Steve’s Genealogy Blog

My grandfather, Kostanty Niedzialkowski, immigrated to the United States from Russian Poland in May 1910. On his passenger manifest, he stated that he planned to stay with his uncle, Franciszek Niedzialkowsky, at 18 Huntington Ave., Worcester, Mass.

In the 1910 Worcester Directory published by Drew Allis Co., Frank Niedzialkosky is listed at that same address.

Worcester Directory 1910 Entry for Frank Niedzialkosky

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1910, page 511, Frank Niedzialkosky; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 December 2007); citing Worcester directory 1910 containing a general directory of the citizens, a business directory, and the city and county registers, with map. LXVII. 1910. Worcester, Mass: Drew Allis Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1910 Entry for Frank Niedzialkosky. The brief record states the following:

• Frank Niedzialkosky was a moulder at 100 Prescott and lived at 18 Huntington av.

The spelling of the surname, Niedziatkosky, is in error. The Polish letter “ł” was incorrectly entered as the English letter “t”. This error is not unexpected. In Poland, the name was spelled “Niedziałkowski” but, in America, the name was often spelled without the “w” and with a “y” in place of the final “i”.

Where did Frank work? His occupation was moulder and he worked at 100 Prescott Street in Worcester, but that’s all I know.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1965, my grandparents, one of their children, and three of their cousins were listed in the Worcester city directory.

Worcester Directory 1965 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1965, page 736, Kostanty Niedzialkowski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory 1965. 1965. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1965 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski. The records state the following:

• Konstanty Niedzialkowski was retired and resided at 40 Barnes av.;
• his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av.;
• Kostanty’s son Frederick F was a draftsman working for Heald, and resided at 14 Gifford dr;
• Frederick’s wife Janice V also resided at 14 Gifford dr;
• Kostanty’s cousin Ralph F was a polisher for C&K and resided at 13 Montrose;
• Ralph’s wife Jane J also resided at 13 Montrose;
• Kostanty’s cousin Andrew was a driver for Branch Trucking and resided at 54 Park Hill rd;
• Andrew’s wife Barbara also resided at 54 Park Hill rd; and
• Andrew’s daughter Nancy also resided at 54 Park Hill rd.

This is the first directory entry where I found Andrew Niedzialkoski listed in Worcester. Both Andrew and Ralph were sons of my grandfather’s uncle, Frank Niedzialkoski.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1964, my grandparents, two of their children, and a cousin were listed in the Worcester city directory.

Worcester Directory 1964 Entry for Kostanty, Frederick, Henry, and Ralph Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1964, page 742, Kostanty Niedzialkowski & Ralph Niedzialkoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory 1964 CXXI. 1964. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1964 Entry for Kostanty, Frederick, Henry, and Ralph Niedzialkowski. The records state the following:

• Konstanty Niedzialkowski was retired and resided at 40 Barnes av.;
• his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av.;
• Kostanty’s son Frederick F was a draftsman working for Heald, and resided at 14 Gifford dr;
• Frederick’s wife Janice V also resided at 14 Gifford dr;
• Kostanty’s son Henry was a driver and resided at 40 Barnes av;
• Kostanty’s cousin Ralph F was a polisher for C&K International and resided at 13 Montrose; and
• Ralph’s wife Jane J also resided at 13 Montrose.

The addresses listed in this entry were the addresses I remember visiting in the 1960s.

Ralph usually spelled his name Niedzialkoski rather than Niedzialkowski. Later, Ralph changed his surname to Newman because people had such a difficult time spelling and pronouncing the name. Apparently the name change was made after 1964.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1962, my Uncle Henry Niedzialkowski and Cousin Andrew Niedzialkoski were listed in the Worcester Suburban Directory.

