The BEST Guide to POLAND
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Posts by Softsong  

Joined: 2 Sep 2007 / Female ♀ 		Last Post: 16 Sep 2014
Threads: Total: 5 / Live: 0 / Archived: 5
Posts: Total: 493 / Live: 330 / Archived: 163 		From: USA, Myrtle Beach
Speaks Polish?: No
Interests: History of Poland, psychology, music

Displayed posts: 330 / page 5 of 11
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Softsong   
17 Mar 2011
Genealogy / Family name Kustosz [13]

Genealogy is BIG in the USA now. Some of us began way before it became so popular. A TV series that ancestry.com sponsors follows famous movie stars and other people finding their roots.

So, yes, other people besides Poles search for their ancestors, and better yet, cousins on the other side of the pond.

You can verify if there is a connection when you also find out the names of your grandparent's brothers and sisters, or your great grandparent's brothers and sisters. Most people only know the straight line they descend from. So, if you know the branches of your straight line, you can confirm that they are related.

Or, you can really get into it and take Y-DNA samples to see if males of a common surname are related. :-)
Softsong   
17 Mar 2011
Genealogy / Family name Kustosz [13]

I was in Ostrowite, Poland this past July!

It's a lovely little village on a small lake with it's own post office. The main town near Ostrowite is Rypin. (If it is the same Ostrowite). Sometimes there are a number of small villages in various places throughout Poland with the same name.

My grandmother lived in a nearby village called Przyrowa. The whole area is dotted with glacial lakes and rye fields.

Right now, there are some beautiful lots for sale on the lake. If I could move back to Poland, this is where I would make my home.

Here is a google map showing you the location of this Ostowite which was part of Russian-Poland at the time your ancestor emigrated.

maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Ostrowite,+Poland&aq=&vps=1&sll=53.065564,19.36203&sspn=0.044665,0.175781&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ostrowite,+Rypin+County,+Kuyavian-Pomeranian+Voivodeship,+Poland
Softsong   
8 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

Well, I may take you up on this someday Harry and Delph. I would love to volunteer at any of those places. I'm a mixed breed (Polish and German descent) third-generation American and I never claim to be Polish or German. But I do love Poland. You can have a fondness for a country, even though you know you belong to another one.

I've been to Poland three times and each time my heart swells with love for the people and the land. I have been tempted to retire there. Not sure how it work out being that I am not an EU citizen. Or how my small social security from the States would work out, if there was a way for an American to stay there. I suppose there is some basis that I could get either German or Polish citizenship based on my ancestry, but then I would be a "traiter" to the country of my birth, if I were to listen to your reasoning. And it would be hard for me to leave my grand kids behind in the USA. Their lives are here.

And this last time in Poland, I did help. It was not a tourist trip, but a trip to all the places where my family once lived and I contributed to the upkeep of the local cemetery, and the church. Not much, but I am a grandmother with two grand kids to support. But to have Poland in my heart, why should I have to brag about something that I did for Poland? It is enough to have an interest in, and good wishes for Poland, IMO.

I also believe isthatu2 has a good point, that here in the States those further removed from their roots can be the most vocal and yet the most uninformed about current things in the old country. It's an understandable thing though. It seems that a lot of these threads degenerate into who loves Poland more. I would love to see it more that anyone who has an interest is welcome here. Granted there are those whose "love" of Poland is a rant about other countries, and they seem racist. There is nothing that says we have to like them as individuals, but why make all people feel that they have to pass some kind of test to be interested in Poland.
Softsong   
8 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

The thread did veer off topic, but I believe that the majority of people on this forum would agree that getting "everything back" is more trouble than it is worth.

There are always some who would want to pursue it, but the course of wisdom is to leave things as they are with all the neighboring countries of Europe getting along peacefully.
Softsong   
7 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

I wonder if any polls exist that measure the level of racism of amongst Polonia

There must be as sociologists study just about everything. I am looking but so far have not hit on the right search. I did find an article about Polonia that touches on the subject.

"...... Poles, Slovaks, Russians and Jews mingled together quite often. Poles are present also among other exotic immigrants just like in takes place in Detroit. It is amazing how well Poles and other nationalities can coexist together here in America whereas their mutual history in Europe was sometimes so violent."

culture.polishsite.us/articles/art49fr.htm
Softsong   
7 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

I always knew, you're a little hippie, (lol)

Yeah...kind of. lol

But, in school there was no choice! It was part of our assembly hall program. It was cool though to have famous people visit and lead the group.

