Wojtczak is the most common, used as it is by nearly 10,000 people in Poland and meaning Wojtek's kid. The English equivalent might be Alson or Albertson.

By contrast only 12 people in Poland sign themselves Wójtczak (son of the wójt /hamlet mayor/.

History / Forgotten great Polish writers [4]

Very interesting writer - so versatile and bright. Polish education is not promoting him, nobody seems to care of his achievements now.
I found some ranks of most underestimated and overrated Polish writers. I'm amused that Lange isn't in any of them. Maybe because he is really so unknown? Not commercial enough - Sapkowski type is much better bestseller :/

It's a shame.

niniwa22.cba.pl/pisarze_niedocenieni_pisarze_przecenieni.htm
xiegarnia.pl/artykuly/najbardziej-przeceniani-i-niedoceniani-polscy-pisarze

Study / Nostrification - Do I need to do the process again if transfering to another Polish university? [3]

You may try to apply for an exemption from nostrification to the council of the university - if both schools are similar then it's better chance that your request will be accepted. I didn't found any information about double nostrification for different schools in Poland..

Study / Postgraduate course at the Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny in Wroclaw - is it worth to do it? [2]

What is the main purpose of such step - did you checked the job market already? What is demand for this kind of knowledge you would gain taking this extra course? What kind of course would be that exactly?

Generally economy studies are not great in regard to your chances for a lot of job offers in Poland. Better try first to recognize what path would be best for your career, where you feel most confident. And if you decide to a course in Poland - learn local language fast.

But best choice I think could be a postgraduate studies and an experience in a more rich country on the west.

Genealogy / WHERE IS JNEJANOW in Poland? [12]


It must be a spelling error. I'm sure without checking that no such town with this name exist in Poland

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]



Kazimierz Czyż janitor and ...


Franciszka Czyż both full of age, from Lublin and announcing that yesterday at 5pm


... Czyż both belonging to Syrniki(?) municipality (gmina) [...]


I don't know any other meaning of 'palacz' like this connected with fire and smoke (of course not the cigarette smoker - palacz is a profession, occupation - making warm :) )


Oh... I denied myself in my reply to you:


I switched the surnames - not any mention about Michalski - only Stanisław Michalak appears in the text as far as I remember. SORRY!

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


The text above clearly shows Stanisław Michalski. Michalak is entirely different surname in Poland, but it's also possible that it was misspelled before.


By my mistake - my bad, apologies. Surely it is Szymański.


It also bothered me, that's why I gave two '?' signs - but now I see what I misinterpreted:


It should be Franciszka (female name) Piątek!
So Piątek=Piątek now


Yes, only Kazimiera is a female name. Kazimierz is a male 'equivalent'


Yes, but I'm only trying to translate what I see, don't know history of your family. Double check of the all names and surnames and analyze this :)

Language / How do you write and pronounce "carry on" as in "continue" in Polish? [5]

Better would be: "Tylko tak dalej", eventually just "tak dalej", or even better - "Tak trzymać!"

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


Great! But wow, I'm in deep trouble now :)

Second page: (it's much more harder to decipher this..)

Opole, 18.02.1866, 2pm. Tomasz Piątek(?) appeared, farmer from Wrzdów(?), age 22, Mateusz Kręcisz(?) age 40 and Jan Biesiąd(??), farmer from Wrzdów, he (Tomasz) showed us a female child and announced that she was born in Wrzdów this year at 3am by his wife Katarzyna, maiden name Zagozdon(?), age 21. On holy Baptism celebrated by the priest Franciszek Biernacki(?) to this child was given the name Maryanna (old spelling of the Marianna name), and her godparents were Piotr Zagozdon(?) i Franciszek Piątków(??), act this presented and to illiterate witnesses read, and then signed by Administrator.

Supervisor of the Registry files Fr. Franciszek Biernacki

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


You may point out some of my English mistakes and errors, I'm sure there's a lot of them ;)

Now due to lack of time I will give just a dry translation, less literal. If you'd have additional questions to it just ask.

First page.

It was 29.11.1938, 11am. Present were: full of age Agnieszka Michalak, the wife of a turner, and Kazimiera Wójcik from Lublin - wife of a workman. They both announced that at 28.11 this year, at 7pm, Maria Lis has died in Lublin - a workwoman, age 72, widow of Jan Lis and born in Bełżyce parish, Lublin resident, daughter of Kajetan and Małgorzata maiden name Barabasz, married name Piątek. After the announcement of the Maria's Lis death, this act was signed by us and second witness illiterate.

