September 10

In May 1892, in Poland, Józefa gave birth to twin daughters. One died that same day.

Four days later, Józefa died. She was 36 years old.

Six weeks later, the surviving twin, Ewa, died too.

Years before, when Józefa’s son Anthony was born, his uncle by marriage, Jan Ziółkowski, appeared in the record as a witness.

When Józefa died, Jan’s name appeared again on the record of her death.

And six weeks later, when baby Ewa died, Jan was there again.

Anthony grew up and eventually left Poland for America.

Years later, he had a daughter named Genevieve, born in Salem, Massachusetts.

On September 10, 1924, Genevieve died of acute encephalitis. She was five years old.

Anthony had been only five when he lost his mother and infant twin sisters. Now he had lost his own five-year-old daughter, Genevieve.

Exactly 22 years later, on September 10, 1946, Genevieve’s older sister Mary gave birth to a son.

Jan’s granddaughter Sophie — known as Zosia — became one of Mary’s close friends.

Today, September 10, 2026, marks 102 years since Genevieve died — and the 80th birthday of the baby born on that same date 22 years later.

Happy birthday, Uncle Charlie.

Category: Musings