An Obsessed Genealogist Blogs....

Piłka film #1191189

2011-03-06T05:04:00.003-07:00

I finally got around to ordering this film and indeed the marriage of Anton Kramer to Marianna Graś is my Anton. One of the witnesses was Henryk Bak aka Henry Bonk who married Anton's sister Mary. The marriage also says that Anton is from Chojno.
Also on this film are connections to my 2nd cousins ancestors. She is my 2nd cousin on my paternal side and the Kramers are my materal so I got this feeling I'm about to find more loops in the research. Her ggrandma was Conrada Nawrot whose parents were Lawrence Nawrot and Mary Helak. Mary Helak's mother was Cecylia Piątek and I have 2 Piątek lines that I'm connected to but now to see how Cecylia is connected to these if at all.
The 2 Piątek lines I have are these and they both are on this film. John Piontek aka Piątek married Helen Kosmider in Chicago. Her parents were Roman Kosmider from Rosko and Julianna Polfus Pyterek from Gulcz. Julianna's mother was Marianna Rybak whose sister Helena was my 3rd great-grandmother. So on this film I find John's birth and his parents are Adalbert Piątek and Antonina Frohlke. I found this marriage and also Antonina's birth and her father's death (Stephan)that lists a son Joseph age 12 in 1854 so his birth would be about 1842. Now that 2nd Piątek connection is this: Helen Kosmider's sister Pelagia married Johan Frohlke whose father was Jozef who was born about 1841. Could he be the same Joseph, brother to Antonina that married Adalbert? Johan Frohlke and Pelagia Kosmider's son Alex married Wanda Pointec. Her father was Paul and yes the name was changed from Piątek. Paul's parents were Walenty Piątek and Maryanna Sikora and Paul's birth was found on this film also.
Now to round up all this confusion. The reason I think I'll find another loop is this. Mary Helak's mother Cecylia Piątek was married 3 times. Her third marriage was to Joseph Gogolek and a witness at that marriage was Stephan Frolke.

Paul Stanley Kramer

2009-05-17T18:36:00.006-07:00

My very first blog was Aunt Emma, wife to Paul Kramer and at the time I knew he was related and told that Paul was a first cousin to my grandpa, I just needed to know exactly how. I just got his death certificate and now I know his parents names. The death certificate says his parents are Anthony Kramer and Marianna Gros both born in Penskow, Germany. My next step is finding out where that is so I went to Kartenmeister.com to look up Penskow. The current town name is unknown but it is in the Kriese of Filehne. This is now Wielen, Poland and is directly north of where my ggrandpa Valentine Kramer was born. His brother Anton Kramer was also born there on 1 Jan 1859 and was baptized in the Sierakow Parish. According to Valentine's obituary in 1933, he was survived by a brother Anton Kramer and a sister Franciszka Noj that remained in Poland. My next step was checking the Poznan marriage project and yes, the following marriage is listed there.
Catholic parish in Piłka [Schneidemühlchen], entry # 20 in 1884
Antonius Kramer (25)
Marianna Graś (20)
This age fits for my Anton and the wife's name looks like a hit too. I just need to order this film and hopefully I'll find Paul's birth. I also noticed on the Poznan marriage project that this area is full of marriages with the Noj, Noji, Noy surname so I'm pretty confident I'll find Franciszka's marriage in this area too. It'll be interesting to see how many new loops I find. Both my mom's maternal and paternal lines are in this area and while working on a tree at dynastree I see a lot of the Graś and Noj surnames that tie into the tree but so far none directly to my Kramers.
I also need to find 2 other Kramer siblings. Mary Kramer born about 1855 probably around Chojno, she married Henry Bonk in Poland and their first 4 children were born there so I need to find the marriage and births too. Also Helena Kramer that married Christian Prajs, according to her obituary her birth was 20 Nov 1871. I need to find her birth, their marriage and their daughter Mary's birth in Poland. I did not find their births in the Sierakow Parish so they have to be somewhere near these areas. Then I'd like to find the marriage of their parents, Szymon Kramer & Mary Przewozniak. If you've seen these records, please please let me know.

