Friday, February 13, 2009
Genealogy of Anna Lassa
Genealogy of Anna Lassa
Daughter of Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska (Bar)
The information regarding the genealogy of Anna Lassa is not complete.
I have not been able to find all of her family records.
I am searching for more information about her:
Parents: Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska
Fathers birth /death date and city of birth/death
Fathers parents and brothers and sisters
Mothers' parents: Valentinius (Walenty) Barzynski and Katarzyna Abramowicz
Anna's brothers and sisters
Father: Thomas Lassa
born: 21 Dec 1842, location unknown
death: date unknown, city unknown, cause of death unknown
buried: date unknown, city unknown
married: 25 Oct 1868 Friemark (Krostokowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 26 from Bielawy, Wirsitz, Posen
parents: unknown, city unknown
Mother: Apollonia Barzynska
born: about 1842, location unknown
death: 3 June 1907 Eichfelde (Polanowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 65
buried: city unknown, date unknown
parents: Valentinius (Walenty) Barzynski and Katarzyna Abramowicz
parents; birth/death cities and dates unknown
parents of Valentinius Barzynska unknown
parents of Katarzyna Abramowicz unknown
Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska
Children
Maria Lassa
born 5 Dec 1869 Friemark (Krostkowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: date unknown, city unknown
marriage: unknown
spouse: unknown, city of birth unknown
parents: of spouse, unknown
Stanislaus (Stanislaw) Lassa
born: 25 Feb 1872 Friemark (Krostkowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 26 Aug 1950 Bialosliwie, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 78 -cause of death unknown-
buried: Bromberg (Bydgoszcz), Posen, Prussia
married: date unknown, city unknown
spouse: Katarzyna last name unknown
parents: unknown and city unknown
second spouse as widow: Wladyslawa last name unknown
parents: unknown and city unknown
Anna Lassa
born: 13 Oct 1875 Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 16 Mar 1950 Stillwater, Minnesota USA
buried: St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery-Bayport, Minnesota USA
married: 24 Nov 1901 Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 26
spouse: Konstantine (Constantine) Placzek age 22, from Kraczke, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Elisabeth Lassa
born: 1879? city unknown
died: unknown
married: 19 Nov 1905 Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 26, from Bielawy, Posen, Prussia age
spouse: Joseph Kulacyznski, age 24 from Mrozowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Simon Kulacyznski and Veronica Forbot
Eva Lassa
born: May 1881- exact date unknown, city unknown
died: 3 Sep. 1884 age 3 years, 4 months, Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Bronislawa Lassa
born: 7 Feb 1885 Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: unknown, city unknown
married: date unknown, city unknown
spouse: unknown, age unknown, city unknown
parents; name unknown, city unknown
Daughter of Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska (Bar)
The information regarding the genealogy of Anna Lassa is not complete.
I have not been able to find all of her family records.
I am searching for more information about her:
Parents: Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska
Fathers birth /death date and city of birth/death
Fathers parents and brothers and sisters
Mothers' parents: Valentinius (Walenty) Barzynski and Katarzyna Abramowicz
Anna's brothers and sisters
Father: Thomas Lassa
born: 21 Dec 1842, location unknown
death: date unknown, city unknown, cause of death unknown
buried: date unknown, city unknown
married: 25 Oct 1868 Friemark (Krostokowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 26 from Bielawy, Wirsitz, Posen
parents: unknown, city unknown
Mother: Apollonia Barzynska
born: about 1842, location unknown
death: 3 June 1907 Eichfelde (Polanowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 65
buried: city unknown, date unknown
parents: Valentinius (Walenty) Barzynski and Katarzyna Abramowicz
parents; birth/death cities and dates unknown
parents of Valentinius Barzynska unknown
parents of Katarzyna Abramowicz unknown
Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska
Children
Maria Lassa
born 5 Dec 1869 Friemark (Krostkowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: date unknown, city unknown
marriage: unknown
spouse: unknown, city of birth unknown
parents: of spouse, unknown
Stanislaus (Stanislaw) Lassa
born: 25 Feb 1872 Friemark (Krostkowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 26 Aug 1950 Bialosliwie, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 78 -cause of death unknown-
buried: Bromberg (Bydgoszcz), Posen, Prussia
married: date unknown, city unknown
spouse: Katarzyna last name unknown
parents: unknown and city unknown
second spouse as widow: Wladyslawa last name unknown
parents: unknown and city unknown
Anna Lassa
