Monday, February 26, 2018

Mom's WW2 Stories: Gustloff and Narrow Escape

In the previous Mom's WW2 Story the German ship Wilhelm Gustloff was mentioned. It served as a cruise ship at its very beginning, then was turned into a hospital ship. Later, Gustloff stayed in the war port of Gdynia and was just a floating barracks for the Nazi army men.

Mom lived with her sister and mother in the war port neighborhood. When the Russian army was getting close to Gdynia, grandma (who was a civilian war port worker) and her children were ordered to appear in the war port to be boarded on Gustloff. Neither grandmother nor the kids wanted to leave their home, but they were not asked what they wishes were. It was a Nazi order so a "no, I don't want to" was not an option. On a cold winter day, they went to the square near the local Nazi army barracks - mom and her sister with their little backpacks (made by grandma) on their backs, their mother carried a small piece of luggage.

When they arrived at the designated place, it was packed with people. Some called the names of their relatives who had got lost in the crowd, children cried. It was all scary and messy - chaotic loads of people who were waiting to be boarded on the ship (which was supposed to happen at 10 PM). Mom, her sister, and grandma kept close together, they talked to each other in Polish that they wanted to go back to their house. A young Wehrmacht soldier who was standing nearby heard them talk. He understood what the two Polish girls and their mother were saying as he was Silesian.

To your knowledge: Silesia is a region in the south of Poland. During WW2 many Silesian families, because of different reasons, signed the so-called "Volks list" and as a result of that, their men were drafted into the Nazi army.

The Silesian got the girls and their mother out of the crowd and led them to the German bomb shelter which was not far from that gathering place. In one of the shelter rooms, there were two big stacks of hay. The soldier helped the three fugitives hide in one of the stacks, covered them with hay, and left. Mom and her family sat in their hiding quietly not being sure what would happen. Some time passed, and they could hear two Nazi soldiers came to the room. They were looking for any civilians who would be possibly trying to hide there. Our three 'girls' were horrified. It did not last long and (to mom and her keens' surprise) a young couple was found in the other haystack. In the meantime, the other soldier was kicking mom's family stack of hay with his boot. Suddenly mom felt severe pain - she got a strong kick in her leg. The little girl was about to scream but luckily, grandma covered mom's mouth with her hand instantly. The three ones were frightened and mom thought their end was about to come. But nothing happened. The young couple were taken away by the soldiers and all got quiet again.

The Nazi man must have felt he kicked something or (very likely) somebody, but he said nothing. Was it the Silesian man? Mom does not know as she could only hear what was going on but saw nothing. My guess is, that was the man, otherwise, he would have checked what under the hay was. But he did not and said: "There is nobody here".

Mom cannot recall how long they sat in the haystack but finally, with the help of the Silesian man they managed to get back to their house. There were some neighborhood people as well, and they all, including the Silesian man, hid in the cellar of the house. The people were afraid of Russian soldiers - the stories of what they had done, especially to women and girls, reached the area before the Russian army managed to get there. Grandma advised the Silesian man to change and put on some civilian clothes. Unfortunately, he did not manage to do that as there was simply not enough time. The Russian soldiers came very soon. Those army men told everybody to get out of the cellar and line up in front of the building. When mom, her sister, and the neighborhood people were all standing there, suddenly a young Russian soldier aged about 18 arrived riding a horse. He got off the horse and shot the Silesian man. Mom remembers that the people who were there wanted to lynch the shooter, but nobody could do anything. The Russian guy was the one who had a gun. And the latter one got back on his horse and rode away. The Silesian had a wife and a baby boy back home in Silesia.

If the Silesian man had not saved mom, her sister, and mother, most probably they all would have drowned when Gustloff was sunk by the Soviet army submarine S-13.

After some time, when mom and family were back in their flat, two Russian soldiers knocked on the door. They searched the place looking for gold. Mom still remembers such a picture: one of the soldiers placed himself with his back against the room door frame. He was moving his back left and right and at the same time loads of lice and fleas were falling down on the floor. Anyway, the soldiers took everything which was of the golden color, including furniture knobs, and pieces of a coffee set made of China (they chopped off the golden coffee pitcher handle and a decorative ball which was at the pitcher lid top). Fortunately, grandma had sewn her rings into one of her petticoats so the soldiers did not find any real gold at home. However, the army men fancied the piano which belonged to mom's family. One of the soldiers sat on the upper part of the instrument and banged the keys with his boots which he enjoyed very much. So they decided to take the piano. Since the instrument was too big to push it through the flat door, they came to an idea that one of them would throw it down from the balcony (the apartment was on the first floor = second according to American standards), and the other one would go downstairs and catch the load. Needless to say, the soldier who was on the street did not catch the piano. The instrument crashed into pieces when it landed on the ground. I guess those men had not expected that? Anyway, there was no piano anymore, and they left without it.

Soon the war ended. What happened to mom and her family later? I will tell you in March.


The photograph was taken before the war in Hel (Hel Peninsula) where the family used to live. Shortly before the war started, grandpa was transferred to a military unit in Gdynia so mom, and they all moved there as well.

The photo: our family (and their friends) are going to the beach. At that time, it was customary for children to wear pajamas when going to the beach. Mom is the little one in the first row.

UPDATE

While visitingthe WW2 museum in Gdansk, Poland, we came across the bell.




More
Mom's WW2 Stories

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Jurita Elizabeth Ledbetter McIntosh

Creating this post has taken a lot of time and a lot of research.

When I was looking for some traces of our ancestors in Texas, I came across the information about Ledbetter - a town in Fayette County, TX. I do not know whether the place had anything to do with our Ledbetter family line and the relatives who moved from Georgia to Texas.

Our direct ancestor is Jurita Elizabeth Ledbetter who was born on June 22, 1857, in Georgia. Her father was (?) Charles Ledbetter born circa 1833 in Forsyth, Monroe County, Georgia. He is quite an enigmatic persona - so far I have neither found anything on his parents nor siblings.

Jurita's mom was Hannah E Hagood, born in 1839 in Georgia.

On Oct. 13, 1853, in the county where he was born, Charles Leadbetter married Miss Hanna E. Hagood. Here is a copy of their marriage record.


Georgia Marriages, 1808-1967
Name: Charles Leadbetter
Spouse's Name: Hannah E. Hagood
Event Date: 13 Oct 1853
Event Place: Forsyth, Georgia
Record Source:
"Georgia Marriages, 1808-1967," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FW3T-ZZ7 : 11 February 2018), Charles Leadbetter and Hannah E. Hagood, 13 Oct 1853; citing Forsyth, Georgia; FHL microfilm 329,927.

Since the document does not include any personal data (such as dates of birth or parents' names regarding both the bride and spouse) it seems to be more a guess than a proof of the marriage. Anyway, comparing the data available on MyHeritage, I figured out that Hanna's parents were Mr. Lemuel Davis Hagood (Haygood) and Ms. Mary Holbrook (Holbrooke).

I found no Census info on Hanna and Charles Ledbetter living together. It is all very unclear also because according to the data on MyHeritage Charles married Martha Ann Wallace nee Jefferson on August 31, 1865, in Forsyth, Georgia. If Hanna was his first wife, she must have died (?) before 1865 then.

Apparently, Charles, Martha, and their children moved to Texas by 1870.

The Census of 1870* shows that Charles (36) and Martha (30) lived in Precinct No. 4 of Hill County in Texas. The children who lived with them were:
Taylor (15), Cicero (14), John J (13), Lizzie (11), Ardelia (9), Mary A (3), Sarah (1).

