a success story in Banyliv

[cmmel]

In July I went to Ukraine with the hopes of seeing the town where my grandparents had come from. Friends of fieinds arranged for me to meet their freinds in Lviv. Although I came prepared with some phone numbers (thank you Sylvie) they assured me that we should just show up in Banyliv and start asking about the Ostashek and Andruik families. From tLviv they drove me to Banyliv, Vyzhnytskiy raion, Chernivtska oblast and sure enough the first man we spoke to directed us across the street to the town admininistrative offices. Once inside we were ushered into an office where it was explained to a very nice man who I was looking for. To make a long story short this man turned out to be a distant cousin and the mayor of the town! His grandfather and my grand father were brothers! It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life - to finally know and see where my ancestors were from.

[Jiggy]

What a wonderful story! One day I will make it to Ukraine and do the same! Thanks for sharing!

Sandra

[sylvie]

cmmel,

Good for you!!

Yes, it is amazing how easy it is to find living family by just visiting the village. I know the feeling, it also happened to me, in 1996!!