The Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria 1772-1918 [closed]

Question

I'd like to start a topic of discussion and how we can improve to connect The Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria to present day Lesser Poland, Subcarpathian, Silesia Voivodeships (in Poland) and Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil Oblasts (in Ukraine).

Why is Galicia important?  There are many researchers who think their ancestor was from Austria, Poland, etc. because that is what was written in a census document, etc.  This was part of that mass immigration of Slavs (Hungarians, Slovaks, Armenians, Polish, and Ukrainians) experienced by the United States, Canada and Europe (late 1800s to early 1900s.)  It's important to understand the country of Galicia in order to understand where we need to look for records as researchers.

I've edited the free-space page to add more information (to the already very good historical information); such as how to research your Galician Roots.  I've tried adding the Slavic Roots, Ukrainian Roots, Polish Roots and Jewish Roots stickers ... but the stickers end up all over the place and make the page look like a wreck.  Is there a way to only add a link to those Roots pages without having a sticker?

As far as categorization is concerned, I feel that any village from Galicia which was situated in Poland should be separated from being categorized as the present day village; keeping recognition that it was a village in an entirely different country before WWI. (I don't have an opinion on villages situated in present day Ukraine, perhaps someone with more knowledge can chime in.)  There almost needs to be a tier system to this because for some villages that were formerly a part of Galicia changed boundaries 5 times after WWI in Poland to present day. Then comes the question as to which language one should use while creating a category.  English, Polish, German?  There are already several categories that exist in all three languages. (ETA: this matter has been addressed.  Thank you categorization project!!)

I'd like to hear input from others who have an interest in this country, or who have great knowledge and can help improve this page.  Thank you!!

ETA: If you know your ancestors are from Galicia and do not have a category set up for the village (or are unaware of the village name) please use the general category for Galicia on their profile, as this is something I would like to work on.

Comments

My Grandparents came from what is now S.E. Poland (Galicia) in 1908-1912. They are listed as "Ruthenian" on passenger lists. Several relatives went back and forth several times (although they did not), and we have been able to establish a network of related villages centered around Ustrzki Dolne, from which they came.

Since I have been doing my research and finding a few DNA relatives, I have learned that the 4 ethnic groups who were "relocated" at least 3 times from that part of (now) Poland included ethnic Ukrainians, Boykos, Hutsuls, & Lemkos. Because I found DNA relatives who were Lemkos, I thought they were, too. But, since then, I have found another DNA relative who states  they were from the Boyko subgroup. The fact that they were relocated to internment camps for WW I, WW II, and when oil was discovered in that part of Poland in the 1950s, continues to make searching for any living descendants who may have stayed behind, next to impossible!

It would be so wonderful to have a concerted effort to untangle these histories and the records which may support them and connect us.

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Hi Alexandra!  I would love to add you to the Galicia page and have you add your knowledge/experience.  I know the categorization project is interested in our thoughts about how to better connect these places.  I've been contacted by many people with Galician roots via the One Place Study I've been working on for Cieplice (near Jaroslaw) when they see their surname.  So many questions about this area, and I think the page helps to clarify.

Please go to the page and ask to be added to the trusted list. :)  Thank you for your message!

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Skye, lovely page! We are working on categories and a Hungary project. We will keep you updated.

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Every researcher here has earned by greatest respect! Having Galicia roots led me down a rabbit hole - sadly, I am left more confused then ever. There are areas, towns, villages, plus one additional name that could be related to “sheckel” (or, something similar). I have 6-7 different last name spellings for my grandfather’s side alone. I have been informed that the “maiden” name I have for my Russian grandmother is probably not correctly spelled (Doscovsky). I am aware of the many changes in the Galicia area, what I don’t understand is with 4 names or less, how does one figure out the town versus village etc? I will say this: I have problems citing correctly & my trees are a mess, however, I am determined to figure it all out at some point. I believe I actually need a tutor.

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Hi Susan!  I'm going to look at your profiles now and catagorize them into the general Galicia category (which from there will be categorized into their specific village if it can be located.)  I'll send you a message once I take a look at your profiles so I can get a good idea of the issues you are facing. :)

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re the stickers versus other type of link, you can do a straight link [URL | name of page or category] either with or without  the colon in front like this [:URL | name of page or category]

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My maternal great-grandparents were both from Galicia.  They were actually both from the village of Cieplice; they had not met until they were in the United States (Philadelphia) but they knew of each other in Europe.

My grandmother and her 2 siblings grew up in a Polish-speaking household.  They were stories of another ethnic background in the family background (it was occasionally said to be Ukrainian) but it was more or less a family story.  Thanks to this Galicia project I now learned that both grandparents were Ruthenian/Carpatho-Rusyn.

I have quite an extension background in terms of Europe (quite a few relatives living there) and my family has regular contact with relatives in Poland.  One thing that I know about Poland is that the Poles are very nationalistic and they seem to suppress/disregard minority groups within their borders.  I suppose that this would make sense as my great-grandparents became Polonized.

