The Zawisza Family
About the Zawisza Family
Potok, Poland
Unfortunately, I haven’t found too much information on about my Zawisza ancestors prior to arrival here in the U.S., though I am connected to one cousin who is also very into ancestry.
In 2024, a distant cousin, Monika from Poland, emailed me. This is a photo of her ancestor’s grave, located in Radomysl by the San River.
Grandmother – Genevieve Zawisza
1916
Genevieve Zawisza was born on February 6, 1916 to Josef, 25, and Genowefa, 20 in Buffalo, NY.
1921
Genevieve lived at 147 Peter Street, in Buffalo Ward 21, New York.
Genevieve, Genowefa (mother), Helen, and Stella (on lap) Zawisza picture taken around 1923.
1925
Jenny Zawisza (9) lived at 295 Amherst St. in Buffalo, NY.
1930
Jenny Zawisza (14) lived at 295 Amherst St. in Buffalo, NY.
1931
Genevieve’s father, Josef, passed away when she was 15 and he was 41.
1938
Genevieve married Walter Kiebzak on October 22, 1938.
Genevieve and Walter, marriage photo.
1940
Genevieve (24) lives at 556 Amherst with husband, Walter. She works on the assembly line in a radio factory. She works 40 hours a week.
Grandpa (Walter), Grandma (Genevieve), Helen and Joann?
1941
Jean Kiebzak lives at 566 Amherst with husband, Walter.
1956
Genevieve E Kiebzak and husband, Walter, live at 109 Military Rd. Buffalo, NY.
Grandma (Genevieve), Aunt Sharon, Uncle Donny, Uncle Jim
Grandma (Genevieve), Aunt Sharon, Uncle Donny, Uncle Jim
Grandmother Genevieve in center, in black dress, next to husband Walter.
Grandpa (Walter) and Grandma (Genevieve)
Grandpa (Walter) and Grandma (Genevieve) with me.
Grandma (Genevieve) with me.
Grandma (Genevieve) with me.
Grandma (Genevieve) with me.
Grandma (Genevieve)
Grandma (Genevieve) with me.
Grandma (Genevieve) and mom, Dorothy, with me.
Grandma (Genevieve)
Grandma (Genevieve), me, and Pink Floyd.
Me, at Crystal Beach, with grandma and mom and the day we won Pink Floyd.
1987
Genevieve “Jenny” Zawisza Kiebzak passed away. She is buried in St. Stanislaus Cemetary in Buffalo, NY.
Great-Grandmother – Genowefa (Genevieve) Samotyck (Samolyk)
1895
Genowefa Samotyck was born on December 29, 1895 in Radomysl, Poland.
One of my distant cousins in Poland, Monika, sent me these photos. She said this is the house Genowefa grew up in. It is located in the village, Nowiny, which is near Radomyśl. In this house, lived Marianna (Maria) Samołyk (Genowefa’s mother) and Halina Samołyk (Genowefa’s neice with her husband), my cousin Monika’s my father and his two brothers. Monica said her father was six years old when Maria passed away. He remember’s that day. Then they moved to another house. The new owners changed the roof and windows but the building is the same when Genowefa lived in Poland.
1909
In 1909, she left Hamburg, Germany and arrived in New York.
1912
She married Jozef Zawisza on January 14, 1912, when she was 16 years old and he was 21 in Perry, NY.
From my cousin Monika in Poland:
When Genowefa and Wanda emigrated to the U.S., it was before WWII and Radomyśl and Nowiny were located in Austria at the time.
These were hard times. Most of men served in Austrian Army. Genowefa’s brother, Jan, died in a concentration camp.
When Genowefa sent one of the wedding photos to my cousin’s father and his brother were wondering how children climbed on a large cake… they don’t have wedding figurines on top of the cakes in Poland!
They had four children together.
Genevieve Zawisza (center) Genevieve (left) Stella (lap) and Helen (right)
1920
In 1920, Genowefa may have voted for the first time while she was living in New York.
1932
Her husband Jozef passed away on March 23, 1932, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 42. They had been married 20 years.
She also had one son with Joseph Dudek.
1964
She died in 1964 in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 69.
Great-Grandfather – Josef Zawisza
1890
Josef Zawisza was born on March 18, 1890, in Poland, the son of Mary and John.
1912
Josef (21) married Genowefa Samotyk (18) on January 14, 1912, in Perry/Wyoming County, New York. She was born in Austria. They had five children during their marriage, including my grandmother,Genowefa Zawisza.
Matthew (age 10-11), Joseph, and Stephanie on lap (age 2-3).
1920
In 1920, the Josef (30) and his family lived in Buffalo Ward 21, Buffalo, New York on Peter Street. He was a Rubber Tender at a Mill.
1930
In 1930, Josef (40) and his family lived at 295 Amherst Street, Buffalo, NY. He was a Coremaker.
1932
Josef died on March 23, 1932, in Buffalo, New York, at the age of 42, and was buried in Saint Stanislaus Roman Catholic Cemetery, Cheektowaga, New York.
Great-Great Grandmother - Marianna (Maria, Mary) Rydz
In summer 2024, a distant cousin, Monika, sent me these photos of my great- great grandmother, Marianna (Maria). In the one, she is with her daughter, Michaelina.
She also sent me the following photos, but not everyone can be identified.
Here is Maria and her daughter Stanisława, they are standing by the Grzegorz Samołyk’s grave. Maria has about 90 years old.
Great-Great Grandfather - George (Grzegorz) Samolyk (Samotyk)
From my cousin Monika in Poland:
Grzegorz was responsible for levees. It was a state job.