And now things get complicated. Taylor and Cicero could be Charles and Hannah's children from the first marriage. Charles' second wife Mary Ann was previously married to Mr. Martin Luther Wallace who died in 1862. John J (John Jefferson) born 1857, Lizzie (Sylvia Elizabeth) born 1858 and Ardelia born in 1861 would be Mary Ann's children from her first marriage. If that is so, where is 'our' Lizzie, meaning Jurita Elizabeth? Was she raised by Hannah's relations after her departure? Or maybe Charles and Hannah were not Jurita's parents at all? Well, it is all very confusing. The first option - Jurita was taken care of by relatives - could have happened. Who knows.

At the age of 18, Jurita Elizabeth got married. Her spouse was William Daniel McIntosh, born on October 3, 1853, in Georgia to George William McIntosh Sr. and Elizabeth Ann Ballard. The young couple tightened the knot on October 6, 1875, in Upshur, TX.

Two years later, in 1877, William and Jurita's first son was born. The baby was called William Sylvester.

In 1879, on the 24th day of September, William's brother, little baby John was born.

The census records from 1880** tell that William, Jurita (Lizzie), and their two sons William Sylvester and John lived at Precinct No. 1 of Franklin County in TX. William was a farmer then.
An interesting thing is the very same census paper tells that William's father John lived with them as well. William Daniel's biological father George William McIntosh died in 1858. William's mother Elizabeth Ann remarried later and her second husband was John F McIntosh. I do not know anything about him (besides what the census says - he was born circa 1820 and his parents were from Scotland). Elizabeth Ann died circa 1880. It seems that after her death, John F moved to William and Jurita's place. According to the census of 1880, John was a farm laborer. Possibly, he helped William with the farm work.

William Daniel and Lizzie McIntosh had six more children:

George Oscar - born on February 9, 1881, in Wood, TX;

Louella Joyce - born on February 24, 1884, in Mt. Vernon, TX;

Hubert Dee - born in Texas on April 6, 1887;

Samuel Hollie - born on July 8, 1888, in Gilmer, James, TX;

Amanda Viola - born on July 13, 1891, in Upshur, TX, and

Maudie V - born in July 1892.

Jurita's husband must have died by the 1900 Census*** as the records from that time inform that Jurita, age 43, was a widow and a farmer. She lived on her own with five children: Oscar (19), Lula (16), Hubert (14), Samuel (12), and Maudie V (8).  But where was Amanda then?

Very likely, Jurita Elizabeth remarried later but I found no trace of that. On her son's (Samuel Hollie's) death certificate her maiden name was recorded as 'Gordon' which obviously was not correct. However, maybe it was her second husband's name? Another question mark here.

As for Jurita and William's children:

I have not found out who William Sylvester's wife was. However, he had a son Sylvester (born Oct. 8, 1911, died June 5, 1975). Sylvester Sr. had two sons - Sylwester Jr. and Dewane.
---
George Oscar McIntosh married Miss Alice Florence McQueen (born on July 28, 1891). They had seven children  - daughters: Roberta (June 15, 1915-June 19, 1922), Arlie Fay (b. circa 1922), Archie Ray (Jan. 16, 1922-Dec.30, 1966), Mozelle (b. circa 1927), and sons: William Marshall (Dec. 21, 1912-July 21, 1968), Clarence Allen (Oct. 22, 1916-Nov. 4, 1983), and Buford (b. circa 1925).

Oscar was a farmer, his eyes and hair were black. WWI draft registration reecord shows aslo that in 1918 George Oscar and his wife Alice lived at 1 Route in Ashland, Upshur, TX.



Serial Number: 2693 Order Number: 3886
Name: George Oscar McIntosh
Permanent Home Address:1 Rte, Ashland, Harrison County, Texas.
Age in Years: 37
Date of Birth: Feb. 9, 1881

US Citizen - Native Born: Yes
Nearest Relative: Alice Florence McIntosh, Adress: 1 Rte, Ashland, Harrison County, Texas.
Registrar's Report: 42-2-17-C
Description of Registrant
Height: Medium, Build: Medium, Color of Eyes: Black, Color of Hair: Black
Signed by: Ino H Chadd
Date of Registration: Sept. 12/1918 

Record Source:
"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX6-DML : 13 March 2018), George Oscar Mcintosh, 1917-1918; citing Harrison County, Texas, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,953,526.
 
Later, they moved to James, Harrison, Texas (WWII draft registration, 1942).


Registration Card W
Serial Number:
U 1593
Name: George Oscar McIntosh
Place of Residence: R.F.D. H2, James, Harrison County, Texas
Mailing Address: Same
Age in Years: 61
Date of Birth: Feb 9 1881
Place of Birth: Franklin, Texas
Name And Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mrs. G.O. McIntosh, James,Texas
Employer's Name And Address: Farmer
Place of Employment or Business:James, Harriso, Texas
Signature: George Oscar McIntosh


Record Source:
"United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XP53-F53 : 6 November 2017), George Oscar Mcintosh, 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).


George Oscar died in Gilmer, Upshur Co., TX on May 19, 1962. His wife passed on April 29, 1981. They were both buried at Smyrna Cemetery in Harleton, Harrison County, TX.
----------
Louella Joyce McIntosh married James Bates Trotter in 1901. Her spouse was born in Bohnam, Fannin Co., TX to Mr. James B Trotter and Ms Sarah B Marshall.

Louella and James lived in Winnsboro, Wood Co., TX. The couple had four children: Lennes Walton (1902-1995), Vergil Reid (June 1, 1909, Perryville, Wood, Texas - 1928), Ola Bell (Feb. 10, 1913,
 Winnsboro, Wood, Texas - 2010, Paris, Lamar, Texas), and Thelma Elisabeth (Jan. 12, 1919,
 Quitman, Wood, Texas - Dec. 22, 2009, Longview, Gregg, TX). Louella Joyce passed on March 17, 1995, in Longview, TX).

James, Louella and their son Vergil are buried at Smyrna Cemetery in Winnsboro, Wood County, Texas
---
On Nov. 16, 1911, in Harrison, TX, Hubert D McIntosh married 16-year-old Fannie Bell Anderson (b. 1895). They had seven children: Travis Orel (Oct. 18, 1914, in Ashland, Harrison, TX - Nov. 5, 2002, LA),  son J D who was born and died in 1916, Evie May (Dec. 10, 1917 - October 24, 1926, Harleton, TX), son (stillborn on Feb. 28, 1922), daughter (1922), Ena Elizabeth (June 23, 1924, Harleton, TX), Hazel Marie (Jan. 6, 1927 - 1995 Marshall, Harrison Co., TX).

According to the Census of 1920, Hubert Dee and his wife Fannie lived at Justice Precinct No. 16 in Harrison, TX. In 1935 and later (Census 1940), Hubert, Fannie and their daughter Hazel Marie lived at Chapel Hill Road, Harleton, Justcice Precinct 6, Harrison, Texas.

Hubert D McIntosh died on October 23, 1962. His wife departed on March 2, 1953. They are both burried at Smyrna Cemetery, Harleton in Harrison County.
-----
Samuel Hollie McIntosh married about the age of 20/21. His bride was Miss Ethel B Lollar (born on April 19, 1895, in Bowie, TX). She was a daughter of Mr. James Lollar and Ms. Emma Pierce. In 1900 the in-laws lived at ED 10 Commissioner's Precinct 3 (south of T.& P. R.R.), Bowie, Texas. Later they moved to Justice Precinct 1, TX.

Samuel worked as a farm laborer. He and Ethel had twelve surviving children, ten daughters, and two sons: Opal Orreon (Feb. 5, 1911, Harrison, TX - Jan. 4, 1942, Marshall, TX), Lura Naomia (Jan. 3,1913, Harleton, TX - Nov. 29, 1978),  Cora Bell (Dec. 18, 1914, Harrison, TX - July 25, 1982, Dallas, TX), Samuel Vernon (Dec. 4, 1916 - Nov. 13, 1966, LA),  Bessie Hazel (Nov. 22, 1919 - Nov. 5, 1998, Mesquite, Dallas, TX ), Lou Dean (Jan 23, 1922 - Jan. 21, 1992, Gregg, TX), Ruthie Lee (Oct. 18, 1924-July 1, 1974, Jefferson, TX), Etta Pauline (Sept. 27, 1925 - July 1, 1979), Winona Ollie (June 12,1929, Upshur, TX - July 7, 1997, Garland, TX), Joyce Alma (April, 18, 1931 - Nov. 24, 2015, Dallas, Collin, TX), Betty Jean (April 18, 193, Marshall, TX - Sept. 15, 1988, Dallas, TX), Arthur Hollie (Sept. 22, 1933 - Feb. 10, 1991, Kaufman, TX).



