" Cmolas the end of the search" Cmolas by Pawtuxet

Cmolas Travel Guide: 14 reviews and 59 photos

My grandfather stepped onto American soil in 1906. Over the years, his children and grandchildren tried to solve the many mysteries which surrounded his heritage and homeland. Finally after many years and my 3rd trip to Poland, I found the records of my grandfather's roots. It's been a fascinating search with priceless rewards. It took 97 years before his granddaughter got back to the beginnings.

A wonderful older priest greeted us and moved with utmost patience through the aged journals of the parish records. . . until finally....there were my uncle, my grandfather, my grandmother, their parents...and maiden names of the mothers. A treasure trove. I was ecstatic. My many thanks go out to this man...who was neither surprised nor moved by my joy. So level was his countenance, as if he has done this hundreds and hundreds of times before.
*Note: My search would never have been completed without the patient and knowledgeable assistance of GosiaPL, a VT member whom I "met" on line in a Polish forum several years ago. Thank you, Gosia

2009 I finally located the actual land where my grandfather's house stood, with the help of my pen pal, Wladek. It is a tiny settlement known as Zarembki, which is not on the VT maps.. so I have included tips and information on this page. What fun to be on Grandfather's street!

Did you know??

There are more storks in southern Poland than anywhere else in the world. They nest on top of posts and when they are airborne... you KNOW it. They're really magnificent birds. Wish I could have gotten closer to photograph one in flight. They're really wonderful creatures. Watch closely when driving through the countryside. This one nested about one house away from my grandfather's family property.

ABOUT CMOLAS

the land grandfather grew up on

The plateau of Kolbuszowa is intersected with small rivers which join LEG, a tributary of the Vistula. It is at the center of the Basin of Sandomierz and consists of 5 rural GMINAS, one of which is Cmolas.
Of particular interest in Cmolas, a village from the 16th century boasting the most precious monuments of sacred history situated in the land of Kolbuszowa. A famous shrine housing a 17th. century miraculous painting of the Transfiguration on the Tabor Mountain is kept here. Each year a number of pilgrims not only from the Land of Kolbuszowa, but also from the surrounding villages, take advantage of the hospitality of the parish people.
I can visualize that my grandparents would have visited this shrine along with these other pilgrims.
A BRIEF HISTORY: The settlement dates to the 16th century when Stanislaw Tarnowski founded the All Saints Church in 1523. The Mielecki family held the land in the first half of the 16th. century.
At the beginning of the 17th century construction work was started on the once famous palace in Kolbuszowa designed by a renowned architect, Tylman of Gameren. This palace construction gave stimulus to the furniture manufacturing craft which would make the town of Kolbuszowa famous as far away as Krakow, Warsaw, the British Museum and the Vatican Museum.
Unfortunately the castle was destroyed during the war of independence and the furniture manufacturing craft center in Kolbuszowa declined and disappeared in the 1840's.
By the end of the 18th. century the ban on Jewish settlements was lifted and the Jewish inhabitants came to equal the number of Christians in the community. See my other tips to view the town insignia symbolizing the cooperative efforts between the two groups. There is a present day synogogue which houses the Museum of Jewish Culture. The agreeable co-habitation of the Jewish and Christian communities in the town was undisturbed until the holocaust.
In 1772 Kolbuszowa (and Cmolas) became included in the Austrian partition. the declining crafts began to give way to agriculture. The town changed and became the property of the Tyszkiewicz family and remained such until 1944.
* there is a Museum of Folk Culture in the Skansen Village at Kolbuszowa, built in 1974. See my Kolbuszowa page for photos and information.
Skansen 2006

** History and photo borrowed from the book ZIEMIA Kolbuszowska, an anniversary edition written by Asst. Prof. Jan Draus PhD .....my many thanks to him and his work.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Quiet, rural, rich farm lands, pure foods, fresh air!
Cons:Difficult to reach...requiring auto to get there.
In a nutshell:Whatever it is.....it's mine!! :-)

Last visit to Cmolas: Jun 2009
Intro Updated Jul 26, 2009
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Reviews (14)

Views of Zarembki Favorites (4)

The houses on grandfather's street were varied in age and economic status.. or so it appeared to my real estate agent... more travel advice

The Zarembki story Favorites (4)

Wladek had located the place where my grandfather was born and wanted to take me to the site. He had worked hard to... more travel advice

Geneologists must find a priest like this one - Cmolas

Geneologists must find a priest like... Things to Do (4)

So many people have written to me about my search for grandfather's village. They are people who have seen me on VT or... more travel advice

Land map from grandfather's village - Cmolas

Land map from grandfather's village Favorites (4)

Wladek has added my story to his web site and continues to try and help me find my family connections in Cmolas,... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Jul 22, 2009

5 photos

CMOLAS AND SURROUNDINGS

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Comments (42)

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zaan Jul 26, 2012 at 4:16 PM

Best regards from Cmolas ;)
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balhannah Jan 12, 2010 at 1:04 PM

So glad that you found a helpful Priest and obviously had a good time here!
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hunterV Sep 16, 2009 at 7:30 AM

Hi, Janet! Good that you have combined your family search with exploration... Well done! ><><
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Mikebb Sep 5, 2009 at 5:44 PM

A story of human endeavour. Congratulations on your perseverance in tracing the home of your grandfather.
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LoriPori Aug 26, 2009 at 10:46 AM

I too enjoyed the Zarembki story. How fascinating and exciting for you to actually walk the grounds your ancestors did many years ago.
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evaanna Aug 14, 2009 at 6:23 AM

What a lot of fascinating research you have done to find out about your ancestors and their way of life! And to create this wonderful page. Loved the Zarembki story - you have even found the descendants of your grandfather's pigeons!:)
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flora1 Aug 7, 2009 at 1:14 PM

What a great find! I can only hope I have similar success when I visit my grandmother's birth village of Dominidowice in September! You did a marvelous job on these pages.
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lynnehamman Aug 6, 2009 at 5:26 PM

Janet I can only imagine how rewarding this experience of tracing ancestry has been for you. And to have actually experienced the atmosphere of villages & countryside and local residents. Excellent page & photos.
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850prc Aug 4, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Wow, that priest was ah-er.... an answer to prayers, wasn't he? My daughter and wife would love all the storks.
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VeronicaG Aug 4, 2009 at 12:43 PM

Who would have thought a few years ago, that you would have been able to stand on the site of your Grandfather's house? What a wonderful feeling that must have been---gives me hope that some day, I might be able to do the same.