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Sherlock's Genealogical Adventures

Follow Sherlock on his adventures into genealogical mysteries.

3 minutes reading time (613 words)

Dwór Czarne Pt 3 - Polish Manager of Black Manor Identified!

History and Genealogy

Tim Firkowski

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

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Continued from Part 2

The next piece of evidence was found in the 2/1999 issue of the quarterly Skarbiec Ducha Gór.

The reader, Mr. Zbigniew Tomery, who is no longer alive, wrote a letter to the quarterly referencing an article about Black Manor from the December 1998 issue.
St.Firkowki i inni1

Jelenia Góra, 08/18/46, at the gate to the family house at 4 Szpacza Street (from left to right – my brother-in-law, Mr. Firkowski, Z.Tomera, Mr. Wlad. Lasocki, Mr. Weltowski & Tadeusz)
Within this letter, was Jacek's hero - Stanisław Firkowski, no longer was there any doubt about his name, but he was also shown in the picture. Because Mr. Tomery knew Stanisław personally, he was able to provide some interesting details.

Jacek quotes Zbigniew Tomery letter in its entirety:
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Jelenia Góra, February 24, 1999

I would like to inform you that the manager of the Black Manor was Mr. Stanisław Firkowski, who came from Poznan and left there in 1949, he got married and ran his own farm. Under his management Black Manor blossomed, cultivated land, raised cows, grew agricultural products that provide for the needs of the City to the canteen and employees. He was efficient with horse transportation, including carriage horses, which he rented for various occasions, including weddings. In the picture - a couple of horses from the property, which on 18 August 1946, he used to bring guests to the party, which I arranged on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of his transportation business in Jelenia Góra. Mr. Firkowski is standing next to the horse with the raised head, and I am next to the other. These horses also rode to the wedding on Sept. 18, 1948. At the same time I want to inform you that in 1945 and early 1946, Black Manor housed the military veterinary clinic that treated horses that were injured during the war and after the war.

Zbigniew Tomery
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So, here is clear evidence that Stanisław Firkowski was host and manager of the property of Black Manor. Jacek contacted me again with a first name "Stanisław". The photo included the age of Stanisław, but it did not match anyone I had in my family tree exactly. I looked through my data and found someone that closely matched. I sent Jacek the limited information I had on my Stanisław in hopes that it would help him. (an unknown person at the 2nd Firkowski family reunion in Poland had added this information.) The photo from the magazine article was posted to our family Facebook page, hoping someone might recognize the photo and image. Although it was known when he lived (1921-1983), it was close to the information already known, but his relationship with Jelenia Góra could not be confirmed. We know about his wife, Irena Wałecki and that he was the father of three daughters: Anna, Magdalena and Ursula.

I was able to locate the mailing address for the nephew of this Stanisław who just happened to be living in Jelenia Góra. Jacek wrote to him and they met to discuss the mystery. It appeared that I had found the correct Stanisław and as the family closest to Stanisław began talking and digging up more information, the mystery slowly began to be solved. One of Stanisław's living daughters was located. Her son connected with Jacek and was able to provide Jacek with photos and information about his Grandfather at Black Manor.

Thanks, due in part to Stanisław Firkowski; Black Manor was saved from oblivion. The importance of his role in the history of Jelenia Góra and Black Manor cannot be denied. If Jacek had not taken the time to document the history of Black Manor, no one may have known about this piece of history.

Bardzo Dziękuje Jacek Jakubiec!

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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).