Genealogy Chat

He might have belonged to the Polish Resettlement Corps after the war. Google for more information. And take a look at the National Archives website. Lots of useful information on there.

Thank you I have passed all the info onto my friend. Her father came to Sheffield, from Poland, all his family where killed in the war.that is all she knows. He was born in 1926 and she thinks he was in the Army. (not sure). Her parents divorced when she was young, Her mother knew very little about his past life and her father never really spoke about it. He as now died, and she had the task of clearing his house, she found lots of photographs.
It is a task she has decided to undertake.


c

It may be that his surname wasn't his real surname, so don't be surprised if documents you uncover during the course of your searchings reveal him by another name. This doesn't necessarily point to anything sinister about him or his past, just that many Polish, Czech, Baltic people coming here during, and straight after, the war changed their names to protect their families back at home.
Many Poles and Czechs, for example, joined the Army and RAF here during WW2, (renowned as excellent pilots by the way) but fighting against the Germans, they were terrified that if they were shot down and captured, their families would be sought out and would subsequently be punished/tortured. The men changed their names to protect their families being traced.

After the end of WW2 there were thousands of DPs (displaced persons) caught up in middle Europe, Germany in particular, and ended up coming to the UK or going on to USA etc to start a new life because they could not go home - politics and borders had changed.
My Lithuanian uncle was one such DP who came to Scotland in 1948 (along with thousands of others). He had managed to escape being conscripted into the Russian army (Russians were occupying the Baltic states) only to find that he was then expected to fight on the Germans side who were fighting the Russians!!! He didn't want to fight for them either! The War wasn't all black and white!!
Anyway, that's another example of why someone would change their surname....to protect their family back home.

Just to put a spanner in the works, in case your search appears too easy so far (joke!) you might like to know that the Lithuanian immigrants to Scotland during the early to mid 1900's totalled several thousands, and they were known as Poles. In those days nobody had neard of the Baltic States, so anyone who had an eastern European accent/name they labelled ' a Pole.
So, are you SURE your chap was Polish??!!
There was a Lithuanian CLub in Bellshill, Glasgow, which I know 10 years ago was still going, so there may well be one for the (reall) Polish immigrants there.

I'd say your first job is to establish WHEN this chap came to the UK. Sorry, but I'm not sure of the way to move forward except to suggest you try the Poland message board on www.genforum.genealology.com - ask for information on how/where to start on such a thing - there must have been others in the past who have searched for similar info.


K

Thank you for this address, I will forward it onto my friend, at least then it will be a start for her.

Thank you

Many refugees joined the Polish Forces when they arrived in this country, and if this was the case, there will be a copy of his service record in the archives.

The address to contact is

Polish Records
Royal Navy and Army:
Polish Correspondence Section
Room 28B
RAF Northolt
West End Road
Ruislip
Middlesex
HA4 6NG

As you say, some things should be left, but my friend feels as if she would like to know. at the end of the day, its up to her and her family if they go ahead with search.
Thank you.

His marriage cert should list his father's name.

Rose

Thank you for that, I will pass it on. We dont even know how he got to England. He could of escaped from Poland. But it would be nice to know about his 'other' life. to pass on to his grandchildren.

During WW2 my friends father escaped to the UK, he was born in Poland in 1926 and he married and started a new life here. Upon his death there were several photos of familes my friend knows nothing about, She doesnt know anything of his past life. He never talked about his younger days in Poland nor his family he left there.
Does anyone know where we can start to research his past life.

I said I wouldhelp her as much as possible. but where do we start.
Any help would be aprreciated

Thank you