Andrew Jendrzejewski: Adam Bastek

The "scrap of paper" discussed on the previous page provided important clues to family in Poland. In addition to that, Albina and my father left behind photographs, some with inscriptions, that carried a wealth of clues for my family research. Many of the photographs center around Adam Bastek, a man mentioned on the scrap of paper that provides no clue about his relationship to Walenty or Albina Jendrzejewski (Maruszewska).

Adam and relations below visited the villages of Grodno and Skidel to have a Jewish photographer named L. Gelgor and various of his associates record family and friends in the form of picture postcards. Adam sent these postcards to my grandmother, Albina, as rememberances after she left Russia-Poland for the United States in 1912. It is still not precisely clear how these people were related to Albina or even to each other, because the inscriptions on the photographs were written with an elementary knowledge with the Polish language. The inscriptions provide clues. Adam's contact with Albina extended from before WWI to about 1965, when Albina died.

I continue to seek any information about the people on these pages, so if you have any information about them, please contact me at:

Andrew Jendrzejewski
ajend2@charter.net

1. Left to right: Zosia's future husband, Adam and Kryz(?)
Photographer: Moses Gelgor at the Grodno Studio, Skidel about 1912

"I send this photograph to my aunt and uncle and brother and sister as souvenir. I am the one who has hand on Krzys. Adam Bastek" --Translated by Maria Skibniewska

"I send this photograph to my aunt and uncle and brother and sister? I am the one who has hands across on my chest. Adam Bastek" --Translated by Jolanta Berkshire

Both these translations suggest that the inscription on this 1912 photograph by Adam addresses his aunt, uncle, brother and sister. I doubt if Adam was referring to HIS brother and sister, but rather to a pair of siblings belonging to his aunt and uncle. Because the photograph dates about 1912, Adam cannot be referring to Albina's first two children Walter (Wladislaw, b. 1915) and Wanda (b. 1920). Neither were born as early as 1912. Would he be addressing some relative other than Walenty and Albina, or was he sending an old phtograph long after it was made after 1920?

These two translations conflict in establishing which person is Adam Bastek. The patches of white are spots where glue held the photograph to an album. The letters came off with the glue. The question is whether Adam "is the one who lays his hand on Krzys (is this even a real nickname in Polish for Christopher?)", or "is the one whose hands [arms?] are crossed", or is "the one whose hands are not crossed (nei Krzys)". The answer lies in how one interpretes the last two lines of very weak writing before the signature at the bottom. If Adam is the one with his arms crossed, then this conflicts with the translations for the other photographs. The first and last translations both make Adam the person in the middle. This would agree with the conclusion about which person is Adam in the following Photograph 2.

2.
Left to right top: Friend, Karolka's husband
Left to right bottom: Zosia's Husband, Adam Bastek
Photographer: Katasik & P. Melamad at the Photog Atelier in Grodno at Johannstr 3 about 1920

Writing on left:

"Karolka's husband stands next to me, and a friend stands next to Zosia's husband."

Writing on right:

"I am sending our photograph. There is Zosia's husband and Karolka's. Zosia's husband is sitting down, while Karolka's husband is standing on the right hand side. I Adam am sitting and the fourth one is a friend. We are sending this as a momento."
--Translated by Marek Leniewski-Laas

"Karolki's husband is standing next to me and my friend is standing next to Zosia's husband. I send our photograph. Zosia's husband is sitting and Karolki's husband is standing on the right side. I Adam am sitting and the fourth one is a friend. We send this as a souvenir."--Translated by Jolanta Berkshire

Adam struggled with writing. The arrangement noted in the caption above is established by several translations. These were the clearest possiblities.

3.
Adam Bastek and Felicja with Twins (names unknown) and Janina Tulska(?), 1930s?
Photographer L. Gelgor, Plac Batorego No. 4
Logo: Leonar 8036, No inscription

Adam Bastek is graying slightly here. His hairline has receded and his expression appears more firm and confident than pictured in his older photographs. I assume the name of the woman, presumably his wife, is Felicja.
The young girl in the background appears to be the same person named Janina Tulska found in an earlier picture of her first communion sent to Albina, who is addressed as sister (written by Janina's Mother, who was Albina's sister?). Was she in Bialystok to help Felicja with the two babies who appear to be twins?

Could Felicja be Janina's aunt, making Felicja Bastek the sister-in-law of Emilja Tulska z domu Maruszewski? This would connect the Bastek and Tulski families.

4.
Comparing images of Adam Bastek over time

Adam Bastek is shown from his late teens about 1912 to perhaps around forty years old during the 1930's. His right eyebrow consistently appears more raised with a sense of energy, but his left is consistently lowered as if burdened under responsibility. His demeanor is always serious and reserved, but he seems to always care about the taking of these photographs, compared to the other people protrayed in each photograph. As perhaps the oldest son, one can imagine that his countenance communicated his felt responsibility for keeping the family together, perhaps a huge challenge during the "Great War"

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