I had a hard time being accepted there, at first, too. There was about 3% White students in the school. I was always threatened to be beat up after class. But the kids in my own class came to see that I was open-minded and they would walk me to the bus stop and tell the others that I was o.k.
Softsong   
7 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

Would you agree that there is far more racist rubbish posted here by Polonia than by Poles?

Not sure how to answer this, but in general people who are fearful and/or less educated tend to be racist. If you are in Poland and not worried about people coming for your jobs or whatever you think will happen as a result of immigration, you may not think to post racist stuff.

If you have a tenuous thread on your economic situation and you see someone coming into the country where you live, it is easier to demonize them as being bad because of your own fears. I no longer live near major centers of Polonia. So it would be hard for me to give first-hand experiences.

Some here on the forum have made the distinction between large centers of Polish immigrants in the USA who are still Polish citizens, those who have naturalized and still live near other Polish citizens in the USA, and those who had a Polish ancestor and could live anywhere in the USA. It would be interesting to be able to compare their attitudes. But like with any other thread on PF, the answer usually is that it is hard to generalize. There are very open-minded people and closed-minded people in all walks of life.

Maybe some Polish-Americans think that they will be better received on PF if they show just how "Polish" they are by how anti-anything else that has ever threatened Poland they are.
Softsong   
7 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

Thanks for the additional information skysoulmate. Very true about racism. I remember how when I lived up north, neighborhoods could be broken up by hinting that Blacks were moving in.

I actually lived through the mandated integration of the public schools in NYC. Where neighborhoods were Black and the students all Black, a certain amount of White students were bused into the Black neighborhoods from adjoining neighborhoods. I would be listening to Harry Belafonte lead civil rights songs in our auditorium, as we all joined hands singing "We Shall Over Come." I really began to forget that I was a descendant of Poles and Germanic people.

When I moved down south, I did see a few KKK parades in South Carolina. But, yes, for the most part, the KKK is seen in a very negative light by most people north and south.

Fear makes people do strange and hateful things from time to time. Thank goodness that era is over.
Softsong   
7 Mar 2011
History / When will Russia and Germany return the things they took from the Polish in Poland ? [49]

I have not researched the KKK, but generally speaking, I doubt most Polish immigrants (at least the ones from the early 1900's) would join such a group.

Most immigrants come to the USA in the north where of course racism exists, but the KKK was most active in the south.

Interesting question though, maybe I'll dig around and look. O.K. The KKK formed largely in the 1920's and in addition to being against Blacks and Jews, they frowned on immigration. At that time there was the belief that northern Europeans were superior to eastern Europeans and southern European immigrants. Plus the KKK was Protestant. Therefore, not only would it be odd for a Pole to join this group, they would be considered undesirable and not allowed.

ehistory.osu.edu/osu/mmh/clash/Imm_KKK/anti-immigrationKKK-page1.htm
Softsong   
7 Mar 2011
Genealogy / Aleksiewicz Surname - Looking for my ancestors [10]

Here is a map that shows where people with a certain last name are concentrated in modern Poland. I searched for Aleksiewicz, you could also put in the variant name of Alexsiewicz in the search field to get an idea where to look in Poland.

moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/aleksiewicz.html

That is what I did with my surname of Bubacz. This can be helpful if the surname is relatively rare. Since the name Bubacz was most highly concentrated in the Poznan area, I went to the Poznan Marriage Project to search for a marriage record. I knew the names and date of birth of the bride and groom as well as the names of their parents, so if they were from the Poznan area, it would be easy to find the right record. I lucked out after searching for years in the USA to find some record to get me across the ocean to Poland. None of the ship's records, or naturalization records told what area they were from other than Prussian Poland.