born: 13 Oct 1875 Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 16 Mar 1950 Stillwater, Minnesota USA
buried: St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery-Bayport, Minnesota USA
married: 24 Nov 1901 Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 26
spouse: Konstantine (Constantine) Placzek age 22, from Kraczke, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Elisabeth Lassa
born: 1879? city unknown
died: unknown
married: 19 Nov 1905 Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 26, from Bielawy, Posen, Prussia age
spouse: Joseph Kulacyznski, age 24 from Mrozowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Simon Kulacyznski and Veronica Forbot
Eva Lassa
born: May 1881- exact date unknown, city unknown
died: 3 Sep. 1884 age 3 years, 4 months, Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Bronislawa Lassa
born: 7 Feb 1885 Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: unknown, city unknown
married: date unknown, city unknown
spouse: unknown, age unknown, city unknown
parents; name unknown, city unknown
Genealogy of Constantine Placzek, son of Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Genealogy of Constantine Placzek
Son of Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Father:
Josephus (Joseph) Placzek alias Płaczkowski
Born: about 1836
Died: date unknown
Marriage: 28 May 1865-age 29 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Parents:Franciszek (Francis/Frank) Placzek and Anna Rozynska
Mother:
Josepha Jankowska
Born: 27 Feb 1843 Augustenhof, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia (Augustenhof alias: Dabrowka/Dambrowka)
Marriage: age 22, from Augustenhoff
Died: 5 Aug 1913, age 70 Kraczke, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Parents: Joseph Jankowski and Francisca Trok/Troczek
Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Children:
Franiszek Placzek
born: 27 Jan 1866 Lodzia, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 21 Aug 1873 age, 7 years 7 months; Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried: 7 Sep 1873
Joannes Placzek
born: 5 Mar 1867 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died; 21 Aug 1873 age 5 years 5 months; Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried; 24 Aug 1873
Josephus (Joseph) Placzek
born: 11 Dec 1868 Koscierzyna,Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 8 May 1871 age 3 years 5 months; Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried: 14 May 1871
Apollonia Placzek
born: 17 Sep 1870 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married; 6 Sept 1896 age 25 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
spouse: Paulus (Paul) Bratkowski
parents: Bartholomew Bratkowski and Catharine Kozak, parish of Wysoka
Andreas Placzek
born: 24 Nov 1872 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married: 5 May 1895 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
spouse: Anastasia Krolikowski, age 191/4 from Liszkowko
parents: Matthias Krolikowski and Marianna Zakrzewski
Maria Placzek
born: 27 Aug 1875 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married: 9 Jan 1898 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 23 from Liszkowko
spouse: Augustinius (August) Krol, Widower from Kraczke, age 24**
parents: Nicholaus Krol and Johanna Ludwikowska
**August Krol first marriage;
married: 11 Oct 1896
spouse:Florentina Kazmierczek, age 22 from Kraczke, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents; Michael Kazmierczek and Margaretha Klawe
Martha Placzek
born: 30 Jan 1877 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 24 Feb 1877 age 3 weeks, Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried; 27 Feb 1877
Konstantinius (Konstantin/Constantine) Placzek
born: 27 Sep 1878 Heidchen, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 24 Sep 1926 Stillwater, Minnesota, USA
buried: St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery-Bayport, Minnesota USA
married: 24 Nov 1901 Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
spouse: Anna Lassa, age 26/27 from Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska (Bar)
Antonius Placzek
born: 8 Jul 1880 Koscierzyna, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married: 7 Jan 1906 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 25
spouse: Lucia Kazmierczak, age 22 from Machowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Thomas Kazmierczak and Agnes Lipert
Josepha Placzek+
born: 4 Mar 1884
married: 29 Sep 1907 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 23
spouse: Francis Krolikowksi, age 21 from Machowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Matthias Kroilikowski and Marianna Zakrewski
+Josepha Placzek second marriage (widow): 8 Jan 1918
spouse: Stanislaus Deja (Deba), widower from Mrozowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Guilhelmus Deja and Apollonia Marach
Son of Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Father:
Josephus (Joseph) Placzek alias Płaczkowski
Born: about 1836
Died: date unknown
