1901-1902 Houghton County Directory
More and more I have heard from researchers who cannot locate their Polish families in the Calumet area in the 1900 U.S. Census. Indeed, I am missing a few. So I decided to extract the Polish names from the 1901-1902 Houghton County Directory for Calumet and Laurium. This would be a supplement to the census information and might help some people locate their missing ancestors.
Here are a few comments on this extraction.
(1) I copied the names exactly as they appeared in the directory. For the most part the spelling was quite accurate, but some are clearly incorrect.
(2) Some people are listed twice. A careful reading will show that one entry was for the place of employment and the second was for the home. For example, my great grandfather Nicholas Kaptur was listed as a miner residing at “17 Oak Tam loc” and also as Nicholas (sic) Kuptar as a miner at Tamarack Mining Company.
(3) Check carefully for other people living at the same address. Some of these people were living with friends, neighbors or other family members. I found Peter Pavlovic, a drill boy, boarding at 17 Oak with my Kaptur family. I have no idea who he was, but from the 1900 census I found that he was 27 years old, had just immigrated in 1900, and was living at a different location for the census. He probably needed a place to live for a time. Another surprise came when I saw Slavka Severinski as a domestic at “17 Oak Tam loc.” The family story is that my great grandmother Marcyanna Kaptur was frequently ill. They already had five children at the time, so if she was ill, she needed the help.
(4) I slightly altered the addresses of some of the people who lived in Laurium. For example, Ignatz Flens was listed as a miner “res n s Fulton 1 e of Ahmeek,” which tells where the house was located. I recorded his address as “res Fulton and Ahmeek.” Those who want the exact location can check the directory.
(5) Some of the names (Calumet, Laurium, Hecla) were also street names. The directory clarified that by using “Calumet Mich.” in the listings.
(6) I believe that I located one of my missing persons. My Peter Wojkiewicz does not appear in the 1900 census, but he is apparently the Peter Zwitkovich who was also living in Tamarack and worked as a trammer. Happy hunting.
Joseph Martin
Romeoville, Illinois
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
St. Albert Bishop and Martyr Society
In Calumet one of the Polish fraternal organizations was the St. Albert Bishop and Martyr Society. It was Lodge 104 of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA). A few years ago I was able to obtain a copy of the ledger book with the names of some of the members. That list has been posted on the Michigan GenWeb page for Houghton County. Then the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA) has a web page that provides information about the PRCUA and allows a search of societies by the name of towns or cities. Some years back it was also possible to enter the number of a specific lodge and obtain the names of all the members for whom insurance was paid. For some reason the PGSA no longers offers that option. In January 2002 I used the search feature and uncovered the names of 16 Polish members for whom insurance claims had been made. Since that search option is no longer available, I am providing the names and dates of death for those who might be interested. It is possible to find the volume and page number for these people and to obtain copies of these insurance files by using the search features on the PGSA web page. Typically, insurance files include a copy of the insurance certificate, a copy of the death certificate, and other pages. PSGA requests $15 for a search and copies - a bargain for what the file contains.
Jacob Draszkowski (26 Feb 1920), Marya Dudzinski (12 Nov 1917), M. Ernard (25 Apr 1929), Maryanna Jagielski (28 Jun 1913), Antoni Kowalski (21 Jun 1911), Wojciech Krzeminski (23 Sep 1907), Jan Luka (4 May 1922), Jozefa Luka (10 Oct 1932), Jozef Pawlicki (31 Dec 1930), Antonina Stefaniak (23 Dec 1930), Jozef Stefaniak (8 Jun 1928), Jan Szatkowski (27 Oct 1898), Lucya Szatkowski (3 Feb 1922), Sebastyan Szczepanski (7 Aug 1920), Katarzyna Wawrzyniak (15 Apr 1938), Jozef Zaborny (4 Mar 1932).
Joseph F. Martin
Romeoville, Illinois
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Olejniczak’s Immigration / Poznan to Calumet
The Olejniczak’s Immigration from Poznan Province to Calumet, Michigan
K.R. Olen (krolen@gate.net)
For well over two years I had been trying to establish the immigration paths taken by my grandfather, Frank Olejniczak, his three brothers: Leon, John and Anton, and a sister, Agnes, from the Province of Poznan, or Posen as it was known at the time, to Calumet, Michigan. What follows are the details of my efforts, which I hope will encourage others not to give up their searches too readily.
While discussing the subject of immigration with elderly members of my family I promised my father’s 93-year old cousin that I would find out how her mother immigrated to America. Agnes’ daughter is no ordinary cousin. She is Sr. Robertine Rybicki, a nun in the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. The Order was founded in 1901 in Stevens Point, WI in response to the need to educate poor Polish immigrant families, and was originally known as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph.
One just does not make a promise to a Polish nun and not keep it, as there are not enough indulgences in the world to compensate for lack of performance. I doubled my efforts!
The immigration of the youngest brother Anton Olejniczak was the easiest to document. The record of this trans-Atlantic passage was found on the Ellis Island website (http://www.ellisisland.org/). He sailed from Antwerp on the Finland, arriving Ellis Island, 6 June 1905. His last residence is listed as Klondau, the German name given to Chladowo, which is in the Gniezno District of Poznan Province. His destination was listed as Calumet, Mich., where he was to meet his brother Frank Olejniczak, my grandfather.
The record of my grandfather’s immigration was found in the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1891-1937, through the Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont District, 1895-1924 (M1462, Roll 293). The corresponding ship manifest (M1464, Roll 13) revealed that he sailed from Hamburg on the Bulgaria arriving Halifax, Nova Scotia, 19 June 1902. He was listed as Franz, the German form of Frank, with his last residence given as Klondau. His destination was given as Calumet, Mich. to meet his brother John Olejniczak. Some time later my grandfather’s immigration was also found on the Hamburg Passenger List, 1850-1934, through the Ancestry website (http://www.ancestry.com/).
The first of the Olejniczaks to arrive in Calumet was Leon, who married Katarzyna (Catherine) Krawczyk in Red Jacket on 21 July 1896. Selecting the All New York Passengers, 1820-1957, option on Steve Morse’s website (www.stevemorse.org) entering an exact first name of Leon and the year of arrival between 1890 and 1895 produced 11,179 hits. Adding German as the nationality reduced this number to 419 hits, but no name resembling Olejniczak was found. Substituting Polish for German produced 1,280 hits. Reviewing this latter list for passengers with a surname starting with “O” revealed a Leon Olyneiczak, who sailed from Antwerp on the Westernland, arriving Castle Garden, NY, 4 May 1882. A close inspection of the hand written ship manifest very strongly suggested that this was indeed Leon Olejniczak.
Family lore suggested that John and Agnes had immigrated together, but the record of their trans-Atlantic passage seemed impossible to find through the usual sources. The U.S. Census records for John and Agnes indicated immigration between 1896 and 1899. On a 1913 Application for Employment with the Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. John listed his immigration date as April 1898. Selecting the All New York Passengers, 1820-1957, option on Steve Morse’s website, and entering an arrival date of April 1898 without any additional information produced 31,675 hits. The first portion of the listing had several unnamed passengers. When reviewing page 8 of the 9 page ship manifest for an unnamed passenger, who sailed from Bremen, I found Agnieszka (Agnes) Olejniczak listed on line 9, and her brother Jan (John) listed on line 11. What luck! Both had given Chladowo as their last residence and indicated that their final destination was Calumet, Mich. to meet their brother. They had sailed from Bremen on the Lahn, arriving Castle Garden, NY, 15 April 1898.
I then wondered how their names had been transcribed. Refining the arrival date on Steve Morse’s website to 15 April 1898 reduced the number of hits to 1199. Adding a nationality of German reduced the list to 19 passengers. It then became clear as to why I had so much difficulty finding the immigration record for Agnes and John. Agnieszka (Agnes) Olejniczak was transcribed as Aguiczka Dejnicrap, and Jan (John) Olejniczak had been transcribed as Pass Clejsciczak.
The above illustrates how important it is to read everything and persevere. The records may not be available, or, as is the case more often than not, may be simply cloaked by transcription errors. I had finally documented the immigration of all five Olejniczaks who had initially settled in Calumet. More importantly I was able to keep my promise to Sr. Robertine.
K.R. Olen (krolen@gate.net)
For well over two years I had been trying to establish the immigration paths taken by my grandfather, Frank Olejniczak, his three brothers: Leon, John and Anton, and a sister, Agnes, from the Province of Poznan, or Posen as it was known at the time, to Calumet, Michigan. What follows are the details of my efforts, which I hope will encourage others not to give up their searches too readily.
