(Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)
The address on the envelope is:
Truskawiec Zdroj [Truskavets Spa] /
Dom Wypoczynkowy [Holiday House] /
Rodziny Urzedniczy [Family Employees] /
ul. Slowcsna [Sunny street] /
Wielmozna Pani [Madame] /
Helena Bulak
The return address is:
Warszawa ul. [street] Dzialdowska 8 /
F. Szerejko /
Warsaw, September 21, 1937
Dear Mrs. Helena!
I'm happy that after your arrival there you get introduced with all local customs. Getting up early morning is not that bad and will give you a chance to get to know town of Truskawiec Zdroj [Truskawiec Spa] and neighborhood area. Morning air is also good and there is something to breathe in. You learn that, Mrs. Helena, on your first day of staying there. So take as much of this air as you can, in your lungs, in your packets, fold all of your dresses, suitcases and even in your hat. This is a treasure. The shot of this air may last for years. The lodging house in not that expensive. All kurtaksy [See * below.], doctors, etc. etc. are expensive though. But compared to what I'm going to write about now it's nothing. Last Tuesday I received a notice that a parcel which came to Warsaw. On the other side of the notice was a comment; "The parcel cannot be released to you as an addressee because of the lack of permit issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade." On Wednesday I went to post office to find out what is this all about. It is a heavy procedure. Clerk told me I will have to apply to the Ministry and then custom fee at the post Office. I asked how much this will cost. Custom fee about 110 zloty plus fee at the ministry for the total of about 150 zloty. The clerk told me it not worth it to pay for that parcel and is better to send it back. I agree with him. Adolf will have to pay only for return postage. There is also another thing. Adolf wrote a note if the parcel is not accepted by us for any different reasons the notice to be sent to aunt Julcia [Julia Bielska] and she will have to pay for all the fees if she wants to pick up that parcel. If she would decide not to pick it up the parcel will be sent back to America. But I didn't stop there and I went to another clerk. He explained to me if aunt Julcia would apply for proof of poverty the Ministry may release the parcel with that much fees but all the things inside must be used. If the things inside are new she would have to pay not matter what. I have to go to visit aunt Julcia and explain her everything so she would know what is going on. Also I will be waiting for your opinion about it. In my opinion we should send back this parcel. The only cost involved would be postage fees. To pay all the fees is a lot of money. For this money a lot of things could be bought. This parcel weigh 4 kilograms [approximately 8.81 pounds]. That is all about the parcel.
For the past three days I'm home alone. My lady [Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko] went to Zakopane with Celina [Gzell] and son-in-law [Roman Gzell]. They have a vacation now and it just happened Orbis arranged three day trip so they decided to use this opportunity and they persuaded my lady to go with them. They are coming back Monday morning.
The weather in Warsaw is cloudy. I haven't received second letter from America yet.
Today, on Saturday, I'm going to aunt Julcia to talk to her about about the notice she is going to receive about the parcel.
I'm ending my letter now and wish you Mrs. Helena nice and healthy time.
How do you like "Naftusia?" Is it 45 degrees? In Warsaw you didn't even try to have one drink of naftusia and there you have to drink a lot. When they found out in America about this they will be wondering what's happened with Mrs. Helena. In the morning "Naftusia' and in the evening "Barbarka."
Adolf and Antosia will think she found some Barbarka and maybe that Barbarka is wearing pants but you Mrs. Helena will explain them everything when you return to America. When we meet at the train station I will probably receive slap in the face for writing things like that. There is nothing I can do. I'm rested, I'm writing this letter in the morning. I'm healthy, I have a good sense of humor and I'm home alone. The pen is writing itself, I don't have to use inkwell and if I wouldn't have to leave now I would continue to write.
Everything has it's ending.
I kiss your hands and waiting for reply.
Benevolent
Feliks
The last entry in my Aunt Helen Bulak's travel diary is for August 16-30, 1937. The fact that Feliks Szerejko wrote to her at Truskawiec Zdroj on September 21, indicates that Aunt Helen was in Truskawiec for a good long time. According to her diary she arrived on August 15 and may have been there until mid September. The letter was written and date stamped by the postal service on September 21. You have to figure it also probably took at least a couple of days for the letter to travel to it's destination.
The conundrum regarding the package that was sent from America is an interesting one. My aunt's travel diary has a printed travel information section that lists foreign currency exchange rates. According to the diary, the rate given for the zloty at the time was 18.80, approximate value in U.S. cents. I did a bit of calculating and figured the cost to retrieve the package at the custom fee of first 110, then 150 zloties would come out to $20.68 and $28.20 respectively. Figuring inflation, the cost of retrieving the package would be $356.63 at the $20.68 and $486.31 at $28.20 in 2017 dollars. I would have sent the package back, too.
*The word kurtaksy is an interesting one. I looked for it in my Polish dictionary without luck. I also popped it into Google Translate, and nothing. I did a Google search, and it came up in the Dictionary of Polish edited by Witold Doroszewski, or Slownik W. Doroszewskiego, which was published in ten volumes between 1954 and 1969. According to Wikipedia, Doroszewski's dictionary was the most comprehensive dictionary of the Polish language at the time it was published. You can read more about the dictionary here. Kurtaksa is an obsolete term for a fee for a stay at a place of treatment, maybe at someplace like a spa. Given kurtaksy is an obsolete term, that probably explains why I wasn't able to find it in the places I usually look.
Naftusia and Barbara, or the diminutive Barbarka, are different types of waters at Truskawiec Zdroj. You can read more about them in a previous post here.
Major thanks to my cousin Marek for his translation from the Polish.