Marriage: 28 May 1865-age 29 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Parents:Franciszek (Francis/Frank) Placzek and Anna Rozynska
Mother:
Josepha Jankowska
Born: 27 Feb 1843 Augustenhof, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia (Augustenhof alias: Dabrowka/Dambrowka)
Marriage: age 22, from Augustenhoff
Died: 5 Aug 1913, age 70 Kraczke, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Parents: Joseph Jankowski and Francisca Trok/Troczek
Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska
Children:
Franiszek Placzek
born: 27 Jan 1866 Lodzia, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 21 Aug 1873 age, 7 years 7 months; Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried: 7 Sep 1873
Joannes Placzek
born: 5 Mar 1867 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died; 21 Aug 1873 age 5 years 5 months; Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried; 24 Aug 1873
Josephus (Joseph) Placzek
born: 11 Dec 1868 Koscierzyna,Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 8 May 1871 age 3 years 5 months; Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried: 14 May 1871
Apollonia Placzek
born: 17 Sep 1870 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married; 6 Sept 1896 age 25 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
spouse: Paulus (Paul) Bratkowski
parents: Bartholomew Bratkowski and Catharine Kozak, parish of Wysoka
Andreas Placzek
born: 24 Nov 1872 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married: 5 May 1895 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
spouse: Anastasia Krolikowski, age 191/4 from Liszkowko
parents: Matthias Krolikowski and Marianna Zakrzewski
Maria Placzek
born: 27 Aug 1875 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married: 9 Jan 1898 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 23 from Liszkowko
spouse: Augustinius (August) Krol, Widower from Kraczke, age 24**
parents: Nicholaus Krol and Johanna Ludwikowska
**August Krol first marriage;
married: 11 Oct 1896
spouse:Florentina Kazmierczek, age 22 from Kraczke, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents; Michael Kazmierczek and Margaretha Klawe
Martha Placzek
born: 30 Jan 1877 Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 24 Feb 1877 age 3 weeks, Jobshohe (Liszkowko), Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
buried; 27 Feb 1877
Konstantinius (Konstantin/Constantine) Placzek
born: 27 Sep 1878 Heidchen, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
died: 24 Sep 1926 Stillwater, Minnesota, USA
buried: St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery-Bayport, Minnesota USA
married: 24 Nov 1901 Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
spouse: Anna Lassa, age 26/27 from Wirsitz, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Thomas Lassa and Apollonia Barzynska (Bar)
Antonius Placzek
born: 8 Jul 1880 Koscierzyna, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
death: date unknown
married: 7 Jan 1906 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia, age 25
spouse: Lucia Kazmierczak, age 22 from Machowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Thomas Kazmierczak and Agnes Lipert
Josepha Placzek+
born: 4 Mar 1884
married: 29 Sep 1907 Glesno, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia age 23
spouse: Francis Krolikowksi, age 21 from Machowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Matthias Kroilikowski and Marianna Zakrewski
+Josepha Placzek second marriage (widow): 8 Jan 1918
spouse: Stanislaus Deja (Deba), widower from Mrozowo, Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
parents: Guilhelmus Deja and Apollonia Marach
Labels:
Anna Lassa,
Barzynska,
Bratkowski,
Deja,
Jankowska,
Jankowski,
Kazmierczak,
Kozak,
Krol,
Krolikowski,
Lassa,
Ludwikowska,
Royzynska,
Zakrzewski
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Picture of Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa
Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa,
Taken circa 1907-1908
after their settling in Stillwater, Minnesota, USA
Front row, left to right: Constantine Placzek, (daughter) Sofie Placzek, Anna Lassa Placzek, (infant in her arms, daughter) Marie Placzek
Back row, left to right: Catherine Schumacher and husband, Michael Schumacher, sponsors
Picture of Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa's children
Constantine Placzek born in Heidchen, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia
Constantine Anton Placzek was born on 27 Sep 1878 in Heidchen, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia.
His parents were: Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska.
He married Anna Lassa on 24 Nov 1901, in the Catholic church at Wirsitz, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia. At the time of his marriage, Constantine was living in the town of Kraczki, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia and was in the Prussian army with the rank of groom.
Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa emigrated from Poland in 1906, and settled in Stillwater, Minnesota, United States.