While discussing the subject of immigration with elderly members of my family I promised my father’s 93-year old cousin that I would find out how her mother immigrated to America. Agnes’ daughter is no ordinary cousin. She is Sr. Robertine Rybicki, a nun in the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. The Order was founded in 1901 in Stevens Point, WI in response to the need to educate poor Polish immigrant families, and was originally known as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph.
One just does not make a promise to a Polish nun and not keep it, as there are not enough indulgences in the world to compensate for lack of performance. I doubled my efforts!
The immigration of the youngest brother Anton Olejniczak was the easiest to document. The record of this trans-Atlantic passage was found on the Ellis Island website (http://www.ellisisland.org/). He sailed from Antwerp on the Finland, arriving Ellis Island, 6 June 1905. His last residence is listed as Klondau, the German name given to Chladowo, which is in the Gniezno District of Poznan Province. His destination was listed as Calumet, Mich., where he was to meet his brother Frank Olejniczak, my grandfather.
The record of my grandfather’s immigration was found in the Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1891-1937, through the Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont District, 1895-1924 (M1462, Roll 293). The corresponding ship manifest (M1464, Roll 13) revealed that he sailed from Hamburg on the Bulgaria arriving Halifax, Nova Scotia, 19 June 1902. He was listed as Franz, the German form of Frank, with his last residence given as Klondau. His destination was given as Calumet, Mich. to meet his brother John Olejniczak. Some time later my grandfather’s immigration was also found on the Hamburg Passenger List, 1850-1934, through the Ancestry website (http://www.ancestry.com/).
The first of the Olejniczaks to arrive in Calumet was Leon, who married Katarzyna (Catherine) Krawczyk in Red Jacket on 21 July 1896. Selecting the All New York Passengers, 1820-1957, option on Steve Morse’s website (www.stevemorse.org) entering an exact first name of Leon and the year of arrival between 1890 and 1895 produced 11,179 hits. Adding German as the nationality reduced this number to 419 hits, but no name resembling Olejniczak was found. Substituting Polish for German produced 1,280 hits. Reviewing this latter list for passengers with a surname starting with “O” revealed a Leon Olyneiczak, who sailed from Antwerp on the Westernland, arriving Castle Garden, NY, 4 May 1882. A close inspection of the hand written ship manifest very strongly suggested that this was indeed Leon Olejniczak.
Family lore suggested that John and Agnes had immigrated together, but the record of their trans-Atlantic passage seemed impossible to find through the usual sources. The U.S. Census records for John and Agnes indicated immigration between 1896 and 1899. On a 1913 Application for Employment with the Calumet & Hecla Mining Co. John listed his immigration date as April 1898. Selecting the All New York Passengers, 1820-1957, option on Steve Morse’s website, and entering an arrival date of April 1898 without any additional information produced 31,675 hits. The first portion of the listing had several unnamed passengers. When reviewing page 8 of the 9 page ship manifest for an unnamed passenger, who sailed from Bremen, I found Agnieszka (Agnes) Olejniczak listed on line 9, and her brother Jan (John) listed on line 11. What luck! Both had given Chladowo as their last residence and indicated that their final destination was Calumet, Mich. to meet their brother. They had sailed from Bremen on the Lahn, arriving Castle Garden, NY, 15 April 1898.
I then wondered how their names had been transcribed. Refining the arrival date on Steve Morse’s website to 15 April 1898 reduced the number of hits to 1199. Adding a nationality of German reduced the list to 19 passengers. It then became clear as to why I had so much difficulty finding the immigration record for Agnes and John. Agnieszka (Agnes) Olejniczak was transcribed as Aguiczka Dejnicrap, and Jan (John) Olejniczak had been transcribed as Pass Clejsciczak.
The above illustrates how important it is to read everything and persevere. The records may not be available, or, as is the case more often than not, may be simply cloaked by transcription errors. I had finally documented the immigration of all five Olejniczaks who had initially settled in Calumet. More importantly I was able to keep my promise to Sr. Robertine.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Map of Calumet and Vicinity scale: 1in=600ft (part 2)
Swedetown, Laurium, Calumet, Tamarack
From the MTU Archives, undated
Sunday, September 14, 2008
OLD HECLA CEMETERY HERE IS UNDERGOING MANY IMPROVEMENTS
Daily Mining Gazette 18 October 1929, p. 13
OLD HECLA CEMETERY HERE IS UNDERGOING MANY IMPROVEMENTS
School Children Aid Priest in Beautifying Work.
Sacred Heart church, through the enterprise of the Rev. Fr. Humbert, has taken steps toward beautifying the old Hecla Cemetery, which in the early days was the Catholic burying ground for this section. Old fences are being removed, mounds leveled, and as far as possible the place is being put in a presentable condition.
School children are aiding Father Humbert in this work, but as there is no fund available, the improvements will be necessarily limited.
If the weather permits a Libera service will be held on Oct. 27, with a procession from the church to the cemetery, following a sermon and prayer in observation of the Feast of Poor Souls, November 2.
The cemetery came into existence about the time of the opening of the Calumet and Hecla mine here, although no records are available because of the destruction of the church. Research has shown that the parish now known as Scared Heart was organized here in 1868 by the Rev. Fr. Hacker.
In 1869 a church 40 by 90 feet was built at a cost of $14,000 for the parish, which numbered about 1,200 souls. A parsonage was built the following year at a cost of $1,800.
Father Jacker was succeeded by Fathers Ela, Brown, Burns, Mazina, Menard, Kenny, and Shebul; Father Shebul leaving in 1876.
From this the date of the establishment of the cemetery can be fixed with some accuracy, although no exact information as to the identification of unmarked graves is available. There was no cemetery organization at that time, burial permits being granted by the sexton, who kept no record aside from his own memory.
Although the title to the land rests with the Calumet and Hecla Mining company, the cemetery is part of the Sacred Heart parish.
Where possible it is planned to mark the graves, although only records entered since 1892 are available for this purpose, and death has carried away nearly all of the pioneers who might have remembered anything about the earlier graves.
The Hecla cemetery and the Calumet Protestant cemetery were the first burial ground in this vicinity, the latter lying about one quarter mile east of the Schoolcraft cemetery north of Albion. May bodies are buried there, but as in the case in the Hecla cemetery , there are no records.
Subsequently the Schoolcraft cemetery was used, until the Lake View association came into existence in 1894. Since then few burials have been made in these older cemeteries.
Sacred Heart parish has improved the old cemetery at Eagle Harbor, and in the future will probably undertake the improvement of the old Catholic cemetery at the Cliff mine.
Josephine Kruszka and Children
Cousins Virginia Hartselle and Tony Bausano both have this Kruszka family portrait in their collections. Tony's photo is identified as: John, Catherine Staniszewska, Anna, and Valeria KruskaVirginia writes:
Josephine Kruszka with children (she would be my great grandmother)
One of the girls is my grandmother Walerja Kruszka who later married Joseph Rasimowicz and then Andrew Madajewski. One of the other girls is Annie Kruzska who later married John Szatkowski (Tony Bausano's grandparents).
The young man is John Kruszka. I believe the baby is another son whose name I do not know.
Is the unknown woman John's mother Catherine Staniszewska?
The marriage record of Annie Kruszka and John Szatkowski reads:
Groom name: John Szatkowski
Groom age: 34 year:
Groom birth year: 1877
Groom birth place: Germany
Bride name: Annie Kruszka
Bride age: 28 years
Bride birth year: 1883
Bride birth place: Germany
Marriage date: 04 Oct 1911
Marriage place: Calumet, Houghton, Michigan
Father of groom name: Tom Szatkowski
Mother of groom name: Catherine Staniszewska
Father of bride name: Math Kruszka
Mother of bride name: Josephine Maczynska
Additional relatives: Film number: 2342693Frame number: Digital GS number: 4209154
Image number: 130Reference number: v 2 p 779 rn 566Collection: Michigan Marriages 1868-1925 accesses via http://labs.familysearch.org/
Kowalski Burials at Lake View
KOWALSKI
Anton, age 52, death 21 June 1911; burial 25 June 1911
Sec E, Lot S1/2-85 Director: Ryan
John, age 80; death 8 October 1921; burial 11 October 1921
Sec B, Lot NE 1/4-2
Stanley age 79,
Seneca Location, Section C-2
Lot N1-3-70, grave 1
Director: Crowley
Mrs. Frances , age 60, death 12 May 1967; burial 15 May 1967
Grave 2
Director: Crowley
William, age 49
Section V, Lot E 1/2 35, Grave 3
Director: E-C
Anton, age 52, death 21 June 1911; burial 25 June 1911
Sec E, Lot S1/2-85 Director: Ryan
John, age 80; death 8 October 1921; burial 11 October 1921
Sec B, Lot NE 1/4-2
Stanley age 79,
Seneca Location, Section C-2
Lot N1-3-70, grave 1
Director: Crowley
Mrs. Frances , age 60, death 12 May 1967; burial 15 May 1967
Grave 2
Director: Crowley
William, age 49
Section V, Lot E 1/2 35, Grave 3
Director: E-C
Pioneer Taken By Death
Mining GazetteOctober 11, 1921
John Kowalski Passes at Home of Daughter in Laurium
John Kowalski, aged 80, a pioneer Copper Country resident, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Walski of Ameek street, Saturday evening at 7 o'clock, of ailments due to old age.
