The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania - James M. McDonald & Bridget Moran

This is the second post in the Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania series. The series features family stories and photographs submitted to The Clarion County Historical Society for a family history book that unfortunately was never published. 

James M. McDonald, son of Irish immigrants David McDonald and Bridget Dunn, was born August 1827 in County Kildare, Ireland. James was baptized August 6, 1827 as recorded in the Allen Parish records. The baptismal record reads: “August 6, 1827: James McDonald, parents David and Biddy, sponsors William & Nelly Dunn, residence (of parents) Grange”. 

The family relocated from Ireland and settled in Farmington Township sometime between August 1827 and 1833. The History of Clarion County Pennsylvania references David McDonald, the father of James M., living in Farmington Township around 1833. 

The 1850 United States Federal Census recorded James living with his parents and seven siblings in Farmington Township. James and his father David were recorded as farmers. In the census David, Bridget and James were recorded as born in Ireland. The local school teacher, John Toomy, was also recorded living in the household. 

The 1860 United States Federal Census recorded James living with parents and seven siblings in Farmington Township. James enlisted in the Union Army in August of 1861 serving in F Company of the 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. On May 31, 1862 James and his brother, Andrew McDonald, fought in the Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks). During the battle James and Andrew, both privates, were captured by Confederate soldiers. Historical records indicate James was in prison from May 31 to September 13, 1862. James rejoined Company F and was wounded on May 3, 1863 during the Battle of Chancellorsville. James was promoted to Corporal in May of 1863. James was discharged in August 28, 1863 due to wounds he received during the Battle of Chancellorsville on August 31, 1862. The 1890 Veterans schedule indicated that James was shot in the right arm. 

The Last Will and Testament for James’ father David McDonald was recorded February 16, 1871. James and his brother Michael were appointed as executors of the estate. 

On July 22, 1873 James married Bridget Moran at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Fryburg, Pennsylvania. Bridget, daughter of Irish immigrants Michael Moran and Ann Dunn, was born July 11, 1840 in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The couple settled in Farmington Township. The following children are recorded from the marriage: 

1. Mary, daughter, born October 1871. Death prior to October 1877. 
2. James, son, born November 1875. Death unknown. 
3. Mary A., daughter, born October 1877. Marriage to Albert B. Reinsel. Death unknown. 
4. John C., son, born October 1881. Marriage to C. Christena Zagst. Death 1968.

The 1880 United States Federal Census recorded James as the head of household. His occupation was Lumberman. Enumerated in the household were wife Bridget, son James and daughter Mary. The household also included a niece Mary Kelloher. Andrew and Joseph Kelly, the children of James’ deceased sister Mary Ann, were also recorded in the household. Bridget’s brother Christ (possibly Christian) was also recorded in the household. 

Caldwell's Illustrated Historical Combination Atlas of Clarion County published in 1877 shows James McDonald owning 190 acres of land in Farmington Township. 

James died 1892 in Farmington Township. He was buried at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery in Crown. After his death Bridget took over the farm. The tombstone for James highlights his service in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 1900 United States Federal Census records the widow Bridget as the head of the household. Her two sons James and John C., daughter Mary A. Reinsel and her son in law Albert B. Reinsel were recorded in the household. The census indicated that Bridget had four children and three were living. The oldest daughter Mary likely died before 1877 as Mary A. recorded in the 1900 United States Federal Census was recorded as 22 years old. 

The 1910 United States Federal Census records the widow Bridget as the head of the household. Her son James is living with her working as an operator in the oil industry. Both the 1900 and 1910 census records indicate that Bridget owned the farm without a mortgage. 

Bridget died April 25, 1918 in Farmington. She was buried on April 27, 1918 at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery in Crown, Pennsylvania.

James F. McDonald and Brigid Moran are my 4th great aunt and uncle. James is the brother of Michael McDonald my 3rd great grandfather. Michael is the father of Robert Alphonsus McDonald my 2nd great grandfather. Robert is the father of my great grandfather Loraine McDonald. Loraine McDonald is the father of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

Author: Michelle M. Murosky

References:

1. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912, McDonald, James Ancestry.com. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. August 6, 1827: James McDonald, parents David and Biddy, sponsors William & Nelly Dunn, residence (of parents) Grange. 

2. 1850 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 193B; Image: 392. Record for David McDonald. Line 42. 

3. 1850 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 193B; Image: 392. Record for Bridget McDonald. Lines 1-10. 

4. 1860 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 144; Image: 148; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for David McDonald. Lines 10-19. 

5. 1880 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 154A; Enumeration District: 069; Image: 0313. Record for James McDonald. Lines 14-21. 

6. Ancestry.com. 1890 Veterans Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Source Citation: Year: 1890; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 87; Page: 1; Enumeration District: 57 Record for James McDonald. 

7. 1900 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1395; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 1241395. Record for Bridget McDonald. Lines 13-17.

