For over 150 years, Milwaukee has been home to a large community of people of Polish descent. The Milwaukee Polonia Project hopes to show the interweaving, intertwining family trees that resulted in this community. It is hoped that, eventually, all the families can be connected to one another. The Milwaukee Polonia Project is also a means to explore our common history and celebrate our shared heritage.

THE ACTUAL DATABASE OF THE TREE IS NOW LOCATED AT THE MILWAUKEE POLONIA PROJECT TREE at Tribal Pages. (We still have much work to do, so don't assume that families are shown completely.) YOU DO NOT NEED A PASSWORD TO ACCESS INFORMATION ON DECEASED INDIVIDUALS.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Louis M. Kotecki - Featured Profile #47 (part 2)

Louis M. Kotecki, whose full life is discussed as Featured Profile #47, had a profile in Memoirs of Milwaukee County, (1909, edited by Jerome Anthony Watrous) while Mr. Kotecki was still a young man.  That entry, which follows, provides an interesting prelude to the rest of his life's story.


Sunday, December 6, 2015

Status Update - December, 2015

New Points of Origin:


Brzezinki, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
a.k.a. Berkynek, Birkeneck, Otterhof
Co-Ordinates: 53.3149 N, 19.4087 E
Family Names: Kicki (Kitzki or Kitzke)

Brodnica, Brodnica, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
a.k.a.: Strasburg, Brodnitza
Co-Ordinates: 53.2650 N, 19.3967 E
Family Names: Kicki (Kitzki or Kitzke)

Gniewkowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Polanda.k.a. Argenau
Co-Ordinates: 52.8961 N, 18.4021 E
Family Names: Krajniak, Matulewicz, Prusinski
New Family Names Added Since Last Update:

Barski
Bordak
Bruszka
Choinski
Damrat
Dawid
Dorobialski
Dorsz
Droba
Dropp
Faltynski
Grzogrodski
Janaszak
Konezak
Kopaczewski
Krajniak
Kruczek
Krzszkiewicz
Kubel
Kufkowski
Kupkowski
Lipski
Litkowiec
Maeynski
Migawa
Mussa
Osowski
Pelkowski
Podkomorski
Pozorski
Prusinski
Pyszka
Remsza
Sciborski
Strzyzynski
Surecicki
Szaj
Szczki
Szpak
Sztupaj
Trzebiatowski
Wojtkowiak
Wyrzykowski
Zalikowski
Zuchowski
Zychski
Zywert

Profiles Added Since Last Update:  328

New Intra-Connections  (Lucht to Fons):

352)  ….Andrew Gazinski > brother, Hyacinth Gazinski > wife, Veronica (Czerwinski) [Gazinski] Alicz > second husband, Edward Alicz > father, Nicholas Alicz > sister, Magdalena (Alicz) Andrzejewski > son, Joseph Andrzejewski > wife, Gertrude (Erdmann) Andrzejewski > sister, Mary (Erdmann) Kaminski > son, John G. Kaminski (2) > wife, Nellie (Jazdzewski) Kaminski > sister, Helen (Jazdzewski) Ryterski > husband, Edward Ryterski > mother, Anna (Suchala) [Luczak] Ryterski > sister, Katarzyna (Suchala) Peksa > husband, John Peksa > sister, Josephine (Peksa) Saskowski > daughter, Jennie (Saskowski) Fons....

353)  ….Hildegarde (Buretta) Ryczek > father, Bartholomew Buretta > brother, Anton Buretta > daughter, Sophia (Buretta) Jasinski > daughter, Marie (Jasinski) Uciechowski > husband, John Uciechowski....

354)  ….Theodor Ulezelski > sister, Mary (Ulezelski) Bauman > daughter, Benomina (Bauman) Budnik > husband, Michael S. Budnik > father, Thomas Budnik > second wife, Mary (Andraszczyk) Budnik > brother, Andrew Andraszczyk....

355)  ….John Duszynski > sister, Mary (Duszynski) Szolwinski > son, Leo R. Szolwinski > wife, Harriet (Gorski) Szolwinski > sister, Alice (Gorski) Jarentowski > husband, Sylvester Jarentowski > sister, Mary (Jarentowski) Adamski....

356)  ….Michael Grutza > sister, Franciszka (Grutza) Rosploch > husband, John Rosploch > brother, Anton Rosploch > daughter, Anna (Rosploch) Gorski > husband, Edward M. Gorski > Alice (Gorski) Jarentowski....

357)  ....Bertha (Kitzke) Perlaczynski > son, Clarence Perlaczynski > wife, Caroline (Kutka) Perlaczynski > mother, Kazmira (Katherine) (Mazurek) Kutka > sister, Stephania (Fannie) (Mazurek) Jakubicz > husband, Edward Jakubicz > brother, Harry Jakubicz > wife, Victoria (Gorski) Jakubicz > sister, Alice (Gorski) Jarentowski....

358)  ….John Rosploch > brother, Barney Rosploch > wife, Wanda (Choinski) Rosploch > brother, Stanislaw Choinski > wife, Lucy (Golla) Choinski > sister, Helen (Golla) Rosciszewski > husband, Frank Rosciszewski > father, Peter Rosciszewski > brother, Vincent Rosciszewski....

359)  ….Michael Wierzbinski > daughter, Helen (Wierzbinski) Kowalski > husband, Vincent E. Kowalski > mother, Catherine (Krerowicz) Kowalski > sister, Mary (Krerowicz) Piotrowski > son, Alex Piotrowski....

360)  ….Lucy (Golla) Choinski > sister, Valentina (Golla) Matulewicz > husband, Sylvester Matulewicz > sister, Ursula (Matulewicz) Podlaszewski > husband, Frank Podlaszewski....

361)  ….Lucy (Golla) Choinski > sister, Mary (Golla) Dropp > husband, Leon H. Dropp > brother, Casimier Dropp > wife, Anna (Heller) Dropp > sister, Helen (Heller) Sikorski > husband, Sigmund Sikorski....

362)  ….Lucy (Golla) Choinski > sister, Stella (Golla) [Bronikowski] Kosak > first husband, Henry K. Bronikowski (I) > sister Pelagia (Bronikowski) Malczewski > husband, Frank Malczewski > sister, Josepha (Malczewski) Fons > husband, Joseph Fons (2)....

363)  ….Henry K. Bronikowski (I) > son, Henry F. Bronikowski (II) > first wife, Cecelia (Jendryk) Bronikowski > mother, Mayme (Kureski) [Dluszkowski] Jendryk > daughter, Mayme [Mary] (Dluszkowski) Konkol....

364)  ….Stella (Golla) [Bronikowski] Kozak > second husband, Leo S. Kosak > brother, Alois Kosak > wife, Theresa (Wozniak) Kosak > sister, Cecylia (Wozniak) Paradowski > husband, Frank Paradowski > father, Joannes Paradowski....

365)  ….Michael S. Budnik > brother, John T. Budnik > second wife, Elizabeth (Ulezelski) [Krolick] Budnik > father, Theophil W. Ulezelski > brother, Theodor Ulezelski....

366)  ….John T. Budnik > first wife, Regina (Paruzynski) Budnik > mother, Victoria (Ulezelski) Paruzynski > brother, Theodor Ulezelski....

367)  ….Leo S. Kosak > second wife, Anna Mary (Wielebski) Kosak > brother, Peter P. Z. Wielebski > wife, Pelagia (Tutaj) Wielebski > mother, Maryana (Michalski) Tutaj....

368)  ….Helen (Buretta) Cesarz > father, Bartholomew Buretta > brother, Anton Buretta > wife, Prakseda (Dorsz) Buretta > sister, Sophie (Dorsz) Kosciesza > son, Frank Kosciesza > Frances (Tomczyk) Kosciesza > father, Frank Tomczyk > brother, Peter Tomczyk > son, Edward Tomczyk....

