Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Location Identified

This is the first post in the Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update Series. This series will be focused on two Polish immigrants, my 2nd great-grandparents, who settled in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania and their family members.  Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski arrived at Ellis Island 1 May 1895 with three small children - Teo Fila, Catherine and William. The family had sailed from Antwerp, Belgium on the Noorland. The family was very quiet about their past - leaving few clues to where they lived in Poland and why they left. All that was known is that the family resided on the Prussian or German side of the Polish partition. The city of origin for the family was previously unknown. Over the last year collaboration with other researchers, DNA results and newly discovered records have provided additional context to where in Poland the families were living prior to their journey to Ellis Island.

Teo Fila Bukowski was the oldest of the three children recorded with Vincenty Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski when when the family was processed at Ellis Island on 1 May 1895. Teo Fila was 6 years old when she made the voyage with her parents and two younger siblings. The Ellis Island records indicate the family was in route to Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania where they lived the rest of their lives.

Various historical records indicate that Teo Fila Bukowski was born March 1889 in Poland. She married Frank J. Gaczkowski on 6 September 1909 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

Frank J. Gaczkowski and Teo Fila Bukowski
Photograph from the Edward W. Zelazny Collection. Photographer Unknown. 
Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

For many years very few details were known about where in Poland the family was from. The departing ships records for Antwerp were unfortunately lost in World War I. In the 1900 United States Federal Census Vincenty Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski both indicated their birthplace was "Poland, Germany".  In the 1910 United States Federal Census Vincenty Frank and Franciska Kwiatkowski both indicated their birthplace was "Germany Polish".  Both of these census records were strong indicators the family was living on the Prussian or the German side of the Polish Partition.

To date no records have been located that indicate Vincenty Frank Bukowski submitted an application for United States citizenship. Additionally, in the 1930 United States Federal Census Vincenty Frank Bukowski was enumerated with the status of "alien" in the naturalization section.  This was the final census were Vincenty was recorded. He died 27 April 1937 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.   The death certificates for Vincenty Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski listed a country of origin only.  As a result, the city of origin for the family remained unknown.

Additional Research Opportunities 

The three known children born in Poland provided another research opportunity. If Polish birth or baptismal records could be located for the children - those records would identify a potential starting point for research in Poland. Several years ago I was able to obtain a list of Polish cities that were associated with the Vincenty Frank Bukowski family in wedding and baptismal records recorded at St. Stanislaus Church in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The city and regional names included Pluskowęsy, Ryńsk, Wąbrzeźno and Orzechowo, Wąbrzeźno.

There were several challenges to continuing the search for a city of origin:

• The first challenge was having multiple cities and regions. Some of the locations included multiple Catholic Parishes. 
• The second challenge was access to the records. Some of the Polish records are only accessible via microfilms housed in the collections at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah or one of the Family History Library affiliate libraries. It is also possible that additional records exist in Polish or European Archives - but those archives add a another layer complexity to the research.
• The third challenge was the potential language barrier. Depending on the location and the record type there were also was also a possibility the original records would be in German, Polish or Latin. 

Without having an exact location to start - the research would involve casting a wide net which would require attempting to search the available films for Pluskowęsy, Ryńsk, Wąbrzeźno and Orzechowo, Wąbrzeźno. Due to time and the above factors no further research was conducted on this family.

First Polish Record Located

Last year another researcher I had been previously connected with sent me a note. The researcher indicated that Ancestry had a potential birth registration record for Teo Fila Bukowski in the Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 database. The original records were located in the Berlin State Archives.

After accessing a copy of the original German record - I reached out to Ute Brandenburg the owner of German Script Experts for translation assistance.

Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Record 
31 March 1889
Ryńsk, Poland

The original record as recorded in German:

Nr. 17
Rynsk am 2ten April 1889

Vor dem unterzeichneten Standesbeamten erschien heute, der Persönlichkeit nach bekannt, der
Pferdeknecht Vincent Bukowski wohnhaft zu Rynsk, katholischer Religion, und zeigte an, daß von
der Franziska Bukowska, geborenen Kwiatkowska, seiner Ehefrau, katholischer Religion,
wohnhaft bei ihm zu Rynsk, in seiner Wohnung am ein und dreißigsten März des Jahres tausend
acht hundert achtzig und neun, Nachmittags um zehn Uhr ein Kind weiblichen Geschlechts
geboren worden sei, welches den Vornamen Theofila erhalten habe.

