Recollections: Jakubowski + Jemiolo
Included here is a lengthy letter, written in 1992, from Ron Jaye to his immediate family. This letter was unfinished and not sent, except it was sent to his sister Barbara who amicably declined to comment. It is, nonetheless, accurate in facts and honest in feeling. The letter, although originally continuous, has been separated here into its parts, for the purpose of distinguishing separate topics... one from another. Each part has been left in the original form (first person) and shown in italics and led with the notation "from Ron's letter" in a fusia color.
The letter has been lightly edited, in 2011, for omission of errors, errors of omission, corny jokes and risque content. Otherwise, here it is....
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from Ron's letter
From; Ron Jaye
To: Peter and Laura and all my Nephews and Nieces (CC.- Barb Almeter)
Date: February, 1992
Hi Everybody,
So many of you have asked me questions about my parents and their families, especially on my father's side. I think it's time to give you what I can on the subject of your Grandfather Jakubowski. if you're not in the mood to read this now, or in the near future, just put this away for posterity. I know that this will come to you unexpectedly and without the need for a reply. It's too bad that Laurie, Barb and I didn't do this a long time ago and now with Laurie gone and Barb and I quickly losing our memories (just kidding Barb), I guess that this attempt is better late than never. I will inquire to Barb, our aunt Sally, and my cousin John Jakubowski to gather as much recollection and fact as is now possible. Also the impressions that I will record here are mine alone and they would not, necessarily, be concurred with by Barb, or Laurie if she were here.
I've gotten "vibes" from some of you that it's OK to chat about what happened between Grandma Jaye and the grandfather you never knew. Maybe it's important to close some loops now, regarding that. That bit of private information is very much a part of Family History for all of you because it was only two generations removed and it does regard two of your natural grandparents.
It became more comfortable for me to refer to your Grandfather Jakubowski as "Bill" in this paper to you. Also, I beg your indulgence when I sometimes refer to Grandma Jaye as "Sophie"... this is with respect and with the fondest memory.
If you have any questions regarding facts, let me know and we'll try to get the answers because more research is planned. if you have any questions regarding my impressions, that's OK too. I'II try to be more clear on anything I can, if I 've done a bad job here.
Best regards to everybody.
Ron Jaye
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GENERAL HISTORY
AII of my grandparents (your great-grandparents) were born in "Poland". I refer to Poland with vagueness because of some family documents that often cite Austria and one that refers to Poland-Russia. Poland was once a great European Empire that was reduced to a near geographically-undefineable place, then to a Communist Bloc satellite with changing borders and municipal identitites.
I find that, in general, the Jakubowski/Jemiolo origins were in the southern part of what is now Poland.
Bill's father (Wojciech JaKubas) was born on Nov. 17, 1866, in the village of Rozwiata (notes also include Rozwiaty), to Andrrej JaKubas and Katarryna Piatek (your great-great grandparents). Bill's mother (Bronislawa Lzpenqiel) was born on March 20, 1871 on the Wola Mielecka estate, near the cities of Mielec and Tarnow, to Franciszak Lzpenqiel and Helena Rusek. Appaantly, Wojciech emigrated to the U.S. in June 1988. I would assume that he and Bronislawa (??...I always called her "Grandma") met in Buffalo, where they were married in St. Adalbert's church on July 19, 1892. 1 believe that St. Adalbert's is behind the Broadway Market and is the same church that Bill was buried from, 87 years later. A 1905 Census report shows Wojciech Jakubowski, his wife and, then, four children at 218 Gibson St. Buffalo, NY. Boleslaus Jakubowski, age I yr., was the youngest child. The upper flat on 218 Gibson St., a stone's throw from St. Adalbert's, is where they remained.
I believe that when the Poles moved to the US, they were asked by the very-ethnic, parish priests to attach a "ski" to the end of their surnames to identify themselves as Poles, when there might otherwise be doubt (“ska” for females). Wojciech JaKubas soon became Wojciech (George) JaKubaski, then Wojciech (George) Jakubowski.
Wojciech's brother Jan took the name Jakubowski when he immigrated to the US in April, 1902 and emigrated from his birthplace of Mielic, Galicia, Austria. Presumably the same place that Wojciech was born. Mielic, Galicia, Austria is cited as his place of birth on Jan's immigration papers wherein he renounces allegiance to Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary. To make things even more confusing, regarding geography, Jan's wife Emilia was born in Hojno, Poland Russia... according to their petition for naturalization. Incidently, George JaKubaski also renounced allegiance to the Emporer of Austria in his application for citizenship in June, 1894
Regarding your great-grandfather's name, you'l I see that in the marriage certificate and in his his signature to his citizenship application, a capital "K" seems to be used in the names JaKubas and JaKubaski. Finally, you should know that Woyciech was a Blacksmith and his brother Jan was a welder .
(On Jemiolo)
Laurie and Barb sat and picked the brains of our Aunts Sally and Lottie, regarding the Jemiolo(s). Laurie took notes that Barb recently read to me. That information is integrated herein.
The Jemiolo(s) came from Poland also. Jemiolo would be pronounced "yem-yo-lo", but I remember the pronunciation "yem-yo-ah". Your great-grandparants, on Grandma Jaye's side are Rose Kenar from Krakow and Andrew Jemiolo, also from somewhere in Poland. They also probably met after having immigrated to Buffalo. We never knew our Grandfather Andrew Jemiolo because, like my Grandfather Jakubowski, he died at a fairly young age. We're told he died of Tuberculosis, literally on Walden Ave., between Sobieski and Sweet Ave. at the age of 41. He must have had a strong work ethic to have died of TB, out of bed, and on the streets. I think I remember it said that Andrew was a Coal Miner in Poland. My Aunts remember him as a tall, dark, slim and heavily-bearded man. He had a sister named Stephanie Kamuda.
My Grandma Jemiolo (Rose) was a sweetheart of a gal. I don't remember her ever being young, though. I guess I mean middle aged. She always seemed old to me. I suppose it was her old-world ways ( also true of my grandma Branislawa “Brownie”). At any rate she was a stout woman that believed in hard work. I remember her disappointment when I graduated from Engineering School and went to work in an office. "Ronus...", she told me, "...a man should work hard with his hands in a factory!"
