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Lipczynski family papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 179

Scope and Contents

The collection provides the history of an immigrant family and how they made a difference in their new homeland. The collection contains family photos, an ad for the family's pottery business and a family history written by Eduard Adam Skendzel.

Dates

  • circa 1880-1992

Creator

Biographical / Historical

John and Valeria Lipczynski immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1869. Theirs was the first Polish family to settle east of the Grand River. John and his partner, Samuel Davis owned their own pottery works. Valeria was a correspondent for many Polish newspapers and was called "Queen of Poles" and "An Angel of Mercy" for the help she provided other immigrants in finding homes and jobs in the United States.

Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (One box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Lipczynski family immigrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan from Poland in the 19th century. They were the first Polish family to settle east of the Grand River. John Lipczynski was part owner of a pottery works and Valeria Lipczynski was a correspondent for Polish newspapers and was active in helping other immigrants find homes and jobs. In 2011, Valeria was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

This is a small collection including family photographs, an ad for the family pottery business and a history detailing the life of the family. The collection represents materials collected or written by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Polian researcher, and focuses mainly on Valeria's efforts to help other Polish immigrants in the Grand Rapids area.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Eduard Adam Skendzel, 1986, accession number 1986.488

Related Materials

Collection 299, the Eduard Adam Skendzel Polonian Historical Collection. Skendzel, who also donated the materials in this Collection 179, included information on the Lipcynski and many other Polish families in Collection 299.

Coll. 185-3-6. GRPL Michigan Room Copy Photos Collection.

Polish settlers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Edward Symanski, M 301.453438 Sy61p. Also see an article of the same title on polishroots.com

Mme. Valeria Lipczynska, Queen of the Poles -- Angel of Mercy, Polish Eaglet, Vol. 2, Sept. 1982 on Kent County GenWeb (http://kent.migenweb.net/biographies/local/lipczynska.html)

Title
Finding aid for the Lipcynzki family papers
Status
Completed
Author
Lisa M. Beyer
Date
July 1995
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497