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."

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

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?

Genealogy / Polish Surnames Anglicized? [48]

Ga£ęzowski (pronounced and spelled Galenzoski in North America)

Here's the evolution of the spelling changes:
My 4X great grandfather Kasimir Ga£ęzowski immigrated to the Austrian Bukovina with his wife and children. What scant evidence we have indicates it must have been around the time of the first partition of Poland. He had a son, Tomasz who married Salomea (her surname unknown, but her Christian name is Polish so we assume she was as well). Their son's name was registered as Johann Galenczowski, the first spelling change. Two things to note. One is his Christian name is Germanic - I haven't (yet!) encountered that first name among Polish men, at least back when Johann was born in 1824. The second is the letters N and C were inserted into the spelling. I understand why the N was inserted but the C has me puzzled. Joahnn's son, my great grandfather, Karl immigrated to North America with his brothers and sisters. Here the spelling changed again. The C and W both disappeared and the name became Galenzoski. These are documented changes and I can only conclude that along the way letters were added or removed to match spelling to pronunciation to match the language conventions of the dominant culture As a footnote, some family members in North America changed the surname to Gale after WWII. Sad to say there was a lot of prejudice against the Polish refugees who were seeking safe haven after the war, but that was temporary once the second generation came along.

BTW - I'm seeking information on the Ga£ęzowskis in Poland.

Genealogy / Polish looks? [1462]

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 / Polish looks? [1462]

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? [1462]

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