A Cute Trio (Mystery Photo #19) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette.)  Aren't they cute?  I wonder who they are.  These children were probably the children of members of Worcester's Polish community.  Look at the fancy clothing!  Are they wearing their Easter best?  Clearly they look like they are dressed up for some sort of special occasion.  My grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko (1896-1990) was a seamstress.  I've seen other formal wear that she made with the same kind of point design as the little girl has in her dress.  I'm not certain, but my guess is my grandmother may have made the clothing that  the children are wearing in the photograph.  The photo was probably taken around 1920. Unfortunately there isn't any photographer information on the photograph itself.  The original is on a postcard backing.

If you recognize any of these little cuties I'd love to hear from you!

Young Lady in Fur and Feathers (Mystery Photo #18) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) I hate to say it, but I wonder how many animals died to make this young lady's outfit.  She has a fur muff and a fur stole, and her hat appears to be made out of some kind of furry material.  Given the popularity of ostrich feathers back in the day I hope the feather harvesting process was not unkind to the ostrich.  I don't know who the young woman is, but she does resemble my grandmother's family somewhat, so she could be related to the Bulaks or Kowalewski's of Worcester, MA.  The photograph was probably taken in the late 1910s.

If  you recognize this very warmly (and fashionably) dressed young woman I'd love to hear from you!

Young Man In A Fur Coat (Mystery Photo #17) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image.  Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2013 Cynthia Shenette) I will admit I couldn't wait for a cold day in January to post this photo!  Brr.  I love this man's fur coat.  My how snappy he looks with his top hat, tie, and cane!  Who is he I wonder?  This photo is from my grandmother's collection of photos so my guess is he was a member of the Polish immigrant community of Worcester, MA.  Take a look at the bottom of the photo and you will see an embossed head that is part of the photographer's stamp.  The photographer was Le Roy, 34 Front St., Worcester, Mass. and the photograph was printed on postcard stock.

If you recognized this dapper young man I'd love to hear from you!

Young Lady In A Pretty Dress (Mystery Photo #15) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image.  Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) This young woman was probably either a friend of or related to my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko.   In reviewing my photographs I believe she may be the bridesmaid in this photograph on my other blog, Heritage Zen.  The bride in that photograph also appears in this photo here.  My guess is the photograph above was probably taken in the late 1910s, and the young woman was probably a member of Worcester's Polish community.

Many of the photos I have in my possession don't have any photographer information, but this particular one does.  "Schervee Worcester, Mass." is embossed on the mat of the photograph.  I did a quick search on Schervee and learned that Herman Schervee was a relatively well known and regarded photographer. According to his obituary he photographed a number of famous people including presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.  He is also responsible for the famous group photo taken during Sigmund Freud's visit to Clark University in 1909.  Herman Schervee's obit says he died on July 30, 1923, so my photograph was probably taken before that date.

If you recognize the pretty young woman in my photograph or have additional information to share about photographer Herman Schervee I'd love to hear from you!

Young Lady in Costume (Mystery Photo #14) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image; Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) Since it it almost Halloween I thought a costume photo would be appropriate for a post.  This young woman looks very much like my grandmother, Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko, but I don't believe it is.  I suspect that she is probably related to my grandmother somehow, either from the Bulak side of the family or the Kowalewski side of the family, though given the resemblance I suspect the Bulak side of the family is most likely.  My grandmother said she performed in many amateur theatricals at St. Mary's Church in Worcester.  I have photos of my grandmother in similar costumes here and here.  While the woman in the photo looks quite young she is old enough to be engaged.  There appears to be an engagement ring on the ring finger of her left hand.  I suspect this photo was taken in the late 1910s.

If you recognize the young woman in the photo or know about the history of theatrical productions at St. Mary's Church I'd love to hear from you!

Three Young Ladies (Mystery Photo #13) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image; Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)  Are these three ladies sisters, cousins, or friends?  I don't really see a lot of a resemblance between the three.  The young woman seated appears to be the same young woman named Kasi or Katherine in this wedding photograph here.  The young lady standing on the left is almost painfully thin.  I wonder if she had recently recovered from an illness when the photograph was taken.  The photograph was probably taken in the late 1910s.  Again, I believe all of these young women were members of Worcester's Polish community.

If you recognize any of the ladies in this photo I'd love to hear from you!

Update 10/29/12 - I recently noticed that the the thin woman on the left is the bride in a wedding photo posted on my other blog, Heritage Zen.  Thankfully, she looks healthier and is clearly not so thin in her wedding portrait.

Wedding Time! (Mystery Photo #11) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photography Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) Two years ago I started posting wedding photos from my "mystery collection" on my other blog, Heritage Zen. Here is one of the photos I posted there a while back.  My guess is this photo was taken sometime in the 1920s, judging by the style of clothing. Though I don't know for certain, it was probably taken in Worcester, MA and the wedding probably took place at St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa). The maid of honor next to the bride resembles my grandmother, Anna (Bulak) Szerejko, but I don't think it is her. There is a definite Bulak resemblance though. The bride and the other bridesmaid have similar features, so they could be Bulak (sometimes spelled Bullock) relations as well. If you recognize anyone in this photo let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

Pomp and Circumstance (Mystery Photo #10) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette. Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) I bet his parents were proud of him, whoever they were.  I have no idea who this handsome young man is, but once again I suspect that both he and his parents were members of the Polish immigrant community of Worcester, MA.  There is no identifying information on the photograph.  The graduate looks so young my guess is the photo was taken to commemorate a high school graduation, but I'm not certain.  If it is a high school photo then he probably graduated from a high school in Worcester.