Vorgelesen, genehmigt und wegen Schreibensunkunde des Anzeigenden mit dessen Handzeichen
versehen. +++

Der Standesbeamte.

The German translation provided by German Script Experts:

No. 17
Rynsk, April 2nd 1889

Before the undersigned civil registrar appeared today, personally known, Vincent Bukowski, a
farmhand residing in Ryńsk  of Catholic faith, and reported that Franziska Bukowska née
Kwiatkowska, his wife, of Catholic faith, residing with him in Ryńsk, had given birth to a female
child at his residence on 31 March 1889 at 10 o’clock in the evening. The child was named
Theofila.

Read, approved, and signed with his mark because the informant is unable to write. +++

The Civil Registrar

Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Record Verified

After reviewing the record in detail - the evidence in the birth record aligned with other known details about Teo Fila Bukowski:

• The father's name, Vincent Bukowski, matched. 
• The mother's first name, Franciska, matched.
• The mother's maiden name, Kwiatwkows, matched.
• The birth month and year, March 1889, matched.
• The location, Ryńsk, Poland, matched with the locations associated with the family in the St. Stanlislaus Catholic Church Records.  

The birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski is first historical recorded located for the family in Poland. we now had a starting point to continue to research the family.

A Starting Point - Ryńsk, Poland

Ryńsk is a small rural village located in north-central Poland. Vincenty Frank Bukowski, Franciska Kwiatkowski and Teo Fila Bukowski were living in Ryńsk, Poland March and April 1889.

Teo Fila Bukowski is my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen's son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. 

References:

1. Ellis Island Records, Bukowski, Vincent Manifest: First Name: Vincenty Last Name: Bukowski Ethnicity: Germany Last Place of Residence: Date of Arrival: May 01, 1895 Age at Arrival: 33y Gender: M Marital Status: Ship of Travel: Noordland Port 
2. 1900 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, Ward 2, 1900 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent 1.
3. 1910 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, 2nd Ward, 1910 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent. 
4. 1930 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, 1930 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent. 
5. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFQG-RXM : accessed 19 October 2015), Frank J. Gaczkowski and Teophila Bukowska, 06 Sep 1909; citing Marriage, Pennsylvania, county courthouses, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 2,209,545.
6. Ancestry.com. Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. 

In Memory of Lost Infants

October 15 is the yearly observance of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. The day is for the remembrance of pregnancy loss and infant deaths.

To ensure their memory is preserved the following is a list of deceased infants recorded in the family tree. The infants are sorted by surname followed by birth date. All known details are included. The list is limited to children age 12 months and younger.

