St. Andrew’s Day Eve (Andrzejki)

Calling all the Single Ladies! You might want to learn about St. Andrew’s Day Eve. Here is your opportunity to see into the future and experience some magic. Trying to determine when you might marry and what your future groom will look like was traditionally done in private as a tradition dating back to 1557. Apparently it is now a time of fun parties. ***** A few of the traditions involve candles, keys and shoes. For instance, lighting 13 candles, according to the tradition, allows the spirits to enter the room in order to help tell your marital future. One game involves pouring hot wax into cold water through the hole in a skeleton key. After it solidifies, the shape and its shadow will foretell your future. The shoe game is also another interesting sounding game. One shoe of each woman is lined up at the door. The first one to get to the door is the first to be married. (Be careful to not get trampled!) It sounds like the celebration is currently a fun opportunity to party and celebrate. Check our more fortune telling games! ***** https://poland.pl/experience-poland/traditions-and-holidays/andrew-andrew-a-girls-best-friend/?fbclid=IwAR3Eqb0fHDjxC9gfXLJnjZ3cmA2nb0wseLkmNDDRfU1Sxx071GJLapYptHU

Literacy

Many of the people in the time period covered by the records I am looking at (about 1750 to 1920) were illiterate, unable to either read or write. This seemed to occur both during the time the records were in Polish as well as when they were in Russian (1868-1917.) The woman NEVER signed except in the case of a midwife who signed a few records. So far I haven’t found any records on the Raczkiewicz side that indicate either they or a witness could read or write but their occupation of peasant farmers in villages at the time likely did not require literacy. The Kaszucki side has more tradesmen who lived in cities--most of them are illiterate but there are a few examples of people able to sign the records. ***** In most of the records, the priest indicates he read the record aloud to the illiterate people present and in most cases, the record is signed only by the priest. For example, at the remarriage of my 5th great aunt Marianna (Wiciejowska) Bugucka everyone was illiterate so “this record was read to all present there people and signed by the priest J. Kwiatkowski only since the others were illiterate.” ***** Another example is my 4x great grandfather Blaze Wisniowski, 40, who was the foreman of a faience factory who could not write. In 1810, at the birth of his son Jozef, only the witness Jan Bilicki, a tax collector and Father Józef Stomowski, Pastor of Tomaszow Civil Registry Officer signed. When Blazej’s son Wojciech was born in 1813, both witnesses could sign but the father could not. By 1817, when daughter Anna was born, he was the “famous” Blazej Wisniowski but the record was signed only by “he parish priest of Tomaszow, Administrator of the Tomaszow Church, the Civil Registry Officer of the Tomaszow Commune of the Janow District in the Lublin Province. ***** There are a few cases where my relative or one of their witnesses WAS literate. While I haven’t found all the examples, they are in the minority so I want to highlight them: ***** KASZUCKI: My 3rd great grandfather Andrzej Kaszucki, a 30 year old furrier was unable to write but one witness could so, “This record was presented, read out to the witnesses and signed by the witness Michał Kudlicki as the others are unable to write. When his son Josef Kaszucki was a 33 year old furrier and his son Piotr died, Jozef and the witness Santalomon Gumowski, also a furriers were both unable to sign. “After being convinced about his death this record was read to the illiterate witnesses and signed by X.M. Nazarowicz, rector of the Tomaszów parish. “ My 3rd great uncle, Mikolaj Kaszucki, a shoemaker, was able to sign documents, for instance when in 1846 at the death of his son Lukasz. He signed with his first initial: M. Kaszucki. ***** KURKIEWICZ Family 1: My 4th great grandfather Antoni Kurkiewicz, a shoemaker, was unable to read or write therefore, when son Wojciech was born in 1827, “This record was presented, read out to the witnesses and signed by us and Konstanty Kurkiewicz. The father and the witness Romanowicz are unable to write.” By 1830, for the birth of daughter Victoria, Antoni Kurkiewicz and witness Maciej Wyszynski, a barrel maker listened to the priest read the record and then were able to sign it. In 1852, for the death of Antoni Jozef Kurkiewicz, his son Jozef (my 3x great grandfather, 37 and a farmer is able to sign. ***** KURKIEWICZ Family 2: In 1818, the death of “the famous” Pawel Kurkiewicz was reported to the Tomaszow Commune of the Zamosc District in the Lublin Province. The informants were his sons--“the famous” Antoni Kurkiewicz and Walenty Kurkiewicz. I am not sure what about these carpenters made them “famous” but somehow they were held in regard. Antoni signed the record but the priest wrote, “This act has been read and signed by us and one witness, as the other one cannot write.” (By the way, Pawel is the father-in-law of my 5th great aunt --but I think he is also some sort of uncle. I haven’t been able to prove this yet since the records I have access to do not go back far enough.) ***** Konstanty Kurkiewicz (father-in-law of 1rst cousin 5x removed) was able to sign his name. At the 1834 birth of daughter Katarzyna, he and the 2 witnesses--Antoni Roczniacki, 34, shoemaker & Marcin Cyronski, 39, spoon maker--were all able to sign. In 1855, at the death of Apolonia Kurkiewicz, her husband Konstanty, 67 and son Andrzej Kurkiewicz, both carpenters were both able to sign. ***** CZARNOPYS: For Szczepan Czarnopys’ 1829 marriage to Pelagia Romanowicz, only the witness Marcin Mirowski, 34, a shoemaker and the priest signed the record. Szcepan & Grzegorz Radawski, 22 and a shoemaker were illiterate. A year later for the birth of their son Szyzmon Czarnopys, all of the people present except for one witness were illiterate. “This record was read to the father and the witnesses but signed by the priest and the witness Maciej Gdański only since the others were illiterate. Signatures of M. Gdański anr rector of Tomaszów, J. Kwiatkowski.” ***** Image: By Venicescapes - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90561707