8. 1910 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1329; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0008; FHL microfilm: 1375342. Record for Bridget McDonald. Lines 34-35 

9. National Park Service. U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Record for James McDonald 

10. A. J. Davis, History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Syracuse, N. Y.:  D. Mason & Co., 1887), Clarion County Historical Society, Chapter 35 History of Farmington Township. Chapter XIX Company F, 63rd Regiment Battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines Page 194-195 Chapter XIX Company F, 63rd Regiment Battle of Chancellorsville Page 199-200 Chapter XIX Company F, 63rd Regiment Page 207 Chapter LIII History of Farmington Township Page 515 

11. Pennsylvania, Last Will & Testament of David McDonald. February 16, 1871 

12. Joseph A. Caldwell, Caldwell's Illustrated historical combination atlas of Clarion County, Pennsylvania / from actual surveys by & under the directions of Henry Cring ; assisted by C.T. Arms ... [et al.]. (Condit, Ohio, J.A. Caldwell, 1877), Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Farmington Map 

13. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1924 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Death Certificate for Bridget McDonald. Certificate Number: 41914 

14. Find A Grave. Christena McDonald. Find A Grave Memorial# 111539460. 

15. Find A Grave. John C. McDonald. Find A Grave Memorial# 111539391. 

16. Find A Grave. James McDonald. Find A Grave Memorial# 114581616.

The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania - David McDonald & Bridget Dunn

In 2015 the Clarion County Historical Society announced the intentions of publishing The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the historical society. Families were encouraged to submit family stories and photographs to the historical society to be included in the book. Unfortunately The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania was never published.

A series of 13 stories and 8 photographs were prepared for the Clarion County Historical Society to publish in the The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania. These stories will be published in new research series The Families of Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

David McDonald & Bridget Dunn

David McDonald was one of the earliest residents of Farmington Township. David was born about 1803 in or around Dublin, Ireland. David McDonald married Bridget Dunn on May 7, 1825 at the village of Dunbyrn, County Kildare, Ireland. Their oldest recorded child, Richard, was baptized January 29, 1826. A second son, James M., was baptized August 6, 1827. Both baptisms were recorded in the Allen Parish records and indicate that family were residents of Grange. 

Sometime after the birth of James the family left Ireland for the Americas. The History of Clarion County Pennsylvania references that David McDonald was living in Farmington Township around 1833. After settling David and Bridget lived the remainder of their lives in Farmington Township. 

The following children are recorded from the marriage: 

1. Richard, son, born January 1826 Kildare, Ireland. Death unknown. 
2. James M., soon, born August 1827 Kildare, Ireland. Marriage to Bridget Moran. Death 1892.
3. Mary Ann, daughter, born about 1834. Marriage to William Kelly. Death unknown. 
4. John, son, born about 1836. Death October 16, 1864. 
5. Michael, son, born May 10, 1839. Marriage to Anna Haggerty. Death October 8, 1823. 
6. Andrew, son, born 1840. Marriage to Anna Sharrow. Death March 9, 1833. 
7. Bridget, daughter, born 1842. Marriage to Thomas C. Haggerty. Death July 15, 1889. 
8. David F., son, born 1844. Marriage to Hannah E. McCloskey. Death unknown. 
9. Peter, son, born March 3, 1847. First marriage to Mary Ann McAvoy. Second marriage to Emma Cecelia Nye. Death June 7, 1935. 

David was known as a farmer, logger and river pilot. There are multiple references to him in the True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1. As told by Victor M. Bake: 

"We have some old timers here who used to raft on the Clarion and Allegheny rivers. There are George Hazlett who used to work for Croasman Brothers, Horace Greely Sigworth, A. B. Sarver and Harry Horton. We also have here David McDonald and Mr. Hutton who used to run 90 foot platform rafts on the Susquehanna River. I don't believe that any of the 90 foot platform rafts ever came out of the Clarion." 

As told by his son Peter: 

“My experience as a raftman up to the time of this story, which was in December of 1862, was of the traditional style handed down by my father, David McDonald, who had helped Davis Munn run several rafts down the Clarion to Lower Hillville. There he sold them to Jacob Hill, who had a boat scaffold and furnished 100 foot boats for the Pittsburgh coal companies. These boats were dropped into the water without the aid of lines. My father and Mr. Munn used grapevines for cable to anchor the rafts. David Munn ran his first raft around 1840. He had purchased 150 acres on Troutman Run near the Clarion. He and his wife lived and died on this piece of ground, and their tombstones are standing to this day. They should have a monument. As I pass their lonesome resting place it brings back memories of the earlier days of the lumbering and rafting business and along with these memories of the many hardships the early pioneers had to endure.” 

David and Bridget are recorded in the 1840 United States Federal Census in Farmington Township, Venango, Pennsylvania. 

The 1850 United States Federal Census recorded David as head of household in Farmington Township. The household included Bridget and children James, Mary Ann, John, Michael, Andrew, Bridget, David and Peter. David was recorded as a farmer. David, Bridget and James are recorded as born in Ireland. The local school teacher, John Toomy, was also recorded living in the household. The farm was valued at $1,100. 