1. Arentz, Margaret  born 04 Sep 1790. Died 06-Mar-1791 at age 6 mos.  Daughter of Jacob Arentz and Margaret Schmidt. Buried at St. Paul's Chapel in Bally, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA.
2. Bukowski, Josefa born 29 July 1908 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 11 Jan 1909 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 5 mos.  Cause of Death recorded as acute indigestion from bottle feeding. Daughter of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
3. Bukowski, Edward born 3 Feb 1911 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 12 Feb 1911 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 9 days.  Cause of death recorded as gastroenteritis and bronchitis.  Son of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
4. Bukowski, Baby Girl born 10 Jan 1924 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 10 Jan 1924 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. Cause of death recorded as stillborn.  Daughter of Gustave Joseph Bukowski and Elsie Gaczkowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
5. Bukowski, Frances born 14 May 1927 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 26 Oct 1927 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 5 mos. Cause of death recorded as abscess of the middle ear.  Son of John Frank Bukowski and Theresa Filipkowski. Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
6. Chanis, Raymond born 4 Nov 1917 in Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 10 Aug 1918 in Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA age 9 mos.  Cause of death recorded as gastroenteritis. Son of John Chanis and Margaret Murosky.  Buried at St. Anthony Cemetery in Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.
7. Ditz, Anna born 13 Oct 1918 in Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 2 Mar 1919 in Washington, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA age 4 mos.  Cause of death recorded as pneumonia. Daughter of Lawrence Ditz and Marcella Loll.  Buried at St. Michael's Cemetery in Fryburg, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.
8. Ditz, Robert Henry born 14 Jan 1920 in Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 30 Apr 1920 in Washington, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA age 3 mos.  Cause of death recorded as seizures. Son of Lawrence Ditz and Marcella Loll.  Buried at St. Michael's Cemetery in Fryburg, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.
9. Fletcher, Francisca born 02 Mar 1855.  Died 16 Jun 1856 age 15 mos.  Daughter of Bernard Fletcher and Catherine Loll. 
10. Gaczkowski, Baby Bpy born 17 Jan 1915 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 18 Jan 1915 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 1 day.  Cause of death recorded as premature. Son of Frank J. Gaczkowski and Teo Fila Bukowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
11. Greenawalt, Anna Maria born 23 Sep 1774 in Macungie, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 31 Oct 1774 in Macungie, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA age 1 mos.  Daughter of John Greenawalt and Anna Barbara Schmidt.  Buried at in Bally, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA.
12. Greenawalt, John Jr. born Abt. 1780.  Died 08 Sep 1780 in Berks, Pennsylvania, USA age 8 mos.  Son of John Greenawalt and Anna Barbara Schmidt. 
13. Guth, Xaver born 20 Nov 1810 in Neusimonswald, Baden, Germany.  Died 07 Mar 1811 in Simonswald, Baden, Germany age 3 mos.  Son of  and Magdalena Guth. 
14. Guth, Constantina born 07 Feb 1837 in Neusimonswald, Baden, Germany.  Died 24 Apr 1838 in Neusimonswald, Baden, Germany age 14 mos.  Daughter of Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch. 
15. Guth, Theresia born 18 Dec 1840 in Neusimonswald, Baden, Germany.  Died 27 Dec 1840 in Neusimmonswald, Baden, Germany age 9 days.  Son of Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch. 
16. Guth, Frances Xavier  born 1849.  Died 29 Jul 1849 in Shippenville, Pennsylvania age 6 mos.  Son of Francis Xavier Guth and Fortunata Kemmerer. 
17. Haggerty, Frederick born 1182 in Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Died 1882 in Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Son of Jeremiah Haggerty and Magdalena Bostpah.
18. Haggerty, Joseph A.  born 1885 in Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.  Died 1886 in Farmington Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania age 12 mos.  Son of James Haggerty and Mary Kerr.  Buried at St. Mary's Church - Crown Cemetery in Crown, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.
19. Hazlett, Barbara Ann.  Daughter of Leland M. Hazlett and Hazel Jones. 
20. Hufner, Maria born 07 Oct 1858 in Unterriedenburg, Province of Bruchenau, Germany.  Died 12 Oct 1858 in Unterriedenburg, Province of Bruchenau, Germany age 5 days.  Daughter of Johann George Hufner and Maria Barbara Neuland. 
21. Hufner, Anton  born 16 Jun 1854 in Unterriedenburg, Province of Bruchenau, Germany.  Died 17 Jun 1854 in Unterriedenburg, Province of Bruchenau, Germany age 1 day.  Son of Johann George Hufner and Maria Barbara Neuland. 
22. Lauer, Anna Maria born 30 Jul 1874 in Knox Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.  Died 17 Aug 1874 age 18 days.  Daughter of John Lauer and Francisca Loll. 
23. Lauer, Maria born 10 Dec 1876 in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 02 Jan 1877 age 23 days.  Son of John Lauer and Francisca Loll. 
24. Lauer, Theresa  born 26 Mar 1888.  Died 12 Jun 1888  age 2 mos.  Daughter of John Lauer and Francisca Loll. 
25. Lauer, Baby. Unknown child of George Lauer and Ursula Bendorfer. 
26. Lauer, Baby Girl born 1 Feb 1911 in Sugarcreek, Venango, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 1 Feb 1911 in Sugarcreek, Venango, Pennsylvania, USA. Cause of death recorded as Stillborn.   Daughter of Augustine Benedict Lauer Sr. and Philomena Selker.  Buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Oil City, Venango, Pennsylvania, USA.