Constantine Placzek died 24 Sep 1926 of pneumonia, in Stillwater, Minnesota, United States. At the time of his death, he had been in the United States for only 20 years and had become a naturalized citizen. He had been employed at Twin City Forge in Stillwater, Minnesota. He is buried in St. Michaels Cemetery, Bayport, Minnesota in the United States.
His parents were: Joseph Placzek and Josepha Jankowska.
He married Anna Lassa on 24 Nov 1901, in the Catholic church at Wirsitz, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia. At the time of his marriage, Constantine was living in the town of Kraczki, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia and was in the Prussian army with the rank of groom.
Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa emigrated from Poland in 1906, and settled in Stillwater, Minnesota, United States.
Constantine Placzek died 24 Sep 1926 of pneumonia, in Stillwater, Minnesota, United States. At the time of his death, he had been in the United States for only 20 years and had become a naturalized citizen. He had been employed at Twin City Forge in Stillwater, Minnesota. He is buried in St. Michaels Cemetery, Bayport, Minnesota in the United States.
Anna Lassa born in Wilhelmseichen/Komorowo, Kreis Wiristz, Posen, Prussia
Anna Lassa was born 13 Oct 1875 in Wilhelmseichen (Polish: Komorowo), Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia.
Her parents were: Thomas Lasa and Apollonia Barzynska.
However, in the church record of her marriage, the spelling Lassa is written as LASA. Her mother's name was abbreviated to BAR.
(See: page Anna Lasa Marriage to Constantine Placzek page 2)
Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo) was a German nobles estate and was owned by the Pieper Family and was well known for forests for lumber, brickworks and apple orchard. The house is still standing and is now occupied by several families.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/8010829
Pictures/Photos by Ulrich Klawitter
She married Constantine (Constantinius) Placzek, on 24 Nov 1901
in the Catholic church in Wirsitz, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia. At the time of her marriage, Anna was 26 years old and was in living the town of Wirsitz, in the Catholic parish of Wirsitz.
Constantine Anton Placzek was born 27 Sep 1878 in Heidchen, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia.
His parents were: Josephus Placzek and Josepha Jankowska.
At the time of his marriage, Constantine Placzek was 23 years old and was living in the town of Kraczki , in the Catholic parish of Glesno.
(See: Anna Lasa Marriage to Constantine Placzek page 2)
Anna Lassa Placzek died on May 16, 1950
in Stillwater, Minnesota and is buried in St. Michaels Cemetery-Bayport, Minnesota
Her parents were: Thomas Lasa and Apollonia Barzynska.
However, in the church record of her marriage, the spelling Lassa is written as LASA. Her mother's name was abbreviated to BAR.
(See: page Anna Lasa Marriage to Constantine Placzek page 2)
Wilhelmseichen (Komorowo) was a German nobles estate and was owned by the Pieper Family and was well known for forests for lumber, brickworks and apple orchard. The house is still standing and is now occupied by several families.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/8010829
Pictures/Photos by Ulrich Klawitter
She married Constantine (Constantinius) Placzek, on 24 Nov 1901
in the Catholic church in Wirsitz, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia. At the time of her marriage, Anna was 26 years old and was in living the town of Wirsitz, in the Catholic parish of Wirsitz.
Constantine Anton Placzek was born 27 Sep 1878 in Heidchen, Kreis Wirsitz, Posen, Prussia.
His parents were: Josephus Placzek and Josepha Jankowska.
At the time of his marriage, Constantine Placzek was 23 years old and was living in the town of Kraczki , in the Catholic parish of Glesno.
(See: Anna Lasa Marriage to Constantine Placzek page 2)
Anna Lassa Placzek died on May 16, 1950
in Stillwater, Minnesota and is buried in St. Michaels Cemetery-Bayport, Minnesota
Organizing Information in Your Genealogy Search
Organizing Information in Your Genealogy Search
Information Sources: Family Members, Public Documents and the Internet
One of the most valuable sources of information can be found through family members. While they may not hold documents originating from Poland, they can possess a great deal of information regarding relatives after they arrived in the United States: where they initially moved to, sponsor information, other locations they have relocated to, birth dates and cities, baptism, death/funeral, weddings and church/parish information, school information and much more!
Once the internet began accumulating information, the quality and quantity has increased exponentially. More and more public records and documents are being made available online such as World War I and II registrations, Census records, land records, state death and birth information, cemetery information, as well as, other people posting their genealogy information online.