WWI registration draft tells that Samuel Hollie had brown eyes and black hair. He was also a man of bad health. In 1918, the family lived in Ashford, TX. They all moved later. In 1940, during the Census they lived at Chapel Hill Road, Harleton, J. Precinct 6 in Harrison, Texas.

Form I 277 Registration Card 656 No. 5
Name: Samuel Hollie McIntosh
Age in Years: 28
Home Address:Ashland, Texas. Date of Birth: July 8, 1888
Are you natural born citizen? Natural born
Where were you born? Gilmer, Texas, USA
What is your present trade, occupation? Farming
By whom employed? No one
Have you a father, mother, child under 12, or a sister brother under 12 who dependent on you for support? wife , four children
Married or single: married
Registrar's Report: 42-2-27-A
Are you tall, medium or short? medium Color of eyes? black Color of hair: black Bald? no
Has person lost arm, leg, hand or both eyes or is he otherwise disabled? Bad health
Signed by: F M Wood
Precinct7
City or County: Harrison
State: Texas Date: June 5


Record Source:
"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-RQ9 : 13 March 2018), Samuel Hallie Mcintosh, 1917-1918; citing Marion County, Texas, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,983,387.


Samuel Hollie passed on June 15, 1970 in Terrell, Kaufman County, TX. His wife Ethel ended her life journey years earlier. She died on July 5, 1954, in Sanatorium in Tom Green, TX. They are buried at the same cemetery in Harleton where Sam's siblings' graves are.
---
Amanda Viola McIntosh married Mr. John Marion Fried, son of Daniel Fried and Melissia Melvina Allen's. John was two years older than Amanda, he was born on Sept. 30, 1888, in Winnsboro, TX. Amanda's husband was a man of medium height and medium built. He had blue eyes and black hair. John was a farmer (see the document below). The couple had three children all born in Harleton, Harrison Co., TX: Cecil C (July 22, 1910 - Sept. 11. 1968, Grand Prairie, Tarrant Co., TX), Venis Elizabeth (March 13, 1914 - August 6, 2007, LA), and Vessie Fay (Sept. 12, 1919 - Feb. 19, 1989, Longview, Gregg, TX).

In 1917, John, Amanda and their two children lived at R F D No. 2 in Ashland, TX (WWI draft registration record).



Form I 2904 Registration Card 656 No. 28
Name: John Marion Fried
Age in Years: 28
Home Address: R.F.D. No. 2, Ashland, Texas. Date of Birth: September 30, 1888
Are you natural born citizen? Natural born citizen
Where were you born? Winsboro, Texas, US

What is your present trade, occupation? Farming
By whom employed? Myself
Where Employed: Ashland, Texas

Have you a father, mother, child under 12, or a sister brother under 12 who dependent on you for support? Wife and two children
Married or single: married
Do you claim exemption from draft? Yes, dependent family
Registrar's Report: 42-2-27-A
Are you tall, medium or short? medium Color of eyes? blue Color of hair: black Bald? no
Has person lost arm, leg, hand or both eyes or is he otherwise disabled? no
Signed by: EJ Mathis
Precinct 16
City or County: Harrison
State: Texas Date: June 5


Record Source:
"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX6-CFT : 13 March 2018), John Marion Fried, 1917-1918; citing Harrison County, Texas, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,953,526.



Amanda Viola was widowed in 1968, her spouse passed at the age of 79, on Feb.13, in Marshall, Harrison Co.. She died when she was 89, on Jan. 21, 1981 in Shreveport, Caddo Co., Louisiana. Her body was buried a week later, she joined her family members who rest at Smyrna Cemetery, TX.

I wish I had photos of Jurita Elizabeth Ledbetter, her husband William Daniel and their children.

UPDATE

I have found out more about Charles Ledbetter, Jurita's father, and his ancestors. 
Thomas Ledbetter II, Charles' great-grandfather (9 generations back) was born in Bramber, West Sussex, England in, 1856. His wife was Mary Jane Hopkins of Botolphs. The couple's son Thomas III and his wife Mary Molissie Thomas + children relocated to Charles City, Bristol Parish, Prince George, Virginia.
More about Charles' (and our direct ancestors) in the diagram below - click to enlarge the view.
 
 


 


Credits:
Photo of gravestone: Mary Cofer,

Information and copies of documents: familysearch.org.

*"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGM-Z8N : 12 April 2016), Charles Ledbetter, Texas, United States; citing p. 14, family 96, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,090.

** "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFNC-RWQ : 15 July 2017), John Mcintosh in household of Wm D Mcintosh, Precinct 1, Franklin, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 32, sheet 403C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1304; FHL microfilm 1,255,304.

*** "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M35V-H5Q : accessed 9 February 2018), Jurita E Mcintosh, Justice Precinct 8, Upshur, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 123, sheet 11A, family 196, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,675.




Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Wywiady Klubowe: Rozmowa z KarolinÄ… DuszkÄ…

Dzisiaj Wywiady powracajÄ… do Szwajcarii, gdzie mieszka Karolina.

Karolino, witaj w Wywiadach!
Powiedz nam, gdzie jest Twoje miejsce w Polsce?

Mam dwa takie miejsca, a raczej miasta. Pierwsze to Kraków, w którym studiowałam i do którego wracam z sentymentem. Drugie to Nowy Sącz, skąd pochodzę.


Jak dawno temu wyjechałaś z Polski?

Nie tak dawno temu, bo w sierpniu 2015 roku.

Kraj i przyczyna Twojej emigracji to...

Wyjechałam do Szwajcarii, do Zurychu. Powodem mojej emigracji były dwie ogromne chęci: chęć rozwijania się i chęć spełniania marzeń.

Czym zajmujesz się na co dzień?

Pracuję w kawiarni na Niederdorf w Zurychu, piszę i dużo się uśmiecham. :-)


Jakie masz hobby / co lubisz robić w czasie wolnym?

Moją największą pasją jest literatura dla dzieci. Zbieram książki z całego świata, a najciekawsze (te z bogatymi artystycznie ilustracjami, bądź o kontrowersyjnych tematach) umieszczam w mojej blogowej Bibliotece na Końcu Świata.

Jestem wielką entuzjastką kawy i wszystkiego, co kryje się pod tym słowem. A kryje się tak wiele! Biała filiżanka z samego rana, szeroka gama nut smakowych, rozmaite tradycje i sposoby podawania kawy na całym świecie, opowieści o dalekich krajach, w których dojrzewają owoce kawowca i miejskie kawiarnie, w których można przesiadywać godzinami. Jest się czym zachwycać.
Uwielbiam tańczyć: lindy hop, charleston, hula. W Polsce tańczyłam również step amerykański. Gram na gitarze i harmonijce (country, folk), śpiewam.
Spaceruję po świecie, obserwuję, fotografuję.
Godzinami przesiadujÄ™ w zuryskich kawiarniach.

Z czego jesteÅ› dumna?

Z mojej Biblioteki na KoÅ„cu Åšwiata i z tego, że przyjechaÅ‚am do Zurychu sama i na wÅ‚asnÄ… rÄ™kÄ™ zaczęłam budować tu życie „od zera". I caÅ‚kiem mi siÄ™ ono podoba.

Kiedy zaczęłaś pisać bloga / o czym piszesz na blogu?

