Anthony Raczkiewicz draft registration

Registering for the World War I draft occurred on the same day for all three brothers-- June 5, 1917 -- in Precinct 9, Ward 1 of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Anthony was 22 years old. He lived at 319 Seward. He reported his birthplace as Tomaszow, Lublin, Poland and that he was an Alien in the U.S. and formerly a Russian citizen. He indicated that he had no military service and was requesting an exemption due to having a “dependent wife and mother.” It is unclear who is the “mother” of this reference. His physical description was medium height with a medium build, grey eyes and light brown hair and a deformed finger. Anthony was a tanner for Keifer Tannery Company. ***** 25 year old Joseph and 28 year old John (Jan) Raczkiewicz also registered. John signed his name “Jan.” They lived at 327 Gunnison NW (with Jan’s wife Frances.) Both brothers indicated they were from Lublin, Poland and were Russian citizens. Joseph did not claim any dependents as a reason for an exemption and was “willing to be drafted at once.” Joe was described as short, slender, light hair, with no disability listed which is interesting since later family reports are that Joe acquired his seizure disorder from being in the service. Joe was working as a cabinet maker at Grand Rapids Piano Case Company. Jan was of medium height with a medium build and brown hair and blue eyes. Jan indicated he was married and requested an exemption. Jan was a cabinet maker for Johnston Furniture Company.

Cousins = kuzyni

There were 13 of us that grew up as cousins. The aunts and uncles were the children of Anthony and Pauline Raczkiewicz. The families got together frequently for holidays, Sunday visits, camping, birthdays, etc. There were 13 of us. Apparently our Grandma lamented the fact they didn’t have more children than the four she had. There certainly were families with a lot more. Her four children had nine of us and four were 1rst cousins 1x removed--grandchildren of Lorraine. If you are not one of these 13, how many first cousins do you have? Lorraine: Sandy (and her children, cousins 1x removed: Colette, John, Rachel, Heather Anthony Jr: Yvonne, Eileen Shirley: Paulette, Linda, Lori Ronald: Rhonda, Paula, Robert

Eileen (Raczkiewicz) Erichsen Was Born June 3

Happy birthday to Eileen (Raczkiewicz) Erichsen! She was born June 3. She is my 1rst cousin. Eileen and her sister Yvonne’s parents were Tony and Ceil Raczkiewicz. The picture was taken 1986 at Tony and Pauline Rackiewicz’ house--likely at Christmas.

Blazej Kozyra died 3 June 1829

Blazej Kozyra (my first cousin 4x removed) died June 3, 1829 at 2:00 in the morning. His parents were Michal and Zofia nee Grabek. His grandparents were Walenty Grabek and Teresa Walawender (my 4x great grandparents.) Blazej was born January 29, 1829 so he was less than six months old when he died. His mother died April 12, a few months before he died. While the death records do not give the cause of death, at the time there was an outbreak of cholera that began in 1826 in India and spread and killed 100s of thousands of people by 1831. His father remarried later the same year.

Pandemic as of April 28, 2021

Since I am doing this Facebook page and blog during the Covid-19 pandemic, I would be remiss to not talk about it in Poland and the United States. I am personally aware of a death here of someone my mother knew and in Poland of both parents of my Polish teacher. I know quite a few people who have been sick -- this has ranged from some people who tested positive and had no symptoms to a couple in their 50s who were hospitalized and everything in between. ***** Things really changed in the U.S last March with a major shutdown that included schools. At first we were told a mask wouldn’t help but then that guidance changed. Visiting people and shopping and eating out in restaurants ended or was severely limited. Over time, that transitioned to more outdoor visits, online shopping or picking up groceries from the store’s parking lot after a shopper obtained them and a lot of take out food and lots of restaurants adding outdoor seating including various types of individual outside enclosures. ***** Michigan had a new surge this spring but now restrictions have been lifting. Just a few weeks ago restrictions in Michigan were to work from home if you can, maintain a six foot distance, avoid travel until fully vaccinated, up to 25 people for an indoor funeral -- 300 for outdoors. Current restrictions are indoor gatherings limited to 15 people from three households with masks required unless everyone is vaccinated. For non-residential indoor gatherings, 25 people are allowed but social distancing is added. Outdoor residential gatherings are up to 25 people with masks required unless everyone is vaccinated. Non-residential outdoor gatherings add social distancing. There are additional requirements for travel, doctor’s offices, schools, etc. Poland also has been lifting some COVID-19 restrictions There are some people who resist the restrictions and guidelines. ***** Poland is about 19% vaccinated and the U.S. is about 41%. As of Sunday, May 30, 2021, Tomaszów Lubelski, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland (population 2,112,216) has had 28,71,950 confirmed cases and 73,738 deaths. Kent County (population 664,165) has had 68,010 cases and 771 deaths. https://weather.com/en-IN/coronavirus/l/Tomasz%C3%B3w+Lubelski+Lublin+Voivodeship+Poland?canonicalCityId=389f10ef35cc8396ba0b79af9ca819499a9c1631a9ee7f9cd54da9e86c2172bb

Estate Steward/supervisor

I am sharing the marriage event of Kacper Lusawick’s marriage to Marianna Kotkiewicz on May 31, 1840 because it illustrates a different occupation from any I have shared so far. Remember on my grandfather’s paternal side, they mostly worked as farmers in the villages. On my grandfather’s maternal side, they mainly worked in trades such as furrier, shoemaker, etc., in the city of Tomaszów Lubelski. This groom was an estate steward/supervisor, residing in Przeworsk. Kacper Lusawicki was a bachelor, 30 years old and had been born in Tomaszow Lubelski. The bride, Marianna Kotkiewicz, was from Hrubieszów. She was 20 years old and was a servant living in Przeorsk. They likely met on the estate that they were both working on. One witness Leon Piotrowski, was from the city and the other one Franciszek Rozwadowski, was a tobacco guard from another estate in Łaszczów I will just say that the groom is a “cousin” of some sort. His mother Marianna is a Wiciejewska whose father MIGHT be the Jakub Wiciejewski, a potter, who is my 5th great grandfather. A different mother for Marianna is listed so I was unable to determine if it is the same Jakub. I might get it figured out eventually. This wedding was before feudalism ended. “Each day, the estate steward issued orders for the next morning, the field boss announced assignments, saying who was to ride or walk to work where, and with what.” The workers associated the estate stewards with the owners and because working conditions were difficult, they often disliked the estate stewards who were issuing the orders. When the owner of the manor inspected his fields, the steward would be criticized if weeds were found. (Jan Slomka, “Memoirs of a Peasant”) --------- Date of record: Chodywańce, 31 May 1840, 6 p.m. Witnesses: Leon Piotrowski, age 33, residing in Tomaszów, also Franciszek Rozwadowski, tobacco guard, age 40, residing in Łaszczów Groom: Kaper Lusawicki, bachelor, estate steward/supervisor residing in Przeorsk, born in the city of Tomaszów of Paweł and Marianna Wiciejewska, the married couple Lusawicki, there residing, age 30 Bride: Miss Marianna, daughter of Andrzej and Marianna nee Kotkiewicz, the married couple Milewski residing in Hrubieszów, age 20, born in Hrubieszów, servant living in Przeorsk Banns: 17, 24 & 31 May

Names of Grandpa and all of the "Greats"