Genealogy: Lessons Learned
by Marvin Kusmierz - Bay City, Michigan
03 March 2002
What Being Polish Meant to Me
Two years ago, I retired and began the quest of finding my Polish roots, the only ethnic roots that I have as far as I know. It has been two years of learning more about what I didn't know about being Polish than finding my ancestors. I have learned what being Polish really means.
I am the product of a marriage that failed and ended in divorce when I was two years old. I was the youngest by 10 years and 11 years respectively to my brother and sister. My sister went to live with an Aunt while my brother and I moved to a low income project with mom. My brother enlisted in the Navy at 17 years old, so I never really had a youthful sibling relation that would be considered normal. From that point on, my mother and I were like gypsies moving annually from one apartment to the next. These years were filled with the Saturday and Sunday morning polka music that mom dearly loved to listen to on the radio. The early part of these years included the annual Christmas family gathering at my grandfather Len's home until he sold the homestead. Grandma Anna, passed on when I was 7 years old. My Kusmierz grandparents both died before my birth. The sale of a house would bring an end to my brief experience with traditional Polish gatherings. The years that followed provided no relevance to me as being Polish except for mom's love for listening and dancing to polka music, and the Polish meals that were a major part of our diet.
Forced Learning
That has all changed since I began doing genealogy. I have been forced to learned much about my Polish heritage. It became essential in order to understand the information that I was developing. Find contemporary family was fairly easy, but when it came to my grandparents, it was another story. No one living had answers for where they actually came from! How could it be that my aunt and uncles would not know who their grandparents were? That there weren't any records immediately available that would help me understand more about them? How could family recollection have them coming from places such as Austria, Hungary, Prussia or Germany if they were Polish? What a tangle mess of confusion! Well, I'm here to tell you that my Polish family is not that much different from many others whose ancestors came over to the United States in the middle 1800s to the early 1900s.
After two years of research a lot of the confusion has cleared up and I have a better understanding the ordeal my ancestors dealt with. I learned that my experience is irrelevant to that of my parents and grandparents. With the new knowledge, I am able to related to their lives. My mother's generation was the first born in the new country. This generation endured two world wars and hardships that were different from mine. They were preoccupied with making a living rather than enjoying a living. Work was a family affair. All brought home the bacon so to speak. Besides, household chores, baby-sitting younger sisters and brothers, those who could earn income for the family did just that. A formal education wasn't essential when it didn't provide basic needs subsistence. An income, no matter how small, did!
My Mother's Generation
My mother's education was all of three years in a Polish Catholic school where English and Polish were used. Like most families of this time, all were struggling with moving away from Polish as a native tongue to English so the could become a part of a broader community. The Poles all settled in the same area which was a common practice of most every ethnic groups. Being separated from blood-family brought comfort in those who you were able to communicate with. However, this would be to the educational detriment of my mother who until the day she passed on still spoke, wrote and read Polish with more ease than English. She became a part of the first generation of Poles in my family born in the United States that made the transition for my generation a better experience. I never learned Polish. By the time I was born in 1941, Polish was no longer a teaching tool for learning English. My mother did not communicate with me in Polish at home like her parents did with her. I do recall some Polish words and phrases uttered during certain moments of anguish or excitement. But, I never knew what they meant or even that it was Polish that she was using at those moments.
A Family Historian
One of the first things that I did to find answers about my family was to establish a presence on the internet. My thought was that if I couldn't easily find answers to my ancestors beyond my grandparents, that maybe their relatives would find me if I put up a web site. Ancestry - The Polish Connection was my S.O.S. beacon for this purpose. as been accomplished during this period of time that has been fulfilling due to the learning process. I do know more about my distant family and to some extent, have become the family historian (at least they thing so). I also learned, that for most genealogy just is not a priority as was the case with me up until two years ago. That is a problem because the young have the greatest opportunity to capture family history before it becomes lost with the passing of their elders.
