Approaching Ellis Island

Posted on August 23, 2009 by Steve

All four of my grandparents were immigrants and all four entered the United States through Ellis Island. For that reason, the Ellis Island processing center holds special meaning for me as a significant location in my family history.

Ellis Island

Ellis Island

SOURCE: Ellis Island (Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York, USA). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 09 August 2009.

My grandfather, Michael Danko, left Antwerp, Belgium aboard the SS Zealand on 25 February 1905 at age 27 and arrived at Ellis Island on 07 March 1905. He paid for his passage himself and was going to stay with a friend, Isaac Flichtenfeld on 1st Ave in New York.

My grandmother, Maryanna Dziurzynska Danko, left Antwerp, Belgium aboard the SS Vaderland on 15 May 1909 at age 28 and arrived at Ellis Island on 24 May 1909. She was accompanied by her children Zofia, age 9, and Jan, age 5. Their passage was paid by my grandfather, Michael Danko, and they were going to stay with him in Worcester, Massachusetts.

My grandfather, Kostanty Niedzialkowski, left Rotterdam, Holland aboard the SS Rijndam on 14 May 1910 at the age of 17 and arrived at Ellis Island on 24 May 1910. His passage was paid by his uncle, presumably Franciszek Niedzialkowski with whom he was going to stay at 18 Huntington Ave in Worcester, Massachusetts.

My grandmother and Kostanty’s future wife, Helena Chmielewska, left Rotterdam, Holland aboard the SS Nieuw Amsterdam on 04 January 1913 at the age of 16 and arrived at Ellis Island on 14 January 1913. She paid for her passage herself and was going to stay with her cousin [Wincas Milkovicjas?] in Thompsonville, Connecticut.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Chmielewski/Meleski, Dańko, Dziurzyński, Niedziałkowski | Tagged | 3 Comments

Lady Liberty in Passing

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Steve

On my recent trip to the East Coast, a group of speakers from the 2009 Conference of the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast visited Ellis Island. As we passed the Statue of Liberty, I snapped this photo . This day was overcast and quite warm, although we were lucky and the rain held off during the time we were there.

Lady Liberty

Lady Liberty

SOURCE: Lady Liberty (Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York, USA). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 09 August 2009.

A number of years ago, I visited Colmar, France, the childhood home of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the ‘La Liberté Eclairant le Monde’ (‘Liberty Enlightening the World’), better known as the Statue of Liberty . I have some photos from Colmar including, I believe, a photo of the Bartholdi Municipal Museum, the former home of Auguste Bartholdi. I’ll have to dig those photos up some day.

Bartholdi himself chose the island of Bedloe as the site for the statue. He faced the statue toward Europe, the origin of of the vast majority of the immigrants to America at that time.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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At Castle Garden

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Steve

Perhaps the most famous immigrant processing center in the United States is Ellis Island which officially opened on 01 January 1892 after the US Federal Government assumed responsibility for processing immigrants.

Before that, Castle Garden, operated by the State of New York, was used for processing immigrants, a function it performed from 1855 to 1890.

Castle Garden was originally known as West Battery when it opened in 1811. In 1815, the fort was renamed Castle Clinton after the mayor of New York City, Dewitt Clinton. The facility was renamed again in 1824, at which time it assumed the name Castle Garden and was used first for entertainment and, later, for processing immigrants. Today, the structure is the departure site for trips to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and is once again known as Castle Clinton.

At Castle Garden

Lisa Alzo and Steve Danko at Castle Garden

SOURCE: Lisa Alzo and Steve Danko at Castle Garden (Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York, USA). Photographed by Matthew Bielawa for Stephen J. Danko on 09 August 2009.

After the 2009 Seminar of the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast, Lisa Alzo, Brian Lenius and his wife Marilyn, Jonathan Shea, Matthew Bielawa, and I visited Castle Garden and Ellis Island. Matthew snapped this shot of fellow genealogy blogger Lisa Alzo and me.

It seems that Lisa and I were channeling each other recently because each of us posted photos of three unknown men in uniform that we had found in the photo collections of our respective families. My post is entitled Three Men in Uniform and Lisa’s post is Family Mystery Photo. Perhaps we should just consider these photos the first installment of the Carnival of Mystery Men in Uniform.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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Three Men in Uniform

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Steve

While I was visiting relatives in Worcester, Massachusetts last week, I was given this photograph of three men in uniform from a collection of family photographs. But, who are these men? What is the date of this photograph? What kind of uniforms are they wearing?

Three Men in Uniform

Three Men in Uniform

SOURCE: Three Men in Uniform (apparently Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA). Apparently photographed by Knight Photographic Studio in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA on an unknown date.

These may have been friends of my grandfather. My first guess was that these men were members of Haller’s Polish Army in France during World War I, but the uniforms don’t match those of Haller’s Army.

