Hi
I'm new to this list, my name is Andy B Serkowski, I live in Melbourne Australia , for the past fifteen years I have researched my family history, with good Results.
The family originally lived in the district of Lublin , but some of the family members moved, prier to 1700 (1680) to the district of Kartuzy ( Karthaus) the capital of Kaszubia, some leased land from the monastery of Z~ukowo others acquired land in the surrounding villages.
In the next 150 years the family expended and owned land in many villages around Kartuzy
The names that where used by the family where: Syrek, Serek, von Serkey , von Serkowski, Serkowski, and other misspelling of the name.
After 1830 some of the family migrated to the USA. and settled in Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee Wisconsin, San Francisco, Buffalo New York, Tucson AZ.
I'm interested to find any information on any of these names , but one in particular a Josef von Serkowski ,migrated to the USA in 1883 but he used the name "Josef von Serkey" he was born on the 7-9-1853 in Zalensee, baptized on the 8-9-1853 in Przodkowo lived in Barwick/Abbau/Seefeld.
He became an American citizen in 1890 and lived in Los Angeles. His first wife was Elise Lund they married on the 20-10-1887 in Cook, Illinois.
In 1906 he lost his wife and Children in an Earthquake in California
He remarried in 1917, his second wife was Magerite Fitzgerald she was 20 years younger, and no Children are known?
In the Phone book of 1895 he was listed as Joseph von Serkey machinist residing at 330 Crocker.
In 1896 Von Serkey, Joseph had a business by the name (Von Serkey Manufacturing Company) he was in the manufacture of Dies and Molds ,At 234E.and 2 nd
In 1921 he resided in Howard ST San Francisco.
He had a registered patent for a Spirit level US-Patent No 1459381 in 1923
Last known address was in 1927 491 Tehma St San Francisco
He died on 8-7-1927 and is buried at Woodland cemetery.
I'm wondering if there where any survivors from the fist marriage and if he had any children with Magerite Fitzgerald .
If any one has any information on any of this families in the USA or Poland PLEASE let me know I'll appreciate it , thanking you in advance .
PS. I understand English, German and Polish
TNT Andy Ben .ö¿ö .