You've Got Mail!

Using my guide to Polish letter writing back in May 1996, I sent a letter off to the Archiwow Panstwowych in Warsaw, Poland requesting birth information for Bronislaw and Maryanna.

One year and a move to North Carolina passed before I received a reply – IN POLISH! So it sat in a desk drawer until the following summer when I met my friend’s brother, Fred Ruland. Fred, who teaches at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, isn’t Polish but speaks, reads and writes the language and (bless his heart) wishes he was Polish.

In essence, the letter advised that a certificate of birth had been found for Marianna Boguslawska as well as the certificate of marriage for her parents Antoniego and Walerii Grosinskich. If I’d be interested in receiving a copy of the documents there would be a $50 fee. As Fred was planning a trip to Warsaw he offered to take my money and go after the documents. Needless to say, we waited in excited anticipation until Fred’s package arrived – inside were certified photocopies of marginal quality and written IN RUSSIAN! It seemed there was little hope of getting them translated.

Fast forward to the summer of 2000 when I was introduced to Helen Barseghan, a young lady visiting from Russia. Helen’s major at university was Russian languages and she kindly offered to translate the documents as best she could. Here goes:

Took place in the village Grzebsk in January 29/February the day 10th, 1892 year at 5 o’clock noon. Announced in presence of Ludovik Endjersky and Tomaliya Karsjewska 40 years old, the land owners in Movsivsi as well as residents over there. On this date has been announced a religious marriage union between Anton Bogoslovsky, single, 23 years old, son of Yan and Eva Bogoslovsky. Eva has known by her maiden name Yankovskaya before she got married. Both were born in Grzebsk . Valeria Grinskaya being 17 years old, daughter of Andrei and Ekaterina, landowners that were born in Movsivsi and whose marriage has been registered and announced in Grzebsk/periodic on Sunday, January 5th, then Sunday 12th and Sunday 18th of current year. Bride’s father was present on the ceremony and has announced his agreement in loud voice. Couple has said that the marriage contract didn’t take place between them. The ceremony performed by K. Dionis Morjevsky, official in Grjebsk. Act has been read in loud voice for illiterate ones and has been signed. The keeper and administrator or civil committee of Grzebsk : K. Dionis Morjevsky.

Took place in the village Grzebsk in October 30th/October 30th day, 1834 year at 5 o’clock noon. Anton Bogoslovsky was present, blacksmith and resident in Grzebsk , 24 years old. In presence of Mihail Kachmarchik 16 years old, Peter Matusyak 12 years old, land owners and residents in Grjebsk. The new born baby was introduced, girl was born in Grzebsk in October 27th/November 8th day of current year at 7 o’clock. The mother of the baby his official wife Valeria by maiden name Grosinsvska 21 years old. During the holy baptism the baby was named Mariana. The ceremony was ruled by K. Dionis Morjevsky. Yan and Katerjinna Grosinvskie. This act has been read in a loud voice for illiterate ones and announced by me (signature). The keeper and administrator of civil Committee in Grzebsk : K. Dionis Morjevsky.