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Posts by accipiter  

Joined: 30 Jul 2012 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 12 Sep 2012
Threads: 1
Posts: Total: 6 / Live: 4 / Archived: 2 		From: Toronto, Canada
Speaks Polish?: Poorly
Interests: Lego, Engineering, history, politics

Displayed posts: 5
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accipiter   
31 Jul 2012
Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4500]

Hello. Thank you for doing this for all of us.

The surname I would like to know about is:

Gibalski

On a related note, do you know how to get information about Edward Gibalski's family tree?
pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gibalski

The article says his father was an insurgent, and my great-great-grandfather (Ludwik Gibalski, a cartographer) and his brother (name unknown to me) were insurgents sent to Siberia. Maybe coincidence, maybe Edward is an uncle, and I would like to look into it :-)
accipiter   
7 Aug 2012
Life / West-East life in Poland? [45]

Hello all.

I have been talking to a friend who now resides in Zielona Góra (dolnośląskie) and he tells me how his home town is now an interesting mishmash of new buildings with the occasional English word, and old buildings some of which are nearly falling down. In his section, its apparently 50%/50% new/old with new buildings often beside old/crumbling ones.

My family in Eastern Poland, in one of the towns near Sandomierz (Świętokrzyskie), mention how their town and the region has gotten better - there are discotheques, new bars, modern buildings, etc.. its not dreary, but its still mostly old.

The Western parts seem to have more verve/life/development/HOPE then the East.

Or am I wrong? Is it just these two places, or is there a continuum of less as you go East?
accipiter   
11 Aug 2012
Life / West-East life in Poland? [45]

A comparison of past political divisions and election results. I make no comment on his reasoning or politics.

unitn.it/archive/events/borderscapes/download/abstract/barw inski_paper.pdf
accipiter   
12 Sep 2012
Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4500]

Is there a possible relation to the municipality of Kosztowy ?
If so, would it be likely or not?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosztowy

Kosztowny is the Polish adjective meaning valuable, costly, pricey, etc.. When someone known by that nickname (for whatever resason)

I accept that such a nickname could be made. I am curious: 1) does such a name make sense to become the dominant nickname in actual usage? I compare to English where "Mr. Expensive" could be a nickname, but it does not sound `right` such that the name is unlikely to stick or become `the`nickname a person is known for. 2) is it the kind of name that would be developed independently several times (like Nowak), or is there a strong likelihood that all Kosztowniaks come from one or two people who had such a name?

FYI, my ancestor came from the same region as the mayor. Would Polish politicians respond to an email, or would I be dismissed/ignored/neutralized by a secretary?

Thank you for your help.