The 1860 United States Federal Census recorded David as head of household in Farmington Township. The household included Bridget and children James, Mary Ann, John, Michael, Andrew, Bridget, David and Peter. David was recorded as a farmer. The farm was valued at $2,000 and David’s personal estate was valued at $640. 

Family of David McDonald and Bridget Dunn

recorded in the 1860 United States Federal Census

The 1870 United States Federal Census recorded David as head of household in Farmington Township. The household included his wife Bridget and their sons Andrew, Peter and David F. Daughter in law Hannah, wife of David F., and grandson Joseph Kelly were also living in the household. David was recorded as a farmer and his sons as farm hands. The farm was valued at $3,000 and David’s personal estate was valued at $300. 

The last will and testament of David McDonald was recorded August 28, 1871. Following David's death Bridget lived with her son David. Bridget was included in the household of David McDonald when the 1880 United States Federal Census was recorded in Farmington Township. 

Bridget died prior to 1900 as she was not enumerated in the 1900 United States Federal Census. The burial location for David and Bridget is unknown.

David McDonald and Brigid Dunn are my 4th great grandparents. They are the parents of Michael McDonald my 3rd great grandfather. Michael is the father of Robert Alphonsus McDonald my 2nd great grandfather. Robert is the father of my great grandfather Loraine McDonald. Loraine McDonald is the father of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.

Author: Michelle M. Murosky

References:

1. Ireland, Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958, McDonald, David. David McDonald to Brit (Bridget) Dunn on 7 May 1825 at village of Dunbyrn, witnesses Michael and Margaret Dunn. 

2. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912, McDonal, Richard Ancestry.com. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Richard McDonal, parents Davy and Biddy, sponsors John Kene(sic) and Nel McDonald, residence (of parents) Grange Baptism: 29 January 1826. 

3. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912, McDonald, James Ancestry.com. Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers, 1763-1912 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. August 6, 1827: James McDonald, parents David and Biddy, sponsors William & Nelly Dunn, residence (of parents) Grange. 

4. A. J. Davis, History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Syracuse, N. Y.:  D. Mason & Co., 1887), Clarion County Historical Society, Chapter 35 History of Farmington Township. Chapter LIII History of Farmington Township Page 515 

5. 1840 United States Federal Census Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place: Farmington, Venango, Pennsylvania; Roll: 497; Page: 32; Image: 68; Family History Library Film: 0020559. Record for David Mcdonald. 

6. 1850 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 193B; Image: 392. Record for David McDonald. Line 42. 

7. 1850 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 193B; Image: 392. Record for Bridget McDonald. Lines 1-10. 

8. 1860 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 144; Image: 148; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for David McDonald. Lines 10-19. 

9. Pennsylvania State Archives. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 Indexes. McDonald, John, F – 63 I, 2-511 

10. Pennsylvania State Archives. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 Indexes. McDonnell, John – H-105 I, Muster Roll 

11. Ancestry.com. U.S., Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, compiled 1861–1865. ARC ID: 656639. Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780's–1917. Record Group 94. National Archives at Washington, D.C. Record for Jno McDonald. 

12. Find A Grave. Pvt John McDonald. Find A Grave Memorial# 27625754. 

13. 1870 United States Federal Census Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 441B; Image: 204; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for David McDonald. Lines 22-28. 

14. 1880 United States Federal Census. Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Farmington, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 153D; Enumeration District: 069; Image: 0312. Record for David McDonald. Lines 24-32 

15. George P. Sheffer, True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1: (Clarion, Pa.: The Clarion Republican Newspaper Co, 1933), An Old Timer's Early Thrills on the River, by Peter McDonald of Vowinckel, Pa., Page 42-44 

16. George P. Sheffer, True Tales of the Clarion River, Volume 1: (Clarion, Pa.: The Clarion Republican Newspaper Co, 1933), Adventures in Boating and Rafting on the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, by Victor M. Baker, Masonic Homes, Elizabethtown, Pa., Page 136-137

Memorial Day - Honoring & Remembering

"There is nothing nobler than risking your life for your country." – Nick Lampson

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed in May of 1868 to honor the soldiers who died in the American Civil War. On the first Decoration Day 5,000 people gathered to decorate the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Today we know Decoration Day as Memorial Day. In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a National Holiday. As you enjoy your time with family and friends - please take a moment to honor the members of our family who died in service to our country:

American Civil War

A Private Andrew Haggerty served in the Civil War. He died at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. At this time we are unsure if Private Andrew Haggerty is the son of Robert Haggerty and Rebecca Easly or is from a different Haggerty Family. To learn more about Andrew Haggerty view Private Andrew J. Haggerty - Civil War, Pennsylvania Infantry, 148th Regiment, Company I.

John Loll, my 4h great uncle, was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France on 08 Oct 1843. He is the son of Antoine Loll and Mary Ann Jehl, my 4th great grandparents. He arrived in the United States on 07 Oct 1852 at the Port of New York when he was 9 years old with his family. At the age of 18 he would serve in the Union Army. In February of 1862 he would be wounded in battle and would die as a casualty of war on June 10, 1862 in a hospital in Washington, D.C.

