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Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja - May 3rd Constitution Day & Polish Reunification in Germany after WWII

History and Genealogy

Tim Firkowski

Friday, 02 May 2014

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Constitution Day in Poland is a national holiday that celebrates the declaration of the Constitution on May 3, 1791. The Constitution of May 3, 1791 is considered one of the most important events in Poland's history, despite the fact that it was only in effect for about one year, until the Polish-Russian War in 1792.

For me there is another significance to this day and the flyers you see in this post. There is a story to be told about these pieces of paper. Yes, I do have them in my possession. They are both printed on thin fragile pieces of paper. Upon questioning my father about the paper, he suggested that they were probably printed on leftover stock from the Nazi propoganda machine that were always dropping leaflets from the air.

After my grandparents took the family out of Poland in about 1943 into southern Germany, they moved from DP camp to DP camp.

Although my father does not know how many organizations my grandfather may have been involved with during WWII, he knows that my grandfather (Władysław Firkowski) was a member of a group called "Zjednoczenie Polskie w Niemczech" (Polish Reunification in Germany). This was a loose knit group (not a radical group) in Germany that had the common goal to help Poles get back on their feet & to help reorganize Poland's leadership after WWII. My grandfather had strong involvement in the group and did a lot for the them, but in 1950, prior to leaving for the US. My grandfather was nominated by the members to be one of their leaders at one of the meetings. They were hoping to do what they could to establish a new government. My grandfather would have accepted the postition if it was not for my grandmother standing 3Mayflyer1a

up and stating (quite firmly from what my father says) that my grandfather had done enough for the group already and it was time for him and my grandmother to get their own family put back together and move on with their lives.

I have no idea why my grandparents decided to take along these 2 pieces of paper (they had enough stuff to take when they came to the USA), but I am glad they did. Finding those pieces of paper among some items my father had, allowed him to tell the story behind them. I was able to learn more about my grandfather and how he had played a part in trying to give Poland a new lease on life after WWII.

My grandparents had already decided that they would never go back to Poland, because of their dislike of the Communist Russians. They knew that they would have to find themselves a new country to live in and call their home. Although my father is not sure why they did not want to stay in Germany, he suggests that it may have had something to do with fear of retribution that they did not want to deal with. Some of the countries that they gave thought to going to were, Argentina, Uraguay, Paraguay, Australia, Brazil & the USA. There is so much more to the story of them finding a new home, but these stories will be saved for future blog posts.

If you have a strange piece of paper laying around with your ancestors possessions, remember that there may be an important story behind that piece of paper and it might be worth your time trying to find out any background about it that you can. It may play an important part in your genealogy.

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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).