Another Gburek from Drzycim

2009-04-25T11:57:00.004-07:00

There was another Gburek that married in the Drzycim parish but so far haven't been able to prove if he's related to my Martin Gburek. Matthew married Maryanna Jordan 8 Nov 1846 in Drzycim. His birth was found in the Jezewo parish. Born 10 Sep 1822, his parents were Michael Gburek and Magdalena Topolinska. Their children found in the Drzycim parish were:
Johan born 3 Nov 1847 in Brzemonia
Michael born 19 Sep 1849 in Rowienica (later found in Chicago)
Stephan born 23 Dec 1853 in Drzycim (a marriage found in Serock)
According to Maryanna Jordan's death notice in the St. Stanislaus Kostka church register from Chicago, she is a widow age 89 born in Drzycim. Her parents were Jan Jordan & Anna. She was in America 16 years residing at 43 Crittenden St. She died 16 Apr 1904 and her children were Michael age 54, Szczepan 50, Zuzanna 46, Maryanna 40, Anna 52. The funeral was ordered by Jan Kluskowski.
The other children who weren't found in the Drzycim parish are:
Zuzanna born about 1857 who married John Kloska in Serock on 14 Nov 1877. Their first 3 children's births were found in the Topolno parish, the same parish my grandfather's birth was found so these families moved the same route through Poland and eventually to Chicago.
Anny who married a Rynkowski and daughter Aniela is found in Chicago and she marries Wojciech Sztermer 25 Jan 1893.
Marianna born about 1864 who marries Frank Dombrowski in Chicago 3 Aug 1886.
Andrzej whose death found in Chicago on 19 Aug 1886 said he died age 18 years and 2 months and that his parents were Mateusz and Mary Gordon and address at time was 667 Dickson Street.
I have information and documents on this family and their descendants too because I believe eventually I will be able to link them to my tree. If anyone out there has any information on these Gburek's or mine, please let me know.

Uncertain Clues

2009-03-13T18:18:00.003-07:00

Doing more digging on Paul Burck I found some things but am not certain they are correct however I am hanging onto them hoping I will find the piece that fits them all together. See an earlier post about Paul Burck for more information.
I suspect Paul's wife Anna was a Heiman from the CA death index and I know she had a brother that lived in Chicago on Menard Ave. per a letter from 1936. I found an obit in Chicago for a William Heiman in 1956 that mentions a sister Anna Burck in Concord, CA. I then find his family on the 1930 census but that address is 1919 Orchard St., in Chicago but it is 6 years prior to the letter. I then found a WW2 registration card for William Heiman living at 4038 N. Menard Ave. and the date of this is Apr 1942. The letters I have for Paul are in Pittsburg, CA which is close to Concord. On the California voting index I find him in Pittsburg in 1942 then in 1944 I found him in Concord.
Then some border crossings going through Sweetgrass, Montana from Lethbridge, Canada to Great Falls, Montana. One is under the name Paul Gburek in 1909 & the other one says Paul Burak in 1910 but all other info such as age & place of birth fit and both say seaport landing was Oct 1907 in Quebec but the 1910 one also says he was previously with his brother Felix in Canada so now that's another person to try and find. On the same day in 1909 I find Mike, Annie & Katie Popp going from the same town in Canada to the same town in Montana. Paul & Mike are both coal miners. On the CA death index I had found Kathryn Washburn that said mother's maiden was Heimann & her maiden name was Papp. I then find 2 death listings for what I believe are the same person, just different spellings, Mike Papp death on 4 Jul 1909 and Mike Pope same day. So I'm thinking Paul married Anna after the death of Mike.
These are the latest clues I have on Paul and his wife who I know is related but I'm still working on the how. These are sounding like I'm on the right track but I still need more to be certain.

Missing Gburek births and other questions

2009-03-08T06:38:00.011-07:00

Martin Gburek and Maryanne Konieczka were my grandpa's parents. Family stories say she had 14 children and that grandpa was the youngest. The 1900 census says 15 children but only 7 living and the 1910 census says 14 children with only 7 living. I cannot find her on the 1920 census but she didn't die until 1929. Martin I can't find coming to America at all. Did he die in Poland? If so, where?
Martin Gburek married Maryann Konieczka on 12 Sep 1858. They are both from Rowienica and the marriage is recorded in the Drzycim parish. These are their children's births I have found so far.
Thomas Gburek b. 17 Dec 1858, Rowienica, Poland, bap. 26 Dec 1858, Drzycim
Justina Gburek b. 6 Oct 1860, Rowienica, Poland, bap. 7 Oct 1860, Drzycim
Maryanna Gburek b. 20 Sep 1862, Rowienica, Poland, bap. 28 Sep 1862, Drzycim
Balbina Gburek b. 15 Dec 1864, Rowienica, Poland, bap. 26 Dec 1864, Drzycim
Margaretha Gburek b. 7 Mar 1867, Rowienica, Poland, bap. 10 Mar 1867, Drzycim
Paulina Gburek b. 12 Feb 1869, Wery, Poland, bap. 19 Feb 1869, Drzycim,
Julian Gburek b. 23 Aug 1871, Wery, Poland, bap. 27 Aug 1871, Drzycim
Anton Gburek b. 13 Jul 1873, Wilhelmshof (today is Krakówek), bap. 13 Jul 1873, Drzycim
Catharina Gburek b. 31 Dec 1875, Wery, Poland, bap. 2 Jan 1876, Drzycim
Anastazy Gburek b. 27 Feb 1883, Waldowo, (Swiecie)Poland, bap. 4 Mar 1883, Topolno, Poland

