I wonder if any of VT's members can help me? I'm flying in to Bydgoszcz on 31/10/05 for 3 days to track down my relatives, located in the Janowiec Wielkopolski area. I (sadly) only speak English, and they only Polish. I'm hoping someone will be able to assist me, as the only translation services I can find are web-based, which won't help me much! If anyone can point me in the right direction, or wish to earn some US$ or €, I'd be only too happy to assist! As I've only 3 weeks or so to sord things out, any pointers would be appreciated.

find a student and give em some zlotys,most young people or professional types speak english

Could you perhaps get the address to a highschool/university nearby and write/mail to them in advance asking if there is a student who wants to earn money....
Just a suggestion.. Maybe another VT-member can suggest a school where you could ask..
Birjak

this is actually a very good idea :)
here uve got a link to some gimnasium in the town
http://www.um-janowiecwlkp.pl/gimnazjum/index.html
write them an email,mayby they will help im sure there sould be at least one english teacher and for 40-50 pounds i think he'll love to help you;)

zsrjanowiec@wp.pl this is email to some high school also in janowiec,check'em out too

Thanks for the suggestion... however I ploughted through the entire website in search of any valid email address.... and there wasn't any! I think you're on the right track though, and I'll keep an eye out for similar establishment(s) that might have talented individuals that could assist.....

To that website I found an emailaddress: gimjan@szkola.wp.pl on the first site to the left.

Birjak

There was something wrong with that website so I almost didn't find the emailaddress either, maybe that's why you ´couldn't see it, I can't see for example what is written under that emailaddress...

Birjak

Many thanks for that - I've sent off an email so hopefully we'll see ehat happens after the weekend. I'll keep the group posted with any developments. Finally, are there any online maps of this area? Google is a bit of a let down, and the smalles of villages (like Juncewo) are omitted.

Many thanks for that - I've sent off an email so hopefully we'll see ehat happens after the weekend. I'll keep the group posted with any developments. Finally, are there any online maps of this area? Google is a bit of a let down, and the smallest of villages (like Juncewo) are omitted.

This is the online map I usually use, and it found Juncewo.

http://mapa.szukacz.pl/

Oddal-Zoom Out
Zbliz-Zoom In
Srodkuj-Center

Excellent!

Very many thanks for this!

Hi Andrzej,

My family are based in the village of Juncewo (a few Km north of Janowiec Wielkopolski), however it is quite a distance to travel even if they could be available! But many thanks for volunteering them! I have resolved to step up my Polish Language tuition so that I'll be in a better position when I return in 2006 - always hoping my family can understand me with sign language and a phrase book! I like Gdyna/Gdansk - I went there with my father and had a great time. Even his wartime ship was moored there as a mauseum in the docks. Happy days!

I hope you realise that 1 November is All Saints' Day in Poland when people visit their family graves. Go to the local cemetery, wherever your relatives were supposed to live and ask at the office about the graves.They might also be able to provide you with some records. Write the names of your relatives on a sheet of paper, in a small place people know each other so they may direct you to the right place. I will also ask my friend, who teaches at the university in Bydgoszcz if she has any students living in the area who might like to earn some money. But I have only read your posting today, so please show some patience. Good luck,
Ewa

Hi Ewa,
I had forgotten about All Saints Day being a public holiday - here in Scotland it is noted, but not observed country-wide. The dates were dictated by the airline, as this will be the first flight from Ryanair from England to Bydgoszcz, opening their new route to the town. Still, if I do manage to find my relatives, at least they might be at home (or as you note, at the cemetery).

Thanks also for your private mail, this has been replied to. With just 2 weeks to go things are getting tight - but I'm hopeful it will all work out for the best.

I'm curious, how'd you go?

Khrystene

Hi,
I see that Raymond doesn't log on very often so I'd better tell you what I heard from him. His cousin did reply to his e-mails in the end. He had had no internet connection for some time. After the visit Raymond seemed to be pleased and just said it couldn't be better. Perhaps he will tell you more himself later.
Ewa

Thanks :)