Mój blog ma już swoje lata. Powstał w 2011, kiedy wyjechałam na rok do Finlandii jako au-pair. Spisywałam wtedy na nim swoje wrażenia z pobytu na dalekiej północy. Dziś blog skupia się bardziej w tematyce życia na emigracji. I oczywiście, jest tam też moja Biblioteka na Końcu Świata.


Czym jest dla Ciebie Klub Polki?

JednÄ… wielkÄ… inspiracjÄ….

Co jeszcze chciałabyś nam powiedzieć o sobie?

Tyle o mnie, a Wam życzę dobrego dnia!
KAROLINA DUSZKA

Strony Karoliny: 
Blog: Co ja wyprawiam
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Karolino, dziękujemy za spotkanie. Miło było wypić aromatyczną kawę w twoim towarzystwie. Jeśli będziecie przejazdem w Zurychu, być może spotkacie tam Karolinę w jednej z miejscowych kawiarni...

Zdjęcia: Karolina Duszka



Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Sarah Knox Taylor

Sarah Knox Taylor was the second daughter of our distant but direct relation Zachary Taylor and his wife Margaret Mackall Smith.  It makes Sarah our 5th cousin four times removed*.

Sarah was born on March 6, 1814 in  Petit Rocher/Ft. Knox II, Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana Territory. Her middle name was related to the place where she was born: Fort Knox.

When Sarah was a teenage girl, she fell in love with Mr. Jefferson Davis who was the deputy of her father - commander of the fort where they all lived. The affection was mutual - young Jefferson fell for Sarah as well. Although Sarah's father regarded Mr. Davis as a good officer, he was not very keen on their plans to be together. Mr. Taylor's older daughter Ann Mackall had already been married to an army man (Dr. Robert Crooke Wood) and the father did not want Sarah to marry a soldier as well. Mr. Taylor wanted Sarah to have a peaceful and happy life. Being a wife of an officer meant moving from place to place and life in harsh conditions.


Jefferson Davis was transferred to a different post in St. Louis. However, it did not stop his relationship with Sarah. The young ones stayed in touch via letters. Soon, Jefferson decided to quit his military carrier. He was given some land by his brother in Mississippi and was willing to develop a plantation.

21-year-old Sarah and (six years older) Jefferson got married on 17 June 1835 in Kentucky, at Sarah's aunt's place. Later, the newlyweds went on a trip as they planned to visit Jeff's sister in Louisiana.

Unfortunately, the young couple got seriously ill during their honeymoon - they both contracted malaria. Sadly, Sarah did not make it and died on September 13, 1835. Sarah and Jefferson had only been married for about three months. Sarah's spouse survived and recovered. Young Sarah was buried at the nearby cemetery which is now known as Locust Grove State Historic Site .


Mr. Jefferson Davis remarried ten years later.


Louisiana was an unlucky place for the Taylors' family. Not only Sarah but also two youger sisters of Sarah's - Octavia Pannell (4) and Margaret Smith (1) - died of some feverish illness there in 1920.


You can read more about Sarah's life (including a letter written to her by her fiance Jefferson Davis) here.


Credits:

*information given according to my MyHeritage ancestry research/findings.

1. Picture of Sarah Knox Taylor - See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Picture of Jefferson Davis -  Mathew Brady [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons




Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Andrew Morgan Gant

Andrew Morgan Gant - our 2nd cousin twice removed - was born on March 10, 1872, in Sumner County, Tennessee. He was the fifth child (the third son) of James Abram Gant and Soviah Elizabeth Rippy.

In 1880 the family still lived in Tennessee at District 12, Sumner County (Census records)*.

J Abram Gant
Age 40
Sophia E Gant wife
39
Dona Gant daughter
15
L Lee Gant son
12
M Alice Gant daughter
10
Andrew M Gant son
8
James K Gant son
6
Mary E Gant daughter
6
Wm Sidney Gant son
3
Orlando W Gant son
a few months old

Mr. James Abram Gant was a farmer. The Census paper from the 1880 year informs also that other Gant family members lived in the same area, very close to his farm. It was his three years younger brother William Henry with 36-year-old wife Malinda Frances nee Cline and their children Anne Laura (9), Alonzo Wilson (7) and Herman Franklin (5). Then, the third Gant's farm at District 12 was the one run by Andrew's 22-year-old cousin Joseph Mansfield Gant (son of Jonathan Kerr Gant - James Abram's brother) and his 17-year-old wife Cynthia Henrietta nee Anglea.

A bit farther from Andrew's family's farm, but still at the same 12th District, there were two farms which belonged to two relations as well.

#1 was the farm of Mr. Andrew Jackson Cline (born in 1806) who was Malinda's father. In 1880, he lived there with his wife Mary Cynthia nee Fykes (born in 1815).

Farm # 2 was the one run by Malinda's cousin John William Cline (b. 1838 in TN). His wife was Louisa Elizabeth "Lucy" Riggs. In 1880, they lived on the farm with their 10 children.


What is even more interesting, other families and surnames mentioned on the above page of the 1880 Census records, were also keens of Andrew Morgan Gant's. John W. T. Mattox was related to the Gant family through intermarriages of the Mattox, Gant, and Perdue people. John's wife R. Sophia nee Fykes was not a stranger in the family either. The Fykes surname appears in the family tree - they were related to the Clines. Just to remind you that Malinda Frances Cline was married to Andrew Morgan's father's brother. Anyway, R. Sophia Mattox died in 1885, five years after that Census.

There is more. Family #121 listed on the page: Alexander Dallas Braswell, his wife Elvira Isabell and their six children. Elvira's maiden name was Cline. She was a sister of Malinda Frances. And it is not all! Family #122: John I J Charlton (54), wife Amanda M (48) nee Satterfield, their five children and Amanda's mother Dorcas Satterfield born Thacker (74). The Charltons were related to the Gants and Clines via marriages with the Anglea and the Rippy families. I think it's amazing that they all lived close to each other.

According to the family notes, the closest relations most likely called Andrew Morgan Gant by his middle name as this is how the picture of him was labeled.


The last event in Morgan's immediate family which happened and was recorded in Tennessee was the marriage of his brother Louicillious Lee Gant and Miss Johnetta Isabella Anderson. The ceremony took place in Sumner County, TN on August 26, 1889. Johnetta's parents were Mr. John Austin Anderson and Ms. Sarah Austin.

Morgan's other siblings and parents very likely moved to Texas by 1886 as Martha Alice Gant, Morgan's sister, married Mr. John Edward Dupree in 1890, in Plano, Collin County, Texas. Maybe Morgan stayed in TN with Louicillious and his wife? The first three children of the Loucillious Gants' were born in Tennessee. The fourth one, Gracie, was born in Texas on December 3, 1890. It seems, that by then, they all must have joined the rest of the family who had already lived in Texas.

Anyway, according to my research, Andrew Morgan Gant got married in 1891 in Tennessee. The girl she married was Miss Nannie Ann Gunter, born on April 19, 1877, in Frankenwing Co., TN. If my finds are correct, she was about 14 then (she was 5 years younger than her spouse). Nannie's parents were William Jackson Gunter and Loretta F McCrackin.

In 1891, there was another marriage in the Gant family. Morgan's sister Mary Emma tied the knot with Mr. W. R. Hart of Kentucky. It was on December 16, 1891, in Collin County, TX.

Morgan and Nannie's first child, Claude was born in Plano, Texas on September 2, 1892. Unfortunately, the boy lived about a month only - he died on October 23, 1892. Two years later, the young couple mourned their daughter Teenie who was born on March 7, 1894 (in Plano as well) and left this world on March 24, 1894.

A year later, on August 23, 1895, the second daughter was welcomed to the family. Her name was Georgia Lue.