The family moves from the Drzycim parish area after Catharina's birth but where are they before Anastazy's birth in Waldowo? I know there is another sister Frances born about 1881 but I have not found her birth or 3 other unknowns. On the marriage for Frances to Stanley Gorski in Chicago, it shows her place of birth but the handwriting is hard to figure. I think is says Pryszczyn. Besides Frances and Anastazy that go to Chicago, I also have information on Thomas, Justina, Maryanna and Catharine and some of their descendants.

2 Strzyzewski - Budzynski marriages

2009-03-06T20:36:00.009-07:00

clicking on image will open it larger

This is a section of the marriage record of my 2nd great grandparents. Basically what is says is: Entry 6 on 26 Oct 1840 from Gromadno is Josephus Strzyzewski age 33 marrying Josepha Budzinska age 27.
Entry 7 on the same day from Gromadno is Joannes Strzyzewski age 29 marrying Cordula Budzinska age 22.

As so many genealogy finds go, one discovery leads to more questions. Are these 2 brothers marrying 2 sisters? I have not been able to find their births yet. They are not in the Smogulec parish or the Kcynia parish. I have found the births of their children at least those in the Kcynia parish and will list them as they are spelled in the baptism register.

Children of Joseph Strzyzewski & Josepha Budzynski are:
Joannes born 22 Jun 1841
Stanislaus Kostka born 7 Nov 1842
Petrus Marcus born 25 Apr 1845 (my great grandpa)
Marianna Brigetta born 8 Oct 1846

Children of Joannes Strzyzewski & Cordula Budzynski are:
Felicianus Martinus born 10 Nov 1841
Mechtldis (female) born 5 Nov 1842
Pelagia born 11 Jul 1848
Felicianus born 2 Jun 1850
Maria born 10 Apr 1852
Petronella born 5 Dec 1856
Ignatius born 31 Jul 1859
I also found a marriage in the Kcynia parish entry #30 on 20 Nov 1870 for a Franciscus Strzyzewski age 24 (that would make birth about 1846) to a Rosalia Kowalska of Debogora age 23. This marriage says his parents are Joannes & Cordula Strzyzewski and her mother is Anna Kowalska.

If anyone has these families or knows where the births of Joseph and John or Josepha and Cordula are, please get in touch with me.

Aniela Nufer

2009-03-06T20:01:00.004-07:00

My great grandfather was Peter Marcus Strzyzewski. He was born in Iwno, Poland on 24 Apr 1845 and baptized in the Kcynia parish 1 May 1845. His parents were Jozef Strzyzewski & Jozefa Budzynski. He married Maryanna Wasko Pyterek on 23 Nov 1887 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Chicago. This marriage record has a lot of information on it like where they were born, who their parents were, addresses at time of marriage, but it also added a question. It states that he was a widower and his first wife was Aniela Nufer and that she died 15 Dec 1874 in Paterson, NY.

I am still looking for the marriage of Peter to Aniela and where Aniela is buried. Did they marry in New York or Poland? When did Peter immigrate?

What happened to Casimir Strzyzewski?

2009-03-06T16:59:00.005-07:00

Casimir Joseph Strzyzewski was my grandma's brother. He was born 11 Feb 1889 in Chicago and baptized 14 Feb 1889 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Peter Strzyzewski & Marianna Wasko Pyterek were his parents. August Szczepanski and Antonina Wasko were his godparents.
He's living at home on the 1920 census, he’s age 32 and his occupation is a chauffer for a lumber company. I found his WW1 draft registration and on that he's a teamster chauffer. I questioned my mom's brother about him and was told the last time he saw him was at his own wedding in 1949. He also told me he thinks he changed his name to Charlie Smith or something like that. I know he was referred to as Uncle Charlie. I do not know if he ever married or not.
I found a Casimir Strzyzewski on the 1930 census where the age and occupation fit but I am not positive if this is he yet.
1519 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago
Henry Kujawa, 23, head, married age 18, born IL, parents born IL, chauffer truck industry.
Celia Kujawa, 21, wife, married age 17, born Wisconsin, parents born WI, clerk retail grocery.
Casimer Strzyzewski, 42, stepfather, married age 40, born IL, parents born Poland, chauffer truck industry.
Johanna Strzyzewski, 55, mother, married age 21, born IL, parents born Poland, no occupation.

