Travel / Vacation in Great Polish Masurian Lakes area (Mazury) [37]

I was in the Masurian Lake District in 2005. It was a long drive from Warsaw, but I recall it to be a straight shot. The sights are amazing along the way. There's a town called Mikolajki, east of Olsztyn. It's an amazing town, right on a lake. Great shops and restaurants. Very nice resort town. There are alot of resorts in that area. Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

News / What is wrong with Poland that Poles emigrate? [167]

I am a Polish American, living in the US. In the late to early 1900's, Polish immigrants came to the US and took all the low paying, unskilled jobs, because that's all that was available to them. The Poles lived in Slavic communities, amoungst 'their own' people. They were looked down at by 'other' Americans. Poles were considered the bottom of the barrel, class and culture wise.

The Polish people, along with the Italians and Germans before them, and the English before them, immigrated to the US to find a better life. To raise their children in a prosperous place and earn a good living. In the beginning of their immigrations, their lives were stressfull and hard. After 1 generation, the immigrants families were mainstream with the 'other' American ethnic groups.

What I'm hearing going on in England now is an influx of immigrants who are in the same boat as the immigrants who came to the US. England and Ireland have never had such an influx of immigrants. They never had a need before.

I don't have an answer......but I know people are trying to make good lives for themselves and you can't blame them for that. It the Poles are terrorizing society, living off the welfare state and sleeping in doorways....yes, there's a problem and quite honestly, they, alond with other immigrants should be sent back to their home country.

If I lived in a country that was not as priviledged as another, I'd leave too.

Genealogy / Vintage Photos of Polish ancestors [144]

I have a wonderful picture of my great grandfather Michael Nestor and great grandmother Pauline Cywinski from 1909. They married here in the US soon after immigrating. They were both from a village called Rohatyn in Eastern Galicia. They were both tailors by trade. Michael died in a coal mine disaster in 1919 in Wilkes Barre PA. He was a very handsome man, and very proper. Pauline and Michael owned their own house (within 10 years of coming to he US). She became a housekeeper after his death and took in WWI boarders. She was very proper too...proud of her Polish heritage. When she learned that my father was marrying an Irish/English woman (my mother), she threw a hissy fit because he was marrying outside of his ethnic group.

Genealogy / Vintage Photos of Polish ancestors [144]

This is a picture of my great grand uncle (brother of my great grandfather Waclaw Ejsmont). I believe this picture to be from WWI. I believe him to be in a Polish uniform, but I've heard possibly a Russian or German uniform? Anyone think differently? I'm fascinated by this man and would love to hear other opinions.

UPDATE: For some reason the pic wouldn't upload.. :( Nevermind.....

Genealogy / Vintage Photos of Polish ancestors [144]

This is my great grandfather Waclaw Ejsmont. He was born in around 1885 and died in 1927 of 'black lung'. He was a classically trained violinist in Poland and a coal miner in Wilkes Barre, PA.

He came to the US in 1905 from the Bailystok area, married a Polish immigrant (Stefania Kishalewski, pictured) and started working in the mines immediately.

I'm in intrigued by this man and wish I could learn more about him.

** another pic failed to upload....sorry ***

Genealogy / Wolochowicz [14]


Hello there! Thought I'd say hello. My rgreat grandparents settled in Wilkes-Barre. They all worked and died in mines. Good luck in your genealogical search......it's not an overnight success, but it is rewarding. :)

Genealogy / Are Polish birth records available on the Internet? [56]

@shirley
HI there! you may want to try ancestry.com. they have tons of records online from all over the world.

Genealogy / Where are the Lemkos now? Do they still exist in Poland? [32]

@Slavicaleks
There are many facebook pages dedicated to Rusyns and Lemko's. I'm Lemko.

Genealogy / Vintage Photos of Polish ancestors [144]

@wozzy
Your post is old, but I'll see if you get this. Are you of Lemko descent? Me too. There's a great facebook page called "lemko ancestry & dna". If you haven't done your DNA i'd suggest it. Alot of matches on that page if you're looking for ancestors.