Very sadly, the fourth child and the second son of Morgan and Nannie's, Oliver Jack, did not survive either. He was born on January 7, 1898, and he lived only 5 months - he passed on June 6, 1898.

In the very same year, there was a happier event in the family - Morgan's younger brother Sidney William (born on Nov. 26, 1876, in TN) married Miss Mollie Ann Massey (born on July 24, 1881, in Macon, Bibb Co., GA). Mollie was a daughter of Hugh Elbert Massey and Arminta Irna Hogan (nee Wilson).

In 1900 another Census** was carried out. At that time, Andrew Morgan and Nannie lived at Justice Precinct 5 (west part) Plano town, Collin, Texas.

Andrew M Gant
age 27 - born Tennessee

Nannie Gant

wife


23

- born Tennessee
Georgia L Gant daughter
5
- born in Texas

The records say that Morgan was a farmer, he rented a farm which was situated close to his father's farm. Studying the information included on the Census page, we can also find out that Morgan's mother Soviah was illiterate.


In 1900, some family members, the Gants' relatives, were recorded in the same Plano area as well. There was Capt. James Kennon Aldridge (born in TN in 1829), his wife Mariah Letitia nee Lively (born in 1843 in KY) and their children. John Kennon's son Joel Lively (born in 1864, in Plano, TX) his wife Lizzie nee Dye (born in 1873 in Plano too) and their 8-year-old daughter Fannie were listed in the Census then as well. Other surnames which we can find on the very same page of the 1900 records and also appear in the family tree are: Fykes, Brent and Rice. However, so far I have not found the connection of those particular individuals to Morgan's family branch.

Around 1900, there was a marriage in the family. Andrew Morgan's youngest brother Walter Orlando was the groom. According to the records, he was the only one who stayed in Tennessee. Maybe because his bride Hattie Jane Anglea was from there as well. Actually, she was the two brothers' distant cousin.

Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950
Name: Walter Gant
Event: Type Marriage
Event Date: 23 Nov 1899
Event Place: Sumner, Tennessee, United States
Gender: Male
Spouse's Name: Hattie Anglea
Spouse's Gender: Female


Record Source:
"Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKH3-C5P9 : 22 December 2016), Walter Gant and Hattie Anglea, 23 Nov 1899; citing Sumner, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 467,487.

A year later, another daughter was born to Andrew and Nannie. They named her Maud Ruth.
The family was growing. The fourth baby girl came to this world on February 20, 1903. It was little Bessie B.

In the very same year, Andrew Morgan lost his mother Soviah. She passed on December 23, 1903. That year Christmas must have been very sad for the family. Soviah Elizabeth Gant was buried at the Municipal Cemetery in Plano.

About four years later, Andrew and his wife celebrated the birth of their youngest girl Elsie May.

In 1910***, Morgan, his wife and children still lived at Justice Precinct 5, Collin, Texas.  

A M Gant
Age 38
Nannie Gant wife
33
Georgia Gant daughter
14 born in Texas
Maud Gant daughter
9 b. in Texas
Bessie Gant daughter
7 b. in Texas
Elsie Gant daughter
3 b. in Texas
Jesse Gunter hired man
22 b. in Texas

The "hired man" was Nannie's brother Jesse Davis (b. Nov. 17, 1887, Texas). Most probably, he worked with Andrew at the farm.

Their closest neighbors were not Morgan's parents. It seems Sidney William and his wife Mollie had taken over the farm which previously belonged to Sidney and Andrew's parents.  The young couple and their five children were the closest neighbors of Andrew and Nannie's.

I am not sure where James Abram, Morgan's father, lived in 1910 as I have found no records regarding the man. Maybe he lived with Andrew Morgan and Nannie.

A year after the Census, Andrew Morgan's family had a really happy Christmas Eve. They celebrated the marriage of Georgia Lue's. Her spouse was Greenberry Mayes born on April 28, 1888, in Morristown, Hamblen, Tennessee. Georgia's in-laws were Andrew Johnson Mayes and Susan Marinda Mathes of Tennessee.

Texas Marriages, 1837-1973
Name: G. B. Mayes
Spouse's Name: Georgia Gant
Event Date: 24 Dec 1911
Event Place: Collin, Texas


Record Source:
"Texas Marriages, 1837-1973," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXSS-VM1 : 11 February 2018), G. B. Mayes and Georgia Gant, 24 Dec 1911; citing Collin, Texas, , reference p 344 cn 214; FHL microfilm 1,289,603. 

Georgia and Greenberry had five children: Nannie Sue (b. Sept. 1912, in Plano - d. March 30,  1913), Helen Ruth (b. Oct. 1, 1913 - d. Feb. 18, 1999), Frederick Ray (b. Nov. 15, 1920 in Murphy, Collin, TX - d. March 14, 1995, Plano, Collin Co.), Bessie Mae (b. Feb. 8, 1923 in Murphy - d. Sept. 22, 1992 in Dallas, TX) and James Lynn (b. Dec. 11, 1931 Murphy - d. July 8, 2009 in Frisco, Denton County, TX).

On April 1, 1914, Andrew's father, James Abram Gant left this world. He was buried in Plano, next to his wife Soviah.


Clipping source:
Logsdon, Ernest. The Plano Star-Courier. (Plano, Tex.), Vol. 25, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 2, 1914, newspaper, April 2, 1914; Plano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth601735/: accessed June 10, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Collin County Genealogical Society.

The 1920 Census**** shows that Andrew and Nannie lived with their daughters and Jesse Gunter at Justice Precinct 5, Collin, Texas.

A Morgan Gant

age 47
Nanny Gant     wife 43
Maude R Gant daughter
19
Bessie Gant daughter
16
Elsie M Gant daughter
13
Jessie Gunter brother-in-law
28

Andrew and his brother Sidney William were no longer neighbors in 1920. Possibly Andrew + family moved (to Murphy?). We can see that different people lived by their place. On the same page of that Census, there is the name of Andrew's sister's (Orpha K.'s) mother-in-law Delia Adeline Starnes. Delia was widowed in 1904 (her husband was Bishop Ellis Starnes of SC). In 1920, she lived with her 77-year-old mother Mrs. Margaret L Merrit. Another relation who lived close to Andrew Morgan then was Delia's son and Orpha's brother-in-law Thomas Dewey Starnes. His wife Rosa Lee Hooper and a year-old daughter Mary E. were also recorded by Census in 1920.

The youngest daughter of Andrew's, Elsie May, got married at the age of 18, on March 4, 1925. Her husband was O'Neal B. Hillin.

Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965
Name: Oneal B Hillin
Titles and Terms: Mr
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 04 Mar 1925
Event Place: Collin, Texas, United States
Gender: Male
Spouse's Name: Elsie Mae Gant
Spouse's Titles and Terms: Miss
Spouse's Gender: Female
Page 331


Record Source:
"Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K61Y-M9H : accessed 22 March 2018), Oneal B Hillin and Elsie Mae Gant, 04 Mar 1925, Marriage; citing Collin, Texas, United States, various county clerk offices, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas Dept. of State Health Services and Golightly-Payne-Coon Co.; FHL microfilm 2,316,241. 

Elsie and Oneal had two children (at least this is what I have found so far) Bobby Oneal (b. 1926) and Nannie E (b. 1935).

Very likely there were three marriages in the family - year after year.

Maud Ruth married Jake Logan Brand of Justice Precinct 3, Dallas, TX (born on August 20, 1901), son of Albert Roscoe Brand and Alabama Elizabeth Sachse's. Maud and Jake had two children Dorothy Sue (b.1927) and Jake Logan Brand Jr. (b. 1939).

Bessie B Gant, another daughter of Andrew's, possibly got married around 1927. Her spouse was Henry Barton Jones (born on Oct. 25, 1901). The couple had three daughters Tommie Lee (b. September 12, 1928, in Murphy - d. Nov. 28, 2013, in Marshall, Harrison County, TX), Bettie Ruth (born Oct. 18, 1936), and Mary Bess (b. on May 20, 1942, in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX).