I am still seeking his death and burial information and if this is he on the census, info about his marriage.

Paul Burck

2009-03-05T09:19:00.007-07:00

Paul Burck was a nephew to my grandpa, Albert Gburek. At least letters between the two referred to each other as nephew and uncle. The exact connection is what I am searching for. Paul lived in Pittsburg, California and grandpa in Chicago. I found Paul on the 1930 census and on a WW2 draft registration card, which has the same address as his letters to grandpa. The 1930 census has him at 236 East 6th St., Pittsburg, CA with the following people:
George Mangues age 39, head, married age 34, born Ohio, parents born Ohio
Kathryn Mangues age 32, wife, married age 25, born Hungary, parents born Hungary, immigrated 1909
Margurite Baer age 15, stepdaughter, born Canada Calgary, parents born Hungary
Anna Baer age 8, stepdaughter, born Montana, parents born Hungary
Paul Burck age 43, stepfather, married age 24, born Germany, parents born Germany, immigrated 1923
Anna Burck age 52, mother, married age 33, born Hungary, parents born Hungary, immigrated 1923
I'm gathering Anna was married prior and Kathryn is her daughter and that Kathryn was also married before to a Baer because of the children's surname.
On the WW2 card, it has Paul’s date of birth as 27 April 1886 and says he was born in Waldau, Germany. It also asks who will always know you and that is filled in saying Mrs. Ralph Washburn, Box 147, Clear Lake, Highlands, Calif.
Then on the California death index I find an Anna Burck born 23 Nov 1877 and died 3 Oct 1958. Fathers last name Heimann and mothers maiden name Bavele. So I look for Kathryn with mother's maiden name Heimann and I find a Kathryn Washburn born 9 Mar 1899 whose fathers surname was Papp and her death date is 13 Apr 1983. I also find a Margaret Baer born 23 Nov 1914 who died 9 May 1969 and her mother's maiden name was Papp. I do not know if these are the same people or not but the clues are looking good.
Grandpa was the youngest of 14 children and he was born 27 Feb 1883 in Waldowo, Poland. Waldowo was Waldau back at the time of their births when it was Prussia. Grandpa’s baptism was found in the Topolno parish but I did not find a birth for Paul there. I then found a 1900 Mecklenburg-Schwerin census for a Theophiel Gburek whose date of birth is 27 Apr 1886, which is the same as Paul’s date of birth, and the place of birth is Waldau, Schwetz, Posen. I'm not good on transcriptions but it looks like he is a stepson to the head of house who is Johann Murawski born 24 Jan 1865 in Taschauerfelde, Schwetz; then Johann's wife is Margarethe Murawski born 7 Mar 1867 in Budin, Schwetz; other children are Pelagia Murawski born 11 Jul 1891 in Schwetz, Marie Murawski born 20 May 1893 in Schwetz, Antoni Murawski born 1 May 1898 in Prenzlau, and then I think the next person is just a boarder, Albert Rutkowski born 18 Jun 1855.
Grandpa’s parents married in Drzycim parish and the first 9 children’s births are found there including a Margaretha born 7 Mar 1867 in the town of Rowienica. Is this the same Margarethe on the 1900 census? The census says she was born in Budin and there is a Budyn south of Drzycim and the birth date does match. More research needs to be done in the surrounding parishes down around Waldowo to find Paul's birth but my gut is telling me I'm getting close to solving this puzzle.

Aunt Emma

2009-03-04T12:33:00.004-07:00

I always heard of an Aunt Emma that lived in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Before my uncle passed I had questioned him. He said Emma was the wife of a Stanley Kramer who was a cousin to my grandpa also named Stanley Kramer. He said he came to America around the time of the first World War. He told me they had 3 children named Lucille, Albert and Dorothy. Years of searching found nothing about this family. Then this past fall my sister gave me a scrapbook of mom's wedding with all the cards she received. Three of these got me digging again. One signed Aunt Emma, another signed Ed & Lucille Benson (Kramer) and the other was signed Mr. & Mrs. C. Neill (Kramer). I then went digging in the obituary archives for those surnames combined and I found Paul Stanley Kramer, not Stanley, and he was married to Emma nee Miller and his children were Lucille Benson, Albert and Dorothy Neill. The obituary also stated he was buried in Eagle River. His grave along with Emma and son Albert and his wife are listed on findagrave in the Eagle River Cemetery. Mom saved a funeral card for Lucille Benson and she's buried in Acacia Park Cemetery in Chicago.
So I now know I have the right family but the puzzle still remains. Exactly how is he a cousin to my grandpa. According to great grandpa's obituary, he had a brother that remained in Poland so I suspect this is his son but I will have to wait until I get Paul's death certificate to be certain.