The Grave of Alexander Skowronski, Frances Dymek, Michael J. Danko, and Jean B. Skowronski Sharron

Posted on February 24, 2007 by Steve

The parents of Adam Skowronski, who birth and death records I posted yesterday and the day before, was Alexander Skowronski and Frances Dymek .  They are buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Skowronski Monument - Front

Skowronski, Dymek, Danko Monument – Front

Skowronski Monument - Back

Skowronski, Dymek, Danko Monument – Back

SOURCE: Alexander Skowronski, Frances Dymek, Michael J. Danko, Jean B. Skowronski Sharron grave marker, Notre Dame Cemetery, Holy Family Section, Lot 245, Graves 1, 2, 3, 3OB, 4 (Worcester County), Massachusetts, photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 09 Sep 2005.

This marker shows that Alexander Skowronski (1887-1970) and his wife Francis Dymek (1888-1963) are buried here along with Michael J. Danko (1913-1981) and his wife Jean B. Skowronski Sharron (1917-1996).

Jean B. Skowronski Sharron was the daughter of Alexander Skowronski and Frances Dymek . Â Jean was also the wife of my paternal uncle, Michael J. Danko .  Jean’s full name on the gravestone reflects the fact that she was married to Robert H. Sharron before his untimely death in 1946 .  Robert Sharron is buried elsewhere in Notre Dame Cemetery.

The motto on the front of the monument reads (in Polish) “Proszę o Zdrowaś Marja”, which means “I ask for a ‘Hail Mary’ “.

Alexander is buried in Grave 1, Frances in Grave 2, Jean in Grave 3, and Michael in Grave 4 .  Cemetery records show that there is another burial in this lot (in Grave 3OB), not inscribed on the monument .  In addition, the lot contains two additional markers flush with the ground.

Tomorrow: About the additional burial and the two additional markers.

Posted in Daily Journal, Dańko, Dymek, Sharron, Skowroński | 2 Comments

The Death of Adam Skowronski -1906

Posted on February 23, 2007 by Steve

Adam Skowronski, son of Alexander Skowronski and Frances Dymak, died on 28 December 1906 in Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA.

The Death Record for Adam Skowronski - 1906
The Death Record for Adam Skowronski – 1906
Town of Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA, Death Returns, vol 41:320, Adam Skuronsky, 28 December 1906; image, “Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1841-1910,” American Ancestors (https://www.americanancestors.org/DB191/i/10318/320/124996686 : accessed 18 February 2019); citing original records held by the Massachusetts Archives.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Death Record for Adam Skowronski.  The record shows that:

  • Adam Skuronsky’s death was Registered No. 211, on page 320 of volume 41 of the Death Records in Gardner, Massachusetts for 1906
  • Adam died at 140 Greenwood Street, Gardner, Massachusetts on 28 Dec 1906, age 4 days
  • Adam was a single, white male, born in Gardner, Massachusetts
  • His father was Alec Skuronsky, born in Russia
  • His mother was Francis Dimak, born in Russia
  • No occupation is given
  • The informant was Alexis Skuronsky of 140 Greenwood St., Gardner
  • Alex was buried at St. John’s Cemetery on 29 Dec 1906 by Ryan Bros. Inc. of Gardner
  • The physician, J.E. Waters, M.D., attended the deceased from 24 Dec 1906 to 28 Dec 1906 and stated that the cause of death was asphyxiation, with the contributing factor of improper care for 4 days
  • The Gardner Town Clerk, Levi W. Wood, filed the Return of a Death on 02 Jan 1907

Copyright © 2007-2019 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Daily Journal, Skowroński | 8 Comments

The Birth of Adam Skowronski – 1906

Posted on February 22, 2007 by Steve

Adam Skowronski, son of Alexander Skowronski and Frances Dymak, was born on 24 December 1906 in Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA.

