Genealogical Records Search for Józef Strusiewicz (1845–1944)

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The search for documents on Józef Strusiewicz (born 1845 in present-day Ukraine, died 1944) can leverage a variety of genealogical resources. Below is a structured overview of promising record types and databases, organized by category, along with direct links to relevant sources:

Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death)

Church Registers: In the 19th century, births, marriages, and deaths in Ukrainian lands were recorded in church metrical books (either Catholic, Greek Catholic, or Orthodox, depending on the family’s denomination). Many of these registers have been digitized or indexed:

• FamilySearch – Church Book Collections: FamilySearch hosts extensive digitized parish records for Ukraine. Notably, the “Ukraine, Western Ukraine Catholic Church Book Duplicates, 1600–1937” collection contains images and indexed entries for baptisms, marriages, and burials from former Austrian Galicia (western Ukraine). This would cover many Catholic and Greek Catholic parishes where Józef’s life events might be recorded. For example, FamilySearch’s index (and its mirror on Ancestry) may help locate a baptism around 1845 if the exact locality becomes known. Records are organized by parish, so knowing or identifying the parish is key. If Józef was Greek Catholic (as the family names suggest), his 1845 baptism could be in a Greek Catholic register now held in archives (see below). If he was Roman Catholic, those registers are similarly available. The FamilySearch Catalog can be searched by town or parish name to find specific microfilmed registers. Many of these images are viewable online (sometimes with a free FamilySearch account), or at Family History Centers.

Indexed Marriage Record: A marriage record for Józef Strusiewicz has been indexed in the Polish Genealogical Society’s database Geneteka, confirming some vital details. According to this index, Józef Strusiewicz (son of Stefan Strusiewicz and Maria Pikiewicz) married Helena Giblińska (daughter of Antoni Gibliński and Domicella Daniłowicz) in 1886, at the Greek Catholic parish of Beremiany in Ternopil province. This indexed entry matches the family information (mother’s maiden name Pikiewicz) and provides the spouse’s name and parents. It suggests Józef was living in or had ties to Beremiany (present-day Beremyany in Chortkiv raion, Ternopil oblast) at the time of marriage. The original church marriage record could likely be found in the Beremiany Greek Catholic parish register for 1886, which might be stored in the Central State Historical Archives in Lviv or a local archive. The Geneteka index entry gives the essential names and year, and often such entries also include archival reference info. With these details, one could locate the actual marriage record (which would be in Cyrillic or Polish handwriting) for a copy or scan. Notably, this marriage record verifies Józef’s mother (Maria Pikiewicz) and reveals his father’s name (Stefan), providing a generation back. It also introduces Helena Giblińska’s family, which might be useful for further research (her family might have records in the same or nearby parish).

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Birth/Baptism Records

Finding Józef’s birth circa 1845 will require identifying the parish or region of origin. If the family was from Galicia (Austrian-ruled Ukraine), he may have been baptized in a Greek Catholic parish there. If the family was from the Russian-ruled part of Ukraine (e.g. Volhynia or Podolia), the record might be in an Orthodox or Roman Catholic register (since the Russian Empire did not recognize the Greek Catholic Church after 1839 in most areas).

Since we do not know the exact locality, a strategy is to search indexes by surname in likely regions. The surname Strusiewicz is relatively uncommon; a survey of indexed records shows it in both Galicia and Volhynia. For instance, the volunteer database “Metryki Wołyń” (Wolyn-Metryki) indexes many 19th-century church records from Volhynia province. The name appears in those indexes, indicating the family name had presence there (e.g. an index of an 1763 record from Szumsk parish in Wołyń mentions Marcin Strusiewicz, and other entries list a Marianna Strusiewicz as a godparent or spouse in Volhynian records).

If Józef’s family originated in Volhynia, similar indexes or the FamilySearch “Ukraine, Kyiv Orthodox Consistory Church Book Duplicates” (which covers Right-Bank Ukraine Orthodox records) could be relevant. However, given that Józef married in Greek Catholic rites, it’s likely he was from a Greek Catholic family in Galicia or the Chełm region. We should therefore search Galician baptismal books. Many Galician Greek Catholic baptisms (1784–1900s) are preserved in Lviv archives and are part of the FamilySearch Western Ukraine collection. Using FamilySearch’s indexed search with name “Strusiewicz” and a broad date range around 1845 might lead to a baptism entry, or one can manually browse likely parish registers if a location is suspected.

If the exact birthplace remains unknown, one approach is to see if his father Stefan Strusiewicz appears in any regional records or directories (Stefan’s own marriage or service might be recorded in older registers). Additionally, since Józef’s marriage was in Ternopil region, one hypothesis is that he may have been born or raised not far from there (perhaps in a neighboring county). Checking Ternopil Oblast archive resources or Greek Catholic diocesan records might yield a clue.

