Genealogy Chat

Hi all. My main reason for starting my family tree 3 years ago was my grandfathers story that was passed down that they came from Poland. I started the tree back then and it didnt take long to find our Polish ancestor born in aprox 1830 in Poland. The problem I have is that on all census he is on in 1851 to 1901, he only gives birth place as Poland and thats it! On a couple he puts Austria/Poland. but Poland is mentioned on all census. I left that side alone until now and concentrated on other lines as I had got hooked on Genealogy by then but now my grandfather is ill, I would really love to get further back but have I hit a dead end? I would happily save money to go to Poland if i knew it would help but with no birth place to go on, i think this is an impossible task. Kind Regards, Claire

CHECK OUT THE POLISH BORDER TOWNS THEY MAY HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS MENING HE STATED POLAND AS IT WAS BUT IT MAYBE AUSTRIA NOW HOPE THIS HELPS FIONA

Claire what was his name & when was he born? Georgina.

Hi Fiona, I think i read somewhere that part of Poland was ruled by Austria at some point so maybe he came from a town/village/city that was Polish but under Austrian rule? I dont know how true that is but your suggestion is also very good and will try and get a map of poland from somewhere. Hi Derek. Thanks for PM. I am sorry I didnt put any names. Here is all i have on my ancestor. He lived and died in England as Maurice Chryst (sometimes spelt Christ). He married in May 1858 in Sheffield to Ellen (sometimes Helen) Beckett. On all census from 61 to 91 he is with Ellen and children in Sheffield on Mitchell Street. Ellen died in 1897 so Maurice is still at Mitchell street in 1901 widowed. He is listed on all these census as a steel warehouseman, manager. Maurice died in 1907 at Mitchell Street, Sheffield. On his marriage certificate, he gives fathers name as Philip Christ and also marrys under the name, Moritz Christ. All ages on marriage/death cert and census shows Moritz/Maurice was born 1830c. I found him under Moris Christ on th 51 census with lots of other polish people in Liverpool with an army ranking so it seems it was a barracks and he has come to England with some polish army? So he came to Britain between 1830 and 1851. I am thinking towards the latter as he was older as no sign of Philip ever in England. Hope this helps in someway. Claire x

Hi Claire, I can understand your request, it ain't easy. Compared with my 2-3 hours of looking for Maurice, its small stuff compared with your efforts. I saw your Rootschat thread of 2004, Although they had a number of kids,the first one Aloizy did not live very long and I looked thru Austria because of the 1901 census hint. I suspect it may be the Galicia Revolution of 1848 which caused so many folk to leave their homeland, certainly bad times. Have you tried a german researcher by the name of Thomas Bauch-Martens. He is looking for the same name,Christ/Chryst, his email is [email protected]. Another weird thing I found was the polish for 'Catholics of Christ' is 'Chrystusowi Katolicy. To be honest, I do not think I know enough to help you. But I still like puzzles. Bye for now and good luck, Derek

Hi Derek, Wow, i cant believe you remember my rootschat thread 2 years ago. i had forgotten that i had put that on there. I really appreciate your efforts this afternoon. I wasnt aware of a revolution in 1848 but it would make sense as that is round the time i suspect Moritz/Maurice came to England. I wish there were records for that time of foreign armies coming to England. I have already been to Kew to search for any naturalisation records for Mortiz but it seems he either lied or they have been destroyed in WW2 as there was nothing. Many thanks again Claire