Orphaned at Age Eight
Maria Kumiega was born on June 7, 1913 in Poland to Albert and Milena Gajos. Milena’s maiden name was also Gajos, though Maria says her parents weren’t related. Albert owned a small farm, and [...]
She Was Jane Russell’s Manicurist
Hazel Reuter was born on May 17, 1920 in Chicago to Douglas Wilson and Eileen Brady, who were of Scottish and Irish descent, respectively. Douglas worked in the produce business, and Eileen [...]
“Well, it wasn’t Sweet 16!”
Celina Abelli was born on August 18, 1898 in a small Polish village to Wera Pakulski and Olek Zuraw. Celina says the family lived on a farm with beautiful fruit trees. Besides farming, Olek [...]
The Colorful Life of Irene Diefenbach
Irene Diefenbach was born on September 2, 1910 in Pennsylvania to Slovak immigrants, Karol and Danica Dalibor. The Dalibors worked on a small dairy farm, but when Irene and her two siblings were [...]