The late Mr. Kowalski is survived by the widow, three sons and three daughters. They are: Joseph, Walter, Michael, and Mrs. Joseph Adamski of Detroit. Mrs. Stanley Mizerek of Muskegon, and Mrs. Walski of Laurium. Thirty one grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive.
Mr. Kowalski was born in Poland and had been a resident of this country for over half a century. He was an employee of the Tamarack Mining Co. for thirty-five years.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning from the Polish church Rev. Fr. Hudat will officiate and interment will be in Lake View (cemetery).
Mrs. Mizerek arrived here Sunday evening to attend her father's funeral, with the other children, with the exception of Joseph were expected to arrive last evening from Detroit. Joseph Kowalski is unable to come , having buried his sixteen -year old daughter yesterday.
Virginia (Rasinowich) Hartselle writes......
June 7, 2008 (in response to the article Polish families hightlighted in talk)
http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/500709.html
http://www.mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/500709.html
I read the Mining Gazette every day here at my home in Florida, thanks to computers.
I am also a child of a Polish father, born in Calumet. My Dad's father was killed in the Osceola Mine fire on September 1895, his name was Joseph Rasimowicz, because of the difficult name, he was listed as Joseph Rasec, as one of the 30 or so miners killed in the mine fire. They could not put the fire out so they sealed the mine shaft to stop the fire and the men were found on the ladders trying to walk our of the shaft. My Dad was born in January, 1896, after his father 's untimely death in the mine fire, this he never knew his father and I never knew my grandfather. There is a sign up by the old Osceola Mine, and a few poor rocks piles left, which I visit each and every summer when I return to Calumet to visit. My grandmother's maiden name was Polish also, Valeria Kruscka, she was 16yrs old when my Dad was born- she later married again and had 9 more children- she married Andrew Madajewski- they lived in Calumet, actually there were a lot of neighborhoods with different names.
Swedetown was one of them and a lot of Polish people lived in Swedetown, some Polish names I can think of right off hand are , Macynski, Baranowski, Szatkowski, besides the Madajewski's- 
there were many more Polish miners in Calumet. They had their own Polish Catholic Church and a Polish Catholic School- I don't know the exact name of the church and school but St. Paul's Church in Calumet has that information, just ask Jan in the office. The Polish Church and School burned down in the early 1900s- I do know that my Dad went there until he was thru the 5th grade and in those days you left school and my Dad worked underground from the time he was 13 yrs old into he was in his 60's except when he was in the National Guard (Home Guard) and fought Pancho Villa at 17 yrs of age at the Mexican boarder and then fought in Europe in World War I in France. Upon his return he went back into working in the mines- mainly Ahmeek mine. My maiden name changed a little in spelling from Rasimowicz to Rasinowich.
there were many more Polish miners in Calumet. They had their own Polish Catholic Church and a Polish Catholic School- I don't know the exact name of the church and school but St. Paul's Church in Calumet has that information, just ask Jan in the office. The Polish Church and School burned down in the early 1900s- I do know that my Dad went there until he was thru the 5th grade and in those days you left school and my Dad worked underground from the time he was 13 yrs old into he was in his 60's except when he was in the National Guard (Home Guard) and fought Pancho Villa at 17 yrs of age at the Mexican boarder and then fought in Europe in World War I in France. Upon his return he went back into working in the mines- mainly Ahmeek mine. My maiden name changed a little in spelling from Rasimowicz to Rasinowich.I have pictures if my grandmother and grandfather Rasimowicz wedding and then when my grandmother remarried to Madajewski (right) they are by the same folks that the picture
in the newspaper was made by- if you want any more information please call me. I loved my heritage , love my hometown of Calumet, my brother and I have been delving into our genealogy an d it is hard to get it all when some if it is in Europe but I go up to Calumet every summer, this year it will be for the Air Force Base reunion in August, Calumet Air Force Base where my husband was based, and then I will be up there for my 60th Class Reunion from Calumet High at the Miscowabik Club the following weekend. I still have family up there and loads of friends- although I have lived in Florida for 46 years I am so proud of where I am from and another Yooper and I have a UP picnic each March in Florida.
in the newspaper was made by- if you want any more information please call me. I loved my heritage , love my hometown of Calumet, my brother and I have been delving into our genealogy an d it is hard to get it all when some if it is in Europe but I go up to Calumet every summer, this year it will be for the Air Force Base reunion in August, Calumet Air Force Base where my husband was based, and then I will be up there for my 60th Class Reunion from Calumet High at the Miscowabik Club the following weekend. I still have family up there and loads of friends- although I have lived in Florida for 46 years I am so proud of where I am from and another Yooper and I have a UP picnic each March in Florida.Virginia (Rasinowich) Hartselle
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Native Copper Times September 17, 1895
Just in case you haven't seen this article in the Native Copper Times, I'm sending this to you. I posted this several years ago on the MIHOUGHT listserv. Anthony Jozwiak died in this same accident. His name is listed as Zeswick. Two years or so later, his two sons died in a mining accident. There is more on my blog about it.
http://pytlewski.wordpress.com/
Jeff (Antaya)
The Native Copper Times September 17, 1895
"The Osceola Tragedy"
Or in other words the fire in the Osceola, which resulted in the most appalling loss of life-no less than 30 human beings having perished- men and boys who went into the mine, some of them over 3000 feet deep, on hte morning of Sept. 7th, without any feeling that their end was near- went down to do their respective duties, and for the last time- only to be brought up lifeless, is an occurance that appeals to the stoutest hearts, bringing home to us all the awful risks aken by those who delve underground, and pleading strongly for the position The Times has ever occupied, viz: That miners and other underground workers should be well paid. Most of the victrims of this terrible event leave widows and orphans or parents who were largely dependent upon them, and the circumstances and conditions of the bereaved ones should be given the most careful consideration, and that at the hands of the company within whose mine the calamity occurred.
Just think of it- no less than 25 bodies brought up Thursday last and two on the following day. One was found at the first level; three near the tenth level; two at the twelth level; thirteen in the neighborhood of the fourtheenth; four at the fifteenth and one each at the seventeenth and eighteenth levels, all in No. 4 shaft, and only a short distance from where they were working, which would seem to indicate that they had received no warning that the mine was on fire- a circumstance which demonstrates the necessity of our mines putting some alarm device whereby all men underground be given warning, simultamously; and it appears that if this could have been done at the Osceola, few if any lives would been lost.
The body of Robert Johns- making 28 in all- was recovered Saturday between Nos. 4 and 5 shafts at the 17th level, and Monday morning the bodies of the last two victims- Peter Mahlstrom and Walter Dahl were recovered. They were found at the 17th level between Nos. 3 and 4 shafts, and were partially hidden by a plank.
Fourteenth of the victims were buried Friday- the funerals of Capt. Rich. Traubath, Thos. H. Curtis, Rich. Grenfell and William Bryant were held form the M.E. church, under the auspices of One and All Lodge, Sons of St. George and Court Robin Hood, A.O. of F.; those of Michael Schutte, A. Verbonitz and Michael Vuk from the Austrian church; those of John Matson, Mich'l Johnson and Issac Harra from the Finnish Lutheran church and those of Michael and Joseph Slota, Andrew Rosinski and Joseph Rassetz from the Polish church.
The remains of the following were intered Saturday- Anton Zeswick, Alex Daniell, Peter Strangard, John Cudlip, Peter Peardon,F. Lander, Jr. Steve Ristoway, Jas. Williams, M. Polchak.
Sunday the following were laid at rest- Wm. H. Donald, James D. Harrington, Barney Heiner, Richard Bickle, Robt. Johns.
The last two of the victims to be found, Peter Mahlstrom and Walter Dahl, were interred this morning.
