The Lost Czajkowski
Anyone into genealogy starts their search following passed down oral family histories. These stories may pan out, lead to dead ends, or eventually lead to skeletons hidden in the closet. Through my research the skeleton I have uncovered is my great-grandfather Frank whom I term
"The Lost Czajkowski".
Oral family history said Frank was twice married having two children with his first wife, but his first wife is still unknown. Oral history said Frank was in lumbering in Northern Wisconsin before moving and remarrying in Milwaukee, but research has only shown a vague state of Michigan lead. Oral history said Frank disappeared around 1910 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, which is truth. But with all the rumors of his death, I believe that he abandoned his family. The truth was unknown or buried with the passing of time.
To date, I finally uncovered Frank Czajkowski, born 1871, in the 1900 Milwaukee census, hidden and living with the family of his 2nd wife's relatives. His 2nd marriage certificate shows the family name Czajkowski, but church marriage records show his father's name as Jan Czajka and his mother's name as Marya Kosakowska. Census records show that he immigrated from Poland-Russia in 1891 and filed for naturalization, but no luck as of yet with any verification. I have uncovered another Czajkowski name in the puzzle. Alexander Czajkowski stood with Frank's daughter for her confirmation at St. Casimir Church Kenosha, Wisconsin on September 24, 1905. This Alexander must somehow be related to Frank. And I have one old family photo(shown below) that shows a possibly much larger sibling family. These faces may be seen again in other Czajkowski, or Czajka family photos that may prove the connection of family lines. If you are from these family surnames and have ties to Milwaukee or Kenosha Wisconsin, or possibly even Chicago, or even the state of Michigan, PLEASE look at their faces to see if a familiar one pops up. If one is a match, then WE ARE RELATED!
Family group photo believed taken in the summer of 1906 in the Czajkowski backyard at 888 Maiden Lane in Kenosha, WI. This house no longer exists for verification. Recognized in the photo in the first row left is Apolonia Czajkowski wearing black. Frank Czajkowski is seated in front. The little girl to Frank’s right is Mary Czajkowski. The last woman in the second row on the far right is believed to be Apolonia’s sister Helen Sipowski. One of the men standing should be Helen’s husband Antoni Sipowski, but has not be identified as of yet. The others in the photo are presumed to be brothers or sisters of Frank, but not as of yet identified. This is the only existing photo that was found in an old family photo trunk of unidentified family photos passed down.
Note: The face of the woman, possibly pregnant, seated next to Frank has been exactly duplicated in the descendant line for the next three generations, and I do mean exactly in females at varying ages. This is a family trait that cannot be dismissed, which says that she is a sister of Frank. Therefore, it is currently believed that in this photo are 3 brothers and 1 sister of Frank Czajkowski and their spouses.
This is the June 27, 1898 marriage photo of Frank Czajkowski and Apolonia Zlotorzynski. This same photo was duplicated and passed down through several different family lines of descendants.
This photo was in the same trunk as the 1906 Czajkowski Family Reunion Photo. The husband and wife ARE in the Reunion Photo and are believed to be of the Czajkowski surname. He is in the last row far left. She is in the middle row 2nd from the left. As you can see they have 5 children. Date of photo is unknown. The photography studios address could be from Milwaukee or Chicago. DO YOU HAVE THIS PHOTO OR ANY OF THESE PEOPLE IN YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS? IF SO, PLEASE E-MAIL ME !!
