Family Photo: The Gaczkowski Children

Posted to the family photo album website today is a photograph of siblings Arthur & Dorothy Gaczkowski.  A photograph of Arthur Gaczkowski which may have been a studio portrait is also posted.

Arthur & Dorothy Gaczkowski

Arthur and Dorothy were the children of City of Erie Alderman Frank J. Gaczkowski and Teo Fila Bukowski. Teo Fila was the sister of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Teo Fila was the oldest daughter of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and his wife Franciska Kwiatkowski.

Arthur was the oldest born August 15, 1911. Dorothy was born in 1912. Both children were born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Tragically in January 1915 when both were toddlers their mother died a few days after giving birth to their youngest brother. Their young brother also died during child birth. Teo Fila and the infant child were buried in Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie County. At age 14 my great-grandmother Helen stepped in to help raise and care for the children. The children were special to her and she had several photos of them in her collection of old photographs.

Arthur Gaczkowski.
The writing on the photograph is his Aunt Helen's.

Arthur's life was unfortunately cut short. At age 17 he was admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital and surgery was performed. His death certificate indicated he had an obstruction in his intestines and appendicitis. He passed away on April 17, 1928. He was buried in Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. This must have been especially tragic for Dorothy - of the three children she was the only one to live to adulthood.

Photograph from the Helen Tillie Bukowski Collection. Helen recorded the name on the photograph. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

The Gaczkowski children are my 1st cousins 2x removed. Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski are our common grandparents. My great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski was the aunt of the children. Helen's son Arthur is my paternal grandfather. 

References:

1. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1944, Gaczkowski , Baby
2. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1944, Gaczkowski, Teo Fila F
3. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1944, Gaczkowski , Arthur