An inquiry into this fearful tragedy is to be held before coroner D. T. Macdonald, with the following jurors- all said to be residents of Osceola township, if not employees of the Osceola Mining Company; Messrs. Victor Petersen, Peter Stangard, Dan Howard, Lawence Illinitch, William Mille and John Stephens. The jurors have viewed the bodies of the victims and the taking of testimony was to have commenced today. A searching investigation is promised, and certainly the terribleness of the tragedy demands that it should be most searching and thorough.
We noticed that Postmaster M. R. Redmond, of Hancock, has already began the solicitation of aid for the bereaved widows and orphans, and that a meeting is to be held at Calumet this week to take steps in the same direction. The circumstances of the terrible disaster, and the needs of the bereaved ones are such as to call the substantial sympathy of all- that best of all sympathy, expressed in dollars and cents."
http://pytlewski.wordpress.com/
Jeff (Antaya)
The Native Copper Times September 17, 1895
"The Osceola Tragedy"
Or in other words the fire in the Osceola, which resulted in the most appalling loss of life-no less than 30 human beings having perished- men and boys who went into the mine, some of them over 3000 feet deep, on hte morning of Sept. 7th, without any feeling that their end was near- went down to do their respective duties, and for the last time- only to be brought up lifeless, is an occurance that appeals to the stoutest hearts, bringing home to us all the awful risks aken by those who delve underground, and pleading strongly for the position The Times has ever occupied, viz: That miners and other underground workers should be well paid. Most of the victrims of this terrible event leave widows and orphans or parents who were largely dependent upon them, and the circumstances and conditions of the bereaved ones should be given the most careful consideration, and that at the hands of the company within whose mine the calamity occurred.
Just think of it- no less than 25 bodies brought up Thursday last and two on the following day. One was found at the first level; three near the tenth level; two at the twelth level; thirteen in the neighborhood of the fourtheenth; four at the fifteenth and one each at the seventeenth and eighteenth levels, all in No. 4 shaft, and only a short distance from where they were working, which would seem to indicate that they had received no warning that the mine was on fire- a circumstance which demonstrates the necessity of our mines putting some alarm device whereby all men underground be given warning, simultamously; and it appears that if this could have been done at the Osceola, few if any lives would been lost.
The body of Robert Johns- making 28 in all- was recovered Saturday between Nos. 4 and 5 shafts at the 17th level, and Monday morning the bodies of the last two victims- Peter Mahlstrom and Walter Dahl were recovered. They were found at the 17th level between Nos. 3 and 4 shafts, and were partially hidden by a plank.
Fourteenth of the victims were buried Friday- the funerals of Capt. Rich. Traubath, Thos. H. Curtis, Rich. Grenfell and William Bryant were held form the M.E. church, under the auspices of One and All Lodge, Sons of St. George and Court Robin Hood, A.O. of F.; those of Michael Schutte, A. Verbonitz and Michael Vuk from the Austrian church; those of John Matson, Mich'l Johnson and Issac Harra from the Finnish Lutheran church and those of Michael and Joseph Slota, Andrew Rosinski and Joseph Rassetz from the Polish church.
The remains of the following were intered Saturday- Anton Zeswick, Alex Daniell, Peter Strangard, John Cudlip, Peter Peardon,F. Lander, Jr. Steve Ristoway, Jas. Williams, M. Polchak.
Sunday the following were laid at rest- Wm. H. Donald, James D. Harrington, Barney Heiner, Richard Bickle, Robt. Johns.
The last two of the victims to be found, Peter Mahlstrom and Walter Dahl, were interred this morning.
An inquiry into this fearful tragedy is to be held before coroner D. T. Macdonald, with the following jurors- all said to be residents of Osceola township, if not employees of the Osceola Mining Company; Messrs. Victor Petersen, Peter Stangard, Dan Howard, Lawence Illinitch, William Mille and John Stephens. The jurors have viewed the bodies of the victims and the taking of testimony was to have commenced today. A searching investigation is promised, and certainly the terribleness of the tragedy demands that it should be most searching and thorough.
We noticed that Postmaster M. R. Redmond, of Hancock, has already began the solicitation of aid for the bereaved widows and orphans, and that a meeting is to be held at Calumet this week to take steps in the same direction. The circumstances of the terrible disaster, and the needs of the bereaved ones are such as to call the substantial sympathy of all- that best of all sympathy, expressed in dollars and cents."
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Jozef Rasimowicz 1865- 1895
Jozef Rasimowicz died in the Osceola mine fire 7 Sept 1895. His son Joseph was born four months later on 4 January 1896 to his teenage wife.
Mine Inspector Report
Page
13-14-15-16
Report
Accident 23. - One of the most terrible mine accidents in the history of the Copper Country resulting in the loss of thirty lives occurred at the Osceola Mine - September 7th.
At about 11:30 a.m. while the whole of the day shift men were under ground fire was discovered in No. 3 Shaft at the 27th level. Capt. Richard Trembath with a party of men trying to extinguish the fire which had caught in the lagging at the back of the shaft. As there is no timber in the drifts or stopes of this mine it seems that this is the only place that a fire could possibly have caught. How it originated is and probably always be a mystery.
The only solution seems to be that it must have caught form a candle or snuff thrown there carelessly by some of the men or boys. Capt. Edwards after locating the fire leaving Capt. Trembath and his men to fight the fire with buckets went to the surface for hose to attach to the pump in the shaft and to report the fire to the officials. Upon his return to No. 4 Shaft the smoke was so thick he was told by a party of men who had just come up that it was impossible to descend either No. 3 or No. 4 Shafts. There were other outlets - Shafts No. 1 - 2 and 5. Capt. Edwards at once sent men down these to warn all the men under ground of their danger and order them to come to the surface. Skips were kept running in shafts 4 and 5 to give the men assistance in getting out. The skip continure to run in No. 5 bringing load after load of men up until about three oclock.
In the meantime a searching party had been sent down. They went to the bottom of the mine and in to the different levels as far as possible but failed to find anyone. Owing to the smoke and gas they were unable to approach No. 3 or 4 and the thirty men given up as lost as no living being could exist in them at that time. Another attempt was made to descend No. 4 but it was found utterly impossible to do so. After careful consideration when it was known that no human being could be alive in the mine at about 4:30 oclock Shaft No. 3 was closed over in the hope of checking further progress of the fire.
It was then ascertained that thirty men had perished in the mine - viz: Capt. Richard Trembath - Richard Bickle - Thomas Curtis - Alexander Daniel - Richard Grenfell - James Williams - Frank Lander Jr. - Michael Johnson - Isaac Harrio - Peter Strandgaard - John Matson - Andrew Rosinski - Michael Schultz - Joseph Rasec (Rasimowicz) - Steve Oriski - Michael Slotta - Joseph Slotta - Mike Voak - Veno Verbenz - Steve Ristivick - Fred C. Peardon - John Cudlip - William Bryant - Barney Hellner - James D. Harrington - Anton Zeswick - William H. Donald - Robert Johns - Peter Malmstrom and Walter Dahl. Most of these men were old and experienced miners and their loss of life was doubtless due to the fact that they thought that owing to there being so little timber in the mine that there could be no fire of consequence there. Thus although there was ample time for all to have made their escape by Shafts 1-2-and 5 their assurance of their safety made them careless and thoughtless. Some after being warned even stayed to eat their lunch.
Then instead of trying to reach the surface by the comparatively clear Shafts 1 - 2 and 5 they attempted to ascend the smoke filled No. 4 and were soon overcome and perished.As soon as it was possible to enter the mine the work of recovering the bodies began. Thirteen were found the following Thursday and the last recovered the Monday following. The bodies were all discovered in or near No. 4 Shaft scattered between the 4th and 17the levels. An inquest was held at Osceola by Coroner Macdonald on the 12th - 13th and 17th days of September.
Twelve witnesses were submitted to a thorough examination by the Coroner - Jury and Prosecuting Attorney Streeter. The facts given above was clearly proven. The jury brought in the following verdict: That the deceased came to their deaths by suffocation caused by smoke and gas from a wood fire originating in 27th level of No. 3 Shaft Osceola Mine on the 7th day of September 1895. The cause of said fire unknown. We believe that this fearful loss of life is due to the fact that deceased did not realize the seriousness of their danger although from the evidence given this jury we find that said deceased were duly notified.
We exonerate the mine officials from all negligence in this sad affair. Before leaving this it seems proper to me to attempt to make some explanation as to how the unfortunate men were caught in the fatal trap which caused their death when an easy and sure escape was open through No. 5 Shaft. They undoubtedly thought that No. 4 being a down-cast that there they would find the clearest and safest means of exit. Under ordinary circumstances this would have been the case. But part of the immense volume of smoke in the No. 3 which had been changed by the heated air from a down-cast to an up-cast found its way through the upper levels to No. 4 Shaft and this being downcast the smoke and gas were borne swiftly down upon the men while they were making their way to the surface - extinguishing their lights and suffocating them then and there as fully described in the testimony of Mr. Cocking allowing them neither to go forward nor giving them time to go back.