Private John McDonald, my 4th great uncle and brother of James McDonald, also served in the civil war. He enlisted as a private on February 25, 1864 at approximately age 28 with Company F, 63rd Regiment.  He was transferred to Company H, the 105th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He died October 16, 1864 in Beverly, New Jersey. He is buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey. His grave marker references Company H, 105 PA. Inf. To view his  his grave marker visit this link. To learn more about John McDonald view The Mystery of Pvt John McDonald - Civil War Solider.

World War II

Second Lieutenant Raymond Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born in 1922 the son of Francis G. Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, and Elizabeth Hartle. On February 20, 1943, at age 21, Raymond enlisted with the Air Corps in Miami Beach, Florida. Raymond was trained as a B-29 pilot and assigned to the 43rd Bomber Squadron and the 29th Bomber Group designated 'Very Heavy'. On April 14, 1945 Raymond's plane was lost and the crew perished on a Mission to Tokyo. Raymond was recorded as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. Raymond was 23 years old at the time of his death. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. He is also honored in the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. To learn more about Raymond Loll view Raymond C. Loll - B29 Bomber Pilot.

Private First Class Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr., my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. Ambrose Aloysius was also the brother of Virginia McDonald Geary and is a double cousin to me as we are related by the McDonald and O'Neill lines. Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he also has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. He now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa.

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Staff Sergeant Christopher D. O'Neill, my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in 1919. He was the son of Owen James O'Neill and Nellie Boyles. Christopher was was a member of the 579th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy. He served as s a Right Waist Gunner/Assistant Engineer on the B-24 aircraft. He died on November 6, 1943 in a German Hospital in Middelburg, the Netherland after suffering injuries from jumping out his aircraft the day before. He was buried in the Ardennes American War Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. To view his  his grave marker visit this link.

References:

1. Memorial Day - http://www.usmemorialday.org/&nbsp

Easter Memories - 1940's & 1950's

A collection of Easter Memories from the Herbstritt, McDonald and Murosky families.

Spring 1947 - Erie, Pennsylvania 

A grouping of photographs taken Easter 1947 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The photographs would have been taken in front of the McDonald Family home owned by Loraine A. McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker located at 317 East 27th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania

McDonald Family Siblings photographed Spring 1947

 Left to Right: William Loraine McDonald, Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald, 

Kathryn Joan McDonald, Rose Marie McDonald

1947 - Family Photograph 

Mary Eugenia McDonald holding her daughter Kathleen Marie Murosky. Mary Eugenia's children Mary Helen Murosky and James Arthur Murosky are standing in front of Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald, Mary Eugenia's sister. The photograph was likely taken in spring of 1947 based on the ages of the children.

Spring 1954 - Erie, Pennsylvania 

A grouping of photographs taken Easter 1954 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The photographs would have been taken in front of the McDonald Family home owned by Loraine A. McDonald and Frances Philomena Selker located at 317 East 27th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania 

1954 - Rose, Kathleen & Michael 

Rose Marie McDonald photographed with her children Kathleen and Michael Herbstritt. The photograph was likely taken Easter 1954.

1954 - Richard, Kathleen & Michael

Rose Marie McDonald's husband Richard Herbstritt photographed with their children Kathleen and Michael Herbstritt. The photograph was likely taken Easter 1954.

These photographs were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances' daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

William Loraine McDonald is my Great Uncle. Dorothy Elizabeth McDonald, Kathryn Joan McDonald and Rose Marie McDonald are my Great Aunts. They are the siblings of my paternal grandmother, Mary Eugenia McDonald.  James Arthur Murosky is my Uncle.  Mary Helen Murosky and Kathleen Marie Murosky are my Aunts.

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Vincinety Frank Bukowski & Franciska Kwiatkowski Marriage Record

This is the fifth 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.

Other Posts in the Series:
9 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Location Identified
22 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Männlichen Bukowski
01 March 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Baptismal Record
04 April 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Elisabeth Bukowski

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Vincinety Frank Bukowski & Franciska Kwiatkowski Marriage Record

The Ryńsk Catholic Parish registers did not include a marriage record Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. The next step in the research journey was to locate Catholic Parish registers for the other Polish locations associated with the the family - Pluskowęsy, Wąbrzeźno and Orzechowo, Wąbrzeźno.

The positive news is that Catholic Parish registers for Orzechowo, Poland are housed in the collections at The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. These records can be accessed by visiting the The Family History Library or one of the affiliate libraries.

The church records available for Poland, Bydgoszcz, Orzechowo (Wąbrzeźno) include:

• Film 1569299, DGS 8021410: Baptisms from 1876-1890, Marriages from 1877-1890, Deaths from 1876-1890

It should be noted that this area was associated with Germany, Preußen, Westpreußen, Groß Orsichau prior to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Marriage Record

The marriage record for Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski was located in the Orzechowo, Poland Catholic Parish Registers.

The translation provided by German Script Experts:

Year 1885
Record 8
Married on 18 October: Vincent Bukowski, unmarried young man from Orzechowo, Catholic faith, and Franciska Kwiatkowska, unmarried young woman from Orzechowo, Catholic faith. Proclamations were posted on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Sunday after Pentecost.

