Friday, September 23, 2016

Family of Johann Pionk and Marianna Uzdrowk

This post is the eighth in a series examining the nine early Pionke, Pionk, Pionek, and Piontke family groups in Chicago, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.


Johann Pionk or Pionke was born around 1805, presumably in or near Będargowo or Łebno. He married Marianna Uzdrowk around 1833, most likely in Strzepcz parish (St. Mary Magdalene). Unfortunately, as the relevant parish records are missing, I do not know Johann and Marianna's birth dates or places, their parents' names, nor their marriage date.

As a newlywed couple, Johann and Marianna Pionke resided in Łebno, where their first two children were born. Around 1837, they moved to Mały Donimierz, about 4 km away. Five more children were born to them in that village. Later baptism records indicate that Johann was a Käthner, someone who rented a small piece of land with a house and a garden.

This map shows the parishes Strzepcz, Szemud, and Kielno and the villages Będargowo, Łebno, and Mały Donimierz. Mały Donimierz belonged to Kielno parish (St. Wojciech) and later to Szemud parish (St. Nicholas).




Interestingly, Johann Pionk's family must have moved to Mały Donimierz around the same time my ancestor Paul Pionk moved there with his family. This coincidence, together with some overlap in their children's godparents, makes me wonder whether they were closely related. Perhaps they were brothers, uncle and nephew, or first cousins.

Johann Pionk and Marianna Uzdrowk had seven children in 16 years. The first two were baptized in Strzepcz parish; the rest in Kielno.

  • Anna Pionk was born on 7 January 1834 in Łebno.
  • Johann Pionk was born on 11 January 1835 in Łebno.
  • Josephine Pionk was born on 16 October 1837 and died on 10 December 1840 in Mały Donimierz.
  • Michael Pionk was born on 29 October 1840 in Mały Donimierz.
  • Barbara Pionk was born on 3 June 1843 in Mały Donimierz.
  • Franciska Pionk was born on 17 January 1846 in Mały Donimierz.
  • August Pionk was born on 1 January 1849 in Mały Donimierz.

Johann Pionk died on 10 October 1872 in Mały Donimierz at age 67. He was survived by his wife Marianna and four adult children. I have not found a death or remarriage record for Johann's widow Marianna. Nor do I know exactly which four children survived him.

Johann Pionk, 1872 death record, Szemud parish


It is certain, however, that Johann and Marianna's two youngest sons were among those four. Michael Pionke married Marianna Rybandt in Strzepcz parish in 1869. They had at least four children. August Pionke married Wilhelmine (Amelia) Klotzke in Strzepcz parish in 1875. August and Amelia had two daughters before emigrating to the U.S.

August Pionke and Amelia Klotzke in Chicago


In 1879, August and Amelia Pionke came to Chicago with their two daughters and some of Amelia's relatives. Seven more children were born in Chicago.

Unlike the rest of the Chicago Pionkes, this August Pionke settled on the South Side, in St. Adalbert parish. St. Adalbert's was Chicago's third Polish parish. The family moved to St. Mary of Perpetual Help parish—which was closer to their home—when it opened in 1887. In the early years, both parishes include a notable number of Kashubs as well as other Poles.

The below map shows the locations of St. Josaphat parish (where my Pionkes lived) and the parishes of St. Adalbert and St. Mary of Perpetual Help.



Also distinguishing this Pionke family from the rest is their choice of surname spelling. As with all Pionkes, one can find a large varieties of spellings in the records—from Piąk in church records to Piontki on August's death certificate to the standard Pionke on his headstone. However, this family mostly used the unique spelling Pionkey, which is what August and Amelia's descendants are called today.

A future post will cover the family of August Pionkey or Pionke in greater detail.



Pionke Friday: We will post more about the Pionkes next Friday. This is the eighth post in a series about the Pionke, Pionk, and Pionek families here in the U.S. and back in the home country. Next week: a guest article by Michael Pionke.

Related posts:



© TreeQuest: An Unexpected Journey 2016.



Reference:
  • Family History Library Films: 162398. Katholische Kirche Strepsch (Kr. Neustadt).
  • Family History Library Films: 742703, 529815. Kościół rzymsko-katolicki. Parafja Kielno (Wejherowo).
  • FamilySearch.com: Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925 [must login to view images]
  • GenBaza.com: AP Gdansk, Urzedy Stanu Ciwilnego, Strzepcz (2098/4); Parafie katolickie, Szemud (1442/1). [account and login required]
  • PTG Pomorskie Towarzystwo Genealogiczne (Pomeranian Genealogical Association) - birth, marriage, death indexes.


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2 comments:

  1. Dear Mary,

    Thank you very much again for this excellent survey! I would like to add a short comment regarding the potential descent of Johann Pionk.

    According to our earlier discussions, Johann Pionk probably was the son of the blacksmith Johann Pionk (born around 1773 in Strzepcz parish) and Marianna Mylrowa/Miller who married on 7 November 1802 in Przodkowo parish.

    The husband Johann Pionk of Marianna Uzdrowk was born around 1805. Thus, the birth date would fit very well to the marriage date 1802 of Johann Pionk and Marianna Mylrowa. Blacksmith Johann Pionk died on 18 December 1823 in Donimierz. Also that place would fit to the later place of residence of Johann Pionk and Marianna Uzdrowk.

    A further observation is that Johann and Marianna's son Johann (born on 11 January 1835 in Łebno) was a blacksmith, too. Therefore, it is possible that there were at least three generations of successive Johann Pionks, and potentially all of them blacksmiths.

    I know the definite proof is missing. But it is a nice theory.

    Regards,
    Michael Pionke

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mary,

    That is a very informative and interesting Pionke story. I love the detail that you put into these. And especially, thank you for the maps; they are particularly helpful in understanding the locations and the distances people are traveling.

    I find it fascinating how many versions of the name Pionke all the various families and their descendants have used. No wonder it is so hard to find them when researching! LOL This is a great resource you are providing. :)

    Michael, thank you for sharing the information about the blacksmith profession. Certainly, when you consider what a specialized trade that was and that sons usually followed in their father's footsteps, that is a very reasonable assumption.

    I appreciate both your efforts and am continually amazed at the results you provide!

    Teresa

    ReplyDelete



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