Stasia Woj

Guess who called me today? Stanisława Wójtowicz! She goes by the name Stasia Wój. Stasia is my (newly found) 2nd cousin and friend. I could not remember any of my meager Polish! I found my notebook from class and tried to say a few things. Understanding was much harder -- I could pick out some words -- family, grandmother, year, some greetings -- but that was about it. Her grandmother Paulina was my grandfather Anthony’s younger sister.

Rogozno is the village that Paulina Raczkiewicz Dubiel's descendants are from.

Stasia

Besides working backwards (i.e. how many 5th great grandparents do I know?) I am working on the cousins of my mother and my second cousins. There are 65 second cousins and 44 of them were born in Poland. As I learn of them I try to introduce them on their birthday if I know it or otherwise. Join me in saying “cześć” to Stasia Wój! (my newfound 2nd cousin.) She recently shared a picture that included her grandmother (and her sister) as children. I have just recently heard from Stasia Wój on Facebook Messenger. I hope I have the honor of meeting her!

Jobs in Grand Rapids MI for the Polish Immigrants

While Anthony and others he knew likely came to Grand Rapids for the economic opportunities, most of the jobs available to immigrants without a lot of education were in the factories on the Westside of Grand Rapids, within walking distance of where they lived. Immigrants were more likely to work in the brickyards, gypsum mines and furniture and other factories than native-born Americans of British descent. The Dutch also worked in the factories but they had arrived much earlier so were making better wages and getting better jobs. (Information from “The Poles, the Dutch and the Furniture Strike of 1911”, Mary Patrice Erdmans, Polish American Studies, Vol. 62, No. 2 (Autumn, 2005), pp. 5-22) ***** It is evident when doing family genealogy that Anthony was one of many immigrants who made their way from Tomaszow Lubelski Poland (and other parts of Poland) to the opportunities available in Grand Rapids. Polish people increasingly came to Grand Rapids, Michigan from the Russian and Austrian Partitions. In the 1920 census, there were 4,269 foreign-born Poles counted in Grand Rapids. The Dutch greatly outnumbered the Polish except on the Westside where they lived and many factories were located. ***** Polish Catholics In the U.S. were more likely to vote against prohibition, regulations on theaters and other entertainment and more likely to vote for an eight hour work day. (Information from “The Poles, the Dutch and the Furniture Strike of 1911”, Mary Patrice Erdmans, Polish American Studies, Vol. 62, No. 2 (Autumn, 2005), pp. 5-22) ***** Most of the jobs that Anthony and his brothers had were part of or in support of the furniture industry which was a major industry in Grand Rapids. Mr. Foote, who worked for a Grand Rapids manufacturer, testified in 1910 about the proposed increase of freight rates and the effect it would have on Grand Rapids as a market. When asked about the relative importance of Grand Rapids as “a center of furniture manufacture and sale” he said, “Grand Rapids is undoubtedly the greatest furniture market in the United States.” Besides 45 local factories, 275 manufacturers came to Grand Rapids twice a year with buyers and salesmen. He described the furniture factories and associated businesses, including “manufacturers of varnish, glue, veneers, lumber, and all the products used in the Grand Rapids Furniture business.” “The centering of the furniture factories at Grand Rapids has had a tendency to build up a great many other industries there. We have factories for manufacturing brass ornaments for furniture, factories for trucks, veneers, hand screws, clamps, dry-kiln equipment, tanners of hides, and various things like that; finishing material and so on. Besides these, we have the largest refrigerator factory in the world, one of the largest casket factories, a factory for making piano cases, interior-finish factories, factories for the manufacture of office furniture and office fixtures, and office equipment of various kinds . . . “ He also talked about the cheap lumber and cheap labor available south of the Mason Dixon line and the less expensive furniture lines that they couldn’t compete with and which would eventually contribute to the demise of the Grand Rapids market. ***** https://images.app.goo.gl/4px8m59qRgENKoqo6

Polish Family History is One Year old on October 11, 2021

Polish Family History is one year old! In celebration , I revised the introduction for this page, answered Eugeniusz Raczkiewicz’ question about how or why I got into genealogy and I want to say a few things about some of my thoughts when I am picking what to put on the page or writing something to share. ***** I use the goal of the Page in what I select or write. I want family members and friends to learn more about each other and our ancestors to develop mutual respect. ***** Anything that I find out of the ordinary or strikes my fancy or I want to know more about, I think are fun things to share but I mostly tell you about the births, marriages and deaths. ***** Anything on Facebook or easily found in a Google search I figure is not “private” so I may share those things. I do try to show sensitivity if there might be a need so I will then ask permission first. I don’t post pictures of children under 18 unless their parents gave me the picture and said it is okay. ***** “Anthony Raczkiewicz moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan from Tomaszow Lubelski, Poland. This page is for relatives and friends to talk politely about our Polish ancestors.

An attempt is made to connect past relatives to events in history and there is acknowledgement of the current events we face, but other Pages are more appropriate places for discussion of personal, political values. The goal of Polish Family History is to get to know more about past and current relatives and develop respect for each other’s lives.”

Happy Birthday Theresa Parkanzky on October 9

Obituary for Diane M. Murphy

"Diane M. Murphy, age 61, passed away on October 8, 2020 at home. She was born on February 20, 1959 to Albert and Irene (Kufta) Mastee in Muskegon. She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Diane worked as a school aid and track coach for Mona Shores Middle School for many years. Diane enjoyed the kids she was able to work with at Mona Shores Middle School, watching movies, being with her grandchildren and trips to the casino. SURVIVORS include 3 children, Mary (Thomas) Kitchen, Justin (Kari) Murphy and Abbey (Kyle Wierda) Murphy; 2 grandchildren, Kinley and Hadlee Kitchen; brother, David (Mary) Mastee and former husband, Thomas Murphy. She was preceded in death by her parents. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Service, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 with Rev. Charles D. Hall. VISITATION with the family will be 5pm to 7pm Monday at The Lee Chapel. MEMORIALS can be directed to the American Cancer Society. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com."

Wanda Kufta Married Joseph Kozicki October 7, 1950

“She needs no books, nor worms, nor hooks; There’s bait enough in her bright eyes.” Wanda Kufta’s Muskegon Heights High School senior yearbook had this line next to her name when she graduated in 1946. Apparently, the “bait” worked and Wanda, (my 1rst cousin 1x removed) age 23, married Joseph Kozicki on October 7, 1950. Her parents were Frank Kufta and Mary nee Raczkiewicz. The wedding took place at St. Michael’s Church in Muskegon, Michigan. This picture is a school picture because I do not have a wedding picture. They had three children: Michael, John and Ann Marie (deceased). Wanda and Joseph were married 59 years before he died in 2009. Wanda died in 2020.