Polish exiles in Jersey after the November uprising

[dundee]

Hello
       I am from the island of Jersey and have been researching the Polish exiles who visited or stayed in Jersey, so far I have a list of 50+ from various sources, I have someone in Poland helping with information and sources, I did a blog on ot some years back jouault.wordpress.com/2014/04/05/notes-on-polish-in-jersey/  Would be interested in any information or sources that people may be aware of, I have looked through a number of articles and books online, also ancestry.com which has things such as alien entries and the Polish National Masonic books, I do not speak Polish.

Francis Badet
Ignotio Batkousis
K Balinskiegu
Antone Bernstroff
George Bulharyn
John Dzierbinski
Michel Hellmann
Hyrnulewicz
Theophile Izdebski
Charles Izdebski
Casimir Janikowski
Charles Janierviez
Thomas Jasinski
Onufrius Kasperowicz
Michel Kiersnowski
Kisiel
Lud Kordecki
Leopold Kovalski
Konstanty Kumpikiewicz
Auguste Kwasniewski
Edward Ledohowski
Joachim Lelewel
Thadeus Lenkewiez
Wiktor Levenson
John Lobolewski
Joseph Malczewski
Jules Pierre Ostoja Marylski
Michel Michalowski
John Michelowski
Cyprien Mierzejewski
George Mikulowski
Florian Mikulowski
Joseph Nowakouski
Feliks Nowosielski
Lucien Nowosielski
Theophile Odechowski
Jean Nepomucene Oiszewski
Euzebiusz Parrylewicz
Adam Pistu?
Leonard Rozbicki
Narcis Rossotowski
Auguste Ruashicrofiege
Nicodemus Rupniewski
Roch Rupniewski
Ignace Rutkowski
Ambrose Smolinski
John Francis Nikolaywicz Sobolewski
Charles Święcki
Zenon Swietolawski
Martin Szymannoski
Tchozeswki
D A Turniski
John Trynski
Ambroise Trzcinski
Vincent Zbyszewski
Vincent Joseph Sigismond Zielanowicz

Kind regards Nick Jouault

[karl]

Dear Mr. dundee

Welcome to the forum. I do with trust hope you will not mind with my reply, for it is not of the Polish subject your post pertains to. But simply a reply of my own as non-Polish.

Your origins are very well respected as the Channel Island Jersey being the sister island to Island Guernsey. I am not sure if you are aware, but your Island is very well known in past for,"Channel Island Milk".

There was some years back, of quite a flap over a bridge to France from Jersey, of this I do hope I have not opened any wounds bringing this up.

jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2008/10/24/jersey-is-not-denmark-or-sweden/

Karl

[dundee]

I would be in favour of a bridge, which would not be that difficult as at low water the depth is no more than 10 metres, and we were once joined to main land Europe.

We are also famous for the Jersey Royal potato which is mainly dug by Polish labour, we have now some 3,000 Polish in Jersey, but as you can see they were not the first to be interested in Jersey, I am not sure why, as I have only found around 5 exiles in Guernsey (the land of the Donkey).
The exiles became friends with Victor Hugo and a group of Hungarian exiles, yet when Hugo was exiled with two Polish from Jersey, they appeared not to follow Hugo to Guernsey.
Hungarian 48 ers: www.sk-szeged.hu/statikus_html/vasvary/newsletter/12dec/beszedits.html

Nick

[karl]

Nick

Thank you for your very informative reply and the url of history of your Island. It is interesting of the large Polish population on your island, are you Polish even though not to speak the language? I just do not remember any Polish in our part of Denmark, perhaps there may have been with out any knowledge of my self. After the war, Germans were not very well treated from the occupation years, with this perhaps Polish people could have been confused as Germans, of this my self am not sure.

In later years whilst living and finishing my public school time in Cuxhaven Germany nor was to meet or know of Polish people there, {Cuxhaven then was an auxiliary port of Hamburg}.

