Where it all began-cemeteries!

Cmentarze

I often wonder how I became so enchanted with the idea of visiting dusty archives, spending endless hours scrolling through microfilm and strolling through ancient graveyards, often times thousands of miles from home...searching for that one small crumb of information. And once found, it would lead  me to a dozen more questions about each of my forbears. 

I believe it was, in fact, my maternal grandmother who is somewhat responsible.  As a child, she would take my brother and I to Gate of Heaven cemetery (Hanover, N.J.) each and every Sunday that we visited.  Gram actually visited grandpa's grave every Sunday after mass.  She had done so since grandpa died in 1942.

Those were happy excursions. After we tended to the gravesite and watered the flowers, we would always feed the llamas in a small farm across the street.

To this day, I enjoy visiting cemeteries...any cemetery...but, especially those in Poland.  They are tended to with such reverence and care.  I've witnessed many Polish women on their hands and knees scrubbing  ledgers and headstones. It was then I understood my own grandmother's devotion in tending to her late husband's grave, for so many years.

Unfortunately, cemeteries in Poland may not be the most lucrative place to search for one's Polish ancestors.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pollubel/cmentindx.html

"...Many graves were destroyed as a result of legal regulations in the 1950s, when a statute was enacted stating that graves neglected, abandoned, and not paid for, according to the rates in effect, were to be eliminated, and the plots were to be reused for new burials. According to the regulation, one could bury the next body in place of the previous one after 20 years had passed. In practice it seems this meant the old plates were removed and the next body was buried on the remnants of the old one..."

This was apparent in Topólcza, where grandma Eugenia Panuciak was born.  I was blessed in being able to visit the village. Unfortunately, I could only afford one day in this remote area of Poland.  I walked through all 3 area graveyards.  It was indeed difficult to find a grave pre mid 20th century. No one spoke English and my knowledge of Polish was sadly nill.  I hope I am able to return someday, better prepared.

I was more fortunate, years late, finding some of my grandfather's family in Pepłowo (Mława) and Kuczbork.  I was so fortunate, having more time and resources, to visit all the cemeteries affiliated with his line. 

Szreńsk cemetery and church

http://niedziela.pl/artykul/32045/nd/Kosciol-budowany-z-pokolenia-na-pokolenie

This was the largest of those I visited that were directly connected with my research...I walked up and down it's entire length...the sun set and a cool misty rain ensued...I was determined, but nary was a Tylicki grave found.  There were indeed many headstones inscribed with our family names of Ługowski, Bońkowski, Chądzynski and Szcypyorski.  None were old enough to be 'mine'.

Kuczbork cemetery  and church

https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko%C5%9Bci%C3%B3%C5%82_%C5%9Bw._Bart%C5%82omieja_w_Kuczborku-Osadzie

Here I was given me a few glimmers of hope-situated up on a hill, across the street from the beautiful old church Sw. Bartłomieja-Apostola    http://diecezjaplocka.pl/parafie/kuczbork-sw-bartlomieja-apostola.

Unfortunately, the church itself was closed on the cold rainy November day I visited in 2016.  But the cemetery, like most in Poland was opened and filled with family members paying their respects.  I read each and every headstone, taking pictures of those that caught my imagination. In 10 minutes time I came upon not 1 but 4 Tylicki stones.  I could not tie any directly to my family...though, I was certain they were somehow connected.  This is not a common name in this parish.  I had records that showed, amonst many other Tylicki family members, my grandfather's grandfather Antoni Tylicki was born in Chodubka!   Antoni and his wife Wiktorya (nee Chądzynska) were both born 'nobles'...sometime mid century they lost this status.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szlachta

They left the area in 1845, moving about quite a bit.  The reason for so many moves was to be unearthed in the death certificate of Antoni's son Josef.  It listed the father's occupation of zakladnik.

http://forum.polishorigins.com/viewtopic.php?p=17332#17332

Jabłonowo-Adamy is where they eventually put down stakes.

Wieczfnia  koscielna cemetery and church

http://www.parafiawieczfnia.pl/

It was here, in my grandfather's parish that I hit paydirt...though the words on the headstone were haunting: "Zgineli śmiercia tragieczma w 1945r"- they died a tragic death in 1945  :(
to be continued...

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