Birth Record for Adam Skowronski
The Birth Record for Adam Skowronski- 1906
Town of Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts USA, Birth Registrations, vol 560:321, no. 393, Adam Skuronsky, 24 December 1906; image, “Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1841-1910,” American Ancestors (https://www.americanancestors.org/DB191/i/9071/321/125166242 : accessed 18 February 2019); citing original records held by the Massachusetts Archives.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth Record for Adam Skowronski.  The record states that:

  • The Birth Record for Adam Skuronsky is recorded in volume 560, page 321, number 393 in the Birth Records for the Town of Gardner for the year 1906
  • Adam Skuronsky, a white male, was born on 24 Dec 1906 in Gardner, Massachusetts
  • Adam’s father was Alexander Skuronsky, a laborer born in Russia
  • Adam’s mother was Francis Dmak, born in Russia
  • Adam’s birth was recorded in January 1907

As often seen in other Massachusetts Birth Records from this time period, the names are misspelled in this record.  The misspellings and the correct spellings are:

  • Adam Skuronsky = Adam Skowronski
  • Alexander Skuronsky = Alexander Skowronski
  • Francis Dmak = Frances Dymek

Copyright © 2007-2019 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth and Baptism of Agnieszka Dańko

Posted on February 21, 2007 by Steve

Agnieszka Dańko, the daughter of Pawel Dańko and Zofia Szymańska, and the sister of my great grandfather, Jakub Dańko, was born in Nienadowa on 06 Jan 1838 .  Agnieszka’s record is the second entry on this page.

Birth and Baptismal Record for Agnieszka Danko

The Birth and Baptismal Record for Agnieszka Dańko

SOURCE: Roman Catholic Parish of the Immaculate Heart of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Dubiecko, Poland. Liber Natorum et Baptisatorum (Book of Births and Baptisms). 1838. Page 44. Text in Latin, translated by Stephen J. Danko.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Birth and Baptismal Record for Agnieszka Dańko, along with a transcription and translation from the Latin .  The record states:

  • Agnieszka Dańko was born on 06 Jan 1838 in house number 158 in Nienadowa
  • She was baptized in the church in Dubiecko on 07 Jan 1838 by Antoni [Itselczycki?]
  • She was a legitimately born, Catholic girl
  • Her father was Pawel Dańko, a farmer
  • Her mother was Zofia Szymański, daughter of Anna and Andrzej Szymański, farmer
  • Her Godparents were Marcin Tanowski, and Rozalia Wayda, the wife of Błażej Wayda, both farmers
  • The midwife present at the birth was Agnieszka Pilchowa, who was “not tested”
  • The priest who baptized the child was Antoni [Itselczycki?]
  • Agnieszka apparently moved to house number 50 on 28 May 1881

It’s interesting to note that the priest who performed the baptism only signed the first baptismal record on the page .  On all other records, he signed “same as above”.

The midwife, Agnieszka Pilchowa, was described as “not tested” .  I suppose this means that she did not have a license as a midwife .  When compared with the Birth and Baptismal Record for Agnieszka’s sister Jadwiga, Jadwiga’s midwife was listed as “District Midwife”.

Pawel Dańko often called on Marcin Tanowski and Rozalia Wayda to be the Godparents of his children .  I don’t know who Marcin Tanowski married, but he may be a relative or the husband of a relative of Pawel .  Rozalia Wayda, wife of Błażej Wayda, may well be Pawel’s younger sister, but I’ll have to search for the marriage record for Błażej and Rozalia to be sure.

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Immigrant Passenger Manifest for Leon Izbicki

Posted on February 20, 2007 by Steve

Leon Izbicki, the brother of Bolesław Izbicki, arrived in the United States in 1902 .  The passenger manifest for the S.S. Rotterdam includes his record.

SS Rotterdam

S. S. Rotterdam

Immigrant Passenger Manifest for Leon Izbicki

The Passenger Manifest for Leon Izbicki

SOURCE:  Immigration and Naturalization Service. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, Roll 243, List F, Line 18.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Passenger Manifest for Leon Izbicki .  The record shows:

  • Leon Izbizki, a 20-year-old, single male, departed Rotterdam on the S.S. Rotterdam on 24 Apr 1902 and arrived in New York on 04 May 1902
  • Leon was a laborer and was able to read and write
  • He was Polish and a citizen of Russia from the village of Pjertani
  • He had never been in the US before; he was going to stay with his brother Bol[esław] Izbicki, Lab[orer] of Sta. No. 1, Box 52, Worcester, Mass
  • Leon was in possession of $2 when he arrived in New York
  • He was never in prison, was not a polygamist or anarchist, and was not under contract, expressed or implied, to labor in the United States
  • His mental and physical health were good, and he was not deformed or crippled

Leon’s village in Poland was spelled Pjertani on the Passenger Manifest .  The correct spelling of this village is Piertanie .  Today, Piertanie is located in the far northeast corner of Poland.