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Death and Burial Records

Tracking a death in 1944 can be challenging, as this was wartime. If Józef died in what was then German-occupied Poland (Western Ukraine under German control in 1944), there might be a church burial entry if local clergy kept records. By 1944, civil registration in that area was disrupted due to war and the impending change of borders. However, some parish registers from the 1940s were later evacuated to Poland. For example, many Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic registers from Lwów, Stanisławów, etc., were transferred after WWII to archives in Poland (like the Archdiocesan Archive in Lubaczów or Kraków) or remained in Ukrainian archives.

If we determine where Józef was living in 1944 (perhaps with one of his children), we can check the nearest parish’s records. The Facebook-derived information suggests the family had connections to Lwów and Stanisławów (Ivano-Frankivsk) – e.g. a grandson Stanisław born 1929 in Stanisławów. It’s possible Józef died in that region. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lwów (now Lviv) had a “Metryka” project where many post-1784 registers (up to 1940s) are cataloged. If Józef was Greek Catholic, note that by 1944 the Greek Catholic Church was still functioning (it was only forcibly suppressed a few years later by the USSR), so a death might appear in a Greek Catholic parish book.

One lead from family lore is that Józef and his wife Helena were buried at a “Southern” cemetery – if this refers to Lviv’s Janowska (Janiv) or another cemetery, there might be burial registers or tombstone inscriptions. Find A Grave and similar cemetery indexes rarely have coverage in wartime Ukraine, but it’s worth a look in case a grave was relocated. In any case, to verify his death, one might need to contact the local archive that holds 1944 civil registrations or church books for the town he died in. The State Archives of Ivano-Frankivsk (if Stanisławów area) or State Archives of Lviv might hold death register duplicates from the 1940s (some civil records from the 1930s–40s survived in fragmentary form).

Another angle: if the family were Polish nationals, they might have filled out repatriation forms after the war (if any family moved to Poland). Those forms (held at e.g. the Central Archives of Modern Records in Warsaw) sometimes list deceased family members left behind. Checking indexes of Polish post-war repatriation lists for the surname Strusiewicz could indirectly confirm Józef’s death. Finally, because 1944 is relatively recent, if any family member documented his passing (for example, in family letters or post-war testimonies), those might be preserved privately. In summary, for death verification one should search parish death records in the area of death (via archives) and consider any memorial records.

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Census and Residency Documents

Census Records: If we can determine where Józef lived at various times, historical censuses or resident lists might provide evidence of the family. For Galicia (Austrian Poland), the Austro-Hungarian Empire conducted population censuses in 1869, 1880, 1890, etc., but Galician census lists were often statistical and many original name lists have not survived or are not easily accessible (they are not online like U.S. censuses). Some local census-like documents (e.g. 1857 census of Austrian Galicia or earlier 1820s “Josephine” and “Franciscan” surveys) exist in archives but require onsite research.

Instead of classical censuses, one might turn to church “status animarum” (parish household registers) if any were kept, or Polish magnates’ estate inventories if the family lived on an estate. These are niche sources that might list family groups around the 19th century.

Russian Empire Records: If Józef or his ancestors lived in parts of Ukraine under the Russian Empire (e.g. Volhynia or Kiev guberniya), Revision Lists (tax censuses) and Metric Books would be key. FamilySearch has digitized some of these, such as the “Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia Poll Tax Census (Revision Lists), 1811–1858” collection. That particular set is for Zaporizhzhia, but Volhynia and Podolia revision lists are held in regional archives in Ukraine and in the Russian State Historical Archive. A targeted search for the Strusiewicz surname in those revision lists could be done if we suspect the family were nobility or landowners (nobles often appear in such lists).

Additionally, 1897 All-Russian Census – if Józef lived in Russian territory in 1897 (not likely if he was in Galicia), he would appear in that census; those records are mostly preserved in Russian and Ukrainian archives (some have been published or indexed by local researchers). Given that Józef appears to have been in Galicia (Austrian side) for marriage and his children later lived in interwar Poland, the 1897 census likely does not apply to him.

Polish State Census 1921/1931: After WWI, the area around Lwów/Stanisławów became part of Poland. There were national censuses in 1921 and 1931. Stanisławów (Ivano-Frankivsk) 1921 census lists might contain Longin Strusiewicz (Józef’s son) and family if they lived there, which indirectly confirms Józef’s relations. Unfortunately, individual census returns for 1921/1931 Poland are largely lost or inaccessible (especially for Kresy territories). However, statistical tables exist.