I have found it important for me in doing my genealogy to understand the environment of my ancestors. Each generation comes from a different experience. My generation and that of my mother was quite different from that of her parents, my grandparents. They were caught in life changing experiences quite different that would not only affect their own personal lives, but that of the overall family that they were a part of.
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Historical Map Reference
Each map shows an overlay of the area known as Poland today.
1660 Map of Poland
Poland's territory was quite extensive, stretching far beyond the area of today's Poland. Note the difference is mainly in the eastern and southeastern regions. Poland controlled major portions of Russia and Hungary that included Galicia.
1864 Map of Poland
Poland was non-existent as a country. The territory that was once known as Poland was controlled by Prussia, East Prussia, Russia and Hungary. This is commonly referred to as the Partitions of Poland (explain below).
Additional resources:
 Historical Geography of Poland
1914 Europe Map
1919 Poland (end of WWI) |
Partitions of Poland
In 1772, the process of removing Poland from the map would begin with what is known as the 1st Partition of Poland. Poland was vulnerable from internal disunity exposing itself to the aggressive behavior of the emerging European powers of Russia to it's east and Prussia (Germany) to it's west. They along with Austria to it's south would collude in each ceasing a portion of Poland. This would be followed by a 2nd Partition in 1793 and a 3rd Partition in 1795, that would wipe Poland off the map. (Use the Historical Geography of Poland link in the right insert for details on the partitions.)
My Polish grandparents came from Austria, Hungary, Prussia or Germany because Poland did not exist during their life time. Poland would not return to a sovereign state until 1918 at the end of World War I. This is history and the fate they had to deal with. Most of the Polish immigrants that came to America did so in the mid-1800s and into the early 1900s. Circumstances of history made a difficult decision a necessity. Prussia and Russia were now powerful and exercised aggressive behavior threatening stability not only in Poland but throughout Europe. The Polish experience was an environment of constant political struggle that threaten to break out in war. For many Poles, to do nothing was to accept the certainty of a future would only become worse for themselves and their families. These Poles made the difficult choice of pulling up roots and traveling half way around the world to America where there was hope they would flee the pending gloom in favor of hopes for a better life.
Courage and Commitment
Those that would immigrate would do so in small groups. The war years were still not upon their homeland and they needed funds to support bringing family members over to the new country. Typically, one of the male family members was given the task of being first to dislocate to the new country. Quite often, cousins would come at the same time if possible providing some sense of not being totally alone in the work they were about to do. Funds were saved or raise through selling off possessions to cover the cost of voyage and hopefully, enough for subsistence until they were able to find an income. With funds in hand, they would begin the trip to an ocean port where they would board a vessel for a trip that could take up to a month depending on the route and port calls their ship had scheduled. Those that arrived in America before 1855 which is the year Castle Garden in New York opened, were for the most part dropped off at the port without any formal processing and left to fend for themselves in a country of experienced immigrants. Many would find themselves the victim of ignorance at the mercy of those who would find easy taking in these young non-English speaking immigrants from Poland. They found themselves confronted with the challenges of a major metropolis where they would be a minority not only ethnically, but experience. They would endure and overcome knowing family expectations all rode on their shoulders. They would take the first work available to earn income. Those who found themselves in need of immediate funds would do so in the community where they arrived. Others would head out for areas they were told or knew had and established Polish community and where work was readily available. Major work centers like Pittsburgh's steel mills and coal mines welcoming destinations of opportunity. Also, during this period common labor was in demand for a growing industrialization of America. Local coal and salt mines could were abundant. Saw mills were busy at work preparing wood products for building new homes, manufacturing plants, ships and barrels for storage. Each provided a means for the new immigrant to meet the family task that was his challenge.
Mission Achieved
If all goes well, they will establish a residence from which they can earn money and as a base for their family members to come to. During this initial phase they would learn quickly on how to survive from the more experienced Poles that made the journey ahead of them. Some may be cousins or even strangers, none the less, they were kin in a fellowship of needing each other. The goal was paramount and it was imperative that they achieve it with vigor to shorten wait for family yet to come. When sufficient funds were made, they would send it home to support the next person or persons to come and join them. In doing so, they served their own self-interest by the removal of aloneness upon the next family arrival.
