Trip to Poland: July 31, 1937 - Warsaw

WARSZAWA Teatr Wielki
Le Grand Theatre
[Teatr Narodowny, National Theatre] 

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 31 - 1937 / 
Saturday Warsaw /

At 12.05 took bus to Warsaw / hair dressed. bought pastry / and went for dinner to Szerejko / In the evening met Mr. Sz. [Szerejko] / Oles [Aleksander Szerejko] Mrs. [Leokadia (Symanska) Szerejko] + myself [Helen Bulak] went to  / the Theatre Narodowny [National Theatre]" / playing "Maz z Grzecznosci [Husband with Politeness]"  / home. supper and bed.  

(Postcard in the Collection of Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 18-31 - Konstancin

[Travel Diary Entry]

From 18 to 31 in /

Konstancin with / occasional trips and / movie to Warsaw. /

"Cyrulik" Ciotka Karola [Charley's Aunt?]

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette) Apparently, the Teatr [Theatre] Cyrulik was a cabaret type of theater that operated in Warsaw between 1935 and 1939.  It was located on ul. [street] Kredytowej 14. Fryderyk Jarosy was its director.  

I looked for information on Teatr Cyrulik for a previous post, but I had the wrong spelling and wasn't able to find anything, which I thought was a bit strange.  I looked for the spelling Cyrilik, which was the way my Aunt Helen spelled the name in a previous post. When I looked at this diary entry I noticed the name of the theater was spelled differently.  I did a bit more searching and finally found some information.  If you would like to learn more about the theater you can read about it here.

Trip to Poland: July 16-18 1937 - Konstancin

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 16 - 1937 /
Konstancin /

July 16 - 17 - 18. - 1937 /
Rested and read book / Friday Saturday + Sunday. / wrote letters in Konstancin.

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 15, 1937 - Letter to Family in America

(Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)  This letter was written to my grandfather, Adolf Szerejko in Worcester, Massachusetts, from his brother Feliks Szerejko in Warsaw, Poland, about my Aunt Helen Bulak's trip to Poland.  Just to refresh your memory or if you haven't read from the beginning, Aunt Helen was my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko's, sister.  She traveled around Poland, between June and September 1937 and visited my grandfather's family in Warsaw at various points during her trip. 

Major thanks to my cousin Marek for his translation from the Polish.

Feliks writes...

15 July 1937

Dear Adolf,

In the last letter, you send us picture of Mrs. Helena.  We didn't have a problem to recognize Antosia's sister.  We have a small picture of Mrs. Helena sitting beside the piano in the room.

We were waiting impatient for day when she arrive.

On June 24 Mrs. Helena and Mrs. Pomianowska finally visited us.

On June 26 we went to train station in Warsaw to pickup Mrs. Helena when she would stay with us longer.  She lived with us for two weeks after that she went to visit her uncle.  She suppose to come spend time with us again.  After the first day we felt like we know each other for years.  As you know it's hard sometimes to get use to somebody new or even like that person.  But Mrs. Helena was very easy to get use to and to like.  Thanks to Mrs. Helena's visit we feel like you were here with kids, and it feels like we saw each other just yesterday.  Most of the day we spent talking about you and your kids. We were asking about Olek [my grandfather and Feliks' brother Alexander Szarejko, from Buffalo, NY], about life in America and general how you live and how you do.  Now we know everything.  We know you have beautiful six room house. Here, big house like that, can only afford somebody very rich.  We know that Antosia has many amenities like electric washing machine.  We know that she is very good housekeeper and you can't afford housekeeper because is very expensive. Here to get help doesn't cost much.  We know Adolf like to go fishing and he has a partner [his son, Robert?].  Big family needs lots of fish for supper so he needs help with fishing.  We know, Adolf, when you coming from work for dinner you going first to your garden to look at your flowers, which you both love a lot. Don't spend all your love on flowers only but also on each other.  You both deserve it.  We know, that one time when you were listening to boxing match you doze off and had to ask Antosia for results. That happen sometimes.  We know that during summer every Sunday you driving in your car to Antosia's father [in Oxford, MA] where you picking up mushrooms, blueberries, raspberries.

We also know that you drive to work. Here in Poland if any blue collar own a car he would be first to get laid off. We would be considered to be rich and should vacate his place at work for somebody who needs it more.  But things slowly are changing.  The government is trying to promote auto industry.  They constructing better, smoother roads outside cities.  In the cities more and more roads have asphalt surface.