Worcester Directory 1962 Entry for Henry Niedzialkowski and Andrew Niedzialkoski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1962, page 309, Henry Niedzialkowski & Andrew Niedzialkoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) Suburban Directory 1962 Including Auburn, Boylston, Grafton, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Paxton, Shrewsbury and West Boylston, 1962, Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Suburban Directory 1962 Entry for Henry Niedzialkowski and Andrew Niedzialkoski. The record states the following:

• Andrew J. Niedzialkoski was a shipper for Branch Trucking (Ashland) and resided at 298 Main (Cherry Valley);
• Andrew’s wife Barbara S. also resided at 298 Main (Cherry Valley);
• Henry P. Niedzialkowski was a driver for Trulson Sand & Gravel and resided at 38 Barnes av (Holden).

According to this directory, Andrew lived in Cherry Valley and worked in Ashland. Henry lived and worked in Holden. There’s only one problem with this. Henry’s address on Barnes Ave was in Worcester, not Holden, although he worked at Trulson Sand & Gravel in Holden. Another discrepancy is that I am not aware that Henry lived at 38 Barnes Ave. As far as I know, Henry resided at 40 Barnes Ave.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1953, my grandparents were listed in the Worcester city directory, but none of their children were listed.

My grandfather’s cousins, Joseph Niedzialkoski and Ralph Niedzialkoski were also listed

Worcester Directory 1953 Entry for Kostanty, Joseph, and Ralph Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1953, page 857, Kostanty Niedzialkowski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 07 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory Vol. 1953 CX. 1953. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1953 Entry for Kostanty, Joseph, and Ralph Niedzialkowski. The records state the following:

Konstanty Niedzialkowski was a die setter at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. and resided at 40 Barnes av.;
his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av.;
Konstanty’s cousin Joseph was a sheet metal worker for Norton Co. who resided at 15 Sterling;
Konstanty’s cousin Ralph was a polisher who also resided at 15 Sterling; and
Ralph’s wife Jane also resided at 15 Sterling.

In my grandfather’s entry, the surname is misspelled as Nieczialkowski. My grandfather’s first name is spelled Konstanty although he usually spelled his name Kostanty.

Frank Niedzialkoski’s sons Joseph and Ralph (my grandfather’s cousins) are also listed in the 1953 directory. The two were living together in the same house in Worcester.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1950, my grandparents were listed in the city directory with no changes from the 1950 edition for their own entry, but there were changes in the entries for other Nidzialkowskis. As in earlier directories, my grandfather was listed twice. The biggest changes

Kostanty, Helen, Raymond, Jane, and Frederick Niedzialkowski are listed in the 1950 Worcester Directory published by R.L. Polk & Co. A cousin, Ralph Niedzialkoski, was listed as well.

Worcester Directory 1950 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family

Worcester Directory 1950 Entry for Konstanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1950, page 799, Kostanty Niedzialkowski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 07 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory Vol. 1950 CVII. 1950. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1950 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family. The records state the following:

• Kostanty Niedzialkowski resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his son Raymond also resided at 40 Barnes av; and
• his daughter Jane worked as a clerk for Graton & Knight and resided at 40 Barnes av.
• Konstanty Niedzialkowski was a die setter at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. and resided at 40 Barnes av.;
• his son Fred was a student who resided at 10 Denny;
• Fred’s wife Janice was a finisher for P A Cleaning & Dyeing Co. who also resided at 10 Denny;
• Konstanty’s cousin Ralph F. was an grinder for Crompton & Knowles who resided at 6 Wade; and
• Ralph’s wife Jane J. also resided at 6 Wade.

In the first entry, the surname is misspelled as Nieczialkowski. My grandfather’s first name is spelled Kostanty in the first entry (which is the way he usually spelled his name) and is spelled Konstanty in the second entry (which is the proper way to spell the name).

The name Damian Niedzialkowski does not appear in the 1950 directory, although he had previously appeared for many years.

It’s curious as to why my mother was listed in this directory. She was married in 1947, and should not be listed living under her maiden name with her parents in 1950.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1949, my grandparents were listed in the city directory with no changes from the 1946 edition for their own entry, but there were a number of changes in the entries for their children. As in earlier directories, my grandfather was listed twice. The most interesting part of the 1949 diectory is that it correctly listed my Uncle Fred as a married student

Kostanty, Helen, Raymond, Jane, and Frederick Niedzialkowski are listed in the 1946 Worcester Directory published by R.L. Polk & Co. A cousin, Ralph Niedzialkoski, was listed as well.

