Dear Diary, I...Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year's challenge is 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and is run by Amy Johnson Crow.

Topic Info:

True, not everyone is fortunate enough to have an ancestor's diary or journal. (I haven't found any in my family yet!) You could write about an ancestor who you can picture keeping a diary. You could write a diary entry telling about researching someone. You could do a bit of creative non-fiction and write a diary entry as if you were one of your ancestors.

And if you are fortunate enough to have an ancestral diary or journal, tell about who wrote it!

Do I have a diary or journal?

I'm not one of the fortunate people who have a journal or diary from anyone in the family. We did have a family bible on my father's side, but it got water damaged and thrown out when I was a teenager without my knowledge and I didn't know anything about that until I asked my father about it a few years ago. I used to love looking at the bible because the pages were so thin and so elegant with the gold and the drawings. This just about broke my heart. 

Putting the family back together...

Anyhow, my research started with only a few things, as I've written about before. From here, I've been able to put things together and use tape and glue to keep them together. I've been lucky enough to start to join the families back together as well. My mother's side I now have an uncle, cousins from first cousins to cousins all over the world in Poland, Belgium, Germany, and USA. On my father's side, I have a few from the German side and cousins from my paternal grandmother's Polish side. I've been lucky enough to join in some way with these families and I couldn't be prouder. I have run into some people through the DNA or email which basically said Nope and told me to shove off (actually used other words but this is a child friendly area or at least I try to keep it that way!). 

I have been trying to trek each of my ancestors across their lifetimes. Sometimes its easy and others aren't so easy...these are called roadblocks. Believe me, we all have these.

One of the ideas listed above is to write a journal entry of an ancestor as if it where them writing it. I've had a tough time narrowing the person down.

An Ancestor's Diary Entry...

Dear Diary,

You don't know me, but my name is Adam Wojtkowski. My great granddaughter, Jo Ann, will be writing this in years after my passing, but I think, from my looking over her shoulder and steering her a bit, she's done very well so far. As she's fluent in English, and barely knows any Polish, this will be written in English.

Its currently 1913 and I am sitting here on my bed on the ship Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, which is a beautiful ship, but still makes me scared as its been about 10 months since the Titanic sank. True she is fast and the largest in the world, but the things we have heard about in the Titanic hearings didn't make this voyage any easier for any of us. Its currently taking me away from everything I know and love and bringing me to the land of opportunity they promise those of us in the advertising.  There was accommodation for 472 first class passengers, 174 second class passengers, 212 third class passengers and 1608 forth class (steerage) passengers as written by the shipping company.

They spelled the last name wrong, but all other information is current. Credit: Ellis Island

Anyhow, I grew up on a farm with my parents in Wojtkowice-Dady, Podlaskie Voidvodeship in east-central Poland. My mother owns a mill which helps us sell the flour on our land at the nearest market in nearby Nur which is in the Masovian Voidvodeship and almost 6 miles or almost 11 kilometers away. When I met my wife, Maryanna, but I call my Mary, I fell instantly in love. She's my princess and I would do anything for her.

Circles show the areas mentioned above in Poland. Warsaw is to the West of Malkinia Gorna. From Google Maps

Soon after we did our wedding banns in both her church and ours because my princess wanted it that way because I lived in what the people in the US would call a county and she in another. It wasn't traditionally done here with the double banns, but whatever my Mary wanted I tried to give her. I still can't believe she married me in 1905 and gave me our little girl, Genowefa in 1910. I love them so much and only want to keep the safe and love my girls. Tears are filling my eyes just thinking about leaving them behind to go off to find our future. I live to feel them again in my arms.

The above is the wedding certificate on left. On right is the translation and date conversion. Credit

However, with the Russians looking for more soldiers for their rotten army, and the things THAT army does to all people along with the unrest they are causing, I had a talk with some close friends in town about the US. After talking it over with them and my wife, it was decided. The men would head to the US and I would have my girls say with my wife's family in Malkin Gorna for protection. Her family is from nobility and has more protection for them than anyone else I could have left them with or at least that's what we're hoping.

Newspaper article about people hating Russia. Credit

In our group, we all have the same last name. As my family owned land, we had the last name of Wojtkowski so I received my last name by my father, but the same Russian scum forced naming conventions upon the others.

The fighting has been stepping up and what the Russian scum are doing with treatment and thievery of people are only going to get worse I fear.

