currently known as Olszak




Ellerbruch in 1893

Who lived here?

John Zielinski and Elizabeth Witkowski (Lawrence's grandparents) were married at the Parish Church in Schonweise on May 12, 1863. Their place of residence is listed as Ellerbruch. Daughter Antonia was born here on March 25, 1864. Daughter Julianna was born here on March 9, 1866. Son Joseph was born here on March 1, 1868. Daughter Maria was born here on June 30, 1869. Sometime after Maria was born, but before November 2, 1881, the family moved to Gross Waplitz. Son Frank (Lawrence's dad) was born around 1872, but it has not been established whether he was born in Ellerbruch or Gross Waplitz or somewhere else. His birth record has not been found.

Frank Lingnowski and Marianna Zielinski (probably related) lived here from at least September 1863 until sometime after January 1868. Son Herman was born here on September 16, 1863. Daughter Annie was born here on July 25, 1865. Son Frank was born here on January 29, 1868. Sometime after Frank was born, but before July 1870, the family moved to Wilczewo.

The relationship between John Zielinski and Marianna Zielinski Lingnowski has not yet been determined. It is possible they were cousins.

1860           1861           1862           1863           1864           1865           1866           1867           1868           1869           1870           1871           1872           1873  
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-John Zielinski and Elizabeth Witkowski--------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-----Frank Lingnowski and Marianna Zielinski---|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|

... about Ellerbruch

Ellerbruch is the old German name. Today the village is known as Olszak. It is in the Powiat (county) of Stuhm. Historically it was in the German province of West Prussia. Today it is in the Polish voivodeship (province) of Pomorskie, also known as Pomerania. Over the years, the village has also been known as Olschak, Olszowka, and Olszanka. In 1880, Ellerbruch had 6 houses and 91 inhabitants. These "houses" were probably multi-family structures, which would explain the large number of inhabitants per house. There was a satellite manor house in Ellerbruch, which fell under the domain of Gross Waplitz, and there was also a brick factory.* The nearest Catholic parish for this village was in Schonweise, approximately 3 km away. Antonia, Julianna, Joseph, and Maria Zielinski, as well as Herman, Annie, and Frank Lingnowski were all born in Ellerbruch and baptized at the Catholic church in Schonweise. Ellerbruch was a very small village, and not much is known about it.

*from the 1880 Slownik Geograficzny entry for Waplewo

Ellerbruch Today