Surnames Leszkiewicz/Zaleska/Zaleski/Szuma/Szumska

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Apr 10, 08, 14:04 #1

I am looking for information on my maternal grandparents. My grandmother was Jozefa Zaleska Leszkiewicz. She was born in 1909 I think somewhere around Olkieniki in Wilus, but am not sure (those are just places she has mentioned). Her mother's name was Helena Szuma (or Szumska) who was married to Paul (Flisolit?) Zaleski. They had three other children Antoni, Marysia and Stefani. From what I can tell, my grandmother married my grandfather Michal Leszkiewicz (born around 1904 - father's name Boleslaw and mother I think Monika) on June 12, 1934 in Grodno. My grandfather was a member of the Polish Army and was "arrested" according to a record from Karta from 1939-1941 in Bialoruso. I have no idea where he was taken. A short time after he was taken away my grandmother and her children were taken to a labor camp in Siberia. Eventually she left Siberia was reunited with my grandfather somewhere and then ended up in a camp in Massindi, Africa (where my mother was born). In 1948 they left Africa and went to a camp called Lowther Park in Penrith, England where they stayed until 1956, when they came to America. My great-grandfather Paul Zaleski came to America around 1912 and was supposed to send for the rest of the family but never did. My great-grandmother Helena Szuma (or Szumska) Zaleska died somewhere in Poland in the 1960s or 1970s. She may have been living with one of her children at the time. Other places that have been mentioned are Vilnius, Marcinkance, Wilna, Bialystok, Marcinkance. My grandmother also mentioned there was a time after my great-grandfather left for America that they family wasn't doing well and their mother had to put the kids in an orphanage for awhile. During that time my grandmother was sent to work for Jewish families in Russia on their farms. She eventually ran away and found her way back to her mother. If anyone has any information or has any ideas of where I can look for further information, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you!

GrazynaO

May 6, 10, 21:49 #2

Good Evening,

My name is Grazyna Odyniec and I'm a daughter of Klara Zaleska -Odyniec and a granddaughter of Antoni Zaleski (who died in 1999). Helena Zaleska , my grandgrandmother) died in Elbląg where her son Antoni was living at the time. Since I was born in 1968 I obviously can't remember her well. My mother says that she (my grandmother Helena) was taking care of me for some time when I was a little child. This was because both my parents were working and I couldn't go to the nursery.
My grandfather Antoni Zaleski was married to Eugenia Lozoska (after the II World War they were living in Kamienna -Góra near the rest of the family and then in Elbląg) after her death he was married once again to Janina Cwalina (in 1994 they moved to Nowogród near Łomża).
My mother frequently was telling me that her grandfather Zaleski went to America (USA) and that one of her father sistres went too. She also told me that her grandfather wanted his wife Helena and their children to join him but his wife refused to go.

I found this ad thanks to Zbyszek, my cousin from Chojnów. We were talking on the phone and decided that I should answer as well (since he sent his reply earlier).

If you would like to contact me , I would be very pleased. Frankly speaking my mother lost any hope that she would find any relatives from the USA.

Best regards,

Grazyna

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May 9, 10, 03:22 #3

Hi -

I received a phone call from your cousin Zbyszek's friend Chris Bernard in Canada yesterday. He told me that your cousin did send me a message, but unfortunately I never received it. If you could ask him to resend the message that would be great. From what his friend told me and what you've put in your post it does sound like we are family! I do remember that my grandmother (Jozefa) told me that her mother did live with one of her children and I think that I do recall that it was Antoni.

I received some information regarding my grandfather Michal Leszkiewicz was "arrested" and the family was taken from Poland. One of the documents said that they lived in Marcinkance, Poreczje District, Bialystok County. He was taken to camp Uchta, Komi Republic. I know that my grandmother was in Siberia and had to work on the railroad, but I don't know if she was in the same camp as my grandfather.

I also have a picture that was taken professionally of my grandmother, her mother and her sisters. It appears that the picture was taken in a studio in Grodno. I would be happy to send either by mail or e-mail a copy of this picture.

Are the places in Poland that you have listed in your post near where my grandmother lived before they were taken away?

Please e-mail me at kseliga@snet.net so that we can exchange more information.

My birthday was yesterday (May 7th) and receiving the phone call from your cousin's friend was the greatest gift as was find this post by you! Thank you so much.

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GrazynaO	May 10, 10, 18:25 #4
Hi, I'm so glad that you have answered. I've just sent you an email. Please check your emailbox. Best regards, Grazyna