Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

I'm extremely proud of my Polish heritage and I would be honoured if my features were considered Polish.

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  Galenzoski Sisters
  

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

Mostly people think I'm Italian or Greek. I put a photo onto my profile page from about 15 years ago so you get the idea.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]

That photo is out of the 1960s - its the only one I have of my mother together with her sisters. Your statement about the eyes is interesting - I always thought my mother had a bit of an Asian. She had dark brown eyes and her lashes were straight as a board. What is the ethnic mix that makes up a Ukrainian?

Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4500]

Can you tell me the meaning and origin of the name Ga£ęzowski? I am descended from this family and many, many of us now live in North America where the name is now spelled Galenzoski. The Gałęzowski family is listed under the Tarnawa coat of arms but we do not know if we are related to that family or not. The Gałęzowski name has undergone many spelling changes as my ancestors moved from Poland to Bukovina (under the Austrians) and then finally immigrated to North America. I've seen the name spelled Ga£ęziowski, Ga£ęczowski, Galenczowski - are they pronounced the same way as the original?

Language / Is the term 'Polak' derogatory?? [254]

Here in Canada Polish people, male and female, are referred to as Poles. "Polack' was used several decades ago but in a derogatory way. Now you rarely ever hear it. There was a large influx of Poles following WW2 and though Canada is a country 99.9% comprised of immigrants from all over the world, each new influx in any significant numbers becomes the butt of jokes. Don't ask me why, it's stupid I know, but that's the way it works. So, Polack, a completely legitimate term in its original meaning, became derisory. If anyone said it now older people would scowl and younger people would hardly know what it meant. The Poles, at least among the people I know and from what I read, are admired for their tenacity. Poland broke the back of communism and since it has become a free country and communication channels are opened again, the world is learning just how remarkable it is that Poland was able to rise from its ashes again and again. Now, people wear their Polish heritage with a great deal of pride.

To paraphrase a good friend's quote on leadership: "Poles are the toughest of people in the toughest of times who are resilient, relentless and undaunted."

Travel / What can Poland do to attract more tourists? Llamas farm? [71]

I think there's a potential market for guided tours tailored to specific individuals or groups from other countries want to walk the ground and see the places where their Polish ancestors lived. North Americans are particularly interested in learning about their roots - the whole genealogy industry is seeing explosive growth with the advent of the internet. They would visit Poland provided there was a guide to help them with the language and to get them around. It would take people out into the small villages and spread their money around more. Accommodation could be handled by having people stay in private homes - bed and breakfast kind of concept.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1410]


If I saw you on a street in Canada I would know you were of Eastern European descent and if forced to say I would go with Ukrainian before Polish. Just something about the cast of the features. You're a pretty girl regardless of ethnic mix.