The photo is pasted onto a board marked “Knight, Worcester, Mass”, so I assume it was photographed at Knight Photographic Studio in Worcester, but I certainly could be wrong about that.

Perhaps some kind reader could shed some light on this photograph.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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Grandfather's First Home in America

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Steve

My grandfather, Michał Dańko, arrived at Ellis Island on the steamship the S.S . Zeeland on 07 Mar 1905. According to his passenger manifest, he was met by Isaac Flichtenfeld, a Jewish umbrella maker residing at 35 First Avenue in New York City. I assume his first residence in America was Isaac’s home.

One week ago, after the 2009 Conference of the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast, a group of the conference speakers took a quick trip to New York City to visit Ellis Island. Later, after returning to Manhattan, we were enjoying a drink at an Irish Pub on Second Avenue when I realized that we were close to the address where my grandfather first stayed when he arrived in America.

I used my iPhone to quickly check the address on my grandfather’s passenger manifest, confirmed that it was 35 First Avenue, and then Lisa Alzo, Matthew Bielawa, and I headed for the address. Jonathan Shea met us there a few minutes after we arrived at the address.

35 First Avenue, New York City

35 First Avenue, New York City

SOURCE: 35 First Avenue (Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York, USA). Photographed by Matthew Bielawa for Stephen J. Danko on 09 August 2009.

A restaurant currently occupies the structure at 35 First Avenue, but the building doesn’t appear to be the original: the structures on either side of 35 First Avenue are much taller and show signs that another tall building once stood at 35 First Avenue.

I was a bit disappointed that the actual building was no longer there, but elated that I was able to see the first address that my grandfather called home in America.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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PGSCA Summer Seminar

Posted on August 16, 2009 by Steve

The Summer Seminar of the Polish Genealogical Society of California (PGSCA) will be held this coming Saturday, August 22, 2009 at the Weingart Senior Center in Lakewood, California.

I will be presenting four lectures during the daylong seminar:

  • Genealogy and the Changing Map of Eastern Europe
  • A New Look at Immigrant Passenger Manifests
  • Using DNA and Indirect Evidence to Establish Family Relationships
  • Genealogy Blogs: New Ways to Disseminate Genealogy

The seminar begins at 9 AM and ends at 5 PM .  A morning snack and a Polish luncheon catered by Teresa Turek will be provided.

I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones!

More information is available at the PGSCA website.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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I Once Had a Horse

Posted on August 15, 2009 by Steve

I once had a horse. OK, it was only a hobby horse, but it was still a horse.

Hobby Horses 1

Hobby Horses 1

SOURCE: Hobby Horses 1 (Albany, Albany County, New York). Photographed by Jane A. Danko in 1958 or 1959.

My sister had an identical horse and our neighbor had a similar one.

Hobby Horses 2

Hobby Horses 2

SOURCE: Hobby Horses 2 (Albany, Albany County, New York). Photographed by Jane A. Danko in 1958 or 1959.

I remember asking my parents for a horse several times when I was young. The answer was always the same: “We don’t have room for a horse!” Despite the fact that their answer was true, I still wanted a horse. So, they gave my sister and me hobby horses.

No matter that we could pretend to ride around on our hobby horses, it just wasn’t the same, and I don’t remember really having much interest in the hobby horse. I did, however, get a chance to ride on a real horse twice in my lifetime.

Once, when I was very young, a man was offering pony rides and my parents allowed me the chance of my young life to ride. Unfortunately, the pony only walked in circles, very slowly, and my efforts to get the pony to gallop went unrewarded. Who knew that a real pony ride would be little more exciting than riding a hobby horse?

The second (and last) chance I had to ride a horse was at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, New Mexico. By this time I was in high school and somewhat more prepared for a more exciting ride. Alas! The horses were trained to simply follow the tail of the horse in front of them and our horse ride consisted mostly of a leisurely walk – a four beat gait where the horse always has three feet on the ground. A few times during our ride, I had to urge my horse into a trot – a two beat gait where the horse has two, diagonally opposite feet on the ground at all times.

My experiences with horses never left me with the desire for more. While some of my friends have owned horses and have derived a lot of pleasure from riding their horses, I’m content to watch the equestrian events at the Olympics and the occasional rodeo event.

Written for the Carnival of Genealogy

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Grave of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Steve

While at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts, I found the grave of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki.

The Gravestone of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki - Obverse

The Gravestone of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki - Obverse

SOURCE: Gravestone of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki – Obverse (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 Aug 2009.

The Gravestone of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki - Reverse

The Gravestone of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki - Reverse

SOURCE: Gravestone of Walter C. and Wanda B. Izbicki – Reverse (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 Aug 2009.