The Registrar (name not clear)
Agnieszka Michalak

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


Edward £omiński - Witness

It was in Lublin 24.11.1918 at 5pm. In the presence of adult witnesses: Marjan Konstanty Wojtczak - the brickworks manager, and Franciszek Cymański - salesman, both living in Lublin, today the marriage has been concluded, between Józef Feliks Wilde (Wild?), bachelor, a locksmith in Helenów brickyard, local parish resident, age of 25, born in the county town Sereth, Bukovina region, the son of Józef-Franciszek and Anna from Halbgewachs family, married name Wilde (Wild?) and Walerja Naja (not Naj as we misinterpreted before), unmarried, seamstress from Helenów brickyard, local parish, age of 25, born in the village of Teresówka in the Hrubieszów parish, daughter of unmarried Franciszka Naja. This marriage was preceded by three announcements at 9, 17 and 24th November this year in the church of local parish. The new spouses declare that they do not established any prenuptial agreement. Also they have stated that their son Roland born in Nowa - town in the Zamość parish in 27.02.1915, who has been begotten by them in cohabitation before the wedding, in this act of marriage they deem him as their own child, and according to the act # 291 of Polish Kingdom Civil Code they consider this child as legitimate, and lawful (?). The religious rite was complemented by us [...]

Almost all - probably bit clumsy translation as I was in rush.

Love / How official and important are engagements in Poland? [9]

You people have great fun of this guy! But seriously.. Everything depends on family. In some it may be important but I think that the engaged couple should decide what is best for them. However an engagement ring means also obligation to 'serious intentions' toward the girl.


It's hard to say, but for me it's a bit too long - such time should be more than enough to choose either way.. marriage or freedom of single status.

On the other side there's growing number of Poles living long years together without any registration. Since a 'healthy family' shouldn't push too much, the marriage is very welcomed but only if the relationship is widely accepted.

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


Yes, you have probably right here.


It's hard to judge from this signature, but one can safely assume that's a Michalak either - as it states in the text.


at 1pm - trzynasta in Polish is 13:00 or 1pm


'....' - for me it's (in Polish): 'Wiadomo czynimy że' - most likely irrelevant to the rest of the sentence

[...] at 1pm, in the presence of full of age witnesses: Jakub Skawiński - worker in the Helenów brick factory, and Stanislaw (Szuszlak? or Szunlak?) - fitter, both Lublin residents, today it has been concluded religious (ecclesiastical?) marriage between:

Zygmunt Konieczny, bachelor, a fitter, post office worker (?), age 22, son of Antoni and Elżbieta of Jeziorski family, married name Konieczny, born in Kobiele Wielkie parish, living in the Helenów brick factory, local parish,

and
Wanda Aurelja Wojtczak, unmarried, age 21, daughter of Marjan Konstanty and Marjanna Naj, married name Wojtczak, born and live by her parents, Helenów brick factory, local parish.

[...]

The rest soon if no one other responds.

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]

My small corrections on what Chemikiem translated above:


It should be 'Helenów' (although the name 'Helenowo' is also possible)


the wife of a stoker


the daughter of Tomasz and Franciszka ( Naj ) from Czyżów


Hrubieszów

Genealogy / Wojtczak family from Poland - Need translation genealogy docs please [21]


It's good. After this is the word 'pełnoletnie' = 'of legal age'


and declared that the day before...



For me it states that Konstanty and Bronislawa after their marriage became Wojtczak's


Not in Elizowa, rather Elizówka instead, so:
born in Elizówka, Dyś Parish, residing in Helenów, the local parish. After learning (przekonaniu się = convincing literally) of the death of Marian Konstanty Wojtczak, this act was signed, after reading to the gathered people.

U.S.C. - Urząd Stanu Cywilnego;
Civil Registry (and some signatures):
Fr. ..., Wanda Konieczna, Bronisława Wojtczak.

My translation may not be perfect, my English likewise...

Life / Where to join a Handball team in Wroclaw? [4]

In the name it has 'Interschool Sports Club' (MOS abbreviation). Not a word about some fees or gender conditions. So I assume it's free and for everybody until 23 years of age. Not much details though on their website - it is still under construction.

As I see now, in the application form they want a PESEL number, which you probably don't have - still I tried to send a random request and it succeeded. Try it yourself.

Life / Where to join a Handball team in Wroclaw? [4]

What's your age?
Check MOS Wrocław, they have various sports sections, including the hand ball (the eldest group is from 1992)


mos.wroclaw.pl/dolacz_do_nas/

See this also:
facebook.com/groups/191563804290451/
This is paid hand ball training (recreational/intermediate level) - 12pln for 2 hours of play.

Another email addresses to contact:
jm.palica@wp.pl - Academic Sports Association of the Wrocław University of Technology
reczna_slask@wp.pl - Śląsk Wrocław Handball Club in Wrocław