369)  ….Frank Kosciesza > half-brother, Bernard Kosciesza > wife, Agnes (Unknown) Kosciesza > second husband, Joseph M. Starosta > son by first marriage, Edward E. Starosta....

370)  ….Frank Kosciesza > sister, Mary Barbara (Kosciesza) Swodzinski > husband, Harry William Swodzinski > sister, Katherine (Swodzinski) Rozga > John J. Rozga (2) > sister, Frances (Rozga) Karnowski...

371)  ….Harry William Swodzinski > brother, Anthony G. Swodzinski > wife, Jennie (Seelen) Swodzinski > sister, Elizabeth (Seelen) Grohall > husband, Frank P. Grohall > brother, George Grohall....

372)  ….Jennie (Seelen) Swodzinski > sister, Eleanore (Seelen) Grohall > husband, Albert Grohall > brother, George Grohall....

373)  ....Harriet (Stanioch) Mazurkiewicz > daughter, PRIVATE (Mazurkiewicz) Grohall > husband, Richard Grohall > father, Harry S. Grohall > brother, Edward Grohall....

374)  ....Richard Grohall > sister, Lorraine (Grohall) Placzek > husband, Raymond Placzek > father, Casimir Placzek....

375)  ….Harry S. Grohall > brother, Frank Grohall > wife, Antonina (Lipinski) Grohall > brother, Frank Lipinski > wife, Frances (Placzek) Lipinski....


PCN:  2.00
(For an explanation of the PCN - "Project Completeness Number") see Status Update - February, 2012 and Status Update - March, 2012)
 
Historical PCN Data:
 
December, 2015: 2.00
October, 2015: 8.25
August, 2015:  1.24
June, 2015:  7.00
April, 2015:  3.80
February, 2015:  8.33
December, 2014: 1.08
November, 2014:  2.58
October, 2014:  2.58
September, 2014: 3.00
August. 2014:  2.29
July, 2014:  3.00
June, 2014:  2.44
May, 2014: 4.5
April, 2014:  4.67
March, 2014:  3.0
February, 2014:  10.5
January, 2014:  2.9
December, 2013:  4.11
November, 2013:  3.89
October, 2013:  2.14
September 2013:  2.9
August, 2013: 2.71           
July, 2013: 4.28
June, 2013:  3.01
May, 2013: 6.33
April, 2013: 3.33
March, 2013:  8.2
February, 2013: 2.1
January, 2013:  8.0
December, 2012: 3.29
November, 2012: 6.0
October, 2012:  12.25
September, 2012:  6.4
August, 2012: 3.89
July, 2012:  4.57
June, 2012:  7.75
May, 2012:  9.33
April, 2012:  16.67
March, 2012:  16
February, 2012:  12.8
January, 2012:  19
 
Newly Discovered Changed Names:
Szaj to Shy
Wielebski to Wiley
Wiza to Wiese

Corrected Spellings:

Kondziora to Kandziora

New Alternate Spellings:

Andrzejewski Andejerski
Bauman Baumann
Biedrzycki Biedrzyoka
Brzycki Brzucki
Dorsz Dorsch
Faltynski Fattynski
Golla Gota
Grohall Grochal Grochel
Jamusz Jamoz
Jasinski Jasinzki
Kalk Kalik
Klapa Klappa Keapa
Kobza Kocza
Kopydlowski Kopidlowski
Kosciesza Koswesza Kosoirsza
Kostecki Kosecki Kosetcki
Krygier Razyier
Krzszkiewicz Krzazkiewicz
Malich Malik
Migawa Migala
Nitz Nec Nyk
Okonski O Knuske
Osowski Asowski Ossowski
Piotrowski Protrowski
Podkomorski Podkomonski
Polaszczyk Polaszyk Polasik
Preuss Preiss
Prusinski Sprusinski
Scibiorski Siborski
Sekuluwski Szkulmowski
Strzyzynski Szcyzynski Sciznski
Swodzinski Cwodzinski Soijinski Cwojdzinski Czwojdzinski
Szczki Sozzka
Sztoba Szboba
Tomaszewski Tounzewski
Ulezelski Ulczelski
Wiza Wisa
Wojtkowiak Woztkowiak
Wyrzykowski Wyzyzkowski Wizkowowski Werzykowski Wyrakowski
Zalikowski Gelikonka
Zarek Zaskowski
Zoltak Zaltek Zultak
Zywert Zeywert

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

As is our custom here at the Milwaukee Polonia Project, we choose today to show our gratitude to all the individuals who have helped with the Project in the last year.  Therefore, a special thanks goes out to the following individuals:

Barb Kroehn – for correcting some information regarding the Franciszek Stanislawski family

Barb Karnowski – for contributing information on the Karnowski family

Grace Janusz – for supplying information on the Lawrence Michalski family and Brzezinski families

Faith Parnell – information on the Wycichowski and Karpik families.

Donna Ryterske – information on the Waloch (Walloch) families, the Casimir Ryterske family, and the Kaminski Family

Amy Rosno – information on the Brzuszkiewicz and Czechorski families

Regina Valuch – the Konkel family

Mary Bajczyk Fennig – the Kuryer Polski death notices of Alexander Paradowski and Joseph Fennig

Lynn Ann Wagner – Information on the Descendants of Anton Szymanski and Antonina Bulski and the Czarnecki Families.
 
Mary Jo Jancarik - information on the Stanislaus Borowski family
 
Joanna Białkowska - providing translations from the Kuryer Polski
 
My apologies for anyone that I may have missed.

Friday, October 30, 2015

The Tragic Death of Louis M. Kotecki (Featured Profile #47)

Louis M. Kotecki (1880 - 1933)

     For most of his life, Louis Kotecki could have been the hero of a Horatio Alger novel.  The son of Polish immigrants, he rose, seemingly overnight, from newspaper boy to one of the highest positions in Milwaukee government.  Although part of his rise was attributable to fortunate timing, it was mostly due to hard, conscientious work and honesty.  Those attributes kept him in office for 25 years, almost an eternity in politics.  However, in the end, it was trying to live up to the "rags to riches" myth that may have been his undoing.

     Louis Kotecki was from a family that was one of the earlier Polish families in Milwaukee. His parents, Albert Kotecki, and Barbara (Kurzawski) Kotecki were both from Koźmin.  Whether they knew each other in Koźmin is not known because they were not married until July 14, 1872, when they were both living in Chicago.  Reportedly, they only stayed in Chicago two years before moving to Milwaukee where Albert continued in his career as a tailor.  (However, the census records for Louis Kotecki, born on July 8, 1880, consistently indicate that he was born in Illinois.)

     Louis was one of twelve children born to Albert and Barbara.  He was educated in Milwaukee, attending public and parochial schools and a private high school.  He had an early drive to make something of himself.  He started work at the age of 14 as a paperboy.  At the age of 18, he enlisted into the Army and became a bugler during the Spanish-America War.

     He began is political career in 1902 when he was elected as a Constable.  In 1906, he was appointed as Justice of the Peace, a position which he held for the next six years.

   The political climate in Milwaukee in 1912 was ideal for the advancement of an ambitious young man.  The election of the Socialist Emil Seidel as mayor in 1910 had shocked the traditional parties, so much so that the Republics and Democrats came together to nominate a combined non-partisan slate of candidates.  Louis Kotecki was lucky enough to chosen for the position of Comptroller, the city's chief financial officer.  (In getting this nomination, he actually beat out his future father-in-law, Stephen Pozorski.) His ethnicity may have been a factor in being chosen for this position.  For the 22 years preceding the 1912 election (beginning with Roman Czerwinski, Featured Profile #10) the post of Milwaukee City Comptroller had been almost constantly held by men of Polish extraction, so much so that the position became known as "the Polish Mayor."  After the final polling, Kotecki's 43,506 votes won that election over the 29,701 garnered by the Socialist incumbent candidate, Carl P. Dietz.

     Kotecki would not loose any of the next seven election.  For the next, the next 21 years, he would serve Milwaukee as it's chief financial officer.  To give you some perspective, during his time as Comptroller of Milwaukee, the country lived through the presidential terms of Taft, Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover.

