Holy Cross Cemetery

Burials in my family at Holy Cross Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan span over 100 years. The last family member buried there was Thomas Peterson (my brother-in-law) in 2019. The first ones were Klementyna (Golabiowskia) Raczkiewicz (my grandfather’s first wife) and Bronislawa, their child in 1918. My Mother (and others) still tend to family gravesites in the cemetery. It was founded as the Polish Catholic Cemetery. The cemetery is pretty large, at 55 acres. It is located next to West Catholic High School, one of two Catholic high schools within the city of Grand Rapids. I grew up within walking distance of this cemetery. It is one of five Catholic Cemeteries run by the Diocese of Grand Rapids. One of the most notable people buried at Holy Cross was a Hall of Fame professional boxer known as the “Michigan Assassin.” He was born 1886 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to a Polish immigrant family and raised in West Michigan. He had his first professional fight in 1903. By 1910, his final total was 54 wins, 49 by knockout, with 4 losses and 4 draws. He was worn out from a fighting style that was fierce. He was murdered the same year, possibly by a jealous boyfriend of a woman he was involved with. His body was returned to Grand Rapids for the largest funeral ever in the city until that of ex-President Gerald R. Ford. Jan Raczkiewicz (my great uncle) was living in the Polish westside for a few months at the time period of this funeral. There are still mysteries to solve related to people buried in this cemetery. For instance, I recently had the pleasure of meeting sisters Joan Kessler and Susan VandenBerg. They are related to Andrzej Dubiel on his Dubiel side. I am related to Andrzej on his Raczkiewicz side. Anna and her husband Walter Roczniak, settled in northern Michigan after immigrating from Poland. They eventually ended up in Grand Haven, Michigan. There are six Dubiels buried in Grand Rapids -- are they related or is it from a different family? Also, there are a few Raczkiewicz that I do not know who they are and I can’t find my grandpa’s oldest brother here or anywhere else. They have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holy-Cross-Cemetery-Mausoleum/115825171771369 Here is a link to search records within the cemetery: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/738/holy-cross-cemetery

Rogozno Part 2: From Curt Wolf

Why would this group of Germans move east? (George Eiffler was Curt Wolf’s 5x great grandfather) At the time of George Eiflers arrival to Poland in 1784, both the land in Germany and Poland was ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty of the Austrian Empire. To extend their wealth, the Hapsburgs wanted people to settle these empty lands to the east. There was a notable nobleman in Poland’s history named Andrzej Zamoyst who worked a deal with the Hapsburgs to have these families come live on his estate. The Emperor paid for their travel, new housing, livestock, and many other things. George Eifler, who lived on less and poorer land in the foothills than the offer in Poland figured this was a much better situation so he went for it. None of the “colonists”, as they were called, were forced to go but went freely for their own economic advantage. Each colonist family signed the contract along with Zamoyst and a representative from the Hapsburg family. According to the contract, George received 40 acres to lease with his family The actual contract . . . is a fascinating read of a “do it yourself commune of the 18th century”! Andrzej Zamoyst was well respected, holding one of the highest positions in Poland. He was considered a great man of integrity, was influenced by the enlightened principles that gave birth to America, and was the first of the large landowners in Poland to create positive reforms in the abusive Serfdom system. It is nice to know that our ancestors enjoyed some of these reforms. This contract was for the most part honored by many families until the early 1900s although some released themselves from the contract over time. The Russians honored it when they took over the area from the Hapsburgs in 1815 but it was totally disregarded when Russia turned communist. Finally, to keep these “family writings” within reasonable length, I will end with a paragraph summarizing the contract done by a descendant of the Thor colonist family. More on the Eiflers next time before we get to the Niedzwiedzki side. Curt Contract Summary: It was December 1784, when the Thors came to Zamość with representatives of, among others of the Klaudel families (Claudel spelled at the time), Gryn, Sprenger, Belz, Müller, Albinger, Pfeiffer, Lambert, Szmidt, Tur, Altmajer, Eifler, Bender and others. Among hundreds of colonist families, 90 were farmers, the rest were craft families. Among them was a blacksmith, carpenter, carpenter, miller, tailor, shoemaker, fisherman, beekeeper, stonemason, and nail builder. Settlers were settled in various places of the Zamość Ordinance. Eight families in each of the following colonies: Białobrzegi, Huszczka, Płoskie, and Zamch. Six in the Brody Stare colony, five in the Rosary colony, nine in the Korchów colony, 10 in the Rogóźno colony and 12 in the Sitaniec colony. On February 28, 1785, at the Zamoyski estate office in Zamość, the ordinate Andrzej Zamoyski signed a contract with German settlers. Zamość contract. 100 colonists (including four illiterates) and a representative of the Austrian authorities signed it. The contract concluded for eternal times, precisely defined rights and obligations in 44 points. He normalized that every farming family would receive from the ordinance in a designated colony 30 morgas (40 acres) of land for development, including the arrangement of an orchard, vegetable garden and meadow. He warned that artisans could not have more than 15 morgas so that they would not neglect their profession. Within 2 years, the ordinate undertook to build a residential house for the colonists, consisting of a large room, a chamber and a kitchen with a brick oven and a chimney, which led to the roof. Covered with straw and a wooden floor in living quarters. Each farm was to have a wooden stable for 8 cattle and a granary for grain at the cost of the ordinate. Each settled family was to receive, in proportion to its land, in the first spring of settlement 2 horses, one gelding and one mare, 2 draft oxen, 2 cows and 1 sow, all of the best species. And also 1 iron forged wagon, iron plow, 2 wooden harrows with iron teeth and an iron shovel. The value of dead and livestock was to be returned in six installments over a period of six years, starting from January 1791. The contract regulated the issues of farm inheritance, compensation, obtaining wood for fuel from ordinance forests, courts, rents, taxes, settlements, and fortunes. He stipulated that in the event of neglect, rascality, bad will, destruction of the farm by the settler or rent debts, the ordinate may remove the colonist without compensation.