In your case, your bride and groom were born after the time period covered by the Poznan Marriage Project, but I searched for the name Aleksiewicz/Alexsiewicz to see what parishes in Poznan had people with this last name.

bindweed.man.poznan.pl/posen/search.php#search

Results for 'Aleksiewicz'
Exact matches:

Found 4 exact matches

Catholic parish in Grodzisk Wielkopolski [Grätz], entry # 21 in 1838 score: Groom: 100%

Thomas Aleksiewicz (26)

Rosalia Kandulska (25)

Catholic parish in Grodzisk Wielkopolski [Grätz], entry # 32 in 1869 score: Bride: 100%

Joseph Golczak (23)

Susanna Aleksiewicz (24)

Catholic parish in Rajsko, entry # 18 in 1843 score: Bride: 100%

Paulus Błaszczak

Catharina Aleksiewicz

Catholic parish in Słupca, entry # 38 in 1865 score: Groom: 100%

Laurentius Aleksiewicz (21) father: Nepomucenus, mother: Rosalia

Antonina Byczkoska (20)
Approximate matches

Catholic parish in Ociąż, entry # 3 in 1833 score: Bride: 79%

Simon Borkowski (27)

Francisca Aleksiewiczówna alias Liskiewicz (20)

Catholic parish in Dębowo, entry # 18 in 1869 score: Bride: 75%

Antonius Grzybowski (24) father: Andreas, mother: Marianna

Agnes Alexiewicz (24) father: Joseph, mother: Marianna

Catholic parish in Słupca, entry # 17 in 1835 score: Groom: 75%

Nepomucenus Alexiewicz (40) father: Thomas, mother: Helena

Rosalia Rewers (25) father: Simon +, mother: Victoria Kornat Additional information: wdowiec po Zofii Gładyszewskiej

Catholic parish in Słupca, entry # 10 in 1839 score: Bride: 75%

Vincentius Constantinus Pawłowski (46) father: Simon +, mother: Constantia +

Agnes Elmer nee Alexiewicz (39) father: Alexander +, mother: Catharina Additional information: wdowiec po Agacie Chmielewskiej/wdowa po Piotrze Elmer zm. 1817

Catholic parish in Słupca, entry # 20 in 1849 score: Bride: 75%

Joseph Chojnacki (24)

Rosalia Alexiewicz (35) Additional information: vidua

Catholic parish in Słupca, entry # 13 in 1858 score: Bride: 75%

Stanislaus Podgorski (28)

Magdalena Alexiewicz (18)

Catholic parish in Słupca, entry # 14 in 1864 score: Groom: 75%

Adam Alexiewicz (21)

Ludovica Jarecka (24)

Catholic parish in Wronczyn, entry # 9 in 1855 score: Bride: 75%

Stephanus Kryzaniak (29)

Eleonora Alexiewicz (25)

I found Regina Dąmbek by her married name of Regina Aleksiewicz in the Social Security Death index. The index is free. For a fee, you may apply for a copy of her original application filled out in her own handwriting. The application usually lists the names of her parents. Once you know her parent's names, you may find the above information on the Poznan Marriage Project of more value to you. :-)

ALEKSIEWICZ, REGINA 29 Sep 1893 Mar 1969 75 03466 (West Chesterfield, Cheshire, NH) (none specified) Vermont 008-38-9235
Softsong   
6 Mar 2011
History / Slavic vs Germanic thinking.... and the philosophical differences [251]

Well if it makes you feel better he was in his 40s-50s

Sooner or later it happens.

Well, I am a little chubby, but I have hair like Stevie Nicks so I guess I am in no danger of being bald anytime soon. :-)

softsong and I are friends.

Yes...we are. There are only a few people I dislike. lololol
Just kidding guesswho. I must be in a silly mood today.

((((((((guesswho))))))))
Softsong   
3 Mar 2011
Travel / The best surfing beaches in Poland? [12]

When I was in Gdańsk, the surf looked pretty flat. I'm not a surfer, but my sons are and so I noticed. There are some spots though along the Baltic, and here is a site that shows the most popular:

wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/Poland/
Softsong   
22 Feb 2011
History / If Poland didn't exist, how did citizens become Polish? [57]

*Blushes* Awwwww....I love it! Thanks!

I know what you mean though. I love the South in the USA, but the first time someone called me Ma'am when I was merely twenty-something, I felt ancient!
Softsong   
22 Feb 2011
History / If Poland didn't exist, how did citizens become Polish? [57]

Guesswho, it would be too boring to examine all my family lines. Basically, the ethnic German lines had lived in Russian-Poland for 250 years A few had great-grandparents that lived across the border in West Prussia in what is now Brodnica, Poland but was W. Strasburg at the time.

And a very long time ago, they came from the Gdańsk delta area as part of the Dutch settlements. They must have mixed with the local Prussian Germans, and began speaking a version of Low German that had a lot of Flemish influence.

