Law / Karta Polaka - is it possible to obtain by a Polish-American citizen? [15]

Hello,

I'm a Polish-American and was wondering about the Karta Polaka. A friend recently showed me information about it and I was curious as to how difficult it would be to obtain this. From what I can read about it, it seems that a consulate would be very strict about evaluating the "Polishness" of an individual. My dziadzia was 100% Polish, as his father came over in some sort of family tale I am not all too familiar with- I believe it had to do with escaping conscription into some sort of force the family did not agree with, but at any rate I am unsure that this would be enough. I grew up learning only a few words, as the language was not passed on very well, but we were always very proud of our ancestry and I can recall eating pierogi, gołąbki, and other foods without questioning it much thinking that everyone in America was doing the same thing. There are many other minor traditions we seem to have carried on, but I feel that this wouldn't be enough. I guess what I am trying to ask is how difficult it would be to receive a Karta Polaka for more or less sentimental purposes until an opportunity for work arises (I am still in university.)

Thanks,
My apologies if this is in the wrong forum,

Michael

Genealogy / Where my family came from: Wreszow Kolbuszowa, Wola Lubecka Tarnow. [10]

Hello, I just discovered my great grandparents immigrated from Wreszow Kolbuszowa? and Wola Lubecka Tarnow?

Could someone give me some information on either of these places? I can't find ANYTHING about Wreszow Kolbuszowa

Thank you!

History / A comparative paper: comparing Polish border policies with American border policies [5]

Hello, I'm preparing to write a paper comparing Polish border policies with American border policies. I thought that this would be interesting being that Polish borders have shifted so constantly, and America is admist a near crisis between people passing through its borders illegally. I was wondering if there was any sites out there that would be good for research (aside from Wikipedia as I cannot use this as a "reliable source.")

Thanks

- Michał

Genealogy / Stąpor: Questions about my family [9]

From what I can gather, the last name Stąpor apparently means a "Grinding tool" like a pestle, or a log to crush grain (According to Polonius3). However, searching this- while I can find others with the same last name, I cannot really find a 'history' to it, or seal, or anything.

What my grandma tells me, is that my grandpa's father came to America when he was.. either 16 or 18, when Poland was part of Prussia. Apparently he switched names with his younger brother, and came over, then the younger brother came over as the older brother's name- or something along those lines. My grandpa's mother, however, came over when she was 14 to live at her sister's dairy farm. Eventually her sister said "Okay, I've found a nice polish man, you're marrying him." and thus, my grandpa's family was created.

I am completely unsure of the historical accuracy of all of this, and would like to go back further, but I just have no information to start with really, or where to look. Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.