Karl

[dundee]

I am not Polish, my family were French immigrants and my GG Great grandfather returned to Granville, France around the time Victor Hugo was exiled from Jersey, but he may have left due to family and business issues, his son returned to Jersey.

I am unaware of any Polish exiles in Denmark, one of the best sources is the French "Almanach historique ou souvenir de l'émigration polonaise" available on Google books, I searched under Danemark but found nothing.

I am not exactly sure how or why exactly the exiles from the uprising made there way through Europe, other than they were banished or threatened by the Russians. Some were granted passports in Switzerland, the Portsmouth Poles were banished to America but never got there. It is a pity there has not been much research or publications on the British exiles apart from a political aspect as the Poles were involved with the Chartist movement.

Nick

[karl]

Feb 24, 2018 17:47:43 GMT -7 dundee said:

I am not Polish, my family were French immigrants and my GG Great grandfather returned to Granville, France around the time Victor Hugo was exiled from Jersey, but he may have left due to family and business issues, his son returned to Jersey.

I am unaware of any Polish exiles in Denmark, one of the best sources is the French "Almanach historique ou souvenir de l'émigration polonaise" available on Google books, I searched under Danemark but found nothing.

I am not exactly sure how or why exactly the exiles from the uprising made there way through Europe, other than they were banished or threatened by the Russians. Some were granted passports in Switzerland, the Portsmouth Poles were banished to America but never got there. It is a pity there has not been much research or publications on the British exiles apart from a political aspect as the Poles were involved with the Chartist movement.

Nick

Nick

My self am not surprised of no information of Polish exiles/immigrants in Danmark. The Dansk Government is not racist in any manner, but very conservative. In past, the doors of welcome was made to Polish Jewish people forced to leave Poland by the Polish Goverment of that time, this was in the late 60s. With this, withen the past two years, there was/has been considerable argument between Sweden and Danmark in conjunction with Dansk Goverment being too harsh on entry of Islamic immigrants to then bring cause for most of those immigrants to stay clear of Danmark with only passing through to reach Sweden or Norway.

The following url is much better information on the Polish Jews, or should we simply say, a bit more history:

jewmus.dk/en/exhibition/the-five-dimensions/arrivals/polish-immigrants/


{I must say, I do like your photo/Avatar}

Karl

[Jaga]

Dundee,

welcome to the forum and thanks for your interesting information. I was unaware of Polish contribution in Jersey.
List of the names you posted - seem to contain some old aristocratic names. When I was growing up in Poland we didn;t really talk about any masonic roots, since it was politically incorrect.

How is it to live on the island where there is less than 100,000 people? DO you commute regularly to GB and France?

[dundee]

Sorry if I don't answer all your questions.

Anyway the Polish National Masonic lodge Number 778 was formed in 1846, it disbanded around the end of the 19th century as most to the founders had died, I attach a picture of the or one of the first entries, I see it has a John Gielgud of Chelsea as a member, I think this is an ancestor of the late actor Sir John Gielgud. There are several years recorded and available on ancestry.com and there is a some mention in a book about the lodge.
In Jersey there was an Albert Schmitt who when he died had a large masonic funeral which had not been seen for several years the masons all dressed in their masonic gear escorted the coffin to the grave at Almorah Cemetery and as was the ritual broke their wands and placed them in the grave.
The English lodge included several from Jersey and people from all over the UK.

[dundee]

The Jersey exiles were generally wealthly Polish most notably Zenon Bolesław Świętosławski who purchased a printing press and published material including for Victor Hugo, he was also exiled with Hugo this was regarding a letter that insulted Queen Victoria, and the local English fraternity took offence to it so a number of Proscrits (outlaws) were ordered to leave. Zenon wrote to his father about Jersey and his father replied buy the island.