A lot has improved but still more factories should be open.

We also know that you all the time thinking how to improve things at home and at work, for which you received raise. We know you are happy about it. We are also happy for you.  Now is going to be easier for you for you to pay off your house,

Now, Antosiu, I have some complaints.  Mrs. Helena is very picky.  She doesn't eat much even though she likes our food.  In our opinion if you like the food you eat a lot.  She eats only a few small potatoes and small piece of meat for dinner.  When we are eating we are filling up our plates until we are full.  She drinks tea and coffee without sugar because she doesn't want to gain weight but she loves sweets.  She lost a few pounds during trip and she is very happy about it. We want here in Poland to show our visitors things which are worthy to see and feed them well.  We don't want anybody to lose weight during visit here.  The only weight may lose their wallets, when they spend their money here, which is good for our economy.  My other complaint about Mrs. Helena, she gave boys two dollars each and my wife a gift, powder box.  I received from her pen which I'm using now to write this letter.  We also got some other small gifts.  All those gifts she bought with help from Antosia.  We thought Mrs. Helena is buying those gifts to take to America.  Then one evening, surprise, many nice, small gift boxes for us.  Now you know how intolerable she is.

Is she the same at home?

I know it is not nice to complain about somebody but this time I had to.

During those two weeks, Mrs. Helena was here, we visited whole family.  We visited Celina [Gzell, my granfather's niece and Feliks' daughter], Henryk [Szerejko, my grandfather's brother], and aunt Julia [Bielska].  What impressions that visit made on Mrs. Helena, she will tell you when she come back home.  I guess you will spend many evenings talking about Poland, our life.  We try to show Mrs. Helena how we live on regular basis so you would also know that.

Henryk, when he found out that somebody is coming visit from America, he thought that you were coming.  I told him Mrs. Helena will visit us but he thought I was lying to surprise him.

One week passes already when Mrs. Helena took a train to visit her uncle.  We asked her to let us know how her trip went as soon as she get there.  But so far there is no news.  We hope she gets there without problems.  There are many bad people around.  They always try to rob travelers.  We warned Mrs Helena but she said that you also warned her about it.   I guess she may be busy and doesn't have time to write yet.

You are probablay surprised why I'm using different paper to write letter.  I started yesterday and ran out of paper so now I'm using different pages.

I'm sitting on balcony and continue to write.  Yesterday was very sunny, today there is not much sun and there is no wind.  It's nice and quiet.  I'm home alone now.  Ladies went to visit sister, boys went to our friends in Michalin.  One of them will stay there a week or two, other is coming back tonight. This  year unfortunately I wasn't able to send my kids for whole summer to the country.  Thanks to that I'm alone now I can finish that letter.  You know when are people around there are many distractions.  Kids are asking questions, trying to catch flies which are sitting on my head or they play the piano or listening to the radio, wife wants a kiss, housekeeper wants to dress table for dinner or supper.  To write a letter you need peace and quiet.  It's hard to do anything in this racket.  We, men, have to be very patient and make everybody happy.  So when we have a moment for ourselves we have to use it.  Adolf, tell me that you're agreeing with me.  Being alone is also not good.  Women, can't live without them.  Let our lovely wives live for long, let all women live for long but only good ones of course.

I wonder what Antosia will say about my letter.  Let me know if she say anything and what she thinks.

I have to finish.  I would write more but housekeeper prepared supper already.

We are sending you all greetings and kisses.

To be continued.

Leokadia and Feliks

Trip to Poland: July 15, 1937 - Goworowo, Szczawin

Palac Szczawinie, Home of the Glinka [Szlachta] Family

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 15 - 1937 /
Thursday. Govorovo [Goworowo] /

Up @ 10. A.M. breakfast and chatted / with Uncle. later visited the / beautifull (sic) gardens of Mr. Glinka / Maj. [Majatek = Landed property?] Szczawin. Dinner @ 1.30 P.M. / After dinner again went to the / garden. Beautifull (sic) flowers and / trees, Chatted  with Uncle and / his young son Charles. Kazio. / also met an older son Henio / Found them in very poor / circumstances really pitifull (sic). / at 4.30 P.M. Kazio took with / horse and buggy 12. K.M. to / Pasieki Station. @ 5.37 train / left for Warsaw. arrived at / Dworzec Wilenski [Wilenski Station] @ 7.30 arrived / in Konstancin @ 9. P.M. supper  / and evening rest @ 11. P.M.

