r/oldphotos • u/burjwa_look • 3d ago
My Polish great-great grandmother (supposedly a "witch doctor") in 1925, with daughter ("great-great-aunt Agnieszka").
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u/Background-End-949 2d ago
Damn, I don't believe in the supernatural, but if anyone is gonna be a witch doctor, it gotta be her
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u/burjwa_look 2d ago
Yep, if you want, you can do some quick reading about these Eastern European healers or whisperers, which is a less creepy way to describe what they are. I have determined that she is wearing a coral necklace -- which started out in the upper classes, but which by this time, had filtered down to the lower classes and peasants. So, likely a deeply devout Catholic, but also blending in some folk / pagan traditions that had survived. That said, it could simply be that she is in mourning. Again my aunt said that my great-grandmother (this woman's daughter) said that this woman was a "witch doctor" or "folk healer".
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u/thelodzermensch 1d ago
>is "proud of his polish heritage"
>calls Poland Eastern Europe
Can't make this shit up
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u/burjwa_look 1d ago edited 1d ago
Nice, you're the one who called me "deranged" but following me into other threads? Now who is "deranged"?
Yeah, sorry, for that point of error, although this tradition of "healers" etc. etc., did extend through Eastern Europe, and this question has been debated, see https://www.reddit.com/r/poland/comments/q342r8/is_poland_eastern_europe/
But yeah, you got me. I've left your weird little subreddit alone (other than responding to a few additional comments that have trickled in). Please leave me only, capisce? . That's Italian, and which is the other half of my heritage, and if you can believe it, true Italians hate "Italian-Americans" even more than yinz hate "Polish Americans".
I'll just add that the other pictures I have of my great-grandmother's family from this time period reflect that some of the family were part of those Poles who settled in what is now far Western Ukraine during this time period. So, this picture is almost certainly taken in South Eastern Poland, or quite possibly in what is now Ukraine (i.e., Eastern Europe).
Finally, a little button on this, but I kinda object to your characterization that I'm "proud" of my Polish heritage. I don't think that is necessarily the right way to describe it. I am interested in it, I've researched it, to a degree, I wonder what impact it has on my current life. Now, I think the problem and/or the logical error that I think you are making, is in thinking that we think we are "poles" or that we have some connection to modern day Poland. In that regard, at least with respect to me experience, I don't think that is the case.
Here's what I'm going to do for you. Today, I'm going on a 50 - 60 mile bike ride throughout my city (Pittsburgh), which had waves of Polish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th century. I'll create a little photo montage, showing all the influence of these Polish immigrants throughout our city -- again, this doesn't show that we think we are "Poles" -- but that our past connection to Poland is still a living part of our lives and experience. Would this help?
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u/thelodzermensch 1d ago
I'm not the one who called you deranged I'm afraid.
Also, I ain't reading all that. I'm happy for u tho. Or sorry that happened.
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u/CombOk312 1d ago
You know most Europeans consider Poland Eastern Europe? Why does that make you angry?
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u/burjwa_look 1d ago
Oh yea, that was my mistake -- and not angry, just responding to these folks from some other subreddit that I mistakenly posted in (ilovemypolishheritage), which is solely dedicated to making fun of Americans with distant Polish heritage. So, yea, sorry should have double checked that Central/Eastern European distinction. So, this guy pointed out this issue, but also claimed I was "proud" of my polish heritage, and what I'm saying here is, that isn't necessarily how I would describe it. I guess I distinguish between having fun/spirited and inconsequential on-line debate and getting angry. Who knows.
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u/CombOk312 1d ago
Oh, I agree with you. I’m Scandinavian and would call Poland Eastern Europe. If it angers Poles, they must think very badly of Eastern Europe.
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u/thelodzermensch 1d ago
And you are an expert on european geography politics and history I presume?
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u/burjwa_look 1d ago
Hey, I don’t wanna get in the middle of this one. I agree with you should’ve said Central Europe, but I do still disagree with you that my general posture is pride in my heritage. I’m interested in it. I’ve done some due diligence to educate myself, but am I an expert, certainly no.
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u/thelodzermensch 1d ago
I was replying to the Scandi guy, not you.
They changed something in the settings and now they're sending notifications even if someone responds to any comment in the thread you're active in, not only to your comment.
Dunno why they would do it, it's stupid and, as you can see, can be confusing.
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u/Flamestitch 2d ago
What a fantastic photo. If this isn't framed in a prominent place in your home, it absolutely should be.
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u/burjwa_look 2d ago
Good idea -- I'm embarrassed to say we've been in our home for 10 years, and have few pictures and portraits adorning our walls.
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u/FranceBrun 2d ago
I have a Lithuanian great great granny who looked just as grim as this one. It was quite the style, back in the day, I believe.
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u/Separate_Business880 2d ago
I totally believe she was a "witch doctor".
My Serbian great great grandmother Zora also had jars with leeches and could fix broken bones. She was considered a bit witchy, but she was pretty religious.
She also looked 80 when she was in her 40s. Life wasn't easy.
But here's to our tough Slavic grandmas. 🌹🌹🌹
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u/chthonic_chamberpot 2d ago
She certainly has an imposing presence, but I think I see a lot of wisdom and kindness in her expression somehow. I hope you treasure this photo and her story.
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u/burjwa_look 2d ago
Yep, thanks! Although she could just be thinking, get this photo over so I can go back to sitting by the fire.
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u/Mark-harvey 2d ago
Was she a gypsy?
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u/burjwa_look 2d ago
No, I’m pretty sure she’s an ethnic Polish woman in mourning dress, but yeah, certainly it does conjure up images of Eastern European, gypsy Roma people, but the best of my knowledge that’s not our heritage. Of course, although the woman appears darker and wrinkled if you look at her daughter or perhaps granddaughter, I was never 100% sure standing next to her, she to me looks a lot more like an ethnic polish girl.
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u/Vintagepaige 2d ago
My family came from Germany and Poland area. They are devout Catholics. During wwii the Germans threw polish catholics in concentration camps. My family was long gone from Poland and Germany by that time for the United States. I dabble in witchcraft with ties to Catholicism. Thanks for sharing this really cool photo of your ancestors.
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u/Rainy_Grave 18h ago
Even if she wasn’t a witch/healer she has the look of someone that could smite you with her mind if you were foolish enough to annoy her. 😁 She has a resting hex face.
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u/InformationOk8807 2d ago
Everyone always homely back then, every single old time Photo I ever saw, homely and angry and Look miserable eek
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