09 Nov 1936_part 1, Poland

Emelia Julia WITKOWSKA-BIENIECKA

 Rypin, 9 - November - 1936.

My dear son and daughter in law!

I received the letter, and it gives me a real joy knowing that God helped you to get safely back home to your family.

Dear son, how empty our home feels without you. I had you all together and was this time was a great joy for me. But now all is over. What joy is for a Mother to welcome kids in the morning with “good morning” and at the evening to say “good night” especially, that I didn’t see you for long time and didn’t expect your visit.

About Helena, if her mother don’t deserve to be remembered, I can’t feel bad about that.  I’m not going to beg for her respect. I wonder what was the reason that she changed her mind about her mother, that she loved so much as per her letters. Wladzia and Wicus asked if you were at my good bye celebration. Wicus sent a photo from the baptism and you all look so beautiful. Jaska is glad that your godchild is so good and easy going and we think that he has it after his godfather. My health is not improving, but is getting worst.

How is everything going with you my son, how is your health, how is your wife and children?

I will be waiting for information from you.

I send kisses to you my dear son and to your family.

Always in my heart, Mama.

P.S. We think about you and love you every day my son and I kiss at least your photo.

 NOTES

• Emelia (or Amelia) was John BINIEWSKI's mother, born Emelia Julia WITKOWSKA in 1867 Rypin, Poland.  She was 69 years old when she wrote this letter.  The letter was written on personal stationary (see photo). Learn more about Emelia's life on my Wikitree.

Note Letterhead





 

• In following letters, we find out that Amelia becomes bed ridden soon after this letter.  She died in 1944 at age 88.
• Emilia's husband was Franciszek BIENIECKI.  He died before 1936.  Franciszek had owned a large tannery.   Pelts were purchased during slaughter season. The leather was made and cut for carriage/wagon seats and shoes.
• Daughter Helena mentioned in this letter is Helen RUSSAK.  She also lived in the US.  Helen had sliced her toe while breaking ice with a shovel.  An infection resulted in her loosing her leg.  Could this be why she was no longer writing to her mother?

Helen and Valerian RUSSAK
From cousin Dan B.

This letter is from the collection of Uncle Peter J. BINIEWSKI. 
Special thanks to cousin Dan B. for sharing this letter and photo and to my friend Ela N. for translating it.

18 Oct 1936, Poland

Wincenty BIENIECKI

18 October 1936

Dear John,

Why you forgot about us? I assume that you used all your energy on the cards that you sent from the ship, and now you will need to relax for about 20 years! But even that you plan to do it, it will not happen! Now that we know you and we fall in love with you, we will not let you to relax. You should know that our Ulisia is impressed with you and talks about you constantly. She always asks the mail man if there is a letter from you. But why I should talk about us. We believe that you had us time next to enjoy your family, but please you can share all this joy with us. You promised that you will send pictures of your wife and kids. If you don’t have it, just do it, and don’t wait too long; because we are waiting.

Please let us know how you feel, how did you resolve the problem that you were already nervous about when you were here? Did you find everybody at home in good health?

Our life goes as usually, we are very busy, lots of work. First, Duska always asked where you were and now when she sees you on the picture, she knows that it is you, her uncle. However, she talks about you less and less. Januszek (Jan) is growing and is well. He already smiles to us and stops to talk. He does not go outside too much, as the weather is not pleasant, it rains, is windy and cold. Nobody wants to go out.

This is all for now, we send hugs and kisses to all but especially to our favorite uncle John.

Janka and Witek

 P.S. We will be awaiting long and fast letter from you. We are sending some pictures.

NOTES

• The family surname is BIENIECKI and pronounced Bin-yes'-ki. My grandfather's birth name was Jan BIENIECKI, but when he came to the US, his name was changed to John BINIEWSKI.  The US surname is currently pronounced Bin-new'-ski.
• After WWI, Poland's government became a parliamentary democracy.  At the time of this letter, the era was known as the Second Republic of Poland.  WWI had a big impact on Poland's economy and they were slowing recovering.  Industrial cities had formed, but Rypin was considered a small town. The Nazis later invaded Poland in 1939.
• John BINIEWSKI immigrated to the US in 1911.  Visit my Wikitree to find out more about John's life.  Before leaving, his family had a photo taken (below).  The little boy in the photo is John's youngest brother Wincenty BIENIECKI. Wincenty's was also known as Witek.  His wife, Janina, was known as Janka, and she is likely the one writing this letter.

BIENIECKI Family, circa 1910

• In 1936, John returned to Poland to be Godfather to Wincenty's son Januszek (Jan).  Below is a photo from the christening.

1936 Christening of Jan BIENIECKI, Poland

This letter and family photo is from the collection of Uncle Peter J. BINIEWSKI. 
Special thanks to cousin Dan B. for sharing this letter and to my friend Ela N. for translating it.

About this Blog

Welcome!

I will be posting old letters here as I come across them.  These have come my way over the last few years and really tell a story about life before, during and after WWII.

The first batch of letters are from family in Poland to my grandfather prior to the war.

The next batch of letters are from my father and his brother during their service in the Pacific.

The final batch of letters will be from family in the aftermath of the war.

Enjoy!