27. Lauer, Frances Isabelle born 1 Aug 1917 in Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 5 May 1918 in Kittanning, Armstrong, Pennsylvania, USA age 6 mos. Cause of death recorded as Pneumonia due to Whooping Cough.  Daughter of Augustine Benedict Lauer Sr. and Philomena Selker.  Buried at St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Oil City, Venango, Pennsylvania, USA.
28. Lauer, Barbara J.  born 1 Aug 1917.  Died 5 Feb 1918 age 5 mos.  Daughter of John R. Lauer and Margaret M. Schwabenbauer. 
29. Loll, Unknown. Unknown Child of Maurice Loll and Ada Meyer. 
30. Loll, Unknown. Unknown Child of Maurice Loll and Ada Meyer. 
31. Loll, Edward. Son of Anselm Lambert Loll and Mary K Eccles. 
32. Loll, Katherine.  Daughter of Anselm Lambert Loll and Mary K Eccles.   
33. Loll, Ludovius. Died 26 Dec 1745 in France age .  Son of Joanne Loll and Margaritha Meyer. 
34. Loll, Joanne Petrus  born 04-Sep-1733 in Muntzenheim, Alsace, France.  Died 10-Sep-1733 in Muntzenheim, Alsace, France age 6 days.  Son of Joanne Petrus Loll and Maria Untersinger. 
35. Loll, Michael born 06 Sep 1746 in France.  Died 22 Sep 1746 in France age 16 days.  Son of Valentine Loll and Ursula Holinger. 
36. Loll, Louise born 21 Feb 1869 in Scotch Hill, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.  Died 30 Jun 1870 age 16 mos.  Cause of death recorded as Gout. Daughter of Joseph Loll and Helen Eisenman. 
37. Loll, George born 07 Jul 1877 in Fryburg, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 21 Dec 1878 age 17 mos.  Cause of death recorded as croop. Son of George J. Loll and Priscilla Lauer. 
38. Loll, Charles Joseph born 1895. Died 30-Sep-1895 age 8 mos.  Son of Edward G. Loll and Catherine Weiss. 
39. Loll, Charles H. born 1950.  Died 1951 age 12 mos.  Son of Charles Joseph Loll and Beverly Howard. 
40. Loll, John Ward born 19 Sept 1923.  Died 22 Jan 1924 age 4 mos.  Son of Anthony Loll and Claire LaMartin. 
41. McDonald, Joseph Michael born 18 Apr 1883 in Vowinckel, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 07 Sep 1883 in Vowinckel, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA age 4 mos.  Son of Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. 
42. McDonald, Mary Elizabeth born 5 May 1913 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 9 Aug 1913 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA age 3 mos.  Daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald and Gertrude Anna O'Neill.  Buried in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.
43. McDonald, Winifred Agnes born 15 Dec 1918.  Died 18 Dec 1918 age 3 days.  Daughter of Robert Alphonsus McDonald and Winifred Agnes O'Neill. 
44. McDonald, Michael Robert born 10 May 1971 in .  Died 8 July 1971 in  age 1 mos.  Son of Michael Richard McDonald and Patricia Carole Gordon.  .
45. Murosky, Frank born 18 May 1907 in Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 26 Oct 1907 in Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA age 5 mos.  Cause of death recorded Intestinal Obstruction.  Son of Anthony Murosky Sr. and Eva Zielinski.  Buried at St. Agnes Cemetery in Forest City, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.
46. Murosky, George born 1 June 1918 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 2 June 1918 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 1 day.  Cause of death recorded as Premature. Son of Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
47. Murosky, Florence born 28 March 1922 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 6 June 1922 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 2 mos.  Cause of death recorded as premature birth at 7 months gestation. Daughter of Anthony Harry Murosky Jr. and Helen Tillie Bukowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
48. Murosky, Erica Anne born 22 May 1984 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 29 May 1984 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 7 days.  Daughter of Thomas Charles Murosky and Mary Leah Matheis.  Buried at Wintergreen George Cemetry in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
49. Pietrzak, Richard born 3 April 1924 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 2 October 1924 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 5 mos.  Cause of death recorded as Colitis and Meningitis staphylococcal infection. Son of Stanley Pietrzak and Clara Tillie Bukowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.
50. Rhea, Gregory Jerard born 11 Nov 1952 in Brookville, Jefferson, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 11 Nov 1952 in Brookville, Jefferson, Pennsylvania, USA age 1 day.  Cause of death recorded as premature. Son of Daryl W. Rhea Sr. and Helen Lucille Selker. 
51. Rösch, Johannes born 24 Jun 1791 in Neusimonswald, Baden, Germany.  Died 1791 in Neusimonswald, Baden, Germany age .  Son of Johann Rösch and Katherina Wintermantel. 
52. Selker, Anna Mary born 2 Jan 1914 in Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 19 Apr  1914 in Paint, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA age 3 mos.  Cause of death recorded as Convulsions, secondary Indigestion. Daughter of Edward C. Selker Sr. and Eva Theresa Margaret Zacherl.  Buried in Lucinda, Clarion, Pennsylvania, USA.
53. Shannon, Francis Thomas born 19 June 1929 in Brookville, Jefferson,  Pennsylvania, USA. Died 19 June 1929 in Brookville, Jefferson,  Pennsylvania, USA. Cause of death recorded as still born, strangled at birth by umbilical cord. 
54. Zelazny, Frank born 4 Oct 1911 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.  Died 8 Oct 1911 in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA age 4 days.  Son of Joseph Stanislaus Zelazny and Catherine M Bukowski.  Buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA.

