Phillip and Judy Desenis, College Years.

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Photograph provided by Jen Johnson.

Photograph provided by Jen Johnson.

Subjects: Top: Phillip A. Desenis and Judy Landa Desenis.
School: For Phillip, Elmhurst College
School Location: Elmhurst, Illinois
Year: 1948.
School: For Judy, University of Illinois
School Location: Urbana, Illinois.
Year: 1956.
Occasion: College Yearbook.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Second Cousins.

These photographs were given to me, by my fellow family history buff, Jen Johnson. We both have been trying to hunt more information on the Allen side of the family. Since Allen is a common name, this has been a difficult task. Phillip and Judy are currently still living, and are the children of the late Neil G. Desenis and Florence E. Allen Desenis.

I have many fond childhood memories of my first cousin Florence, and on occasion met my second cousin Judy, whom at the time lived on the East Coast. I also have been introduced to Phillip, who lives in Illinois and is a retired Minister.

I welcome any additional comments or information from family and friends about these photographs.

Rose Pruseks Tusek Forrai Bockay, 1940's

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Subjects: Rose Pruseks Tusek Forrai Bockay.
Date: 1940's.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: S.Z. Grand Studio, 409 West Mitchell Street, Milwaukee, WI
Relationship to me: Paternal Grandmother

In the next few weeks, I will be sharing photographs of my paternal grandmother that were provided to me by my cousin Maria Sworske, that were from her mother Dawn and grandmother Margaret's collection.

This photograph was taken in the late 1940's. It is one of the few photographs that I have of my grandmother during this era.

I welcome any additional comments or information from family and friends about this photograph.

Mystery photograph?

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Subject: Street in China.
Date: Circa 1940's, WWII.
Location: China.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal uncle.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph in an envelope. It is a small photograph approximately 1 x 2 inches. It is interesting to find photographs like this and not really know much about it. Both my paternal Uncle Al and maternal Uncle George were stationed in China during WWII. This photograph was found in an envelope with my Uncle Al's name on it. How my parents ever got it, I will never know. My father did receive letters from his brother-in-law during the war, and this photograph might have been included in one of them.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Caroline Alma Traulsen

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Subject: Caroline Alma Traulsen.

Date: Circa 1948.
Location: Madison, Wisconsin.
Occasion: University Graduation.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship: Maternal 1st cousin 1x removed.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph. I believe it is either Cousin Caroline's 21st birthday photograph(popular with my family) or her college graduation. I have asked Caroline to comment and it is posted below.

This is her reply: Hello Louis, This photo was taken in 1948, a year before I was graduated from The University of Wis. in Madison. I am fairly sure that it was used for the University yearbook. I still wear my hair in the same style! I remember that I gave a photo to your mother!

 

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Paul and Ann

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Subject: Paul August Bockay and Ann L. Schoblocher.
Date: 1940's.
Location: Grant Park, shores of Lake Michigan, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship: Paternal uncle and aunt.

This photograph was provided by my Cousin Gail, daughter of Paul and Ann. The information above was provided by her. I really appreciate receiving photographs of my family from this era.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

Wedding of Paul and Ann

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Subject: Paul August Bockay and Ann L. Schoblocher.
Date: February 16, 1946.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Joseph Forrai.
Relationship: Paternal uncle and aunt.

While going through boxes, I found this photograph in an envelope. It is a small photograph approximately 1 x 2 inches.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about this photograph.

Margaret and Dawn Paskowicz

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Subject: Margaret and Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Greendale, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal aunt and cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it. They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are of Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948? I believe these photographs are in front or near their home in Greendale, WI.

I sent the photographs to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

A day at the Rose Garden, part 2

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Al and Dawn Paskowicz

Joseph Forrai(back side) and Al Paskowicz(far right)

Subject: Top: Al and Dawn Paskowicz. Bottom: Joseph Forrai and Al Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Margaret Paskowicz.
Relationship: Father, paternal uncle and cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it. They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are of Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948?

I sent them to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.   For more information on Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park, click link below:     Boerner Botanical Gardens

A day in the Rose Garden

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Subject: Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Al Paskowicz.
Relationship: Paternal cousin.

While going through boxes, I found these photographs in an envelope with Al Paskowicz’s name on it.  They are small photographs approximately 1 x 2 inches. I am thinking they are of Al, Margaret and Dawn about 1947 or 1948?

I sent them to my Cousin Dawn and her response is below:

Those pictures for sure were from the Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park. I was there just a few years ago with my mother. Even though I haven’t seen the picture of the man with his back facing us, I’m pretty sure it’s your dad. Since I look about four years old in those pictures, I’d guess them to be from 1947. I’ll check my photo album where I saw some of the same ones.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

For information on Boerner Botanical Gardens and Whitnall Park click the link below:

Boerner Botanical Gardens

A lesson in photography, circa late 1940's

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Dawn Paskowicz



Ann Bockay

Subject: Dawn Paskowicz and Ann Bockay.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Joseph Forrai.
Relationship: Aunt and Cousin from paternal side.

My father Joseph hand wrote the captions on the photographs. Per my cousin Dawn via email the young photographer was her, Dawn Paskowicz. The photographs were taken at Mary Nowakowski's house. Dawn remembers the chair.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

Dawn Paskowicz, circa late 1940's

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Subject: Dawn Paskowicz.
Date: late 1940's.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Joseph Forrai.
Relationship: Cousin from paternal side.

The above two pictures I found in a box. They are of my Cousin Dawn from the late 1940's.

I welcome comments from friends and family members who can provide information about the photographs.

Alma and Albert Emil Reichardt

Subject: Alma and Albert Emil Reichardt.

Date: January 9, 1945.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Occasion: Wedding.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Maternal Grand Aunt and Uncle.

This is a photograph from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding. I found this photograph in a box while going through my mother's belongings after her passing. This is one of the few photographs I have of Alma and Albert.

On the back of the photograph is written: "Alma and Abby Reichardt. Taken on George and Lucille's Wedding Day, January 9, 1945. Photographed in the Reichardt's home 2800 W. Grant Blvd. Milwaukee, WI."

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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Subject: (Left to Right) Avis Grulke, Norma Elsbeth Waswo, Two Unknown groomsmen and the Minister.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Mother.

In the next several weeks I will be posting photographs from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

These are stunning photographs and the few that I have are 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai and friend.
Date: 1940's.
Location: South Pacific.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You effect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the pacific islands with exact locations unknown to me.

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.

Date: 1940's.

Location: South Pacific.

Occasion: Unknown.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You effect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the pacific islands with exact locations unknown to me.

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

Joe and WWII

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Joe and another soldier gathering coconuts.

Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Date: 1943.
Location: South Pacific.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You effect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the pacific islands with exact locations unknown to me.

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.

Date: 1942.

Location: Unknown.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You effect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the pacific islands with exact locations unknown to me.

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Date: 1940's.
Location: South Pacific.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You effect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the pacific islands with exact locations unknown to me.

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Date: 1942.
Location: Unknown.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You effect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the pacific islands with exact locations unknown to me.

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

Joe and his girlfriend

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Subjects: Joseph F. Forrai Bockay and his girlfriend.
Date: 1941.
Location: Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

Well, most certainly I am glad that this relationship did not come to pass. Here again, we have a pre-WWII photograph of my father and his girl friend. Off to war my father went, and young love died away. His girlfriend did not wait for my father's return, but found another. Had she waited, you would not be reading this, as I would not exist!