Sabaudia youtube

Anthony Raczkiewicz (my grandfather) and his siblings were born in Sabaudia, near the city of Tomaszów Lubelski. This video will give you a glimpse of the village: “The very name of the village of Sabaudia reminds us exceptionally European. No wonder, because apart from Poles, it was also founded by foreigners, five Germans and a Dane. Until today, some residents have retained foreign-sounding surnames and remember their ancestors who came to this area in 1840 looking for their place. Today's inhabitants praise their town very much. They have good access to the city, beautiful views and a school. The Tomaszów Lubelski commune has made many investments for them: a new road or lighting are just two of many examples of investments, which often use European Union funds. It is also thanks to them that the Polish countryside develops, becomes more friendly to its inhabitants and more attractive to tourists and new settlers. While traveling through the Tomaszów Lubelski Commune, we will visit every town in this commune. We will show people who create it, the traditions that are cultivated there, monuments worth visiting and the quiet, idyllic life of the inhabitants of this wonderful region.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJ50bNX5rw

Laszczow Used to Have Many Jewish Inhabitants

My Mother’s DNA included 4% Jewish which means it could be anywhere between 1 and 6%. If there is a relative or more that was Jewish, I have not yet found that out. Because Laszczow had such a large population of people who were Jewish, I wondered if there was any connection. There is a list of over a hundred Jewish households from this time period that lived in Laszczow and I do not recognize any of the names as surnames in our family. . http://chelm.freeyellow.com/laszczow.html ----------------------------- Laszczow had a large Jewish community, They made a living in trade of grain and craft and lived in the Market Square. There was a Jewish printing house. The Jewish population increased over the 19th century from 826 people in 1827 to 1,621 ipeople n 1897. At that point, Jews were over 90% of the population. In the 20th century, Laszcow was mainly Jewish. The area suffered many times from attacks from various sources. A Jewish surgeon, Alfrons Brawstedt opened a 30 bed hospital that treated men wounded in the November Uprising (1830-1831.) In 1920, the Russians attacked the town, harming and killing many people. Many fled and those that remained lived in poverty. In 1939 the Nazis occupied the town and over the next several years sent the inhabitants to slave labor and death camps. Few survived. On Christmas Eve, 1942, 75 Poles were murdered in retaliation for an earlier confrontation between several villagers and four armed German police officers. In 1944 the Ukranian Insurgent Army burnt down the village. -------------------------------------------- http://iajgscemetery.org/eastern-europe/poland/laszczow https://sztetl.org.pl/en/towns/l/713-laszczow/99-history/137619-history-of-community Image: Tomasz Zugaj, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons https://www.historiaregionu.org/posty-autorstwa-slawomira-litkowca?lang=pl article about 1942 75 Poles killed

Where are you from?

I am learning how to ask and answer this question in Polish. POLSKA, GŁÓWNE MIASTA Skąd Pan / Pani jest? (where are you from? - formal) Skąd jesteś? (where are you from? - informal) Jestem z Krakowa. Jestem z Rzeszowa. Jestem z Opola. Jestem z Warszawy. Jestem z Nowego Jorku. Jestem z Ameryki. Jestem z Francji. Jestem z Japonii. Jestem z Hiszpanii. Jestem z Polski. Image: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2964084

Tomaszów Lubelski Youtube Video

This is the last video in the series highlighting areas within the gmina of Tomaszów Lubelski (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomasz%C3%B3w_Lubelski) I previously shared videos from this same series about places relatives lived such as Sabaudia, Górno, Majdan Górny, Rogóźno and Łaszczówka. Even though most of us can not understand the language, you will see glimpses of the area: the White Mountains near Goŕno, a roadside shrine in Sabaudia, cultural activities happening in Majdan Goŕny, and a soccer field in Łaszczówka The video link is on the Polish Family History Facebook page.

House Numbers: Wisniowski (Tomaszow Lubelski)

Blazej Wisniowski and Jagnieska nee Szczesnicka (my 4x great grandparents) may have moved around a bit. Blazej is referred to as “famous” in the middle of the time period captured -- 1813 to 1818 -- I am not sure if that is due to his work in pottery or to differentiate him from a Blazej who was in the “poor house.” Blazej Wisniowski and single mother Anna Paszkoska had a child Francis in 1814 when he lived in the poor house and she worked there. This was located at #27. This is a different Blazej My 4x great grandparents had various house numbers in the records for the time period of 1813 to 1817. (349, 360, 36, 36, 339, 339, 276) The Blazej that is my 4x great grand parent and his wife Jagnieska had their son Wojcieh in 1813, #349. In 1815, Blazej Wisniowski and Jagnieska nee Szczesnicka had Jozef in their house #360. A year later Jozef dies and the house is recorded as #36. Anna is born the the “famous” Blazaz in 1817 in his house #339. Anna died the following year (1817) in their house #339. In 1818, they had another child named Anna and she was born in #276. The Wisniowski family was potters. The other family of potters--the Wiciejewski family-- lived in the area of 206 and 207.

