Other Bieniasz Families

In Galicia, Southeast Poland

There are several identified Bieniasz family groups (or clans) in Poland, which I've named for the largest nearby town . The most prominent, based on immigration numbers, are the Rzeszow, Debica, and Nowy Targ clans. Noteworthy are the Krakow and western Ukrainian clans. Honorable mention goes to the Silesian and Northern clans.

It is clearly evident, from the immigration records at Ellis Island, that the majority of Bieniasz folks have the Austrian Crownland of Galicia (today's southeast Poland) as their familial originating point. But our family name is much, much older that and is at least 700 years old. The writings of renowned medieval Polish historian, Jan Dlugosz, mention two gentlemen named Bieniasz as living north of Krakow in 1304 AD. It would appear that our surname originated somewhere in the vicnity of Krakow prior to 1304 and spread southward and eastward from there.

Our Bieniasz family descends from the Debica clan, whose members were primarily from villages in Straszecin Parish, although the Debica (St. Jadwiga) and Zasow parishes certainly deserve mention.

Visit the BIENIASZ website.

In North America

The earliest trace that I have so far found of Bieniaszes in North America is the marriage of Daniel Bieniasz on 24 Oct 1778 to Zilpha Edson in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. In the 1860 U.S. Census, two people named Benarz were listed as residing in Brillion, WI. I've viewed original microfilm images of the page and item given me, but the two original entries are not at that location.

So far, the earliest verified Bieniasz immigrants were three separate Bieniasz families from Straszecin Parish who settled near Ottawa, Canada in the 1870s.

Next in line is Wojciech (Albert) Bieniasz of Chicago who immigrated in 1880.

Ancestral Crest of the Benisz/Benisch Family

Wojciech Bieniasz Family, Chicago IL:

From the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, Illinois:

1518 North Holt Street

• Bieniasz, Albert, Head, Age 67 (Born: 1853), Emigrated 1880.
  
• Bieniasz, Hellen, Wife, Age 54, Emigrated 1890.
  
• Bieniasz, Adam, Son Age 25, Born Illinois
  
• Bieniasz, Casimir, Son, Age 19, Born Illinois
  
• Bieniasz, Stella, Daughter, Age 15, Born Illinois
  
• Bieniasz, Roman, Son, Age 13, Born Illinois
  
• Bieniasz, Lillian, Daughter, Age 7, Born Illinois.

Continuing Research

Despite the enormous obstacle of parish records having been destroyed by the Soviet Red Army in 1945, reseach continues. We continue to reassembled the jigsaw puzzle of the Bieniasz clans piece by piece.

One innovative method in acquiring family information is a webpsite simply titled Welcome to STRASZECIN PARISH. It's purpose is to simply introduce ourselves as American cousins and fellow descendents of Straszecin Parish to its Polish parishoners.

Visit this unique website by clicking the link below.

STRASZECIN PARISH