Lena Web / Home

Our Family History

Lewandowski Timeline


Origins

10/11/1798 Anton Lewandowski (Lena's great-grandfather) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
10/24/1826 Anton Lewandowski (father of John) married Eva Barkowna in Nikolaiken, Poland (marriage record).
9/6/1827 Reina Lewandowski (daughter of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
10/25/1828 John Lewandowski (son of Anton, Lena's grandfather) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
1/28/1831 Rosalia Lewandowski (daughter of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
7/12/1832 Anna Pawlikowski (Lena's grandmother) born in Poland, location unknown (headstone). Anna would marry John Lewandowski, and give birth to 4 children, one of whom was Rosalia Lewandowski, Lena's mother. ntf
4/20/1833 Catharina Lewandowski (daughter of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
3/14/1835 Josephina Lewandowski (daughter of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
12/14/1836 Eusebius Lewandowski (son of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
10/29/1838 Joseph Lewandowski (son of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
11/20/1840 Adalbert Lewandowski (son of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
3/16/1843 Anton Lewandowski (son of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
11/12/1845 Michael Lewandowski (son of Anton) born in Nikolaiken, Poland (birth record).
5/15/1848 Adalbert Lewandowski (son of Anton) died in Nikolaiken, Poland (death record).
2/18/1862 John Lewandowski married Anna Pawlikowski in Nikolaiken, Poland (marriage record)
12/3/1862 Franz Lewandowski (son of John) born in Nikolaiken, Poland. (birth record)
3/17/1865 Rosalia Lewandowski (dau of John, Lena's mother) born in Nikolaiken, Poland. (birth record)
5/2/1868 Antonie Lewandowski (dau of John) born in Nikolaiken, Poland. (birth record)
1872 Apolonia Lewandowski (dau of John) born in Poland, exact date and location unknown (headstone). Later documents indicate she may have been born around 1875. ntf

Immigration

12/1883 The Lewandowski family made their way from Nikolayken, Poland to Antwerp, Belgium, where they boarded the S.S. Switzerland bound for New York City.
1/7/1884 John, Anna, Franz, Rosalia, and Apolonia Lewandowski immigrated to USA, arriving in New York aboard the S.S. Switzerland from Antwerp, Belgium. John is listed as a farmer, while Franz is listed as a shoemaker. The family's origin is listed as Prussia and their destination is Savannah, Georgia. Franz was 21 years old, Rosalia was 18, and Apolonia was 10. Antonie Lewandowski was not with the family, which would indicate that she possibly died at a young age in Poland. (psgr list)

The New World

1884 The John Lewandowski family went directly to Savannah, Georgia upon arriving in the U.S., most likely by train. Why they went to Savannah is not known, but they lived there for a couple years at 7 York Street.
1885 The Savannah City Directory of 1885 shows John Lewandowski (laborer), Frank Lewandowski (baker), and Anna Lewandowski residing in Savannah at 7 York St. (1885 Savannah City Directory)
1886 The Savannah City Directory of 1886 shows John Lewandowski (laborer) and Frank Lewandowski (baker) residing in Savannah at 7 York St. (1886 Savannah City Directory)
1886 Sometime during 1886 or early 1887, the Lewandowski family moved from Savannah, Georgia to Menasha, Wisconsin. The reason for the move is unknown, but most likely it was to be closer to family or for better job prospects.
1887 The book "The First City of the Lower Fox River, Menasha, Wis." lists John Lewandowski residing on Appleton Street. He built a house there for $500.
2/24/1890 On the 24th of February 1890, the S.S. Moravia departed Hamburg, Germany bound for New York City. Onboard were 979 adults, 108 children, and 38 babies, most of whom were immigrating to the United States. Two names stand out, conspicuously listed one after the other: Michael Jankowski and Franz Lewandowski. Could Franz be Rosalia's brother? Could Michael be Rosalia's future husband? The ages listed are close, but not completely accurate, nor is the home town (Wichowa). Still, it's too big of a coincidence to ignore. It's already a given that Franz immigrated with his family in 1884. I also have a copy of a passenger list from June 1888 showing a Michael Jankowski immigrating to the US with Wisconsin as his ultimate destination. Is it possible that they both made a return trip to Poland, and ended up on the same ship coming back to the US? Is that how Michael Jankowski came to know and eventually marry Rosalia Lewandowski? We may never know, but it is certainly an interesting theory!
approx 1890-91
Apolonia Lewandowski approx 1890
Apolonia Lewandowski
Rosalia Lewandowski approx 1891
Rosalia Lewandowski
5/3/1892 Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) married Martha Donischewski in Menasha, WI. Franz was 29 years old. On the marriage record, Franz's mother's name is spelled Pawloski. Witnesses were Anton Lingnowski and Alice Donischewski. It's interesting that Anton Lingnowski was born in Wilczewo, Poland, which is the next town over from Nikolayken, where Franz was born. However, Anton's family immigrated to the US when Anton was only 4 years old. So, it's likely the 2 boys did not know each other in Poland. According to the 1893 Menasha City Directory, they lived about 3 blocks apart in Menasha. Most likely, they came to know each other there. Being from the same region in Poland certainly would have been an impetus to a friendship. (marriage record)
10/29/1892 Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) filed his Declaration of Intent to become a U.S. citizen in the Outagamie County Courthouse in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the first step in the naturalization process. (natur. declaration)
3/1893 Clara Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin. She is the first child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski, and the 1st grandchild of John and Anna Lewandowski. (1900 Census)
1893 John, Apolonia, Rosalia Lewandowski listed in the 1893 Menasha Directory residing on the southside of 5th Street, 3 east of Appleton St. Franz Lewandowski (son of John) resided at the southwest corner of Appleton and 5th, across the street from the rest of his family. Jacob Lewandowski (relationship unknown) resided at the northside of 5th Street, 3 east of Racine, about 1/2 block from the John Lewandowski family. Jacob was 5 years younger than Franz. Could he have been a cousin of Franz and Rosalia? (1893 Menasha Directory) ntf
approx 1893