House Numbers: Kurkiewicz (Tomaszow Lubelski)

Antoni Kurkiewicz and Marianna nee Kiszczynska (my 4x great grandparents) lived in house 60 from 1812 to 1814 then moved lived in house #16 and #17 for several years (1815-1818.) By 1823, they lived in house #23. Marianna’s mother died in house #89 in 1814. ********** Details: Antoni Kurkiewicz and Marianna nee Kiszczynska (my 4x great grandparents) had their child Jagniezka in 1812 in their house #60. In 1814, Marianna (Kisczynska) Kurkiewicz’ mother Justyna Kiszczynska died in #89. Anthony Kudlicka was a neighbor.Their son Jozef was born in 1815 in #60. Their daughter Jagnieszka died in 1815 in house #16. In 1818, their daughter Katarzyna was born in house #17. In 1821, daughter Apolonia was born in house #76. In 1823, Wincenty was born in his father’s house #76. In 1823, 2 month old Felix died in his parents’ house #76. ********** Other Kurkiewicz: Tomasz Kurkiewicz was born in house #432 in 1814. His father Walenty Kurkiewicz was later married to my 4th great aunt, Katarzyna Wiciejewska. In 1817, Walenty’s wife Aniela (nee Kata) died in the same house. Some of the Kurkiewicz’s lived in the 200’s like the Kaszucki family. Ezekiel Kurkiewicz was born to Antoni Kurkiewicz and mother Xenia (nee Bratkiewicz) in house #247 in 1817. Antoni’s father was Pawel Kurkiewicz. Pawel died in 1818 in house #77. In 1821 Antoni Kurkiewicz died in #244 (his own house) and his brother-in-law, a blacksmith was a witness. In 1823, Tekla Kurkiewicz was born to Konstanty Kurkieiwcz and Apolonia nee Jablonska in house #75. The next year in 1824, daughter Katarzyna was born in the same house.

House Numbers: Kaszucki story (Tomaszow Lubelski)

The records on the Kaszucki side include some house numbers. These would all be in the city of Tomaszow Lubelski. I don’t know if they lived and worked their trade in the same building but if they did, these would also be the addresses of their business. Only one of the references includes a street name-- 219 Krasnobrodzki Street. I don’t know if the other numbers in the 200 range (204, 206, 207, 213, 215, 225) were all on the same street. Most of the addresses were in the 200 block, the only others were 106, 160, and 425. The time period is 1814 to 1827. All the addresses refer to the three Kaszucki brothers from Uhnow: Andrzej, Fedory and Teodore. Two were furriers and one was a shoemaker. ********** Andrzej Kaszucki’s (a furrier)and his wife Salomea nee Wiciejewska (my 3x great grandparents) do not have records where their house number is given. There are records that her parents Maciej Wiciejewski and Marianna nee Metalska (my 4x great grandparents) lived in #206 and later in #207. (Maybe like my grandparent’s address in Grand Rapids, this is the same building.) The Wiciejewski family occupation was potters. The other family of potters--the Wisniewski family lived at 276 and also in the 300s. Andrzej and Salomea had their first child Mikolaj in Salomea’s parent's house #27 (207?) in 1823-- so they were either visiting or living there at the time. Their son Jozef was born in 1824, also in Salomea’s father’s house. The number is given as 27 but may have been 207. ********** Prior to this, Salomea’s siblings were born and/or died in houses #160, 206 and 106. In house number #206 was Marianna (d. 1814 at age one)--Rafal Lusawicki, shoemaker is a witness. Jozef (b. 1815)--Michal Kudliki, a master shoemaker is one of the witnesses. Antonina (b. 1816)--Jozef Kudlicki, witness is a shoemaker , and twins Wojciech and Konstancja (b. 1819)-- a cooper and Michal Kudlicki, shoemaker are witnesses, While #206 was written for many births and deaths of the family of Maciej and Marianna Wiciejewski, when their son Jozef died in 1815 at 15 weeks old, their house address was given as 106 instead of 206. Father Maciej is a potter, Rafal Lusawicki is a neighbor A few years later Jozef was born in house number 207 (in 1824.) ********** While #206 was written for many births and deaths of the family of Maciej and Marianna Wiciejewski, when their son Jozef died in 1815 at 15 weeks old, their house address was given as 106 instead of 206. Father Maciej is a potter, Rafal Lusawicki is a neighbor.There are additional births and deaths that happen in # 106. Two years before in 1813, Anna Mirowska, wife of Maciej Mirowska, shoemaker died. Marcin Halkiewicz (son of Antoni H & Malgorzata Mirowska) was born in 1820 in 106. His father was a shoemaker. Father shoemaker, In 1824, in his own home which was #106, Maciej Mirowski (age 76 and a shoemaker) died.. Michal Kudlicki, a neighbor who was a shoemaker was one witness. Adam Halkiewicz was born here in 1825 (parents Antoni Halkiewicz & Malgorzata Mirowski.)The father was a shoemaker. A weaver and barrel maker were witnesses.