About me and Jersey: I have lived all my live in Jersey apart from a few months travelling before I was 21, I am now 57. We have a population of over 100,000 which is too much for the local infrastructure which has not been maintained or invested in to any great extent if anything services have been cut back and privatised with employing cheaper immigrant labour who due to the lack of accomadation and hosuing laws generally life in sus standard dwellings. Since the 19th century the island has become more and more linked with the UK and less so with neighbouring France which is only 14 miles away in places, my grand father was involved in trying to improve links with Normandy in 1900 today the links are more to satisfy the French tourist rather than the Jersey resident, so no progress there.
The chief industry is finance which is supposed to benefit us all, but personally I think the island would be better and more sustainable if it looked at other smaller industries instead of allowing them to struggle, the issue the cost of property which is on par with London, but unless your in a skilled job or finance your going to struggle in Jersey. I would leave if it was not for my small boat which allows me to go away on my days off and relax swim, fish, read and generally unwind.
I spent my early years as a fisherman which was hard and dangerous, then it became a struggle to make money and get by, so I started work on land and ended up working in the local quarry which supplies concrete and tarmac for the island, I got made redundant 5 years ago so had another career change and I am now after several jobs become a care assistant in mental health it is also dangerous and stressful (A pattern of my jobs!)but I appear to have found something I am good at and the job suits me, all be it at the end of my career I have found something suitable work wise.
I don't travel much mostly due to the cost, I try and get away to France once a year and visit some new found relations in Paris and now Lille, I travel on a train and visit places old and new in France mostly in Normandy and Brittany, I moght one day by a small house in France if my savings allow me.
We are due to get some snow this week which is very rare about once every 4 or 5 years and will only last a day or two. Potatoes were planted in January and are covered with plastic to protect them from the cold, they are a top class potato and the only crop that makes money for the farmer. The Jersey cow goes on but is heavily subsidised and has protection in that no milk is allowed to be imported. There is a little beef cattle now but Jersey is not known for good beef. Sheep are here but again are more of a hobby than an industry. Jersey was once a very productive and industrious island but that has all but gone with us becoming more English in my view. Most of our civil servants are from England and in my view pretty useless, and take little care for the thoughts or ideas from the local public or businesses.
Regards Nick

[karl]

Dear Nick

I say Dear Nick for the reason of sensing a sensativity in you and empathic understanding. I say this for not the reason to embarrass, but to add honour.

Thank you for sharing your life, whilst so reading, was to share a little in your frustration with conditions on Jersey and the direction that has taken your self in the various fields of work. One thing my self was suprised with, is the direction your island is taking to the UK side away from France. It is understandable of course, but still, The French Coast is so much closer, but as people, we can not hold out our hand and stop the wind can we?

I was pleasantly surprised that also you once were employed in the fishing industry. So also my self many years past. Upon completion to gain my license in Wheel House management at the Maritime Academy in Hamburg, served for a bit over a year on a Stern Trawler out of Cuxhaven. I liked it, though usually the first day out I was sea sick and spent time getting face wet whilst standing to get the cold sea bow face spray, this was between throwing up, wiping off the chin and continuing to torture my self with the cold wet sea water spray.

Our primary fishing target was for cod, off the coast of Canada/Labrador/Greenland and Iceland then close to Norway. This was also a factury ship processing the catch and off loading on to a tender to save fishing time at sea. As part of my duties then, was as my license includant hydraulics and power propulsion, was to answer to the chief engineer any issues my license included.

Karl

[dundee]

Wiki article written by Adam Kwiecień who is working with me in my research:

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Schmitt

[dundee]

Thanks to a fellow local researcher sending me this article on the Charles Jancewicz being awarded the Medaille de Ste Helene, I did a bit more research and Charles was in London before Jersey, 1841 census in Westminster, and marrying in Wesminster in 1844, then Lambeth to a widow as he was then in 1851 and living ironically at Waterloo Road. With his wife they adopted a young girl from the Jersey Hospital Honora Ryan, and a plaque by her was placed in the Hospital in memory of Charles and Elizabeth Jancewicz. They moved to Ipswich, Suffolk after 1861.

