Detroit

Lamb's Bird Store - Detroit, Michigan

Lamb's Bird Store - Detroit, Michigan

Here is an old-timey photo of “Lamb’s Bird Store” in Detroit, Michigan. It is one of several pet stores that was connected to a Lamb family with roots in Detroit as early as 1914.

Herbert John Kleehammer (1899-1990) - First Job in 1913

Herbert John Kleehammer (1899-1990) - First Job in 1913

This image likely shows Herbert John Kleehammer (1890-1990) at his first job in 1913 at a hardware store in Detroit, Michigan.

Funeral Prayer Card for Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 13)

Funeral Prayer Card for Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 13)

This is the funeral prayer card for my great grandmother, Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941). I don’t have it in my possession, but the image was shared with me by a cousin several years ago.

A Family Bible from the Teamsters Local Union 299 - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 6)

A Family Bible from the Teamsters Local Union 299 - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 6)

My maternal grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973), drove truck for a living in the city of Detroit, Michigan. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local Union No. 299. When he died, his Teamster Brothers presented our family with this Holy Bible.

A Grandmother's Rose Petal Rosary - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 4)

A Grandmother's Rose Petal Rosary - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 4)

This rosary was made from the dried rose petals that adorned the casket of my maternal grandmother, Claire Pawlowski Halvangis (1916-1980). It was subsequently used by my older brother when he made his First Holy Communion.

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Pneumonia in Detroit: The Death of 20 Day Old Anna Pawlowski (1918)

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Pneumonia in Detroit: The Death of 20 Day Old Anna Pawlowski (1918)

Documenting the lives of children who died is an important role of a family historian. My great aunt Anna Pawlowski (1918-1918) tragically lost her life to pneumonia after only 20 days. This is her story.

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#106): "Heard You Were Lonesome"

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#106): "Heard You Were Lonesome"

Hannah Mortensen sends a postcard to Amelia Naukee of Detroit, Michigan. Here’s what it says. Can you help me find and tell their stories?

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

My great grandfather, Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959) was known as “Dziadzio” by my mother and her generation. He was a quiet man, perhaps because he spoke little English. His hands seemed permanently yellowed from cigarettes and he had false teeth that he kept in a glass next to his bed. This is his story.

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My 2nd Great Grandmother: Marie Zuchowska Pawlowski (b. 1851)

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My 2nd Great Grandmother: Marie Zuchowska Pawlowski (b. 1851)

Marie Zuchowska Pawlowski was my 2nd great grandmother. Born around 1851 in what is present day Poland, she came to the U.S. with her husband, Baltazar, in 1907. They settled in Detroit, MI to join their children. This is her story.

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Agnieszka "Agnes" Szaroleta Grzeskowiak (1854-1918)

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Agnieszka "Agnes" Szaroleta Grzeskowiak (1854-1918)

Agnieszka “Agnes” Szaroleta Grzeskowiak (1854-1918) was my 2nd great grandmother. She was married to my 2nd great grandfather, Albert Grzeskowiak (1849-1931). They came to the U.S. from Poland in the early 1880s and settled in Detroit, MI.

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Anthony Karatzis (1921-1926)

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Anthony Karatzis (1921-1926)

Tragically, Anthony Karatzis (Karr) was struck and killed by an automobile before his 5th birthday. This is his story.

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"A pugilistic neck, a powerful man, but essentially very meek" - Chester Joseph Stuve (1913-1978)

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"A pugilistic neck, a powerful man, but essentially very meek" - Chester Joseph Stuve (1913-1978)

My 1st cousins, 2x removed, Chester Joseph Stuve (1913-1978) was "A good-natured fellow, an enthusiastic athlete, and a diligent student." Apparently his also had a strong neck. Here is his story as told through yearbook photos.

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Young Detroit Woman Wins Free Pint of Ice Cream: Georgia Vakendis (1929-2001)

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Young Detroit Woman Wins Free Pint of Ice Cream: Georgia Vakendis (1929-2001)

In the summer of 1949 Georgia Vakendis (1929-2001), my 2nd cousin 1x removed, won a free pint of Cunningham’s Famous Ice Cream. This is her story.

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Pneumonia in Detroit: Franciszka "Frances" Grzeskowiak (1886-1905)

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Pneumonia in Detroit: Franciszka "Frances" Grzeskowiak (1886-1905)

Pneumonia was one of the leading causes of U.S. deaths in the early 1900s. It took the life of my 2nd great aunt, Francisczka “Frances” Grzeskowiak (1886-1905). This is her story.

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Helen Borowski Nizol (1900-1935): Mother Dies, Leaves Young Children, Just as Her Own Mother Did

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Helen Borowski Nizol (1900-1935): Mother Dies, Leaves Young Children, Just as Her Own Mother Did

Helen Borowski Nizol left 4 young sons when she died at age 34. Her own mother died when she was only 10. This is her story.

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#75) - The Baker Art Studio of Detroit

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#75) - The Baker Art Studio of Detroit

The Baker Art Studio was a Detroit photography studio run by Charles Russell Baker (1855-1932). While the man in the photo remains a mystery, here is some information about the photographer who took his picture.

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From Samos, Greece to Detroit By Way of The Themistocles: Constantinos "Gust" Halvangis (1886-1928)

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From Samos, Greece to Detroit By Way of The Themistocles: Constantinos "Gust" Halvangis (1886-1928)

The story of my 2nd great uncle, what little I know, from Samos, Greece to Detroit. He travelled on The Themistocles in 1915. Can you help me find the rest of his story?

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Three Year Old Franciszka Pawlowska (1913-1915) Dies of Diphtheria in Detroit

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Three Year Old Franciszka Pawlowska (1913-1915) Dies of Diphtheria in Detroit

Franciszka Pawlowska (1913-1915) was the 5th of 10 children by my great grandparents, Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959) and Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941). She died of diphtheria in 1915. This is his story. 

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"Girl, 4, Is Witness to Murder" - Dolores Urkowski (1930-1978)

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"Girl, 4, Is Witness to Murder" - Dolores Urkowski (1930-1978)

Dolores Urkowski is my 2nd cousin once removed. Tragically, she witnessed the murder of her 20 year old nursemaid, Jennie Zablocki, in 1933. This is what I know of the story.

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Stanley Puchalski (1914-1992) Bowls Perfect 300 Game in 1951: Solves Genealogy Mystery

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Stanley Puchalski (1914-1992) Bowls Perfect 300 Game in 1951: Solves Genealogy Mystery

On December 26th, 1951 Stanley Puchalski (1914-1951), my 1st cousin 2x removed, bowled a perfect 300 game in Detroit, MI. Learn how this discovery connected me to a new branch of my family tree. 

 

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