If you recognize this young man I'd love to hear from you...

First Communion Girl (Mystery Photo #9) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette. Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) What a cute little girl!  I don't know exactly when the photograph was taken, but my guess is sometime in the 1920s.  The girl and her family were probably members of the Polish immigrant community of Worcester, MA, and were parishioners of St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa).

Take a closer look at the photo.  Do you notice anything interesting about the dress?  Look at the huge hem.  There also seems to be a lot of material built into the sides of the dress.  My guess is the extra material was added intentionally so the dress could be let out and lengthened to wear again as the girl grew.

If you recognize the little celebrant in the photo and can put a name to her face I'd love to hear from you...

Pretty Girl with Flowers (Mystery Photo #8) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) What a pretty young lady.  She looks like she's celebrating some kind of special occasion.  A graduation or confirmation perhaps?  The style of clothing looks like the photograph was taken in the late 1910s.  I don't have any photographer information, and nothing is written on the back of the photograph.  She and her family were probably members of Worcester's Polish community.  If you recognize her let me know.  I'd love to hear from you...

A Family Portrait (Mystery Photo #7) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held By Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)  Isn't this a lovely family portrait?  I wonder who these people are.   Once again, I suspect they are members of Worcester's Polish immigrant community.  Unfortunately there is no photo studio information or information of any kind written or stamped on the photo. Judging by the style of dress my guess is the photo was probably taken some time in the late 1910s.  I love the Mary Pickford style curls on the older girl and the hair bows on both girls.  It's kind of hard to tell because her face isn't showing, but I suspect the girl with the curls might be the oldest child.  The children look to be about two years apart in age, and the baby (who I think is a boy) looks to be about two.  Given the ages of the children, the man and woman were probably married around 1908, give or take a couple of years.

If you recognize any of the people in my photo I'd love to hear from you!

Easter Bonnet (Mystery Photo #6) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) I don't know if this is an Easter bonnet or not, but it has plenty of frills upon it and is a fun photo to post for Easter week!  I love the woman's fancy hat, and given that she is holding a large bouquet of flowers it is probably a special occasion of some kind.  An engagement perhaps?  The photo is on a cardboard mount stamped with the following photographer information: Park Audia, 503 Main St. Worcester, Mass., H.W. Karlson Prop.

Little Blond Girl and Her Dolly (Mystery Photo #5) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette) What a beautiful little girl!   I wish I knew who she was.  I don't have any photographer information for what is obviously a studio portrait.  It was probably taken in Worcester, MA, sometime in the 1920s.  The little girl looks to be about two or three years old.  If you recognize the girl (or her dolly) for that matter, please let me know!

A Bride Named Kasi or Katherine? (Mystery Photo #4) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)

This photo appeared on my other blog, Heritage Zen, in one of my  "mystery bride" posts.  This young woman also appears in this photo here.  I love the wedding ensemble--the short wedding dress, cloche-style veil with train, and the abundant spray of flowers.  Look at the leaf trim on the dress.  The photographer signed the photo, but it is an unreadable scrawl.  There is an inscription at the bottom of the photo which says, "Dla Heli od Kasi 1921(?)" or "To Heli (my grandmother's sister, my great-aunt Helen Bulak) from Kasi 1921."  Perhaps Kasi is short for Kasia or Katarzyna or Katherine.  I believe the date is 1921, but it is a bit difficult to read.  The bride was probably married at St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa) in Worcester.

A Lovely Young Lady (Mystery Photo #3) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)

This young lady looks as if she is celebrating a special occasion of some sort.  A graduation or a confirmation perhaps?  Might the white/light dress indicate a spring or summer activity?  I love the pearls, the bracelet, and the gloves.  Enlarge the photo, and take a look at the lovely pattern in the fabric and the overall detail of the dress.  The style of dress seems to indicate the photo was taken sometime in the mid to late 1910s.  Photographer information is not printed on the photo.

First Communion (Mystery Photo #1) - Mystery Monday

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)

Isn't this photo beautiful? I love the girls' faces, the flowers, the veils, and the dresses. I wish I knew who they were. My best guess is the girls and their families were members of Worcester's Polish community. I suspect, but I don't know for sure, that the photo was probably taken some time in the 1920s. The First Communion itself probably took place at St. Mary's Church (Our Lady of Czestochowa) in Worcester. Why did the girls have their photos taken together? Are they sisters? Twins? Cousins? There definitely seems to be a resemblance between the two girls.  If you recognize either of these lovely young ladies I'd love to hear from you.

Update 3/10/12 - I have learned that large sprays of flowers, such as the ones shown here, are more typical of the 1920s than of the decades previous.

Welcome!

My Grandparents, Adolf Szerejko and Antonina (Bulak) Szerejko, February 11, 1920

(Digital Image. Photograph Privately Held by Cynthia Shenette; Text Copyright (c) 2012 Cynthia Shenette)

Welcome to my new family history blog, Faces of Worcester Polonia!

In 1990 my grandmother, Antonina "Anna" (Bulak) Szerejko, died and left a treasure trove of photos of people connected to Worcester's early twentieth-century Polish immigrant community. While I have posted a number of photos of my family on my genealogy blog, Heritage Zen, I've come to realize that I have many "mystery photographs" of people I believe may be family, friends, and acquaintances of my grandparents and great-grandparents.  I plan to post my mystery photograph collection here.  The majority of my photos date between 1900 and 1930.  If you are related or recognize anyone in any of my photographs I'd love to hear from you!