Life / If I say POLAND, you say...? [100]

I say family, friendship and happy times in such a beautiful country (I know, like all countries Poland has not so beautiful places also) Had 3 great holidays there.

Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

Thanks Peter will do.

Hi Timeline, many Poles worked in the mines in this country. Here in Staffordshire alone there are many mining communities that welcomed the hardworking Poles. They were a credit to the Polish country. It was not always easy for them to settle as sometimes the English people gave them a very hard time. In my father's case he settled into a lovely little village which he said reminded him of home. After his death in 2000 having never returned to his native village some of my family decided to visit our relatives and we have since been to see the village of his birth. He was quite right, it is very similar to the village that became his home in England. Anyone out there who had father's who left Poland because of the war and like my dad never returned if you have the chance to learn more about your heritage take the chance. We did and have no regrets, in fact it has helped us to learn more about ourselves and where we come from.

Genealogy / Does anyone have any relatives who served with 1st Polish Armoured Division (Gen. Maczek) [310]

Have found this thread most interesting and informative. My father was in the 2nd corps of the Polish Army (I think it may have been a tank regiment as he spoke about tanks quite often). He was involved with the Italian Campaign at Monte Cassino. I just wondered if anyone else out their had family members in this campaign. My dad mentioned General Anders and also the British 8th army. Any information would be appreciated.

Life / Olsztyn life; I'm Indian and I like the place [43]

I agree that Gdansk is really lovely. Have family in that area and was very impressed when we visited. Just love the Amber shops too. Fantastic designs.

Genealogy / Why Polish aren't white?? [272]

You should always be proud of your Polish roots. Just take a look at the way Poland has been treated over the years, but one thing that always comes back is that the Polish people have great courage, big hearts and would always welcome a stranger in need. My father was a Pole and settled in the UK but the one thing about him was that he did not look towards possessions as how successful his life was but that he worked hard, raised a family, provided food and warmth in the home and achieved that by working hard in the mines. He could never offer money if anyone needed help (he was not well off himself) but he would always give them food and time to talk of problems etc. He was a man whom I was very proud of and he had the respect of many villagers where we lived.

Never ever let anyone put you down for any reason. Poles are lovely friendly people and maybe the people who are so rude about others should look at themselves and get an education.

Life / Olsztyn life; I'm Indian and I like the place [43]

I think that Olsztyn is a place to be visited - maybe when I next holiday in Poland I will have to visit my friends and find out for myself - definately on the `places to go list`

Life / Olsztyn life; I'm Indian and I like the place [43]

I have friends in Olsztyn, they love it particularly in the summer as there is much to do when the weather is nice. The area that they live in has also been having quite a lot of money spent on the town and it is taking shape and looking good. May time should be just getting warmer. Hope you enjoy it.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Histormhorse sorry to read of your experience but have you tried to learn a few words of Polish? Maybe if you could communicate a little in the Polish language it would help. Although I cannot spell the words I can say please, thank you, excuse me, sorry - I do not understand etc. Just maybe to show that I am trying hard to integrate. My efforts have been greeted with a smile and appreciative words, then also to my surprise I have been spoken back to in English.

Polish is a very difficult language to learn but it is possible with some effort to pick it up enough to get by.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

We have some rotten scumbags over here too and they not only force their way into the homes of old people but they beat them up as well. One way they get to know when the oldies have money about is when the elderly fetch their pensions from the Post Office and someone hangs around until they come out and follow them home. They know they have at least one weeks pension in the house. As one of the younger generation we try to educate our relatives about not opening the door to strangers but of course they forget and if someone looks official they think that it is all legal. To all drivers out there just keep your car doors locked and if something is odd just keep going - there are some terrible scams especially this time of year. Keep safe everybody!!!!

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hey White Chocolate what line of business are you in?

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hi shelly good luck with the move - it would appear that we are all married but a bit of fun over cyberspace is not a bad thing. Keeps the brain active I think. Do keep in touch. Is stargord gdanski the same as the city of Gdansk? The Polish language and the way it is spoken is very difficult for me to grasp, I am trying- honest.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

You will just have to be flirty then. Nothing wrong with that. I will just have to keep an eye on you both though, can't have naughty goings on not with a flying spaghetti monster on the loose.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hey Shelly where are you moving to. Will you continue on the PF site? At least SeanBM will still be in contact with you (think he has a soft spot for you) Oh heck I am just an old romantic at heart.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Flippin Eck SeanBM you are a fast worker. Maybe you and shelly cud be friends in Poland......what a match.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hi shelly, it is a bit sad but believe me we had such a large Polish community over here in the UK it was a bit like having a Polish life. I cannot tell you how much hospitality the Polish people give out and all my friends used to think our parties were great because my dad made sure everyone had a great time. Although I am I suppose very English there was always a part of me that didn't fit. It couldn't be explained it was just there. When me and my family go to Poland I feel so at home it is as if I belong there. I hope to make many more visits but till then I will just have to look at my photographs and dream. = Soppy aren'tI

Maybe SeanBM it would have to be my heart...ha ha

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hey SeanBM you are cheeky I think. To matthew142 don't think you are boring just proud. My father was born in Poland and it was only after he died that we went to find out more about the country. Sadly he never returned to the Poland that he new because his new life was in the UK. He would never have thought that barriers would come down and that people would be able to travel freely. So stay besotted I think it is great that we Brits can go and see the beautiful country that we have inherited in our hearts. Yes yes soppy but I love the country and the people. Plus another thing if the wrong type of Brits go to Poland (the drunken stupid ones) it would be good if the Polish police would pick them up throw them in a cell and throw away the key. This country does not need those sort of Brits going.

Genealogy / THE MEANING AND RESEARCH OF MY POLISH LAST NAME, SURNAME? [4501]


From what I have seen over here in the UK a lot of people with Jewish names often changed the spelling so that they "hid" their Jewish connection. Could this be a possible explanation for you. We have seen documentaries where the people had become wise of the fact that Jewish people would be victamised and this was going on before the wars. Many people who have settled here in the UK changed their names to a more English one so that their families were not picked on socially by the English people - we are a very tolerant and sympathetic nation and many Poles who have settled here whether they changed their names or not settled in to the English way of life very well. We have recently seen that Jerry Springer of the USA had a g g grandfather who was of Jewish origin - he had changed his name and that is where the confusion comes in. Esther Rantzen of the UK has her family of previous years buried in Jewish cemetetry in Warsaw. This could be a totally useless piece of information but hope it shows how many people over the years changed their names for very personal reasons to them

Please don't think this is about anti-Jewish or anything I amd just trying to explain about people changing their names.

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hey SeanBM does 1/2 Polish count?

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Hi McCoy Well I am just a half English half Polish girl, not sure where I should be living but hey I love holidays in Poland but I love to come home to England as well, maybe I need a new brain to make up my mind. Checked out the blog very interesting but will stay over here for now. Thanks for invite. Maz

Life / Reasons for moving to Poland [291]

Anyone moving to Poland to live is very brave I think - not because it is dangerous of course - no more than anywhere else but because the language is a major obstacle. My brother has been going to evening classes for 5 years now, he is doingok but not fluent yet, my language skills are very limited but I can get by. It is a beautiful country but as I have said oh dear that language is very very difficult. Wish I was brave enough to move but ah well thats life !