My friends and I had set out for the Hamburg port in Germany on foot as I sold or left behind everything else. We did have people help us with giving us rides in wagons and such, but it still took us a long time to get to this port.

We came close a few times to getting caught by either the Russian army or when we crossed over to the German area. Thankfully, we know both languages so we could pretend we were farmers from both sides and were able to get through. We did see some people who must not have been so convincing as they were shouted at because the solders did not believe them before they were shot in the head dead. It was brutally cold winter for we left in January and arrived on board in February.

Most people would be shocked or appalled at this killing treatment, but since my birth its almost a common occurrence so we're all used to it unfortunately. The toughest ones, I dare say, are when this is done to your loved ones right in front of you. We've had many family members who have had this done, or have simply disappeared like my younger brother, which I pray for every night and live in hope he is well, but deep down I fear is is already gone from us.

On board its cramped but at least I have my friends along with me, so I'm not completely homesick. I hope my brother Wiceski in New Jersey is well. Although he's not technically my brother, we are saying he is so I can get through customs. The 25 dollars I have helps with this as well. Each of these are how we are getting through the regulations the officials have put on. We have done this before in our homeland, so this isn't a problem for us or at least we hope. This is what has been told of us to do and we had decided it is all worth the risk. Thankfully my dear friend Crzeslaw, who has traveled there before even due to his young age, has helped us with this voyage.

Czeslaw's letter for my grandmother's (Genowefa/Genevieve) naturalization documents. Credit: US NIS

I better go as the seas are starting to toss about wildly once again and at times you had to hang on or else risk being thrown about. Meanwhile, I'll sit here and dream about what kind of life me and my girls will have once we all there there and settle down. I will also pray you, my darling princess wife, and our little daughter stay safe until we can be together again.

All my dreams and love to my girls.
Dobranoc (Goodnight)
Adam

A-Z Blogging Challenge - The letter L is for Linden, NJ (Wojtkowski/a) or La Guardia!

In 2017, there was a challenge. I heard about it from jillballau blog and more information can be found out about it on the A-Z Blogging Challenge (which was at http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/) page itself. However, as I was testing links I found the A-Z Blogging Challenge link is no longer working *frown*

Many people had done this challenge in April 2017, but I’m a rebel and do things when I have time, so I’ll do mine now. I’ve been working on it over many days, and was hoping to get it all done before posting BUT it’s taking me a lot longer than I expected. I’ll do a few posts now and work on the rest. 

I know I have about ½ of this challenge done in draft format, so not too bad.  J

What can I say – I’m an original. So, here I go…

The letter L is for Linden, NJ (Wojtkowski/a) or La Guardia!

When my grandmother and great grandmother arrived in the US via Ellis Island, my great grandfather lived in New Jersey in various areas. Within a few months of my grandmother and great grandmother arriving, they lived in Linden, New Jersey. 

Linden, NJ to New York, NY Map from Google Earth

She went to school and they moved around this area. In fact, my great grandparents lived in this general area the rest of their lives and are even buried nearby. 

A note from my grandmother's Naturalization file regarding her schooling.

My grandmother moved in New York City, Manhattan, for a few years where she met my grandfather. I think this was during the Prohibition (1920s), when she was a cigarette girl. 

What my grandmother looked like working. Credit

She loved to tell the story of how the cops would do a raid of the bar and she used to go into telephone booth and lay on the floor with the box above her head. Because she was so small, 4 foot 10 when she passed, they used to just walk right on by her. Remember this was in the time of prohibition and they were usually selling alcohol in some shape or form usually. 

Anyhow, after she met my grandfather they moved back to Linden. My father grew up in this area until he was about 10 give or take a few years. 

My grandmother in Linden, NJ in 1930s
in this family picture copyright J. Fitzgerald

This was on Linden's website until late 2018. Its the same building my grandmother was standing in front of in the 1930s.

The way my grandmother is standing with her hand on her waist, you can tell she's pregnant in the picture. According to Linden's website, they give different classes to the public in the building, so I think she probably came here for a check up or for a class. 

My father, who my grandmother was pregnant with in the above picture, lived his early life around Linden. NJ. Below is him in front of a fire hydrant.

My father during Linden, NJ summer late 1930s.
Copyright J. Fitzgerald

My grandmother and great grandfather used to travel back and forth from Newburgh, New York to Linden, New Jersey, after my grandparents and father moved away. 

Where does La Guardia fit into this?

You are probably asking about La Guardia fitting in as I mentioned this above. 