There are vast resources available on the internet and I'll share with you, the websites, genealogy research groups, ancestry sources, I've found are the best and the most accurate. Always keep in mind: not all information is accurate on the internet. I've learned the hard way which sources are the best in terms of quantity, quality and accuracy of of information.
From Relatives
In order to begin your search, one of the easiest ways to begin your search is by locating documents that are in possession by your family. If they don't have any in their possession, they may be able to direct you to individuals who have documents or knowledge of papers, records or documents you are looking for.
Create a List of Family Members
The first thing you need to do is put together a list of relatives and family members you think may have knowledge of/or have in their possession: pictures, documents, papers, letters or Bibles containing information about relatives who came from Poland.
Contacting Family Members about Your Search
Next, contact them and tell them about your genealogy search. If you haven't been in touch with them for a long time, this is a good time to re-establish contact and share what you're learning!
They may have addresses, land records, voter registration, birthdates, school information, obituary and funeral notices, wedding invitations and other forms of information you can use to continue your genealogy search in public records.
If you're able to obtain original documents, make copies of each of them and keep the originals in a safe place, such as a bank safe deposit box. It's also a good idea to make copies of information on CD's and store them there as well, so you know they are safe and protected from damage or loss.
One important note: Be aware, not all of your relatives may be enthusiastic about your genealogy search. They may not want to be a part of it and be unwilling to share information. Don't let this discourage you. Be patient, as you begin discovering more and more information, they may begin to show a an interest and willingness to learn more about their family history, as time goes on.
From Private Family Documents to Public Documents
The information you learn from your family members, will prove to be useful when searching out public information. All of this information can lead you to a great deal of secondary records such as: census, voter registration, land records, draft records, school records, cemetery and plot listings, state birth and death records and much more!
Getting Copies of Documents
Files for papers and documentation
I can guarantee you, you will accumulate a vast collection of information in hard copy or paper form, such as: documents, maps and other resources. Whether you already a have a metal file cabinet or purchase a portable, plastic file organizer, you'll save time and frustration by setting up an organized file system.
Set up Files on your Computer for your Genealogy Search
One way to easily organize information on your computer is by setting up files for a wide array of information such as: websites, parish records, maps, birth cities and towns, pictures, regions where you family originated, information sources and genealogy groups.
It is also helpful to have a file on your computer dedicated to copies or scans of documents you will find as you search family, public and internet sources.
Set Up Bookmarks for your Genealogy Search
You'll find many websites dedicated to information about genealogy on the internet.
Create a folder for Genealogy and sub-folders for: family branches with their names, cities, document sources, websites for cities and towns and other sites you'll find on the internet.
Remember to always back-up your information your computer.
Your time is precious and by making sure you have a back-up of information you find, you won't have to go through the stressful and tedious process of having to re-create, search or find information if your computer system loses a file, data, becomes damaged or you experience a system failure. CD's will become your best friend to accomplish this task.
Organization Will Save Your Time and Lessen Frustration
Organization will be critical in your your effort to keep track of all of the information you're going to discover.
Documentation and information that is well organized and readily accessible, will enable to you find information quickly and easily when you need to locate a birth city, birth date or when putting together an ancestry chart.
Information Sources: Family Members, Public Documents and the Internet
One of the most valuable sources of information can be found through family members. While they may not hold documents originating from Poland, they can possess a great deal of information regarding relatives after they arrived in the United States: where they initially moved to, sponsor information, other locations they have relocated to, birth dates and cities, baptism, death/funeral, weddings and church/parish information, school information and much more!
Once the internet began accumulating information, the quality and quantity has increased exponentially. More and more public records and documents are being made available online such as World War I and II registrations, Census records, land records, state death and birth information, cemetery information, as well as, other people posting their genealogy information online.
There are vast resources available on the internet and I'll share with you, the websites, genealogy research groups, ancestry sources, I've found are the best and the most accurate. Always keep in mind: not all information is accurate on the internet. I've learned the hard way which sources are the best in terms of quantity, quality and accuracy of of information.
Searching Out Documents
From Relatives
In order to begin your search, one of the easiest ways to begin your search is by locating documents that are in possession by your family. If they don't have any in their possession, they may be able to direct you to individuals who have documents or knowledge of papers, records or documents you are looking for.
