Iwona's Sources - Polish Emigrants 1907-1912

Index of Polish Emigrants from Zywiec County, 1907-1912

This is data I collected in the State Archives in Krakow, while viewing administrative files for Zywiec county. It is a list of people who applied for passports (with adnotations that they were accepted by authorities) during the period 1907-1912. The applications were generally in the form of letters or forms addressed to official authorities in the Żywiec county offices and followed the same basic pattern, giving the following data:

full name
year of birth (sometimes the full date)
place of birth
place of residence
father’s name and occupation*
reason for traveling to America
estimated time in America
description of the applicant: year of birth, height, shape of face, hair color, eye color, shape of mouth, shape of nose, any other distinguishing facial characteristics

Index of emigrants:

The data is given in the following order: Full name, year of birth, place of origin, year of emigration to USA (or elsewhere, if noted)

Jan Bąk, 1885, Ślemień, 1907
Tomasz BÄ…k, 1884, Pewel, 1907
Michał Better, 1871, Leśna, 1911 (sawmill owner)
Marcin Biela, 1890, Radziechowy ,1908
Marcin Biegun, 1887, Wieprz, 1911
Jan Bysko, 1881, Lipowa, 1907

Józef Chmielarski, 1888, Prywek, 1911
Jakub Ćwiekała, 1877, Krzeszów, 1909
Wojciech Ćwiekała, 1874, Krzeszów, 1911

Piotr Dadak, 1885, Milówka, 1911
Józef Dziedzic, 1874, Cięcina, 1908
Karol Dziki, 1883, Sporysz, 1907

Józef Fujak, 1878, Rajcza, 1913

Maciej Gach, , Kurów, 1909
Jan GÄ…siorek, 1882, Roszarawa, 1908
Marcin Gaweł, 1854, Milówka, 1907
Marian, Gaweł, 1882, Milówka, 1907
Emil Gaweł, 1877, Milówka, 1907
Jozef Gawlasiak, 1887, Sopotnica Wielka, 1907
Franciszek Gęga, 1880, Rychwałd, –
Franciszek Gibas, 1891, Gilowice, 1910
Wojciech Gibas, 1886, Ślemień, 1910
Franciszek Grygies, 1864, Rychwałd, 1910
Filip Grzegorek, –, Cisiec, 1912
Rozalia Gzika, 1885, Sporysz, 1912
Karol Gzika, 1883, Sporysz, 1912

Halina Handzel, 1877, Stryszawa, 1912
Eugeniusz Huet, 1887, Cięcina, 1911

Jan Jakubiec, 1884, Radzichów, 1907

Jan Kadek, 1878, Krzeszów, 1907
Antoni Kalfas, 1887, Kamesznica, 1910
Piotr Kasiński, 1859, Zadziele, 1903
Franciszek KÅ‚usak, 1892, Zadziele, 1911
Władysław Krzak, 1886, Ślemień, 1910
Antoni Krusik, 1892, Gilowice, 1910
Wincenty Krusik, 1882, Å?ysina, 1911

Józef Legut, 1888, Kuków, 1907
Maciej Luka, 1873, Kamesznica, 1907

Jan Å?opatka, 1863, Å?Ä™kawica, 1908 to CzÄ™stochowa
Regina Å?opatka, 1863, Å?Ä™kawica, 1908 to CzÄ™stochowa
MichaÅ‚ Å?opatka, 1866, Å?Ä™kawica, 1908 to CzÄ™stochowa
Wojciech Å?opatka, 1881, Å?Ä™kawice, 1908 to CzÄ™stochowa
Anna Å?opatka, 1884, Å?Ä™kawica, 1908 to CzÄ™stochowa
Marianna Å?opatka, 1848, Å?Ä™kawica, 1908, to CzÄ™stochowa

JÄ™drzej (Andrzej) MÄ…drala, 1888, Å?odygowice, 1907
Szymon Mendrala, –, Lodygowice, 1907
Franciszek Majewski, 1868, Krzeszów, 1910
Jan Mazgała, 1882, Kocoń, 1907
Franciszek Mieszczak, 1878, Rychwałd, 1911
Jakub Mikus, 1893, Kurów, –, 1907
Karol Mrowiec, 1887, Å?odygowice, 1907
Antoni Mrowiec, –, Å?odygowice, 1908

Franciszek Nowak, –,Bystra, 1908
Józef Nowak, 1875, Tresna, 1909
Jan Józef Nowotarski, 1883, Grzegórzki, 1907 to Russia

Rudolf Okrzesik, 1887, Å?Ä™kawica, 1910
Jozef Oleksiak, 1893, Kurów, 1907
Jan Olszowski, 1885, Pewel, 1910

