"POLAND ~ my maternal roots" Poland by Pawtuxet

Poland Travel Guide: 17,092 reviews and 45,315 photos

Country farmer ~ southern Poland - Poland

A Search For Family Roots ~2001 - 2009

This was a trip to find my family roots. We travelled from Warsaw to Czestochowa, Pajeczsno, Krakow, Rzeszow, and Kolubusowa...where I eventually found my family's parish and cemetary. Because of the intent of the trip, we saw a different side of Poland than the average tourist. It was great. Everyone was so helpful. My pen pal from Warsaw was amazing, travelling with us most of the way. My photograph collection is quite large..including city views, farmlands, and portraits of such sweet people. I am filled with very happy memories. - 2001
Another trip in 2003 brought me to grandfather's village...at last. Documentation of their lives, marriage, and birth of my uncle were all there in a tiny hamlet of CMOLAS.
After leaving in 2003, we discovered that grandfather's church had not been destroyed, but in fact had been moved! It was still standing about 3 - 5 km. down the road.
Back I went in 2006 to find that precious 1600's church...with the help (once again) of Gosia. It's a fascinating building and story behind it. Took us a bit of detective work to figure it all out, but we did. Hope you will visit my pages to enjoy this early wall painting and beautiful statuary.
2009 Another visit to Poland A meeting with pen pal of 3 yrs. from VT... reunion w/ dear friend, Gosia, and brought along 2 sisters to find their roots in my grandfather's villages. Corpus Christi Procession when we got back to Krakow ~ so many fabulous days.....
Of course at each visit I took the opportunity to see many other towns, cities and museums and cafes and on and on and on....
I offer you links (soon) to each of the wonderful places I have been so fortunate to explore.
Warsaw
Krakow
Kazimierz Dolny
Don't miss an interesting karmic story on my Sandomierz page Sandomierz ~ It's HOW old !!???
My family's home town, Cmolas
Kolbuszowa
Poreby Dymarskie = Grandfather's church found ! A day on the farm...
Up to Zakopane ~ a personal discovery
Storybook castle in Baranow
Summer playground of Sopot
A quick look at Marlbork
Ancient Tarnow - a brief stop
Connecting in Rzeszow

A MUST SEE.... Stunning GDANSK

The Grandeur of Krakow ~

Krakow is probably the most elaborate city in Poland....with its Wawel Castle, and the Cloth Market Square... lovely architecture and great shops, cafes, and the Jagellonian University. So much to see and corners to explore. It's a marked contrast to the country towns dotting the agricultural green belt of the country.

Polish Devotions

Skansen Village shrine

I've been in awe of the Polish people in their devotion to their faith. These little homemade shrines are pure examples of folk art... but more than that...they are markers of an unshaken faith throughout invasions and partitions and suppression. You find them along the country roads where farmers are unable to get to the local church often enough and wish to stop a while to pray. Don't miss them. And don't miss the underlying story they represent.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Historic, natural, pure, layered in charming culture
Cons:Never enough time to learn all of it
In a nutshell:Did you know I love Poland? ~ It is the roots of my mother's family

Last visit to Poland: Jun 2009
Intro Updated Aug 12, 2009
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Reviews (12)

HOT art !! Local Customs (2)

Here I have collected a number of photos of the lovely heating units used in Poland. Of course they have more modern... more travel advice

Historic Krakow can't be missed!! Things to Do (4)

Part of the World Heritage List and the seat of government for many years.... you can trace Poland's history for... more travel advice

Colorful country homes of Poland ~2003 - Poland

Colorful country homes of Poland ~2003 Things to Do (4)

Just north of Kolbuszowa we came upon a section where the homes were slightly different from what we had been seeing.... more travel advice

Winter apples, Cabbages and Mistletoe ~ 2003 - Poland

Winter apples, Cabbages and Mistletoe ~... Things to Do (4)

Here we were in late October driving past orchards laden with brilliant red apples. . . still on the trees. Whatever... more travel advice

Comments (84)

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lynnehamman Nov 26, 2009 at 4:16 AM

Great overview of Poland. Your love shines through. Excellent tips (love the Hot Art one) and nice photos.
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Yaqui Oct 11, 2009 at 8:39 AM

How wonderful and special it must of have been to retrace your ancestry. Ancestry.com has been so instrumental is reuniting lost roots. I enjoyed the tour and photo's. Thank you!
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BeatChick Jul 5, 2009 at 8:56 AM

I'm sitting here with my cup of coffee, eager to read of your adventure to find your family in Poland! What a magical market square in Krakow. These stoves (hot art) are as wonderful as the Wallace fountains in Paris.
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Ewingjr98 Jan 27, 2009 at 5:42 PM

Thanks for the great tips and for checking out my Johnstown page awhile back. Poland looks like a great and interesting place, as I expected it would be. Certainly it's another place on my list of future travels.
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VeronicaG Oct 19, 2008 at 12:05 PM

Sounds like you encountered some very special people while in Poland. A concert at Chopin's birthplace would be top on my list!
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hunterV Mar 15, 2008 at 2:22 PM

Janet, it looks so peaceful and quiet, nice pictures and stories...thanks
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JLBG May 18, 2007 at 10:01 PM

I should have visited first you Poland page! Great page! Poland is high on our wish list and we will definitely visit in a near future but not scheduled yet. Superb collection of crockery stove photos!
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Helga67 Dec 12, 2006 at 5:31 AM

A nice tribute to your maternal roots.
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globetrott Dec 4, 2006 at 11:31 AM

a wonderful page & great pics, Janet !
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LouCypher22 Jun 26, 2006 at 7:59 AM

Nice photos;) About the shrines by the road... unfortunately they are not piece of even primitive art, They mean that someone died in the car accident in those places, People mark places of their relatives car-accident-deaths in such way...