Love / I'm getting married to a Polish guy and need advice before visit his family; gifts, topics, customs [82]

I wouldn't be so nervously attentive that you don't allow her space to observe, relax and explore her environment. The language difference can actually be an opportunity for you to build a personal relationship with her- communicating at first through gestures and single words, and then sharing phrases to learn each others language. It can be both fun and funny, and build a bond between you Rather than having your husband as the main intermediary and translator, spend time alone with her, going places and doing things.

My question is about religious differences. Is she Catholic? Is she aware of -and ok with her son's and your conversion to Muslim? If not, this could be a conflict. Some devout Catholics are intolerant of other faiths. I hope all goes well and you have good times.

History / Ordinary Polish people who collaborated with the Communist authorities? [28]

Bren...seems like your inquiry to your friends touched upon a sensitive subject- and by some of the replies you received here- it's quite obviously an emotion igniter. Just wanted to defend your natural curiosity by saying you DID NOT INSULT ANYONE. And I'm sure your friends didn't take it that way.

News / Is this the first clear and open signal that Poland makes preparations for war with Russia? [163]

The US no longer relies on foreign sources for it's energy needs. That's an outdated assumtion. They produce 80% domestically and are moving state by state to alternatives....as many countries are. Beside the environmental necessity to move toward cleaner energy sources, any forward thinking country has realized that it's just not smart to rely on a foreign source for the bulk of it's needs. Especially ones with an "agenda"......like Russia.

Genealogy / Would DNA test show Jewish genes? [10]

The answer is Yes. Although there is a Jewish religious sect today all over the world, there are also ethnic roots in it's origin. As it was forbidden to marry out of the religion, DNA markers developed identifying them.

I don't know if a medical DNA test is the same as an ancestral one. I think the medical one only looks for disease risk markers. Like you might have a marker that Jewish people have- but perhaps it got inserted from just one ancestor- where an ancestral test would tell you what percentage of your DNA is Jewish and from what geographical area it originated.

Genealogy / Seeking any info on Josef Macioszek born Kramsk Poland (Russia) in 1885 [6]

Yes, I plan do that someday when my time and attention can permit it. Right now my only free time is (between bites) while I am feeding my elderly mother. A few years ago I started the process for my mother's side and now know how much time and dedication it can take if you don't have the money to pay someone. It's a project that if interrupted goes stale and gets fuzzy and connections get lost. With my mother's side just when I found myself at a dead end, someone on a site like this saw the name and told me about a website that not only put me in direct connection with the family, but to the whole family group who had researched it back to the year 900. We have hundreds of members, hold regular reunions around the country and do research projects together via archeological digs to find and restore gravesites and homesteads. It's great fun and an enriching endeavor. We have a website, newsletter and even a scholarship fund for students via our membership fees etc. If anyone has troubles, there are hundreds of members to help them......because we are now family. It's an unusual thing in this day and age.

But I digress. What I meant to say was your advice is good and thank you----and also one just never knows what might come from throwing a few seeds out there.

Genealogy / Seeking any info on Josef Macioszek born Kramsk Poland (Russia) in 1885 [6]

Sorry I have to die first.

Just kidding. I read a post on this forum that said Polish relatives of Americans wouldn't be interested in meeting them unless they are rich. Truth is, even if I could locate my grandfather's family, it's only a dream I have, that I could go to Poland and meet them. But for my decendants, I would like to research and document our family roots for them to have and pass on. Culture, traditions, where we came from and who we are now - are all important and timeless curiosities to the human race.