I did not have information in my database that clearly identifies this couple, and I don’t have all the relevant documents for this couple. However, the years of birth and death on the monument show that Walter C. Izbicki is the son of Boleslaw Dominik Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska who was born on 02 December 1906 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA, and who died on 17 January 1971 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. He was married to Wanda B. [maiden name unknown] in 1935 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Wanda was born on 07 or 08 August 1906 and died on 15 May 1994 in Massachusetts, USA

The cemetery record for Walter C. Izbicki from the Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA states that:

Owner ID: 00005223
Deceased/Reserved: Izbicki, Walter C., Husband
Age: 64
Location: Sec-SMARY Lot-2086 Grv-1
Buried: 01/20/1971
Property Owner: Izbicki, Wanda B., Mrs.

The cemetery record for Wanda B. Izbicki from the Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA states that:

Owner ID: 00005223
Deceased/Reserved: Izbicki, Wanda B., Wife
Age: 87
Location: Sec-SMARY Lot-2086 Grv-2
Buried: 05/18/1994
Property Owner: Izbicki, Wanda B., Mrs.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Grave of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Steve

While at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts, I found the grave of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman.

The Gravestone of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman - Obverse

The Gravestone of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman - Obverse

SOURCE: Gravestone of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman – Obverse (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 Aug 2009.

The Gravestone of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman - Reverse

The Gravestone of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman - Reverse

SOURCE: Gravestone of Bernard J. Izbicki and Albert F. Blackman – Reverse (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 Aug 2009.

The information in my database shows that these two people were the former husbands of my cousin, Anastasia Rita Meleski, both of whom predeceased her.

Anastasia Rita Meleski’s first husband was Albert Francis Blackman, son of Clifford Austin Blackman and Jane A. Goodrich, who was born in about 1915 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA and died on 11 July 1966 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. Anastasia Rita and Albert Francis Blackman were married on 08 May 1946 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA.

Anastasia Rita Meleski’s second husband was Bernard Joseph Izbicki, son of Dominik Izbicki and Józefata Marianna Bizewska, who was born on 12 May 1910 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA and who died on 30 April 1985 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Anastasis Rita and Bernard Joseph Izbicki were married in 1968 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA.

The cemetery record for Bernard Izbicki from the Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA states that:

Owner ID: 00000746
Deceased/Reserved: Izbicki, Bernard, Second husband
Age: 74
Location: Sec-25 Lot-1554 Grv-2
Buried: 09/12/1985
Property Owner: Izbicki, A.Rita Blackman

I do not have a copy of the cemetery record for Albert Francis Blackman. I would guess that Anastasia Rita purchased the cemetery plot for Albert Francis Blackman and then, when her second husband Bernard Izbicki died, she buried Bernard in the same plot as Albert.

Anastasia Rita herself is buried with her parents.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Grave of Boleslaw Izbicki and Victoria Kruczynska

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Steve

While at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts, I found the grave of Boleslaw Izbicki and Victoria Kruczynska.

The Gravestone of Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska - Obverse

The Gravestone of Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska - Obverse

SOURCE: Gravestone of Boleslaw Izbicki and Victoria Kruczynska – Obverse (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 Aug 2009.

The Gravestone of Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska - Reverse

The Gravestone of Bolesław Izbicki and Wiktoria Kruczyńska - Reverse

SOURCE: Gravestone of Boleslaw Izbicki and Victoria Kruczynska – Reverse (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 Aug 2009.

The information in my database shows that these two people are Bolesław Dominik Izbicki, son of Dominik Izbicki and Józefata Marianna Bizewska, who was born on 08 December 1874 in Piertanie, Vistula Land, Russian Empire and who died in 1937 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA; and Wiktoria Kruczyńska, daughter of Kazimierz Kruczyński and Elżbieta Maslowska, who was born in about 1880 in Vistula Land, Russian Empire and died in 1948 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The couple was married on 10 June 1900 in St. Casimir’s Church, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA.

The cemetery record for Boleslaw Izbicki from the Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA states that:

Owner ID: 00005220
Deceased/Reserved: Izbicki, Boleslaw
Age: 57
Location: Sec-25 Lot-420 Grv-1
Buried: 03/12/1937
Property Owner: Izbicki, Victoria, Mrs.

The cemetery record for Victoria Izbicki from the Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA states that:

Owner ID: 00005220
Deceased/Reserved: Izbicki, Victoria, Owner
Age: 66
Location: Sec-25 Lot-420 Grv-2
Buried: 08/27/1948
Property Owner: Izbicki, Victoria, Mrs.

Unfortunately, the years of birth of Bolesław and Wiktoria in my database do not precisely agree with the information on the gravestone or in the cemetery records.

Copyright © 2009 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Izbicki, Kruczyński | Tagged | 2 Comments