A pączki is a deep-fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened sphere and filled with confiture or other sweet filling. I bet you’re like, “Wait! Isn’t this just a donut?” According to Wikipedia, although they look like bismarcks or jelly doughnuts, pączki are made from especially rich dough containing eggs, fats, sugar and sometimes milk.

Sadly, I didn’t get one today. No one brought any in to the office and I didn’t think driving that far for one was worth it. Though, I am always for any sort of ethnic celebration that includes eating lots of donut-like foods.

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This is a photo of my great-great-grandparents, Joe & Clara (SZULTA) TROKA on their 50th wedding anniversary. The date of this photo would be somewhere around 29 Jan 1944 since they were married in 1894. They were married at St. Hedwig’s Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There is a very nice writeup and history for St. Hedwig’s at Wikipedia. Here is a closer photo from the “Polsih Churches of Milwaukee” website.

This entry is about Frank J ZALEWSKI, Sr. Frank is my great-great-grandfather and the oldest Zalewski entry in my family tree. As with most people, I’d like to dig deeper into my paternal (surname) line as far as I can. Unfortunately, this is probably the shortest line I have.

Frank Zalewski - 1909

Frank J ZALEWSKI, Sr was more than likely born 4 Sep 1858, though I also have February 1860 as listed in the 1900 Census and 1905 Wisconsin State Census records. All other records indicate 1858. Obviously, there are many different entries for birth place as that area of the world went through many changes. I’ve mainly seen Germany and Prussia listed, so it’s possible that it was in a more German area.

He married Ms. Anna LINDNER (b 27 Nov 1854) between 1883 and 1885 in what is listed as Poznan Province, South Prussia (Poland.) I have yet to cement this information as it was given to me by another Zalewski researcher a few years back, whom I think has now passed away. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any sources listed in the created booklet I was given. At least it gives me a general area to start my search.

In this booklet, these notes are listed:

There is some confusion, however, as  to the area of Poland in which Frank and Anna Zalewski resided prior to their emigration to the United States in 1890.  During a telephone interview with their granddaughter, Caroline (Walczak) Sullivan, conducted in January 1995, she indicated that Frank and Anna lived somewhere in the province of Poznan — an area of Poland then under German jurisdiction and known as South Prussia.  This would correspond with information supplied on the death certificate and in the newspaper obituary of Frank Zalewski, Sr in 1941.  Although neither source mentions Poznan as his place of birth, both list Germany as his country of orgin.  (Much of western Poland, including Poznan Province, became German territory after the three partitions of Poland at the end of the eighteenth century.)

There is, however, a conflicting story as to the area of Poland from which Frank and Anna originated.  During a 1993 telephone interview with another granddaughter, Irene (Zalewski) Lutzenberger, she indicated that her late father (Editor’s Note: my great-grandfather, Joseph Zalewski) had always said his parents came from eastern Poland — an area then under Russian rule.  Irene’s father also stated that when his parents entered the United States, their surname was spelled “Salefsky,” thereby reflecting the Russian influence.  Although no official documents can be found to verify this, it is interesting to note that in the 1934 obituary of another grandchild, Norbert Cybela, the maiden name of Norbert’s mother is spelled “Zalesky.”

It is hypothetically possible that Frank Zalewski, Sr is, indeed, born and raised in Russian Poland and, at some later point in his life, moved to the German section in which Poznan Province was located.  Although traveling across political borders was difficult in 19th-century Europe, to say the least, it was not impossible.  In Russian Poland, for example, all debts to the government, including military service in the czar’s army, had to be fulfilled before travel documents would be issued and borders would be crossed.  Two years of active military service followed by two years in the reserve forces was required of all males when they reached their twentieth birthday.  In Frank’s case, that would have accounted for the years 1878 through 1882.  We know he married Anna Lindner (a German) in January 1885, which means he probably relocated from Russian-held, eastern Poland to the German-held, western area sometime between 1882 and 1884. This, of course, is only speculation but would explain the Russian “sky” ending on the surname.

I’ve taken some of this into account when researching, but to no avail yet.

