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Post by chicopee on Jul 6, 2010 11:36:42 GMT -7
I've been doing some research on the origins of the Polish National Association in Chicopee MA. My grandfather Felix Furtex seems to have been a ring leader in the effort and the PNA or what's left of it turned 100 this year.
But before the PNA, back in 1902, these Polish civic leaders formed something called the Ulany... and this is something I know nothing about. I know the Poles were very proud of their light calvary with that name... or one very similar. And I read that in 1882 a Ulany was formed in Wisconsin... and it seemed to be modeled after a military organization.
So who or what was the Ulany? Was it an early Polish civic/fraternal organization?
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Post by chicopee on Jul 6, 2010 12:31:38 GMT -7
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Post by chicopee on Jul 6, 2010 14:09:57 GMT -7
I checked through some old city directories and the actual name of the organization was the Polish Uhlan Benefit Society. It must just have had the nickname Ulany.
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Post by karl on Jul 6, 2010 14:46:38 GMT -7
I checked through some old city directories and the actual name of the organization was the Polish Uhlan Benefit Society. It must just have had the nickname Ulany. Dear Chicopee Please to forgive our rudeness, for with the season of football is with us... Please do accept my opology for lateness  And with this, please do accept my invitation of acceptance to this forum of Polish forum. For you are indeed very welcom.... Please as time allows, to tell us of your self, for then to enjoy of new found friends. Karl |
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Post by chicopee on Jul 6, 2010 19:46:34 GMT -7
Please as time allows, to tell us of your self, for then to enjoy of new found friends. Karl Greeting Karl... thanks for the welcome. Technically I'm 3ed generation Pole living in Chicopee MA. (Since all my grandparents immigrated here... am I really 2ed generation?) I never thought much about my Polish heritage past the Easter, XMas traditions, and of course that Polish food! I don't know any Polish past a few phrases and swears. But I came across some of the exploits of my grandfather that interested me. Mainly it's the interplay/conflict between the Polish civic leaders in Chicopee and the dominant Polish church: St Stans. In 1911 he seems to have lead a rebellion against the church demanding the ouster of the pastor and the reform of the school to prepare students for life in America. It's a story that happened years before my mom was even born... and I'm trying to learn more. The creation of the Polish National Home... and the earlier creation of the Ulany may shed some light into what was happening 100 years ago. |
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Post by justjohn on Jul 7, 2010 12:00:05 GMT -7
I've been doing some research on the origins of the Polish National Association in Chicopee MA. My grandfather Felix Furtex seems to have been a ring leader in the effort and the PNA or what's left of it turned 100 this year. But before the PNA, back in 1902, these Polish civic leaders formed something called the Ulany... and this is something I know nothing about. I know the Poles were very proud of their light calvary with that name... or one very similar. And I read that in 1882 a Ulany was formed in Wisconsin... and it seemed to be modeled after a military organization. So who or what was the Ulany? Was it an early Polish civic/fraternal organization? So who or what was the Ulany? Was it an early Polish civic/fraternal organization? [/quote] Welcome to the forum. I believe the Ulany to be a organization similar to the "VFW" or the "American Legion" The Polish cavalry (Polish: jazda, kawaleria, konnica) can trace its origins back to the days of Medieval mounted knights. Poland had always been a country of flatlands and fields and mounted forces operate well in this environment. The knights and heavy horse cavalry gradually evolved into many different types of specialised mounted military formations, some of which heavily influenced western warfare and military science. This article details the evolution of Polish cavalry tactics, traditions and arms from the times of mounted knights and heavy winged hussars, through the times of light uhlans to mounted infantry equipped with ranged and mêlée weapons.  Volunteer Representative Squadron of City of Poznań in uniforms of 15th Poznań Uhlans Regiment 19th century Polish uhlan
More here: wapedia.mobi/en/Polish_Cavalry |
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Post by Jaga on Jul 7, 2010 12:57:27 GMT -7
John and Karl,
thanks for your help. I am just so overwhelmed with work (reaching English, preparing for the classes, part-time job and Ela) that I really do not have any time to go to forum recently. This will change in 2-3 weeks.
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Post by wayneprice on Jul 7, 2010 19:04:50 GMT -7
Well, generically, uhlan's are lancers rather than heavy cavalry.
Also gives me another opportunity to state as emphatically as possible, POLISH CAVALRY
did not attack/charge German tanks during the beginning of WW2! By the time WW2 broke out
most Polish cavalry were used as scouts/recon or mounted infantry.
IF you're in Krakow and looking for both a great restaurant and a Polish Cavalry museum (sort of),
PLEASE stop in at KAWALERIA restaurant, ul. Golebia, just off the main square - GREAT FOOD and GREAT HISTORY
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Post by justjohn on Jul 14, 2010 6:21:52 GMT -7
Well, generically, uhlan's are lancers rather than heavy cavalry. Also gives me another opportunity to state as emphatically as possible, POLISH CAVALRY did not attack/charge German tanks during the beginning of WW2! By the time WW2 broke out most Polish cavalry were used as scouts/recon or mounted infantry. IF you're in Krakow and looking for both a great restaurant and a Polish Cavalry museum (sort of), PLEASE stop in at KAWALERIA restaurant, ul. Golebia, just off the main square - GREAT FOOD and GREAT HISTORY Wayne, Probably the people who organized with this name were members in Poland. It appears that beside the fact that it is a military unit, it is also a patriotic organization similar to what I mentioned. |
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And with this, please do accept my invitation of acceptance to this forum of Polish forum. For you are indeed very welcom....