In a matter of time, a family set would exist in the new country. Some would find the experience in America unacceptable for any number of reasons. Just too much change for them to handle. The strong pulling of ties with family, friends or their homeland. A fear of failure, of not being able to make in a country that required basic communications in English. And, frequent encounters with other immigrants that for heaven sakes spoke neither Polish or English. Fear because the only tool they had was experience to learn from. But for those who would stay, most would succeed and find the hardships they under went well worth it. They would establish the pioneers of a Polish presence in America. They would build the Polish American communities that would ease the immigration decision for the next generation of Poles who would come behind them. They built their churches, schools and eventually their own businesses. They would be the first to Americanize the Polish experience.
Records and Relationships
I have only established facts for one side of my grandparents as to when they came America. My mother's parents came here in 1909. According to record at Ellis Island, my grandmother, Anna came over in July while my grandfather, Paul, came in October. Why, she would have come ahead of him is unknown. They were not married at that time. That didn't happen until 1910. What the records say is that both were headed to same address in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Anna's papers say the that she was headed to her brother-in-law, B. Kozubal's place. On board the same vessel were Kozubal family members heading for the same place. Paul's papers say he was heading to the place of his cousin, Frank Kozubal. No other family was aboard this vessel with him. They would lived in the Braddock area for the next 10 years before moving onto Bay City, Michigan where Anna had relatives living. My mother, the first child, and four others were born in Braddock. The Kozubals would remain in this area. However, Kozubals are also established in Bay City at that time as well.
The family genealogy is pretty much the same for each family set. That is, no family has established a connection to the birth place of the ancestors as of this writing. I have come to learn that we belong to the majority of those doing their Polish ancestry. It is a fact of history that has made doing research on this generation of ancestors so difficult. There are many educational obstacles to be overcome as well as circumstances of history that need to learned to better understand where we need to look for answers.
Importance of Surnames
Some will find that their current surname is different for those ancestors immigrated to America. Understanding this possibility is the first and most important thing we can do to help ourselves. Otherwise, a lot of time will be spent looking in the wrong places for records. A basic knowledge of the Polish alphabet and the sounds it generates will greatly help improve your chances for success. Reversing the problem from that of our ancestors who had a need to learn English, will improve your vision of research based on awareness. You will be less likely to overlook that Wojcik is another area where you may find records for Vojsik.
Resources and More Challenges
Availability of records is a challenge that can be an issue for many. The internet has opened up many opportunities for our generation to do in a relatively short period of time what would take a life time of devotion to accomplish only a few years ago. The internet is only expect to get better for the genealogist as more and more databases come online from sources such as the federal and state governments, libraries, and personal databases such as vessel passenger lists, churches and schools. Historical sources such as County Clerk offices and libraries are understanding having online indexes to their databases will saving them time and money as a growing number of genealogists are calling on their services.
