Moja prababcia. Moje dziedzictwo. - My great-grandmother. My heritage.

Heritage isn’t just a stoic thing or aspect of life. It lives, breathes, and reaches throughout the centuries. In a sense, I'm like most Americans with more than one nationality in my family tree. Yet my confirmed lineage paints me as predominately Polish, Scottish and Irish. These lands are culture rich and have histories that are often misunderstood, at least on the western side of the great Atlantic pond. My insatiable thirst for knowledge and the ancient call in my blood led me to focus my college studies on European history, map my heritage in my poetry, trace back my family tree, and embody traditions...cooking, holidays, and language. 

My Great-Grandma Nauka is my most tangible connection to the old world. She is the only immigrant ancestor to American shores that I've been graced to dwell in the realm of the living with, even though it was only for a few years. I am blessed to hold her in treasured memory.

Below is a snapshot of her, a brief biography.

Mary Krawczyk migrated to the United States around 1913. Not long after her arrival she met and married another Polish immigrant, Louis Nauka (or was his name Lundgre or Ludwig?). They started their family in Detroit then moved north to the rural Thumb of Michigan. Shortly after the family’s move, Louis was found dead one morning. His death turned out to be as enigmatic as his own identity. Mary was left to raise their five sons on her own, which in turn forced John, the eldest, to assume adult responsibilities. The youngest sons, including my grandfather named after Louis, grew up not knowing their father. Mary never relinquished her native Polish as she added some English to spoken communication. She was a strong farmer and loving though stern grandmother to the children her sons produced. Mary took pride in being blessed to know her first two great-grandchildren before passing away. The firstborn is me, and I feel the pulse of the heritage that she’s bestowed within me.

From left to right: Great Uncle John Nauka, Great Grandma Mary Nauka, Great Aunt Eleanor Nauka, Great Uncle Eugene Nauka, Grandpa Louis Nauka, and Grandma Ivy Nauka.