Well, my Great Uncle Stanley had married a woman by the name of Mary. They were living in Linden, New Jersey. Anyhow, remember how I was saying the family traveled from Newburgh, New York to Linden, New Jersey? 

One of these times, Great Uncle Stanley and Mary were coming up to visit my grandmother and ended up in a really bad car accident. Mary was killed. 

This happened in La Guardia not far from where the airport is. 

A map showing Elizabeth (on lower left) to LaGuardia (on upper right)

This may look far from Elizabeth, but many freeways lead you directly to that area, so it doesn't take long - you just have to make sure you get on the right freeway! In fact, to go up to northern NY, you must come this way to get the freeway to go up that way. Its quicker. 

Once again, I stumbled onto this information. I was looking through city directories to find out more about my great uncle's. I found one which listed him with a Mary and I asked my father about it.

US Directory listing my Great Uncle Stanley and Mary in 1957.

This is when I was told about Great Uncle Stanley being married to Mary. My father can't remember her last name. I think I might have figured it out, because of a census which listed Stanley, Mary and her family they were boarding off. However, I cannot say for sure it was them. 

This is how and why La Guardia is mentioned as well. 

In Deep with the Book of Me - Dream Trip

This seems like an interesting topic for those those of us who do Genealogy -

Background: This prompt was inspired by a blog post written in September 2014 by Jennifer Shoer who blogs at The Scrappy Genealogist. I wasn't the only one inspired because +Tessa Keough & the team at the Legacy Virtual Users Group Community at Google + hosted a hangout in October 2014 and you can see that recording here.

Topic: You are going to plan your dream trip. Where do you want to go and why?
Genealogical connections, revisit because of happy memories, or perhaps you just feel a connection to somewhere else? What do you want to do when you get there?

The trip can be as long or as short as you would like it to be. Forget about the constraints that you might feel and be aware of. This is an opportunity to dream and perhaps sow the seed for a future adventure.

My Genealogy Dream Trip

What's funny is my husband and I have been talking about going back to the land of our ancestors. We've been talking about it for probably a good 3 or 4 years now, because we're starting to find information on exactly where our ancestors were.

My starting point would be to go back to the United States. However, it would be to parts I've never really spent time in.

New Jersey
This would be my starting point. If my father wanted to come along, I would be more than willing for him to accompany me. We would start at the old addresses I had of my paternal side:

• 1920 address: 49 7th Avenue, Hudson, New Jersey(great grandfather)
• Sept 1920 address: 25 Silver Street, Bayonne (great grandparents and grandmother)
• 1930 address: 103 11th Street, West Linden (great grandfather)
• 1937-1942  address: 108 W 15th Street, West Linden  (great grandfather & business)
• 1943 address: 200 Jefferson Ave, Linden, (grandparents)
• 1943 address: 1814 Clinton Street, Linden (great grandfather)
• March 1943 address:  1907 S Wood Ave, Linden (Distant cousin of grandmother)
• March 1943 address: 1907 S Wood Ave, Linden (Cousin Czeslaw of Great grandfather)
• March 1943 address: 666 Broadway Bayonne (Cousin Vincent of Great grandfather)
• October 1920 address: MJ Donohoe School (known now as #4 school), Linden, NJ
• November 1922 address: #2 school, Linden, NJ (grandmother)
• 1939 address: 816 Henry Street, East Linden  (grandmother)
• Bayway Cemetary, North Linden, NJ (Great grandparents)

New York

• 1934 address: 433 East 72 St, NYC (grandfather)
• 1934 address: 399 East 78th St, NYC (grandmother)
• 1934 address: St Monica's Church, 405 East, 79th St, Manhattan (grandparents married)
• I would also have my father take me to the places he remembers. He has mentioned in the past the old store my great grandfather had and its still a store today in New Jersey. 
• He mentioned a German bar my grandfather often visited as well in Linden.
• I would also visit the New Jersey Archives to see if they had any local information on my great grandparent's business as it was very well thought of. I would look up my great grandfather's obituary as well. Lastly, in the late 1930's my grandmother was involved in a very bad car and train accident and my grandmother almost died. 
• Lastly, I would have my nieces, with their children, meet me in New York City to go to the Statue of Liberty. I would then tell them all the story of my grandmother and getting to New York.  I would follow this by them meeting my father as they didn't know him growing up. 

The next stop on my dream trip would be to Pennsylvania. My oldest sister, Theresa, has already said she wants to come along with us on this one. This visit would be for my maternal grandmother's side - the Ostrzyci and Jagodzinski side.