As noted above, Frank and Anna immigrated to the United States in about 1890. It’s listed that they arrived at the Port of Baltimore. I have found dates spanning from 1886-1892 in most of the census records, but I have yet to find a ship manifest or something similar. I even tried using the “Salefsky” spelling from above, since that’s how the name was pronounced in Europe. The notes I have list this about their immigration:

Frank Zalewski, Sr., his wife Anna, and their two oldest children – Martha and Angeline, emigrated to the US from the Baltic port of Danzig and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1890.  The couple’s third child, Mary, was born in Baltimore in March 1891.  The family then traveled west to Nebraska and east, from there, to the Polish community in Chicago.  By May, 1892, the family had settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

When researching their third child, Mary, I have her born in places from Poland, Baltimore, Ohio and Milwaukee, so I’m not sure yet. I’ve done a bit of researching into Nebraska and Chicago, but I haven’t found any helpful record collections yet, especially since the 1890 census is mostly missing.

I found them in the 1900 Census for the City of Milwaukee, Ward 13. They lived at 900 Fratney St (which is now 2448 N Fratney) with a few other families.

1900 Census (Partial) - Click for larger

They are also listed in the 1905 Wisconsin State Census, but I have to find them in the 1895 State census, though that one isn’t as detailed. This one has Mary born in Poland Germany. Agnes, the last child, who was born in 1902, is now listed in this one.

1905 WI State Census - Click for larger

In all of the census records it has Frank listed as “Laborer” for the City Park System. I had heard that he basically worked as a garbage man. Someone has to do it, right? I assume there wasn’t much to choose from being a fresh, and probably poor, immigrant. They are then listed again in the 1910 Census in Milwaukee, still living at 900 Fratney St.

1910 Census (Partial) - Click for larger

Most of Frank and Anna’s children had moved out throughout these years with only son Frank, Jr and Agnes still living with them in 1920. Though, daughters Frances, Helen and Mary were living at the same residence with their respective families. They were still at 900 Fratney St on the northeast side of Milwaukee.

1920 Census - Click for larger

In 1930, only Frank, Jr was still living with Frank and Anna. Agnes had moved out and married Mr. Chester WALCZAK. This is the last record (obviously, since the 1940 Census is still not released) that I have Frank and Anna listed in. They were not living at 1008 Buffum St, which is still in the northeastern part of Milwaukee. That address is now considered 2630 N Buffum St, which if Google Maps is to be believed, is now just a park. Agnes and Chester also live at this residence as seem in the excerpt below.

1930 Census - Click for larger

According to the 1930 Census, Frank was retired by then. I haven’t found many records beyond the census records for Frank yet, though he is mentioned in some letters I found written to my grandfather, Richard Zalewski, from his mother, Emily (TROKA) ZALEWSKI (Frank’s daugher-in-law) in April 1941.

I got to go over by Grandpa (Daddy’s.) I go there every Monday, Friday and Saturday.

Will answer the letter in full next because I got to take care of Dad’s father.

It sounds like there may be more, but unfortunately, there are no more letters. Sadly, Emily unexpectedly passed away only days after the last letter on 1 May 1941. It seems as though Frank was ill in 1941. Which matches up to the fact that Frank passed away later that year on 8 Aug 1941 at his home in Milwaukee.

I know I’ve read his obituary in the Milwaukee Journal via the microfilm copies at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. I don’t think I made copies. I will need to get back and do that some day, but I don’t remember any new information listed. You never know, though, right?

So, that’s Frank. Say “hi” to Frank. My Zalewski brick wall. The reason I started this website.

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According to the note for this photo, this is a picture of my grandfather, Richard Zalewski (middle), with his sister Irene to his left and Eugene Nowiski to his right. I don’t know off-hand who Eugene Nowiski is, but it does look like he’s ready to change someone’s oil. Multiple people have said that my grandfather looks a bit like me in this photo when I was a kid. I can see it. I assume the photo was taken in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Richard lived there most of his life.

March 17

1960 – Died – Angeline R (ZALEWSKI) PIERZCHALSKI – Also known as Amelia, she was my great-great-aunt on my father’s side. She was born 6 Jul 1887 in Poland (noted as German Poland.)

