In Remembrance of my Great Grandfather - Joseph Koprowski

A little over a month ago if you were to ask me what the day - October 13th meant to me, I'd probably respond, "Hmm, well, it's Chris Carter's birthday." (Creator of one of my favorite shows, The X-Files). But, now this date has a whole new meaning to me.  It will be FOREVER etched in my memory as the day to remember and honor my Great Grandfather.  And a little over a month ago if you were to ask me what my Great Grandfather's name was I would not have been able to tell you.  Furthermore, I wouldn't have cared much one way or the other.  After all, I'm super busy.  On the treadmill of life, just trying to survive and stay healthy and sane in this crazy world.

But, then after seeing several episodes of "Who do you Think you Are" on TV my curiosity got the best of me so I signed up with Ancestry.com.

My ancestral journey started off at a slow pace as I was learning how to use the Ancestry.com software and the plethora of data-bases there-within. And then 'it' happened.  Suddenly I became totally and completely obsessed and addicted to the process and to Ancestry.com too.  In fact, I'm thankful I didn't get fired from my day job. There were times when I could not tear myself away. It was like my ancestors were calling out to me from the beyond, saying, "Pick me. Remember me! Look for me next!"

I've always known that my roots were from Hungary and Poland, but was I surprised to discover that "Russia" was listed time and time again in the Census material on my father's side! As it turns out, the boundaries of Poland have grown and receded over the past centuries and during the time of my Great Grandfather's departure, Poland was part of Russia. 

Joseph Koprowski was born in 1869.  He immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1891. I can't even imagine what that long journey must've been like over the Atlantic Ocean from Europe!  But, there's no doubt in my mind that he was excited to be given a new start and new freedom and opportunity in America. He moved to Pennsylvania and soon found work in the coal mines.  By the year 1910 he lists 'mining' as his profession on the Census.  He married a woman named Mary - also from Russia - and one of their sons was my Grandfather.

From what I can gather he worked nearly THIRTY years in the coal mines - before the protection of Unions - before regulations and the sort of EPA changes that would come some time after his death.

When I looked for his death records in the archives of the local paper in Lucerne County, Pennsylvania, there was a disclaimer at the top of the page - "No mining deaths listed below". I'm not sure why but I think it may be because there were SO MANY - too many to list.  Finally, I found the information through a kind and generous stranger named Patty who is part of a genealogy club in Pennsylvania.  She sent me an e-mailed list of mining accident victims.  My great grandfather was among them!  And, someone else was listed along with him.  It was his 48 year old brother Walter, whom my Dad didn't even know existed!

And, so two of my distant relatives died a tragic death on October 13th, 1930.  There's an expression that comes to mind - "Standing on the shoulders of Giants".  Yes, I am standing on their shoulders. Their strength now gives me strength, and with it a feeling of responsibility to make something of this life - not to squander it or waste my time here.

If my Great Grandfather could endure thirty years of coal mining I can endure working in an office environment (which is not easy for an artist/musician!).  He sacrificed his life for his family and for me too.  And, to think that up until now I didn't even know his name!  But, I can tell you this - I'll never forget him from here on out. And, I can also tell you that I now have deep love and appreciation for him that's been lying dormant all these years, waiting patiently for me to take the time to discover what an incredible man he was.

I don't even know what he looks like.... Yet.  But, I'll find a photograph of him. Because you see, I'm determined!  And, that's what happens when you begin looking for your ancestors.  You dig in your heels. Your mind becomes obsessed and your ancestors will begin to haunt you. It's a total trip!

I hope you'll take the time to search for your roots too, and then you'll discover, if you haven't already,  that you too are standing on the Shoulders of Giants.