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Polish Texans Mission Statement

Culture / By /
  • Document the genealogy and family relationships of the early Polish settlers in Texas.
  • Trace the families back to their home villages in Poland.
  • Explore the relationships of the early Texas Poles to the early Chicago, New York, Michigan and other northeast US Polish immigrants.
  • Help preserve the rich heritage and culture of the Polish people.
  • Provide a clearing house for articles and news about the history and current affairs of the Polish ethnic communities in Texas.

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Witamy – Welcome

Culture / By /

Albert and Adan E. Polka - Marlin, TexasWelcome to the Polish Texans website, the number one source of information for Texas Polonia. You’ll find articles on Polish Texan history, culture, news and current events along with genealogy of the Poles who call Texas home. This site is dedicated to the brave Polish men and women who left their ancestral homes in Europe and settled in a new land, the Lone Star state of Texas. These early immigrants settled in the Texas communities of Panna Maria, Anderson, Yorktown, Stoneham, Brenham, Bremond, Chappell Hill, New Waverly, San Antonio, Houston and others.
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Witamy – WelcomeRead More »

Witamy – Welcome Read More »

Help Wanted

News / By /

This website is a work in progress and I need your help. Here's what I need to add to what we already have:

  • Old photos of your Polish Texan ancestors, their homes and the towns they lived in.

  • Genealogical data of the early Polish immigrants in Texas from their origins in Poland through the early 1930's

  • Articles on the history and genealogy of the early Polish Texan settlers

  • Family stories about the early Polish Texan settlers

If you have something to contribute, please contact James . I can scan old photos and return them to you or you can email scanned photos to me

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History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Anderson

History / By /

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Anderson, TexasWhen the present St. Stanislaus Church, Anderson, was completed in 1917. it became the first brick Catholic edifice in Grimes County. On August 6, 1918, Monsignor James M. Kirwin, vicar general and administrator of the Diocese of Galveston dedicated the present church. At the time of the dedication of St. Stanislaus Church, the parish family included 168 families of Polish descent and one family of German descent. Today, the parish family totals 268 families.

Such was not the case, however, in 1871, when a few Polish families migrated from (German) Poland to Anderson in southeast Grimes County, 82 miles northwest of Houston and 16 miles southeast of Plantersville. Records are not available to confirm how many families were in this migratory event; however, as tradition goes there were supposedly about 30 families.

The first Polish immigrants to Grimes County were very poor, and the greatest disadvantage was their lack of any knowledge of the English language and being scattered over Grimes County.

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History of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Anderson Read More »

History of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stoneham

History / By /

St. Joseph’s Church in Stoneham, Texas was built in 1909 with Father M. A. Dombrowski as its first pastor. On July 9, 1909, the following thirty one individual parishioners took responsibility for the note on the land for the church and cemetery:

Stash Lebeck Frank Phillips W. Szymanski
Mike Klavinski Pete Yearek Mike Phillips
Stash Pavlick S. J. Niszkiewicz Jack Naskrent
Frank Tomkievitz Anton Smith Lena Phillips
Antoni Urbanoski Charlie Wetooski Mary Demney
Wash Noak Mike Grochett Joe Shechinski
W. T. Smith Martin Niszkiewicz Geo. Kuta
S. H. Smith J. L. Yargo John Kleboski
Andrew Wietzkoie Frank Grochett Michael L. Pawlak
Teodor Pawlak Walter Demney Wash Piecznski
Cyril Winkler

The second pastor was Father Weisnerowski who resided in Stoneham. For a short time Father Gleissner of Bryan was appointed to attend the needs of both St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Churches.

About the year 1920, St. Joseph’s Chruch became a mission under the guidance of St. Stanislaus Church of Anderson. The other pastors to succceed were Father T. W. Kappe, Father Francis Klass, and Father T. Wendland. During the pastorage of Father Wendlend, St. Joseph’s was transferred to the care of St. Mary’s Church of Plantersville. Father Leroy Braden became pastor in 1967. During his administration the interior of St. Joseph Church was completely renovated.

The priests to follow were all from St. Mary’s Church of Plantersville and have administered to the needs of the community of St. Joseph’s Church.

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Texas Folklife Festival

News / By /

June 8 – 10
Institute of Texas Culture
San Antonio, Texas

The 36th annual Texas Folklife Festival will showcase the Lone Star State’s diversity and rich heritage through a wide variety of ethnic food, music, dance, and arts and crafts. The 2007 event will feature more than forty new participants ranging from live bands to dancers to hot and spicy food vendors.
Visit the official Texas Folklife Festival Web site to learn more about the event.

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