(Photo by Marek and Ewa Wojciechowski (Tours in Poland), GNU, Courtesy of Wikipedia; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 14, 1937 - Roznan, Goworowo

Roznan, on the Narew

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 14 - 1937 / 
Wednesday. Roznan /

Before B.[Boleslawa Pominowska?] + H. [Halina Pomianowska?] were up. Miss Bursse [maybe Bourse?] / came over to Mrs. Solnicki / had breakfast and chatted / later went to the city. To Church / of St. Anne. Cemetarz [Cemetery] to the / grave of Mrs. Zurawnskas [Zurawska's?] mother / then to M. Burse home in / the garden. beautiful scenery / over the river Narew. Had / dinner @ 3.30 P.M. after Mr. Solnicki / came home. then came back / to Mrs Solnicki home / Saw Jewish children spanking each / other and Mother + Father. [unrecognizable word lurthmy?] / in. Mr. Solnicki drove us in a / Horse + Buggy 13 K.M. to Grochowo [Goworowo?] / @ 7.30 to Uncle Kovalewski [Kowalewski]. Had supper there @ 9.30 talked until 2. P.M. [a.m.]

(Image in the Public Domain, Wikipedia; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 13, 1937 - Konstancin, Warsaw, Roznan

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 13 - 1937 / 
Tuesday / 

After breakfast went to Warsaw / by machine Mr. Paczesny / looked up Mrs. Lewandowskas [Lewandowska's] [Lewandowski's] / sister in Mokotowo Mrs Simon / arrived there @ 10.30 A.M. had / lunch and returned to Warsaw / @ 2.30 P.M. hairdressers until / 5.00 P.M. had lunch and took / bus to Roznan. half way was / frightened by the coachman. he / had an argument with the wagon / man almost shot at him. / At 10 P.M. arrived at Roznan / went to Mr. Solnickis [Solnicki's] home / talked and had lunch. at 12 P.M. [a.m.] / went to bed / Be Myself

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland 1937: July 12, 1937 - Konstancin

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 12 - 1937 Monday /

The usual routine in / Konstancin.

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 11, 1937 - Konstancin

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 11 Sunday 1937 /
Konstancin / 

Up @8 A.M. breakfast went to / Mass @ 10. A.M. in Konstancin / came home had a terrible / headache and fever was in bed / all day. / Katherine and children went / to Warsaw @ 3.30 P.M. Came / home / At. 8. P.M. felt a little better so / played cards. Bridge until 10 P.M.

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 10, 1937 - Konstancin

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 10 - 1937 - Saturday
Konstancin

Up @ 9.00 breakfast later whe / After dinner went to Warsaw / Met Halina went to the hospital / to see Irene's Hania. later Met / Tadzik went for Supper after / supper went to see Ciotka / Karola [Charley's Aunt?]. Theatre Cyrilik / home @ 11.P.M.

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 9, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry] 

July 9 - 1937 Friday / 

Warsaw. F. Szerejko /

Up @ 9.30 read the paper, breakfast / sat around played 21 with the / children. dinner @ 3.30 / rested and came to Warsaw. / Met K. [Katherine Gralicka] + B. [Bronislawa Pominowska] rode to Konstancin 

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 8, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 8 - 1937 Thursday /
Warsaw. F. Szerejko /

Up at 9.30 dressed and had / breakfast. read paper / After dinner went shopping and to park P. Paderwskiego / formerly Skarzynskiego [Skaryszewski Park]. Home / at 10. P.M Supper and rest / Rode to Zoliborz and return.

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 7, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 7 - 1937 Wednesday /
Warsaw. F. Szerejko /

Up at 9.30 breakfast as usual / later went to the city shopping / until 3.30 P.M. dinner at 4 P.M. / then rested until 6.15 / dressed and with the children went to the movies.  The play / Dorozkarz #13 [Cabman Number 13]. very comical / title roles St. [Stanislaw] Sielanski / the Mother roles [Mieczyslaw] Cwiklinska / arrived home @ 10. P.M. supper / and rest for the night.

(Image and Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette) YouTube and the Internet are wonderful things.  Where else can you find and watch an 80 year old Polish movie? And yes I did watch the whole thing. It is still reasonably amusing, given contemporary senses, and no, I don't understand Polish.  At least it was only an hour.  I agree with my aunt.  It was comical.  I enjoyed the actors and the scenes of Polish and contemporary 1930s life. The lesson learned is if you are looking for something Google it, because you never know what you might find!  

