Nicholas Brodzinski, Lawrence's maternal grandfather, was born on December 1, 1833 in Zatorowizna, Poland, a small farming community about 4 miles from the Parish of Skrwilno. Nicholas was baptized in the Parish Church in Skrwilno. He was the 5th of 8 children born to Jozef Brodzinski and Malgorzata Arantowicz. He was the middle of 3 boys and had 5 sisters, one of whom (Katarzyna) died before Nicholas was born.

On January 19, 1858, at the age of 24, Nicholas married Maryanna "Marga" Klonowska, the 19 year old daughter of Jan and Maryanna Klonowski of Szucie. The marriage would've taken place in the parish church at Skrwilno, but the couple settled in Zatorowizna. One can only speculate how they might have met. However, both families attended the same church in Skrwilno making it likely they met there.

The couple was very prolific! In a span of 17 years, they produced 10 children. In chronological order, Albert and John were born in Zatorowizna, the first Katarzyna and Lukasz were born in Niemcowizna, and the remaining children were all born in Szucie. At least two children (Katarzyna and Anton) died in infancy. Interesting that Nicholas had both a sister and a daughter named Katarzyna that died in infancy. That didn't stop them from using the name however, as Nicholas and Marga gave the name Katarzyna to their last child, born in 1875. I have been unable to find any additional information on that Katarzyna, as well as for Josefa or Lukasz. The other 5 children lived full lives and emigrated to the United States, including Margaretta "Sofia" Brodzinski - Lawrence's mother!

Marga Klonowska Brodzinski died sometime between 1875 and 1878 in Zatorowizna, Poland. In 1878, Nicholas re-married to Agnes Pawlak in Skrwilno, Poland. There is no relationship that I am aware of between Agnes and any of the Pawlaks on the Jankowski side of the family. Agnes took on a household with 8 children aged between 3 and 19! Nicholas and Agnes had at least 4 children of their own: Walter, Antoni, Maryanna, and Ewa. That brings the total to at least 14 children fathered by Nicholas! According to a fellow family historian, Nicholas and Agnes had 5 children together, 4 of whom died young. I have yet to find information on the 5th child.

Nicholas died sometime during or after 1887. I have not been able to find any information on his death or whether or not he emigrated to the United States. I don't believe he ever did, most likely having died in Poland.