Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis

The 1954 Lionel Golden West Special Train Set: "Let the Story Continue"

The 1954 Lionel Golden West Special Train Set: "Let the Story Continue"

A 1954 Lionel “Golden West Special” train set, rediscovered in my parents’ basement, led to an old family story, a genealogy connection, and a new home more than seventy years later.

Funeral Prayer Card for Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 13)

Funeral Prayer Card for Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 13)

This is the funeral prayer card for my great grandmother, Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941). I don’t have it in my possession, but the image was shared with me by a cousin several years ago.

A Grandmother's Rose Petal Rosary - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 4)

A Grandmother's Rose Petal Rosary - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 4)

This rosary was made from the dried rose petals that adorned the casket of my maternal grandmother, Claire Pawlowski Halvangis (1916-1980). It was subsequently used by my older brother when he made his First Holy Communion.

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

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Home From War, A Soldier Visits His In-laws (1944)

This is an interesting grouping of men in my family tree. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) stands with his father in-law, two brothers in-law, and two nephews some time between 1943 and 1945. Photo was colorized by Okkama Colorizations at The Psychogenealogist (2019).

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#115) - The Oak Hotel of Presque Isle, Maine

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week (#115) - The Oak Hotel of Presque Isle, Maine

The Oak Hotel in Presque Isle, Maine was probably the temporary home of my grandparents in the early 1940s. My grandfather, James William Halvangis (1920-1973) was stationed their briefly during WWII.

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Pneumonia in Detroit: The Death of 20 Day Old Anna Pawlowski (1918)

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Pneumonia in Detroit: The Death of 20 Day Old Anna Pawlowski (1918)

Documenting the lives of children who died is an important role of a family historian. My great aunt Anna Pawlowski (1918-1918) tragically lost her life to pneumonia after only 20 days. This is her story.

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Baptisms and Moon Landings

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Baptisms and Moon Landings

The baptism of my grandparent’s first grandchild happened on the same day humans stepped on the moon for the first time. Here is that story.

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

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"Dziadzio" - My Polish Great Grandpa: Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959)

My great grandfather, Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959) was known as “Dziadzio” by my mother and her generation. He was a quiet man, perhaps because he spoke little English. His hands seemed permanently yellowed from cigarettes and he had false teeth that he kept in a glass next to his bed. This is his story.

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

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James William Halvangis (1920-1973): "Meeting" My Grandfather Through Photographs

James William Halvangis (1920-1973), my maternal grandfather, was the only one of my four grandparents who died before I was born. I’ve enjoyed “meeting” him through photographs. I hope you will too.

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Helen Borowski Nizol (1900-1935): Mother Dies, Leaves Young Children, Just as Her Own Mother Did

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Helen Borowski Nizol (1900-1935): Mother Dies, Leaves Young Children, Just as Her Own Mother Did

Helen Borowski Nizol left 4 young sons when she died at age 34. Her own mother died when she was only 10. This is her story.

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When Friends Become Family: The Elissavitis Siblings of Kokkari

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When Friends Become Family: The Elissavitis Siblings of Kokkari

The deep friendship between the Elissavitis and Halvangis families that began in Kokkari in Samos, Greece spanned two countries and many decades. Here is the story of how from friends they became family.

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Three Year Old Franciszka Pawlowska (1913-1915) Dies of Diphtheria in Detroit

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Three Year Old Franciszka Pawlowska (1913-1915) Dies of Diphtheria in Detroit

Franciszka Pawlowska (1913-1915) was the 5th of 10 children by my great grandparents, Adam Pawlowski (1879-1959) and Marianna Grzeskowiak Pawlowski (1879-1941). She died of diphtheria in 1915. This is his story. 

The Voice of the Detroit River, Frank Zuzek (1904-1981)

The Voice of the Detroit River, Frank Zuzek (1904-1981)

Frank Zuzek (1904-1981), Voice of the Detroit River - "Listeners always sat spellbound when Frank Zuzek recounted the tales of the Great Lakes freighters on the Detroit River. No one was better qualified to tell the stories."

 

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The Stabbing of Albert Grzeskowiak (updated)

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The Stabbing of Albert Grzeskowiak (updated)

The story of how my 2nd Great Grandfather, Albert Grzeskowiak, was stabbed with a chisel in the streets of Detroit in 1910. 

My Grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, and The Election of 1916

My Grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, and The Election of 1916

On August 15 of 1916, my grandmother, Claire (Pawlowski) Halvangis, was born in Detroit, MI. Her parents, Adam Pawlowski and Mary Grzeskowiak, were Polish immigrants and came to the United States somewhere in between 1880 and 1900. This was the very first blog post at The Psychogenealogist!