John Anthony Zajac

BIRTH 25 MAY 1892 • Widawa, Dolnoslaskie, Poland

DEATH 7 JANUARY 1963 • Tacoma, Pierce, Washington, USA

(Father: unknown) (Mother: unknown)

Helen Rita Bigosinski

BIRTH 19 JULY 1899 • Poland

DEATH 6 JAN 1975 • Tacoma, Washington

(Father: Stanislaw “Stanley” Bigosinski 1873–1925) (Mother:Michalina Pawlak )

~~1910~~

On December 7, 1915, Clara Josephine was born in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois

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John A. Zajzc enlisted into the military on May 5, 1917 while living in Chicago. He was honorably discharged on May 16, 1919. His gravestone says MO PFC Med. Dept. WWI. Does anyone have any information or stories of his military service?

~~1920~~

*There were seven John Zajac’s living in Chicago in the 1920s. I’m hoping because of his birth year and previous addresses that this is him. He was a border while working at the Box Factory as a laborer.

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John Anthony Zajac married Helen Rita Bigosinski on January 19, 1921, in Cook Co. (Chicago), Illinois.

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On November 29, 1921, Margaret Mary was born in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois.

Name:	Margaret Mary Zajac
Birth Date:	29 Nov 1921
Birth Place:	Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Gender:	Female
Father:	John A Zajac
Mother:	Helen Bigosinski
FHL Film Number:	1379032

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Around 1923, the family moved from Illinois to Washington State. Yes, I know they didn’t travel to the West by coverd wagon. If you know their mode of transportation, let me know.

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On July 19, 1923, John Vincent was born in Tacoma, Washington.

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On March 22, 1927, Joseph Benedict was born in Tacoma, Washington

To end the roaring 20’s with a bang, Anthony Victor was born on December 13, 1929, in Tacoma, Washington

~~1930~~

In this 1930 Census, the family lived at 501 South 30th Street, Tacoma, Washington.

Name

Relation

House Owned or Rented

Home Value

Sex

Age

Marital Status

Attending School

Able to Read & Write

Birthplace

Fathers Birthplace

Mothers Birthplace

Language spoken at home before arrival

Immigration Year

Naturalized

Speaks English

Occupation

Industry

Veteran

War

Zajac, John

Head

Owned

$2000

M

37

Marr.

No

Yes Yes

Poland

Poland

Poland

Polish

1914

Yes

Yes

Upholster

Railroad

Yes

WWI

Helen R.

Wife

F

31

Marr.

No

Yes Yes

Poland

Poland

Poland

Polish

1906

Yes

Yes

Salelady

Grocery Store

Clara J.

Daughter

F

14

Single

Yes

Yes Yes

Illinois

Poland

Poland

Margaret M.

Daughter

F

9

Single

Yes

Illinois

Poland

Poland

John V.

Son

M

6

Single

Yes

Washington

Poland

Poland

Joseph B.

Son

M

3

Single

No

Washington

Poland

Poland

Anthony V.

Son

M

3/12

Single

No

Washington

Poland

Poland

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On October 8, 1931, Loretta Rose was born in Tacoma, Washington

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On October 7, 1933, Aloise Marie was born in Tacoma, Washington

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On August 10, 1935, Gertrude Ann was born in Tacoma, Washington

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Miss Margaret Zajac

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Clara Josephine marries Jasper J. Cannella on July 18, 1936, at Holy Rosary in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Her sister Margaret signed as her witness.

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And last but not least, On April 26, 1937, Paul Anselm was born in Tacoma, Washington.

In a little over 20 years, John and Helen had 5 girls and 4 boys!

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Margaret Zajac- The Young Ladies’ sodality sponsors.

Holy Rosary, Tacoma, Washington 1938

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~~1940~~

Name

Relation

Sex

Age

Marital Status

Attended School

Highest Grade Compl.

Birth- Place

At Private or PublicWork

Weeks out of work

Occupation

Industry

Salary

Zajac, John

Head

M

47

19 yr

No

2nd

Poland

Public

69 wks

Common Labor

WPA Sewer Project

Other $670

Helen

Wife

F

41

19 yr

No

8th

Poland

Margaret

Daughter

F

18

Single

Yes

H-4

IL

John

Son

M

16

Single

Yes

H-2

WA

Joseph

Son

M

13

Single

Yes

6

WA

Anthony

Son

M

11

Single

Yes

4

WA

Loretta

Daughter

F

8

Single

Yes

2

WA

Aloise

Daughter

F

6

Single

Yes

0

WA

Gertrude

Daughter

F

4

Single

No

WA

Paul

Son

M

3

Single

No

WA

1940 Census. Fresh out of the Great Depression and John was out of work for 69 weeks. Helen was a Homemaker busy with 8 kids at home.

After looking up the address listed in the census, I’m nominating Helen as a saint. How she managed 8 kids with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom and 879 square feet boggles my mind! This house has an amazing view of the city.

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How fun! Joseph (13yo) and his Boy Scout troop collected and burnt 500 election posters. November 28, 1940

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Joseph Benedict graduates from Holy Rosary Tacoma, Washington. June 5, 1941

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Anthony Victor graduates from Holy Rosary, June 1, 1943

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John Anthony Zajac’s “Old Mans” registration card. He was 5 foot 6 inches, 170 lbs, brown eyes, black hair with a ruddy complexion. He had a scar on his right nostril.

