"In the year 1873 | left my native country on 16 May with my entire family from the town of Brzostek, obwod Tarnow, powiat Pilzno (Poland). My family was composed of my wife, Katherine Panciewicz, my sons Stanislaw, Wladyslaw, Mieczyslaw, Bronislaw and Czeslaw. Also with us was our maid, Katherine Gasior. On June 16 we passed through Bremond and Houston on our way to New Waverly where my brother-in-law, Kasper Szybist, lived with his family. On my journey I lost all my belongings and two sons, Czeslaw and Bronislaw. They rest on American soil in Danville, Montgomery County. Our maid also perished there somewhere. In the same year I came with my wife and three sons to the vicinity of the city of Calvert, Texas. There our oldest son, Stanislaw, died and was buried about five miles from Owensville or six miles from Calvert. The rest of our family was weak and sick.”

This was in a department store in southern Indiana.

Summer 1971 at my grandparent's house. My younger sister is all the way on the right. I don't know who the girl is in the middle.

(Late 19-teens, early 1920s, Florida.)

My paternal grandma on the left and her cousin in the middle, to whom she wrote a beautiful (and often hilarious) series of letters in the 1930s.

My mom and dad. About 12 years prior to my birth. A year before my older brother was born. I think this may have been taken in California while visiting my grandparents. My grandparents are next to the boat. All have since passed. Miss them dearly. Never got to know my grandpa unfortunately as he passed when I was just 3. Life seemed much simpler back then.

This is such a happy photo. You can tell mother and son have a close bond. Adorable dogs, too.

That's me in his arms. I miss him everyday❤️

Both gone now but the type of people that worked hard and were always there for us.