24 thoughts on “Wordless Wednesday: Bernice & the Bear”
You’re not going to believe this, but there was a news story about bears on TV when I saw your post in my email! The picture of Bernice is just priceless!
Thank you–it’s one of my favorites! Bernice is my 3rd great-aunt; she was born Bronislawa Sek in 1894 in Galicia, and she left for America in 1909 at the age of 15. This photo was taken back in Galicia a few decades later when she visited her family again. I’m not sure why she was dressed in “traditional” Polish attire, or why she was standing next to a “bear,” though!
Hi ! My name is Joanna Perlowski , my mom’s name is Bronislawa Zelasko ( Maslach ) . She is a niece of Bernice Kuźnicki Sek . My grandfather was Bernice’s youngest brother, his name was Jakub ( they have the same mother, but different fathers). Your 3rd great-aunt was born in a small village name Pysznica in Poland . I want to know if you have any contact with any closer family members. Please let me know. We lives in New Jersey .
Hi–it’s great to meet you! I know a few of Bernice and Dominic’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren through social media, but we haven’t met in person yet. I can definitely send you their contact information, and if you would be interested in any information about “my” side of the family tree (I’m a descendant of Dominic’s brother, Michael), please let me know!
And Pysznica? I had no idea! Off to research more–
Hi . Pysznica (read Pishneetu) is a very small village in Poland ( South-east) next to Stalowa Wola . I can say we are part of family so definitely I’m interested of your story. Please be free to contact me ( 2468jwpl@gmail.com)
Bernice was visiting her family back in Poland decades after she left for New York! It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip–and after reading some of the comments, I’m guessing they were putting on a play.
I think you’re right! One cousin said she thought it could’ve been from a play–that she’d heard mention of a play a while back–but we were stumped. This makes so much sense!
Applegate Genealogy 
You’re not going to believe this, but there was a news story about bears on TV when I saw your post in my email! The picture of Bernice is just priceless!
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LOVE IT! It was fate, clearly–I had this photo planned for May, but I moved it up a few weeks because I love it so much.
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Love the picture – who was Bernice? Awesome family photograph
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Thank you–it’s one of my favorites! Bernice is my 3rd great-aunt; she was born Bronislawa Sek in 1894 in Galicia, and she left for America in 1909 at the age of 15. This photo was taken back in Galicia a few decades later when she visited her family again. I’m not sure why she was dressed in “traditional” Polish attire, or why she was standing next to a “bear,” though!
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Hi ! My name is Joanna Perlowski , my mom’s name is Bronislawa Zelasko ( Maslach ) . She is a niece of Bernice Kuźnicki Sek . My grandfather was Bernice’s youngest brother, his name was Jakub ( they have the same mother, but different fathers). Your 3rd great-aunt was born in a small village name Pysznica in Poland . I want to know if you have any contact with any closer family members. Please let me know. We lives in New Jersey .
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Hi–it’s great to meet you! I know a few of Bernice and Dominic’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren through social media, but we haven’t met in person yet. I can definitely send you their contact information, and if you would be interested in any information about “my” side of the family tree (I’m a descendant of Dominic’s brother, Michael), please let me know!
And Pysznica? I had no idea! Off to research more–
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Hi . Pysznica (read Pishneetu) is a very small village in Poland ( South-east) next to Stalowa Wola . I can say we are part of family so definitely I’m interested of your story. Please be free to contact me ( 2468jwpl@gmail.com)
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I love this! Do you know the story behind the image?
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Bernice was visiting her family back in Poland decades after she left for New York! It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip–and after reading some of the comments, I’m guessing they were putting on a play.
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I’m betting there was a story there! Fun picture.
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It’s one of my favorites–I wish I could ask her about that day!
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I love that! The bear doesn’t look too scary!
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Surprisingly not too terrifying, right? It’s a pretty good costume!
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I love this! Both in fancy dress, by the look of it. 🙂
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Oh yes, especially the bear!
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Haha!
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I had a look to see if there was a Polish folk story about a bear, and found this: https://www.worldoftales.com/European_folktales/Polish_folktale_7.html Maybe your gt aunt was acting it out with a friend?
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I read the fairy tale. It reminded me of one I used to love in my Grimm’s Fairy Tales book.
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Yes, it reminded me of one of Grimm’s too… probably a derivation. 🙂
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Ok, I love Grimm’s Fairy Tales too. Unpopular opinion? Aschenputtel was always my favorite!
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I think you’re right! One cousin said she thought it could’ve been from a play–that she’d heard mention of a play a while back–but we were stumped. This makes so much sense!
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Any idea who was in the bear costume?
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I wish–I’ll ask around some more, but so far no luck!
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What a wonderful photograph!
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