House numbers: Kaszucki side

House Numbers: Kaszucki story The records on the Kaszucki side include some house numbers. These would all be in the city of Tomaszow Lubelski. I don’t know if they lived and worked their trade in the same building but if they did, these would also be the addresses of their business. Only one of the references includes a street name-- 219 Krasnobrodzki Street. I don’t know if the other numbers in the 200 range (204, 206, 207, 213, 215, 225) were all on the same street. Most of the addresses were in the 200 block, the only others were 106, 160, and 425. The time period is 1814 to 1827. All the addresses refer to the three Kaszucki brothers from Uhnow: Andrzej, Fedory and Teodore. Two were furriers and one was a shoemaker. ********** Andrzej Kaszucki’s (a furrier)and his wife Salomea nee Wiciejewska (my 3x great grandparents) do not have records where their house number is given. There are records that her parents Maciej Wiciejewski and Marianna nee Metalska (my 4x great grandparents) lived in #206 and later in #207. (Maybe like my grandparent’s address in Grand Rapids, this is the same building.) The Wiciejewski family occupation was potters. The other family of potters--the Wisniewski family lived at 276 and also in the 300s. Andrzej and Salomea had their first child Mikolaj in Salomea’s parent's house #27 (207?) in 1823-- so they were either visiting or living there at the time. Their son Jozef was born in 1824, also in Salomea’s father’s house. The number is given as 27 but may have been 207. ********** Prior to this, Salomea’s siblings were born and/or died in houses #160, 206 and 106. In house number #206 was Marianna (d. 1814 at age one)--Rafal Lusawicki, shoemaker is a witness. Jozef (b. 1815)--Michal Kudliki, a master shoemaker is one of the witnesses. Antonina (b. 1816)--Jozef Kudlicki, witness is a shoemaker , and twins Wojciech and Konstancja (b. 1819)-- a cooper and Michal Kudlicki, shoemaker are witnesses, While #206 was written for many births and deaths of the family of Maciej and Marianna Wiciejewski, when their son Jozef died in 1815 at 15 weeks old, their house address was given as 106 instead of 206. Father Maciej is a potter, Rafal Lusawicki is a neighbor A few years later Jozef was born in house number 207 (in 1824.) ********** While #206 was written for many births and deaths of the family of Maciej and Marianna Wiciejewski, when their son Jozef died in 1815 at 15 weeks old, their house address was given as 106 instead of 206. Father Maciej is a potter, Rafal Lusawicki is a neighbor.There are additional births and deaths that happen in # 106. Two years before in 1813, Anna Mirowska, wife of Maciej Mirowska, shoemaker died. Marcin Halkiewicz (son of Antoni H & Malgorzata Mirowska) was born in 1820 in 106. His father was a shoemaker. Father shoemaker, In 1824, in his own home which was #106, Maciej Mirowski (age 76 and a shoemaker) died.. Michal Kudlicki, a neighbor who was a shoemaker was one witness. Adam Halkiewicz was born here in 1825 (parents Antoni Halkiewicz & Malgorzata Mirowski.)The father was a shoemaker. A weaver and barrel maker were witnesses. ********** Andrzej’ brother Fedora Kaszucki, 20 (a shoemaker) and his wife Marianna nee Mirowski, 17 had their first child Mikoaj in house number 215 in 1825. This was the house of Stefan Szokalewicz, who was also a shoemaker. Much later, Jozef (Fedora’s nephew) will marry a relative of Szokalawicz, his first wife Katarzyna Szokalewicz. ***************************** Brother TeodorKaszucki ’s family has house number 225 and 219 associated with them and also the father-in-law’s house --213 in the record but later 215. In 1818, son Antoni was born to Teodor Kaszucki and Tekla Panczyszak in house 225. Earlier in 1813, Anna Czarnopys (parents are Kasper, 50, a peasant and Magdalena nee Gdanska, 30) was born in this house Her parents were Kasper Czarnpys & Magdalena nee Gdanski). Stefan Szokalawicz, 29 also a peasant farmer residing in Tomaszow was a witness. In 1816, Maciej (parents Kasper Czarnopys & Malgorzata nee Gdanski) was also born in this house. In 1819, Teodor and his wife Tekla had a second son Antoni who was born in house #219 on Krasnobrodzki Street. At 11 months old, the second Antoni died in the house (#213) of his grandfather Stefan Panczyszak. In 1821, Teodor and his wife Tekla had a daughter named Marianna, born in the house of Jan Zamalski #425. This daughter would later 1839) marry Jozef Wisniowska (son of Blazej & Agnes, my 4th great grandparents.) This is interesting since she is from Katarzyna Kaszucka’s father’s side and he is from her mother’s side. In 1824, Teodor and his wife Tekla had a son named Maxym who was born in house #204 and the record says it is the parents’ house (age 34 and a furrier.) ------------------ Neighbors in the #200’s who were extended relatives: : Kasper Lusawicki (parents Rafal & Marianna nee Wiciejewska) born 1811 in house # 201 in 1811. Rozalia Gdanski died in 1816 in house #233, according to her son Maciej, a spponmaker Francis Gdanska was born in 1820 to Maciej Gdansi and Jozefa K in their house #235. A carpenter Jozef Kudlicki was a witness. Walenty Gdnask, an 80 year old beggar, died in 1823 in the home of his son-in-law Kasper Czarnopys, 54 in #227. Walenty Kudlicki, a neighbor who was a shoemaker was another witness. Kasper Czarnopys, 57, died in his own home #222 in 1824. He was a farmer. His son-in law Ignacy Siekel was a weaver. Classiccardinal, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

House numbers: Raczkiewicz side (Sabaudia, Gorno, Majdan Gorny & Laszczowka)