War and Tragic Consequences
The internet and improving availability of sources will not overcome some major problems that may affect some of us. Two world wars resulted in the distraction of some archives. The knowledge they contain is lost unless some duplicate records were maintained elsewhere. Worse yet, the wars led to the separation of many families. A large number of the young left to fight against Germany. Many never returned either because their lives were lost in battle or they found the political reality in Poland to be unacceptable to return to. Families lives were lost as war rage on in their homeland. Some were forced into labor camps or those even less fortunate, into concentration camps. Some disappeared as did some towns and villages from the people being up rooted. The stories are recorded in books and many are available on the internet. The importance of learning this history is much deeper than understand that some records are gone, it tells us much about our ancestors who survived. They carried scars that would affect them the rest of their lives. The impact might felt in the eldest of family that may have been a part of this ordeal or have first hand knowledge from those who were. Many who are researching their Polish roots have family members who simply refuse to discuss this history. For them, it will always be too fresh in their minds to allow their feelings to be understood. Knowing what they have dealt with gives them and us some space from which we can obtain a mutual respect for our need to know and their need to not to look back
Need a Village
Knowing what village or town of your ancestors is the most difficult can be an extremely difficult task for many. The records we find through the immigration process gives some idea of what was recorder base on input from our ancestors. However, the accuracy of the record may be in question. For example, my grandfather's record says he was from Krosno, Austria (Polish). That is true, he was Polish and his native land was politically known as Austria in 1909. But is Krosno where he was born? Or, is it that he was last living in Krosno or that is the point where he left Austria on his way to America? I don't know yet. But, I need to try and determine this because I need to find the church that may be holding his birth records and hopefully other family records to begin my hunt for relatives in Poland. Well there is more quite a few Krosnos located in Poland. Fortunately, only two in southern Poland would have been under Austrian control in 1909. But, my family verbal recollection is Paul said he lived near Krakow and further more he told a story about breaking his leg to avoid enlistment in the Russian army! Is this fiction or fact. If it is fact, I have some obstacles to overcome to explain why Russia would be enlisting Poles from Austria? Was Krosno the place he last lived and his birth place was actually in an area under Russian control? It's plausible, that he also lived near Krakow that was close to the border of the Russian control and his birth place is somewhere north into Russia or somewhere in the Russian controlled area of Poland. I'm closer to getting there, but I may still have a long way to go. I'm at the point now where I need more knowledge to moved in the right direction and this will come from the experience of others who have successfully made this journey before me. They are the members of mailing list groups and a growing community of message boards anxious to help shorten the next persons learning curve and lead them in a direction with a higher probability of success.
Golden Key
Finding the records that may be the golden key to knowledge about great-grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins are blocked by many barriers and challenges to be overcome. Some may wonder why do it at all? Many are content to live in the present with those who are here now. The conclusion would seem to be supported if one perceives that..... history is history and there isn't much you can do about. Or, doing genealogy serves no useful purpose and only takes away from prime time of the living. I hope you are not entrapped in this frame of mind.
My reaction to this type of thinking is what will the living find not important next? If one's roots are not important than what purpose is our existence? Is each generation to be only their moment in time? I think not! I can understand why the youth may not think about their lineage. Youth are captured by building a future and of not facing mortality that will come when aging affects not only their aching bodies and while they possess a mind ripe with experience. But, if you are already there and still are not thinking about the meaning life, you are missing what's truly important in life and that is family. When all else fails, family prevails. Being rooted in family is knowing your connections to the past. Realizing much of what you are today is based on what they contributed to putting you in a position to have it. They didn't make the decisions for you, you still have this freedom of choice, but if it weren't for them, there would be no you.
Encouragement
Therefore, I would encourage making genealogy a family project. If your sons and daughters are adults, it may not be easy to capture their interest as they are entrenched in the life they have established leaving little time for research. But, you are among the middle age adults who found the gratifying desire to inquire about your family's history, your children are still open to parenting allowing you to instill the importance of genealogy in their lives. It will be your gift to them. We all tend to be better off when we get beyond ourselves and genealogy is an excellent for developing a connectivity that bridges the past with the present as well as the future.
We who are committed to this quest of family genealogy will continue even if it means going it alone. The process can be lonely at times, especially when you would like to share an intimate experience of a finding with your family. Unless they are involved, they will politely reply with an affirmation that you did good, but they will not feel the joy of moment. We will not rest until we find that golden key that bridges our known family to those we have yet to learn about.
It's Our Gift of Appreciation
It is our gift of appreciation to those that boarded the ship and took on the challenge of finding a better life for themselves, their family and yes, us too. Therefore, we will not let set backs or disappoints dissuade us from our mission of reuniting our family. It the task of our generation to build this bridge to our family's past so future generations may be a continuance of our roots to being family.
This article appears here with the permission of the author.
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