Had they not felt assured of a sure and safe passage to the surface through No. 4 they certainly would not have delayed as they did in some cases. It will be remembered that some after being warned even stopped to eat their lunch. This delay was no doubt due to the fact that they thought that No. 4 was and would remain a clear passage and they could ascend it at their leisure.
Walerja Kruszka wed Jozef Rasimowicz 30 Oct 1894
labs.familysearch.orgGroom name: Joseph Rosimowicz
Groom race (on document):
Groom age: 29 years
Groom birth year: 1865
Groom birth place: Poland
Bride name: Waleria Kiruszka
Bride race (on document):
Bride age: 18 years
Bride birth year: 1876
Bride birth place: Poland
Marriage date: 30 Oct 1894
Marriage place: Red Jacket, Houghton, Michigan
Father of groom name: John Rosimowicz
Mother of groom name: Victoria Rosimowicz
Father of bride name: Mike Keruszka
Mother of bride name: Munciski Keruseka
Film number: 2342498 Frame number: Digital GS number: 4207821 Image number: 29Reference number: v 1 rn 318-1/2Collection: Michigan Marriages 1868-1925
A Copper Miner's Son
The Keweeenaw peninsula of northern Michigan , jutting up into the greatest fresh-water lake in the world, held a treasure of copper in the form of pure metal, conglomerates and other deposits. Early in the 19th century the investors and prospectors began exploitation of these riches, leaving most of them poorer, a relatively few lucky investors, and a legacy of stories and history that will keep researchers busy for a generation. My father was born there, in Red Jacket, (Calumet) , Michigan in 1889. I found the record of his baptism safe in the files of St. Paul's church , typed on a 3x5 card which the Catholic fathers had salvaged from St. Anthony's when it had been "desanctified".Grandfather Peter Himanek had immigrated from Eastern Europe in 1881 in answer to the ads telling about the great opportunities to work in the mines, met a 16 year old Josephine Tomalka and raised a family of nine in a company house, working for Calumet & Hecla copper mine. When the miners struck in 1913 our entire family packed up and took a train to Detroit, most of the men finding work in the salt mines under the city. My sister and I were born there at the end of World War I.
This powerful story of Polish copper miners held no interest for me as a young man- I actually turned away from most of my father's accounts; snow up to the second floor windows; working 3000 feet under the earth,; going to work in the mines as a 16 year old lad; giving the paycheck to the family; company paternalism; etc. One day, fighting to think of a birthday gift for my wife, an ad for Family Tree maker came my way, changing everything. Starting my own file was easy and an amazing picture started to take shape. In the library at Sarasota there was actually a book that had a list of boats with passengers and there was my grandmother, only 7, her parents, and her four siblings. Finding this piece of information recorded in 1881 by the captain of the ship named Utopia with the correct names of two grandparents and aunts and uncles that I remembered from childhood times in Detroit, Michigan was strong stuff for a neophyte genealogist. I was hooked.
My career interest centered upon Archaeology and pre-history of Man. Genealogy is a part of the historical research which seems so important to me. Our personal life-span on earth is a small part of our biological evolution and cultural development this everything we learn about our origins helps to explain and enrich the time we are given. Genealogical research also gives credit and honor to those who worked and died caring for us, perhaps it atones a little for the disrespect we should to our old folks as they tried to tell us that they too had once "been there, done that".
I am always seeking information about the following named relatives: Himanek, Tomalka, Wilde, Latus, Manthei, Mauritho, and Hegemeister.
John E. Heimnich
Punta Gorda, Florida
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Michigan Copper Country Club of Milwaukee
This photo was included in Mary Skiba's album, who was Leon Olejniczak and Catherine Krawczyk's second daughter. Leon was the oldest Olejniczak brother that worked in the copper mines in Calumet. I believe that the photo was taken in the 1920's. Unfortunately, I have not been able to identify a single person, and the "Club" was not a registered organization. I assume that the sign was made by one of the ex-miners, andthe group was embarking on a journey to visit old haunts. Given the rail system at the time and the need for labor, quite a few of the Calumet miners resettled in Milwaukee.Cheers,
Ken
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Ruins of the church in Chojnica
http://www.urb-ex.pl/galeria-en-2007_12_ruiny_kosciola_w_chojnicy
A set of photos from a photgrapher who has recorded trips to abandoned and forgotten places including: Abandoned factories, forgotten cemeteries, ruins, closed hospitals, old palaces and residences.
Ken suggests: There are better color photographs of the ruins of The Church of St. John's Beheading at Chojnica on the following website:
http://www.opuszczone.com/galerie/biedrusko_kosciol/index.php?lang=en .
The ruins were used as a backdrop in part of a Jerzy Hoffman film, "With Fire and Sword" (Ogniem I Mieczem), which is set in 17th century Poland during the Cossack uprising.
A set of photos from a photgrapher who has recorded trips to abandoned and forgotten places including: Abandoned factories, forgotten cemeteries, ruins, closed hospitals, old palaces and residences.
Ken suggests: There are better color photographs of the ruins of The Church of St. John's Beheading at Chojnica on the following website:
http://www.opuszczone.com/galerie/biedrusko_kosciol/index.php?lang=en .
The ruins were used as a backdrop in part of a Jerzy Hoffman film, "With Fire and Sword" (Ogniem I Mieczem), which is set in 17th century Poland during the Cossack uprising.
Kenneth Olen writes...........
Some Polish Marriages in Calumet
The records of the Calumet, Michigan marriages of my grandfather and his brothers and sister were posted on The Polish Pioneers of Calumet, Michigan website on 14th February 2008. These marriages illustrate that some of the descendants of the Olejniczak, Krawczyk, Tomczak, and Wojtkowiak families became intertwine. Because I had additional genealogical information on the various families, it was relatively easy for me to identify and establish these relationships, even though several names were spelled phonetically or misspelled.
A review of these marriage records suggests how tight the Polish community might have been in Calumet. In my case two of the Olejniczak brothers, Leon and my grandfather Frank, married sisters, Catherine and Victoria Krawczyk. Their brother John married Stanislawa Tomczak, who was a cousin to the Krawczyk sisters. A study of the marriage certificates, including attention to the names of the parents of the bride and groom and the names of the witnesses, provided strong suggestions as to possible family ties.
The names of the parents on the marriage certificates for the Olejniczak brothers and sister, i.e., Leon (m. 21st August 1896), John (m. 30th September 1899), Frank (m. 11th May 1904) and, Agnes (m. 25th October 1899), were Stephen Olejniczak and Mary Kubiak (Kubick in the case of Frank’s record). The Krawczyk family name did not fare as well on these records. Catherine’s marriage certificate indicated that her family name was Krafchyk, and Krofczyk was reported on Victoria’s marriage certificate. Both certificates suggest that their father’s name was Wm., where in fact it was Walenty.
The mother of the Krawczyk sisters was Magdalena Wojtkowiak. Magdalena’s sisters, Josephine and Mary, were married to Michael Frankowski and John Tomczak, respectively. Michael Krawczyk, Victoria's brother was witness to her marriage toFrank Olejniczak. As mentioned above the daughter of John Tomczak and Mary Wojtkowiak, Stanislawa, married the other Olejniczak brother John. Witnesses to the marriage of John Olejniczak and Stanislawa Tomczak were Melchior Rybicki and Agnes (not Rjnerku) Olejniczak, my grandfather’s sister. About a month later Melchior and Agnes married in same church in Red Jacket.
Leon Olejniczak's wife Catherine Krawczyk died 1st May 1911 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Leon returned to Calumet, probably with his family, and married 4th June 1912 a widow, Agnes Furyon Tomczak, who married first 20th February 1900 to another John Tomczak, son of Joseph Tomczak and Antonia Silorska. Following the miner’s strike in 1913 Leon moved his family to Detroit. Prior to 1910 Leon, Frank and John Olejniczak, Walenty Krawczyk and Michael Frankowski and their families moved to Milwaukee, and Melchior Rybicki and Agnes Olejniczak moved their family to East Chicago, Indiana.
