For about seventeen years, the Suffield Polish Heritage Society (PHS) brought first-generation Polish Americans together to collect, preserve, and perpetuate the history and culture of their ancestors who settled in this area more than 100 years ago. They told the stories of their parents’ lives in Poland and their journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. They gleefully reminisced about growing up in Suffield and the importance of St. Joseph Church. Sadly, not many of that energetic and reverent group are still with us. Thankfully, many of them recorded their stories for posterity.
Coincidentally, about the same number of years ago, I lived in California with the last of my Polish father’s siblings when she passed away. I became aware there was so much about my ancestors that I did not know. That realization made me regretful and curious, so I started my genealogical quest for information. I knew my grandparents’ names and little else besides that they had siblings in the area. My initial goal was to learn where they had lived before coming to the United States. I succeeded and have since visited my ancestral villages twice! I became a fanatic family genealogist. Fast forward fifteen years, and I am proud to say I have traced my ancestors back five generations.
Over these years, I have also become a dedicated Suffield Polish families genealogist. I have discovered that many Suffield Polish immigrants were fellow parishioners of my ancestors in northeast Poland. The connections between friends, associates, and neighbors are now known as FAN research. I have created a family tree that ties many Polish immigrants together regardless of what part of Poland they had resided. Maybe your ancestors were among them! This cluster research is why I think it is time for the PHS to branch out to include the Suffield Polish Genealogical Society. Now is the time for second-generation Polish Americans to satisfy their curiosity about their ancestors and heritage. Now is the time to find the connections among our ancestors.
At an evening meeting of the Polish Heritage Society, I hope to inspire or motivate you to start or continue your family tree research. I will explain some helpful research tools to get you started or help you dig deeper. The tree of Suffield Poles I created may even jump start your journey. To take advantage of this opportunity please let me know that you would like to attend and include the names of your Polish ancestors. Send that information to suffieldpolams@gmail.com no later than Oct. 15. The PHS will hold this meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Suffield Ambulance Center on Bridge Street.