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%META:TOPICINFO{author="PaulKlemick" date="1061184929" format="1.0" version="1.1"}%
%META:TOPICPARENT{name="PolishGenealogy"}%
-- PaulKlemick - 18 Aug 2003
SURNAMES & THEIR ORIGINS
ANIS possibly from (Ger) Hans or equivalent Jan or from the son of Annis (Eng), the popular pronunciation of Agnes - Pure/chaste.
BRANT/Brandt (Ger) Hildebrand. Meaning: Dweller on a farm cleared by burning or dweller near the (brant) steep.
DEMER/Demmer a variant from Dempster (Eng, Scot). Meaning: Occupational name for a judge or arbiter of minor disputes.
GRABOWSKI (Pol) grab. Meaning: hornbeam or, grabic - to rob, or grabie - rake.
MASLEWSKI (Pol) maslo. Meaning: butter or maslak - kind of mushroom.
ORLOWSKI (Rus) Orlov & (Pol) orzel. Meaning: Eagle or descendant of one with eagle-like characteristics. From the nickname Oryol - eagle.
PAROBKIEWICZ (Pol) parobek. Meaning: Farmhand, hireling.
PHILIPOWSKI/Filipowski (Pol) Filip. Philippos (Gk) - Lover of horses.
SZULCOWA (Pol) szulac. Meaning: To be ill, or to place, stick, or szulac sie, to wander, roam.
WISNIEWSKI (Pol) wisnia. Meaning: Cherry-tree or wisniak - cherry wine.
WODKOWSKI (Pol) wodka. Meaning: Vodka.
ZYNDA a name especially popular among Kaszubs.
Joseph Alexander Orlowski (1813-1895), the son of Vincent Orlowski & Catharine Szulcowa married (1834 Mühlbanz) Bridget Parobkiewicz (1814-1906), the daughter of Michael Parobkiewicz & Anna Wodkowska.
Joseph & Bridget settled in the village of Hohenstein (Pszczolki), in the Parish of Mühlbanz (Milobadz), West Prussia, in the ethnic region of Kociewie, in the district of Gdansk, Poland. Here they had a family of six that we are aware of, firstly being; Anna Maria (1837-1910), August (1840-1930), Marianna (1842-1843) & Johann (1844-1927). From here they moved south, but not sure to which area. Here Rosalie was born (1844-1857) but died in the village of Liniewken (Liniewko), & Joseph (1852).
Anna Orlowska married Michael Wisniewski (1838-1911), the son of Johann Wisniewski & Marianna, on the 13th of November 1859 at Gardschau (Godziszewo). They first resided in the village of Labuhnken (Trzcinsk), Gardschau where the following children were born, being; Joseph (1860-1860), August (1861) & Franz (1863-1863). From here they moved south to the village of Gnieschau (Gniszewo) in the Parish of Subkau (Subkowy) where Johann was born (1866-1866). The family moved again north to the village of Turse (Turze) in the Parish of Gardschau where the following were born, being: Francisca (1867-1867), Valeria (1869-1869), Antoni James (1871-1950) & Bernard (1873).
August Orlowski married Francisca Anis (1849-1939), the daughter of Simon Anis & Regina Demer, on the 17th of October 1869 Gardschau. While residing in the village of Labuhnken (Trzcinsk), they had their first two children being; Franciszek (1870) & Maria (1872).
Johann Orlowski married Anna Maslewska (1843-1925), the daughter of Johann Maslewski & Marianna Zynda, on the 6th of November 1870 at Gardschau. While residing in the village of Turse (Turze), they had their first born named Maria (1871).
Both August & his brother Johann were the first members of their family to leave their stricken motherland for a better life overseas. They left for Hamburg, via Gdansk, where they set aboard the ship "Palmerston" on the 29th of July 1872 arriving at Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on the 6th of December 1872. The family aboard ship were August 32, Franciska 22, Franciszek 2 & Maria 5 months & Johan 28, Anna 29 & Maria nearly 2. August & Francisca had a further eight children in the settlement of Waihola, being; Martha (1875), Annie (1876), August Joseph (1878-1963), John Andrew (1880), Bernard (1882), James (1884), Alexander (1885), Michael Francis (1889) & Fanny Clara (1891). In the "1882 List of Freeholders", August is listed as owning 3 acres to the value of £220 in the town of Waihola & was naturalised on the 13th of June 1887 as a carpenter while residing here.
Mr. A Orlowski, of Waihola, sustained a fracture of the leg last week through a log rolling upon it. He was conveyed to the hospital. "Bruce Herald", 4 September 1888.