The three Wojtkowiak sisters that immigrated to Calumet all married in Chojnica, Oborniki Co., Poznan, Poland (Posen, Prussia): Magdalena married Walenty Krawczyk 28th Jul 1872, Josephine, married Michael Frankowski 14th Nov 1875, and Mary married John Tomczak 23rd Nov 1879. A fourth sister, Catherine, stayed in Poland and married Walenty Goraczniak 17th Feb 1885 in Chojnica. The Tomczak’s were the first to immigrate to Calumet in 1885. The Frankowski’s followed in 1889, and the Krawczyk’s arrived in 1891.
The village of Chojnica no longer exists as it was absorbed into the Biedrusko Military District. It was in Oborniki County in Poznan Province, just north of the City of Poznan, west of the river Warta. During the German occupation Chojnica was also known as Schweinschade.
The Olejniczak’s were all born in Chladowo, Gniezno Co., Poznan, Poland. At the time of their immigration Chladowo was in Posen, Prussia and also known as Klondau. My grandfather immigrated to Calumet via Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902. The details of Leon, John and Agnes’ immigration have yet to be discovered.
Kenneth Olen (krolen@gate.net)
The records of the Calumet, Michigan marriages of my grandfather and his brothers and sister were posted on The Polish Pioneers of Calumet, Michigan website on 14th February 2008. These marriages illustrate that some of the descendants of the Olejniczak, Krawczyk, Tomczak, and Wojtkowiak families became intertwine. Because I had additional genealogical information on the various families, it was relatively easy for me to identify and establish these relationships, even though several names were spelled phonetically or misspelled.
A review of these marriage records suggests how tight the Polish community might have been in Calumet. In my case two of the Olejniczak brothers, Leon and my grandfather Frank, married sisters, Catherine and Victoria Krawczyk. Their brother John married Stanislawa Tomczak, who was a cousin to the Krawczyk sisters. A study of the marriage certificates, including attention to the names of the parents of the bride and groom and the names of the witnesses, provided strong suggestions as to possible family ties.
The names of the parents on the marriage certificates for the Olejniczak brothers and sister, i.e., Leon (m. 21st August 1896), John (m. 30th September 1899), Frank (m. 11th May 1904) and, Agnes (m. 25th October 1899), were Stephen Olejniczak and Mary Kubiak (Kubick in the case of Frank’s record). The Krawczyk family name did not fare as well on these records. Catherine’s marriage certificate indicated that her family name was Krafchyk, and Krofczyk was reported on Victoria’s marriage certificate. Both certificates suggest that their father’s name was Wm., where in fact it was Walenty.
The mother of the Krawczyk sisters was Magdalena Wojtkowiak. Magdalena’s sisters, Josephine and Mary, were married to Michael Frankowski and John Tomczak, respectively. Michael Krawczyk, Victoria's brother was witness to her marriage toFrank Olejniczak. As mentioned above the daughter of John Tomczak and Mary Wojtkowiak, Stanislawa, married the other Olejniczak brother John. Witnesses to the marriage of John Olejniczak and Stanislawa Tomczak were Melchior Rybicki and Agnes (not Rjnerku) Olejniczak, my grandfather’s sister. About a month later Melchior and Agnes married in same church in Red Jacket.
Leon Olejniczak's wife Catherine Krawczyk died 1st May 1911 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Leon returned to Calumet, probably with his family, and married 4th June 1912 a widow, Agnes Furyon Tomczak, who married first 20th February 1900 to another John Tomczak, son of Joseph Tomczak and Antonia Silorska. Following the miner’s strike in 1913 Leon moved his family to Detroit. Prior to 1910 Leon, Frank and John Olejniczak, Walenty Krawczyk and Michael Frankowski and their families moved to Milwaukee, and Melchior Rybicki and Agnes Olejniczak moved their family to East Chicago, Indiana.
The three Wojtkowiak sisters that immigrated to Calumet all married in Chojnica, Oborniki Co., Poznan, Poland (Posen, Prussia): Magdalena married Walenty Krawczyk 28th Jul 1872, Josephine, married Michael Frankowski 14th Nov 1875, and Mary married John Tomczak 23rd Nov 1879. A fourth sister, Catherine, stayed in Poland and married Walenty Goraczniak 17th Feb 1885 in Chojnica. The Tomczak’s were the first to immigrate to Calumet in 1885. The Frankowski’s followed in 1889, and the Krawczyk’s arrived in 1891.
The village of Chojnica no longer exists as it was absorbed into the Biedrusko Military District. It was in Oborniki County in Poznan Province, just north of the City of Poznan, west of the river Warta. During the German occupation Chojnica was also known as Schweinschade.
The Olejniczak’s were all born in Chladowo, Gniezno Co., Poznan, Poland. At the time of their immigration Chladowo was in Posen, Prussia and also known as Klondau. My grandfather immigrated to Calumet via Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902. The details of Leon, John and Agnes’ immigration have yet to be discovered.
Kenneth Olen (krolen@gate.net)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Der Michigan Wegweiser
ADVERTISEMENT for Der Michigan Wegweiser (Michigan Guidebook) told those considering immigration from Germany, East and West Prussia, and Posen, to contact Maximilian Heinrich Allardt,who was appointed by Governor Henry Baldwin as Michigan's Immigration Commissioner. The office was first opened in Frankfurt and later moved to Hamburg. He held the post from 1869-74. Allardt and his assistant John Reisig filed monthly reports to Gov. Baldwin and the reports are held at the Archives of Michigan.
Polish School Closes, 1921
The Mining Gazette , Friday, January 7, 1921,p. 10
POLISH SCHOOL CLOSES
Decrease in Attendance is Announced
as Reason
The low record of attendance at the
Polish parochial school in Seventh
Street resulted in the closing of its
doors Monday. The departure of many
Polish residents in the Calumet district
caused a decrease in enrollment of over
50 per cent, the attendance at the last
sessions totaling 43.
Rev. Fr. Woolny announced yester-
day provisions had been made for the
pupils in the parochial and public
Schools of the district.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Early births in Calumet, Michigan 1872-74
Data extracted by Joseph Martin of Romeoville, Illinois, from the FHL films
Suggested surname spellings: Adamski, Godzinski, Gorski, Haremza, Kruger, Nowak, Swiderski
Suggested surname spellings: Adamski, Godzinski, Gorski, Haremza, Kruger, Nowak, Swiderski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Early births in Calumet, Michigan 1875-76
Data extracted by Joseph Martin of Romeoville, Illinois, from the FHL films
Adamski, Cegielski, Dlubala, Gorski, Hurzza, Jozwiak, Kujawa,
Kruger , Malinski, Mytkowski, Nowicki, Sikowski,
Wesoleski, Zwierzchowski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Adamski, Cegielski, Dlubala, Gorski, Hurzza, Jozwiak, Kujawa,
Kruger , Malinski, Mytkowski, Nowicki, Sikowski,
Wesoleski, Zwierzchowski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Early births in Calumet, Michigan 1877-78
Data extracted by Joseph Martin of Romeoville, Illinois, from the FHL films
Adamski,Bartkowiak,Bonscosky,Ciemniak,Danielski,
Dlubala,Grzadzielewski, Kujawa,Krawisz, Latowski,
Marczynski,Mytkowski,Nowicki, Rozmiarek, Shotcosky,
Sikowski, Smigaj, Szatkowski, Tobianski,
Wesoleski,Wodarczak, Zienta, Zwierzchowski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Adamski,Bartkowiak,Bonscosky,Ciemniak,Danielski,
Dlubala,Grzadzielewski, Kujawa,Krawisz, Latowski,
Marczynski,Mytkowski,Nowicki, Rozmiarek, Shotcosky,
Sikowski, Smigaj, Szatkowski, Tobianski,
Wesoleski,Wodarczak, Zienta, Zwierzchowski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Early births in Calumet, Michigan 1879
Data extracted by Joseph Martin of Romeoville, Illinois, from the FHL films
Bartkowiak, Bomblinski, Ciemniak, Danielski, Dlubala,
Grzadzielewski, Nowak, Ratajczak Rutkoskyki,
Safranski, Sikowski, Smigaj,
Wesoleski, Wodarczak, Zienta, Zwierzchowski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Bartkowiak, Bomblinski, Ciemniak, Danielski, Dlubala,
Grzadzielewski, Nowak, Ratajczak Rutkoskyki,
Safranski, Sikowski, Smigaj,
Wesoleski, Wodarczak, Zienta, Zwierzchowski
The complete spreadsheet can be accessed here by clicking this sentence.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
St. Anthony Catholic Church
This poster tells the early history of St. Anthony's Catholic Church (1882-c. 1928?) and will be part of the first exhibition organized by the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's in Calumet, Michigan. The exhibit is entitled: FROM FOREIGN TO FAMILIAR - Congregational histories. The exhibit opens the week of June 23, 2008.