House numbers: Raczkiewicz side: I know addresses for houses in the villages my ancestors lived in are probably different now, but it is fun to look at those few records that give a house number where someone was born or died. By looking at them, I am trying to piece together some information about their lives. On the Raczkiewicz side, the villages that the ancestors were in were Sabaudia, Górno , Majdan Górny, and Łaszczówka. In the records that I have seen so far, actual house numbers were given for all of them except Sabudia. The relatives involved are the families of Golebiowski, Raczkiewicz, Dominik, and Grabek who seemed to go back and forth between Górno, Majdan Górny and Sabuadia. Also, the Krawczyk family who were from the half-Jewish community of Laszczowka. Górno and Majdan Górny: Majdan Górny. and Górno are 1.7 miles apart but 7 miles by road according to Google maps.. Majdan Górny is four miles east of Tomaszów Lubelski. Górno [ˈɡurnɔ] is 2 miles north of Tomaszów Lubelski. On this map you can see where Górno and Majdan Górny (and Sabaudia) are in relation to each other and to the city of Tomaszow Lubelski. Górno has 130 people living there currently. The house numbers mentioned in family records are: 11, 20, 100. (I wonder if #100 is a mistake and should be #10?) Families who had lived in Majdan Gorny and Sabaudia moved to Górno for part of their life. The first one was born in Majdan Gorny but went to Gorno after his children were raised. Franciszek Golebiowski (a 5x great grandfather) died in #20 in Górno in 1813. He had been born in Majdan Górny in approximately 1753 and was living there in 1783, when daughter Apolonia was born in Majdan Górny. He must have moved from Majdan Górny to Górno sometime after that since when he died at age 65, that is where he lived. Tomasz Dominik (my 4x great grandfather) was born in Majdan Gorny but was living in Górno in house number 100. His grandson Michael Raszkiewicz and wife Anna nee Dominik had their oldest son Jan in 1824 in this house. Jan was born at 8pm on December 26 so it is possible they were visiting for the Christmas holiday. Their other children were all born in Majdan Gorny after this. Walenty Grabek (a 4x great grandfather) died in house #11 in Górno in 1812. Fourteen years earlier he lived in Majdan Górny when son Lukasz was born. -------------------------- Majdan Górny has 1,300 people living there now. The village of Majdan Górny was founded at the beginning of the 18th century and takes its name from Górno. The house numbers mentioned in the family record are 30, 39 and 71. Franciszek Golebiowski’s wife Katarzyna (5x great grandmother) died in 1820 in house #30. She would have been in had Górno when he died seven years earlier. She likely moved near her daughter Apolonia and son Pawel after her husband died. Her daughter Apolonia (4x great) and husband Jan Raczkiewicz lived at #71 between 1813 and 1818. They then moved to #39 after 1821. This is documented after all their children except Jan were born in these two houses. Jan had been born in his grandparents’ Franciszek & Katarzyna Golebiowski’s house in Górno --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then in Laszczow: Łaszczówka is a village about one mile east of Tomaszów Lubelski. It has about 1,000 residents. The family members that lived there several generations of Krawczyk’s. The house numbers mentioned int he records are # 5 and 10. Rozalia Krawczyk (my 5x great grandmother) died in 1814 in #5. Five years later in 1820, her husband Kazmierez (my 5x great grandfather) died in house # 10. This was the house of his son Wojciech. Very likely Kazmierez went to live with his son after his wife died ---------------------------------------- Tangopaso, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Why did The Neidvied Family Move from Uhnow, Galicia to Tomaszow? (Curt Wolf's Story)

Curt Wolf was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is my 4th cousin. As you can see from the picture, his relative Juliana Kaszucka married a Niedzwiedz. Julianna and my 2x great grandfather Jozef were siblings. The family she married into also originated In Uhnow so he has been trying to determine why they moved: Why did our family move from Uhnow, Galicia to Tomaszow? In the last letter (Part 6), I mentioned that the Niedvieds came from UHNOW (now Ukraine) to Tomaszow in the very early 1800s. Thanks to Paulette Longwell's research, I discovered probable reasons why. In the late 1700s, the Austrian assumed power over an area just south of Tomaszow called Galicia. Uhnow was in Galicia. With new international border came the cutting off trade routes to Uhnow. The Hapsburgs, who ruled Austria at the time, didn’t want this area to focus on trade anyway. They solely wanted it to be agricultural to produce food for the Empire. Furthermore, Austria raised taxes and a famine began early in the 1800s. Above that, the Austrians began conscripting men into their Army. Our family had no allegiance to this this new dominating Power so for all the reasons above they moved to Tomaszow. Ironically, the same Hapsburgs that were making it hard on our Niedzwiedzki ancestors were the ones that had given our Eifler relatives opportunity a decade or so earlier.

Why did Kaszucki’s move from Uhnow to Tomaszów Lubelski?