     Through World War I, Women's Sufferage, Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties. Kotecki guided the Milwaukee finances earning a reputation as an efficient administrator who followed the rules and tried to put Milwaukee on a secure financial footing.  According to the Milwaukee Journal, during Kotecki's tenure, many important laws effecting Milwaukee's financial condition were passed, including "the taxation readjustment law which placed the city on a cash basis in 1933: elimination of bond issues for city expenditures such as street paving, dredging and other recurring items; substitution of a direct tax when deemed advisable for any bond issue placed in the budget; levy of a tax to pay uncollected taxes, preventing an annual deficient from this cause, and the city amortization fund, designed to retire the city debt."

     During this period, he also found time to woo and wed Harriet Pozorski and to father and nurture two daughters.

     At the time of his election, Kotecki did not have any special education or experience with sophisticated financial dealings.  However, he knew enough to employ competent subordinates and to let them do their jobs.   One of these employees was William Wendt.  Wendt had originally been appointed as a Clerk in the office in 1911 by Carl Dietz. His original appointment had been in violation of the civil service rules.  But in the next year, he took the exam and easily passed.  Kotecki made him chief clerk in 1914, and then appointed him Deputy Comptroller in 1919. They also became close friends.

     Through Kotecki's wise financial management, Milwaukee was in reasonably good shape even when the Great Depression hit in 1929.  Newspapers around the world praised Kotecki's management as proved by the fact that Milwaukee was still solvent when innumerable other cities were suffering severe financial distress.

     However, the Great Depression wrecked havoc with Kotecki's personal finances - the Great Depression and the myth that had grown up about his rages to riches story.  The problem was that people would come to him thinking that he was richer than he was.  They would ask him to help them in their businesses, and Louis was loathe to turn them away.  The end result was that when the Great Depression hit, Kotecki had much of his wealth tied up in community businesses.  When those businesses failed, Kotecki lost all his investments.  Worse, the people who had also lost money from those businesses came knocking on Kotecki's door, looking to have their losses made whole.  Kotecki felt that, for the purposes of his reputation, he could not turn these people away, even if he was not legally responsible for the debt, so he did all he could to cover their losses as well.

     He might have withstood all of this if his honesty and competency had not been called into question.  In some years, the Milwaukee finances had been run so competently that the city's budget was actually in surplus. The common council directed the city treasurer, John I. Drew, to invest the surplus in federal bonds.  All that was well in theory, but when the economy turned sour and money ran short, questions began to be raised.  Why did John I. Drew do all his transactions through one bank, the Liberty State Bank?  Why, when the city had to borrow money at 6% , did Mr Drews leave $160,000 on deposit at the Liberty State Bank when it was only earning 2 1/2%?  As investigators dug deeper, they discovered even more troubling facts.  Eventually, Drew, who had been the City Treasurer from 1916 to 1932, was indicted on embezzling $500,000 of the city funds.  It was alleged that Drew conspired with Isaac J. Rosenberg, President of the Liberty State Bank, to skim money off the purchase of the bonds by making the bonds appear to have been more expensive then they actually were, and then pocketing the difference.

      Although Kotecki was not implicated in the alleged scheme, he came under fire for not discovering it sooner.  In vain, Kotecki argued that the city treasurer was an independent elected position, and that the city comptroller was not responsible for its oversight.  He also argued that when the investigation began, it was his office that supplied much of the information to implicate Drews.  These arguments did not persuade the grand jury and Kotecki was indicted for criminal malfeasance in failing to properly supervise the treasurer. Kotecki was arrested on March 6, 1933.

     Although released on bail, Kotecki fell into his own, personal great depression.  Not only were creditors hounding his every minute, but he felt keenly the loss or respect in the community and the damage to his reputation caused by the indictment.  Moreover, the grand jury testimony of Wendt was perceived by Kotecki as being a stab in the back.

     Saturday, July 8, 1933, was Kotecki's 53rd birthday.  On previous birthdays, he had been surrounded by well-wishers and admirers. That day, he spent alone in his office, surrounded by his bills and his black thoughts.  It must have seemed to Kotecki that there was only one way to relieve his mental distress.

     Three days later he took action.  In the middle of the afternoon on July 11th, Wendt was in his office.  He had just picked up the phone to take a call when he noticed Kotecki in the room.  Although Wendt did not see it, Kotecki raised the .38 caliber pistol in his hand and fired, striking Wendt in the head.  Kotecki then turned and headed back to his own office.  Before he got there, he had already put the gun to his own head and fired.

     Although Wendt's wound was serious, he would recover and go on to become Comptroller.  Kotecki did not die instantly.  He lingered, unconscious, until the next morning when he died with his wife and children in attendance.

     Investigators at the scene found several bills on Kotecki's desk.  These were just a small sampling of the many bills that had hounded Kotecki over the last several months, if not years.  One of the bills on Kotecki's desk was  a chilling indication of how bad things had become for him.  It was from the city waterworks department for the incredibly small amount of $1.76.  Nevertheless, stamped on the bill was the dire warning:

  Final notice - if not paid on or before July 7, your water will be turned off.

     The indictment against Kotecki was cancelled within hours of his death.  His widow, Harriet (Porzorski) Kotecki pushed hard for the trial of John Drews because she was sure the facts brought forward in that trial would prove her husband innocent.  However, it was not to be.   John Drews had been in frail health for some time; he had actually been arrested while in the hospital.  His trial was repeatedly postponed because of his ill health.  He eventually died of a heart attack in July, 1934 without ever having been brought to trial.

                                               ******************************

     In October, 1934, a group of people gathered in Kosciuszko Park to unveil a plague commemorating the life of Louis M. Kotecki.  Among them were city officials, relatives, and friends.  Rev. Waclaw Kruszka gave a fitting tribute for the fallen man when he said,

Louis Kotecki may not have been a saint, but neither was he a criminal.
Therefore, we do not dishonor him as a criminal nor honor him as a saint,
but we do honor him as a good and faithful servant of the people.

    Relation to Nearest Featured Profile: Michael Domachowski (Featured Profile #3) and Joseph Domachowski, (Featured Profile #5):  No near relationship.

Path From Nearest Featured Profile:  Michael and Joseph Domachowski > sister, Frances (Domachowski) [Grosz] Jagodzinski > second husband, John Jagodzinski (1) > mother, Rosalia (Sromalla) [Rybarczyk] Jagodzinksi > first husband, Paul Rybarczyk > brother, Franciscus Rybarczyk > son, Michael Rybarczyk > daughter, Angeline (Rybarczyk) Kotecki > husband, Adam Kotecki > brother, Louis M. Kotecki



Sources:

"Career Men Prominent in the Services of the City,"  Milwaukee Journal, April 7, 1935, p. 7

"City Treasurer of Milwaukee in Larceny Charge," The Gettysburg Times, February 18, 1933, p. 3.

Conrad, Will C., Wilson, Kathleen, and Wilson, Dale, "Putting Public Good Above Party Label,"  an excerpt of their book, The Milwaukee Journal: the First Eighty Years," as published in the Milwaukee Journal on September 10, 1966, p. 6.

"Drew Owned Liberty Bank Stock in 1926," Milwaukee Sentinel, April 8, 1930, p. 12.

