The Beginnings….Koscierzyna – Project: My Kashubian Roots Part 1
Hello,
In 1656, Korne was 32 years removed from being granted a representative (or leman) in the county of Kościerzyna. The settlement was on its way to being named a village. Korne belonged to the Kościerzyna Parish. The parish records indicate that the earliest detectable Wierzba family was that of Michał Wierzba and his wife Agneta. In 1656, the couple gave birth to a daughter named Dorota. The family were most likely farmers or peasant workers. Based on the records, this family either was just starting (ie. just married) or the family arrived in Korne from another parish. I say this because baptismal records are available starting in 1642.
Per the available birth records for Kościerzyna, it looks as though the family may have experienced a tragedy early on in Korne. In 1658, there is a record of a Michał Wierzba and wife Jadwiga baptizing a son named Mateusz. Most likely, Michał’s previous wife Agneta died after giving birth or became ill and died around 1656-1657.
In 1658, Michał and Jadwiga Wierzba were residing in the village of Owśnice, which is located nearly 3 miles to the northeast of Korne.
Owśnice
Google Maps. (2014). Owśnice, Pomorskie, Poland. Retrieved February 8, 2014, from Owśnice.
During the years from 1658 to 1670, records of 7 baptisms can be found in the Kościerzyna Parish for Michał and Jadwiga. The following children were born in Owśnice:
1658: Mateusz Wierzba
1660: Katarzyna Wierzba (listed on PTG incorrectly as Andreas, but I believe it is actually Catherina)
1662: Jan Wierzba
1664: Helena Wierzba
1666: Regina Wierzba
1668: Jakub Wierzba
1670: Marianna Wierzba
As there are few resources for records during this time, this may be the complete Michał and Jadwiga Wierzba family in the Kościerzyna Parish. Existing death records for Kościerzyna do not start until 1760 and none of the Wierzba’s whom died have ages listed that would indicate being born in the 1600’s. Neither does Stężyca, Sulęczyno, nor Stara Kiszawa. This family may have started prior to arriving in Korne and/or Owśnice. Or the family may have moved to a village located in another parish. Since the records are not complete it is hard to say…
At the same time as Michał and Jadwiga were creating their family, there were a few other Wierzba baptisms to note.
First, there was an “one-off” baptism in the Żukowo Parish-
Szymon and Anna Wierzba
1662: Wojciech Wierzba
Then there were two other Wierzba baptisms in the Kościerzyna Parish-
Jan and Katarzyna Wierzba, from Korne:
1664: Ewa Wierzba
Dorota Wierzba, (village undecipherable):
1666: Aleksandr Wierzba – baptism indicated a death
There were no more entries found for Jan and Katarzyna Wierzba within the available Kościerzyna Parish records. It’s interesting to note that Jan was living in Korne, where Michał had originated. Was Jan a possible brother? It’s impossible to tell, but could very well be likely. Did Jan move from the “home base” of Korne or did he die or could the family only have one child?
Starting in 1670, there are more Wierzba families that pop-up in the Kościerzyna Parish. The records from Kościerzyna run dry before 1700 due to availability. Then, the records start again after 1720. So, I’ll summarize the last quarter of the 1600’s in my next post.
Best Regards,
Al