Why did Kaszucki’s move from Uhnow to Tomaszów Lubelski? Uhniv is approximately two miles from the current Poland-Ukraine border but at the time Uhniv would have been in Galicia. By the current route, they would have moved about 300 miles away from home We know that Andrzej (3rd great grandfather)and his two brothers Teodore and Fedory were born in Uhnow between 1791 and 1802. By 1816, Teodore married in Tomaszow. At that point their mother Agata Krzackowska was alive in Uhnow but their father Lukasz was deceased. Andrzej married Salomea Wiciejewska in 1827 in Tomaszów Lubelski at age 24. Why did the brothers leave Uhnow for Tomaszów Lubelski at that particular time period? ********** Around the time their parents were born, the First Partition of Poland occurred in 1772. This resulted in an area, including Uhniv, being awarded to the Habsburg Empress Maria-Theresa, the only female Hapsburg ruler. The family ruled Austria and other countries. This annexing of a large area to Austria from a weakened Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth resulted in Uhnow becoming part of an area called the province of Galicia. The area was ethnically diverse: Polish, Ruthenians (the people later known as Ukrainians and Rusyns), Jewish and others. Ruthenians predominated in this eastern area. The Poles on the west side were Roman Catholic and the Ukrainians were Greek Catholic. There is evidence from the marriage records that the Kaszucki’s were Greek Catholic. The area they lived in was mostly Ukrainian, rather than Polish. These new borders cut off some trade and markets. Additionally, the Austrian government didn’t want industry to develop in this area, instead expecting it to remain agricultural to provide food and raw materials for other Hapsburg provinces. These limits and new taxes resulted in poverty, with the area the Kaszucki family was living in being the poorest province in Austro-Hungary. Famines began in the early 1800s and continued off and on up to the 1900’s. The Austrian government also conscripted men from this area for the imperial army. ********** Based on this limited knowledge, it seems that the three Kaszucki siblings made their way to Tomaszow Lubelski before 1816 for one of them and possibly shortly after for the other two. The town was founded as Jelitow at the end of the 16th century by Jan Zamoyski who named it Tomaszow in 1613 for his son, Tomasz. From 1772 to 1809, Tomaszow was under Austrian rule. After 1815 it was under the independent Congress Poland. That might be why the first brother went there (as evidenced by his wedding the following year.) Unfortunately, the independent Kingdom of Poland was short lived. The town included many laborers involved in flour mills, wood processing, weaving, tailors, shoemakers and leather tanning. The Kaszucki’s had been furriers in Ulnow so came with the skill of leather tanning. It seems likely that the three Kaszucki siblings made their way to Tomaszow Lubelski at this time for more freedom and for economic security. It was not likely for religious reasons since they were Greek rather than Roman Catholic, though they were not Orthdox.********** Part 6 of Curt Wolf’s Chasing Polish Heritage about the Niedzwiedz family coming from the same area will be posted tomorrow. Check out the Facebook page for Andrzej Kaszucki's resume. ********** Photo: By Viacheslav Galievskyi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21711724

I told you that my 3rd great uncle Jan Raszkiewicz was born in Górno. It was hard at first for me to determine if Majdan Górny. and Górno, were two different places or the same place since the two names are similar. It turns out that they are 1.7 miles apart. Majdan Górny is four miles east of Tomaszow Lubelski. Górno [ˈɡurnɔ] is a village in the district of Gmina Tomaszów Lubelski, within Tomaszów Lubelski County, Lublin Voivodeship, in eastern Poland. It is two miles north of Tomaszów Lubelski On this map you can see where Górno and Majdan Górny (and Sabaudia) are in relation to each other and to the city of Tomaszow Lubelski. https://www.fajnewczasy.pl/mapa/gorno_2 Majdan Górny has 1,300 people living there now. The village of Majdan Górny was founded at the beginning of the 18th century and takes its name from Górno Górno has 130 people living there currently. There is more than one Górno in Poland. The correct one is the one in the gmina (or administrative district) in Tomaszów Lubelski County, Check out the area on this short video. It is in Polish but you can still see the countryside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdR4cfTocd0 It appears that six of the eight 4x great grandparents on Anthony Rackziewicz’ father’s side originated from one of these two villages. For example, in 1812 WalentyGrabek, (my 4x great grandfather) died in Gorno in house #11 at age 44. In 1824, when Jan Raszkiewicz was born in his grandfather Tomasz Dominik’s(my 4x great grandfather) house #100 in Górno, his parents Michal Raszkiewicz and Anna nee Dominik (3x great grandparents) were living there. Michal was born in Sabuadia but moved to Górno when he got married.

Górno

I told that my 3rd great uncle Jan Raszkiewicz was born in Górno. It was hard at first for me to determine if Majdan Górny. and Górno, were two different places or the same place since the two names are similar. It turns out that they are 1.7 miles apart. Majdan Górny is four miles east of Tomaszow Lubelski. Górno [ˈɡurnɔ] is a village in the district of Gmina Tomaszów Lubelski, within Tomaszów Lubelski County, Lublin Voivodeship, in eastern Poland. It is two miles north of Tomaszów Lubelski. On this map you can see where Górno and Majdan Górny (and Sabaudia) are in relation to each other and to the city of Tomaszow Lubelski. (The active link is on My Polish History FB page) https://www.fajnewczasy.pl/mapa/gorno_2 Majdan Górny has 1,300 people living there now. The village of Majdan Górny was founded at the beginning of the 18th century and takes its name from Górno Górno has 130 people living there currently. There is more than one Górno in Poland. The correct one is the one in the gmina (or administrative district) in Tomaszów Lubelski County, Check out the area on this short video. It is in Polish but you can still see the countryside. (The active link is at My Polish History on FB.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdR4cfTocd0 It appears that six of the eight 4x great grandparents on Anthony Rackziewicz’ father’s side originated from one of these two villages. For example, in 1812 WalentyGrabek, (my 4x great grandfather) died in Gorno in house #11 at age 44. In 1824, when Jan Raszkiewicz was born in his grandfather Tomasz Dominik’s(my 4x great grandfather) house #100 in Górno, his parents Michal Raszkiewicz and Anna nee Dominik (3x great grandparents) were living there. Michal was born in Sabuadia but moved to Górno when he got married.

