The Pastwa, Abend, and Soenke Families

The Pastwa, Abend, and Soenke Families

By Dave Jordan
June 1, 2003
The Pajewski, Gainowski and Nicolai families in America are intertwined with the Abend, Pastwa and Soenke families. Not only did all these families live near each other in both the St. Boniface and St. Augustine parishes, but they are also buried nearby in the St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park. Examination of the records shows these families married into each other's families and that they were baptismal sponsors and marriage witnesses for each other. Except for the 1882 Ship Manifest that for Michael Pajewski and three members of the Pastwa family, there is no evidence yet that they knew each other in Prussia or Germany. However, the closeness of the families suggests they were probably from the same general region and probably did know each other in the old country. Thus learning about these families can lead to a better understanding of our family history. As follows is a listing of the relationships and interconnections found to date. The Pastwa Family On 31 May1882, Michael Pajewski arrived in New York on the Nemesis with P. Pastna, a farmer, age 40, R. Pastna, female age 20 and J. Pastna, female age 18. It is believed the extractor read Pastna instead of Pastva from the old handwriting. Four years later, Michael Pajewski married Helen Pastwa on 15 May 1886 in Chicago. And on 20 September 1898, Michael Pastwa married Julia Gainowski in Chicago. Julia was the sister of Anna Gainowski who had married John Pajewski on 29 April 1893 in Chicago. Using other information extracted from Cemetery markers, Census, Baptismal Sponsors, and Marriage Witnesses and notes from others, the following chart for the Pastwa family has been constructed. There may be errors but it is a start in the understanding of relationships among the various families. Unknown Pastwa Family Michael Pastwa and Ann Hellmeister Helen Pastwa (1866-19xx) married Michael Pajewski (1854-1923) on 15 May 1886 John Pastwa married Maria Lubowski on 15 May 1888 Anna Pastwa Rosalia Pastwa John Pastwa (1832-1907) and Elizabeth Soenke (1841-1909) Michael Pastwa (1873-1911) married Julia Gainowski on 20 September 1898 Joseph Pastwa The Abend Family In 1884, Frank Pajewski arrived in Chicago and four years later, Frank Pajewski married Augustine Abend on 3 November 1888 in Chicago. And on 20 September 1898, Michael Pastwa married Julia Gainowski in Chicago. Julia was the sister of Anna Gainowski who had married John Pajewski on 29 April 1893 in Chicago. Using other information extracted from Cemetery markers, Census, Baptismal Sponsors, and Marriage Witnesses and notes from others, the following chart for the Abend family has been constructed. There may be errors but it is a start in the understanding of relationships among the various families. Michael Abend (1822-1893) and Helen Schultz Martin Abend (1852-1915) and Rosalie (1863) Augustine Abend (1863- 19xx) married Frank Pajewski (1862-1917) on 3 November 1888 in Chicago Annie Abend (1866-1926) married Jacob Soenke (1861-1930) on 22 October 1885 in Chicago Matthew Abend married Maria Schneidoroski on 7 February 1893 in Chicago The Soenke Family For the 1900 Census, Joseph and Rosa Gainowski were living in the same building as Frank and Elizabeth Soenke. And for the 1920 Census, Jacob and Ann Soenke were living in the same building as John Gainowski and family. John is a presumed son of Joseph and Rosa Gainowski Using other information extracted from Cemetery markers, Census, Baptismal Sponsors, and Marriage Witnesses and notes from others, the following chart for the Soenke family has been constructed. There may be errors but it is a start in the understanding of relationships among the various families. Unknown Soenke Family Elizabeth Soenke (1841-1909) and John Pastwa (1832-1907) Michael Pastwa (1873-1911) married Julia Gainowski on 20 September 1898 Joseph Pastwa Frank Soenke (1854-19xx) married Elizabeth (surname unknown) in 1886 in Chicago Jacob Soenke (1861-1930) married Annie Abend (1866-1926) on 22 October 1885 in Chicago It is presumed Elizabeth, Frank and Jacob are siblings, but it is not certain. Marriage Witnesses Some Marriage Witnesses among the families were: For Michael Pajewski and Helen Pastwa's 15 May 1886 wedding; Frank Pajewski, Jacob Bruschakonski, Anna Pastva, Rosalia Pastva were witnesses. For John Pastwa and Anna Luboski's 15 May 1888 wedding; Frank Pajewski and Anna Pastwa were witnesses. For Matthew Abend and Maria Schneidoroski's 7 February 1893 wedding; John Pajewski and Anna Gainowski were witnesses For John Pajewski and Anna Gainowski's 29 April 1893 wedding; Michael Pastwa and Julia Gainowski were witnesses. For Michael Pastwa and Julia Gainowski's 20 September 1898 wedding; Rosalia Gainowski and Joseph Pastwa were witnesses. For John Gainowski and Rosa Karaschefski's 29 January 1902 Wedding; Jac. Soenke, Carl Karaschefski, Helena Wittkowski, and Maria Jainowski were witnesses. Jac. is thought to be Jacob. Baptismal Sponsors Some Baptismal Sponsors among the families were: 1. Martin Nicolai and Veronica Rhode Family For Mary Veronica Nicolay (13 June 1889), Frank and Augustine Pajewski were the sponsors. For Martin Nicolai (4 December 1891), Martin Abend and Rosa Abend were the sponsors. 2. Michael Pajewski and Helen Pastwa Family For Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ann Paiefski (12 January 1888), John Pastwa and Anna Pastwa were the sponsors. For Paul Pajewski (29 March 1893), Martin Nicolai and Veronica Nicolai were the sponsors. For Clara Anna Pajewski (30 December 1894), Frank Pajewski and Helen Pastwa were the sponsors. 3. Frank Pajewski and Augustine Abend Family For Ann Mary Pajewski (11 January 1890), Jacob Sonke and Anna Sonke (nee Abend) were the sponsors. For Rosalie Frances Pajewski (27 January 1892), Martin Abend and Rosalia Abend were the sponsors. Helen (Lena) Veronica Pajewski (4 January 1894), Martin Nicolay and Veronica were the sponsors. 4. John Pajewski and Anna Gainowski For George Michael Pajewski (11 July 1894), Michael Pastwa and Juliana Gainowski were the sponsors. For Elizabeth Marie Pajewski (8 December 1895), John Pastwa and Elizabeth Pastwa were the sponsors. For Wilhelm Martin Pajewski (5 February 1897), Joseph Gainowski and Rosalia Gainowski were the sponsors. For Anna Rosalia Pajewski (28 July 1900), Joseph Gainowski and Rosalia Gainowski were the sponsors. For Edward Joseph Pajewski (3 March 1902), Martin Nicolai and Veronica Nicolai were the sponsors. For Frederick Joseph Pajewski (20 March 1904), Frederick Hegerich and Mary Gainowski were the sponsors. For Anna Pajewski (16 August 1905), James Gainowsky and Elizabeth Gainowska were the sponsors. For John Pajewski (11 January 1907), Veronica Nicolai was the sponsor. Dates shown are birth dates Summary Thus there was considerable intermarriage and friendship between the Abend, Gainowski, Nicolai, Pajewski, and Pastwa families at the turn of the 19th century. It is highly likely that they knew each other before they settled in Chicago in the 1880s. Continued research should include looking for all these family names as there appear to be many connections. Initial Web Publication Date: 06/01/03 Intermediate Additions: Last Web Upload: 06/01/03

The Pajewski, Gainowski and Nicolai families in America are intertwined with the Abend, Pastwa and Soenke families. Not only did all these families live near each other in both the St. Boniface and St. Augustine parishes, but they are also buried nearby in the St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park. Examination of the records shows these families married into each other's families and that they were baptismal sponsors and marriage witnesses for each other. Except for the 1882 Ship Manifest that for Michael Pajewski and three members of the Pastwa family, there is no evidence yet that they knew each other in Prussia or Germany. However, the closeness of the families suggests they were probably from the same general region and probably did know each other in the old country. Thus learning about these families can lead to a better understanding of our family history.

As follows is a listing of the relationships and interconnections found to date.

The Pastwa Family
On 31 May1882, Michael Pajewski arrived in New York on the Nemesis with P. Pastna, a farmer, age 40, R. Pastna, female age 20 and J. Pastna, female age 18. It is believed the extractor read Pastna instead of Pastva from the old handwriting. Four years later, Michael Pajewski married Helen Pastwa on 15 May 1886 in Chicago. And on 20 September 1898, Michael Pastwa married Julia Gainowski in Chicago. Julia was the sister of Anna Gainowski who had married John Pajewski on 29 April 1893 in Chicago.

Using other information extracted from Cemetery markers, Census, Baptismal Sponsors, and Marriage Witnesses and notes from others, the following chart for the Pastwa family has been constructed. There may be errors but it is a start in the understanding of relationships among the various families.

Unknown Pastwa Family
- Michael Pastwa and Ann Hellmeister
  - Helen Pastwa (1866-19xx) married Michael Pajewski (1854-1923) on 15 May 1886
  - John Pastwa married Maria Lubowski on 15 May 1888
  - Anna Pastwa
  - Rosalia Pastwa
- John Pastwa (1832-1907) and Elizabeth Soenke (1841-1909)
  - Michael Pastwa (1873-1911) married Julia Gainowski on 20 September 1898
  - Joseph Pastwa

The Abend Family
In 1884, Frank Pajewski arrived in Chicago and four years later, Frank Pajewski married Augustine Abend on 3 November 1888 in Chicago. And on 20 September 1898, Michael Pastwa married Julia Gainowski in Chicago. Julia was the sister of Anna Gainowski who had married John Pajewski on 29 April 1893 in Chicago.

Using other information extracted from Cemetery markers, Census, Baptismal Sponsors, and Marriage Witnesses and notes from others, the following chart for the Abend family has been constructed. There may be errors but it is a start in the understanding of relationships among the various families.