Trip to Poland: July 6, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

Tuesday July 6. 1937 /
Warsaw. Same /

Up at 9.30 breakfast. wrote letters / and cards. read book and / paper dinner at 4 P.M. / naped (sic) until 5.30. @ 6.30 / dressed and went to see the play / "Kroll Wloczegow " with D. Damiecki + Brochwiczowna / in the title roles. The play and players were very good. At 11.30 / came home had supper and bed. / Mr. F. Szerejkos joke Q. Jak sie prze / do lasu czy razem czy oddzielnie. / O. oddzielnie, wlasnie ze nie bo / do lasu razem a z lasu odziel / mi.

Tuesday July 6. 1937 /
Warsaw. Same /

Up at 9.30 breakfast. wrote letters / and cards. read book and / paper dinner at 4 P.M. / naped (sic) until 5.30. @ 6.30 / dressed and went to see the play / "Vagabond King" with D. [Dobieslaw] Damiecki + Brochwiczowna / in the title roles. The play and players were very good. At 11.30 / came home had supper and bed. / Mr. F. Szerejkos joke Q. [Question] How do you go / into forest whether together  or whether separate. / A. [Answer] Separate, on your own because / you are separate from the forest and forest separate from / me

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shentte) Okay, so I did my best with the joke.  Clearly, something was lost in translation.  Either that or it is way funnier in Polish.  If you can come up with something better I'd love to hear from you.

Trip to Poland: July 5, 1937 - Warsaw

Warszawa Glowna Railway Station, 1938

Hotel Central, 47 Aleja Jerozolimskie, 1930
Site of the former Szerejko Home in Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

Monday July 5. 1937 /
Warsaw F. S. Home /

Up @ 9.30 stayed home until after / dinner then went to R.P. / Cukernia, their met B.P + / sisters chatted and then met / Mr. Szerejko visited the building / @ 47 Aleje Jezorolimskie where / now stand a Hotel formerly / home of Szerejko family #61 dlw / opposite are building a new / R.R. Station. Glowny Dworzie / then walked Ul. 3 ego Maja przs (sic) / most do Parku Padarewskiego / drowny Sharzeinskeigo. At 10 PM. / came home supper and bed.

Monday July 5. 1937 /
Warsaw F. S. Home /

Up @ 9.30 stayed home until after / dinner then went to R.P. / Candy shop, their (sic) met B.P [Boleslawa Pomianowska] + / sisters [Katherine Gralicka and Boleslawa Pomianowska] chatted and then met / Mr. Szerejko visited the building @ 47 Jerusalem Avenue where / now stand a Hotel formerly / home of Szerejko family #61 dlw / opposite are building a new / Rail Road Station. Main Train Station / then walked Street 3 ego Maja across / bridge to Padarewski Park / peregrine falcon Skaryszewski [Park]. At 10 PM. / came home supper and bed.        

(Image of Warszawa Glowna Railway Station from Wikipedia in the Public Domain; Image of Hotel Central from www.warszawa1939.pl in the Public Domain; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 4, 1937 - Warsaw

Left to Right: Helen Bulak, Feliks Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko
Lazienki Park

Left to Right: Aleksander Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko,
Feliks Szerejko, Lazienki Park

Left to Right: Helen Bulak, Feliks Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko
In Front of Monument to Jan Sobieski III, Lazienski Park

Left to Right: Feliks Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko, Aleksander Szerejko
In Front of South Facade of Lazienki Palace

Left to Right: Leokadia (Szymansak) Szerejko, Helen Bulak
In Front of Monument to Chopin, Lazienki Palace

Lazienki Palace, North Facade

Julia Bielska

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 4 - 1937 Sunday / 
Warsaw, Feliks Home /

Up at 8 A.M. went to Mass for / 9 with Olesi [Alex / Alexander Szerejko] home for breakfast / Went to Lazienki Park / haen't seen anything so beautiful / Park received its name for the / Lazienki [Baths] make them.  The Palace / of Zygmont [Stanislaw?] 2 Poniatowski who / lived their not very large but / beautifull (sic). In the park are / beautiful Statues of the Great Music Composer Chopin also / Jan Sobieski fighting the Turks / the streets and alleys are something / unusual such tall trees and weeping / willows, blue spruce. The / Palace decorated with white petunias / and red geraniums the colors of / Poland. Took snapshots / Mr. + Mrs. [Szerejko] Oles and myself. / Orchestra Playing in the Park / surrounded by Garden of Tables / where lunch can be served. / Drove home through Aleje [Avenue] Uzazdowskie / had dinner rested a few minutes / and went visiting to Pani Julia / Bielska. found her a very / pleasant person and very lively / for 58 yrs of age.  Had lunch their / (sic) after 7 P.M. Mrs. Szerejko came / had lunch also. then we all / talked and made merry until / 9.30 left for home and bed / @ 11.30 P.M.