More Information about Uhnów

Here is some more information about the town of Uhniv or Ulanow. Of the eight sets of 4th great grandparents, one set--the Kaszucki family--originated in an area that is now in Ukraine. The town of Uhniv is situated in former Eastern Galicia, or Western Ukraine. It is on the right bank of the Solokia River, which flows eastward into the Buh River and which together with the latter carries its waters into the Vistula River and the Baltic Sea. The territory of the town, with the surrounding fields,iwas about 9 square miles in 1934 and a population of 4,212 residing in 885 dwellings. The center or the town, known as the rynok (square), is located on a plateau dominating the marshy valley of the river. The town is in the form of a rectangle, tapered in the eastern direction; this tapered part is known as the "Suburb." Four principal streets converged in the center (rynok) of the town: Rava, Belz, Kariv and Church Streets. Southeast from the square was the Ukrainian Catholic Church, toward the southwestern side the Roman Catholic Church. Between the Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches, there were three synagogues. The Greek Catholic Church is the church the Kaszucki family would have attended. On both sides of the square were stalls used for market days. The people engaged in trade and agriculture. The artisans were organized in guilds. The area was famous for shoemaking. In the 16th and 17th century there were only wooden buildings so there were frequent fires. Their city was also ravaged by pestilence and other calamities ,including Tartar raids. Just outside of the town there were several cemeteries: a general cemetery opposite the Greek Catholic parish house, a cemetery for cholera victims, and a 1915 military. A Jewish cemetery was behind the courthouse. There was once a monastery in the town for monks that followed the way of St. Basil. There was an Orthodox church outside the walls of the city. The immediate area is a very agricultural zone with man made irrigation canals The town itself is on the south side of the "Solokia" river ( which feeds the irrigation canals ). The railway stop was used mainly during the Soviet period for crops and grain grown in the vicinity. The area is flatlands with oak and fir trees dominating the small forests around the town. Revised and edited from: http://www.remer.org/genealogy/memorial_book/historical_summary_hivniv.html https://www.facebook.com/216532571884064/photos/odr%C4%99czna-mapa-uhnowa-wykonana-na-prze%C5%82omie-xix-i-xx-wieku-z-czym-kojarzono-uhn%C3%B3w/875667535970561/

Uhnów in Galicia Austria -Origin of 4th great grandparents Kaszucki

Yesterday I told you about Fedory and Teodor and that they were born in Ulanów. It is now in the Ukraine. It was part of Galicia owned by Austria during the time period that these records are from. The location is referred to as "Uhnev" in Ukrainian. In Polish, it is Uhnów or Ulanów. It is also known as Ugnov/Ugnuv/ UhnСw/Ugnev. Obviously due to my lack of language and history knowledge, I have no idea of the reasons for the variations. Fedor’s name is an Ukrainian form of the English name Theodore. The two similarly named brothers, along with their brother Andrzej (my 3rd great grandfather) moved to Tomaszow when they were young men, before they married. It is approximately two miles south of the present Polish/Ukraine border. It is about 30 miles to the city of Tomaszow. It looks like you have to travel south before you can connect to a road to get to Tomaszow. Google Maps says, "This route has tolls. This route crosses a country border.Your destination is in a different time zone." It was under Austria in the Province of Galicia up to 1918. My 4th great grandparents, Lukasz Kaszuki, a furrier, and Agata nee Kraczk, lived there and likely had other children that remained there. Andrzej and his brothers were born there in the 1790 to 1800 era. By 1816, one brother was marrying in Tomaszow and in 1823, Andzej was also marrying a woman from Tomaszow, in Tomaszow. I do not profess to understand the geography or the history of all this and am giving a simplified and probably not completely accurate account. During this time period, 29% of the people were of Polish origin while Ukrainians made up 70% and there were a very small number of people of German descent. Photo credit: Uhnow | historiaregionu Regionally dressed peasants in Uhnow-Rawa-Poddubce region in a photo of a 19th century painting by Zygmunt Ajdukiewicz https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10222479153154792&set=p.10222479153154792&type=3&theater

Location: Horyszów‌ ‌Polski‌

Like Rogoźno, a colony of Germans in cooperation with Zamoyski, a noble form the area of Tomaszow Lubelski, Horyszów Polski was a colony near Zamosc and the owner was Piotr Mikawski and it was settled by 8 families. Horyszów Polski is 25 miles north of Rogoźno, near Zamosc. Other German name connections to our family come from this village. Eifler’s came from Rogoźno and from Horyszów Polski we have several connections: Anna Eifler was a laborer there and died there. Marcin Raczkiewicz, my 3rd great uncle married Apolonia Tukiendorf who was born there but was living near Marcin in Sabaudia with her parents. Her mother was Polish and related to Marcin’s grandmother and her father was German. https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horysz%C3%B3w_Polski https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CAGFHA_enUS823&sxsrf=ALeKk02I_RWOTlZ-hrOR9hJ1IBIpzaPZFQ%3A1591444410883&ei=uoPbXtW1NdG1tAaGj6XgAg&q=horysz%C3%B3w+polski+to+tomaszow+lubelski+poland&oq=horysz%C3%B3w+polski+to+tomaszow+lu&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgEMgcIIRAKEKABMgcIIRAKEKABMgcIIRAKEKABMgUIIRCrAjIFCCEQqwI6BAgjECc6BQgAEMsBOgYIABAWEB46BQghEKABUOgFWME_YJlUaABwAHgAgAF9iAG5DJIBAzguOJgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXo&sclient=psy-ab