I am learning more and more about my great-grandparents and their ancestors and it is very, very interesting!

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What is the language of Galicia? To my family it was Yiddish. WikiTree offers an extensive list of languages, but Yiddish is not among them. When I document my relatives I have to leave the language field blank. Why is that? Because there was no country with a Yiddish speaking ruling class? At the start of 1941, there must have been a million Yiddish speakers in Galicia. By 1945, not many at all.

It reminds me of an Israeli joke: What is the difference between a dialect and a language? A language has an army and a navy.

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The official language was German (Austro-Hungarian Empire.)

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiddish according to this Wikipedia article, Yiddish is a mix of languages, and was not restricted to a single country but was widespread.  Most of the language streams we have relate to a specific country (or countries).

Answer 1

My grandparents came from Galicia.  I find it difficult to learn much, except I do have names for several generations and dates. Wish I knew more.

Susie Smith

Comments

I hope the page will clarify for you.  I know that once I'm satisfied with the transcriptions for a village I have been working on, I would like to work on profiles who have added the Galicia category to their profile,  to see if I can find the record and proper village.  If you don't know the village where they are from, add that category.  It will be months before I get to them, but it is on my bucketlist.

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I found on my Grandmother listed  Blazowa  but wonder if it should be a D.  She was a Warzybok.  Grandfather was a Sas

Answer 2

My grandparents were from near Lvov/Lviv. They came over around 1910 to Rochester, NY. They list variously Ruthenian, Austrian...They spoke Ukrainian and sent my mother to a Ukrainian language class. I have their parents names from their wedding certificate in Rochester.  23 and me says I am Polish and Ukrainian. I have DNA from Ancestry and 23 and me (Also on Gedmatch). Two of the connections match the surnames of my grandparents' mothers.

I have not attempted to go any further. I only speak English (some Spanish and German in school).

Comments

Hi Sue!  I understand the intimidation with these lines.  All my other lines have been heavily researched except this set of great-grandparents, so I was ready to take that plunge ... even to the extent of learning Cryillic, but to my surprise the records were written in Latin through the Greek Catholic Church.  In that link for Galicia, I have two Ukrainian facebook pages that have been a valuable resource which may really help you.

I'm excited to see how the web can now connect us with people in other countries, allowing us to cross the language barriers we face.  They are very interested in helping and making connections.

Answer 3

This will become a sub-project under Slavic Roots. Thanks for everything you did on it!

Comments

Thank you Maggie!  I'm excited to see where all of this is going!  I really hope it helps other researchers in understanding their roots as I am emailed frequently from Wikitree and nonWikitree users usually about names I have entered into the system.  I love that it has peaked curiosity and perhaps allows others to start seeking more on these particular lines.

Most the people I have answered had very spotty understanding of ethnicity and country boundaries (as did I), b/c that is an entirely different point of view in which to conduct research compared to the United States.  It's been an incredible journey and learning experience for me ... and to be able to share it with others.  :)

Answer 4

I would really like to begin working on categorizing villages for the profiles in the "Galicia" category.  I'd like to know what is the protocol for language used in categorization.

I believe the English version is not appropriate: Galicia

Polish version (Galicja) is suitable for western Galicia because of the "Polonialization and influence" that existed in the area, as well as the land becoming Poland after WWI.  It would be my first choice for all of Galicia, mainly out of being a common language used in the area.

Since the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled, and German was the official government language at that time, the German version for 1900 would be:Königreich Galizien und Lodomerien, Österreichisch-Ungarische Monarchie.I don't know about you, but the German version is far too long and too complicated in categorization; although it would be the most accurate (which is why it should be used in profiles.)

For the eastern half of Galicia, which is now part of the Ukraine ... Cryillic would be out of the question, and I believe Polish would be most accurate as well.

https://www.wikitree.com/photo.php/d/d1/Galicia-3.jpg 

I'm interested to hear opinions on this matter.  Thank you!

So do we categorize based off of complete accuracy or out of productivity/accessibility?

Comments

I never saw this since Categorization was not tagged.

We have an aka template and now category mirroring is in place. So, if a landing level is in more than one language, all profiles attached will appear in both categories. This makes it easy to attach one category to a profile and have it appear in the other language's stream. This can help with Galicia categorization.

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In 1851 50% of the population of Galicia and Lodomeria spoke Ukrainian vs. 40% Polish (census of 1851). I don't think under these circumstances that Polish would be most accurate for Eastern Galicia.

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I was able to get in contact with K.Bloom who has informed me of the categorization structure in place.  She mentioned she will work on the merges of the village categories.

We've moved along quite a bit from when I originally made this post.  Admin is working on making Galicia a Project and working on the logistics currently (which is really not so easy to define.)  I thank everyone for their interest and input b/c most researchers get stuck on pre-1918 Austro Hungarian Empire and understanding of geographical boundaries of the area. 

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:Galicia%2C_Austria