In 1951, Andrew Morgan's health deteriorated suddenly due to cerebral hemorrhage. He was 79 then. Probably after the stroke, Andrew was (at least) partially disabled/paralyzed.

I do not know who looked after him later. Probably, it was his wife Nannie. It must have been a hit to the wife. I reckon the family tragedy and changed life circumstances were too much of a load to her as she herself had a stroke as well. However, the death certificate states that the reason of that was (untreated?) hypertension. Nannie lived in Murphy then, but she was treated at the City County Hospital in McKinney for two days. Sadly, on October 29, 1952, Nannie Ann passed away. The death certificate was confirmed by Mrs. J L Brand - it was Maude Ruth Brand, Nannie, and Morgan's daughter.

Texas Deths Records
Name: Nannie Ann Gant
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 29 Oct 1952
Event Place: McKinney, Collin, Texas, United States
Gender: Female
Marital: Status Married
Birth Date: 19 Apr 1877
Birthplace: Tennessee
Father's Name: Jack Gunter
Mother's Name: Loretta Mccrackin
Certificate Number: 53248


Record Source:
"Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ZH-GYR : 13 March 2018), Nannie Ann Gant, 29 Oct 1952; citing certificate number 53248, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,701.

The family used the service of Harrington Funeral Home represented by Mr. J O Harrington. Nannie Ann Gant was buried at Plano Mutual Cemetery.

It seems that a few months after Nannie's death, her husband was placed in an institution which was in Dallas County (possibly in Dallas) where he stayed for about 8 months till his death. The address of the place given on death certificate was "Royal Lane Rt. 6, Box 332."

Almost a year later, Andrew Morgan's condition got worse - it was pneumonia which was treated for two days with no positive results. Andrew Morgan Gant passed away on August 25, 1953. He lived 81 years, 4 months and 25 days.

Texas Deaths
Name: Andrew Morgan Gant
Event: Type Death
Event Date: 05 Aug 1953
Event Place: Dallas, Texas, United States
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Birth Date: 10 Mar 1872
Birthplace: Tennessee
Father's Name: Abram Gant
Mother's Name: Savara Rippy
Certificate Number: 40370


Record Source:
"Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K397-N1V : 13 March 2018), Andrew Morgan Gant, 05 Aug 1953; citing certificate number 40370, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,981.

As it was previously, the family member who confirmed the data on the death certificate was Mrs. J L Brand. And again, Harrington Funeral Home took care of Andrew's burial. He rests with his wife at the cemetery in Plano.


As for Andrew Morgan and Nannie Ann's daughters

Georgia Lue Mayes remarried circa 1973. Her second husband was Mr. Leffel Gant, a widower - they lived in Dallas. Georgia was treated at a hospital in Dallas for several weeks due to severe health problems. She died on December 28, 1973, and was buried in Plano (the Harrington Funeral Home mentioned above had turned to Harrington-Betcher-Dickey).



Bessie B passed on Sept. 3, 1975, at her home in Murphy, Rt.2 Box 136 Plano, TX.

Record Source:
"Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K386-86T : 13 March 2018), Bessie B Jones, 03 Sep 1975; citing certificate number 66373, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,243,829.


Maude Ruth died on July 17, 1986, in Dallas, Dallas Co.

Texas Death Index
Name: Maudie Ruth Brand
Gender: Female
Event Date: 17 Jul 1986
County: Dallas
Event Place: Dallas, Texas, United States


Record Source:
"Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVRB-JT5 : 5 December 2014), Maudie Ruth Brand, Dallas, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.


Elsie May died on November 7, 1985, in the city of Dallas, TX.

Texas Deaths
Name: Elsie Mae Hillin
Gender: Female
Event Date: 07 Nov 1985
County: Dallas
Event Place: Dallas, Texas, United States
 

Record Source:
“Texas Death Index, 1964-1998,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVRN-73K : 5 December 2014), Elsie Mae Hillin, Dallas, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.



Credits:
Photos of gravestones: mystic75054
findagrave.com Information and census data: familysearch.org

*  "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDWX-BF8 : 15 July 2017), Sophia E Gant in household of J Abram Gant, District 12, Sumner, Tennessee, United States; citing enumeration district ED 218, sheet 186A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1282; FHL microfilm 1,255,282.

** "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LQ-X57 : accessed 17 January 2018), Sofia E Gant in household of James A Gant, Justice Precinct 5 (west part) Plano town, Collin, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 16, sheet 23B, family 453, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,621.

*** "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2SC-SRF : accessed 17 January 2018), Nannie Gant in household of A M Gant, Justice Precinct 5, Collin, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 21, sheet 2A, family 27, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1540; FHL microfilm 1,375,553.

**** "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCMS-421 : accessed 17 January 2018), Elsie M Gant in household of A Morgan Gant, Justice Precinct 5, Collin, Texas, United States; citing ED 23, sheet 5A, line 33, family 88, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1789; FHL microfilm 1,821,789.



Monday, January 15, 2018

Wywiady Klubowe: Rozmowa z Anną Jędrzejczyk

Witamy wszystkich w Nowym Roku! Cieszymy się, że nas odwiedziliście, by przeczytać kolejny odcinek naszej Klubowej serii.

Witamy się również z Anną, pierwszą uczestniczką Wywiadów Klubu Polki na Obczyźnie w roku 2018.

Anno, gdzie jest Twoje miejsce w Polsce?

UrodziÅ‚am siÄ™ w JaÅ›le, maÅ‚ym mieÅ›cie na Podkarpaciu – tam siÄ™ wychowywaÅ‚am i chodziÅ‚am do szkoÅ‚y. NastÄ™pnie przez 5 lat studiowaÅ‚am w Krakowie, a potem wyjechaÅ‚am do Warszawy. MieszkaÅ‚am tam przez kilka lat, by później wyjechać do Niemiec i po kilku latach powrócić. Obecnie ze wzglÄ™du na studia doktoranckie na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim zasadniczo stacjonujÄ™ w Warszawie, choć nadal czÄ™sto wyjeżdżam. Każde z tych polskich miast w jakiÅ› sposób mnie uksztaÅ‚towaÅ‚o i nie potrafiÄ™ powiedzieć, które z nich jest „moim miejscem” w Polsce. Bardzo dobrze czujÄ™ siÄ™ w Wilanowie w Warszawie oraz na warszawskich Bulwarach WiÅ›lanych, ale nie mogÄ™ powiedzieć, że caÅ‚a Warszawa mi siÄ™ podoba. W Krakowie poleciÅ‚abym Rynek Główny oraz kampus Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego, gdyż sÄ… to miejsca w Krakowie, które wiele dla mnie znaczÄ…. W JaÅ›le natomiast również lubiÄ™ tereny rynku, a to w szczególnoÅ›ci dlatego, że majÄ…c 16-17 lat, Å›piewaÅ‚am tam na scenie. Jak zatem widać – w wymienionych wyżej miastach sÄ… pewne obszary (miejsca), które mogÅ‚abym okreÅ›lić jako „moje”. Rzadko jednak zdarza siÄ™, abym okreÅ›liÅ‚a caÅ‚e miasto jako moje miejsce w Polsce. W wielu miejscach na Å›wiecie dobrze siÄ™ czuÅ‚am i teraz moje serce rozdarte jest pomiÄ™dzy nimi. Podobno nasza ojczyzna jest tam, gdzie nasi przyjaciele. A ja mam przyjaciół rozproszonych po caÅ‚ym Å›wiecie.

Jak dawno temu wyjechałaś z Polski?