Rosalia and Apolonia Lewandowski
left to right: unknown, Rosalia Lewandowski, Apolonia Lewandowski
2/23/1895 Joseph Herman Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 1st son and 2nd child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. (birth record)
1895 John Lewandowski listed in 1895 Menasha Directory residing on the south side of 5th Street 2 east of Appleton. Franz Lewandowski (son of John) resided on the west side of Appleton 1 north of 5th. Jacob Lewandowski resided at the northside of 5th 3 east of Racine. Also listed as living on the northwest corner of DePere and 6th were Mrs. T. Lewandowski - widow of Michael, Agnes, and Gertrude (relationship of all unknown).
5/26/1896 Mike Jankowski (son of Constantin and Barbara) married Rosa Lewandowski (dau of John and Anna) at St. John’s in Menasha. He was 34 years old and she was 31. Rev. L. J. Pescinski performed the ceremony, which was witnessed by Francis Landig and Apolonia Lewandowski, Rosalia's sister.  (marriage record) They had met when Mike traveled from Antigo to Menasha to see about a girl (Rosa) who had rejected a previous suitor 2 days before the wedding. Mike and Rosa married after only about 3 dates. They lived on a farm on the Jankowski homestead in Rolling, Wisconsin, outside of Antigo. The young family often traveled by train to Menasha to visit Rosa’s sister Apolonia, and her husband Joe Danowski.
Mike Jankowski Rosa Lewandowski wedding
6/29/1896 Joseph A. Lewandowski (relationship unknown) ordained to the priesthood in Grand Rapids, MI. (65th anniv card) Joseph may have been a cousin of Rosalia. ntf
11/5/1896 Edward H. Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 3rd child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. (birth record)
6/4/1897 John Stanley Jankowski born on the family farm in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 1st child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. (WWI draft card)
12/1898 Helen Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 4th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. The family now consists of 2 boys and 2 girls. They were living on Appleton Street in Menasha. (1910 census)
1/16/1899 Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski, expecting their second child, instead gave birth to a stillborn baby. (death record)
12/11/1899 Less than 11 months after giving birth to a stillborn child, Apolonia "Lena" Jankowski is born to Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. Lena is Mike and Rosa's 1st daughter and 3rd child. Lena would grow up to marry Lawrence Zielinski and produce 6 children and 23 grandchildren. She is the namesake of this website. I am fortunate to say she is my grandmother. (birth record)
6/13/1900 1900 US Census - John Lewandowski (72 years old - father of Rosalia), Annie (wife-65), Lena (dau-24), lived on 5th St in Menasha. No house number was given, and at that time 5th Street was only one block long - from DePere to Racine. John and Annie had already been married 38 years. The couple bore 4 children, 3 still living in 1900. John, Annie, and Lena were all born in Poland, immigrating to the U.S. in 1884. John was a "common laborer" and Lena had a job sorting wool. (1900 Census)
6/13/1900 1900 US Census - Franz Lewandowski (37 years old - son of John and Anna), Martha (wife-27), Clara (dau-7) , Joseph (son-5), Edward (son-2), Helen (dau-1) lived on 5th Street in Menasha. Franz and Martha had been married 8 years. They had 4 children, all born in Wisconsin, and all still living. Franz immigrated in 1884, was a naturalized citizen and a baker by trade. Martha immigrated in 1885. Franz and family lived on the DePere end of 5th, while John and Annie (parents) lived on the Racine end. (1900 Census)
6/13/1900 1900 US CensusMike Jankowski (22 - husband of Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski), Rosa (wife-33), John (son-3), Appolonia (dau-6mths), lived on a farm in Rolling, WI. Mike immigrated in 1889 and Rosa in 1884. They had been married for 4 years and had 2 children, both living. (1900 census)
1901 Agnes Ruth Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 5th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski, exact date unknown. (1910 census)
12/24/1901 On Christmas Eve of 1901, Joseph Jankowski is born in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 4th child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. (birth record)
3/18/1902 John Lewandowski died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the age of 74. Cause of death and burial site unknown. (Family Bible)
12/28/1902 Joseph Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) died in Rolling, Wisconsin at the age of 1 year, 4 days. Cause of death was unknown. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery in Menasha. Rosa must have been devastated, this being the 2nd death of a child in less than 4 years. (death record)
1903 Lucy Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 6th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski, exact date unknown. (1910 census)
12/16/1903 Anna (Polonski) Lewandowski (wife of John) died in Menasha at the age of 71. Cause of death unknown, she was buried in St, John’s Cemetery. (Family Bible)
1904 Viola Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 7th child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. Exact date unknown (headstone)
1904 Appolonia Lewandowski (dau of John and Anna), approximately 32 years old, married Joe Danowski in Wisconsin. She was the last of the Lewandowski children to marry. Exact date unknown. (1910 census)
7/18/1904 Anna Jankowski born in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 5th child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. (birth record)
4/19/1905 Clara Danowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 1st child of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski. Clara would become a Roman Catholic nun. (obit)
9/24/1906 Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) filed his Petition for Naturalization and declared his Final Oath to the United States in the Winnebago County Courthouse in Oshkosh, Wi, the 2nd and 3rd steps of the naturalization process. Thus on this date, Franz became a citizen of the United States. (petition/oath)
12/3/1906 Edward F. Jankowski born in Rolling, Wisconsin, the 6th and last child of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski. The family was now complete - 2 boys, 2 girls. (Mike's naturalization petition)
1907 Helen Danowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 2nd child of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski. Exact date unknown. Helen was not only Lena's cousin, but a life-long dear friend. (headstone)
8/1909 John Lewandowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 8th and last known child of Franz and Martha Lewandowski. Exact date of birth unknown. The family resided at 670 Appleton Street. (1910 census)
4/15/1910 1910 US Census Mike Jankowski (49), Rosie Lewandowski Jankowski (wife-43), John (son-12), Lena (dau-10), Annie (dau-5), Edward (son-4), living on a farm in Rolling, Wisconsin. Shows Mike immigrated in 1886 and Rosa in 1884. They had been married for 14 years and had 5 children, 4 of whom were still living. (1910 census)
4/23/1910 1910 US Census - Joe Danowski (40), Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski (37 - dau of John and Anna), Clara (dau-5), and Helena (dau-3), residing at 615 5th St. in Menasha. As of 1910, the couple had been married for 6 years, and had 3 children, 2 of whom were still living. (1910 Census) 
4/25/1910 1910 US Census - Frank Lewandowski (47 - son of John and Anna), Martha (wife-37), Clara (dau-17), Joseph (son-15), Edward (son-13), Helen (dau-11), Agnes (dau-9), Lucy (dau-7), Viola (dau-6), Johnnie (son-6 mths), residing at 670 Appleton St in Menasha. Frank and Martha had been married for 18 years, producing 8 children, all of whom were still living in 1910. Frank was employed as a fireman at Menasha Woodenware, Clara was employed as sales lady for a restaurant. All others were not employed. (1910 Census)
11/1/1912 Alvin A. Danowski born in Menasha, Wisconsin, the 3rd and last child of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski. Alvin is also the last grandchild of John and Anna Lewandowski. (funeral card)
10/6/1913 Mike Jankowski (husband of Rosa Lewandowski) was naturalized and became a citizen of the United States of America, more than 25 years after immigrating from Poland. He was then 52 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall, with blue eyes and gray hair. With his naturalization complete, wife Rosalia and all of their children also become US citizens. (natur. certificate)

The Later Years

approx 1918 Lena Jankowski (dau of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) moved from Antigo to Menasha to live with Joe Danowski and his wife Lena (Lewandowski) Danowski (Rosa’s sister), while attending vocational school to learn to sew. She attended school for 1 year, then got a job at Menasha Woodenware, piling wooden pail handles. She worked for 1 year, then went back to Antigo to help on the family farm. (Lena)
6/5/1918 John Stanley Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) registered for the draft. At the time, he was employed by his dad (Mike) working on the family farm. According to his draft card, a car had injured his left foot at an earlier age. (draft card)
approx 1919 Celia Zielinski (dau of John and Catherine - approx 9 years old) moved in with the Mike and Rosa Jankowski family. Her mother had died in 1916 and her father in 1918. The Jankowski's became her guardians.
1/2/1920 1920 US Census - Frank Lewandowski (son of John and Anna), Martha (wife), Edward (son-23), Helen (dau-21), Agnes (dau-19), Lucy (dau-17), Viola (dau-15), John (son-10) residing at 670 Appleton St in Menasha. Frank was naturalized in 1906 and employed at a papermill. Edward, Helen, and Agnes were all employed at a carton factory. (1920 Census)
1/2/1920 1920 US Census - Joe Danowski (52), Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski (47 - dau of John and Anna), Clara (dau-14), Helena (dau-12), and Alvin (son-7) residing at 615 5th St. in Menasha. Joe's sister Florence (age 56) was also living with the family. Joe was employed as a Section Man for a railroad. (1920 Census) 
4/7/1920 1920 US CensusMike Jankowski (58), Rosa (wife-53, daughter of John and Anna Lewandowski), John (son-22), Lena (dau-20), Anna (dau-15), Edward (son-14), Celia (dau-9), Joseph (nephew), residing on a farm in Rolling, WI. Shows Mike immigrated in 1886, and Rosa in 1885. Although the census shows Celia enumerated as Mike and Rosa's daughter, in fact she was the daughter of John and Catherine Zielinski. Both of her parents had recently died, her mother in December of 1916, and her father in November of 1918. Mike and Rosa became Celia's guardian after the death of her parents. The nephew Joseph would have been Albert Jankowski's son (Mike's brother). (1920 census)
6/13/1920 John Stanley Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) married Apolonia Antoniewicz in Antigo, Wisconsin,  9 days beyond his 23rd birthday. Apolonia was 21. (family history)
8/24/1924 Apolonia "Lena" Jankowski (dau of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) married Lawrence Zielinski at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Menasha, Wisconsin. She was 24 and he was 28. Standing up for the couple were Annie Jankowski and Benedict Zielinski. Lawrence and Lena spent their honeymoon in Antigo! (marriage certificate)
8/9/1927 Clara Danowski (dau of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski) entered the novitiate to become a nun in the Roman Catholic Church.
4/4/1930 1930 US Census - Frank Lewandowski (age 67 - son of John and Anna), Martha (wife-57), Helen (dau-30), Agnes (dau-29), Viola (dau-26), John (son-20) residing at 670 Appleton St in Menasha. Frank was employed as a machine tender at a paper mill, Helen at a knitting mill, Agnes at a book bindery, Viola at a printing shop, and John at a paper mill. (1930 Census)
4/9/1930 1930 US Census - Joe Danowski (63), Lena Lewandowski Danowski (57 - dau of John and Anna), Helena (dau-23), and Alvin (son-17) residing at 615 5th St. in Menasha. Joe's sister Florence (age 67) was also living with the family. Daughter Clara was no longer living with her parents; whether she married or just moved out, is not known. Joe was employed as a Flagman for a railroad, while Helen worked at a shoe factory. (1930 Census) 
4/21/1930 1930 US censusMike Jankowski (68), Rose (wife-64, daughter of John and Anna Lewandowski), Edward (son-24) living on a farm on RR5 in Rolling, Wisconsin. Shows both Mike and Rosa immigrated in 1886, which is not correct. They are naturalized citizens of the United States. Mike was married at 34, Rose at 30. (1930 census)
1931 Ed Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) married Celia Zielinski (dau of John and Catherine) at St. Hyacinth's Catholic Church in Antigo, Wisconsin. Ed was 24 and Celia was 20. (obit)
8/7/1934 Clara Danowski (dau of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski) made her final commitment to become a nun in the Roman Catholic Church.
