Lenina Wielka, Starysambir, Dzius surname

[josephfl]

After determining greatgrandfather Nicholas Dzius's correct surname spelling, and solving puzzle of contradictory origins (not StarySambor? but someplace...."I cant read the handwriting", Poland?), I am now convinced that Didi is indeed from the Starysambor metro area: nearby Lenina Wielka, now called Velikaya Lenina? Does anyone know if there was a greek catholic church in Lenina Wielka or would the closest greek catholic church be in Starysambor? Does anyone know anything about Lenina Wielka? (and of course, what administrative location might I search for records...?)

[Hannia]

Ukraine and Ukrainian Easter at BRAMA
http://www.brama.com/art/easter.html
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From late 18th century to 1919 wies/village Lenina Wieki (Polish name) was predominantly a
Ruthenian/Boyko/Ukrainian village w/its own GC Church (Descent of the Holy Spirit). Stary Sambor was both the administrative and the judicial tax district> Lwowskie Woijiwodstwo/Region> Galicia/HALYCHYNA Province, administered by ethnic Poles for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 1919-1939 this region belonged to Reconstituted Poland.

If you would like, I can look at the Polish address for you???
Click on to mail icon bottom of this window.

The filial RC Church was in Starij Sambir.

Historical Shematism of the Eparchy of Peremyshl..... http://www.lemko.org/religion/shematism/index.html

LDS does have some old GC metrykal records for the village. Not sure if village is still in queue for filming. Check w/Mark Dusyk. He stays on top of record availability.
mgdusyk@telus.net
Linyna Welyka - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --3015

FamilySearch.org - Family History Centers
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Libr...ameset_fhc.asp
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State Archive of Lviv Oblast
[Derzhavnyi arkhiv Lvivskoi oblasti]
13 Pidvalna st.,
79008 Lviv
Tel: (0322) 72-00-30, 72-07-14
Fax: (0322) 72-78-70
e-mail: dalo@mail.lviv.ua
Working hours: Monday-Wednesday-Thursday, 12:00-20:00, Tuesday-Friday: 9:00-18:00

With the prices of archives research going up, consider using a local to help w/archives research. Unbreakable (Viktor), a member here, is a Lviv resident and knows his way around The Oblast Archives. Get in touch w/him. His rates are very fair. viktorko@ukr.net Additionally, he can help w/translations and make a trip to your ancestral village for a personal inquiry re any surviving family still residing in the village.
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selo/village Velyka Linyna
Starosambirskij raion/district
Lvivska Oblast/Region
Ukraine (abbr UA), latest zip code 82075

[josephfl]

Thanks for your information Hannia,

This past september, I visited L'viv for several days, and made a day trip to Velikaya Lenina with a Ukrainian driver and translator. His english was perfectly spoken, though I found out later that while he understood words, he rarely understood the concepts I was trying to convey. Despite this, he was very helpful in getting us to my greatgrandfather's village. I was amazed to see how primitive the town was in so many ways. The townspeople all used sickles to cut the hay crops. They dug potatos by hand. People travelled in primitive wooden wagons pulled by horses and the occasional mule--in fact I did not see a single automobile in the village.

The village was set amongst the lower foothills of the Carpathians. The houses were mostly situated along a small stream stream, with the green pastures and fields in the low hills above the village. Everyone had a garden, and at least a few apple trees, and most had raked the fall crop residue into hay stacks to feed livestock in the winter.

We stopped by the Greek Catholic church, which the parish priest explained through the translator had become a Ukrainian Catholic church several years ago. Unfortunately, it was built in 1907, the year in which my greatgrandfather left for America. Presumably, if Nicholas Dzius attended church, he would have travelled to nearby Starysambir. The priest was still quite excited to see us. He was in his street clothes when we arrived, but quickly retreated to a room behind the iconostasis to put on his vestments and his fancy hat. He then proceeded to pray, and pray, and pray some more. He splashed water on us, lit candles, had us eat stale bread (and gave us some more stale bread to save and take home), drink wine, gave us lucky coins, annointed us with oil, and recorded our names and the names of our parents in a parish registry. (i have this feeling that we were baptized and are now members of his parish). He even blessed our car (several times). Next he took us for a long walk through the village, stopping to talk with everyone we met including lots of well dressed school children who he apparently told that we "were visiting american priests". (it was a joke he was playing on the kids, and I think it scared them a little). Needless to say, everyone was very nice and greeted us with a word that we could not quite understand, but phonetically sounded like "slouch".

Unfortunately we were only able to stay a few hours, as I had contracted dysentary and was feeling rather bad by the end of our visit. (note to self: never ever leave town again without a week's supply of cipro).

Drinking the tap water in L'viv was probably my biggest mistake, but I also should have obtained a better guide. next time I will contact one of the guides through this site to help me out in Velikaya Lenina. I was only able to find out that my family surname Dzius was familiar, but my guide was unable to understand that I wanted to talk to some villagers about this surname. Live and learn.... I plan to take another trip there anyway.

On the way back to L'viv, I looked up Kim's family in Starysambir and dropped off something for them from Kim. They were very nice people, and I took a few photos for kim, but I think they were confused by my presence there. Again, I will get a better translator next time.

I hope to pursue some of your suggestions as the new year approaches and I should have a little more time for my genealogy research.

I was confused by many things I encountered in Ukraine, so I will post a few in the coming days and see if you or others might have some opinions.

joe

[Hannia]

Joe,

You have visited the heart of Ukraine, a backwater village, where time has stood still.

It is a bit of a culture shock. Although once you make the adjustment, there is something very soothing about being there. Too bad that you were not able to connect to any family. That would have elevated your visit to a more joyful experience.

I understand that the Ukrainian govt had declared 2006 to be the Year of the Village. Ho-hum. There were ALMS allotted in the annual budget, and most villagers are still concentrating on feeding themselves and not moving into agricultural commerce.

Next time you will have to be better prepared. You might even consider staying w/a Ukrainian family in Lviv???

I would start w/an inquiry letter to the Village Administrator re any surviving family. Although many have migrated to the larger towns and villages, someone in the village will know where they've gone.

PS> Ukrainian beer is an exc substitute for water. I attached a URL for you. Thought you may be interested in reading a current magazine re Ukraine. E-version is $12USD.

The Ukrainian Observer
The Ukrainian Observer

[josephfl]

Ukrainian beer and vodka were both enjoyed by me and my companions during the trip. next time, no water...

I liked what I saw on the observer, so I subscribed. looking forward to the next issue already.

thanks,

joe