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Joseph Benedict’s registration card. Joseph was 6ft 1in, had brown eyes and hair, and a ruddy complexion. March 22, 1945

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John Vincent’s registration card January 29, 1946. He was 5 ft 8in, weighed 160lb, and had brown eyes and hair with a ruddy complexion. He lived at 108 South 31st Street, Tacoma, Washington, which is now part of I-5.

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St. Leo’s Senior Prom. May 13, 1949. Attendees were Loretta and Joseph

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May 17, 1949, Loretta graduates from St. Leo’s

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On May 29, 1949, Gertrude Ann graduates from Holy Rosary, Tacoma, Washington. The next step is high school at St. Leo’s.

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On October 1, 1949, John Vincent married Irma Rose Tingelhoff of Lincoln, Nebraska. They married at Holy Rosary and honeymooned in Seaside, Oregon.

~~1950~~

Name	Relation	Sex	Age	Married Single Widowed	Birthplace	Occupation	Industry
Zajac, John A.	Head	M	58	Married 29y	Poland	Upholster	Railroad Repair Shop
Helen R.	Wife	F	50	Married 29y	Poland
Joseph B.	Son	M	23	Single	Washington	Loader in Ship. Dept.	Retail Dept. Store
Anthony V.	Son	M	20	Single	Washington	Sanding veneers (?)	Lumber Mill
Alois M.	Daughter	F	16	Single	Washington
Gertrude A.	Daughter	F	14	Single	Washington
Paul A.	Son	M	12	Single	Washington

This is the last Census for the family until the 1960 census is released in April 2032. The house 108 S 31st street Tacoma is now where the I-5 freeway runs. John is an Upholster at the Railroad Repair shop. Joseph is a loader in the shipping department for a retail store. Anthony was sanding veneers (?) for the Lumber Mill. Lois, Gertrude, and Paul would be students.

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Joseph Benedict marries Miss Carole Goodfellow in Fort Ord, California, October 26, 1950.

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Anthoney Victor to marry Miss Maxine R. McDonald 1950

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What a horrible day for Paul and the Peterson family. July 10, 1951

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Lois graduated from St. Leo’s on May 9, 1951. The top picture is of the ladies who put on a lawn party for the graduates. Bottom picture is Lois with her cap and gown.

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Clara and Lois throw a wedding shower for their sister Loretta on October 3, 1951. The family in attendance were Gertrude, Anthony, Joseph, and parents John and Helen.

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Floyd Albert Olson to marry Alois Marie

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On October 23, 1952 Floyd married Alois Marie Zajac in Tacoma at Holy Rosary

The newlyweds Floyd and Lois Olsen with their wedding party.

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Gertrude Ann to marry Richard H. Puryear in October

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And after a couple months, they tied the knot!

Grandpa Dick told me that he first saw Gertie on January 29, 1953, in the kitchen at Jim Jackson’s house. At the Valentine’s Day dance, he danced with her all night. He bought her an engagement ring right before she graduated high school. He told me that was scandalous. They were married on October 3, 1953, at Holy Rosary Tacoma, Washington. Gertie wore her sister Lois’s wedding dress, and Dick gave her a haircut for the big day. I think that’s so sweet!

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Clara Josephine [Zajac] Cannella marries Arthur Miller in Bremerton, Kitsap Co., WA, on February 26, 1955

~~1960~~

On January 7, 1963, the family lost their Patriarch. John was 70 years old.

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~~1970~~

On January 6, 1975 the families Matriarch passed away. She was 75.

Helen’s F.A.G. #97911501

~~1980~~

Crestlawn Memorial ParkRiverside, Riverside County, California, USA

Clara’s F.A.G. #207614303

~~1990~~

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Joseph Benedict passed away December 6, 1997 at the age of 70.

~~2000~~

I know the lovely three ladies are Gertrude, Margaret, and Lois. Eric thinks that that is Tony?

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On January 31, 2001, John Vincent, 77, marries Pearl Clarice Kaplan, 82, in Pierce County, Washington. Both were previously widowed.

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An update on all the Sisters at St. Benedicts. St. Cloud Times

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Cemetery Address:	18600 SE 240th St Kent, WA 98042-4868
Cemetery:	Tahoma National Cemetery
Plot:	Section K Row E Site 123
Notes:	Ae1 Us Navy Korea, Vietnam

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John Vincent passed away May 29, 2007

His F.A.G.# 122424578

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~~2010~~

F.A.G. #157679897

On August 3, 2015, Aunt Marge went to be with the Lord. She was such a beautiful lady. My kids loved to visit with her when she was in town. Aunt Marge would always ask the kids when they were young to sing. She was such a good teacher and would give them pointers and tell them to practice! practice! practce! What is your favorite Aunt Marge memory??

In July 2021 we were able to visit the cemetery Aunt Marge was burried in St. Joseph Minnesota. It was a very beautiful and well kept cemetery.

~~2020~~

The one thing I remember about Lois is her smile! Every time I saw her she was all smiles and happy to see you and talk to you. -Heather Puryear

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The last surviving member of the Zajac family is Gertrude Zajac Puryear. She is so full of energy so be careful if you challenge her to a game of Cornhole, she’ll kick your butt!!

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What is your favorite story or memory of any of the Zajac Family? Let me know. I have a lot of missing pieces in their story and would love to fill in the gaps and add more pictures. I would love this blog to continue to grow for future generations to discover their roots.

My resources:

• Ancestry
• F.A.G. = Find A Grave.
• fold3
• wiki-family
• MyHeritage
• wikipedia
• Zillow