"Funeral Thursday for Mrs. Pozorski," Milwaukee Journal, September 30, 1930, p. 4

"John I. Drew is Dead After Heart Attack,"  Milwaukee Journal, July 18, 1934, p. 1

"Honor Kotecki with Plague,"  Milwaukee Sentinel, October 15, 1934, p. 5

"Kotecki Balks at Being 'Goat'", Milwaukee Journal, January 26, 1933, p.5

"Kotecki Called Too Generous," Milwaukee Journal, July 12, 1933, p. 2

"Kotecki Dead; Wendt Rallies Slightly," Milwaukee Journal, July 12, 1933, p.1

"Kotecki is Dying After Shooting Wendt, Self," Milwaukee Sentinel, July 12, 1933, p.1

"Kotecki, Wendt Shot in City Hall," Milwaukee Journal, July 11, 1933, p.1

"Life! - - - Death," Milwaukee Journal, July 12, 1933, p. 2

"Mrs. Kotecki Offers Protest," Milwaukee Journal, January 23, 1936, p. 13.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Status Update - October, 2015

New Points of Origin:

Buntowo, Wielkopolskie, Poland
a.k.a. Buntuwe, Seefelde
Co-Ordinates: 53.2669 N, 17.1215 E
Family Names: Czarnecki

Dobre-Kolonia, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
Co-Ordinates: 52.6752° N, 18.5423° E
Family Names: Kuzba

New Family Names Added Since Last Update:

Binzak
Botorowicz
Brzeska
Chelminiak
Cofta
Dziedzic
Gosch
Klajnowski
Kryszewski
Lapinski
Lepkowski
Liszewski
Litka
Matczynski
Mikolaiczak
Molenda
Orcholski
Owczarz
Paikowski
Paterek
Rarimarski
Rostankowski
Ruszewski
Stachnik
Szcpankiewicz
Szulc
Tillman
Topka
Tyczynski
Wachowicz
Wnukowski
Wrzeszcz

Profiles Added Since Last Update:  322New Intra-Connections  (Lucht to Fons):

348)  ….Henry Stanioch > father, John Stanioch (2) > father, John Stanioch (1) > brother, Lawrence Stanioch > daughter, Michalina (Stanioch) Gora >husband, John Gora > sister Praxeda (Gora) [Tadych] Ryczek > son, William Tadych > wife, Helen (Fennig) Tadych > brother, Joseph Fennig > daughter, Clara (Fennig) Tutaj....

349)  ….Edmund Latus > sister, Pearl (Latus) Moderski > husband, Stanley L. Moderski > sister, Sophie (Moderski) Kitzki > husband, William Kitzki > father, Stanley Kitzki....

350)  ….Veronica (Szymanski) Szyper > sister, Frances (Szymanski) Czarnecki > husband, John Peter Czarnecki > sister, Mathilda (Czarnecki) Latus > son, Joseph Latus (1)....

351)  …..Leonard Burzynski > brother, John J. Burzynski > daughter, Florence (Burzynski) [Czarnecki] Chartier > first husband, Alfred (Alphonse) Czarnecki > Frank Czarnecki > sister, Mathilda (Czarnecki) Latus....

PCN:  8.25
(For an explanation of the PCN - "Project Completeness Number") see Status Update - February, 2012 and Status Update - March, 2012)
 
Historical PCN Data:
October, 2015: 8.25
August, 2015:  1.24
June, 2015:  7.00
April, 2015:  3.80
February, 2015:  8.33
December, 2014: 1.08
November, 2014:  2.58
October, 2014:  2.58
September, 2014: 3.00
August. 2014:  2.29
July, 2014:  3.00
June, 2014:  2.44
May, 2014: 4.5
April, 2014:  4.67
March, 2014:  3.0
February, 2014:  10.5
January, 2014:  2.9
December, 2013:  4.11
November, 2013:  3.89
October, 2013:  2.14
September 2013:  2.9
August, 2013: 2.71           
July, 2013: 4.28
June, 2013:  3.01
May, 2013: 6.33
April, 2013: 3.33
March, 2013:  8.2
February, 2013: 2.1
January, 2013:  8.0
December, 2012: 3.29
November, 2012: 6.0
October, 2012:  12.25
September, 2012:  6.4
August, 2012: 3.89
July, 2012:  4.57
June, 2012:  7.75
May, 2012:  9.33
April, 2012:  16.67
March, 2012:  16
February, 2012:  12.8
January, 2012:  19
 
Newly Discovered Changed Names:
 
Andrzejewski to Andrejeski
Kozminski Komens
Lewandowski Levendoski
Naczek to Natchek
Tomaszewski to Thomas

New Alternate Spellings:
 
Bachert Bschert
Brzezinski Brzyczynski
Dlugi Daluga
Dluszynski Dlurenski Stuzynski Dlucynski
Dryll Drell Dryel
Erdmann Artmann
Fennig Fenyg
Gosch Gosz
Grochowski Grochow Grocz
Jarka Jaga
Karolewicz Karlewicz
Kotecki Kotechi
Krawiecki Krewiscki
Kubacki Kubicki
Miotke Miotk
Naczek Neczek
Paterek Taterek
Radka Ratha
Ryczek Ryczel Rzczek
Scharmach Szarmach
Tillman Tylmann
Tomaszewski Tomsa
Wadzinski Wactzinski Nodzinski
Wierzba Wiezba
Wrzeszcz Frischke
Ziarnek Ziornek Ziarnik



Saturday, September 12, 2015

Featured Profile #46 - Stanley W. Kaminski

Stanley W. Kaminski (1863 - 1938)

Here is another entry from Memoirs of Milwaukee County, (1909) edited by Jerome Anthony Watrous.  This one, found at page 212, discusses the father of John G. Kaminski (Featured Profile #45):


[Note: although the spelling of names in Memoirs is always spotty, this one is particularly egregious.   Here are the correct spellings:

Dlurenka is really Dluszynska
Kotechi is really Kotecki
Bartozenicz is really Botorowicz
Artmann is really Ertmann or Erdmann
Vadinski is really Wazinski]


Relation to Nearest Featured Profile - John G. Kaminski (Featured Profile #45):  Father.

Path From Nearest Featured Profile:   John G. Kaminski > father, Stanley W. Kaminski

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Person of Note - Adalbert Erdmann

Wojciech  (Albert or Adalbert) Erdmann* (1842 - 1918)

      was one of the earliest Polish settlers, having arrived in Milwaukee around 1873.  When he died, the following article ran in Milwaukee's Kuryer Polski (on October 15, 1918):


My (google) translation is:

Old Settler Dies
Wojciech Ertmann*, from Jadwigówa**, parted from this world on Thursday afternoon.
 
 One of the oldest Polish settlers on Jadwigowie, Mr. Wojciech Ertmann, residing at 899 Franklin Place, said goodbye to this world on Thursday afternoon after a short and serious illness, after living 76 years. The deceased was widely known in circles of older settlers and was one of the oldest parishioners Jadwigowie. He belonged to several companies. The deceased Wojciech Ertmann was born on April 3, 1842 in the Great Duchy of Poznan. He leaves a wife, Antonine Ertmann; two daughters, Mary Kaminski and Gertrude Andrzejewski; two sons, Leo and Francis, and 12 grandchildren.

*His name has been spelled in various sources as "Ertmann," "Erdmann," "Ertman," "Erdman," and even "Erthmen" and "Artmann."  It is spelled in the article as "Ertmann" which is also the spelling used on his tombstone.  However, his wife and children seemed to have spelled it consistently as "Erdmann" which is why that spelling is used on the tree.

**I am not sure as to what "Jadwigówa" is referring. My best guess is that it is a reference to the neighborhood around St. Hedwig (Sw. Jadwiga) Church.

Adalbert Erdmann was the maternal grandfather of John G. Kaminski (Featured Profile #45).  John Kaminski told the story that as a young boy he watched the seagulls soaring at the lakefront and that he told his grandfather that he would one day soar like them.  Adalbert Erdmann may very well be the grandfather mentioned in that quaint story.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Status Update - August, 2015

New Points of Origin:

"Cirkwitz, Posen, Prussia"
Co-Ordinates:  Unknown - There are two towns with similarly spelled names: Zirkwitz (aka Cirkevitz and Cirkwica) in Pomorskie, and Cerekwica (German: Cirkwicz) in Silesia.   However, both of these towns lie well outside the old province of Poznan.  Therefore, it could be a reference to Cerekwica (German: also "Cerekwica"), which is 5 kilometers west of Żnin in Kujawsko-Pomorskie.
Family Names:  Jasniecki

New Family Names Added Since Last Update:

Bristowicz
Davidowski
Jasniecki
Jendryk
Kazinski
Kobus
Kolinski
Kuhnke
Litwin
Maruszewski
Nadolinski
Pokara
Robaszynski
Rychlewski
Stuzynski
Suida
Szemla
Talar
Tomasik
Wadzinski
Wawrzyniakowski
Wigocki
Zawacki
Zepinski
Zydowicz

Profiles Added Since Last Update:  295

New Intra-Connections  (Lucht to Fons):

328)  ….Vincent Konkel > brother, Alexander Konkel > daughter, Agatha (Konkel) Boschke > husband, Max Boschke (I) ….