Instead of nominal census lists, address directories and voter lists from the 1920s–30s can serve a similar purpose. For instance, the Polish business and address directory of 1929 or regional homeowners lists might list Longin or Stanisław Strusiewicz in Lwów or Stanisławów. These directories (available via libraries/archives) often include names of professionals, officials, or landowners. Searching those could help locate the family’s residence.

Residence Permits and Other Lists: If Józef ever moved across borders or owned property, there may be records. For example, during the interwar period, internal passports or domicile permits were used – these are archival materials that are hard to search without location, but if found, they can contain birthdate and family info. Given his advanced age, it’s plausible he lived with a child later in life, so checking Longin’s documents (like Longin’s own marriage or employment records) might mention the father. Also, if any family members were involved in World War II or were victims of 1940s events, databases like the Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database can be checked (e.g. it lists a Kazimierz Strusiewicz in Lwów in WWII – possibly a relative). Similarly, Soviet evacuation or Polish repatriation lists from 1944–46 could mention the Strusiewicz family. These are advanced leads, but worth noting.

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Archives and Repositories (Polish, Ukrainian, Russian)

Many 19th-century records from Ukrainian territory are preserved in archives in Ukraine and Poland. Below are key repositories and databases:

Central State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv (TsDIAL):
TsDIAL in Lviv holds a vast collection of Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic parish registers from the Galicia region (roughly Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts). If Józef was Greek Catholic, TsDIAL likely has his baptism and the original marriage register. Researchers can consult published inventories of these records. Some registers have been digitized by FamilySearch (as noted above), but many are only accessible via the archive or microfilm.

For example, the metrical books of the Greek Catholic eparchy of Lviv and later Stanisławów (which Beremiany parish belonged to) are in fond collections at TsDIAL. A direct search in TsDIAL’s catalog for Beremiany could confirm what years are on file. Likewise, TsDIAL holds civil copies of records (Austrian authorities required duplicate books in the 19th c.). Researchers unable to visit Lviv can hire local genealogists or use the FamilySearch digital copies for many of these records.

State Oblast Archives in Ukraine:
In addition to TsDIAL, each region (oblast) has its own archive which keeps later records and civil registration. For instance, the State Archive of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (DAIFO) would hold vital records from the Stanisławów area, including 20th-century civil registers (births, marriages, deaths from the 1920s–1940s) if they survived. The State Archive of Ternopil Oblast would have records for towns like Buchach, Zaleszczyki (county for Beremiany), etc.

These archives sometimes have online finding aids or even some scanned documents on their websites, but often one must write to them for copies. Since the question is broad, one strategy is to identify the specific locality for each life event and then query the appropriate archive.

For example:

• Józef’s birth (1845) might be in State Archive of Volyn or Rivne if he was born in the northwest, or TsDIAL if born in Galicia.
• His marriage (1886 Beremiany) would be recorded in TsDIAL (Lviv).
• His death (1944) might be recorded in Ivano-Frankivsk archive if in Stanisławów, or Lviv archive if in Lwów – or possibly not at all if war disrupted it.

It’s worth noting that the archives in Ukraine have suffered in recent times, but as of now many are still responsive to inquiries and some have partnered with digitization projects.

‍Polish Archives (AGAD and others):
After WWII, Poland’s archives acquired many records from the “Zabuże” (lands beyond the Bug River, i.e., former Polish eastern territories). The Central Archives of Historical Records (AGAD) in Warsaw holds a special collection of civil registry books from ex-eastern Poland. This includes a lot of Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, and civil registers from areas like Lwów, Stanisławów, Tarnopol, Wołyń, etc.

For example, AGAD’s inventory shows entries for Beremiany parish (indicating they have some records or copies). Many of these have been digitized on the Polish National Archives site Szukaj w Archiwach. It would be wise to search https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl for the terms “Beremiany”, “Strusiewicz”, or related locations. If AGAD or another archive has Józef’s records, they might be viewable online or obtainable by request.

Additionally, the State Archive in Przemyśl (in southeast Poland) inherited some records from nearby Ukrainian territory; for instance, Przemyśl archive holds Greek Catholic records for some parishes in present-day Lviv oblast. The search interface on Szukaj w Archiwach can reveal if, say, Stanisławów civil records 1929 (for Stanisław Strusiewicz’s birth) are held in Poland or remained in Ukraine.

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Specialized Databases (Poland/Ukraine)

We already utilized Geneteka, which is a Polish volunteer database indexing millions of names from vital records. Notably, Geneteka has a section for Ukraine (Kresy) indices – this is how the 1886 marriage was found. It’s worth searching Geneteka for other Strusiewicz entries (the index might also have births of Józef’s children. For instance, if Longin Strusiewicz’s birth or marriage was indexed, that could pop up).

