Thomas Golinski
1851-1894
The following biography is based upon numerous documents collected thru years of genealogical research. This biography is written with notations to the specific documents on which the statement can be assumed as factual. New documents may add to or alter this biography as known research is interpreted at this time.
Thomas Golinski was born in Seracku, Prussia about 1851(1)(13)(17). This is a small village that presently exists 10 miles NNE of Warsaw, Poland. His parents were Thomas Golinski and Kataryn Walinski(17). Research indicates that family ties may exist to other Golinski families in Chicago.
Thomas married Dorothea Papelbaum, born in Lalkowo, around 1873 in Poland. They had one son, Stanley, born in Poland in December of 1875(1). At the age of 25, Thomas immigrated to the US with his family. They boarded the SS Nurnberg in Bremem, Germany and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on May 8, 1876(1). From there Thomas and his family settled in Chicago, Illinois. Thomas lived in Chicago for the rest of his life.
Thomas and Dorothea had a second son, Peter, born on June 27, 1880(4). A third son, Thomas, was born on October 8, 1882(5). A fourth son, Joseph, was born April 8, 1885(6). Thomas and Dorothea had their fifth and last son, Frank, born on October 23, 1887(7).
Thomas must have appreciated the opportunities offered in the US, even with known documentation of himself being of little or no formal education and only working jobs in the category of laborer. On March 26, 1886 Thomas applied to the Cook County Court with his Intent for Naturalization(2). On September 25, 1888 this same court granted Thomas US citizenship and he took his Oath of Allegiance(8). Both of these documents were signed with his own signature of an X. On October 9, 1888 Thomas filed for voter registration to take part in the electoral process of his new country(3). This registration also shows his first known address in Chicago being at 25 Chapin Street.
Thomas and his family moved in 1889 to 568 Dickson(9). Thomas and Dorothea had their first daughter, Stanislavum, born on April 21, 1890(10). There were serious complications during this delivery. Stanislavum died in a couple days. Dorothea also died on April 28, 1890 being only 33 years of age(11).
This event must have created a major upheaval in Thomas’ life, for his life plans changed drastically. Within three months, Thomas met and married Agnes Kruczkowski at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church on July 14, 1890(12). Agnes only recently immigrated from Prussia-Poland eight months earlier and immediately moved to Chicago with her three daughters. This new family and second marriage for Thomas also gave them a new residence at 1026 Dudley.
Thomas had two daughters with Agnes. The first was Antoinette born on June 7, 1891(16). Thomas had a second daughter, Emilia, born in June of 1894(15). Thomas died on August 23, 1894 from a sudden and short enteritis illness. Funeral services were held at St. Hedwig Church. Thomas was buried at St. Hedwig Cemetery, which is section of St. Adalbert Cemetery, on August 25, 1891(13)(14).
Thomas Golinski was my great-grandfather
References used in the above biography are as follows:
