The Ukrainian Connection

It's quite a coincidence that this week my notebook said write about Louis Polachek.

Louis was my great-grandfather and his homeland, now known as Ukraine, is in the middle of all out chaos right now.

I want to start by saying I've always felt drawn towards him as if he was a kindred spirit. Growing up, my mother would tell me they were having parades for me in Russia on my birthday. In reality, they were having parades for May Day - not my birthday! Two years ago I found some documents on Louis that left me shell shocked. We share a birthday, May Day babies. That might explain a few things!

Louis Polachek (C) flanked by sons Frank & Steve Polachek.

He was born Luka G Pawleczko in Staryi Sambir, Ukraine on May 1 ca. 1872 to Alec Polachek & Stella Storlecka. He was born Byzantine Catholic and his parents allegedly died at an early age. His marriage to my great-grandmother Yulia was arranged. At the time the region was known as Austria-Hungary aka Galicia.

Staryi Sambir is about 1 hour west, via car, from the Polish border. A good general history can be found here. 

Staryi Sambir's distance to the capital Kyiv.

Louis never attended school and could not read, nor write his native language.

He reportedly served mandatory military service for the Russian Empire. I do know that once he made his way to the U.S. he worked with an open hearth at U.S. Steel's Cleveland plant. A friend helped Louis secure a job as a palace guard and with the help of a Polish prince, he was able to save money to leave for the United States. He reportedly came first then sent for Yulia. They traveled from their village to Bremen, Germany and entered the Port of NYC.

This would classify them as first wave Ukrainian immigrants. According to Case Western Reserve's online database, those that came during this period, came for opportunity. They had seen jobs advertised with great salaries. Some came as strike breakers. Overall, most came to earn money and intended to return home. They never did. Louis & Yulia settled in Newburg Heights in Cleveland due to the large "Old Country" community.

Of his journey to America, not much is known. A cousin of my mother's may have some documents in her garage. His Smith Act Registration says he came in 1902 on the SS Moltke.

Smith Act Page 1

Smith Act Page 2

I do believe that he had sisters and that is something I am still working on. His grave has the original spelling of the family name along with an Eastern Orthodox Crucifix.