Pisa, Tuscany, Italy

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Steve

I’ve never made a bucket list, but if I had, a visit to Pisa would be on it. So, cross Pisa off my non-existent list. I really did not expect to be as awestruck as I was when I first laid my eyes on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Holey moley, this thing really is impressive! The tower is actually the freestanding bell tower of the Cathedral in Pisa and it took 177 years to build. The cathedral is right next to the tower and the impressive baptistery and a fountain designed by Flaminio Vacca are close at hand as well. Recent efforts to stabilize the tower have been so successful that, for the first time in history, the tower is no longer moving.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

SOURCE:  The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Pisa, Tuscany, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 August 2011.

The Pisa Cathedral

The Pisa Cathedral

SOURCE:  The Pisa Cathedral (Pisa, Tuscany, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 August 2011.

Fountain Designed by Flaminio Vacca

Fountain Designed by Flaminio Vacca

SOURCE:  Fountain Designed by Flaminio Vacca (Pisa, Tuscany, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 August 2011.

The Pisa Baptistry

The Pisa Baptistery

SOURCE:  The Pisa Baptistery (Pisa, Tuscany, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 02 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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A Visit to St. Peter’s Basilica

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Steve

My visit to the Mediterranean began in Rome with a visit to Vatican City. I could only spend a brief time in Rome at the beginning of my trip, but I was able to walk through St. Peter’s and marvel at the enormity of this basilica.

Exterior of St. Peter's Basilica

Exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica

SOURCE:  Exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 01 August 2011.

The Swiss Guard is responsible for the safety of the Pope and forms the Vatican City military unit. Members of the Swiss Guard must be unmarried male citizens of Switzerland between the ages of 19 and 30. The current uniform of the Swiss Guard was designed by Commandant Jules Repond in 1914.

The Swiss Guard

The Swiss Guard

SOURCE:  The Swiss Guard (Vatican City); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 01 August 2011.

The Altar of the Chair is the main altar in the basilica, with the chair of St. Peter suspended above the altar itself. Four figures surround the chair. Two Doctors of the Latin Church, St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, are on the outside, wearing miters. Two Doctors of the Greek Church, St. Athanasius and St. John Chrysostom, are on the inside, with bare heads. An alabaster window with an image of the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove, casts a golden light on the altar.

The Altar of the Chair

The Altar of the Chair

SOURCE:  The Altar of the Chair (Vatican City); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 01 August 2011.

The Altar of the Lie is below a mosaic depicting the events of Acts 5:1-11 where Ananias and his wife Sapphira lied to Peter:

{5:1} But a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a field,
{5:2} and he was deceitful about the price of the field, with his wife’s consent. And bringing only part of it, he placed it at the feet of the Apostles.
{5:3} But Peter said: “Ananias, why has Satan tempted your heart, so that you would lie to the Holy Spirit and be deceitful about the price of the land?
{5:4} Did it not belong to you while you retained it? And having sold it, was it not in your power? Why have you set this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
{5:5} Then Ananias, upon hearing these words, fell down and expired. And a great fear overwhelmed all who heard of it.
{5:6} And the young men rose up and removed him; and carrying him out, they buried him.
{5:7} Then about the space of three hours passed, and his wife entered, not knowing what had happened.
{5:8} And Peter said to her, “Tell me, woman, if you sold the field for this amount?” And she said, “Yes, for that amount.”
{5:9} And Peter said to her: “Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out!”
{5:10} Immediately, she fell down before his feet and expired. Then the young men entered and found her dead. And they carried her out and buried her next to her husband.
{5:11} And a great fear came over the entire Church and over all who heard these things.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor .  The Sacred Bible. Catholic
Public Domain Version. Acts of the Apostles 5:1-11. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-01_Matthew.htm>.
Accessed 06 August 2011.

