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.
Employees of The Polish Food Store in Houston worked all night Wednesday making hundreds of delicious pączki to celebrate Tłusty czwartek or Fat Thursday which is a traditional Polish feast marking the last Thursday before Lent. It is somewhat similar to the French festival of Mardi Gras which is celebrated on Fat Tuesday.
…
Tlusty Czwartek In Houston TexasRead More »
Tlusty Czwartek In Houston Texas Read More »
The Polish Food Store, a favorite shopping destination for Houstonians looking for real authentic Polish foods, moved into it’s new home on February 9, 2010. The new address is 1780 Blalock, Houston, TX 77080 which is just a few blocks from the old location and a short distance from Our Lady Of Czestochowa Catholic church.
…
New Location For Polish Food Store In HoustonRead More »
New Location For Polish Food Store In Houston Read More »
Video of Our Lady Of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Houston Texas Christmas songs concert on January 3, 2010.
…
Our Lady Of Czestochowa Carol Concert 2010Read More »
Our Lady Of Czestochowa Carol Concert 2010 Read More »
St. Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas was cloudy and cold, but that didn’t hinder an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 60 Christmas carolers who met at Henry Mazurkiewicz’s place in Chappell Hill Texas for the 2nd annual Polski Kolendy. Following an old Polish folk tradition, the group was led by a star bearer and nativity scene and many of the carolers dressed in traditional and not so traditional costumes including a bishop, nun, angels, shepherds, kings, beggars, Santa Claus and an interesting rendition of a turon which is an extinct Polish bison.
…
Polski Kolendy In Chappell HillRead More »
Slide show video of the 2009 Polski Kolendy In Chappell Hill Texas.
…
2009 Polski Kolendy In Chappell Hill Texas VideoRead More »
2009 Polski Kolendy In Chappell Hill Texas Video Read More »
There was a Polish flag flying outside of the Lazy Mule Saloon in Chappell Hill Texas on Saturday night, December 12, 2009. Inside the bar, a large group of Chappell Hill and Brenham natives and their friends celebrated with a Polish Christmas party. Daniel Cendalski brought his fiddle and he and his band, Daniel and the Country Boys played a mix of old time Polish and country dance music.
…
Polish Christmas Party In Chappell HillRead More »
Polish Christmas Party In Chappell Hill Read More »
On Sunday, November 22, 2009, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Chappell Hill held a Children’s Mass followed by a cultural Thanksgiving party for the CCD students and parishioners. The children, several of whom were dressed in traditional Polish costumes, served as greeters, lectors, altar servers and offering collectors and they also took the offerings to the altar.
…
St. Stanislaus In Chappell Hill Holds Cultural Thanksgiving PartyRead More »
St. Stanislaus In Chappell Hill Holds Cultural Thanksgiving Party Read More »
Members and guests of the Polish Genealogical Society of Texas met in at the Tracy Gee Community Center in Houston on Saturday, November 7, 2009 for the annual pot luck social and election of officers. Everyone present enjoyed a delicious meal, fellowship with friends and of course, the door prizes. Outgoing president Barbara Lee gave out awards to various members for outstanding contributions to the society over the last year and a new board of directors was elected.
…
PGST Holds Annual Social and Election of OfficersRead More »
PGST Holds Annual Social and Election of Officers Read More »
