Genealogy / Trying to locate my grandparents names, where to start the search? [19]

Ivonashaver....I can understand the frustration, Ive experienced the same thing on a house purchase because your mother married they look into your fathers line.

If you know where and when your father was born, get a copy of his birth cert. this will have your granddads full name, and your grandmothers maiden name. From there you could check army records to see if perhaps he served in the forces, and these record hold a lot of information.

As sugested look into your Grandads things you could find a Aliens Registration Book when he arrived in Sweeden, or perhaps when he arrived in England, these have date and place of birth registered in them.

The big problem is Polish authorities demand original copies (so get two or three when ordering).These will have to be translated by a sworn translator in Poland, they did not accept translations from a English Buero.

Its a long and difficult road and you may ask yourself.......Why do I want a Polish passport?

Good Luck........

Genealogy / Zelem family - Southeast poland [73]

Hi msoroski. I'll certainly will look into those names for you, Ive a lady cousin who lives in Ropica Gorna (formaly Ruska), she may remember your Mother. Antonima was the name of her sister which makes a good memory link, and the time scale is in living memory.

The names Micheal , Stefan, Jan and Antomina are all featuered in my family and used repeatedly over generations, this makes life a little confusing, not knowing exactly which "Jan" they are speaking of at any given time. Also there are several Zelem lines in this area not directly linked. Another female cousin married a Zelem didn't even have to change her name after getting wed.

I could look for your grandads grave providing the inscription is not in Ukrainian, a lot of pre war markers are.
You don't say where you Mum is buried ?.

BTW. country weddings are superb............ .......:0)))

Genealogy / Half-Polish. How to obtain a dual nationality quickly? [15]

Hi Maggyz


He's right you know, I'm in the middle of getting the right to buy proprty in Poland and this is now going on for a whole 12 months, I have 100% blood decendants but by hell you've got to proove this beyond doubt.

Another big thing is Poland do's not do duel nationality it's Polish or not.

But good luck....... :0)

Genealogy / Claiming WW2 medals for Polish father [37]


Hi Pan Tadek...form c.s.20 is a brown postcard size card.

If you can't find it I suggest you ring or write to,

APC Polish Enquiries
RAF Northolt
building 60
West End Road
Ruislip
middlesex ha4 6ng.
tele. 020 8833 8603
email polishasstdisoff@northolt.raf.mod.uk

Personly I'd telephone first because you may need to supply documents and a letter of authority from your father in order to make a claim.

But hey they're realy nice people there.

Good Luck.....

Travel / Driving to Poland from England - any tips? [264]

Hi Folks ....its been a while.

Done the drive from Manchester England to Gorlice in south east Poland many times, 1400 miles .
Done it by myself and with the wife and lad. Driving a bmw & land rover and traier,
but the best is a motorhome
If you feel tired pull over and go to sleep..... for as long as you like.
If the place looks interesting stay longer.
If your hungry stop and fry a egg.

What I'm realy saying is "whats the rush ?" Take your time and enjoy the trip.

And don't go faster than your Guardian Angel can fly................. :0)

Law / Registration procedure of a new vehicle in Poland - I have 1 year flat contract and meldunek, is it enough? [7]


NO... I had just bought a house in Poland that took almost 18 months, even though both parents are Polish.
So I bought a car with Polish registration from a Polish man in England and drove the thing back to Poland thinking I would save myself the problem when I'm there................. Not quite so.

First came the Insurance, I could insure my home no problem, but the car can't do it without a Nip ( Poland's equivalence to a British national insurance number).

Then spent a day paying the taxes and a visit to a agent who specialises in registration paid the fees and everything was to be OK......No

No Nip no registration.............And I should not have bought a car with Polish reg in England... its illegal...and the car was confiscated.
The car then was bought back from the authorities by my cousin and he insured and registered it, the whole process took months due to my return to England for a while.

Poland is full of red tape, especially when it comes to non nationals.
Things might change next year 2012 apparently there is a lobby to simplify things to fall in line with the rest of europe.

If I were you I'd get a friend to register the car and insure it with you as a part owner.

The thought has occurred, If you had a new European I.D. card would the have to be accepted ???.

Food for thought................. :0)

Genealogy / Looking for Glowniak family from Oleśnica Poland. [12]


My Farther was also born in Olesnica, and indeed parish records were destroyed in the war. However I was able to obtain a copy of his birth cetificate from the archives kept in Stopnica town hall.

There was a small charge of 6zl per copy and I needed proof of kinship and a valid reason for obtaining these. The whole process didnt take a hour but I was there in person.

Genealogy / Looking for Glowniak family from Oleśnica Poland. [12]

bbqbob
I dont know for certain but I should imagine copies of all parish entries are kept there. It all seemed quite well oganised and obligeing.

Travel / Ryanair travel by air - subtle scams to be wary of [98]

Ryanair is value for money.
I travel 3-5 times a year with Ryanair Manchester to Rzeszow or Kracow depending on availability.
I dont want pampering on a short flight, dont need to eat or a pillow and blankets.
If I'm nice to the cabin crew they are nice in return.
Booked again for march and at £36.00 return including all charges, all I'm hoping for is someone nice to talk to.... :0)

Classifieds / Meeting / English Club in Rzeszów [21]

I'll be flying int Rzeszow on Saturday the 2nd march,and usualy stay overnight before taking the bus to Gorlice sunday morning.
So if anyone is interested I usualy take somthing to eat at 'Szynk Rzeszowski' in Rynek, then wash it down with a beer or two.

Would be glad of the company, so if your free please join me ................. :0)

Classifieds / Meeting / English Club in Rzeszów [21]

Its no big deal, will carry on as usual.
So there is still big snows ? Ill have to arange the drive to be cleared at my home................... :0)