Piotr Pajestka, 1856, Szare, 1907
Barbara Pajestka, 1864, Szare, 1907
Marianna Pajestka, 1862, Szare, 1907
Magdalena Pajestka, 1837, Szare, 1907
Jakub Pajestka, 1870, Szare, 1907
Paulina Pajestka, 1885, Szare, 1907
Józef Panek, 1875, Kuków, 1909
Józef Pochopień, 1880, Ślemień, 1907
Antoni Pychik, 28 yrs, Ślemień, 1908

Ernest Radzinorski, 1877, Bielsko-Biała, 1907
Franciszek Rus, 1887, Å?Ä™kawica, 1912

Józef Sarlej, 1893, Kocoń, 1907
Józefa Sewery, –, Å?Ä™kawica Duża, 1907
Antoni Skowron, 1886, Cisiec, 1911
Józef Słanik, 1893, Kurów, 1907
Aniela SÅ‚apa, 1888, Stryszawa, 1908
Karol SÅ‚apa, 1887, Wieprz, 1911
Karol Socha, 1884, Ślemień, 1910
Tomasz Sołtysek, 1887, Żabnica, 1910
Józef Sroka, 1871, Gilowice, 1908
Marianna Steczek, 1888, Stryszawa, 1908
Jozefa Steczek, 1887, Stryszawa, 1908
Mikołaj Świerkosz, 1896, Stryszawa, 1912
Wojciech Syposz, 1876, Radziechowy, 1907
Wiktoria Szałata, 1884, Lachowice, –
Andrzej Szymalik, 1847, –, 1907

Józef Tomaszek, 1875, Å?Ä™kawica, 1908
Marcin Trzeboniak, 1870, Stryszawa, 1907
Szymon Trzop, 1881, –,1907
Wiktoria Tyrlik, 1883, Radziechowy, 1907

Karol Wandzel, 1887, Zarzecze, 1910
Józef Wawak, 1876, Międzybrodzie, 1907
Adolf Wawrzyczka, ?, Koleby, 1909
Magdalena Wątroba, 1849, Krzeszów, 1907
Józef Wątroba, 1849, Krzeszówa, 1907
Jan Widz, 1884, Sopotnica, 1907
Wincenty Wiewiórka, 1869, Ślemień, 1910
Józefa Wisłuch, 1892, Gilowice, 1910
Marcin Wróbel, 1873, Świnna, 1910
Jan Wojtas, 1857, Szare, 1907
Franciszka Wolna, 1881, Zarzecze, 1907
Jan Widuch, 1889, Sopotnica, 1907

Some forms included many details. Here is a sample (in Polish followed by English translation):

Karol Socha, urodzony 6 września 1884 wŚlemień, zamieszkały w Straconka nr 78— Karol Socha, born 6 September 1884 in Ślemień, residing in Straconka at no. 78
przynależność: powiat żywiecki — Affiliation: the county of Żywiec
zatrudnienie: czeladnik kowalski — Employment: journeyman smith
cel podróży: Ameryka — Journey destination: America
czas trwania podróży: 1 rok — Length of journey: 1 year
wyjazd w celu: do krewnych — Purpose of journey: to relatives
czy zalega z podatkami: nie — Is he behind in his taxes: no
czy znajduje się w śledztwie karnym: nie — Is he under criminal prosecution: no
czy popadł w konkurs: nie — Has he been sued for debt: no
czy jest urlopnikiem lub rezerwista: urlopowicz — Is he on leave or a reservist: reservist
czy jest pospolitakiem: nie — Is he a militaman: no

uwagi: umie czytać i pisać — Notes: he can read and write.

There are other forms. The following extract is from a sort of certificate of morality:

Polish Original Text:

Od przełożonego Gminy pana Jana Piwowara, list z dnia 30 grudnia 1909, Żabieniec:

Ze strony miejscowego urzędu gminy potwierdza się, że wedle poniżej poszczegolnionego opisu osobiście mi znajoma Regina Tetlak, urodzona w 1890 roku w Żabnicy - rzymsko katolickiej religii i stanu wolnego, córka Michała i Anny - tutejszych gospodarzy w domu nr 101 - wzorowe i moralne życie prowadząca. Dotychczas żadne zaskarzenie, ani rodziny ani sasiądów przeciw niej nie nastąpiło. Zamierza iść na służbę do Ameryki bez przeszkód w rodzinie i w gminnej przenależności.
Poniżej szczegołowy opis osoby.

Åšwiadectwo to wydaje siÄ™ Reginie Tetlak w celu otrzymania paszportu.

English Translation

From the Gmina supervisor, Jan Piwowar, date 30 December 1909, Żabieniec

On behalf of the local gmina office it is certified that the person described in detail below and personally known to me—Regina Tetlak, born in 1890 in Żabieniec, of the Roman Catholic faith and unmarried, the daughter of Michał and Anna, local farm-owners at house no. 101—has conducted an exemplary and moral life. To this point there have been no complaints against her, either from her family or her neighbors. She intends to go to America to work as a servant, with no impediments in her family or in the gmina to which she belongs.
A detailed description of her person is given below.

This certificate is issued to Regina Tetlak for the purposes of obtaining a passport.

SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

Editor’s Note—Iwona provided copies of several sample documents. They appear on the following pages, with my best attempt at translation. This is a 2-page passport application. Here is my translation of its contents, with handwritten material in italics.

Gmina: Sporysz County: Żywiec

Certificate

for the purpose of obtaining a passport for travel to all the countries of Europe.

Description of the person applying:
First and last name: Franciszek Majewski
Date of birth: 1868
Place of birth: Krzeszów
Residential affiliation: Sporysz
Permanent residence: "
Parents (their first and last names): Anna Majewska, nieśl. [Anna Majewska, unmarried]
Inheritance: nic nie posiada [owns nothing]
Marital status: żonaty cygan, kowal [married Gypsy, smith]
Height: wysoki [tall]
Hair: czarne [dark]
Eyes: czarne [dark]
Face: pociągła [oval]
Nose: podłużny, gruby [elongated, thick]
Mouth: mierne [regular]
Distinguishing marks: wÄ…s czarne [dark moustache]
Is the applicant a conscript, on leave, a reservist, a member of the home guard, or a local militiaman (age 35-42): landsturmista [member of the Landsturm or local militia, for men age 43-50]
Does the applicant pay a fee in the given instance, and for whatever period he has paid, give the date and article of the relevant receipt (The applicant has receipts from the tax office in the Royal and Imperial Starosta’s office, proving he paid the tax): nie [no].
Does the applicant pay tax in the given instance, and for the period for which he has paid, indicate the date and articule of the relevant receipt: nie [no].
Is the applicant in arrears for any punishment due to arrest or for any fine?: nie [no].

Above is the second page of this form, giving details on those who are traveling with him [Z tymże udają się w podróż]. Here is a translation of this information:
Name Character Birthplace Age Height Face Hair Eyes Mouth Nose Marks
Zofia Majewska wife Sporysz 1870 average oval dark hazel proportional none
Józef " son " 24 yrs. " round " " " " "
Mikołaj " " " 1900 " " dark-blond " " " no right hand
Teresya " daughter Gierałtowice 1892 " round dark " " " none
Marcyna " " Jeleśnia 1896 " " " " " " "
Ewa " " Stryszawa 1896 " " " " " " "
Stefania " " Jeleśnia 1891 " " " " " " "
Franciszka " " Sporysz 7 mos. small " " " " " "
Sporysz, 13 April 1910
Gmina executive

This document reproduced below is a Åšwiadectwo gminne, a certificate issued by the gmina office.

Polish Original Text

Niżej podpisany Jan Mazgała z gminy Koconia
uprasza w pokorze Świetne c.k. Starostwa w Żywcu
o łaskawe wydanie paszportu podrożnego do
Ameryki na przeciÄ…g 2ch lat.
Ze strony Zwierzchności gminnej przeciw osobie
proszącej żadna przeszkoda nie zachodzi — oświadcza
się jednak że Jan Mazgała służył przez
3 lata czynnie przy c.k. 31 Pułku piechoty obrony
krajowej w Cieszynie – a niniejsze stwierdza
się niżej.
Opis osoby:
Jan Mazgała, rodem i przynależny z Koconia
rok urodzenia 1882
religii rzym. katol.
stanu wolnego
zatrudnienie wyrobnik dzienny
wzrost średni
twarz owalna
włosy czarne
oczy szare
nos i usta mierne
znaków szczególnych – żadne
Kocoń dnia 18 września1907
Jozef Pyclik, wójt

English Translation

Jan Mazgała, described below, from the gmina of Kocoń, humbly requests the Illustrious Royal and Imperial Starosta’s office in Żywiec to kindly issue a traveling passport to America for a period of 2 years. On the part of the Gmina Authority, there is no impediment in regard to the person making this request — it is attested, however, that Jan Mazgała served on active duty three years ago with the Royal and Imperial 31st Infantry Regiment of the Home Guard in Cieszyn. Certified below.

Personal Description:
Jan Mazgała, by birth and affiliation from Kocoń
Year of birth 1882
Of the Roman Catholic religion
Of single marital status
Employment, day laborer
Height, average
Face, oval
Hair, dark
Eyes, gray
Nose and mouth, regular
Distinguishing marks, none

Kocoń, 18 September 1907
Jozef Pyclik, wójt

The above German-language document is a certificate dealing with issues the Austrian military bureaucracy had with Jan Mazgała—here called by the German version of his first name, Johann—as related to his planned trip to America. The German (as best I could read it) appears below, followed by the English translation:

Praes. Teschen, 5/10/1907 [Teschen is the German name for the town Poles call Cieszyn] Royal and Imperial Local Militia Supplement District Headquarters No. 31, Teschen

Teschen, 5 October 1907 To the Royal and Imperial Government District in Saybusch [the German name for Żywiec] Commander grants leave [or perhaps it means "Commandant on leave"]

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Last Updated on February 18, 2010