Rogozno: The contract

In 1785, at the Zamoyski estate office in Zamość, a contract was signed between the ordinate and every farming family was to receive 30 morgas (40 acres) of land including an orchard, vegetable garden and meadow (An artisan would have 15 morgas so they would have time to devote to their profession) A wooden stable for 8 cattle A granary for grain Within 2 years the ordinate built a house for them with a large room, chamber, a kitchen with a brick oven and a chimney, a roof covered with straw and a wooden floor; In proportion to their land, the first spring, each family was to receive: two horses, 2 draft oxen, 2 cows and 1 sow, all of the best species. 1 iron forged wagon, iron plow, 2 wooden harrows with iron teeth and an iron shovel The contract covered farm inheritance, compensation, wood for fuel from the forests, rents, taxes, etc. In case of “neglect, rascality, bad will, destruction of the farm or rent debts: the ordinate could remove the colonist without compensation Unlike my Raczkiewicz relatives that were peasant farmers, the German colonists had a contract. The colonists paid rent twice a year, taxes and additional fees to maintain common elements such as bridges. Since they didn’t profit from the harvest, they were to be paid monthly. While the colonists could volunteer to work for the ordinate, they could not be forced to and there was a prohibition against child labor. Fishing and hunting on the Ordynat’s land was prohibited. Among themselves, they were to select a leader who would decide disputes, keep order and stay in touch with the Ordinance. There was no pay for the position and the person should be “an elderly, decent and enlightened person who can read and write and enjoy a good opinion in the Ordinance and among settlers.”

Location: Rogóźno

Rogóźno [rɔˈɡuʑnɔ] is a village that is about two miles northwest of Tomaszów Lubelski with a current population of 1,300. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rog%C3%B3%C5%BAno,_Tomasz%C3%B3w_Lubelski_County Before the 1500’s, Andrzej Maldrzyk of the Wąż established the village of Rogóźno with an understanding with his neighbor Wołczek from Gródek about the use of the nearby forests of Łaziska, Koczalin and Górno. Andrzej’s sons colonized the village and established German law. In 1528, without male heirs, ownership passed to the Marcinowski family of the Topór coat of arms. Jan Zamoyski, the chancellor purchased it in 1578. By 1589, it was listed in his estate when he was ordained into the priesthood. By 1880, there were 60 households with 504 people, including 304 Catholics. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&u=https://www.wikiwand.com/pl/Rog%25C3%25B3%25C5%25BAno_(powiat_tomaszowski)&prev=search&pto=aue Ordinate Andrzej Zamoyski signed a contract with Germans to settle some areas on his land within what had previously been Poland. 100 families were settled in various communities. The representatives of 96 of the 100 families were literate and only 4 needed to sign with a mark. The villages were near each other. Of the 100 families, 90 were farmers and the rest were blacksmiths, carpenters, millers, tailors, shoemakers, fishermen and beekeepers. Rogozno was to have ten families and each farming family would receive 40 acres. The following information is from Curt Wolf: “Georgius Eifler With his wife Magdalena & sister Marianna, moved to Zamch in 1784 as part of 100 families from Germany Zamoyski had come to establish colonies. With 10 families, he moved to Rogozno Daughter Anna born in 1793. As a “miss”, she gave birth to Jan/Johan who married Apolonia Kurkiewicz, my 4x great aunt. Her brother Jozef is my 3x great grandfather.” “George and Magdalena and George’s sister Maryanna left Germany and moved to a place called Zamch in Poland in 1784. He was 23 at this time. They joined 99 other families to become “colonists” in Poland. Shortly after arriving in Zamch, 10 of these families including George and family moved to Kolonia Roguzno. These villages were relatively close to each other in the same county. Roguzno is a village 5km outside of Tomaszow. As you approach it, the road takes you through beautiful farmland on rolling hills.” But why would this group of Germans move east? “At the time of George Eiflers arrival to Poland in 1784, both the land in Germany and Poland was ruled by the Hapsburg Dynasty of the Austrian Empire. To extend their wealth, the Hapsburgs wanted people to settle these empty lands to the east (google Josephinische Kolonisation). On the receiving side there was a notable nobleman in Poland’s history named Andrzej Zamoyst who worked a deal with the Hapsburgs to have these families come live on his estate. The Emperor paid for their travel, new housing, livestock, and many other things. George Eifler, who lived on less and poorer land in the foothills than the offer in Poland figured this was a much better situation so he went for it. None of the “colonists'', as they were called, were forced to go but went freely for their own economic advantage. Each colonist family signed the contract along with Zamoyst and a representative from the Hapsburg family. According to the contract, George received 40 acres to lease with his family. I attached two documents which are pictures of the actual contract. You can see George Eifler’s name on it connected to the town of Zamch. A third attachment is the contract translated using google translate. It is not the greatest translation but you get the gist of all the perks and responsibilities of the colonists. I am no farmer but this is a fascinating read of a “do it yourself commune of the 18th century”! The source of all this corroborating information above comes from the contract, the 1800 census, and birth, marriage, and death records from Zamosc and Lublin archives.” “I think it's pretty cool how our ancestors lived and had a relationship with an important historical person in Poland- Andrzej Zamoyst. He was well respected holding one of the highest positions in Poland. He was considered a great man of integrity, was influenced by the enlightened principles that gave birth to America, and was the first of the large landowners in Poland to create positive reforms in the abusive Serfdom system. It is nice to know that our ancestors enjoyed some of these reforms.” (written by Curt Wolf)