The Altar of the Lie

The Altar of the Lie

SOURCE:  The Altar of the Lie (Vatican City); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 01 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Death of Ignacy Izbicki – 1919

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Steve

Ignacy Izbicki, son of Andrzej Izbicki and Wiktoria Bierdziewska, husband of Emilia Pachuka, died on 31 May 1919 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA .  His death was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Death Record of Ignacy Izbicki - 1919

The Death Record of Ignacy Izbicki – 1919

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 26: 143, Ignacy Izbicki death, 1919; FHL Microfilm 1,311,442, Item 1.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this individual .  Click on the link for a PDF copy of the death record of Ignacy Izbicki. The ledger states:

  • The death of Ignacy Izbicki was recorded in vol. 26, page 143 of the death ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1919;
  • He died at 46 Roath St in Norwich, Connecticut; there were two families in the house;
  • He was a married, white male, born in Poland on an unspecified date, and died on 31 May 1919 at age 53 years;
  • His father was Andrew Izbicki [Andrzej Izbicki] and his mother was Victoria Bierdzo [Wiktoria Bierdziewska], both born in Poland;
  • The primary cause of death was cancer of stomach from which he suffered for 1 year;
  • The contributory cause of death was not provided;
  • The physician was E. J. Brophy, MD; he was buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery; the undertaker was Cummings & Ring.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Death of Alexander John Izbicki – 1917

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Steve

Alexander John Izbicki, son of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, died on 21 October 1917 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA. His death was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Death Record of Alexander John Izbicki - 1917

The Death Record of Alexander John Izbicki – 1917

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 26: 83, George Izbicki death, 1917; FHL Microfilm 1,311,442, Item 1.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the death record of Alexander John Izbicki .  The ledger states:

  • The death of Alexander Izbicki was recorded in vol. 26, page 83 of the death ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1917;
  • He died at 46 Roath St in Norwich, Connecticut; there was one family in the house;
  • He was a single, white male, born on 21 April 1917 in Norwich, and died on 18 October 1917 at age 6 months;
  • His father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki] and his mother was Alexandra Jakubowski [Aleksandra Jakubowska], both born in Poland;
  • The primary cause of death was catarrhal pneumonia from which he suffered for 12 days;
  • The contributory cause of death was enteritis from which he suffered for 10 days;
  • The physician was F. J. Harper, MD; he was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery; the undertaker was Cummings & Ring.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Death of George (Joseph Theodore) Izbicki – 1917

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Steve

George (Joseph Theodore) Izbicki, son of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, died on 18 October 1917 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA. His death was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Death Record of George (Joseph Theodore) Izbicki - 1917

The Death Record of George (Joseph Theodore) Izbicki – 1917

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 26: 83, George Izbicki death, 1917; FHL Microfilm 1,311,442, Item 1.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child. Click on the link for a PDF copy of the death record of George (Joseph Theodore) Izbicki. The ledger states:

  • The death of George Izbicki was recorded in vol. 26, page 83 of the death ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1917;
  • He died at 46 Roath St in Norwich, Connecticut; there was one family in the house;
  • He was a single, white male, born on 21 April 1917 in Norwich, and died on 18 October 1917 at age 5 months and 28 days;
  • His father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki] and his mother was Alexander Jakubowski [Aleksandra Jakubowska], both born in Poland;
  • The primary cause of death was catarrhal pneumonia from which he suffered for 10 days;
  • The contributory cause of death was enteritis from which he suffered for 7 days;
  • The physician was F. J. Harper, MD; he was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery; the undertaker was Cummings & Ring.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth of Nellie Mary Izbicki – 1920

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Steve

Nellie Mary Izbicki, daughter of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, was born on 02 April 1920 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA .  Her birth was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Birth Record of Nellie Mary Izbicki - 1920

The Birth Record of Nellie Mary Izbicki – 1920

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 25: 261, Nellie Mary Izbicki birth, 1920; FHL Microfilm 1,311,441, Item 2.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child .  Click on the link for a PDF copy of the birth record of Nellie Mary Izbicki .  The ledger states:

  • The birth of Nellie Mary Izbicki was recorded in vol. 25, page 261 of the birth ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1920;
  • She was a female child born at 46 Roath St on 02 April 1920;
  • Her father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki], a 33 year old white cotton weaver from Poland residing in Norwich, Connecticut;
  • Her mother was AlexAndra Jachowska Jakubowska [Aleksandra Jakubowska], a 27 year old white woman from Poland;
  • The mother had five children in all, and three children were still living;
  • The certifying physician was E J Brophy, MD.

This record includes two hand corrections, one to the name (Nellie was added before Mary) and one to the mother’s maiden name (Jachowska to Jakubowski).

