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10 Years Ago - The Moment My LIfe Changed Forever

Polish Genealogy

Tim Firkowski

Friday, 24 August 2012

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Today is the 10th Anniversary of a huge change in my life in every way imaginable.

It was Saturday August 24th 2002 at 3:27 pm and I was using the chat program ICQ. I put in a search for users with my surname, as I had done many times before and lo and behold... SOMEONE WITH MY SURNAME!

Łukasz Firkowski responded to my Hello with "Cześć" (Polish for Hello). These are the first words that were exchanged between Łukasz
Firkowski & I 10 years ago today.

As our conversation progressed, we discovered we had the same interests. Łukasz & I were both curious about our family history. Until I started talking with Łukasz I thought that my Firkowski family was the only one in the world. We decided we would try and find all of the members of the Firkowski family to see how we are related.

The research of our family took thousands of hours worth of work over the years, but long days of hard work allowed us to hold 2 family reunions in Poland in 2004 & 2006. I have been to Poland 3 times now and have enjoyed every visit.

My life totally changed that day because I have gained family & friends I never knew I had. I have since begun doing genealogy research for others professionally, including research within Poland. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ŁUKASZ!!!!!!!

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About the author

Tim Firkowski

I have been doing genealogy research since 2002 & have worked full time as a Professional Genealogist since 2008. I specialize in Polish and American-Canadian Genealogy. As a member of APG, I was the 2010/2011 President of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG). I have Certificates of Completion for studies in "Foundations of Forensic Genealogy" and "Advanced Forensic Genealogy Techniques". I have been a volunteer librarian at the local Family History Center, and a genealogy research consultant at “Ask the Expert” Ancestry Road Shows. I have traveled to Poland numerous times & researched in churches and archives. At conferences and special events, you may find me dressed up in my Sherlock Holmes outfit, or my Kujawy (the folk costume from the region in Poland where my ancestors came from).

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Comments 1

Guest - Lois Fletcher on Friday, 24 August 2012 10:22

I was so pleased to read your blog this morning. I have a Polish grandmother who emigrated to Canada and am just starting my research. I will continue to read everything I can on your web site and am interested in your professional rate if I need help. My grandfather, his wife, was born in Hungary and raised in Germany. I'm having a hard time tracking down his history. Keep up the good work.

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