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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.

5th Annual Dozynki Mass And Celebration In Chappell Hill

Articles, Celebrations, Current Events / By /

5th Annual Polish Heritage Dozynki Thanksgiving Mass In Chappell Hill TexasSt. Stanislaus Catholic church in Chappell Hill, Texas held their 5th annual Dożynki Mass and Celebration at the historic church on Sunday, November 24, 2013. The dożynki or harvest festival is a joyful celebration which dates back to the middle ages in Poland. The celebration honors our Polish Heritage by giving thanks for our many blessing during the week of Thanksgiving.
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5th Annual Dozynki Mass And Celebration In Chappell Hill Read More »

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2013 Polish Heritage Festival At St. Mary In Brenham

Current Events, Festivals and Bazaars / By /

2013 Polish Heritage Festival At St. Mary In Brenham, TexasOn Sunday, October 27, 2013, St. Mary’s Catholic Church hosted their 23rd annual Polish Heritage Festival at the Parish Activity Center on the church grounds in Brenham, Texas. A delicious Polish meal was served to the waiting crowd beginning at 11 am. The meal included baked ham, kielbasa, rosół z kury, czarnina, kiszona kapusta, potatoes and green beans along with delicious desserts and ice tea, soft drinks and cold piwo to drink.
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2013 Polish Heritage Festival At St. Mary In Brenham Read More »

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2013 St. Stanislaus Bazaar In Anderson Texas

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59th Annual St. Stanislaus Catholic Church In Anderson Texas Homecoming and BazaarSoggy, muggy weather didn’t stop a large crowd from celebrating the 59th annual homecoming bazaar at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Anderson, Texas on Sunday, October 13, 2013. The day began as always with Holy Mass celebrated by pastor Fr. JoJo Cal-Ortiz. The choir sang a beautiful rendition of bądźże pozdrowiona in Polish and English as the communion hymn.
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2013 St. Stanislaus Bazaar In Anderson Texas Read More »

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50th Annual Houston Slavic Heritage Festival Held On September 29, 2013

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2011 Houston Sts. Cyril & Methodius Slavic Heritage FestivalThe 50th Annual St. Cyril and Methodius Slavic Heritage Festival was held on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on E. Whitney in Houston. The morning began with a traditional Slavic Mass honoring Sts. Cyril and Methodius followed by a procession and grand entrance into the main hall. Greg Harbar and the Gypsies were the first group to perform on the stage. At noon, there was a welcoming ceremony for the Slavic Communites of Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Croatia along with the singing of the United States and each participating countries national anthems.
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50th Annual Houston Slavic Heritage Festival Held On September 29, 2013 Read More »

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Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In Texas

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2012 Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In TexasOctober 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 things to do to celebrate your Polish heritage.

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Celebrate Polish American Heritage Month In Texas Read More »

2013 Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival In Houston

Articles, Current Events, Festivals and Bazaars / By /

2013 Dozynki Houston Polish Harvest FestivalAfter a rain filled festival opening on Friday evening, Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Church in Houston Texas began their annual Dożynki or Polish Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 12, 2012 with gradually improving weather. By Sunday, the temperature was moderate and the sky’s were clear and bright blue. The festival opened on Saturday with a showing of the American, Polish and Texas flags by a large group of folk costumed festival participants and the singing of the national anthems of Poland and the United States.

The three day Dozynki festival is based on a tradition that dates back for many centuries in Poland and symbolizes the end of the harvest for the farmers. It is a time of happiness, good food, folk dancing and live music.
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2013 Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival In Houston Read More »

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