(Photographs and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Swan, Lazienki Park

Trip to Poland: July 3, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 3. 1937 Saturday /
Same Warsaw /

Up @ 8.30 Breakfast then went / to the city to the hairdresser / some shopping and home / for dinner. stayed home / and rested after supper / wrote letters and cards / went to the city. then home / and bed.

(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 2, 1937 - Warsaw

Pamiatka z  Warszawskiego Zoo
[Kasia and Tuzinka]

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 2, 1937 Friday /
Same Warsaw /

Up @ 9.30 Breakfast read the / paper, mended. went to Wola / na targ. dinner at 3 P.M after / resting went to the / Ogrd Zoologiczny / 1.)White + Black Pingwins / 2) Stork / 3.) Flemings White + Rose, + Blk. / Wings long necks and very long / legs / 4) Large Chimpazees playing with a / towel and hankie. / 5 Tiny baby monkeys with mothers / 6 Great big Mother Elephant Kasia and her baby called Syrenka after / Warsaw which is it's symbol / 7 Tigers not caged in being / fed by their masters.

July 2, 1937 Friday /
Same Warsaw /

Up @ 9.30 Breakfast read the / paper, mended. went to Wola / at the market. dinner at 3 P.M after / resting went to the / Warsaw Zoo / 1.)White + Black Pingwins (sic) [Penguins] / 2) Stork / 3.) Flemings (sic) [Flamingos] White + Rose, + Blk. / Wings long necks and very long / legs / 4)
Large Chimpazees playing with a / towel and hankie. / 5 Tiny baby monkeys with mothers / 6 Great big Mother Elephant Kasia and her baby called Tuzinka after / Warsaw which is it's symbol / 7 Tigers not caged in being / fed by their masters.

(Postcard in the Collection of Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: July 1, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

July 1. 1937 Thursday /
Same /

After Breakfast went to the / City shopping came home at 4 / had dinner rested and hung / around until until 9 P.M. supper / talked until 12 P.M. [a.m.]

(Image and Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: Postcard Home

POZNAN. Zamek. Collegium Majus Uniwersylelu Poznanskiego

Arrived safe at Gdynia / The trip was beyond / words. I have taken / the tour of 11 days / that I was planning / I am very pleased with / it. This is our second / day. to-nite (sic) we are / leaving here. / Regard to Rose. Helen.

(Postcard in the Collection of Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

This postcard was sent to my grandmother, Antonina (Anna) Szerejko who lived in Worcester, MA.  It looks like it was mailed 12 June 1937.

Trip to Poland: June 30, 1937 - Warsaw

[Travel Diary Entry]

June 30 - 1937 Wednesday /
Same /

Up at 9.30 breakfast and talked / until 12.30 / Went to Radosc J.S. [Jan Alojzy Szerejko] / found him to be very pleasant / ... He looks like / Adolf / His three children / Gunnusz 14 Taddeus 12 Zygmunt 6. / Has his own home rents out / 3 summer places. / Runs a grocery store. / Had supper and went home at 9.05 / Supper at home and to / rest at 12 P.M.

(Image and Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: June 29, 1937 - Warsaw

Roman Gzell Playing the Violin, Celina (Szerejko) Gzell in Photograph on Wall

Krystyna Szerejko, Mieczyslaw Szerejko

[Travel Diary Entry]

June 29 - 1937 Tuesday /
Same / 
Swieto Sw Piotra i Pawla [Holy Saints Peter and Paul] / 

Up at 8.30 sat and talked until / 4 P.M. F. Szerejo went at 11A.M. / to a meeting and came home feeling / very happy with a pkg. chocolate / At 4 P.M. had dinner and went / to Celina Gzell found her and / husband very congenial. Mr. Gzell played the violin very good, had / fruit candy pastry and tea. / at 9 P.M. went to Henryk Szerejkos / found them very interesting. but / very worn. H. looks very sickly / the children also, oldest girl / Krysia 12 very small and thin / Mieczyslaw 10 chubby but small / and Wieslawa 3 did not see her / talked and made merry until 12 P.M / F.S. had plenty in but very happy. / home at 1 P.M. [a.m.?]