329)  ….Vincent Konkel > son, Joseph Konkel > wife, Rose (Rotta) Konkel > brother, John Joseph Rotta.... 

330)  ….Ceil (Jagodzinski) Schulist > brother, Raymond Jagodzinski (2) > wife, Regina (Lorenz) Jagodzinski > sister, Elizabeth (Lorenz) Ryczek > husband, Stanley Ryczek > father, Leo Ryczek > father, Valentine Ryczek....

331)  ….Gilbert P. Tutaj > sister, Phyllis (Tutaj) Page > husband, George C. Page > second wife, Gloria (Paczesny) [Jozwiak] Page > first husband, Lawrence Jozwiak > (half?) sister, Julia (Jozwiak) Tutaj > husband, Alois Tutaj....

332)  ...Clara (Fennig) Tutaj > father, Joseph Fennig > sister, Pelagia (Fennig) Wojda > husband, John Wojda > father, Michal Wojda > brother, Joseph Woida....

333)  ….Joseph Fennig > sister, Helena (Fennig) Tadych > husband, William Tadych > brother, John Tadcyh > wife, Amelia (Fons) Tadych > Stephen Fons (1)....

334)  ….Joseph Fennig > brother, John Fennig > wife, Mary (Lijewski) Fennig > mother, Antonina (Paprocki) Lijewski > brother, Joseph Paprocki ….

335)  ….Mary (Lijewski) Fennig > brother, Francis Lijewski > wife, Catherine (Patyk) Lijewski > sister, Mary (Patyk) Tomczyk > son, Edward Tomczyk ….

335)  ….Mary (Patyk) Tomczyk > husband, Peter Tomczyk > brother, Frank Tomczyk > son, Edmund Tomczyk > wife, Irene (Radtke) Tomczyk > brother, Raymond Radtke ….

336)  ….Joseph Paprocki > half-brother, John Paprocki > (adopted) daughter, Anna (Paprocki) Chybowski > husband, Edward A. Chybowski > second wife, Florence (Bzdawka) Chybowski > half-brother, John Bzdawka....

337)  ….Joseph Paprocki > half-brother, Paul Paprocki > second wife, Appolonia (Jasniecki) Paprocki > (adopted) daughter, Anna (Paprocki) Chybowski....

338)  ….Paul Paprocki > first wife, Maryanna (Janusz) Paprocki > father, Jan Janusz > brother, Martin Janusz > daughter, Praxeda (Janusz) Napieralski > husband, Frank Naperialski > brother, Joseph Napieralski > wife, Anna (Napientek) Napieralski > brother, John Napientek > wife, Angeline (Rosploch) Napientek....

339)  ….Joseph Paprocki > half-brother, John Paprocki > (adopted) daughter, Evangeline (Paprocki) Kosmatka > husband, Alexander Kosmatka > brother, Benedict Kosmatka > wife, Frances (Paprocki) Kosmatka > father, Paul Paprocki....

340)  ….Florian Lesniewski > mother, Mary (Glysz) Lesniewski > father, Anton [Glysz] Glyzewski > first wife, Francisca (Paprocki) Glyzewski > brother, John Paprocki....

341)  ….Anton [Glysz] Glyzewski > third wife, Paulina (Lukaszewski) [Dorn] Glyzewski > brother, Anton Lukaszewski (2) > son, Stanley Lukaszewski....

342)  ….Anton [Glysz] Glyzewski > brother, John Glyzewski > wife, Katherine (Chrzan) Glyzewski > brother, John Chrzan ....

343)  ….Martin Janusz > son, Joseph Janusz > wife, Francisca (Saskowski) Janusz > brother, Valentine Saskowski > daughter, Jenne (Saskowski) Fons > husband, Stephen C. Fons (2)....

344)  ….Joseph Andraszczyk > brother, Walter Andraszczyk > son, PRIVATE Andraszczyk > PRIVATE (Majchrzak) Andraszczyk > father, Chester Majchrzak > father, John Majchrzak > first wife, Johanna (Szymanski) Majchrzak > sister, Veronica (Szymanski) Szyper > husband, Michael Szyper > sister, Pelagia (Szyper) Latus > husband, Anthony Latus > brother, Frank Latus > wife, Catherine (Myk or Mick) Latus....

345)  ….John Majchrzak > brother, Peter Majchrzak > wife, Stanislawa (Szymanski) Majchrzak > sister, Veronica (Szymanski) Szyper....

346)  ….John Majchrzak > second wife, Frances (Tomasik) Majchrzak > Augusta (Tomasik) Szymanski > husband, Joseph Szymanski > sister, Veronica (Szymanski) Szyper....

347)  ….Chester Majchrzak > sister, Clementine (Majchrzak) Patyk > husband, Richard Patyk > Ladislaus [Walter] Patyk > Mary (Patyk) Tomczyk...

PCN:  1.24
(For an explanation of the PCN - "Project Completeness Number") see Status Update - February, 2012 and Status Update - March, 2012)
 
Historical PCN Data:
August, 2015:  1.24
June, 2015:  7.00
April, 2015:  3.80
February, 2015:  8.33
December, 2014: 1.08
November, 2014:  2.58
October, 2014:  2.58
September, 2014: 3.00
August. 2014:  2.29
July, 2014:  3.00
June, 2014:  2.44
May, 2014: 4.5
April, 2014:  4.67
March, 2014:  3.0
February, 2014:  10.5
January, 2014:  2.9
December, 2013:  4.11
November, 2013:  3.89
October, 2013:  2.14
September 2013:  2.9
August, 2013: 2.71           
July, 2013: 4.28
June, 2013:  3.01
May, 2013: 6.33
April, 2013: 3.33
March, 2013:  8.2
February, 2013: 2.1
January, 2013:  8.0
December, 2012: 3.29
November, 2012: 6.0
October, 2012:  12.25
September, 2012:  6.4
August, 2012: 3.89
July, 2012:  4.57
June, 2012:  7.75
May, 2012:  9.33
April, 2012:  16.67
March, 2012:  16
February, 2012:  12.8
January, 2012:  19
 
New Alternate Spellings:
 
Banaszak Bauszek Banaszek Ranaszak
Bulski Bulaski
Chrzan Chizan
Ciezki Czezek Czerk
Davidowski Davidoski
Dluszkowski Luchowski
Dluszynski Dluczinski Stuzynski
Erdman Erdmann Ertman Erthmen
Glyszewski Glyzewski Glysz Glisch
Graj Gray
Janusz Janssoz
Jozwiak Jaswiak
Kachellek Kachelek
Kaminski Kaminsky
Konkel, Konkel, Kunkopf
Kosmatka Kozmatka
Kuhnke, Konka
Lawinczak Sawincgak
Maciolek Mackolek
Napieralski Napiezalski
Patyk Papyk Patek
Pruss Prus
Rechlicz Bechlicz
Robaszynski Robaczyuski
Sikorski Skorski
Szelma Zemla
Szymanski Szymowski
Talar Tallar
Tomasik Tomaszyk
Tuszkiewicz Tuszkiewiecz Tuszkewicz
Ulezelski Ulizelski
Wadzinski Nodzinski
Westphal Westfall

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Featured Profile #45 - John G. Kaminski

John G. Kaminski (1893 - 1960)

The next time you visit the terminal at General Mitchell International Airport take a look at the old "pusher" plane located in the concession area.  It is a replica of a plane built in 1911 by the Curtiss Aeroplane Company of Hammonsport, NY.  It is called a "pusher" because the motor is mounted behind the pilot and faces backward, pushing the air away from the plane.  It is a fragile contraption made of baling wire, bamboo and cotton fabric.  The steering mechanism is primitive.  The pilot is in a harness and turns the plane by leaning either to the right or left of the open seat. Like all planes of that era, it could be a death trap.   If something went wrong, the engine coughed out, a propeller snapped, the wind blew a little too hard, then the plane would hit the ground, usually pilot-first.  This was the plane flown by Milwaukee native, and the first Polish-American aviator, John G. Kaminski.