References:

There are numerous sources that were referenced. References include but may not be limited to:

1. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
2. Church records
3. First hand information from individuals.

Wedding Portrait: Teo Fila Bukowski & Frank J. Gaczkowski

A formal wedding portrait from the wedding of Teo Fila Bukowski & Frank J. Gaczkowski.

Frank and TeoFila

Teo Fila Bukowski was the daughter of Polish immigrants Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. She was born March 26, 1889 in Poland.

Teo Fila and Frank married September 6, 1909 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.  They were recorded as married for 0 years and living in their own household in the 1910 United States Federal Census.

Frank J. Gaczkowski was born October 7, 1886. The name of Frank's father is currently unknown his mother's name was Mary Loajewski

Photograph from the Edward W. Zelazny Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Teo Fila Bukowski is my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen's son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. 

Reference:
1. 1910 United States Federal Census. Year: 1910; Census Place: Erie Ward 2, Erie, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1342; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 0079; FHL microfilm: 1375355.
2. "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFQG-RXM : accessed 19 October 2015), Frank J. Gaczkowski and Teophila Bukowska, 06 Sep 1909; citing Marriage, Pennsylvania, county courthouses, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 2,209,545.

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

WWI Centennial: Where were they? The Vincinety Frank Bukowski Family

On the evening of August 4, 1914 Great Britain declared war on Germany. The result was a long war with lasting consequences that would change the world. The war was one of the most deadly conflicts in history resulting in more than 9 million casualties. Great Briton lost its prominence as the leading world nation. The United States began assent as a world power. The war resulted in a tragic ending for the Russian monarchy when Czar Nicolas II, his wife and children were executed by the Bolsheviks. Other members of the Russian monarchy were also murdered. Those who survived lived in exile for the rest of their lives. Russia was forced to cede large tracks of land in the Ukraine and the Crimea – areas that remain in conflict today.   Prussia became a free state when Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated his throne.   The Treaty of Versailles broke up much of the Prussian empire – territory was ceded to Belgium, Lithuania and portions of Czechoslovakia.  The Second Polish Republic was formed from the lands Prussia had annexed in the partitions of Poland in the late 1700’s.

Earlier this week I found myself wondering – where were members of my family living on August 5, 1914 when they learned war had been declared in Europe. What thoughts may they have had? How were they impacted? I hope this series of blog posts around the WWI Centennial will be both interesting and informative for the reader.

The first family to be featured will be my 2^nd great grandparent -Vincinety Frank Bukowski and his wife Franciska Kwiatkowski.

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and his wife Franciska had been living in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania for 19 years when they woke up to the news that war had been declared in Europe. The couple arrived at Ellis Island May 1, 1895 with three small children. They had sailed from Antwerp, Belgium on the Noorland.  The census and other historical documents indicate the family was living in “Germany” before the WWI and “Poland” after WWI.  This likely indicates the family was living on the Prussian or German side of the Polish partition. The city where they were living prior to departure is currently unknown.

The couple’s oldest daughters were living in Erie, Pennsylvania with their spouses in close proximity to their parents. The families would have been able to walk between houses.

The Bukowski family residences in 1914

The oldest daughter TeoFila, age 25, was living with her husband Frank Gaczkowski and two small children. Arthur was 3 and Dorothy was 2. The 1914 City of Erie Directory indicates the couple was living at 705 E.  10^th Street. Frank was working as a constable.

The second daughter Catherine age 23, was living with her husband Joseph Zelazny. The couple had lost their first baby Frank who was born October 4, 1911. Daughter Irene was born in 1912. The 1914 City of Erie Directory indicates the couple, recorded as  “Zelazny, Stanislaus,  was living at 425 E. 13^th  street.  

The 1914 City of Erie Directory indicates that Vincinety and Franciska were living at 720 East 15th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania. The remaining children were still living with them in August of 1914. The household would have included:

• Son William, age 20 is also listed in the 1914 city of Erie directory as Boleslaus living with his parents.
• Son John, age 17
• Son Gustave Joseph, age 15
• Daughter Helen Tillie, age 13, (my great grandmother)
• Daughter Clara, age 11
• Son Joseph, age 8

 Vincinety and Franciska also lost two infants a daughter Josefa in 1909  and a son Edward in 1911.