Worcester Directory 1949 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family

Worcester Directory 1949 Entry for Konstanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1949, page 848, Kostanty Niedzialkowski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 07 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory Vol. 1949 CVI. 1949. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1949 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family. The records state the following:

• Kostanty Niedzialkowski resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his son Raymond also resided at 40 Barnes av; and
• his daughter Jane worked as a clerk and resided at 40 Barnes av.
• Konstanty Niedzialkowski was a die setter at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. and resided at 40 Barnes av.;
• his son Fred was a student who resided at 10 Denny;
• Fred’s wife Janice also resided at 10 Denny;
• Konstanty’s cousin Ralph F. was an operator who resided at 6 Wade; and
• Ralph’s wife Jane J. also resided at 6 Wade.

In the first entry, the surname is misspelled as Nieczialkowski. My grandfather’s first name is spelled Kostanty in the first entry (which is the way he usually spelled his name) and is spelled Konstanty in the second entry (which is the proper way to spell the name).

The name Damian Niedzialkowski again appears in the directory. He may or may not be related to my grandfather, but the circumstantial evidence indicates that he is probably a distant relative.

It’s curious as to why my mother was listed in this directory. She was married in 1947, and should not be listed living under her maiden name with her parents in 1949. In 1948, when the data was collected for the 1949 directory, she was living with my father. Despite this error, my Uncle Fred, who was married in 1948, was correctly listed in the directory living with his wife.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1946, my grandparents were listed in the city directory with only two changes from the 1945 edition. In the second entry for my grandfather, his occupation was changed from set-up man to die setter and his home address was added.

Kostanty, Helen, Raymond, Jane, and Frederick Niedzialkowski are listed in the 1946 Worcester Directory published by R.L. Polk & Co. The eldest child was married and living outside this household. The youngest child was not listed even though he was over 18 years old.

As in the 1945 directory, my grandfather seems to be listed a second time in the same directory, this time at the same address as the first entry.

Worcester Directory 1946 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family

Worcester Directory 1946 Entry for Konstanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1946, page 855, Kostanty Niedzialkowski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 06 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory Vol. 1946 CIII. 1946. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1946 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family. The brief record states the following:

• Kostanty Niedzialkowski resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his son Raymond was in the United States Coast Guard and resided at 40 Barnes av;
• his daughter Jane worked as a computer operator for Grafton & Knight Co. and resided at 40 Barnes av; and
• his son Frederick was in the United States Navy and resided at 40 Barnes av.
• Konstanty Niedzialkowski was a die setter at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. and resided at 40 Barnes av.

In both entries, the surname is misspelled. In the first entry, the name is spelled Nieczialkowski and in the second entry the name is spelled Niedzalkowski. My grandfather’s first name is spelled Kostanty in the first entry (which is the way he usually spelled his name) and is spelled Konstanty in the second entry (which is the proper way to spell the name).

The name Damian Niedzialkowski again appears in the directory (misspelled as Damiam Niedzalkowski). He may or may not be related to my grandfather, but the circumstantial evidence indicates that he is probably a distant relative.

It’s curious as to why my grandfather was listed twice in the directories for 1944, 1945, and 1946. Perhaps the compilers did not realize that Kostanty Nieczialkowski and Konstanty Niedzalkowski, both residing at 40 Barnes Avenue, were the same person.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1945, my grandparents were listed in the city directory with only two changes from the 1944 edition. My mother, Jane A. Niedzialkowski, is listed as a computer operator. This occupation is different from her occupations of key punch operator as listed in the 1943 directory and clerk as listed in the 1944 directory.

