Chris Smolinski
2006-04-12 11:57:37 UTC
For several years now, I've been trying to find some information on my
great grandfather. I've made lots of progress on other parts of my
family, but he continues to be a stumbling block. Maybe someone here has
some suggestions, or access to some immigration records that might be
useful.
His name was Boleslaw Modzelewski, he went by William here in the USA.
He came over from Poland (I presume actually the Russian part) circa
1900. I have been unable to locate any records at the Ellis Island site
that might be him. Of course one possibility is that he didn't come
through Ellis Island, the other is that they completely mangled his
name. His 1930 census record shows him being born approx 1876. I was
recently able to find the 1920 census record, it took some doing, as
they listed him as WILLIAM BOZELFSKY. I know it was him based on the
recorded street address and the family details. All I can figure is that
the census taker recorded his American first name, and then mangled
Boleslaw Modzelewski into Bozelfsky. Ugh.
I've been unable to find the 1910 census record. I'm not sure where they
were living then, I am going to guess the NYC area. His wife (Stefania
/Safona) came over in 1907 and I was easily able to find her Ellis
Island record.
Unfortunately my grandmother doesn't remember many details about him,
even his exact date of birth and death (she's 95, and he died approx
1950, so it's been a while). My grandmother thinks they may have been
from the same town in Russia, the Ellis Island record shows my great
grandmother as being born in Lomza (or is that Lornza?) and then living
in Sokoly when she left.
Any suggestions or information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
--
---
Chris Smolinski
Black Cat Systems
http://www.blackcatsystems.com
great grandfather. I've made lots of progress on other parts of my
family, but he continues to be a stumbling block. Maybe someone here has
some suggestions, or access to some immigration records that might be
useful.
His name was Boleslaw Modzelewski, he went by William here in the USA.
He came over from Poland (I presume actually the Russian part) circa
1900. I have been unable to locate any records at the Ellis Island site
that might be him. Of course one possibility is that he didn't come
through Ellis Island, the other is that they completely mangled his
name. His 1930 census record shows him being born approx 1876. I was
recently able to find the 1920 census record, it took some doing, as
they listed him as WILLIAM BOZELFSKY. I know it was him based on the
recorded street address and the family details. All I can figure is that
the census taker recorded his American first name, and then mangled
Boleslaw Modzelewski into Bozelfsky. Ugh.
I've been unable to find the 1910 census record. I'm not sure where they
were living then, I am going to guess the NYC area. His wife (Stefania
/Safona) came over in 1907 and I was easily able to find her Ellis
Island record.
Unfortunately my grandmother doesn't remember many details about him,
even his exact date of birth and death (she's 95, and he died approx
1950, so it's been a while). My grandmother thinks they may have been
from the same town in Russia, the Ellis Island record shows my great
grandmother as being born in Lomza (or is that Lornza?) and then living
in Sokoly when she left.
Any suggestions or information anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
--
---
Chris Smolinski
Black Cat Systems
http://www.blackcatsystems.com
--
---
Chris Smolinski
Black Cat Systems
http://www.blackcatsystems.com
---
Chris Smolinski
Black Cat Systems
http://www.blackcatsystems.com