The marriage of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski most likely occurred at the Kościół Rzymskokatolicki Pw. św. Marii Magdaleny or Roman Catholic church St. Mary Magdalene in Orzechowo, Poland.

"The Gothic, stone church (with brick gables), one-nave, dates from the fourteenth century."
As shared by Maciej Ch on Google Maps.

Kościół Rzymskokatolicki Pw. św. Marii Magdaleny
Roman Catholic church St. Mary Magdalene
Orzechowo, Poland
Photo By 1bumer - Praca własna, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Timeline

The death record for Männlichen Bukowski and the birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski both record Vincent working as a farmhand. The families movements in Poland are noted below.

• 18 October 1885 Orzechowo, Poland as recorded in the marriage record for Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. 
• 14 September 1886 through 27 October 1886 Vincent and Franciska are living in Orzechowo, Poland as recorded in the birth and death records for Elisabeth Bukowski. 
• 19 January 1888 through 2 April 1889 the family is living in Ryńsk, Poland as recorded in death record for Männlichen Bukowski and birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski. 
• 23 November 1891 the family was living in Poland - birth of Catherine M. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 14 September 1894 the family was living in Poland - birth of William F. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 1895 Antwerp, Belgium - Port of Departure 
• 1 May 1895 New York, New York - Port of Arrival - Ellis Island 

Vincent  Bukowski and  Franciska Kwiatkowski  are my 2nd great grandparents. They are the parents of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen's son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather. 

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. 
2. 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.
3. Poland, Bydgoszcz, Orzechowo (Wąbrzeźno) - Church records: Taufen 1876-1890 -- Heiraten 1877-1890 -- Tote 1876-1890, Katholische Kirche Groß Orischau (Kr Briesen) , Salt Lake City, Utah : Gefilmt durch The Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. Film No. 1569299 Items 4-6, Marriage Record 23.

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Elisabeth Bukowski

This is the fourth 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.

Other Posts in the Series:
9 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Location Identified
22 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Männlichen Bukowski
01 March 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Baptismal Record

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Elisabeth Bukowski

The Ryńsk Catholic Parish registers did not include a marriage record Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. The next step in the research journey was to locate Catholic Parish registers for the other Polish locations associated with the the family - Pluskowęsy, Wąbrzeźno and Orzechowo, Wąbrzeźno.

The positive news is that Catholic Parish registers for Orzechowo, Poland are housed in the collections at The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. These records can be accessed by visiting the The Family History Library or one of the affiliate libraries.

The church records available for Poland, Bydgoszcz, Orzechowo (Wąbrzeźno) include:

• Film 1569299, DGS 8021410: Baptisms from 1876-1890, Marriages from 1877-1890, Deaths from 1876-1890

It should be noted that this area was associated with Germany, Preußen, Westpreußen, Groß Orsichau prior to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Ute Brandenburg with German Scripts Exports reviewed the Orzechowo Catholic Parish Registers.  The Catholic Parish registers revealed a previously unknown family member, Elisabeth Bukowski, the first born daughter of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski.

Elisabeth Bukowski - 1886 Baptism

The baptism for Elisabeth Bukowski was recorded in the Katholische Kirche Groß Orischau (Kr Briesen) records. The German translation to English provided by German Script Experts:

Record 30
Born in Orzechowo on 14 September 1886, and baptized on 16 September: Elisabeth, daughter
of Vincent Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatko [sic]. Sponsors: Andreas Ziołkowski and Catharzyna
Rogocka. 
The officiant was Pastor Kiedrowski.

Elisabeth Bukowski - 1886 Burial

The death for Elisabeth Bukowski was recorded in the  Katholische Kirche Groß Orischau (Kr Briesen) records.

Elisabeth Bukowski Burial Record 
27 October 1886
Orzechowo, Poland

The German translation to English provided by German Script Experts:

Record 23
Elizabeth Bukowski, age one month and 14 days, died on 24 October 1886 and was buried on 27
October in Orzechowo. The parents are Vincent Bukowski and his wife Franciska née
Kwiatkowska. 
Officiant: Kiedrowski.

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Group

With the addition of Elisabeth Bukowski there are twelve recorded children born to Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski:

1. Elisabeth Bukowski b. 14 September 1886 in Orzechowo, Poland
2. Männlichen Bukowski b. 19 January 1888 in Ryńsk, Poland
3. Teo Fila Bukowski b. 26 March 1889 in Ryńsk, Poland 
4. Catherine M. Bukowski b. 23 November 1891 in Poland
5. William F. Bukowski b. 14 September 1894 in Poland
6. John Frank Bukowski b. 7 December 1897 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
7. Gustave Joseph Bukowski b. 11 February 1899 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
8. Helen Tillie Bukowski b. 13 June 1901 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
9. Clara Tillie Bukowski b. 31 August 1903 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
10. Joseph R. Bukowski b. 4 July 1906 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
11. Josefa Bukowski b. 29 July 1908 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
12. Edward Bukowski b. 3 February 1911 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania

With the addition of these records for Elisabeth Bukowski - the two additional children that Franciska noted in the 1900 and 1910 United States Federal Census are now known.

