"What is your country of citizenship?" It is important to note that the first two of these answers could have more that one meaning each. In the latter part of the 18th century, Poland was divided up and taken over by the three great surrounding powers: Austria, Russia, and Prussia (Germany). After the completion of this division in 1795, there was officially no longer a country named Poland. However, as can be seen on the 1890's ship records, many people still responded that their country of citizenship was Poland. Interestingly, these responders were probably 3-4 generations later than their ancestors who had been alive when Poland’s breakup was completed 95 years earlier. Obviously, a strong nationalistic message was making its way down through the generations. (Of the 96,699 immigrants that make up this index, 60% said "Austria", 39% said "Poland", and 1% said "Galicia"). The "Poland" response could imply that they came from three different regions of the original country: Austrian (southern) Poland, a region also known as Galicia; Russian (eastern) Poland; or Prussian (western) Poland. "Austria", on the other hand, could mean Austria itself, Austrian Poland (Galicia), or other parts of the Austrian Empire (Bohemia, Moravia, Bukovina, Transylvania, etc.).
In the case of the Wislocki family, they listed their country of citizenship as Austria though the town they are from is considered in Poland today. Interestingly enough, Eva Wislocki Bednarski listed her country of citizenship as first Galicia then Austria only. Clearly, the Wislocki clan ancestry once was from what was considered Poland before the three super powers of its time took over in 1795 because our ancestors spoke the Polish language and were Catholics.
The question now is "why did the Wislocki clan leave Czarnawoda?" Was there political unrest in the region as there was in Germany? Was there a water shortage as indicated in some research articles that stated water was disappearing from the lakes causing a severe water shortage in the Czarnawoda canal? Why would an entire family consisting of brothers & at least one sister leave behind their homeland in search of a new unfamilar homeland so far away where their language was not spoken?
Showing posts with label Galicia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galicia. Show all posts
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Getting A Little Closer
His name at birth was Lekis Wislocki. His last residence in Poland was Czarnawoda. He had at least one sister, Eva Bednarski and five brothers, Sylvester also known as Stephan, Johann also known as John, Thomas and Petro also known as Peter. All six immigrated to Philadelphia by way of a port in Austria. They may have had another sibling known as Andrew.
As far I can see from various research articles, these were the siblings who immigrated to Philadelphia (Manayunk) between the years 1890 and 1905. I discovered that Lekis (Lewis) Wislocki (Wisloski/Weleski) worked at Pencoyd Iron Works. It appears his brothers may have worked there too. When John, Sylvester and Peter immigrated to Philadelphia, they had their brother Lekis Wislocki written down as their contact here in America. When Thomas and Eva immigrated to Philadelphia, they had their brother Sylvester listed as their contact here in America.
Little by little, the pieces of this puzzle come together. All the Wislocki siblings, with the exception of Andrew lived in Manayunk. I have a feeling if I can locate the graves of the sibling brothers, I may come across my great grandfather, Lekis Wislocki's burial spot. As indicated in earlier posts, my great grandfather was not interred in the same cemetery plot as my great grandmother, uncles, aunts, ect. Lekis died before his wife. Supposely, he did something to disgrace the family and the children ended up being raised by their mother, Eva. It was a known fact that none of the family members were allowed to ever mention his name. I have checked the records at Westminster Cemetery and could not locate any records on the burials of these brothers even though Lekis's wife, Eva and sister Eva Bednarski are interred there along with some of his children and their spouses.
Though, I do not know the terrible family crime/secret, I do know that the youngest child of Lekis and Eva was also considered a disgrace, when she married outside the catholic religion. This was the child known as Julia (Julie).
The Wislocki's spoke the Polish language and were devoted catholics. At some point, the spelling of their name was changed from Wislocki to Wisloski, then again when my grandfather, John changed it to its current spelling of Weleski though not all members of his extended family went along with the new spelling.
Today, we have family members with both spelling variations of the name.
As far I can see from various research articles, these were the siblings who immigrated to Philadelphia (Manayunk) between the years 1890 and 1905. I discovered that Lekis (Lewis) Wislocki (Wisloski/Weleski) worked at Pencoyd Iron Works. It appears his brothers may have worked there too. When John, Sylvester and Peter immigrated to Philadelphia, they had their brother Lekis Wislocki written down as their contact here in America. When Thomas and Eva immigrated to Philadelphia, they had their brother Sylvester listed as their contact here in America.
Little by little, the pieces of this puzzle come together. All the Wislocki siblings, with the exception of Andrew lived in Manayunk. I have a feeling if I can locate the graves of the sibling brothers, I may come across my great grandfather, Lekis Wislocki's burial spot. As indicated in earlier posts, my great grandfather was not interred in the same cemetery plot as my great grandmother, uncles, aunts, ect. Lekis died before his wife. Supposely, he did something to disgrace the family and the children ended up being raised by their mother, Eva. It was a known fact that none of the family members were allowed to ever mention his name. I have checked the records at Westminster Cemetery and could not locate any records on the burials of these brothers even though Lekis's wife, Eva and sister Eva Bednarski are interred there along with some of his children and their spouses.
Though, I do not know the terrible family crime/secret, I do know that the youngest child of Lekis and Eva was also considered a disgrace, when she married outside the catholic religion. This was the child known as Julia (Julie).
The Wislocki's spoke the Polish language and were devoted catholics. At some point, the spelling of their name was changed from Wislocki to Wisloski, then again when my grandfather, John changed it to its current spelling of Weleski though not all members of his extended family went along with the new spelling.
Today, we have family members with both spelling variations of the name.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Maps Of Austria And Poland Borders
CLICK TO ENLARGE & VIEW ALL IMAGES
21st Century Borders
21st Century Borders
19th Century Galicia
19th Century Borders
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)