Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/74535
H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H Family Histories By: Joe Towalski Genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, and I've been trying to learn more in recent years about the roots and branches of my own family tree to complement the stories my parents and grandparents told me as a child. The recent release of 1940 U.S. Census data was an opportunity to fill in some gaps and learn a few details I've been thinking a lot about as the July 4 holiday approaches. I located the data about one set of my maternal great- grandparents living on the North Side of Chicago. Stanley and Sophie emigrated from Poland with only a third-grade education to start a new life in 8 H hold Fourth of July lesson H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H the United States. Stanley worked as a welder and Sophie as a "janitress." The jobs paid enough for them to buy a house and pay the bills as they raised three daughters. I found information about a set of my paternal great- grandparents living not far away. Also emigrants from Poland, Stanley (it's a popular Polish name) worked as a laborer in a foundry, while his wife Pearl worked as a "machine operator." Their formal education ended with the second grade, but their hard work allowed them to own their own home as well. H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H National Catholic Forester H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H