Pennsylvania (Ostrzyci's)

• 1910 address: 7 Stewards Row West Carson Street, Allegheny, PA - (Felix Brother of Bernice)
• St Adelberts Cemetery, Allegheny, PA (Felix buried)
• 1915-1976 address: 1202 (Lower) Crest Avenue, Charleroi (2x great grandparents lived most of their lives and died, Kurpieski's lived (Laura sister of Bernice, Josephine sister of Bernice)
• Calvary Cemetery, Charleroi  (where my 2x grandparents and other cousins/aunts/uncles are buried, Kurpieski's)
• Charleroi Cemetery - Vicki/Valeria Woncheck (Grand Niece of Bernice, Frank, Stanley Jr Brothers of Bernice)
• Christ Lutheran Church of Charleroi (Dorthoy Ostrzycki Johnson - Bernice's niece)
• St Mary's Anglican Church, Charleroi (Vicki/Valeria attended)
• 819 Gallowfield Ave, Charleroi (Vicki Carl J Spallino Funeral Home)
• Charleroi-Moessen Hospital (Where Bernice's brother in law died)
• Polish Ladies Auxiliary of Chareroi - Laura Kurpieski a member
• 1918 address: 205 Fever East Pittsburgh (Adam Ostrzycki)
• 1933 address: 369 Hayes Ave, Washington, PA (Adam)
• 1930 address: 939 McKean Ave, Washington, PA (Steve)
• 1940 address: 1223 Crest Ave, Charleroi (Steve)
• 1970 address:  Calvary Bible Church of North Charleroi & choir (Steve - left for Tennessee-ministry-then Alabama)
• 1976: St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Charleroi (Josephine)
• Prior to 1962 Address: 16 Perry Lane, Pittsburgh, PA (Josephine Bernice's sister)
• Need to look up Corning Glass Works in Charleroi (2x great grandfather)

(Jagodzinski's)

• Saint Catherine's Cemetery, Leechburgh, PA (Alfred - great uncle)
• St. Martha's Roman Catholic Church, Leechburgh (Alfred's daughter married)
• 1962 Address: Rd 1, Vandergrift (Alfred's address)
• Leechburgh High School (Alfred's children attended)
• 1917 address: Cemetary ?, Leechburgh (great grandfather)
• West Leechburgh Steel Co, West Leechburgh, PA (great grandfather)
• Visit to Leechburgh (Bridget/Bernice lived)
• Visit to Pittsburgh - Stella (sisters to Bernice)
• St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Oakmont, PA (Valma  Dunn - Bernice's sister)
• Vandergrift, PA - (Apolonius aka Juggs - Mom's cousin lived/died here)
• Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, 930 Center Ave, Pittsburgh (Mom's great aunt had Valma Dunn had her arrangements done)
• 1948-1983 Wean United (Janet's brother Jug or Appolonius worked)
• 1943 Leechburgh High school (Janet's brother Jug or Appolonius graduated)
• St Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift (Janet's brother Jug or Appolonius chruch)
• Vandergrift VFW (Janet's brother Jug or Appolonius member)
• Armstrong Conty Sports Hall of Fame (Janet's brother Jug or Appolonius plaque)
• St. Gertrude Cemetery Vandergrift (Janet's brother Jug or Appolonius buried)
• Need to visit the Charleroi, Vandergrift, Leechburgh, Pittsburgh genealogy/history area for references Charleroi needs to be searched for Laura in Charleroi Mail newspaper for local politics.

I will also want to check cemeteries near Newburgh, NY for my great grandmother Bernice, great Aunt Geneieve, maternal grandfather and great aunt Florance, and St Mary Church and Cemetery in Salisbury Mills, NY.

I would also meet up or  have a huge picnic to meet any of my cousins in one of the nearby parks in Orange County, NY. as I haven't met many.

St. Paul Minnesota

Europe

I would then take my time and go through the places listed in my great grandparents and grandparent's documents I found. These are below.

Poland
My paternal side comes from these areas of Poland:

 

My maternal side comes from these areas of Poland:

 

Germany
 My paternal side comes from these areas of Germany:

Denmark
 My maternal side comes from these areas of Denmark:

Belgium
My maternal side comes from these areas of Belgium:

My Husband's dream trip would be to Ireland (whole thing), Germany, and places along France/Belgium border for his genealogy.

I think I need to win the lottery. *grin*