Trudno jest mi jednoznacznie odpowiedzieć na to pytanie, gdyż pierwszy raz wyjechaÅ‚am do Niemiec w 2008 roku, a byÅ‚ to wyjazd na praktykÄ™ Erasmusa. Później w ramach współpracy miÄ™dzynarodowej byÅ‚am przez kilka miesiÄ™cy w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Na „prawdziwÄ…” emigracjÄ™ do Niemiec wyjechaÅ‚am w roku 2012 i wróciÅ‚am z niej w roku 2015, przy czym nie do koÅ„ca „wróciÅ‚am”. CiÄ…gle latam miÄ™dzy PolskÄ… a Niemcami. Na emigracji w Niemczech mieszkaÅ‚am w takich miastach jak Leipzig (Lipsk), Berlin czy München (Monachium). Obecnie (od 2015 roku) jestem doktorantkÄ… na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim, co wiąże siÄ™ z powtarzajÄ…cymi siÄ™, miesiÄ™cznymi wyjazdami na stypendia naukowe do Niemiec – do różnych oÅ›rodków naukowych. Do tej pory byÅ‚am 3 razy w Mainz (Moguncji) oraz 1 raz w Hamburgu. Niby zatem wróciÅ‚am do Polski, ale tak naprawdÄ™ ciÄ…gle wyjeżdżam i mam wrażenie, że nadal jestem na emigracji. Ostatnio dzielÄ™ swoje życie miÄ™dzy PolskÄ… a Niemcami.

Kraj i przyczyna Twojej emigracji to...

Wyemigrowałam do Niemiec i uważam, że była to jedna z najlepszych decyzji w moim życiu. Dlaczego wyemigrowałam? Chciałam nauczyć się języka niemieckiego i wrócić do Polski. Niemcy kojarzyły mi się ze sztywnymi ludźmi, brzydkim językiem i z II wojną światową. Miałam zatem bardzo stereotypowe myślenie o Niemczech. Język niemiecki traktowałam tylko jako przepustkę do lepszej pracy w Polsce. Krótkie wyjazdy turystyczne do Niemiec nie zmieniły mojego zdania na ten temat.

MuszÄ™ podkreÅ›lić, że na emigracjÄ™ do Niemiec wyjechaÅ‚am sama i na miejscu nie miaÅ‚am żadnej rodziny ani przyjaciół, zatem moja decyzja byÅ‚a bardzo ryzykowna. OkazaÅ‚a siÄ™ być jednak trafna! Niemcy zaskoczyli mnie niesamowicie… Okazali siÄ™ przesympatycznymi ludźmi, którzy zaskoczyli mnie swojÄ… chÄ™ciÄ… pomocy „obcemu”, tzn. bezinteresownie udostÄ™pniali mi swoje mieszkania, abym miaÅ‚a gdzie mieszkać (w Monachium znalezienie mieszkania graniczyÅ‚o z cudem), dawali mi również bezpÅ‚atne lekcje, tylko po to, aby… ze mnÄ… chwilÄ™ porozmawiać ☺. Tak po prostu! Cóż z tego, że jestem obcokrajowcem! Niesamowite uczucie – ludzkoÅ›ci i pewnego rodzaju uwrażliwienia na sytuacjÄ™ ludzkÄ…. Z pracodawcami niemieckimi rozmawiaÅ‚o mi siÄ™ również Å›wietnie – jeÅ›li nawet zostaÅ‚am zwolniona, to wiedziaÅ‚am CZEMU i co mogÅ‚abym zrobić, aby kiedyÅ› wrócić. WiÄ™kszość sytuacji w Niemczech byÅ‚a dla mnie jasna i klarowna. Nigdy nie byÅ‚o „drugiego dna”. PotrzebowaÅ‚am pomocy i tÄ™ pomoc otrzymaÅ‚am. Po 3 latach ciężkiej pracy otrzymaÅ‚am jedno z najwyższych stanowisk w miÄ™dzynarodowym przedsiÄ™biorstwie w Monachium. Sama wtedy zaczęłam pomagać innym – głównie Polakom, którzy wyjechali na emigracjÄ™. A teraz pomagam Niemcom, ale w… Polsce.

MyÅ›lÄ™, że to, w jaki sposób Niemcy mnie traktowali w swoim paÅ„stwie, istotnie odcisnęło siÄ™ na moim późniejszym życiu. PropagujÄ™ jÄ™zyk i kulturÄ™ niemieckÄ… w Polsce, a nie jest to Å‚atwe, zwÅ‚aszcza w obecnych czasach. CzujÄ™ jednak, że „jestem im coÅ› winna” – za to, w jaki sposób traktowali mnie w Niemczech. Przy czym ta „powinność” nie jest czymÅ› rozumianym negatywnie bÄ…dź neutralnie, ponieważ w rzeczywistoÅ›ci jest „chÄ™ciÄ…”. PodejmujÄ™ bardzo chÄ™tnie wszelakÄ… aktywność, która propaguje jÄ™zyk niemiecki i kulturÄ™ niemieckÄ… w Polsce, a to m.in. dlatego, że dziÄ™ki temu przypominam sobie dobre chwile, do których zawsze chÄ™tnie wracam.

Co nam powiesz o swoim wykształceniu?

Ukończyłam studia ekonomiczne w Krakowie oraz w Grand Rapids w USA. Obecnie jestem doktorantką językoznawstwa na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim. Zmiana obszaru z ekonomii na językoznawstwo była dość ryzykowną decyzją, ale jej nie żałuję. Codziennie, poznając kolejne aspekty języka niemieckiego, uczę się tego, co sprawia mi ogromną przyjemność. Uwielbiam czytać książki i chodzić do czytelni, a zatem jestem chyba uzależniona od kolejnych etapów kariery akademickiej. Lubię się uczyć! I sama też lubię uczyć.

Czym zajmujesz się na co dzień?

Uczę w szkołach językowych i firmach w Warszawie oraz na całym świecie poprzez Skype'a. Ponadto czasami pracuję dla firm niemieckich i polskich w różnych miejscach w Niemczech i w Polsce. Kiedyś pracowałam w międzynarodowych działach marketingowych, a obecnie swoją wiedzę ekonomiczną i językoznawczą staram się wykorzystywać i wiązać ze sobą w różnego rodzaju prezentacjach, jak i podczas konferencji i innych spotkań. Innymi słowy, łączę ekonomię z językiem niemieckim i na odwrót.

Jakie masz hobby / co lubisz robić w czasie wolnym?

Czas emigracji byÅ‚ jednym z najbardziej intensywnych okresów w moim życiu, co odcisnęło siÄ™ znaczÄ…co na moich aktualnych preferencjach dotyczÄ…cych sposobów spÄ™dzania wolnego czasu. PrzeżyÅ‚am 11 przeprowadzek w ciÄ…gu 3-4 lat oraz parÄ™ zmian pracy, nie mówiÄ…c już o ludziach, których spotkaÅ‚am na swojej drodze. CiÄ…gle musiaÅ‚am być przystosowana do zmian, do elastycznoÅ›ci i otwartoÅ›ci na różnego rodzaju wyzwania. Przy okazji musiaÅ‚am być odporna na nieporozumienia z Niemcami, które na poczÄ…tku nagminnie siÄ™ zdarzaÅ‚y. Ten okres rzucenia na głębokÄ… wodÄ™ sprawiÅ‚, że jako osoba mÅ‚oda szybko siÄ™ „zestarzaÅ‚am psychicznie”. Mimo iż „jestem mÅ‚oda” (podobno), nie jestem typem imprezowiczki ani podróżniczki. LubiÄ™ chodzić na spacery i lubiÄ™ czÄ™sto być sama. Wiem… nie jest to zbyt nowoczesne i atrakcyjne . Jednak ja to lubiÄ™. Cisza sprawia, że czujÄ™ siÄ™ naÅ‚adowana energiÄ… i różnego rodzaju myÅ›lami, które nastÄ™pnie zapisujÄ™ w książkach lub w pracy doktorskiej. OczywiÅ›cie lubiÄ™ spotkania z moimi uczniami, dla których np. organizujÄ™ „Wieczory z piosenkami niemieckimi w Warszawie”, oraz spotkania z innymi osobami, np. podczas organizowanych przeze mnie różnego rodzaju spotkaÅ„ z Polakami w Monachium (grupa na Facebooku – „Spotkania kulturalne w Monachium”), ale po nich czÄ™sto mam okresy ciszy ☺. Głównie dlatego, że na co dzieÅ„ jestem osobÄ… bardzo żywioÅ‚owÄ…, wiÄ™c taka regeneracja jest dla mnie konieczna. Ostatnio coraz częściej doceniam również obecność rodziny w moim życiu. Może dlatego, że zrozumiaÅ‚am na emigracji, że nie jestem „samowystarczalna” i uzyskanie pomocy od innych ludzi wcale nie jest ujmÄ…?

