Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:02 am
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Maybe the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois will be more receptive to e-requests in the meantime. Can't say for sure how much they can tell you about the freight station, but the more facts you give them the more they may be able to help.
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:19 pm
Post subject:
Updated Back of the Yards map.
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jackiewisniewski
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Replies: 51
Location: Riverside, IL., USABack to top |
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:07 pm
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Bill, do you have a copy of this map without the people's names? I've never seen this one of this area with the ethnic boundaries outlined. I'd love an unnamed copy, if possible?
Jackie
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Cyrwus
Joined: 14 Feb 2012
Replies: 17
Location: Brookfield, ILBack to top |
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:32 pm
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My great grandparents Franciszek and Cordelia (Mroszczak) Cyrwus settled in the back of the yards at 4329 S Paulina and open Cyrwus Tavern. Franciszek came from Novy Targ and what my Grandfather told me that Franciszek brother would give out visa to come to the US, to get the visa you had to come to Chicago and see my Great Grandfather and he would then get them a job in the stock yards. Also he was one of the founding members of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America. The meeting were held at his tavern until it closed in 1953 when he died.
Cordelia is from Waksmund which is a small town next to Novy Targ.
Mark
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Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 12:36 am
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Many used whatever means to make it possible for those seeking opportunity. Although my background was minor nobility, I applaud all who made ;possible for any who sought to better themselves to make it happen. If it weren't for taverns, I would have lost the language skills.
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:24 pm
Post subject:
jackiewisniewski wrote: | Bill, do you have a copy of this map without the people's names? I've never seen this one of this area with the ethnic boundaries outlined. I'd love an unnamed copy, if possible? Jackie |
Sure Jackie, I sent a copy to your email address a few minutes ago. If you have a relative living in the area please let me know. Stories welcome too. Bill
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:42 pm
Post subject:
Cyrwus wrote: | My great grandparents Franciszek and Cordelia (Mroszczak) Cyrwus settled in the back of the yards at 4329 S Paulina and open Cyrwus Tavern. Franciszek came from Novy Targ and what my Grandfather told me that Franciszek brother would give out visa to come to the US, to get the visa you had to come to Chicago and see my Great Grandfather and he would then get them a job in the stock yards. Also he was one of the founding members of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America. The meeting were held at his tavern until it closed in 1953 when he died. Cordelia is from Waksmund which is a small town next to Novy Targ. Mark |
Mark, I was happy to read your message with your insight to the Back of the Yards. Now I just reread your post and noticed something. You spelled Cordelia's name as Mroszczak. Could this name be anglicized as Mrozak perhaps? They lived in the same area and Tony Mrozak worked at Jan Budz "Highlander Tavern" on Ashland ave. This may be the same bar as Budz was murdered in a robbery there in 1920. I am very much interested in your family lines if so. Please email me privately if you wish. ([email protected]) Dzienki, Bill
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Cyrwus
Joined: 14 Feb 2012
Replies: 17
Location: Brookfield, ILBack to top |
Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 5:20 pm
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Bill,
It could be but this is the only way that I know my family has spelled Mroszczak. In 2005 my family and I went to Poland and found Cordelia’s nieces according to them Cordelia’s Parents travelled to the US a lot from Poland. Cordelia was born in Poland but I believe her brother and sister was born in the US. Cordelia was the only one to move to the US that I know of.
The tavern that my great grandfather own he bought in 1919. During prohibition he would make his own beer to serve to his customers. My family lived in that building until 1992 when my grandfather sold it. I have memories of going to the tavern when I was a kid in the 80’s. Also my grandfather would tell me that when one of the wives in the neighborhood was pregnant and went into labor they would call my great grandfather up and he would drive them to the hospital because he had one of the first cars in the neighborhood. He said that the parents would name one of there kids after him.
I have to post some of the early pictures of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North American that I have.
Mark
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:17 pm
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Cyrwus wrote: | Bill, It could be but this is the only way that I know my family has spelled Mroszczak.
The tavern that my great grandfather own he bought in 1919. During prohibition he would make his own beer to serve to his customers. My family lived in that building until 1992 when my grandfather sold it. I have memories of going to the tavern when I was a kid in the 80’s.
I have to post some of the early pictures of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North American that I have. Mark |
Thanks for the info Mark. I know that Tony Mrozak tended bar at the Highlander Tavern owned by Jan Budz. Mrozak's are related to Rusin's and Budz. I know Rusin/Kimotek ran the bar after the murder in 1920. Is it possible your family ended up with it? Or was your bar at 4329 Paulina? I checked the 1929 directory and it shows John and Joe Murzanski living there. (another old name from Murzasichle,PL).
I may be related to you. My GF, brothers daughter, Elzbieta Rusin married Francisek Cyrwus in Waksmund. Would love to see your pics and any PHA history/info.
Bill
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Cyrwus
Joined: 14 Feb 2012
Replies: 17
Location: Brookfield, ILBack to top |
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:25 pm
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The tavern was at 4329, the name was Cyrwus Tavern. It had 3 apartments on the second floor. My great grandparent lived in the front apartment the other 2 they rented out. When I was going there as a kid the tavern still had the bar which was 25ft long and had a matching back bar that was 15ft tall. That was the front in the back they had a hall that had a small bar to serve the parties in the hall or if they had a band playing on the stage. It only cost $25 to rent out the hall and that included all the food and drinks. One of the pictures that I have is the PHA on the stage.
