Looking through what little we have of my great-grandfather's papers, I noticed some strange things.
First document is his Certificate of Naturalization. It's dated Nov. 28, 1922 and indicates that he previously was a subject of Austria Hungary. That makes sense, because, from other documents, it appears he is from Besko, Poland. When my great-grandfather (Paul) was born, Besko would have been in the Galicia region of A-H.
What's confusing to me is the other main document we have, which is his "testimonium ortus & baptismi," or record of baptism. It has "Republica: Polonia" at the top, which, I assume, means Poland. I know that after WWI, western Galicia became part of the restored Republic of Poland. But the Cert. of Nat. has Paul's age in 1922 as 27. Which means that, if he was baptized as a baby, as most Catholics are, he would have been baptized pre-1900 and when Besko still was part of A-H. Also, the baptism record is dated Aprilis 30, 1928.
I guess my main question(s) are why would he have a Polish certificate of baptism issued nearly 6 years after his U.S. naturalization? Would he have needed it to get married in a Catholic church in the U.S.? His oldest son was born in 1929, so the timing would be right for that.
Thanks in advance,
Seán
First document is his Certificate of Naturalization. It's dated Nov. 28, 1922 and indicates that he previously was a subject of Austria Hungary. That makes sense, because, from other documents, it appears he is from Besko, Poland. When my great-grandfather (Paul) was born, Besko would have been in the Galicia region of A-H.
What's confusing to me is the other main document we have, which is his "testimonium ortus & baptismi," or record of baptism. It has "Republica: Polonia" at the top, which, I assume, means Poland. I know that after WWI, western Galicia became part of the restored Republic of Poland. But the Cert. of Nat. has Paul's age in 1922 as 27. Which means that, if he was baptized as a baby, as most Catholics are, he would have been baptized pre-1900 and when Besko still was part of A-H. Also, the baptism record is dated Aprilis 30, 1928.
I guess my main question(s) are why would he have a Polish certificate of baptism issued nearly 6 years after his U.S. naturalization? Would he have needed it to get married in a Catholic church in the U.S.? His oldest son was born in 1929, so the timing would be right for that.
Thanks in advance,
Seán
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