Leon did not remain in the United States .  He returned to Poland.

Posted in Daily Journal, Izbicki | 1 Comment

The Graves of Joseph Meleski, Catherine Warchol, and Rita M. B. Izbicki

Posted on February 19, 2007 by Steve

A large number of my relatives are buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Among those are Joseph Chmielewski (alias Meleski), my half great uncle.  Joseph is buried with his wife, Catherine Warchol, and his daughter, Rita M. B. Izbicki.

Meleski Izbicki Monument - Front
Meleski – Warchol – Izbicki Grave (Front)
Notre Dame Cemetery (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts), Joseph Meleski, Catherine Warchol, and Rita M. B. Izbicki grave marker, Section 25A, Lot 100; photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 09 Sep 2005.
Meleski Izbicki Monument - Back
Meleski – Warchol – Izbicki Grave (Back)
Notre Dame Cemetery (Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts), Joseph Meleski, Catherine Warchol, and Rita M. B. Izbicki grave marker, Section 25A, Lot 100; photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 09 Sep 2005.

The front of the marker reads:

+ 

MELESKI

JOSEPH MELESKI
1872-1933

CATHERINE WARCHOL
HIS WIFE
1873-1928

RITA M. B. IZBICKI
1911-2000

Rita’s initials stand for her maiden name, Meleski, and the surname of her first husband, Blackman.  I’m not sure why Rita is buried here with her parents rather than with one of her husbands.  Finding the graves of her two husbands may help explain this unusual arrangement.

I have not seen a marker like this before.  The back of the monument is rough cut and stands out in the cemetery.  This portion of Notre Dame Cemetery is graced by mature trees and is quite peaceful.  Click on the link for a PDF map of Notre Dame Cemetery. UOn 10 August 2009, I obtained the cemetery record for Rita M. B. Izbicki. It states:

Owner ID: 00008625
Deceased/Reserved: Izbicki, Rita Blackman, Mrs.
Age: 88
Location: Sec-25 Lot-100 Grv-2RU
Buried: 01/11/2000
Property Owner: Meleski, Joseph

Copyright © 2007-2019 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Grave of Roberta Josephine Izbicki

Posted on February 18, 2007 by Steve

Roberta Josephine Izbicki, the daughter of William P. Izbicki and Mary V. Kuchnicki, died in 2004 and was buried near her parents in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA.

The Grave Marker of Roberta J Izbicki
The Grave Marker for Roberta J. Izbicki
Worcester County Memorial Park (Paxton, Worcester County, Massachusetts), Roberta J. Izbicki grave marker, Garden of Valor I, Lot 3, Grave 2; photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 09 Sep 2005.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the overall map for Worcester County Memorial Park and a detailed map for the Garden of Valor.

This marker shows that Roberta Josephine Izbicki was born in 1936 and died in 2004.  She was buried on 12 Jan 2004 in Grave 2, next to her parents, who were buried in Graves 3 and 4.  The marker includes the inscription “IN LOVING MEMORY”.

When I took this photograph in September 2005, Roberta’s marker had not yet been set in place; it was leaning upright against a support.  I imagine that Roberta’s relatives had purchased the marker sometime in 2005, at least a year after Roberta was buried.

Copyright © 2007-2019 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Grave of William P. and Mary V. Izbicki

Posted on February 17, 2007 by Steve

I have written about the Izbicki family, and I’ve shown birth records for several members of the family.  One family member for whom I don’t have a birth record is Bolesław Izbicki, although I know Bolesław was born in Worcester in 1903.

I looked through my files of gravestone photographs today and found a photograph of the grave marker for William P. and Mary V. Izbicki.  William P. Izbicki was born with the name Bolesław, but, like his father, he used the name William for most of his life.

The Grave Marker for William P. and Mary V. Izbicki
The Grave Marker for William P. and Mary V. Izbicki
Worcester County Memorial Park (Paxton, Worcester County, Massachusetts), Roberta J. Izbicki grave marker, Garden of Valor I, Lot 3, Graves 3 and 4; photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 09 Sep 2005.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the overall map for Worcester County Memorial Park and a detailed map for the Garden of Valor. 

This marker shows that William P. Izbicki was born in 1903 and died in 1976.  He was buried on 05 Jun 1976 in Grave 3.  His wife, Mary V., was born in 1900 and died in 1993.  She was buried on 04 May 1993 in Grave 4.  The marker includes the inscription “TOGETHER FOREVER”.