The poster displays photos of the Petlewski Boys and cemetery stones for Stanislaw Petlewski (1852-1916) from the collection of Jeff Antaya. The 1883 marriage portrait of Steven Baranowski and Aplonia Szatkowska and the marriage record is from the collection of Kathy Atwood. Dave Montgomery shared the 1900 marriage portrait and certificate of Casimir Malczewski and Helen Flens. The family portrait of Nicholas and Marcianna Kaptur and their children (1893) is courtesy of Joseph Martin who also contributed the history of the parish for the poster.
The poster was created and donated by Ceil Wendt Jensen of Michigan Polonia as part of her participation in the MTU Research Travel Grants Program.
http://www.lib.mtu.edu/mtuarchives/grants/program.aspx
The mission of the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St Anne's is to preserve and interpret the culture and heritage of the Copper Country through the preservation of buildings, development of exhibits and other educational activities. Located at the head of downtown Calumet's commercial district, The Keweenaw Heritage Center, formerly St Anne's Church, is a pivotal structure of the Calumet Downtown National Historic Landmark District. The building is being adapted for service as a museum and educational facility. The Center is a cooperating site of the Keweenaw National Historic Park. The Heritage Center is unique in its plan to highlight the social aspect of mining community life. http://www.pasty.com/heritage/
Anton Garbarek 1849-1906
Hello Kathy Franklin and Larry Garbarek,Just back from a week of research in Calumet and Houghton. I made a visit to Lake View Cemetery and took a photo of your ancestor Anton Garbarek's headstone. I also ordered the cleaning of the stone. Ten dollars to clean a 102 yr. old stone seemed too good of a deal to pass up! I also found a small write up about his death in the newspaper.
Daily Mining Gazette 22 November 1906, p.6
Found Dead On Floor
Anton Garbarek Found Dead Yesterday Morning by Family
Anton Garbarek was found dead at his home on Isle Royale street, Laurium, by members of his family. The man had died some time during the night suddenly, apparently heart failure being
the cause of death. Coroner Fisher was summoned to the scene but decided that an inquest was unnecessary. He informed the county physician Dr. Matehette, if the case, and a post mortem will be held. Upon this will depend the decision as to the future course to be followed. It is believed that the inquest will develop nothing out of the ordinary.
Garbarek lay on a couch in his home Tuesday night in apparently good health and said he wanted to take a nap before retiring. Members of his family went to bed rather early, and expected that the father would follow. They did not notice that he had not done so, and when they awoke in the morning they saw the man laying dead on the floor, apparently having fallen from the coach.
Mr. Garbarek was an elderly man about sixty years of age, and had been for some time a milkman. He is survived by a wife and family of grown children.
Here are the notes I took from the cemetery cards:
Frank Garbarack
age 7 mths
death:Calumet
Sec J, Row 3, Grave 4
Death Jan 10, 1901, Burial Jan. 13, 1901
Director: Ryan
Baby Garbarack
Birth/Death Jan 27, 1902
No Section nor lot listed
Director: Ryan
Baby Garbarack
age 7 mths
death:Swedetown Sec K, Row 3, Grave 5
Burial Sept. 8, 1902
Director: Ryan
Frank Garbarack
age 7 mths
death:Calumet
Sec J, Row 3, Grave 4
Death Jan 10, 1901, Burial Jan. 13, 1901
Director: Ryan
Baby Garbarack
Birth/Death Jan 27, 1902
No Section nor lot listed
Director: Ryan
Baby Garbarack
age 7 mths
death:Swedetown Sec K, Row 3, Grave 5
Burial Sept. 8, 1902
Director: Ryan
Anton Garbarek
age 56
Sec. A, Lot 36
Burial Nov. 23, 1906
Happy Father's Day to all our ancestors!
Ceil
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Call for Calumet Polish Miner Memorabilia
A team of researchers is documenting the Polish Pioneers of Calumet, Michigan. We are looking for families who would like to be included in this blog.
Do you have family stories,photos, parish booklets, or documents to share? Ceil Jensen will met with collection owners to scan or photograph items in the metro Detroit and Houghton Co. area.
Please call or email to arrange an appointment. cjensen@mipolonia.net. See what we have so far: http://calumetmi.blogspot.com Can't meet to scan? Contact Ceil for further information on how to scan and send the files via email or the free website http://yousendit.com
Do you have family stories,photos, parish booklets, or documents to share? Ceil Jensen will met with collection owners to scan or photograph items in the metro Detroit and Houghton Co. area.
Please call or email to arrange an appointment. cjensen@mipolonia.net. See what we have so far: http://calumetmi.blogspot.com Can't meet to scan? Contact Ceil for further information on how to scan and send the files via email or the free website http://yousendit.com
Friday, May 16, 2008
Genealogy Double Header
MTU Archives Press AnnouncementFor Immediate Release 5/13/08
Genealogy Double Header:
The Peasant and the Palace: Manor Records in Poland
and
Early Polish Immigrants in Houghton County
Tracing family histories has become wildly popular with the advent of the Internet, but genealogical research encompasses so much more than simply searching for names online. In June, the Michigan Tech Archives hosts two visiting researchers who specialize in tracing Polish relatives on both sides of the Atlantic. They will talk about their experiences and share information about researching ancestors who immigrated to the Copper Country and other regions of the United States from the manors and estates of Poland.
Ceil Jensen, of Michigan Polonia, and Brother Joseph Martin, of Lewis University, joint winners of a 2008 MTU Archives Travel Grant Award, will give a genealogy presentation on Tuesday, June 10, at 7 p.m., in Room 139 of Fisher Hall, on the Tech campus. Set against the background of the 18th century Palace of Rogalin, in the city of Poznan, Jensen will explore manorial records and the personal papers of the palace’s nobility and show how to locate and use European genealogical resources. Jensen’s research work focuses on the Kalumet Projecta, which documents the migration patterns of Polish families who came to Calumet during 1870 to 1900. Brother Joseph Martin of Lewis University, Illinois, is an educator, researcher, and contributor to Kalumet Projecta and many other genealogical programs. Martin is currently researching Polish fraternal orders, and also will talk about his work to identify the earliest Polish immigrants to Calumet.
Jensen and Martin’s presentation and research visit are supported by an MTU Archives Research Travel Award provided by the Friends of the Van Pelt Library. The MTU Archives, a department of the J. Robert Van Pelt Library, hosts a wide variety of researchers and research topics -- everything from genealogical investigations to book and magazine publications -- engaging students, staff, and faculty, as well as local citizens and other off-campus researchers. The Michigan Tech “Archival Speaker Series,” highlights current research in the Archives’ collections. The presentation is free and open to the public.
For further information or directions to the event, contact the MTU Archives at (906) 487-2505 or via e-mail at copper@mtu.edu.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Homestead Q&A - Joe Adamski
December , 1900
Joe Adamski's answers to the questions on the December, 1900 Deposition and the standard Q&A Homestead Proof- Testimony of Claimant form offer insight into the life of an 1890s settler.
Deposition
1) Most of the time my family resided in Calumet, and part of the time with me at the homestead.
2) Where and how were you employed when absent from the land?
Worked for Calumet & Hecla Mining Company, to get money to support my family and improve my homestead. It cost me a good deal to hire a team to take provisions and stuff to work with to the homestead, the roads were so poor, and when I was at work at Calumet I lived with my family; and once we lost a good horse drawing stuff to the homestead.
3) Whether or not the dwelling is habitable during all seasons, and what goods are kept there?
My house was habitable during all the seasons of the years, and it had a good roof to shed rain, it never leaked, and between the logs it was well chinked up with timber and moss.
A good cooking-stove, good bed, table, pail, chairs, benches, dishes, cooking utensils, everything necessary to keep house. A buck-saw, axe and two guns. Had a good log house well fixed up, and six acres of clearing and chopping, and I helped to make the roads to get into the homestead.
4) What portion, if any, of the timber have you sold?
I have not contracted to see one stick of timber, nor have I ever sold any timber at all, and do not want to sell any only where I want to clear the land.
5) The kind, and approx. quantity of crops raised?
After the first two years about 25.00 to 30.00 a year, of crops and the reason I did not raise more, because there was no market for it out there and it cost more to get it hauled to market than it was worth, and the roads so rough and poor, at that time.
Homestead Proof- Testimony of Claimant
1) What is your name, age and address?
Joe Adamski, age 29 years , P.O.address Calumet
4) My house was built on the land in April , 1894 and I established my residence on the land June 5, 1894. House 14ft x 14ft, 1 room, 1 door, 1 window, roof house, fence, well 6ft deep, 1 acre cleared, road, etc, etc, worth about 700.00.