In the 1900 United States Federal Census Franciska indicated she was the mother of seven children and five children were living. Five children were recorded in the household - Teo Fila, Catherine, William, John and Gustave.

In the 1910 United States Federal Census Franciska indicated she was the mother of eleven children and eight children were living. The eight living children in 1910 include:  Teo Fila, Catherine, William, John, Gustave, Helen, Clara and Joseph.

Of the twelve children born to Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski eight lived to adulthood.

Orzechowo, Poland

Orzechowo, Poland is approximately 3.4 km or about 2.2 miles south of Ryńsk. The family most likely moved between villages for work. The death record for Männlichen Bukowski indicated that Vincent was a farmhand. It is plausible that Vincent was working as a farmhand on an estate farm and moved between villages to work on different farms.

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Timeline

The death record for Männlichen Bukowski and the birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski both record Vincent working as a farmhand. The families movements in Poland are noted below.

• About 1886 Poland - Marriage of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 14 September 1886 through 27 October 1886 Vincent and Franciska are living in Orzechowo, Poland as recorded in the birth and death records for Elisabeth Bukowski. 
• 19 January 1888 through 2 April 1889 the family is living in Ryńsk, Poland as recorded in death record for Männlichen Bukowski and birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski. 
• 23 November 1891 the family was living in Poland - birth of Catherine M. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 14 September 1894 the family was living in Poland - birth of William F. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 1895 Antwerp, Belgium - Port of Departure 
• 1 May 1895 New York, New York - Port of Arrival - Ellis Island 

Elisabeth Bukowski would have been my 2nd great aunt. She was 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. Poland, Bydgoszcz, Orzechowo (Wąbrzeźno) - Church records: Taufen 1876-1890 -- Heiraten 1877-1890 -- Tote 1876-1890, Katholische Kirche Groß Orischau (Kr Briesen) , Salt Lake City, Utah : Gefilmt durch The Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. Film No. 1569299 Items 4-6, Baptismal Record 30.
5. Poland, Bydgoszcz, Orzechowo (Wąbrzeźno) - Church records: Taufen 1876-1890 -- Heiraten 1877-1890 -- Tote 1876-1890, Katholische Kirche Groß Orischau (Kr Briesen) , Salt Lake City, Utah : Gefilmt durch The Genealogical Society of Utah, 1988. Film No. 1569299 Items 4-6, Burial Record 23.

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Baptismal Record

This is the third 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.

Other Posts in the Series:
9 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Location Identified
22 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Männlichen Bukowski

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Baptismal Record

The first Polish records located for the Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski family were included in a vital records data base - Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 housed at Ancestry.

The vital records database indicated the family was living in Ryńsk, Poland. The next step in the research process was to determine if Catholic Parish registers were available for Ryńsk, Poland. The Catholic Parish registers would record family milestones including baptisms, marriages and deaths.

There are Catholic Parish registers from Ryńsk, Poland housed in the collections at The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. These records can be accessed by visiting the The Family History Library or one of the affiliate libraries.

The church records available for Poland, Bydgoszcz, Ryńsk (Wąbrzez'no) include:

• Film 72645, DGS 7949212: Baptisms from 1677-1828, Marriages from 1773-1874, Deaths from 1774-1849
• Film 531411, DGS 4004202: Baptisms from 1829-1867, Deaths from 1850-1875
• Film 1569299 Items 7-10, DGS 8021410: Baptisms from 1875-1890 (duplicates), Baptisms from 1875-1890, Marriages from 1876-1890 and Deaths from 1876-1883
• Film 1569300 Item 1, DGS 8119410: Deaths 1883-1890
• Film 161913, DGS 7946041: Baptisms from 1677-1789, 1792-1828, Marriages from 1773-1788, 1794-1875, Deaths from 1773-1775, 1779-1849

It should be noted that this area was associated with Germany, Preußen, Westpreußen, Rheinsberg (Kr. Briesen) prior to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

The films that align with the dates that Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski were living in Ryńsk are shown in bold above. To assist with this phase of the searching - I engaged Ute Brandenburg with German Script Experts. She reviewed the Ryńsk films and located the baptismal record for Teo Fila Bukowski.

Teo Fila Bukowski Baptismal Record

The original record as recorded in Latin:

Jahr: 1889
No. 17
Locus Nativitatis: Ryńsk
Noman: Teofila
Nomen et cognomen, patris (infantis legimimi): Vincent Bukowski, legitimate birth
Nomen et cognomen, matris: Franciska Kwiatkowski
Dies, nativitatis: 31 Martii
Dies, baptismimart: 7 Aprilis
patrinorum, Nomen et cognomen: Josef Strzelecki and Rozalia Bornicha

The Latin translation provided by German Script Experts:

Year: 1889
No. 19
Place of Birth: Ryńsk
Name: Teofila
Name and Surname, Father (legitimate birth): Vincent Bukowski
Name and Surname, Mother: Franciska Kwiatkowski
Birth: 31 March
Baptism: 7 April
Sponsor Name and Surname: Josef Strzelecki and Rozalia Bornicha. 