John Kaminski at age 19, from Milwaukee Journal, May 22, 1913
John Kaminski was born on the Eastside of Milwaukee to Stanley Kaminski, a grocer, and Mary (Erdman/Ertmann) Kaminski.  Growing up, one of his favorite pursuits was to go down to the lakefront and watch the soaring seagulls.  He told his grandfather that one day, he was going to fly like them.  John was just shy of ten years when the Wright brothers shocked the world by showing humans how to fly.  Suddenly, his dream of soaring like the gulls became a possibility.

By 1911, John had made his way to San Diego and the Curtiss Aviation School.  When he graduated in 1912, his pilot's license was the 121st issued in the world, and he, reportedly, became the youngest person licensed to fly a plane. (Kaminski often told people he was only 16 when he got his license, but he was really 18.)  Returning home, he became the first licensed pilot in Wisconsin, where he recorded other "firsts."  For example, when he bought a Curtiss Pusher in 1912 for $5,000, he became the first Wisconsin resident to own a plane.  (That craft, named "Sweetheart" was lovingly restored by Dale Crites of Waukesha and Earl Cox of Hartland, and is now on exhibit at the Experimental Aircraft Museum in Oshkosh. There is a replica is at the Smithstonian in Washington.)  When he touched down with that plane two miles north of North Lake, he became the first pilot to land in Waukesha County.

John G. Kaminski, from www.earlyaviators.com
Back in those days, human flight was still awe-inspiring.  People would travel miles just to have the privilege of watching another man fly.  After graduation, John spent three years flying with the "Three Ring Aerial Circus."  He was often hired by State Fairs and such to take his plane on short flights so that the people in the grandstands could watch.  For example, in May, 1913, a large crowd gathered in Akron, Ohio to watch Kaminski fly.  Even though strong winds kept Kaminski on the ground through most of the day, the crowd waited patiently.  At five o'clock, Kaminski decided he couldn't disappoint the crowd.  Against the advice of his helpers who warned that the wind was still too strong, Kaminski took off.  When he was still low in the air, the spectators could see him being rocked in his open seat by the high winds.  Somehow, he managed to control his plane and take it up to 5,000 feet.  Then he shut off the engine and let it glide back to earth.  Although the spectators had waited long to see Kaminski fly, they probably considered it well worth the time.

High winds played the part in another Kaminski adventure.  This is how he recalled it:


From Milwaukee Journal, September 2, 1939
Another July 4th flight did not end so well.  In fact, it resulted in one of his closest calls.  It occurred on July 4, 1914 in Tomahawk.  As John related it:

At Tomahawk, I had to take off directly from the street in the heart of the city. My first flight in the morning went off without mishap. In the afternoon, however, a stiff wind sprang up and blew sand and dust around. The city fire department was called out to wet the street and lay the dust. As I started my machine, it began to skid on the wet pavement. I had intended to fly above some high tension wires which crossed the street about a block away. Because of the wet pavement which caused my plane to skid, I saw that I would have to get under the wires. Both sides of the street were lined with people watching the exhibition. As I hit the street intersection traveling at about 70 miles per hour, a cross wind caught my plane and swerved it toward the crowd of spectators. In order to avoid plunging into them, I banked my plane and hit a telegraph post with my left aileron and plunged my nose into the ground. I was knocked unconscious but was soon revived with very little damage to myself but quite a bit of damage to my plane.   (A photograph of his wrecked plane and other Kaminski photographs can be found on the website of the Wisconsin Historical Society.)



In addition to flying for large audiences, John would also earn money by taking individual passengers up in his plane.  He charged $25 for such flights, which was a princely sum in that era. Besides having the cash, the passengers also had to have nerves of steel because there was no passenger seats on the plane.  The passengers had to sit on the wing and just  hold onto the struts for dear life.

Kaminski prepares to take a passenger for a ride in Akron, Ohio.
Women passengers had to have their skirts tied.  One time Kaminski forgot to do this, and it nearly ended in disaster.  As Kaminski described it:

Her skirt flew over her head and she was screaming bloody murder.  She was afraid to let go of the struts to put her skirt down and I was afraid she would smother.  I tried to pull the skirt down and the ship, which was very difficult to handle with the unevenly balanced load, started to spin.  I quit my skirt-pulling and managed to save us.  I can't tell which of us was the most embarrassed.

Another "first" for Kaminski was the first successful hydroplane ascent from McKinley beach. (He thus really did emulate the gulls that he had admired as a child.)  He accomplished that on October 11, 1914 in a test flight for an exhibition that was to be held the next Sunday.  The hydroplane he was using for that flight was already reputed for being jinxed.  The first owner of the plane had been Art Smith of Fort Wayne.  He had used it to ferry away his sweetheart in the first elopement ever by airplane.  Unfortunately, the escapade ended badly when the plane crashed and both lovers wound up in the hospital.  The plane was then purchased by Albert (or Harold) Jensen of West Allis. He repaired the plane and tried to fly it, but in his first flight he got no further than 100 feet before he struck a factory building.  When he got out of the hospital, he again repaired the craft. Several attempts, and several crashes later, Jensen decided that for the Milwaukee exhibition, he was going to have Kaminski fly the plane.  On the day of the event, several thousand people crowded the lake shore to watch.  Kaminski had planned to take off, fly to Bay View and then return. Unfortunately, the jinxed plane held true-to-form.  According to news reports of the time, the steering mechanism failed on take-off and the out-of-control plane rammed the Milwaukee Yacht Club pier. Fortunately, neither Kaminski nor the plane must have been damaged badly, because shortly after the accident, Kaminski vowed to try again the next week.

According to Kaminski, the closest he came to disaster occurred during an exhibition when he was performing stunts.  Here's how he told the story:

I was doing an exhibition loop at 4.000 feet when my motor died.  I could see a patch of green and I circled down toward it.  But it turned out to be a peach orchard, not a meadow.  The trees were in rows 35 feet apart.  My wingspan was 26 feet.  

I made it between them without touching one.  Before I could brake, I was out of the orchard, and I managed to stop in a front yard - right in front of a porch on which sat a nice old couple.  They never turned a hair.  They'd been watching the stunts, they said, but hadn't expected me to drop in to visit.

As can be garnered from these numerous stories, flying back then was a risking business.  The mortality rate was exceedingly high.  In a newspaper article in October, 1914, Kaminski said that only he and another individual were still flying from the graduates of his flight school class.  In a little over two years, seven classmates had died and four had retired from flying.

From Glenn H. Curtiss: Aviation Pioneer.  [Note:  Floyd Barlow had also been born in Wisconsin.]
But somehow, through luck, or skill, or a combination of both, John kept flying.  In 1916, John began training military pilots to fly and in 1917, he joined the Army.  He served throughout the war with the 7th Aero Squadron in Panama. (A photo of him in his military uniform and craft can be found in the UWM archives.)  Unfortunately, John's eyes started to loose their acuity.  John secretly had prescription flight googles made.  This allowed him to keep flying, although it made some wonder why he wouldn't let anyone else wear his googles.  While still serving as a military pilot in 1919, John's eyes were accidentally splashed with gasoline which further damaged his eyesight.  That put an end to his flying career.

