Category Archives: Chmielewski/Meleski

My Genetic Ancestry

Late last year, I ordered several DNA tests from Family Tree DNA. Not all the results are in yet, but the results so far have provided good start on understanding my genetic ancestry. At the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree, I was able to meet with two of the folks from Family Tree DNA who were kind enough to help explain the results obtained so far. Continue reading

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A Sixteen-Year-Old Immigrant

My grandmother, Helena Chmielewska, was born on a farm in Likiszki, Russia (now Lithuania), a tiny village with only five houses. Growing up on the farm, Helena’s closest companion was her sister Anna, two years her junior. Continue reading

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Dinner with My Grandparents

My paternal grandfather, Michał Dańko, died in 1953. I never met him because he died before I was born. His wife, Marianna Dziurzyńska, died in 1969. We called her “Nanny”. My maternal grandfather, Konstanty Niedziałkowski, died in 1978. We called him … Continue reading

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The Year Was 1908

Lisa at 100 Years in America wrote about where her ancestors were in 1908 – 100 years ago. She then challenged others to do the same. In 1908, only one of my ancestors was in America. The rest were still … Continue reading

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The Firm of Meleski & Niedzialkoski in 1924

My grandmother’s half-brother, Joseph Meleski was listed in the Worcester, Massachusetts Directory in 1924. Continue reading

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The Samsanavicius House in Seirijai

On Wednesday, 24 October 2007, my cousins Vitas, Liliana, and I visited Seirijai, Lithuania where Vitas’ and Liliana’s grandparents Jonas Samsanavicius and Ona Chmielewska lived. Ona was the sister of my own grandmother, Helena Chmielewska. Continue reading

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The Lithuanian Parish of Butrimonys

While living in the Lithuanian village of LikiÅ¡kÄ—s, my grandmother’s family attended church in Butrimonys, although some records show that, at times, they attended church in StakliÅ¡kÄ—s. The Church in Butrimonys – 1 SOURCE: The Church in Butrimonys – 1. Photographed … Continue reading

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More Photographs of the Chmielewski Farm in Lithuania

In years past, a road ran by the main house on the Chmielewski farm in LikiÅ¡kÄ—s, Lithuania, and on that road, close to the house stood this shrine. One of the neighbors told us that, on their way to the … Continue reading

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The Chmielewski Farm in Lithuania

On Wednesday, 24 October 2007, our cousin Vitas drove Liliana and me to the farm where our grandmothers were born. The farm is located in the small village of Likiškės, just to the northeast of Alytus, Lithuania. Continue reading

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The Samsanavicius and Sarakauskas Graves in Alytus, Lithuania

While in Lithuania, I visited the graves of my grandmother’s sister Ona Chmielewska, Ona’s husband Jonas Samsanavicius, Ona and Jonas’ daughter Elena Samsanaviciute, and Elena’s husband Jonas Sarakauskas. The cemetery is located in Alytus, Alytaus County, Lithuania. All were buried … Continue reading

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