June 29 is the name day for Saints Peter and Paul.

(Images and Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: June 28, 1937 - Warsaw

Left to Right: Helen Bulak, Jan Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko

Left to Right: Jan Szerejko, Helen Bulak, Aleksander Szerejko

Left to Right: Jan Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko,
Aleksander Szerejko

Warszawa. Wysadzony w sewietrze MOST KIERBEDZIA
[Kierbedzia Bridge]

WARSZAWA. Sadzawka w ogrodzie Saskim
L'etang du Jardin de Sax
[Saxon Gardens]

[Travel Diary Entry]

June 28 Monday /
Warsaw /
Feliks Szerejko /

Up at 8.30 Breakfast. talked at table / with family until 12.45 / Mr. Szerejko went to work. / Mrs. children and myself / had dinner. after dinner went to / center of Warsaw. / Visited Opera House. / Stare Miasto Stary Rynek. / Kosciol Sw. Maryji gdzie Celinka slwobowala / Zwiedzalismy sklepy hurtowne / na Nalewkach Zydowskie / Krakowskie Przedmiescie. Wila /  Most Kerbedzia. Boulivard / Met Feliks S. went to Saski / Ogrod sat until 9.30 P.M. came / home had supper went to bed / 12. P.M

June 28 Monday /
Warsaw /
Feliks Szerejko /

Up at 8.30 Breakfast. talked at table / with family until 12.45 / Mr. Szerejko went to work. / Mrs. children and myself / had dinner. after dinner went to / center of Warsaw. / Visited Opera House. / Old Town Old Market. / St. Mary's Church where Celinka [Celina Gzell] married / We visited shops wholesalers / on Nalewki [Street?] Jewish [district?] / Krakowskie Przedmiescie. River Vistula / Kerbedzia Bridge. Boulevard / Met Feliks S. went to Saxon / Garden sat until 9.30 P.M. came / home had supper went to bed / 12. P.M

(Postcards in the Collection of Cynthia Shenette; Images and Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)

Trip to Poland: June 27, 1937 - Warsaw

WARSZAWA. Krakowskie Przedmiescie
Rue Faubor de Cracovie

[Travel Diary Entry]

F. Szerejko Home /

June 27. 1937 Sunday /
Warszawa /

Up at 8.15 breakfast went to / High Mass at Church / Bernardynow. After Mass / saw King Karol + Son / na Krakowskim Przed- / miecie. F.S. went to / work. Mrs. Janusz and myself / went for a walk, then for / dinner. rested after dinner / then again Mrs + Myself went / for a walk na Wole / na Cmentarz do Kosciola / tam gdziel Jozef Sowinski / bronie Warszawe / Kocsciol jest caly kulanie / przebity a Slowinki / czesc pomnik wystanony / Slownski byl nirwalida / At 8.45 F. Szerejko came home / from work / we all had / Supper and talked of / old times about Adolf until 12.15 P.M then / went to bed.

 F. Szerejko Home /

June 27. 1937 Sunday /
Warsaw /

Up at 8.15 breakfast went to / High Mass at Church / Bernardynow. After Mass / saw King Karol + Son / to Krakowskie Przed- / miescie F.S. [Feliks Szerejko] went to / work. Mrs. [Szerejko] John and myself / went for a walk, then for / dinner. rested after dinner / then again Mrs + Myself went / for a walk to Wola / to the Church Cemetery / where Jozef Sowinski / weapons of Warsaw / Church is all around / pierced Sowinski / honor monument sumptuous / Sownski was nirwalida / At 8.45 F. Szerejko came home / from work / we all had / Supper and talked of / old times about Adolf until 12.15 P.M then / went to bed.

(Postcard in the Collection of Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)  I have to admit, I struggled with the translation of this entry.  Between the handwriting, my aunt going back and forth between Polish and English and possible misspellings in Polish this entry presents a challenge.  Bottom line though is my Aunt Helen visited someplace in Wola that was a monument to Jozef Sowinski.  I did check, and there is a monument to Sowinski in Warsaw, but it wasn't completed until November of 1937. Slowinski was a Polish artillery general who died by bayonet wounds during the November 1830 Uprising.  If you can shed some light on the translation or can help me out I would appreciate it.