The Immigrants

The Immigration Experience

The Decision to Leave Poland

Overland journey to European port of departure

Departure Ports used by Our Ancestors:
Hamburg           Bremen           Antwerp 

The Ocean Crossing

Arrival Ports in the New World

The Final Leg

The Immigrants by Family

Jankowski (from 1888)

Lewandowski (1883)

Zielinski (from 1881)

Brodzinski (from 1885)

Frank Jankowski (age 38, Mike's brother and future Uncle to Lena) and Frank Brodzinski (age 25, Margaretta's brother and future Uncle to Lawrence ) immigrated on the same ship! They were both on the SS Gera from Bremen to Baltimore, arriving on May 14, 1891. Even more peculiar, 5 years later to the exact day, Lawrence would be born. I have no indication that Frank Jankowski and Frank Brodzinski met each other before, during, or after sailing. But, it is a very strange coincidence. Upon arriving in the U.S., Frank Jankowski headed to Antigo, while Frank Brodzinski headed to Menominee, Michigan. They very well could have met on a train or other conveyance while enroute.

John Zielinski (age 45) and family, including son Frank (age 13), immigrated on the same ship with Albert Brodzinski (age 26). They all sailed aboard the SS Rhaetia from Hamburg to New York, arriving on June 17, 1885. The Zielinski's traveled directly to Menasha, while Albert headed to Menominee, Michigan. Albert was the oldest brother of Margaretta "Sophie" Brodzinski, who would marry Frank Zielinski 8 years later and become the parents of Lawrence Zielinski. It is safe to assume that the Zielinski-Brodzinski connection began on this journey.

The SS Moravia arrived in New York from Hamburg, Germany on March 10, 1890. Listed on the passenger manifest, one after the other, are Michael Jankowski (age 30) and Franz Lewandowski (age 25). Lena's dad was Mike Jankowski and her mother was Rosa Lewandowski, who had a brother Franz! This event transpired 6 years before Mike and Rosa married and 9 years before Lena's birth. I do not know if these gentlemen on the Moravia are the same relatives of Lena. The ages listed are not exact, but close. They are listed as both coming from Wichowa, which doesn't seem to fit, but I don't know where that is. Nevertheless, another strange coincidence.