James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.
James is a past president of the Polish Genealogical Society of Texas and was the founding webmaster of the PGST website. He also served as the Surname Index Coordinator from 1994 - 2000.
In addition to serving as the webmaster and editor of this Polish Texan website, he maintains a number of other websites including;
With a lifelong passion for photography, James can often be found with a camera around his neck. In addition to photographing family events and his grandchildren, he is the church photographer for St. Mary Catholic Church in Plantersville and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stoneham. Many of his photographs can be found on the church website or his photography gallery.
Videos From the 51st Annual Jozwiak Family Reunion held in Chappell Hill Texas on September 8, 2012.
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Videos From 51st Annual Jozwiak Family Reunion In Chappell HillRead More »
Videos From 51st Annual Jozwiak Family Reunion In Chappell Hill Read More »
The Jozwiak family and friends met at St. Stanislaus Community Center in Chappell Hill, Texas the afternoon of September 8, 2012 for their 51st annual family reunion. The large crowd enjoyed fun, food, music and fellowship throughout the day beginning with a special reunion Mass which was celebrated by Fr. Józef Musiol and Fr. Benedict Zientek in the beautiful old St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Mike Addicks, Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz and the St. Stanislaus choir played and sang Polish hymns during the Mass. A pot luck Polish lunch cooked by family members followed the Mass.
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51st Annual Jozwiak Family Reunion In Chappell HillRead More »
51st Annual Jozwiak Family Reunion In Chappell Hill Read More »
The 4th annual traditional Dożynki or Polish Harvest Festival will be held at Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Houston, Texas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 14, 15 and 16, 2012. The festival starts on Friday evening from 4 pm to 10 pm and continues on Saturday and Sunday with two full days of live Polish music, dancing, folk programs, a dożynki parade with traditional harvest celebration and thanksgiving, national costumes, dożynki wreath, sharing of bread and other entertainment. There will also be activities for the kids, a silent auction and arts, craft and gift booths. Pierogi, bigos, gołąbki and other traditional Polish food will be served along with Texas barbecue and an assortment of delicious deserts. Soft drinks, beer and wine will also be available.
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2012 Houston Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival Scheduled For September 14 – 16Read More »
2012 Houston Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival Scheduled For September 14 – 16 Read More »
A hot Texas day didn’t stop the large crowd of people who came to Chappell Hill Texas on Sunday, September 2, 2012 for St. Stanislaus Catholic Church’s 75th annual homecoming bazaar. A delicious catered barbecue dinner from Chappell Hill Bakery & Deli was served beginning at 11am along with plenty of cold beer and soft drinks. There were Grocery, Ham, Grandma Kolaches and Cake booths along with bingo for the adults and a toy booth, moon walk, train ride and other activities for the kids. The live auction with lots of great items was held at 2pm.
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75th Annual Bazzar Held In Chappell Hill TexasRead More »
After a long, hot Texas summer, there are lots of events scheduled for the last holiday weekend of the season, including several church bazaars on the Sunday before Labor Day. It’s hard to decide which ones to attend, but here’s several of them that relate to our Polish Texan heritage.
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Celebrate Your Polish Heritage On Labor Day WeekendRead More »
Celebrate Your Polish Heritage On Labor Day Weekend Read More »
Click on thumbnail photos below to enlarge the photo. Click on the 
icon in the photo caption to see the family history of the bride and groom in our genealogy database.
Marion Raymond Klotz October 25, 1941 Photo courtesy of Joseph Klotz
Marion Raymond Klotz October 25, 1941 Photo courtesy of Joseph Klotz
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Adam Edward Polka 1925 Photo courtesy of James Smock
Adam Edward Polka 1925 Photo courtesy of James Smock
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Rudolph J. Bednara June 1928 Photo courtesy of Bill Maduzia
Rudolph J. Bednara June 1928 Photo courtesy of Bill Maduzia
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Antone Joe Bartula Photo courtesy of Dolores Bartula Moore
Antone Joe Bartula Photo courtesy of Dolores Bartula Moore
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Stephan Mazurkiewicz October 24, 1928 Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz
Stephan Mazurkiewicz October 24, 1928 Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz
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Rajmund Kopech (Kopec) October 25, 1927 Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz
Rajmund Kopech (Kopec) October 25, 1927 Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz
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John W. Snider November 10, 1931 Photo courtesy of Theresa Zarosky
John W. Snider November 10, 1931 Photo courtesy of Theresa Zarosky
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Louis Frank Bartula November 26, 1913 Photo courtesy of Robin Manee
Louis Frank Bartula November 26, 1913 Photo courtesy of Robin Manee
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Louis Burzynski and Rosalie Wawrzon November 16, 1915 Photo courtesy of Vanessa Kierce Burzynski
Louis Burzynski and Rosalie Wawrzon November 16, 1915 Photo courtesy of Vanessa Kierce Burzynski
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Thaddeus Joseph (T.J) Kmiec June 25, 1932 Photo courtesy of Irene Kmiec Casimiro
Thaddeus Joseph (T.J) Kmiec June 25, 1932 Photo courtesy of Irene Kmiec Casimiro
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Marion Hopcus November 1924 Photo courtesy of Mary Zielny Small
Marion Hopcus November 1924 Photo courtesy of Mary Zielny Small
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Joe Kaminski November 19, 1924 Photo courtesy of Al Stogdill
Joe Kaminski November 19, 1924 Photo courtesy of Al Stogdill
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Vintage Wedding Photos Read More »
icon in the photo caption to see an individuals family history in our genealogy database.
Wisnoskie Body Works 1938 Actor Tom Mix in front of his 1937 Cord Phaeton Wisnoskie Body Works was owned by Tony F. Wisnoskie Photo courtesy of Story Jones Sloane III, Story Sloane’s Gallery
Wisnoskie Body Works 1938 Actor Tom Mix in front of his 1937 Cord Phaeton Wisnoskie Body Works was owned by Tony F. Wisnoskie Photo courtesy of Story Jones Sloane III, Story Sloane’s Gallery
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Frank Wisnoski 19th Avenue Photo courtesy Houston Public Library
Frank Wisnoski 19th Avenue Photo courtesy Houston Public Library
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The Opening Of The Polish Home White Oak at Studewood Photo courtesy Flo Baker
The Opening Of The Polish Home White Oak at Studewood Photo courtesy Flo Baker
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More Polish Texan Photos
Vintage Photos of Houston Texas Read More »
Bremond Texas celebrated their 25th annual Polski Dzien or Polish Day on Saturday, June 23, 2012 with record breaking crowds. I arrived in town early Friday afternoon and I could immediately feel the excitement and energy as the town was busy getting ready for the big day. There seemed to be a rebirth of the old Polski Dzien, perhaps it was the milestone of 25 years or the hundreds of Polish flags hanging all over town or the newly painted buildings downtown but something was different. There was no mistaking it that this year Bremond, a town that was known as the Polish Capital of Texas, was going to throw a Polish party like no other.
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2012 Polski Dzien XXV Held In Bremond Texas on June 23Read More »
2012 Polski Dzien XXV Held In Bremond Texas on June 23 Read More »