Z czego jesteÅ› dumna?

Z emigracji, a mówiÄ…c Å›ciÅ›lej – z siebie na emigracji. Jestem dumna z tego, w jaki sposób poradziÅ‚am sobie na emigracji, zachowujÄ…c pokorÄ™, zrozumienie wobec obcej kultury i jÄ™zyka oraz optymizm przy wszelakiego rodzaju trudnoÅ›ciach. WyjechaÅ‚am do Niemiec, nie znajÄ…c jÄ™zyka niemieckiego oraz majÄ…c marne szanse na zatrudnienie w niemieckim przedsiÄ™biorstwie. Poprzez swojÄ… pracÄ™, determinacjÄ™ oraz pasjÄ™ byÅ‚am w stanie bardzo szybko nauczyć siÄ™ tego jÄ™zyka i znaleźć pracÄ™. MusiaÅ‚am być skuteczna w używaniu jÄ™zyka niemieckiego i skuteczna w komunikacji z Niemcami. I wymagam tego samego teraz od swoich uczniów. MajÄ… być skuteczni w używaniu jÄ™zyka niemieckiego, czyli porozumieć siÄ™ z Niemcem. JeÅ›li mój uczeÅ„ siÄ™ nie uczy albo nie chce siÄ™ uczyć, to niestety rezygnujÄ™ z dalszej pracy z nim. ChcÄ™ pracować tylko z zaangażowanymi ludźmi, którzy wiedzÄ…, czego chcÄ…. I to dziaÅ‚a :-).

Kiedy zaczęłaś pisać bloga / o czym piszesz na blogu?

Zaczęłam pisać bloga w 2013 roku – w momencie, gdy dopiero uczyÅ‚am siÄ™ jÄ™zyka niemieckiego, posÅ‚ugujÄ…c siÄ™ jÄ™zykiem angielskim (bo od angielskiego zaczynaÅ‚am na emigracji). Blog na poczÄ…tku miaÅ‚ nazwÄ™: „Angielski i Niemiecki oczami Polki” (angielski-niemiecki.com). Niedawno postanowiÅ‚am skupić siÄ™ jedynie na niemieckim i zmieniÅ‚am nazwÄ™ bloga na „Niemiecki oczami Polki”. PodjÄ…Å‚em takÄ… decyzjÄ™, majÄ…c na wzglÄ™dzie to, że napisaÅ‚am dwie książki jÄ™zykowe, tj. „Niemiecki w marketingu” oraz „Znasz angielski? Poznaj niemiecki! Kompendium jÄ™zykowo-kulturowe”, eksponujÄ…ce ten jÄ™zyk i kulturÄ™, oraz to, że mojÄ… pasjÄ… staÅ‚ siÄ™ jÄ™zyk niemiecki, a nie jÄ™zyk angielski. Na blogu piszÄ™ o jÄ™zyku niemieckim i kulturze niemieckiej, czasami nawiÄ…zujÄ…c do jÄ™zyka angielskiego. Ponadto m.in. opisujÄ™ tam swoje doÅ›wiadczenia życiowe dotyczÄ…ce używania jÄ™zyka i relacji z ludźmi w różnych miejscach Å›wiata, a także dzielÄ™ siÄ™ swoimi spostrzeżeniami jÄ™zykowo-kulturowymi.

Czym jest dla Ciebie Klub Polki?

Przede wszystkim platformÄ…, gdzie mogÄ… siÄ™ spotkać Polki z caÅ‚ego Å›wiata i poznać swoje pasje, współpracować ze sobÄ…, tworzyć nowe projekty oraz wspierać siebie w realizacji wÅ‚asnych zamierzeÅ„. Uważam, że ten Klub to nie tylko „klub” jako zbiór osób, ale i każdy bloger jako indywiduum. Dlaczego? Bo każdy bloger musiaÅ‚ zaczynać indywidualnie, a klub jest tylko jednÄ… z pÅ‚aszczyzn jego dziaÅ‚alnoÅ›ci. DziÄ™ki Klubowi poznaÅ‚am parÄ™ fajnych blogerek, przy czym w ich głębsze poznanie zaangażowaÅ‚am siÄ™ dopiero po tym, jak zobaczyÅ‚am, jakÄ… stronÄ™ prowadzÄ… indywidualnie. Klub moim zdaniem jest zatem głównie platformÄ… współpracy INDYWIDUALNYCH blogerów.

Co jeszcze chciałabyś nam powiedzieć o sobie?

Spełniajcie marzenia! Czas macie ograniczony i zasoby energetyczno-umysłowo- fizyczne
również. Nie ma na co i na kogo czekać. Czekanie to jedna z największych zmor tego
świata. Ciągnie Cię do czegoś? ZRÓB TO. NATYCHMIAST. Bez takiego nastawienia nie
doszÅ‚abym do tego etapu, na którym jestem teraz. Jestem obecnie „uporzÄ…dkowana”
wewnÄ™trznie – nie bojÄ™ siÄ™ o swoje szanse zawodowe i swoje szanse w życiu prywatnym.
Wiem, że to ja jestem odpowiedzialna za to, co mam. JeÅ›li doÅ›wiadczasz w czymÅ› porażki, ale byÅ‚o to dla Ciebie ważne - nie rezygnuj z walki o to. Tylko na porażkach siÄ™ uczymy. A nie na sukcesach. Sukcesy sÄ… jedynie... zakoÅ„czeniem realizacji jakiegoÅ› marzenia. Sukces jest informacjÄ… dla Ciebie: „To już koniec. Idź dalej". Porażka: „To już koniec. Idź w innÄ… stronÄ™. Albo postaraj siÄ™ bardziej”.

Poza tym ostatnio zauważyÅ‚am różnice miÄ™dzy sÅ‚owem „cel”, a „marzenie". JeÅ›li cele nie sÄ… Twoim marzeniem, to ich nie zrealizujesz. Nie starczy Ci siÅ‚y na drodze peÅ‚nej trudnoÅ›ci. Marzenia zsyÅ‚a nam Bóg, a cele wyznaczamy sobie tylko my (albo spoÅ‚eczeÅ„stwo?) i niestety niekoniecznie sÄ… one zgodne z naszym przeznaczeniem. Dlatego każdÄ… porażkÄ™ dokÅ‚adnie przeanalizuj - czy byÅ‚o to marzenie, czy cel? Może warto zmienić swoje plany na przyszÅ‚ość? Powiem jeszcze raz: NATYCHMIAST skieruj siÄ™ do realizacji swoich marzeÅ„. JesteÅ› tego warty/warta.


ANNA JASTRZĘBSKA

Blog Ani: angielski-niemiecki.com 

Aniu, dziękujemy za to, że opowiedziałaś nam o sobie. Przyłączamy się do tego, co mówisz o spełnianiu marzeń. Nie czekajmy do jutra, realizujmy je już dzisiaj. I nie bójmy się, że nam się nie uda. Nie uda się napewno jesli w ogóle nie spróbujemy. Powodzenia!

Zdjęcia: Anna Jastrzębska