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James Smock

James SmockJames 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.

Polish Documentary Film Empty Nights

Articles, Culture, History / By /

Polish documentary film Empty NightsA Polish documentary film titled “Puste Nucs” or “Empty Nights” tells the story of an ancient rite, which supports the mourners in the difficult moments of the first days after the death of a loved one. This Empty Night rite is still in use in some parts of Poland.

45 minute long Polish language film with English sub-titles.

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Polish Documentary Film Empty NightsRead More »

Polish Documentary Film Empty Nights Read More »

Delicious Food And Drink At Polonia Restaurant In Houston

Food and Drink / By /

Polonia Restaurant in Houston TexasLong time Polish Texans website sponsors Sharon & Andrzej Szpak serve up delicious Polish food at their restaurant in the Spring Branch area of Houston located at 1780 Blalock, near Beltway 8 and I10 West. This is the only restaurant in the Houston area that serves authentic Polish Cuisine. Enjoy traditional Polish favorites including bigos, kielbasa, pierogi, schabowy, golonka, paczki and more in an old world atmosphere. For a cozy dinner for two or a party for 100 or more people or anything in between, this is the place to go for good Polish food.
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Delicious Food And Drink At Polonia Restaurant In HoustonRead More »

Delicious Food And Drink At Polonia Restaurant In Houston Read More »

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Celebrate 2015 Polish American Heritage Month In Texas

Articles, Culture, Current Events / By /

2015 Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In Texas

October is Polish American Heritage Month and after the typical long, hot Texas summer, it’s time to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather we traditionally have in October. There are plenty of festivals and other activities going on this month and here’s a list of some of the things you can do to celebrate your Polish heritage.

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Celebrate 2015 Polish American Heritage Month In TexasRead More »

Celebrate 2015 Polish American Heritage Month In Texas Read More »

Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In Texas

Articles, Celebrations / By /

2014 Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In Texas

October is Polish American Heritage Month and after the typical long, hot Texas summer, it’s time to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather we traditionally have in October. There are plenty of festivals and other activities going on this month and here’s a list of some of the things you can do to celebrate your Polish heritage.

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Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In TexasRead More »

Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In Texas Read More »

Tekla Klebetnica Folk Group To Visit Texas Again

Articles, News / By /

The Tekla Klebetnica band from Poland to visit TexasAfter a very sucessful tour of Texas last year, four members of the Polish folk group Tekla Klebetnica, Zygmunt Czupryn, Anna Adamowska, Wojciech Świerczyna, and Marcin Bobak will be coming back to Texas in September as guests of Bryan residents Jim and Kathy Mazurkiewicz. The talented group came in second place in “Mam Talent” or “Got Talent” in Warsaw last year competing with contestants from Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia and other countries. They were the only musical group to make the finals with over 8,000 different performances that originally applied for the contest.
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Tekla Klebetnica Folk Group To Visit Texas Again Read More »

2014 Houston Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival Scheduled For September 12 – 14

Articles, News / By /

2014 Houston Dozynki Polish Harvest FestivalThe 6th 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 12, 13 and 14, 2014. 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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2014 Houston Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival Scheduled For September 12 – 14Read More »

2014 Houston Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival Scheduled For September 12 – 14 Read More »

Celebrate Your Polish Heritage On Labor Day Weekend In Texas

Articles, News / By /

Celebrate Your Polish Heritage in Texas on 2014 Labor Day WeekendThere are lots of events scheduled for the last holiday weekend of the hot Texas summer season, including several church bazaars on the Sunday before Labor Day. It’s hard to decide which ones to attend, but here’s three of them that relate to our Polish Texan heritage.
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Celebrate Your Polish Heritage On Labor Day Weekend In Texas Read More »

Bremond Ready For 27th Annual Polski Dzien Celebration

Articles, News / By /

27th Annual Polski Dzien (Polish Day) In Bremond TexasThe Bremond Chamber of Commerce is busy getting ready for the huge crowd that will come to celebrate Bremond’s rich Polish heritage at Polski Dzien (Polish Day) XXVII on Friday and Saturday, June 27 – 28, 2014. This year’s festival will feature lots of delicious Polish food, cold piwo, entertainment by the Dance Group Wawel and plenty of good Polish music by Polska Kapela and Brian Marshall and friends.
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Bremond Ready For 27th Annual Polski Dzien CelebrationRead More »

Bremond Ready For 27th Annual Polski Dzien Celebration Read More »