Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski

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.

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

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.

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

"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.

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

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.

Agnieszka "Agnes" Szaroleta Grzeskowiak (1854-1918)

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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

"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.

The Valentine's Day Death of Edward Pawlowski (1905-1907)

The Valentine's Day Death of Edward Pawlowski (1905-1907)

My first cousin twice removed, Edward Pawlowski (1905-1907), died on Valentine's Day in 1907. He was one year, four months, and nine days old. This is his story. 

The Missing Decades of "Dear Aunt" Agnes Grzeskowiak (1898-1970)

The Missing Decades of "Dear Aunt" Agnes Grzeskowiak (1898-1970)

Agnes E. Grzeskowiak (pronounced gresh-KO-viyak) is my 2nd great aunt. She never married and had no children. Information about her during the three decades between 1940 and her death in 1970 remains elusive. Here is her story.