John returned to Milwaukee, and he married Nellie Jazdzewski.   He joined the post office, serving in the motor vehicle service department.  He spent 36 years working there and retired as a supervisor.

A wedding photo of John G. Kaminski and Nellie Jazdzewski,
courtesy of Donna Ryterske and Rosemary Ryterski
But John had one more flight in him.  Back in 1912, the gamblers were betting that the remainder of John's life could be measured in days, not decades.  He ignored them all, and made a prediction, both about his life, and the progress of flight.  Back then, his planes cruised along at 50 mph with a 50 horsepower engine.  He wrote to a friend, and predicted that,"By the time I am 79, I'll be flying 500 miles an hour in a 500 horsepower plane."  At least part of this prediction came true.  In 1955, at age 61, John was taken up in a jet fighter that boasted a 3500 horsepower engine.  As the plane cruised along at 550 mph, the pilot handed the controls to John.  He was filing once again.

John died at his home in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1960.  His bones now rest in St. Adalbert's, but my guess is that his soul is soaring in the clouds.


Relation to Nearest Featured Profile - Jennie (Saskowski) Fons (Featured Profile #9):  No near relationship.

Path From Nearest Featured Profile:   Jennie (Saskowski) Fons > mother, Josephine (Peksa) Saskowski > brother, John Peksa > wife, Katarzyna (Suchala) Peksa > sister, Anna (Suchala) [Luczak] Ryterski > son, Edward Ryterski > wife, Helen (Jazdzewski) Ryterski > sister, Nellie (Jazdzewski) Kaminski > husband, John G. Kaminski

Sources:

"1912 Biplane Still Flying Show Circuit,"  Gettysburg Times, November 4, 1966, pg. 19

"Copy of Air Pioneer's Plane Lands in Smithsonian,"  Milwaukee Sentinel, December 21, 1991, pg.7

"Dream Airplane," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 13, 1995, pg.

"Flight's End,"  Milwaukee Journal, July 17, 1987, pg. 38

"Historic Plane May Beat Hoodoo," Milwaukee Sentinel, October 17, 1914, pg. 10

"Hoodooed Machine in More Hard Luck," Milwaukee Sentinel, October 19, 1914, pg. 11

John G. Kaminski at www.earlyaviators.com

"John Kaminski, Milwaukee, Was Youngest Licensed Pilot in World," Milwaukee Journal,      September 2, 1939, pg. 8.

John Kaminski - Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee

"Milwaukee Flier is Now in Panama," Milwaukee Journal, June 3, 1918, pg. 6

"Pilot Hydro-Aeroplane Over Lake Michigan," Milwaukee Sentinel, October 12, 1914, pg. 8

"Replica of First Plane Goes Aloft," Milwaukee Sentinel, July 16, 1974, pg. 3

"State's First Pilot Tries Out Jet," Milwaukee Sentinel, August 17, 1955, pg. 8

"Veteran Pilot Back for a Visit," Milwaukee Sentinel, September 1, 1959, pg 7.

"Welcome to General Mitchell International Airport" - self-guided tour hand-out

"Young Milwaukee Airman Undaunted." Milwaukee Sentinel, May 22, 1913, pg. 4.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Status Update - June, 2015

New Family Names Added Since Last Update:

Beomke
During
Groszczyk
Guzowski
Kondrakiewicz
Konwinski
Kwarcinski
Kwasigroch
Lach
Lessnow
Maszka
Mutza
Obercich
Renusch
Sekuluwski
Soskowitz
Trempala
Wojki
Wydbrodt
Zaniewski

Profiles Added Since Last Update:  217

New Intra-Connections  (Lucht to Fons):

325)  ….Anna (Mudlaff) [Knapinski] Litza > second husband, Jacob J. Litza > son, Alex F. Litza > wife, Margaret (Hallmann) Litza > father, John Andreas Hallmann > sister, Julianna Marianna (Hallmann) Pliszka > daughter, Johanna (Pliszka) Mazurkiewicz....

326)  …. Franziska (Pliszka) Brykczynski > sister, Mary Julia (Pliszka) Jasinski > daughter, Emily (Jasinski) Burzynski > husband, Leonard R. Burzynski > sister, Lorraine (Burzynski) Glembin > husband, Jerome Glembin > half-brother, Bernard Glembin > wife, Rose (Budzisz) Glembin > brother, Ralph Budzisz....

327)  ….Rose (Oleniczak) Paradowski > brother, Michael Paradowski > wife, Appolonia (Wojciechowski) [Oleniczak] Datka > brother, John Wojciechowski (1) > son, Joseph Wociechowski (1) > son, Raymond Wojciechowski > wife, Theresa (Jagodzinski) Wojciechowski > father, John Jacob Jagodzinski (5) > sister, Frances (Jagodzinski) Walczykowski....

PCN:  7.00
(For an explanation of the PCN - "Project Completeness Number") see Status Update - February, 2012 and Status Update - March, 2012)
 
Historical PCN Data:
June, 2015:  7.00
April, 2015:  3.80
February, 2015:  8.33
December, 2014: 1.08
November, 2014:  2.58
October, 2014:  2.58
September, 2014: 3.00
August. 2014:  2.29
July, 2014:  3.00
June, 2014:  2.44
May, 2014: 4.5
April, 2014:  4.67
March, 2014:  3.0
February, 2014:  10.5
January, 2014:  2.9
December, 2013:  4.11
November, 2013:  3.89
October, 2013:  2.14
September 2013:  2.9
August, 2013: 2.71           
July, 2013: 4.28
June, 2013:  3.01
May, 2013: 6.33
April, 2013: 3.33
March, 2013:  8.2
February, 2013: 2.1
January, 2013:  8.0
December, 2012: 3.29
November, 2012: 6.0
October, 2012:  12.25
September, 2012:  6.4
August, 2012: 3.89
July, 2012:  4.57
June, 2012:  7.75
May, 2012:  9.33
April, 2012:  16.67
March, 2012:  16
February, 2012:  12.8
January, 2012:  19

Newly Discovered Changed Names:

Brzuszkiewicz to Bruskiewicz
Burzynski to Burke
Kalamaja to Kalmadge
Turna to Turner

New Alternate Spellings:
 
Adrian, Adryan, Adrean
Beomka Bemka
Czvorak Chioreck Cioroch
Glembin Glebin
Guzowski Kosnowsky
Heinecke Hejnicki
Jagodzinski Jagodnoski
Kuich Kujech Kuick
Lessnow Lisnan
Niemczynski Niemczenski Niemezenski Lernizynski
Oleniczak Obeniczak
Turna Turma
Wojciechowski Wojcuchowsky Wojciechonski


Monday, May 25, 2015

Honoring Our Heroes - Memorial Day 2015

As is our custom, we set aside Memorial Day to remember some of those individuals from our community who lost their lives while in service.


Raymond Bush, Jr. (@1923 - 1945) – The only child of Raymond Bush, Sr. and Elizabeth (Rosinski) Bush. He was a Technician Fifth Class in the 70th Infantry Division, 276th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, I Company. He and several of the men in his same company were killed in action on February 18, 1945. From this information, it appears that he died in the attack on Saarbrucken.
 
John Talkowski  photo courtesy of  Grace Janusz
 

 John Talkowski  (1914 1945) -  The son of Stanley Talkowski and Rose (Zygarlicki) Talkowski.  He grew up in Walworth County.  He entered service in Milwaukee on April 16, 1941, before America had joined the War.  He rose to the rank of Technician Fourth Class, in the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. (The same division as Gerard Paradowski, Featured Profile #42.)  He was wounded while fighting in New Guinea and eventually died of his wounds on April 14, 1945.  He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

John Talkowski in New Guinea. Photo
courtesy of Grace Janusz.