The baptism of Teo Fila Bukowski most likely occurred at the Kościół p w. św. Wawrzyńca or Church of St. Lawrence in Ryńsk, Poland.  The text below is from monuments section the website Ryńsk Commune website:

4. The parish church in Rynsk 

The Gothic-Renaissance parish church in Rynsk dedicated to Saint Lawrence, built of field stone, was built in the first half of the 14th century. The church body founded on a square plan was rebuilt in 1608 from the funds of the Fabian Plemięcki foundation. The decorative tower added at that time gave the temple a Gothic-Renaissance character. In 1648 at the expense of Jan Działyński, the then Chełmno voivode, the church was renovated again. The eighteenth-century interior decor prevails in the temple. These are: the Renaissance pulpit, benches with early Renaissance woodcarving decorations, the baroque right side altar made of black marble in 1645, the early Baroque main altar from the mid-seventeenth century with the later eighteenth-century sculptures of St. Stanislaus and St. Wojciech and the painting - "Martyrdom of St. Wawrzyniec ”from the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. Noteworthy is also a stone baroque baptismal font from the mid-seventeenth century, a baroque sculpture of the Risen Christ, a granite medieval stoup and nineteenth-century organs. Of the goldsmith's art, the most valuable are: a Renaissance tower monstrance and a chalice from the 17th century, a reliquary from 1749 and a 15th-century Gothic bell. The building was entered in the register of monuments on July 13, 1936.

Kościół p w. św. Wawrzyńca, Church of St. Lawrence
Rynsk, Poland

It should be noted that Ryńsk has a second church that was constructed in 1889. The church was originally constructed as an Evangelical Church for German settlers to the area. Today this church is a Catholic Church, Kościół Rzymskokatolicki pw. Najświętszego Pana Jezusa, Mikołaja Ryńskiego, 87-213 Ryńsk, Poland, Roman Catholic Church Of the Holy Lord Jesus. The text below is from monuments section the website Ryńsk Commune website:

5. Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

 The Evangelical (currently Catholic) church in Rynsk dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was erected at the beginning of the 20th century for German settlers who settled in these areas in large numbers. It has neo-Gothic forms, from the facade there is a tower topped with a steep roof and a high turret. The spans of the aisles are covered with transverse roofs, while the neo-Gothic body was built of brick on a stone pedestal. The gable roof over the body with the presbytery is covered with tiles. The church has nineteenth-century interior furnishings and nineteenth-century organs in a neo-Gothic external setting. The church was entered into the register of monuments on May 24, 2013.

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Timeline

The death record for Männlichen Bukowski and the birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski both record Vincent working as a farmhand. The families movements in Poland are noted below.

• About 1886 Poland - Marriage of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 19 January 1888 through 2 April 1889 the family is living in Ryńsk, Poland as recorded in death record for Männlichen Bukowski and birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski. 
• 23 November 1891 the family was living in Poland - birth of Catherine M. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 14 September 1894 the family was living in Poland - birth of William F. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 1895 Antwerp, Belgium - Port of Departure 
• 1 May 1895 New York, New York - Port of Arrival - Ellis Island 

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Group

There are eleven recorded children born to Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski:

1. Männlichen Bukowski b. 19 January 1888 in Ryńsk, Poland
2. Teo Fila Bukowski b. 26 March 1889 in Ryńsk, Poland 
3. Catherine M. Bukowski b. 23 November 1891 in Poland
4. William F. Bukowski b. 14 September 1894 in Poland
5. John Frank Bukowski b. 7 December 1897 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
6. Gustave Joseph Bukowski b. 11 February 1899 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
7. Helen Tillie Bukowski b. 13 June 1901 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
8. Clara Tillie Bukowski b. 31 August 1903 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
9. Joseph R. Bukowski b. 4 July 1906 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
10. Josefa Bukowski b. 29 July 1908 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
11. Edward Bukowski b. 3 February 1911 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Continuing the Search - Next Steps

The Ryńsk Catholic Parish registers only include baptisms through 1890 - as a result the baptismal records for Catherine M. Bukowski and William F. Bukowski were not located - as these children were born after 1890.

The Ryńsk Catholic Parish Registers also did not include a marriage record Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski.

The next step will be to determine if there are Catholic Parish registers available for the other Polish locations previously associated with the the family - Pluskowęsy, Wąbrzeźno and Orzechowo, Wąbrzeźno. The intent would to locate the marriage record for Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski.

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. Ancestry.com. Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. 
2. 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.
3. Poland, Bydgoszcz, Ryńsk (Wąbrzez'no) - Church records: Taufen 1875-1890 (Duplikate) Taufen 1875-1890 Heiraten 1876-1890 Tote 1876-1883, Katholische Kirche Rheinsberg (Kr. Briesen), Salt Lake City, Utah : Gefilmt durch The Genealogical Society of Utah, 1950, 1954, 1968, 1988. Film No. 1569299 Items 7-10, Record 19.