Worcester County Memorial Park only permits markers that are flush with the ground.  The small round object at the top of the marker is a vase in which fresh flowers may be placed.  When the vase is not in use, the vase is turned upside-down and inserted into the marker so that it, too, is level with the ground.

From June through December, the cemetery provides an area where fresh flowers may be picked in order to place flowers on the graves.

Copyright © 2007-2019 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Marriage of Pawel Skowroński and Marjanna Zaborczyk

Posted on February 16, 2007 by Steve

Pawel Skowroński and Marjanna Zaborczyk were married on 09 October 1909 in Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA.

Marriage Record for Pawel Skowronski and Marjanna Zaborczyk
The Marriage Record for Pawel Skowroński and Marjanna Zaborczyk – 1909
Town of Gardner, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA, Marriage Registrations, vol 588:326, no. 134, Pawel Skowroński and Marjanna Zaborczyk, 09 October 1909 ; image, “Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1841-1910,” American Ancestors (https://www.americanancestors.org/DB191/i/10654/326/126220555 : accessed 18 February 2019); citing original records held by the Massachusetts Archives.

Click on the link for a PDF copy of the Marriage Record for Pawel Skowroński and Marjanna Zaborczyk .  The record states:

  • The marriage was recorded in Volume 588, Page 326, Number 134 of the marriage registers for the town of Gardner, Massachusetts in 1909
  • Pawel Skowronski, age 20, residing in Gardner and working as a Chairmaker, was born in Poland, the son of Franciszek Skowronski and Malgorzata Parzyk
  • Marjanna Zaborczyk, age 20, residing in Gardner and working at home, was born in Poland, the daughter of Piotr Zaborczyk and Marjanna Gawkozawka
  • The couple was married on 09 October 1909 by Julius Rodziewicz, a priest in Gardner
  • This was the first marriage for each of them
  • The marriage was recorded on 13 October 1909

Other information indicates that Pawel’s mother was Margrette Podeswa, but this record lists her name as Małgorzata Parzyk.  In Polish, her given name would have been Małgorzata. I’m not certain about the correct spelling of her surname.

Copyright © 2007-2019 by Stephen J. Danko

Posted in Daily Journal, Skowroński | 3 Comments

The Obituary of Michael Danko

Posted on February 15, 2007 by Steve

My grandfather, Michael Danko, died before I was born .  His obituary was published in the Worcester, Massachusetts Telegram:

Michael Danko, 76, of 47 Main street, formerly of 15 Henchman street, died Friday at his home .  He was a wire drawer at American Steel & Wire Co. for 38 years, retiring 10 years ago.

Mr. Danko was born in Nirnadowa, Galicia, Poland, son of the late Jacob and Agnes (Sawa) Danko, and lived in Worcester for 48 years.

He leaves his wife, Mary (Dziwrzynski) Danko;  four sons, John J. and Francis J. Danko, both of Albany, N.Y., and Michael J. and Joseph J. Danko of Worcester;  five daughters, Sophie, wife of Clark Gibson, Statia, wife of Alfred Iwaniec, and Miss Helen Danko, all of Albany, and Bertha, wife of George McGinn and Mary, wife of Oscar Yousoufian, both of Worcester;  a sister, Mary, wife of Paul Golinski of Worcester;  18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Monday morning from Karolkiewicz Funeral Home, 7 Richland street, followed by a high mass at 10 in St. Mary’s Church .  Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery .  Calling hours at the funeral home are 2 to 5 and 7 to 10 p.m. today.

SOURCE: Michael Danko Obituary, Worcester Telegram, Worcester, Massachusetts, 4 January 1953, page C19.

There are a few typos in this obituary:

  • Nirnadowa should be spelled Nienadowa
  • Dziwrzynski should be spelled Dziurzynska
  • Sawa should be spelled Sowa

Technically, grandfather was born in Nienadowa, Galicia, Austria .  The area in which he was born was controlled by Austria at the time, although historically the area was part of Poland .  Today, Nienadowa is once again in the country of Poland.

A funeral notice appeared in the same paper the next day:

DANKO, Michael, 47 Main street, today, 10 a.m., St. Mary’s Church.

SOURCE: Michael Danko Funeral Notice, Worcester Telegram, Worcester, Massachusetts, 5 January 1953, page 15.

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