4/8/1940 1940 US Census - Frank Lewandowski (age 77 - son of John and Anna), Martha (wife-67), Helen (dau-41), Agnes (dau-39), and John (son-30) residing at 670 Appleton St in Menasha. Frank was no longer employed. Helen worked at a knitting plant, while Agnes and John worked at a paper mill. (1940 Census)
5/3/1940 1940 US Census - Joe Danowski (64-obviously in error), Lena Lewandowski Danowski (65 - dau of John and Anna), Helena (dau-32), and Alvin (son-27) residing at 615 5th St. in Menasha. Joe's sister Florence (age 76) was also living with the family. Joe was employed as a Flagman for a railroad, while Helen and Alvin worked at a paper mill. (1940 Census) 
5/21/1940 1940 US census - Mike Jankowski (78), Rose (wife-75, daughter of John and Anna Lewandowski) living on a farm in Rolling, Wisconsin. Mike is listed as a Farm Manager. Mike and Rosa's son Ed, his wife Celia, and their 2 children also live in the farm house. (1940 census)
1942 Franz Lewandowski (son of John and Anna) died in Menasha at the age of 79. At the time of his death, he resided at 670 Appleton Street, where he'd lived for over 30 years. He was buried in St. John’s Cemetery on Valley Road. Cause of death unknown. (headstone)
1/4/1945 Helen Lewandowski (dau of Franz and Martha) died in Menasha, Wisconsin. She was only 46 years old. Cause of death unknown. She is buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (headstone)
1947 Joe Danowski (husband of Apolonia) died in Menasha, Wisconsin and was buried at St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. Exact date and cause of death not known. (headstone)
3/13/1948 Rosalia Lewandowski Jankowski (dau of John and Anna) died in Menasha at age 82 of a bowel obstruction. She was buried in St. John’s Cemetery on Valley Road. (obit)
8/28/1951 Anna Jankowski (dau of Mike and Rosa, sister of Lena) died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the young age of 47. She never married. Anna is buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (funeral book)
9/23/1956 Mike Jankowski (widower of Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) age 95, died in Menasha. Buried in St. John’s Cemetery. (funeral book) Mike had been living with Lawrence and Lena. Official cause of death was “old age”.
1957 Martha Donischewski Lewandowski (wife of Franz) died in Menasha, buried at St. John’s Cemetery. She was 84 years old. (headstone)
12/15/1958 Appolonia Lewandowski Danowski (wife of Joe, dau of John and Anna) died at age 86 in Menasha, buried in St. John’s Cemetery on Valley Road. (funeral card)
12/12/1959 John Stanley Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski) died in Antigo, Wisconsin at the age of 62. Cause of death unknown, he was buried in Queen of Peace Cemetery in Antigo. (headstone)
10/2/1980 Alvin Danowski (son of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski) died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the age of 67. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (funeral card)
3/12/1981 Sister Clara Danowski (dau of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski) died in Wisconsin. Cause of death and burial information not known. (obit)
1990 Viola Lewandowski (dau of Franz and Martha) died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the approximate age of 86. She was buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (headstone)
5/31/1992 Apolonia "Lena" Jankowski Zielinski (dau of Mike and Rosa, wife of Lawrence) died in Menasha, Wisconsin. She was 92 years old. She lived a long, glorious life and gave happiness to all who had the fortune of knowing her. She is buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (funeral card)
1996 Ed Jankowski (son of Mike and Rosa Lewandowski Jankowski, brother of Lena) died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the age of 89. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (headstone)
1999 Helen Danowski (dau of Joe and Apolonia Lewandowski Danowski), Lena's life-long friend and cousin, died in Menasha, Wisconsin at the age of 92. Helen never married, and is buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (headstone)
9/26/2010 Celia Zielinski Jankowski (wife of Ed) died in Menasha, 4 days after her 100th birthday! She was buried in St. John's Cemetery on Valley Road. (obit)




Return to Lena Web home
Lena Web: created by Mark Zelinski
contact me