With my own research, I have a second great grandmother who is a mystery. For many years, I have avoided her in my research. In my previous writings, I have mentioned her. She is a mystery in a few ways.
The following is a list:
- She arrived in Queensland in 1877 and was married to a man who seems to disappear.
- She “hooks-up” with another man.
- I have not found if she remarried the second man.
- She does take on the second man’s surname as do her children one of which is my great grandmother.
Beginning.
To begin to resolve this mystery, I have been able to locate her naturalisation papers. I also have a copy of a pension card which shows her date of birth, place of birth along with her parent’s names. Side note: I have also been able to locate the naturalisation papers for both males! I had thought they may have been the same person but…
Background.
Above is the background and you may see why I have avoided doing any research. The pieces I have found more recently have made me curious. Hence, my inquiring mind started to get the cogs moving. So where do I go to find out what I need to do? Guess where I tried – YouTube!
Findings.
What I have found out was my second great grandmother was Prussian. The town was difficult to locate since Prussia was invaded many times and was under the control of a variety of countries. I eventually located the town which was under German control – hence German spelling. The town is located in current day Poland.
Continuing with the YouTube theme, I started a search for Polish genealogy. Up popped a few results. One being “Genealogy TV – Connie Knox” which I have previously mentioned. The episode was four years old. There was a handout. However, to get the handout you had to be on her mailing list to get free access. The handout provides a lot of different links. Caution: most of the links are not secure so I was not able to view them. My computer blocks HTTP sites. Any site with HTTPS are all good to go. Anyway, it gave me a starting point. The show mentions the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA.org).
Search Continues.
My search also showed “Ancestral Findings” (which produces podcasts) and Polish Origins. I have found both of these channels extremely interesting and give a lot more information that appears to be current. Each channel has a website which I list below:
- AncestralFindings.com
- Polish Origins.com
In Ancestral Findings the site covers quite a vast amount of content about genealogy. It does cover mostly the US but it does have some good content covering Europe.
Polish Origins as the name suggests is about Polish genealogy. They provide tours besides offering to assist with research. I am not sure of the costs as I haven’t checked. I am aware that all their pricing is in Polish złoty and not in US dollars like the majority of the sites I have come across.
The exciting things about this site are the sections: Forum, Surname, Places, Testimonals, Newsletter. These sections provide an amazing amount of different detail. The site also has an Academy where one can learn more.
Research & Investigate.
I do have a lot more researching and investigating to do but these channels which I have found via YouTube and of course their websites may be able to assist in removing a brick or two from my brick wall. Will it bring the wall down? Probably not but I have a lot more positive information to follow up on.
Side note: Ancestral Findings does have a free 160 page document titled “Genealogical Help Volume 1”. I have downloaded this document and had a quick skim through and there is basically a ton of useful information contained within it.
Visuals.
Getting the visuals that these channels provide especially Polish Origins brings on a comfort in wanting to know more. Especially why did my second great grandmother leave and decide to venture to Queensland? I may never know but we shall see…
The journey continues…
Explore and discover.
Please note: The first image has been generated by AI within the Canva website. All other images have been come from Canva. https://www.canva.com/
Ancestor Family 