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Männlichen Bukowski

This is the second 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.

Other Posts in the Series:
9 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Teo Fila Bukowski Birth Location Identified
22 February 2020: Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Männlichen Bukowski

Bukowski & Kwiatkowski Research Update: Männlichen Bukowski

The first Polish record located for the family of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski was the birth registration record of their daughter Teo Fila Bukowski. The record was located in the Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 database housed at Ancestry.

The database also included the death record of a son born to Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski. The name on the record is Männlichen Bukowski which translates to a male child.

Infant Boy Bukowski Death Record 
20 Jan 1888
Ryńsk, Poland

The original record as recorded in German:

Nr. 4
Ryńsk am 20ten Januar 1888
Vor dem unterzeichneten Standesbeamten erschien heute, der Persönlichkeit nach bekannt, der Knecht Vincent Bukowski wohnhaft zu Ryńsk, und zeigte an, daß seine Ehefrau Franziska Bukowski geborne Kwiatkowska, katholischer Religion, wohnhaft zu Ryńsk bei dem Anzeigenden, am neunzehnten Januar des Jahres Tausend achthundert und acht und achtzig Vormittags zwoelf Uhr von einem Kinde, welches todt war, männlichen Geschlechts, entbunden worden ist. 17 Druckworte gestrichen.

Vorgelesen, genehmigt und wegen Schreibensunkunde von dem Anzeigenden unterkreuzt. 
+++ Handzeichen des Vincent Bukowski

Der Standesbeamte [signature] 

Zu No. 4 
Nebenstehende Anzeige wird dahin ergänzt, daß die Eltern des todtgeborenen Kindes beide katholischer Religion sind. 

Der Standesbeamte 
In Vertretung 
Kubitza

The German translation provided by German Script Experts:

No. 4
Ryńsk, January 20th 1888

Before the undersigned civil registrar appeared today, personally known, Vincent Bukowksi, a farmhand residing in Ryńsk, and reported that Franziska Bukowska née Kwiatkowska, his wife, of Catholic faith, residing with him in Ryńsk, had given birth to a male child on 19 January 1888 at 12 o’clock at noon, and that the child was stillborn. 17 preprinted words crossed out.

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

The civil registrar
[signature]

Addendum to no. 4
This record is amended to include the information that both parents of the stillborn child are of Catholic faith.

The civil registrar
Deputy Kubitza

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Group

With the addition of Männlichen or infant boy Bukowski there are eleven recorded children born to Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski:

1. Männlichen Bukowski b. 19 January 1888 in Ryńsk, Poland
2. Teo Fila Bukowski b. 26 March 1889 in Ryńsk, Poland 
3. Catherine M. Bukowski b. 23 November 1891 in Poland
4. William F. Bukowski b. 14 September 1894 in Poland
5. John Frank Bukowski b. 7 December 1897 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
6. Gustave Joseph Bukowski b. 11 February 1899 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
7. Helen Tillie Bukowski b. 13 June 1901 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
8. Clara Tillie Bukowski b. 31 August 1903 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
9. Joseph R. Bukowski b. 4 July 1906 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
10. Josefa Bukowski b. 29 July 1908 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
11. Edward Bukowski b. 3 February 1911 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Franciska did leave clues that she was the mother of two additional children.

In the 1900 United States Federal Census Franciska indicated she was the mother of seven children and five children were living. Five children were recorded in the household - Teo Fila, Catherine, William, John and Gustave.

In the 1910 United States Federal Census Franciska indicated she was the mother of eleven children and eight children were living. The eight living children in 1910 include:  Teo Fila, Catherine, William, John, Gustave, Helen, Clara and Joseph.

Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski Family Timeline

The death record for Männlichen Bukowski and the birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski both record Vincent working as a farmhand. The families movements in Poland are noted below.

• About 1886 Poland - Marriage of Vincinety Frank Bukowski and Franciska Kwiatkowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 19 January 1888 through 2 April 1889 the family is living in Ryńsk, Poland as recorded in death record for Männlichen Bukowski and birth record for Teo Fila Bukowski. 
• 23 November 1891 the family was living in Poland - birth of Catherine M. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 14 September 1894 the family was living in Poland - birth of William F. Bukowski - exact location is currently not known.
• 1895 Antwerp, Belgium - Port of Departure 
• 1 May 1895 New York, New York - Port of Arrival - Ellis Island 

The unknown child would have been my 2nd great uncle. He was the brother of my great-grandmother Helen Tillie Bukowski. Helen's son Arthur Murosky is my paternal grandfather.

References:

1. Ancestry.com. Eastern Prussian Provinces, Germany [Poland], Selected Civil Vitals, 1874-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. 
2. 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 
3. 1900 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, Ward 2, 1900 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent 1.
4. 1910 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania, Erie, Erie, 2nd Ward, 1910 United States Federal Census Schedule; Online Images, Record for Bukowski, Vincent. 

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.