March 18

1678 – Married – Francois CHEVREFILS and Marie LAUNY – Francois and Marie are my 9th-great-grandparents on my mother’s side. They were married in St. Ours, Richelieu, Quebec. I am related to them through their son Louis CHEVREFILS-BELISLE.

March 19

1788 – Born – Marie-Francoise GRANGIER – Marie-Francoise is my 5th-great-grandmother on my mother’s side. She was born in Menoux, Département de Haute-Saône (Franche-Comté), France and married Pierre-Jean QUINET in 1811 in the same location. They finally immigrated to Fredonia, Ozaukee Co., Wisconsin where they lived for the rest of their lives.

1728 – Died – Helena WAGEMANS – Helena is my 9th-great-grandmother on my mother’s side. She was born 8 Oct 1651 in Kuringen, Belgium. She married Nicolaes van CRAYBECK in 1646 and passed away in Kuringen, Belgium.

Ignatius (or Ignatz) was born 1 Feb 1849 in Poland (or Poland Austria as listed in the census.) He married Nepomuncema in 1875 back in Europe. Their first daughter, my great-great grandmother was born there, also. They immigrated to America in about 1882 and landed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where they finished their lives. Ignatius died 25 May 1922 and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee.

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[ Find-a-Grave Entry | Cemetery Entry ]

Most Wanted Faces

Been searching for almost ten years to find any relatives (parents/siblings) for Frank J ZALEWSKI, so that I can trace my line to other ZALEWSKI lines. Right now, it’s a little family island.

Peter THIELKE information back into Germany. THIELKE is a somewhat popular name there, so hoping to connect to other researchers.

Peter FIRMENICH family information. Records inidicate they lived in Granville, Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin, which is only a few miles from here. Wondering if some of them are buried close by or where they lived. Can’t find info in the early 1800s census.

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Wordless Wednesday’s Photo is labeled “trokas&szultas” in my list. Unfortunately, when I first scanned a few photos from my grandmother, I didn’t label them very well. Though, it was probably labeled something like that in the album itself. There are only two people I think I can pick out. My great-grandfather, Joseph Zalewski, in the middle of the back row and my great-great-grandmother, Clara (Szulta) Troka, third from the left in the middle row. I’m hoping to meet with my grandma and maybe go over some of these photos and see if she knows who they may be.

I’m going to start posting just the photo on Wednesday and then the description of it on “Tell Me Thursday.”

Yes, Pete, it is. In fact , it’s pronounced “mill-e-wah-que” which is Algonquin for “the good land.” – Alice Cooper, Wayne’s World

Most of the paternal side of my family tree, more specifically my paternal grandfather’s side, came to and lived in Milwaukee’s Polish Community. They all came about the same time, the late 1800s or early 1900s. By that time, Milwaukee was getting established as a major hub in Wisconsin.

The first immigrants to Milwaukee were French traders and trappers. During the 1830s, settlement occurred rapidly, and in earnest. Families established themselves here, bringing the population to several hundred by 1837. That year, under a mandate from the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature to incorporate, Milwaukee and other settlements in the state became villages. A City Charter was adopted in 1846, and Solomon Juneau was elected the first mayor. Juneau was a French trader who had settled his family in Milwaukee. – City of Milwaukee website

The polish immigrants came to Milwaukee starting in the mid nineteenth century and mostly settled in Milwaukee’s south side, though my family lived on what is considered the “east side” today. In 1906, almost one-quarter of Milwaukee’s total population was Polish. Milwaukee had one of the nation’s largest Polish communities up to 1980, getting near 200,000. Today, Milwaukee even has an annual Polish Fest to celebrate their Polish heritage.

Polish families tended to settle in one area, usually just outside of the city area. I imagine this was very helpful due to the fact that most immigrants knew little English and this would obviously help them communicate better. Even though the large Polish community was usually overshadowed by Milwaukee’s larger German community, there is no doubt that this city has been shaped and changed forever by them.

Some great Polish-related Milwaukee links:

• Roman B. Kwasniewski Photograph Collection
• Polish Churches of Milwaukee
• Polish Center of Wisconsin