On the 16th of April 1899 the church of "St Hyacinth" was opened for worship in the township of Waihola. The land was gifted by John Philipowski, a local of Waihola. Mr. Barty, of Balclutha prepared the plans and specifications of the building, and Mr. J. Agnew, of the same place, was the builder. August Orlowski helped him to do the major work. Later on August did all the repairs on his own accord. It is also noted that August helped build the Waihola Hall and was regarded as a wonderful tradesman of the old class. He had only a few basic tools and no modern machinery. In appreciation of the work that had been done to the church, the Parish presented August with a bible, which is still in the family today. In 1921 August Orlowski (son of the original builder) presented to the church of "St Hyacinth" a water-font made of Oamaru stone.
Today there is a family by the name of Luskie, which are descendants of Bernard, also known as Bertrum. The story goes that Bertrum was cutting pine saplings off the trees in the forest near Waihola. He was accompanied by his father, August, and one of his sons. Bertrum was busy axing away the saplings obviously not taking too much care when August commented that he better take care or else he will lose his hand. Anyway Berturm can't have taken much notice when he accidently cut off a couple of fingers from his left hand. With that August burst out laughing, seeing only the funny side. Bertrum didn't take to kindly to this and stomped off and with that he changed his religion & name to Luskie. It goes to show how passionate these Poles were.
August Orlowski died on the 25th June 1930 aged 90 & Fanny Orlowski died 20th of October 1939 aged 90. Both are buried at the Waihola Cemetery.
Johann Orlowski & Anna (nee Maslewska) also settled in the township of Waihola and had a further five children being; Voleska (Lucy) (1873), Francis (1875), Julia (1879), Minnie (1881) & Lewis (1883-1958). In the "1882 Freeholders" Johan is listed as owning 1 acre to the value of £120 as a labourer residing in Waihola & was naturalised on the 13th of June 1887.
With the opening of the Catholic Church in 1899 the Poles finally had a place of worship of their own. Johann gifted the four large brass candlestick holders and is believed to have made the two milking stools. At a later date Johann & Anna moved south to the settlement of Milton until their death. Anna died on the 24th of May 1925 aged about 82 & Johann died on the 22nd of December 1927 aged 82. Both are buried at the Fairfax Cemetery, Milton.
Anna (nee Orlowski) & Michael Wisniewski left the Village of Turse for Hamburg, via Gdansk. They left Hamburg aboard the ship "Reichstag" on the 10th of May 1874 arriving at Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on the 6th of August 1874. The family aboard ship were Michal 37, Anna 37, August 12.5, Antoni 3 & Bernard .75.
They travelled south to the township of Waihola where members of Anna's family were residing. Here Michael built, with his own hands a clay house & later a wooden one. Here they had the rest of the family being; Martha (1875), Francis (1877), Anna (1878) & James (1880). Further information is available in Wisniewski family chapter.
With three of the Orlowski children already in New Zealand, Joseph Orlowski & Bridget (nee Parobkiewicz) left the village of Lamenstein (Elganowo), in the Parish of Trampken (Trabki Wielkie) for Hamburg, via Gdansk, aboard the ship "Friedeburg" on the 10th of May 1875 arriving at Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand on the 24th of August 1875.
From here they travelled south to Waihola where they settled. Bridget Orlowski was naturalised on the 26th of September 1900, occupation given as domestic duties residing in Waihola. Joseph Orlowski died on the 9th of August 1895 aged 82 & Bridget Orlowski died on the 26th of June 1906 aged 92. Both are buried at the Waihola Cemetery.
Joseph Orlowski 25, left Glasgow, Scotland, aboard the ship "Oamaru" on the 24th of October 1877 arriving at Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand. He travelled south to Waihola where family members were residing. Joseph married Pauline Philipowski (1858), the daughter of Johann Philipowski & Rosalie Grabowska, on the 9th of October 1880 in the Milton Parish. Pauline (nee Philipowski), aged 16, left the village of Postelau (Postolowo), in the Parish of Trampken (Trabki Wielkie), for Hamburg, via Gdansk, where she set aboard the ship "Fritz Reuter" on the 16th of December 1874 arriving at Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand on the 13th of March 1875. Joseph & Pauline had seven children being; Victoria (1881), Rose (1882), Edward Adolph (1885), Ignatius Joseph (1887), Bernard (1889), Daniel & John. Joseph Orlowski was naturalised on the 13th of June 1887 as a labourer residing in Waihola. It is believed that they migrated to Australia at some later date. |
Today there is a family by the name of Luskie, which are descendants of Bernard, also known as Bertrum. The story goes that Bertrum was cutting pine saplings off the trees in the forest near Waihola. He was accompanied by his father, August, and one of his sons. Bertrum was busy axing away the saplings obviously not taking too much care when August commented that he better take care or else he will lose his hand. Anyway Berturm can't have taken much notice when he accidently cut off a couple of fingers from his left hand. With that August burst out laughing, seeing only the funny side. Bertrum didn't take to kindly to this and stomped off and with that he changed his religion & name to Luskie.
Joseph Orlowski 25, left Glasgow, Scotland, aboard the ship