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth of Malvina Marcela Izbicki – 1919

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Steve

Malvina Marcela Izbicki, daughter of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, was born on 16 January 1919 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA .  Her birth was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Birth Record of Malvina Marcela Izbicki - 1919

The Birth Record of Malvina Marcela Izbicki – 1919

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 25: 212, Malvina Marcela Izbicki birth, 1919; FHL Microfilm 1,311,441, Item 2.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child .  Click on the link for a PDF copy of the birth record of Malvina Marcela Izbicki .  The ledger states:

  • The birth of Malvina Marcela Izbicki was recorded in vol. 25, page 212 of the birth ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1919;
  • She was a female child born at 46 Roath St on 16 January 1919;
  • Her father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki], a 33 year old white millhand from Poland residing in Norwich, Connecticut;
  • Her mother was Alexander Jakuboski [Aleksandra Jakubowska], a 29 year old white woman from Poland;
  • The mother had four children in all, and two children were still living;
  • The certifying physician was L T Cassidy, MD.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth of Joseph Theodore Izbicki – 1917

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Steve

Joseph Theodore Izbicki, son of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, was born on 21 April 1917 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA .  His birth was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Birth Record of Joseph Theodore Izbicki - 1917

The Birth Record of Joseph Theodore Izbicki – 1917

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 25: 139, Joseph Theodore Izbicki birth, 1917; FHL Microfilm 1,311,441, Item 2.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child .  Click on the link for a PDF copy of the birth record of Joseph Theodore Izbicki .  The ledger states:

  • The birth of Joseph Theodore Izbicki was recorded in vol. 25, page 139 of the birth ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1917;
  • He was a male child born at 46 Roath St on 21 April 1917;
  • His father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki], a 31 year old white gunsmith from Russia residing in Norwich, Connecticut;
  • His mother was Alexandrina Jakubowski [Aleksandra Jakubowska], a 25 year old white woman from Russia;
  • The mother had three children in all, and three children were still living;
  • The certifying physician was H E Higgins, MD.
  • Joseph Theodore Izbicki was a twin.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth of Alexander John Izbicki – 1917

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Steve

Alexander John Izbicki, son of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, was born on 21 April 1917 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA .  His birth was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Birth Record of Alexander John Izbicki - 1917

The Birth Record of Alexander John Izbicki – 1917

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 25: 139, Alexander Izbicki birth, 1917; FHL Microfilm 1,311,441, Item 2.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child .  Click on the link for a PDF copy of the birth record of Alexander John Izbicki .  The ledger states:

  • The birth of Alexander John Izbicki was recorded in vol. 25, page 139 of the birth ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1917;
  • He was a male child born at 46 Roath St on 21 April 1917;
  • His father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki], a 31 year old white gunsmith from Russia residing in Norwich, Connecticut;
  • His mother was Alexandrina Jakubowski [Aleksandra Jakubowska], a 25 year old white woman from Russia;
  • The mother had three children in all, and three children were still living;
  • The certifying physician was H E Higgins, MD.
  • Alexander John Izbicki was a twin.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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The Birth of Edwina Izbicki – 1915

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Steve

Edwina (also known as Ida or Harriet) Izbicki, daughter of Jan Izbicki and Aleksandra Jakubowska, was born on 01 May 1915 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, USA .  Her birth was recorded in a ledger for the town of Norwich.

The Birth Record of Edwina Izbicki - 1915

The Birth Record of Edwina Izbicki – 1915

SOURCE:  Norwich (Connecticut), Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 25: 64, Edwina Izbicki birth, 1915; FHL Microfilm 1,311,441, Item 2.

The image above is a composite image from the ledger, cropped to emphasize the information for this child .  Click on the link for a PDF copy of the birth record of Edwina Izbicki .  The ledger states:

  • The birth of Edwina (Ida) Izbicki was recorded in vol. 25, page 64 of the birth ledger for the town of Norwich, Connecticut in 1915;
  • She was a female child born at 46 Roath St on 01 May 1915;
  • Her father was John Izbicki [Jan Izbicki], a 29 year old white weaver from Russia residing in Norwich, Connecticut;
  • Her mother was Alexandra Jakubowski [Aleksandra Jakubowska], a 21 year old white woman from Russia;
  • The mother had one child in all, and one child still living;
  • The certifying physician was H E Higgins, MD.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

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