The grave in Ipswich and a obit was luckily available on Flickr written up by the wife of a Guernsey man:

www.flickr.com/photos/8118630@N08/22118806562/

This imposing memorial to Charles Jancewicz and his wife Elizabeth, is in Ipswich Old Cemetery, Suffolk. Living in exile for most of his life, Charles was born in Warsaw in 1795 and, as the 'Ipswich Journal' headlined his obituary, had 'an eventful life'.


To quote the newspaper obituary ( always to be taken with a pinch of salt but it does sound basically convincing) :'


The deceased gentleman belonged to a noble family of Poland, before the subjugation of that unfortunate country by Russia. He was born in Warsaw and fought in the war against Russia as Major of the 2nd Regiment of Mazurs of the Polish army.


After the conclusion of the war in 1812, he went to France, where he joined the army of the great Napoleon, in which he served with some distinction, part of the time as an aide de camp. He took part in the disastrous campaign against Russia and was at Moscow when that city was burned. After that he experienced the miseries of the memorable retreat and, in addition to the great hardships of the retreat, he was taken prisoner .... but he soon made his escape and went back to the French army. He took an active part in Napoleon's wars and bore the scars of many wounds as evidence of his experience upon the field of battle. One scar was familiar to those who knew the deceased gentleman being the mark of a sabre cut across his face.


About 48 years ago he left France and took up his residence in London, from whence he removed to Jersey and he came to reside in Ipswich about 19 years ago, since which time this town has been his home. He was possessed of three medals.


He resided in this town till the day of his death, with a young lady whom he had adopted as his daughter and was well known and greatly respected. His rank in his own country was that of a baron'.


He and his Ipswich born wife Elizabeth ( 1810 - 1880) first appear in the British census of 1861 in St Helier, Jersey.

By 1871 they are in Alma Terrace, East Street, Ipswich and now, aged 77 and 60 respectively, have a 'daughter', Honora, aged 13, who, presumably, later erected the monument.


Charles appears on the Ipswich electoral roll from 1868 onwards and owned freehold property at various times in Fitzroy St, Beck St, Orford St and Anglesea Rd. He seems to have moved between houses ; sometimes occupying one and letting out another and sometimes reversing the situation on the same two properties. Definitely a colourful character!

[dundee]

Jersey exiles raise concerns about Russian spy going by the name Joseph Shulz, Baron Huipowski on the attachment above 1838, I was aware of another spy going inder his real name, I wonder if this the same.

Those signing include some I was unaware of, so I have circa 60 Jersey exiles.

Regards Nick

[dundee]

Been a good day, the local Polish Culture Group (a recent creation) have started a project on Zenon Swietoslawski and I contacted them informing them that there were several other people of note here, so we met today and they are keen to try and broaden and assist my research if it can be done.
I managed to find a Polish grave (Malawski, exile come Inn Keeper) that I had forgotten to note where it was in the Parish cemetery, so that's another plus.

Then updating my notes as I had missed a few people from my original work, and spent ages trying to find an Alexander Holinski on the census, he was incorrectly under Helinski and born in Ireland on ancestry.com, that bit done Alexander here in St Helier 1871 with his English wife and son, boarders so just visiting. spent an hour searching the net and about to give up and I googled Holynski and all the way to California! a great little find: www.polishclubsf.org/Holynski.pdf

[dundee]

Hello again
Pleased to say my research is going well, I now have 80+ exiles noted to have stayed or visited Jersey, I have managed to find a biography of George (Jerzy) Bulharyn who is buried here, and a local author alerted me to Seweryn Korzeliński who stayed here briefly before going out to Australia gold digging. If anyone has the time I am after a poem or two being translated from an original copy by Roch Rupniewski "Niezabudki Jerseyskie" in it he has dedicated a number of poems to individuals who all stayed in Jersey, these are the ones I would like a translation of. Anton Berstorfa page 6 I think is one individual I have little information on, there is another poem on him aswell I think. The paper is on the Polona website: polona.pl/item/niezabudki-jerseyskie,NTk3MTMxMjk/19/#info:metadata

Wiki page on Korzelinski: pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seweryn_Korzeli%C5%84ski