Showing posts with label Szerejko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Szerejko. Show all posts
Trip to Poland: August 15-16, 1937 - Konstancin, Warsaw, Truskawiec
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| Therapeutic Indications for Helena [Helen] Bulak from Dr. Wiktor Proszowski, Truskawiec Spa Front and Back Cover |
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| Therapeutic Indications for Helena Bulak, Interior Pages |
August 15 Sunday /
+ Monday /
Mass in Konstancin and / 40 hrs. devotion / After dinner packed and / went to Warsaw for Szerejkos / After supper went to / station. took train @ / 10.45 P.M. to Truskawiec Zdroj [Truskawiec Spa] / arrived Monday @ 10.50 A.M. / Met a couple on train / and directed me to the / Pensyonat Dom Wypoczynkowy [Guesthouse Recreation House] / Rodziny Urzednicy [Families Officiers] / Ul. Stoneczna [Sun Street]. / After dinner went to the Dr. Wiktor Proszowski gave / me daily Routine. / After supper went walking to / Park. and @ 10.30 bed.
(Therapeutic Routine in the Collection of Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette) One of the more interesting things about going through my Aunt Helen Bulak's travel diary and accompanying material methodically by date is it's given me a chance to put materials in context. I always wondered what this piece of paper was, and why my Aunt went to the doctor in Poland. Once I figured out she went to a mineral water healing spa, it put everything else in context.
Under the heading "Picie Mineralnych Wod Truskawiekich [Drinking Mineral Waters of Truskawiekich]," I believe are recommendations for drinking at the various waters in Truskawiec, the fountains Barbara, Naftusia, Marja, Zofja, Jozia and Bronislawa. At first I thought they were names of women, then figured out they were mineral water fountains / locations. The flyer also gives therapeutic indications on mineral and mud baths, including the type of bath as well as the temperature. Also listed are a page of diet choices. I'm guessing the things on the diet page that have been crossed out are the foods Dr. Proszowski recommended my aunt avoid.
There are only a couple more travel entries in my Aunt's diary, so the dates on the page indicating Przepis Kapielowy [Bath Recipe] give me a hint that my aunt may have remained in Truskawiec through August 30, 1937.
I'd love to do some additional analysis on this document for fun, perhaps at a later time. If you read Polish and can shed additional light on Dr. Proszowski's recommendations or Truskawiec during the 1930s I'd love to hear from you!
Trip to Poland: August 2, 1937 - Warsaw
Aug 2. 1937 /
Warsaw /
Monday /
Breakfast 9.30. Dinner at 3.30 / @ 4.30 Mrs. Szerejko [Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko] and myself [Helen Bulak] / went to movies Stylowy [Stylish] / "Nieznosna Dziewczyna [Unbearable Girl?]" / @ 7.45 took bus for Konstancin.
(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)
Trip to Poland: August 1, 1937 - Warsaw
Aug. 1. 1937 Sunday [Warsaw] /
Went to Church Sw. Krzyza [Church of the Holy Cross] / Krakowskie Przedmeszcie / after dinner Janek [Jan Szerejko] Oles' [Aleksander Szerejko] Mrs. [Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko] / and myself [Helen Bulak] went to Theatre Malickiej / Matinee. Swit Dzien, i Noc [Dawn Day, and Night] / at 7 P.M. met Mr. [Feliks] Szerejko and / went to the Movies Roma / Lawrence Phibbets "Pod Tajemm Urokiem [Under the Mystery?]
(Image and Text Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)
Trip to Poland: July 31, 1937 - Warsaw
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| WARSZAWA Teatr Wielki Le Grand Theatre [Teatr Narodowny, National Theatre] |
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 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
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 9, 1937 - Warsaw
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)
(Image and Text, Copyright (c) 2017 Cynthia Shenette)
Trip to Poland: July 8, 1937 - Warsaw
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
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
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
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| Warszawa Glowna Railway Station, 1938 |
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| Hotel Central, 47 Aleja Jerozolimskie, 1930 Site of the former Szerejko Home in Warsaw |
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
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| Left to Right: Helen Bulak, Feliks Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko Lazienki Park |
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| Left to Right: Aleksander Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko, Feliks Szerejko, Lazienki Park |
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| Left to Right: Helen Bulak, Feliks Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko In Front of Monument to Jan Sobieski III, Lazienski Park |
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| Left to Right: Feliks Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko, Aleksander Szerejko In Front of South Facade of Lazienki Palace |
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| Left to Right: Leokadia (Szymansak) Szerejko, Helen Bulak In Front of Monument to Chopin, Lazienki Palace |
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| Lazienki Palace, North Facade |
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| Julia Bielska |
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)
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| Swan, Lazienki Park |
Trip to Poland: July 3, 1937 - Warsaw
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
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| Pamiatka z Warszawskiego Zoo [Kasia and Tuzinka] |
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
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
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| POZNAN. Zamek. Collegium Majus Uniwersylelu Poznanskiego |
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(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
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
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| Roman Gzell Playing the Violin, Celina (Szerejko) Gzell in Photograph on Wall |
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| Krystyna Szerejko, Mieczyslaw Szerejko |
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
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| Left to Right: Helen Bulak, Jan Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko |
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| Left to Right: Jan Szerejko, Helen Bulak, Aleksander Szerejko |
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| Left to Right: Jan Szerejko, Leokadia (Szymanska) Szerejko, Aleksander Szerejko |
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| Warszawa. Wysadzony w sewietrze MOST KIERBEDZIA [Kierbedzia Bridge] |
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| WARSZAWA. Sadzawka w ogrodzie Saskim L'etang du Jardin de Sax [Saxon Gardens] |
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
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| WARSZAWA. Krakowskie Przedmiescie Rue Faubor de Cracovie |
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.
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