Michael Abend (1822-1893) and Helen Schultz
- Martin Abend (1852-1915) and Rosalie (1863)
- Augustine Abend (1863- 19xx) married Frank Pajewski (1862-1917) on 3 November 1888 in Chicago
- Annie Abend (1866-1926) married Jacob Soenke (1861-1930) on 22 October 1885 in Chicago
- Matthew Abend married Maria Schneidoroski on 7 February 1893 in Chicago

The Soenke Family
For the 1900 Census, Joseph and Rosa Gainowski were living in the same building as Frank and Elizabeth Soenke. And for the 1920 Census, Jacob and Ann Soenke were living in the same building as John Gainowski and family. John is a presumed son of Joseph and Rosa Gainowski

Using other information extracted from Cemetery markers, Census, Baptismal Sponsors, and Marriage Witnesses and notes from others, the following chart for the Soenke family has been constructed. There may be errors but it is a start in the understanding of relationships among the various families.

Unknown Soenke Family
- Elizabeth Soenke (1841-1909) and John Pastwa (1832-1907)
  - Michael Pastwa (1873-1911) married Julia Gainowski on 20 September 1898
  - Joseph Pastwa
- Frank Soenke (1854-19xx) married Elizabeth (surname unknown) in 1886 in Chicago
- Jacob Soenke (1861-1930) married Annie Abend (1866-1926) on 22 October 1885 in Chicago

It is presumed Elizabeth, Frank and Jacob are siblings, but it is not certain.

Marriage Witnesses
Some Marriage Witnesses among the families were:

For Michael Pajewski and Helen Pastwa's 15 May 1886 wedding; Frank Pajewski, Jacob Bruschakonski, Anna Pastva, Rosalia Pastva were witnesses.
For John Pastwa and Anna Luboski's 15 May 1888 wedding; Frank Pajewski and Anna Pastwa were witnesses.
For Matthew Abend and Maria Schneidoroski's 7 February 1893 wedding; John Pajewski and Anna Gainowski were witnesses
For John Pajewski and Anna Gainowski's 29 April 1893 wedding; Michael Pastwa and Julia Gainowski were witnesses.
For Michael Pastwa and Julia Gainowski's 20 September 1898 wedding; Rosalia Gainowski and Joseph Pastwa were witnesses.
For John Gainowski and Rosa Karaschefski's 29 January 1902 Wedding; Jac. Soenke, Carl Karaschefski, Helena Wittkowski, and Maria Jainowski were witnesses. Jac. is thought to be Jacob.

Baptismal Sponsors
Some Baptismal Sponsors among the families were:

1. Martin Nicolai and Veronica Rhode Family

For Mary Veronica Nicolay (13 June 1889), Frank and Augustine Pajewski were the sponsors.
For Martin Nicolai (4 December 1891), Martin Abend and Rosa Abend were the sponsors.

2. Michael Pajewski and Helen Pastwa Family

For Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ann Paiefski (12 January 1888), John Pastwa and Anna Pastwa were the sponsors.
For Paul Pajewski (29 March 1893), Martin Nicolai and Veronica Nicolai were the sponsors.
For Clara Anna Pajewski (30 December 1894), Frank Pajewski and Helen Pastwa were the sponsors.

3. Frank Pajewski and Augustine Abend Family

For Ann Mary Pajewski (11 January 1890), Jacob Sonke and Anna Sonke (nee Abend) were the sponsors.
For Rosalie Frances Pajewski (27 January 1892), Martin Abend and Rosalia Abend were the sponsors.
Helen (Lena) Veronica Pajewski (4 January 1894), Martin Nicolay and Veronica were the sponsors.

4. John Pajewski and Anna Gainowski

For George Michael Pajewski (11 July 1894), Michael Pastwa and Juliana Gainowski were the sponsors.
For Elizabeth Marie Pajewski (8 December 1895), John Pastwa and Elizabeth Pastwa were the sponsors.
For Wilhelm Martin Pajewski (5 February 1897), Joseph Gainowski and Rosalia Gainowski were the sponsors.
For Anna Rosalia Pajewski (28 July 1900), Joseph Gainowski and Rosalia Gainowski were the sponsors.
For Edward Joseph Pajewski (3 March 1902), Martin Nicolai and Veronica Nicolai were the sponsors.
For Frederick Joseph Pajewski (20 March 1904), Frederick Hegerich and Mary Gainowski were the sponsors.
For Anna Pajewski (16 August 1905), James Gainowsky and Elizabeth Gainowska were the sponsors.
For John Pajewski (11 January 1907), Veronica Nicolai was the sponsor.

Dates shown are birth dates

Summary
Thus there was considerable intermarriage and friendship between the Abend, Gainowski, Nicolai, Pajewski, and Pastwa families at the turn of the 19th century. It is highly likely that they knew each other before they settled in Chicago in the 1880s. Continued research should include looking for all these family names as there appear to be many connections.

Initial Web Publication Date: 06/01/03
Intermediate Additions:
Last Web Upload: 06/01/03