The 1914 City of Erie Directory. Vincent and son William, shown as Boleslaus,
are on the left hand page in the upper portion of the second column. 

By 1914 the family was well established in the Erie community. They were members of St. Stanislaus Church.  Both Vincinety and William were working as laborers. The 1910 census indicates that both Vincinety was able to read and write English. Franciska is recorded as speaking Polish.  

After hearing the news that war had been declared the younger children may not have understood the impact. It is also difficult to know how this knowledge resonated with the older sons – William, John and Gustave. Vincinety and Franciska would have understood that if they were still living in Prussia their oldest sons would very likely have been serving in the Army. The couple would also have had perspective on potential impacts to their hometown. They may have been worried about the family members they had not seen in 19 years. They would have realized their nephews of age were likely serving in the Army on their way into battle.

It is currently unknown and it may never be known how much contact the couple had with their European family members.  Edward Zelazny [son of Catherine  Bukowski & Joseph Zelazny, grandson of Vincinety Bukowski & Franciska Kwiatkowski] had a few old photographs he believed were from the European relatives. These images were black and whites. The photographs appear to have been taken after Vincinety & Franciska  were living in Pennsylvania.  The dates and the people in the photographs are unknown.  

Unknown relatives from Europe. 

References:

1. Ellis Island Records, Bukowski, Vincent Manifest: First Name: Vincenty Last Name: Bukowski Ethnicity: Germany Last Place of Residence: Date of Arrival: May 01, 1895 Age at Arrival: 33y Gender: M Marital Status: Ship of Travel: Noordland Port
2. 1910 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, 2nd Ward, 1910 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent
3. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 - Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1914 page 377 (digital 184).
4. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 - Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1914 page 501 (digital 249).
5. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 - Erie, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1914 page 984 (digital 491).
6. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1944 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Record for Zelazny, Frank
7. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Record for Zelazny, Frank
8. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Record for Bukowski, Josefa
9. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Record for Bukowski, Edward
10. Edward Zelazny photo collection
11. Google Maps

Bukowski Family - New Relatives Discovered

Recently the Ancestry.com databases were updated to include the more than 2 million Pennsylvania Death Certificates from 1906-1924. The database included information on several Bukowski family members I knew of. The database included information on several Bukowski relatives that were previously not known. Tragically, many of these were children who died young.

Existing family members with new information:

Teo Fila Bukowski, my 2nd great aunt, was the oldest sister of my great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. We always knew that she died after giving birth to her last child. Her death date was previously unknown. Her death certificate was included in the data base, she died on January 22, 1915. She died due to complications from her pregnancy. Her baby, listed as Baby Gaczkowski,  boy died the day after he was born January 18, 1915. The death certificate indicates the baby was born prematurely. Both mother and son were buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Richard Pietrzak was the son of my 2nd great aunt Clara T. Bukowski and her husband Stanley Pietrzak. Clara T. Bukowski was the great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski's younger sister. Richard was 5 months old when he died from colitis and meningitis. He was buried October 4, 1924 in Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania

On Richard's death certificate Clara is recorded as Clara Bukowska, using the Polish form of the surname.

New Relatives Discovered:

Josefa Bukowski is a previously unknown child to my 2nd great grandparents Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. Josefa was born July 29, 1908 and died January 11, 1909. The cause of her death is listed as acute indigestion. She was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Edward Bukowski is a previously unknown child to my 2nd great grandparents Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. Edward was born February 11, 1911 and died February 12, 1911. Edward was 9 days old when he died of gastroenteritis and bronchitis. He was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

What is most significant about both death certificates for these previously unknown children is it lists the surname for Franciska. Previously the name Kwiatkowski had not been located in any historical records

Baby Bukowski, was born to Gustave Joseph Bukowski and Elsie Gaczkowski. Gustave was my 2nd great uncle and the brother of my great grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Baby Bukowski was a female born stillborn January 10, 1924. She was buried at Trinity Cemetery, Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Her death certificate provided the surname of her mother, Elsie, which was previously unknown.

Note some of these death certificates indicate the deceased were buried at the Old Polish Cemetery. The Old Polish Cemetery was originally the cemetery for St. Stanislaus Church. The cemetery is known today as Trinity Cemetery.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.