My GGF had a few brothers in Poland. When we were over there my dad and his aunt were talking about a Frank (Franciszek), I don’t speak polish so I was waiting for them to tell us what they were saying and they never really told us. The one cousin that we found over there had a son but I don’t remember his name. I don’t know much of the history of my family over there besides what my GF told me. So it could be a relative of mine.
Mark
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Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:49 pm
Post subject: Gorale "Back of the Yards"
Czesc!
I came across your very informative page about Chicago's Back of the Yards and felt so nostalgic. My grandparents (John J Budz, 1909-2008) and my grandmother Anna, Budz nie Harbut 1914-2011) ived near the Polish Podhale Hall on 47th and Archer. I didn't know much about the history of Back of the Yards because I always lived outside that area. Whenever I came to Chicago we would go to nostalgic places and eat Polish food. My grandparents belonged to St. Bruno's Church ( still quite Polish). There are a number of Polish Wedliny around their neighborhood, (Pulaski rd/ 47th). I remember my parents would also go to BALTIC BAKERY- somewhere in the Back of the Yards, and there was a restaurant ( Lithuanian food) called Julia's. My father is Lithuanian and Polish.
I went for my grandmother's funeral at the end of 2011 and went around that neighborhood- There is some Polish feeling to it, but most of the areas have changed to a Latin feel, as I see signs mixed everywhere in Spanish and some in Polish.
I have visited Poland many times, but have been to the Podhale area only once during the "socialist" years. I would be so excited to know of any relatives living ( English speaking if possible?) in Podhale area (Rogoznik, Czarny Duniec, etc) who would want to stay in contact with me and, give another excuse to visit Nowy Targ area of Poland , see Ludzmierz Church etc)
I am living in the mountains near Honolulu, Hawaii now. Far away from Chicago or Poland, but would be most happy to hear from someone who knows anything or has anything to share.
Jim Tvarian
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:46 pm
Post subject: Re: Gorale "Back of the Yards"
jiminhawaii wrote: | Czesc! I came across your very informative page about Chicago's Back of the Yards and felt so nostalgic. My grandparents (John J Budz, 1909-2008) and my grandmother Anna, Budz nie Harbut 1914-2011) lived near the Polish Podhale Hall on 47th and Archer. I didn't know much about the history of Back of the Yards because I always lived outside that area... Jim Tvarian |
Cześć Jim, welcome to my BOY forum and I enjoyed your insight even if you didn't live there. I'm am related to Budz from the Groń - Leśnica area. I am also researching info on Jan Budz in the BOY. Was your John Budz born in Rogoznik? I have a cousin in Groń and I will have him check the area you mentioned to see if your surnames survive. Also since communism has fallen you may be surprised to know that all Podhale children are required to learn English in school. My US friend in Nowy Targ has taught English in Grońkow for years. He married a local goralka. Dzienki Bill
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:07 pm
Post subject:
Cyrwus wrote: | The tavern was at 4329, the name was Cyrwus Tavern... One of the pictures that I have is the PHA on the stage.
My GGF had a few brothers in Poland. When we were over there my dad and his aunt were talking about a Frank (Franciszek), I don’t speak polish so I was waiting for them to tell us what they were saying and they never really told us. Mark |
Boy I would have loved to been in that bar, it sounds like a great place. You have me drooling over the pics so keep your promise <grin>.
Well I'm not certain if it's the same Franciszek but since they never mentioned what was said makes it seem it is the same person for this reason. Franciszek was murdered by the Nazis. I was going to post some info on this story but I'm still waiting on some history from the museum in Nowy Targ before I do. Dzienki Bill
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Cyrwus
Joined: 14 Feb 2012
Replies: 17
Location: Brookfield, ILBack to top |
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:31 pm
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Bill, I think it might be, my sister has a picture of a mass grave in Waksmund that is a memorial of all the people that were killed by the Nazis on one night. What they said was that they took all the families out in the street and just went down and started shooting differnt people and it did not matter if they were men, women, or childern there was a few Cyrwus on it. The cemetery was right by the church in Waksmund.
I sent you an email with the pictures in it you can post them if you want
Mark
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Bill RushinPO Top Contributor
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
Replies: 311
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.Back to top |
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:12 am
Post subject:
Cyrwus wrote: | Bill, I think it might be, my sister has a picture of a mass grave in Waksmund that is a memorial of all the people that were killed by the Nazis on one night. What they said was that they took all the families out in the street and just went down and started shooting different people and it did not matter if they were men, women, or children there was a few Cyrwus on it. The cemetery was right by the church in Waksmund.
I sent you an email with the pictures in it you can post them if you want Mark |
Mark, theres a lot more to the story and I only have a small part of it. I have been digging around to see what I could find out but the language barrier with my one relative in Poland has my hands tied right now. I have other relatives going there in June so I will have to wait until then to find out more. This story is related to the Polish Goral underground partisans and the Home Army, the AK. I have been reading about it for the last 3 years since I heard my relative was one of the persons who was killed. I don't know if you know this but the head of the partisans was from Waksmund. Let me type up some things tommorow and I'll fill you in. Could you please get me a copy of your sisters photo. Dziękuję Bardzo Bill
PS-will look at bar pics in the am.
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