Dominik Lingnowski (see NOTE 1 below) and Catharina Trzcinski were both born in Poland, but the dates are unknown. Their marriage date is also unknown, but their first known child, Franz, was born in Wilczewo, Poland on October 10, 1869. He passed away 8 days later. Dominik, Jr. was born on September 2, 1870 in Wilczewo. He died 4 days later. Johann was born on May 23, 1872. He passed 6 days later. Daughter Anna was born on June 19, 1873. Tragically, she too passed away 6 days later. Imagine the heartbreak that must have consumed this couple!

No doubt to find a better life for themselves, Dominik and Catharina, along with nephew Franz, emigrated from Poland for the New World in September 1873. They arrived in New York aboard the SS Mosel on October 10, 1873, and made the overland trek to Menasha, Wisconsin where they settled down. Two known children, fittingly name Mary and Joseph, and most likely others, were born in Wisconsin.

The Dominik Lingnowski family are the earliest known immigrant family to the United States that I have been able to find among our ancestors. (Although family relationship has not been confirmed, I feel confident they are related to our ancestors.) They may have been the impetus for others in our family to follow later.

Dominik Lingnowski had an older brother Frank, who married Marianna Zielinski (daughter of Johann Zielinski and Elizabeth Pawlowski). Frank and Marianna also came from Wilczewo, and also immigrated to Menasha. They arrived 6 months later, in April 1874.

NOTE 1: I have seen the name spelled many ways: Lengnowski, Lingnowski, Legnowski, Legowski, among others. Most of the American documents spell it Lingnowski, which is the spelling I have chosen to go with.