Kostanty, Helen, Raymond, Jane, and Frederick Niedzialkowski are listed in the 1945 Worcester Directory published by R.L. Polk & Co. The eldest child was married and living outside this household. Another child was still too young to be listed.

As in the 1944 directory, my grandfather seems to be listed a second time in the same directory, this time without a residential address.

Worcester Directory 1945 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family

Worcester Directory 1945 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1945, page 631, Kostanty Niedzialkoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 03 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory Vol. 1945 CII. 1945. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1945 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family. The brief record states the following:

Kostanty Niedzialkowski resided at 40 Barnes av;
his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av;
his son Raymond was in the United States Coast Guard and resided at 40 Barnes av;
his daughter Jane worked as a computer operator for Grafton & Knight Co. and resided at 40 Barnes av; and
his son Frederick was in the United States Navy and resided at 40 Barnes av.

Konstanty Niedzialkowski is also listed as a set-up man at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. No residential address was mentioned in the second entry.

In both entries, the surname is misspelled. In the first entry, the name is spelled Nieczialkowski and in the second entry the name is spelled Niedzalkowski. My grandfather’s first name is spelled Kostanty in the first entry (which is the way he usually spelled his name) and is spelled Konstanty in the second entry (which is the proper way to spell the name).

The name Damian Niedzialkowski again appears in the directory (misspelled as Damiam Niedzalkowski). He may or may not be related to my grandfather, but the circumstantial evidence indicates that he is probably a distant relative.

My mother’s occupations in the 1943, 1944, and 1945 directories were Key punch operator, clerk, and computer operator. I don’t know whether these different job titles represented different occupations within the same company, but they may reflect positions of increasing responsibility.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko

In 1944, my grandparents were listed in the city directory with three of their five children. My mother, Jane A. Niedzialkowski, is listed as a clerk. This occupation is different from her occupation of key punch operator as listed in the 1943 directory

Kostanty, Helen, Raymond, Jane, and Frederick Niedzialkowski are listed in the 1944 Worcester Directory published by R.L. Polk & Co. The eldest child was married and living outside this household. Another child was still too young to be listed.

Curiously, my grandfather also seems to be listed a second time in the same directory, residing at a different address.

Worcester Directory 1944 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family

Worcester Directory 1944 Entry for Kostanty Niedzialkowski

SOURCE: Massachusetts City Directories, Worcester 1944, page 632, Kostanty Niedzialkoski; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 03 December 2007); citing Polk’s Worcester (Worcester County, Mass.) City Directory Vol. 1944 CI. 1944. Boston, MA: R.L. Polk & Co.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Worcester Directory 1944 Entry for Kostanty and Helen Niedzialkowski and Family. The brief record states the following:

Kostanty Niedzialkowski resided at 40 Barnes av;
his wife Helen also resided at 40 Barnes av;
his son Raymond was in the United States Coast Guard and resided at 40 Barnes av;
his daughter Jane worked as a clerk for Grafton & Knight and resided at 40 Barnes av; and
his son Frederick was in the United States Navy and resided at 40 Barnes av.

Konstanty Niedzialkowski is also listed as a set-up man at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. who resided at 100 Barber av.

In both entries, the surname is misspelled. In the first entry, the name is spelled Nieczialkowski and in the second entry the name is spelled Niedzalkowski. My grandfather’s first name is spelled Kostanty in the first entry (which is the way he usually spelled his name) and is spelled Konstanty in the second entry (which is the proper way to spell the name).

The name Damian Niedzialkowski again appears in the directory (misspelled as Damiam Niedzalkowski). He may or may not be related to my grandfather, but the circumstantial evidence indicates that he is probably a distant relative.

One of the most interesting parts of this directory entry is that the family now resides at 40 Barnes Avenue, the house which my grandparents would live for the rest of their lives. I understand that my grandmother bought the house and that it was entirely in her name. Knowing that this address first appeared in the 1944 directory suggests that the house may have been purchased in 1942 or 1943, and thus will help narrow my search for real estate records for this property.

Copyright © 2007 by Stephen J. Danko