Shirley (Raczkiewicz) Longwell THANKSGIVING foods

A Thanksgiving meal -- I am guessing it is about 1961. The man facing the camera is Anthony Jr (my uncle.) The two girls are his daughters Eileen and Yvonne and his wife has her back to the camera on the right. Sandy is the next on the left and her father John Dykstra is at the head of the table. I am not sure what he is holding up but I do know that even though all the adults could carve a turkey, he is the one who did it at family gatherings. On his right is my mother Shirley Longwell and my father Roy and I are tucked in next to her. I don't see my Aunt Lorraine (maybe taking the picture?) Or my grandparents? It is my grandparent's house. On the wall on the left would be their large wedding picture. In front of it I see a picture of my mother and one of me. To the right there was a large picture of "Uncle Joe."

Here is another meal but I am not sure if it is Thanksgiving. It would be from the early 1960s. I am not sure what the menu is or where they got the bibs! It is in my parent's house which they moved into in the early 1960s. Proudly displaying what looks like a peanut butter sandwich on white bread is Ron Raczkiewicz (my uncle.) To his left is his wife Pam. Next is my mother Shirley and then Lorraine Dykstra (my aunt.) I don't know who the other person is.

This year is again very different from our normal Thanksgiving celebration. Usually we celebrate this holiday at my parents’ house. The pandemic numbers are very high in our state right now. Groups getting together inside are discouraged. Therefore, while there will be meals and celebrations, the groups are smaller than they have been in previous years. I thought it would be fun to revisit the menu of meals in the past. Thanksgiving foods usually are a big, roasted turkey, sweet potatoes and mashed white potatoes, stuffing/dressing, vegetables such as cauliflower, green beans and brussel sprouts, cranberries or a cranberry sauce, pies such as pumpkin and pecan, a jello salad and Hawaiian bread rolls. Lately the turkeys have been turkey breasts which are easier to handle and please the crowd since only a few people like dark meat. Shirley’s recipe for mashed potatoes is especially well loved. ***** In 2010, this is what Shirley said about the meal: “I usually like a 16 pound turkey. It is really big but I can handle it. It fits in the roaster and is not as heavy. Years ago I would buy 18 pounders but that’s a big turkey. I’ll have mashed potatoes, turkey, dressing, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. I might make a JellO salad. I went to the store to get the vegetables. The cauliflower was $3.00 and I needed more than one broccoli. It is over a dollar a pound for green beans. Don’t get them too early otherwise they start getting brown. I will make a little more than half of a ten pound bag of potatoes. I’m probably peeling which your Dad used to do. Who’s mashing? Marissa wants to stay over to put the table cloth on and help set the table so she can help.” My Mom originally always made everything. Lately, all of us bring something, including grandson James McCarthy and his wife Betsy making the mashed potatoes. ***** Here is my Mom’s recipe for mashed potatoes: Potatoes (five pounds) Margarine (one stick) Sour cream (half cup) Milk (a little) ***** Peel five pounds of potatoes and cut into medium chunks and put in a large pan with approximately one teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 30 minutes or less. Drain well so there is no water on the bottom. Use an old fashioned potato masher to mash. Put in the margarine and sour cream and continue to mash. Add a little milk to thin it as you go along. Put them in a crock pot to keep them warm.