Create a List of Family Members
The first thing you need to do is put together a list of relatives and family members you think may have knowledge of/or have in their possession: pictures, documents, papers, letters or Bibles containing information about relatives who came from Poland.
Contacting Family Members about Your Search
Next, contact them and tell them about your genealogy search. If you haven't been in touch with them for a long time, this is a good time to re-establish contact and share what you're learning!
They may have addresses, land records, voter registration, birthdates, school information, obituary and funeral notices, wedding invitations and other forms of information you can use to continue your genealogy search in public records.
If you're able to obtain original documents, make copies of each of them and keep the originals in a safe place, such as a bank safe deposit box. It's also a good idea to make copies of information on CD's and store them there as well, so you know they are safe and protected from damage or loss.
One important note: Be aware, not all of your relatives may be enthusiastic about your genealogy search. They may not want to be a part of it and be unwilling to share information. Don't let this discourage you. Be patient, as you begin discovering more and more information, they may begin to show a an interest and willingness to learn more about their family history, as time goes on.
From Private Family Documents to Public Documents
The information you learn from your family members, will prove to be useful when searching out public information. All of this information can lead you to a great deal of secondary records such as: census, voter registration, land records, draft records, school records, cemetery and plot listings, state birth and death records and much more!
Getting Copies of Documents
You'll need to get copies of information from family members. You can create a copy by: copy machine, scan or fax. Some documents may be very fragile and cannot be unfolded completely in order to be copied by machine or scanned. However, a good technique for getting a copy of a fragile document is by taking a digital photo. Take several photos of the document and one up close of any text, pictures or stamps, so you can have them readily available when you start to examine the documents for information.
Organize your Information
Files for papers and documentation
I can guarantee you, you will accumulate a vast collection of information in hard copy or paper form, such as: documents, maps and other resources. Whether you already a have a metal file cabinet or purchase a portable, plastic file organizer, you'll save time and frustration by setting up an organized file system.
Set up Files on your Computer for your Genealogy Search
One way to easily organize information on your computer is by setting up files for a wide array of information such as: websites, parish records, maps, birth cities and towns, pictures, regions where you family originated, information sources and genealogy groups.
It is also helpful to have a file on your computer dedicated to copies or scans of documents you will find as you search family, public and internet sources.
Set Up Bookmarks for your Genealogy Search
You'll find many websites dedicated to information about genealogy on the internet.
Create a folder for Genealogy and sub-folders for: family branches with their names, cities, document sources, websites for cities and towns and other sites you'll find on the internet.
Remember to always back-up your information your computer.
Your time is precious and by making sure you have a back-up of information you find, you won't have to go through the stressful and tedious process of having to re-create, search or find information if your computer system loses a file, data, becomes damaged or you experience a system failure. CD's will become your best friend to accomplish this task.
Organization Will Save Your Time and Lessen Frustration
Organization will be critical in your your effort to keep track of all of the information you're going to discover.
Documentation and information that is well organized and readily accessible, will enable to you find information quickly and easily when you need to locate a birth city, birth date or when putting together an ancestry chart.
Genealogy Search in Poland the beginning
My interest in genealogy began when I was in middle school and we had an assignment to make a family tree. A history of the Placzek Family.
This led to one of the greatest questions I ever asked my father, Joseph Placzek:
"Can you tell me about our grandparents or relatives in Poland?"
However, he was unable to answer this question.
All he knew about his parents, Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa, amounted to: they came from a region called Posen, now known as, Poznan.
When I started trying to find information, over twenty five years ago, no sources were readily available for finding information and resources were not easily accessible, in order to begin a genealogy search. The internet had not been created, and books and literature were very limited on the subject of genealogy in Poland.
How My Search Became Easier
One day, my mother received a genealogy booklet from a relative, Audrey Fisher, who is my cousin.
The Fisher family was related to us through my father, Joseph Placzek. His sister, Sofie Placzek, married John Fisher and had several children. Her daugher, Audrey was interested in genealogy. Fortunately for me, she had put together a booklet of information from documents she had from her mother.
Her mother, Sofia Placzek Fisher, was born in Poland on 13 Apr 1903, and came to the United States with her parents, Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa in 1906. They had several documents with them from Poland and fortunately, were preserved by Sofia and her children.