Frank Wojciechowski (1893 -1918) - The son of John Wojciechowski and Antonina (Kuich) Wojciechowski.  He entered the service on November 22, 1917 at Camp Custer at the relatively old age (for soldiering) of 24.  Prior to that time, he had been a bartender for Frank Konwinski. [The records state the name of his employer to be "Kononinwinski", but it is assumed that the reference is to his brother-in-law, Frank Konwinski, or a relative of his brother-in-law.] He was originally a member of the 340th Machine Gun Battalion, 85th Infantry Division.  Although this unit was in France, it never saw action.  It appears that, at some point, Frank Wojciechowski transferred to the 39th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division where he was a Private, First Class.  He was wounded in the Argonne Offensive and died of his wounds on October 18, 1918.

Elmer Wojciechowski
originally published in Milwaukee
Journal, March 30, 1946
 
Elmer A. Wojciechowski (1922 - 1945) - The son of Joseph Wojciechowski and Lottie (Trempala) Wojciechowski, he was a nephew of the Frank Wojciechowski listed above.  He enlisted in the army on December 1, 1942. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the 302nd Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division.  Originally listed as missing in action, it was latter confirmed that he had been killed in action on February 19, 1945 in the assault of the Siegfried Line at Munzingen Ridge.  He is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium.

Rest in peace.




 

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Status Update - April, 2015

Announcements:

1)  Family Search:  Janusz Tomaszewski is looking for descendants of the following Dolata brothers that immigrated to Milwaukee:

Ignatz Dolata married Martha Mielke
Stanley Dolata married Marry Zielinski
Joseph Dolata married Marrica Katherine Novak
Andrew J. Dolata married Agnes Nowak
Leon Dolata married Hedwig Frankowski
Constantin Dolata

Janusz Tomaszewski is a descendant of a sister Catherine of these brothers. If you would like to contact him, you can reach him at janusztg@gmail.com

2)  We've finally put some substance to our "Points of Origin" tab on this blog.  Check it out, if you haven't already.   From now on, the Status Updates will have a new category, that will look like this:

New Points of Origin:

Brzyskorzystew, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
a.k.a. Birkenfelde, Bryskoristew, Brzyskorzyszew
Co-Ordinates: 52.9° N, 17.65° E
Family Names: Luczak, Suchala

So far, I've only gotten through the "F's".  I will continue adding the localities that I have, alphabetically.  I will not announce those on the Status Updates.  However, if I come across a new locality in a part of the alphabet that I have already added to the Points of Origin, then I will announce it in the Status Updates.

New Family Names Added Since Last Update:

Andradzka
Anisko
Bednarczyk
Bernatowicz
Checkla
Chilicki
Ciechanowski
Czetwertynski
Dyktalowa
Golawski
Gotakowski
Gulczynski
Hejnicki
Jonloaski
Kaczmierski
Korda
Mackiewicz
Maliszewski
Malmarowski
Mizgalski
Mrotek
Nadolski
Omiel
Ratajczak
Rossa
Skwara
Staimoch
Stasky
Suchwalko
Swodzinski
Szpkiocowna
Szudrowicz
Szwanin
Talkowski
Wichatek
Zamoyski
Zygarlicki

Profiles Added Since Last Update: 361

New Intra-Connections  (Lucht to Fons):

315)  ….Phil (Theophil) Rozga > wife, Julia (Karnowski) Rozga > brother, Anthony [Karnowski] Karn > wife, Lula (Stasky) [Worzala] Karn > first husband, Valentine Worzala > brother, Joseph J. Worzalla > wife, Agnes (Czajkowski)Worzalla > mother, Elizabeth (Prill) Czajkowski > sister, Catherine (Prill) Lukaszewski....

316)  ….Phil (Theophil) Rozga > father, Michael Rozga > brother, Stephen Rozga > daughter, Frances (Rozga) Karnowski > husband, Paul Karnowski > brother, Anthony [Karnowski] Karn....

317)  ....Jan Brzezinski > daughter, Cecelia (Brzezinski) Michalski > son, John L Michalski (1)....

318)  ....Agnes (Brezinski) Stanczyk > brother, Martin Brzezinski > son, Joseph Brzezinski > wife, Helen (Michalski) Brzezinski > sister, Alice (Michalski) Ureda....

319)  ….Antionette (Jagodzinski) Kobza > mother, Rosalia (Waloch) Jagodzinski > brother, Valentine Waloch > wife, Marianna (Kaczmarowski) Waloch > brother, Joseph Kaczmarowski > daughter, Angeline (Kaczmarowski) Piszczek....

320)  ….Leo Stocki > sister, Stella (Stocki) [Adamczyk] Brykczynski > second husband > Frank Alvin Brykczynski > mother, Franziska (Pliszka) Brykczynski > sister, Johanna (Pliszka) Mazurkiewicz > husband, Michael Mazurkiewicz...

321)  ….Rosalie (Tatera) Jendrzejek > brother, Frank Tatera > wife, Rosalie (Koniec) Tatera > father, Adalbertus Koniec > brother, Michael Koniec > wife, Francizska (Ziarnik) Koniec > sister, Marianna (Ziarnik) Wisniewski > son, John Wisniewski > wife, Catherine (Brzezinski) Wisniewski > sister, Anastazja (Brzezinski) Michalski ….

322)  ….Adalbertus Koniec > wife, Eva (Ozga) Koniec > sister, Jadwiga (Ozga) Meller > son, Joseph Meller, > wife, Rosalia (Brzezinski) Meller > sister, Anastazja (Brzezinski) Michalski....

323)  ….Anna (Kobza) Kwiatkowski > son, Eugene Kwiatkowski > wife, Mary (Frontczak) Kwiatkowski > brother, Walter Frontczak > wife, Stella (Hapka) Kwiatkowski > half-sister, Rose (Hapka) Moczynski > daughter, Private (Moczynski) Rosploch ….

324)  ….Mary (Frontczak) Kwiatkowski > brother, Walter Frontczak > wife, PRIVATE (Talkowski) Frontczak > father, Stanley Talkowski > first wife, Constance (Michalski) Talkowski > brother John L. Michalski (1)....

PCN:  3.80
(For an explanation of the PCN - "Project Completeness Number") see Status Update - February, 2012 and Status Update - March, 2012)
 
Historical PCN Data:
April, 2015:  3.80
February, 2015:  8.33
December, 2014: 1.08
November, 2014:  2.58
October, 2014:  2.58
September, 2014: 3.00
August. 2014:  2.29
July, 2014:  3.00
June, 2014:  2.44
May, 2014: 4.5
April, 2014:  4.67
March, 2014:  3.0
February, 2014:  10.5
January, 2014:  2.9
December, 2013:  4.11
November, 2013:  3.89
October, 2013:  2.14
September 2013:  2.9
August, 2013: 2.71           
July, 2013: 4.28
June, 2013:  3.01
May, 2013: 6.33
April, 2013: 3.33
March, 2013:  8.2
February, 2013: 2.1
January, 2013:  8.0
December, 2012: 3.29
November, 2012: 6.0
October, 2012:  12.25
September, 2012:  6.4
August, 2012: 3.89
July, 2012:  4.57
June, 2012:  7.75
May, 2012:  9.33
April, 2012:  16.67
March, 2012:  16
February, 2012:  12.8
January, 2012:  19
 
Newly Discovered Changed Names:

Karnowski to Karn (Karns)
Luczak to Ryterski, Ryddner
Ryterski to Rydner, Ryddner, Ryder

Corrected Names:

Burcianna to Bureta
Ziamek to Ziarnik

New Alternate Spellings:

Brzezinski Brzizinski
Brykczynski Brykezynski
Chart Hast
Danielski Danelski
Drycht Drychta Dricht
Grochowski, Grochow, Groczonka, Grozanka, and Grozowa.
Jach Jachowski
Jazdzewski Jazdziewski Jazkzewski
Ozga Ośga
Peksa Pecksa
Ratajczyk Ralojoyzak
Stamioch Stazairoch
Suchala Sachala
Wielgosz Wielgosch
Wojtas, Woitas
Ziarnik Zianik Ziarmek Ziornek Ziarnek