Stanisława (Raczkiewicz) Bielak marriage 25 November 1917

Stanisława Raczkiewicz (my great aunt) and Jan Bielak were married 25 November 1917. The witnesses were Jan Skroban, 38, residing in the village of Kunki, and Wincenty Kita, 35, residing in the village of Susiec. Both of them were peasant farmers. The banns were November 11, 18, and 25 in both the Tomaszów and Krasnobród parishes. The parents of both the bride and the groom were married the same year, in 1885, in Tomaszów Lubelski. Stanislawa was 22 and was born and was living in the village of Sabaudia. She was the fourth of nine children of Jan Raczkiewicz and Katarzyna nee Kaszucka. The parents were married in Tomaszow on November 15, 1885. Her older three siblings had left several years before for the U.S. so she was the oldest sibling still living at home. Stanlislawa was 22 years old when she married. Her father died two years before she married. Jan was 29. He was born and was residing in the village of Susiec. He was the son of the late Andrzej Bialak and Rozalia nee Soluch. Jan’s parents were married 32 years earlier on January 24, 1885 in Tomaszow. Jan’s father Andrzej was a widower, 40, who was born in Cietusza, when he married Rozalia, who was born in Susiec. Andrzej’s parents were Marcin and Anastazja Bielak. Rozalia’s parents were Jan Soluch and Rozalia nee Babiarz. Jan and Stanislawa had two daughters (Wanda and Maria) and two sons (Wladyslaw and Stanislaw.) Two of them are still alive: Wanda and Wladyslaw. Wanda Soldaj had four children: Krystof or Krzysiek, Maria and Alina. Maria Dubowik had three children: Janusz, Wieslaw and Waldemar. Stanislaw Bielak had four children: Stanislaw, Wladyslaw, Wanda and Maria. Władysław Bielak had two children: Wieslaw and Jerzy. Stanislawa worked hard with her husband on their farm. She died on 14 May 1957, at the age of 56 in the post-war period. Eugeniusz Raczkieiwz sent me this picture of Stanislawa. It was taken around 1956. The grandchildren are Alina and Krzysiek.

Rogozno Contract

A contract for 40 acres of land, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 2 cows, and a sow? Sign me up! The Hapsburgs in Germany wanted to colonize the land they acquired with Germans They developed contracts with some of the “big” land barons. The area of Poland where Rogóźno (and Tomaszów Lubelski) are located, belonged to Jan Zamoyski and he agreed to the development of several colonies on his land. Rogóźno was one such colony. Ten families moved there, including the Eiflers (whose grandson would come to marry my 4th great aunt Apolonia Kurkiewicz.) ***** The contract provided each colonist with 40 acres of land, and a house, a stable, and a grainery. They were given 2 horses, 2 oxen, 2 cows, and a sow along with some farming equipment like an iron plow and 2 wooden harrows with iron teeth. ***** In 1785, at the Zamoyski estate office in Zamość, a contract was signed. 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. 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 were 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.”

Medical Professionals

Today I want to acknowledge the many superheroes in the family who are medical professionals. Sebastian Raczkiewicz (my 2nd cousin) is an invasive cardiologist in Zamosc, Poland. Today he performed some very difficult procedures and saved three sick hearts. Bravo! ***** These are other medical professionals in our family (if I missed someone, it is because I didn’t know or missed it.) ***** Dentist: Bartosz Raczkiewicz, Mateusz Mickiewicz Doctoral neuropsychology student: Jennifer Erichsen Medical Social Worker: Jamie Laisure, Erica Beitel Medical Student: Barbara Raczkiewicz, Julia Raczkiewicz Nurse: Edwarda (Edyta) Malewski, Kim Hock, Theresa Parkanzky, Rachel Spencer, Colette Beitel, Cecilia Raczkiewicz Nurse practitioner: Dina Burkett Pharmacist: Monika Raczkiewicz & Joanna Raczkiewicz Physical therapist: Eileen Erichsen Physician: Sebastian Raczkiewicz, Mieczysław Raczkiewicz Psychologist: Magdalena Rynkowska, Christian Komor Respiratory therapist: Matt Spencer Surgical technologist: Amanda Needham Spruit X Ray Technician: Shirley Longwell

Rogozno Colony

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 Małdrzyk 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: “George (Eifler) with his wife 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. (His daughter was Anna As a “miss”, she gave birth to Jan/Johan who married Apolonia Kurkiewicz, Curt Wolf’s 4x great aunt. Apolonia’s brother Jozef is Curt Wolf’s 3x great grandfather -- and also mine). 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 Rogozno. These villages were relatively close to each other in the same county. Rogoźno is a village 5km outside of Tomaszow Lubelski. 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 Habsburg Dynasty of the Austrian Empire. To extend their wealth, the Habsburgs 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. The source of all the corroborating information comes from the contract, the 1800 census, and birth, marriage, and death records from Zamosc and Lublin archives.” ***** “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.” ***** (written by Curt Wolf)