Audrey copied the documents and put them into her booklet about the family. I was fascinated with them and got her phone number and called her. We have been in contact ever since.
The most critical phase of genealogy:
How do you find where your relatives were born?
To begin a genealogy search, you need to know the birth cities of your relatives and one of the biggest challenges was, how to read the handwriting of Old German script that was on the documents?
Remember, at the time, there was no internet or sources readily available on how to do this. All I could do was pour over the documents and try to decipher the words, which proved impossible.
Instead, I found a map of Poland. However, it did not list the German names of towns and that proved frustrating. How would I find their birth cities if I couldn't find a map that had the German or Prussian names of towns from the 19th and 20th centuries?
Again, I had to wait to find a map of the region of Posen/Poznan that listed German names of towns, in order to begin my search.
Every time I took out the booklet, I would feel so discouraged. I knew the documents listed birth cities and dates, but until I could read them, they would have to wait until a time several years later.
Instead of waiting to decipher the documents, I began studying the history of Poland and learned a great deal about the history, the time my grandparents and their families lived and what they experienced.
Then, the internet became a reality. Even though information was a trickle and it took many years for the volume and quality of information to reach the levels that are currently available on the internet, I knew there were others searching for family in Poland. Perhaps, our relatives in Poland were searching for their relatives or families that emigrated to the United States?
My search for my family in Poland began in earnest.
What I can tell you, is that in the last two years, not only did I discover the birth cities of my Grandparents, Aunt Sofia and Uncle Johann, I've found some of my family in Poland.
I would like to share with you how I did it, the resources I've found on the internet and the wealth of information available to anyone who would like to find their family in Poland.
This led to one of the greatest questions I ever asked my father, Joseph Placzek:
"Can you tell me about our grandparents or relatives in Poland?"
However, he was unable to answer this question.
All he knew about his parents, Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa, amounted to: they came from a region called Posen, now known as, Poznan.
When I started trying to find information, over twenty five years ago, no sources were readily available for finding information and resources were not easily accessible, in order to begin a genealogy search. The internet had not been created, and books and literature were very limited on the subject of genealogy in Poland.
How My Search Became Easier
One day, my mother received a genealogy booklet from a relative, Audrey Fisher, who is my cousin.
The Fisher family was related to us through my father, Joseph Placzek. His sister, Sofie Placzek, married John Fisher and had several children. Her daugher, Audrey was interested in genealogy. Fortunately for me, she had put together a booklet of information from documents she had from her mother.
Her mother, Sofia Placzek Fisher, was born in Poland on 13 Apr 1903, and came to the United States with her parents, Constantine Placzek and Anna Lassa in 1906. They had several documents with them from Poland and fortunately, were preserved by Sofia and her children.
Audrey copied the documents and put them into her booklet about the family. I was fascinated with them and got her phone number and called her. We have been in contact ever since.
The most critical phase of genealogy:
How do you find where your relatives were born?
To begin a genealogy search, you need to know the birth cities of your relatives and one of the biggest challenges was, how to read the handwriting of Old German script that was on the documents?
Remember, at the time, there was no internet or sources readily available on how to do this. All I could do was pour over the documents and try to decipher the words, which proved impossible.
Instead, I found a map of Poland. However, it did not list the German names of towns and that proved frustrating. How would I find their birth cities if I couldn't find a map that had the German or Prussian names of towns from the 19th and 20th centuries?
Again, I had to wait to find a map of the region of Posen/Poznan that listed German names of towns, in order to begin my search.
Every time I took out the booklet, I would feel so discouraged. I knew the documents listed birth cities and dates, but until I could read them, they would have to wait until a time several years later.
Instead of waiting to decipher the documents, I began studying the history of Poland and learned a great deal about the history, the time my grandparents and their families lived and what they experienced.
Then, the internet became a reality. Even though information was a trickle and it took many years for the volume and quality of information to reach the levels that are currently available on the internet, I knew there were others searching for family in Poland. Perhaps, our relatives in Poland were searching for their relatives or families that emigrated to the United States?
My search for my family in Poland began in earnest.
What I can tell you, is that in the last two years, not only did I discover the birth cities of my Grandparents, Aunt Sofia and Uncle Johann, I've found some of my family in Poland.
I would like to share with you how I did it, the resources I've found on the internet and the wealth of information available to anyone who would like to find their family in Poland.
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