5) Whom does you family consist? Wife and four children. I have resided on the land since June 5, 1894 but my wife refused to live there because it was so far from school and town. (* 40 miles)
6) For what period of time have you been absent from the land?
I have been absent from the land only three times each year for 2 or 3 months at a time, mostly in winter time, to work and earn money to support my family. My family did not live on the land.
Joe Adamski's answers to the questions on the December, 1900 Deposition and the standard Q&A Homestead Proof- Testimony of Claimant form offer insight into the life of an 1890s settler.
Deposition
1) Most of the time my family resided in Calumet, and part of the time with me at the homestead.
2) Where and how were you employed when absent from the land?
Worked for Calumet & Hecla Mining Company, to get money to support my family and improve my homestead. It cost me a good deal to hire a team to take provisions and stuff to work with to the homestead, the roads were so poor, and when I was at work at Calumet I lived with my family; and once we lost a good horse drawing stuff to the homestead.
3) Whether or not the dwelling is habitable during all seasons, and what goods are kept there?
My house was habitable during all the seasons of the years, and it had a good roof to shed rain, it never leaked, and between the logs it was well chinked up with timber and moss.
A good cooking-stove, good bed, table, pail, chairs, benches, dishes, cooking utensils, everything necessary to keep house. A buck-saw, axe and two guns. Had a good log house well fixed up, and six acres of clearing and chopping, and I helped to make the roads to get into the homestead.
4) What portion, if any, of the timber have you sold?
I have not contracted to see one stick of timber, nor have I ever sold any timber at all, and do not want to sell any only where I want to clear the land.
5) The kind, and approx. quantity of crops raised?
After the first two years about 25.00 to 30.00 a year, of crops and the reason I did not raise more, because there was no market for it out there and it cost more to get it hauled to market than it was worth, and the roads so rough and poor, at that time.
Homestead Proof- Testimony of Claimant
1) What is your name, age and address?
Joe Adamski, age 29 years , P.O.address Calumet
4) My house was built on the land in April , 1894 and I established my residence on the land June 5, 1894. House 14ft x 14ft, 1 room, 1 door, 1 window, roof house, fence, well 6ft deep, 1 acre cleared, road, etc, etc, worth about 700.00.
5) Whom does you family consist? Wife and four children. I have resided on the land since June 5, 1894 but my wife refused to live there because it was so far from school and town. (* 40 miles)
6) For what period of time have you been absent from the land?
I have been absent from the land only three times each year for 2 or 3 months at a time, mostly in winter time, to work and earn money to support my family. My family did not live on the land.
Land Barons
Joseph Martin wrote to Ceil: In my spare time I went through the GLO records for all of Houghton County by Townships and by Sections to locate all the Polish names I could find. I did both the north and south parts of the county based on the maps you sent me. (note- the GLO website holds Surveys, Plats, and Field Notes http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/SurveySearch/- begin your search after you have picked up the necessary information from the Land Patent- Ceil). Descendants of the Pioneer Poles are encouraged to order the packets and share them with the blog.
51-N, 35-W
Michal Nowak
Jacob Rinta ( Zienta)
51N/36W
Martin Ignasinski
Anton Kowalski
John Pitasky
Mihal Coujdrak (Cwoidrak)
Michal Nowak
52N/35W
George Bomblinski
Anton Jozwiak
Lawrence Klinowiecki
Stephen Klinowiecki
Victoria Monczynski
Stef Petasky
John Stelmarseski
Annie Waikelwiz ( Wojkiewicz)
John Zwierzchowski
54N/36W
John Butkiewicz
51-N, 35-W
Michal Nowak
Jacob Rinta ( Zienta)
51N/36W
Martin Ignasinski
Anton Kowalski
John Pitasky
Mihal Coujdrak (Cwoidrak)
Michal Nowak
52N/35W
George Bomblinski
Anton Jozwiak
Lawrence Klinowiecki
Stephen Klinowiecki
Victoria Monczynski
Stef Petasky
John Stelmarseski
Annie Waikelwiz ( Wojkiewicz)
John Zwierzchowski
54N/36W
John Butkiewicz
Homesteader Joe Adamski
Like many Poles, Joe Adamski wanted to own property. His Federal Land Patent is indexed on the website maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), General Land Office (GLO) Records: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/
After reviewing the online document his packet was ordered from the National Archives. The current cost to receive copies is $40.00. The packet arrived within two weeks.
The packet includes newspaper notices as required by law listing the settler Joe Adamski and his witnesses: Gus Fromholz, Paul Kratt, Anton Kowalski (Joe's brother in law) and John Piaskey, all of Calumet.
The packet has been scanned and put online. Please see:
Five Catholic Parishes
1868-1968 Sacred Heart Centennial
p. 26
transcribed by Ceil Wendt Jensen
Essential to the general picture of most of the decades is the spirit of friendliness that existed between the parishes of Calumet from ''way back". There were St. Joseph's. St. Mary's, St. Anne's, St. John's, and St. Anthony's. Perhaps there were times when this friendliness was demonstrated by "mining town"gruffness, but underneath there remained a genuine catholicity (in the sense of total, basic unity). Sacred Heart is grateful for the associations with the people and priests of these parishes thought the years.
The names of those parishes have passes into history, and the congregations are now members of either of our parish or of our fiend and co-parish St. Paul the Apostle in Calumet. In Keweenaw there are two more friends, the parishes of Mohawk and Ahmeek.
p. 26
transcribed by Ceil Wendt Jensen
Essential to the general picture of most of the decades is the spirit of friendliness that existed between the parishes of Calumet from ''way back". There were St. Joseph's. St. Mary's, St. Anne's, St. John's, and St. Anthony's. Perhaps there were times when this friendliness was demonstrated by "mining town"gruffness, but underneath there remained a genuine catholicity (in the sense of total, basic unity). Sacred Heart is grateful for the associations with the people and priests of these parishes thought the years.
The names of those parishes have passes into history, and the congregations are now members of either of our parish or of our fiend and co-parish St. Paul the Apostle in Calumet. In Keweenaw there are two more friends, the parishes of Mohawk and Ahmeek.
Any ghosts hovering about the old Hecla Cemetery....
The 1868-1968 Sacred Heart Centennialp21
transcribed by Ceil Wendt Jensen
Any ghosts hovering about the old "Hecla Cemetery" in the spring of 1958 scurried to new habitats when they saw a strange delegation approaching their domain. This awesome band equipped with digging , chopping and raking implements, and led by Father Jerome had one purpose in mind- Clean the old cemetery! Since its origin in 1880, this resting place had experienced little or no improvement. Tombstones had been toppled and broken, brushed and undergrowth completely covered numerous graves, portions of the fence were down and the entire ground were in a state of near obliteration.
Heavy equipment , such as bulldozers and payloaders, plus drivers for same were offered by the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company to assist the workers. The offer was gratefully accepted. The stronger sex was not alone in the restoration project. The woman assisted in the raking of the debris after the men had chopped and pulled it loose. When the project was completed, there we any aching backs and muscles but he aches were not in vain. A tremendous job had been done and restoring the old burial grounds was a great accomplishment.
Link to:
http://www.hkcgs.org/HeclaSkoviakWebPages/index.shtml
HECLA CEMETERY
Cemetery St, Laurium, Houghton County, Michigan
Photos (some with year photo was taken) by Greg Skoviak and Peg Nieldhold donated to the Houghton Keweenaw County Genealogy Society
1964-65 Card Indexing of Baptismal, Confirmation entries
The 1868-1968 Sacred Heart Church Centennial
p34
transcribed by Ceil Wendt Jensen
During the century of its existence, our parish has lived a Century of Faith. The records of baptism, which date back to 1868, have 8348 entries. Confirmation administered by the Bishops of the Diocese 4761- Marriages contracted 1880- Burials 3319. There are many requests for certification o f baptism. A gigantic work done in 1964-65 with the assistance of the young people and members of the Altar Society was the card -indexing of the Baptismal and Confirmation entries. The index makes it possible to find names which were recorded at times with sort of "ad lib"spelling.
p34
transcribed by Ceil Wendt Jensen
During the century of its existence, our parish has lived a Century of Faith. The records of baptism, which date back to 1868, have 8348 entries. Confirmation administered by the Bishops of the Diocese 4761- Marriages contracted 1880- Burials 3319. There are many requests for certification o f baptism. A gigantic work done in 1964-65 with the assistance of the young people and members of the Altar Society was the card -indexing of the Baptismal and Confirmation entries. The index makes it possible to find names which were recorded at times with sort of "ad lib"spelling.
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