So, Before that, most likely they came from the Spanish Netherlands in search of religious freedom, Frisia, and Northern Germany. But that was way before I traced any of my individual lines. It has taken me long enough just to get back to the late 1600's with certainty. lol

Therefore, what I said holds true, they did not have memories of Germany or Prussia that they held onto, but memories of Poland. Yet, they fully felt they were German ethnically and spoke Low German at home, high German in the cities, and also spoke Polish. Some knew Russian as well.

I DO have ethnically Polish family on my mother's side, and they were Prussian citizens. So, the nationalities of my family were generally switched from their ethnicity.
Softsong   
15 Feb 2011
History / If Poland didn't exist, how did citizens become Polish? [57]

Guesswho, I understand what you are saying. If they had been from West Prussia or East Prussia, they may not have missed Poland. My family's position was different than ethnic Germans who lived in places that had been part of Germany. This part of my family that I refer to were originally part of the Dutch/North Germans/Frisians who lived in the delta areas of Gdańsk and gradually migrated down the Vistula River. They were invited into Poland to help drain the swamps and were allowed to have German schools, and communities. My grandmother and her family lived in Congress Poland for close to 250 years. They never had German citizenship so did not feel the way Germans who lived in Danzig/Gdańsk felt. They received German citizenship once they arrived in Germany based on their speaking German and having German surnames.

Poland was their home. They did not like the Russians occupying their country during the partitions. They got along with the Polish nobles and their Polish neighbors, but they maintained Low German, and a sense of being ethnically German. So, yes.They truly missed Poland with all their hearts and wrote poetry lamenting the loss of their home.

One man who is also a distant relative, fled to Germany and then to Canada. He says that when he hears the national anthem of Germany or Canada, it fails to move him. The only anthem that moves him is the Polish anthem. They were in a very tough spot. But thankfully, they are happy now.
Softsong   
15 Feb 2011
History / If Poland didn't exist, how did citizens become Polish? [57]

Although my immediate family were all in the United States before WWII, and did not have to deal with the expulsions of ethnic Germans, my Witzke-Laskowska grandmother had two brothers, and two sisters who were still in Poland.

Her two brothers and one sister fled to Germany. My grandmother's other sister and her family wanted to stay in Poland, and continue being Polish citizens. The family consisted of my grandmother's sister, her husband, four sons, and one daughter who was married with a three year old, and pregnant.

Two of my grandmother's sister's sons were killed by Russians. Her husband and her sixteen year old son were murdered by Poles. Her daughter went into premature labor after the news of her father and younger brother, and she bled to death, and the unborn baby died. The three year old was brought up by his father who lost a leg in the war. My grandmother's sister was put into a Polish work camp. Years later, she and her one remaining son joined her brothers and sisters in Germany. I only have found out about this recently as I have been searching for information about what happened to my grandmother's family.

When I was in Poland this past summer, I found distant relatives of the family who had stayed in Poland and live there now. One man was very nice to me. He now runs the farm where my grandmother grew up. Many of these people are fixing up the old German cemeteries and acknowledging that while they are Polish, they have German heritage, too. My understanding was that the only ethnic Germans who could stay in Poland after WWII were those who had married into a Polish family. I do understand that Poland never expelled them, but it was part of the Potsdam Treaty. On my mother's side in Poznan, I probably have a lot of relatives, but I have not done much genealogy on that part of my family yet. I really love Poland and have been there three times. I go to Germany for the first time this April and will meet my father's cousins. One is 90 years old and was so surprised and happy that I found her. They are all well and happy now, but missed Poland dreadfully for many years.
Softsong   
15 Feb 2011
History / If Poland didn't exist, how did citizens become Polish? [57]

Zimmy, that could have something to do with it. Her surname was Schmidt, but her given name was Ludwika. My maternal grandfather's sister's background was mainly German though, other than their grandmother had the surname Wilk, which I believe is wolf in Polish.

I do have family that are probably mixed. My German grandmother on my father's side also was from Russian-Poland. Her father was a Witzke, and her mother a Laskowska. But I believe Laskowska was a Polonized version of an earlier German name.

And the German grandfather who became American in 1928, married an ethnic Polish lady in America. Both sides of her family were Polish, (Poznan), but they had German nationality. My mother grew up speaking Polish. Her father spoke Polish, Russian and Low German. My father grew up speaking German.

With the existence of the partitions and my Poles being from Prussia, and my Germans from Russian-Poland, answering the common American question of what are you has always been somewhat of a challenge for me! :-D