There are other Polish databases too:

• Geneszukacz/Geneteka’s sister projects index some death records (the snippet from Geneteka we saw was under marriages).
• A quick search shows also an index entry for a Józef Strusiewicz in death records of Piaseczno, but that appears unrelated (different region).

Still, scanning Geneteka’s results for Strusiewicz is advisable.

Another resource, Metryki.genealodzy.pl, hosts digitized record images (mostly from Polish archives). If any Kresy parish scans are uploaded there (some are), one could directly browse the books.

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YourRoots Guide

Finally, the YourRoots “Ukraine” page is a helpful reference for brainstorming where to search. It highlights that besides the obvious databases, one should not forget resources like FindMyPast (which has some Catholic records), Geneanet community trees, and various US/UK indexes.

It underscores that genealogy research for Ukraine often involves piecing together data from many sources. Even if one source doesn’t yield an immediate answer, another might. For example, if we fail to find a civil death record for Józef, we might find a grave inscription via a Polish cemetery index or an entry in a memoir.

The YourRoots list is sorted by popularity, which explains why many US-centric sources rank highly (due to many Ukrainian-Americans researching their immigrant ancestors). In Józef’s case, focus on the vital records and European archives first, but keep these broader databases in mind for collateral searches.

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Summary of Next Steps and Sources

• FamilySearch – Search the indexed Western Ukraine Catholic duplicates for Strusiewicz entries (baptisms of Józef and his children). Browse digitized parish books for Beremiany 1886 (to get the original marriage record) and surrounding years for any children’s baptisms. Also check Orthodox/Catholic duplicates for Russian Ukraine if needed.
• Geneteka / PTG databases – Utilize Polish indexing projects to find Strusiewicz in Kresy records. We found the 1886 marriage via Geneteka. Search for Longin’s birth (perhaps ~1887–1890) or marriage (if he married circa 1920s, though likely in Poland proper), and any Stanisław entries. Also search Metryki Wołyń for any 1840s Strusiewicz births in Volhynia (in case Józef was born there).
• Archives in Ukraine and Poland – Contact or visit TsDIAL (for church records) and look into AGAD’s Zabużanski Fond for civil copies. For example, AGAD might have the Beremiany marriage in its microfilms since it retains many Greek Catholic duplicates from Ternopil region. Likewise, check the Lubaczów Archdiocesan Archive listings for any late entries on the family.
• Verify Children’s Info – Longin Strusiewicz and Stanisław Strusiewicz: Confirm their birth and marriage records. The Facebook snippet suggests Stanisław (b.1929 Stanisławów) was actually a grandson, son of Longin. So likely Longin Strusiewicz was born in the late 19th century (probably a son of the 1886 marriage) and married a Maria Kowalska. If so, obtaining Longin’s birth record and marriage record (early 20th century) will solidify the link. Those could be in Greek Catholic records if the family stayed Greek Catholic, or in Roman Catholic if they switched rites or if the mother was Latin-rite. Stanisław’s 1929 birth would be in Polish civil records – the USC (Civil Registry Office) in Stanisławów at that time. Many of those records (1920s) were evacuated; it’s known that Central Archive of Civil Records in Warsaw has some books from Eastern Poland up to 1938. A search for 1929 Stanisławów birth registry in those collections is warranted.
• Broader context – While pursuing documents, also gather contextual info: maps of the region, historical background on Greek Catholic parishes, etc. Sometimes knowing, for instance, that Beremiany was part of the Buchach deanery or that Stanisławów had a major Greek Catholic cathedral can help direct the search. If needed, local genealogy groups (on Facebook or forums) for Galicia (Kresy) can be consulted for advice on specific archives (many members have experience obtaining records from Lviv or Ternopil archives).

By combining these resources, you should be able to verify Józef Strusiewicz’s birth, marriage, and death, and document his immediate family connections. The marriage record is a solid confirmation of his parentage, and further digging in the mentioned databases will hopefully uncover his baptism and the births of Longin and any other children.

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Sources

• FamilySearch, Ukraine Catholic Church Book Duplicates, 1600–1937 – digital images & index of Galician church records
• Lost Russian Family Blog – Scanned Ukrainian Archive Records on FamilySearch
• YourRoots, Best Genealogy Sites for Ukraine – overview of commonly used record databases for Ukrainian research
• Geneteka – Index of 1886 Beremiany Marriage – Józef Strusiewicz (parents Stefan Strusiewicz & Maria Pikiewicz) to Helena Giblińska (parents Antoni & Domicella Daniłowicz)
• Metryki Wołyń (Wolyn Metrics Database) – examples of Strusiewicz surname in XVIII–XIX c. Volhynia records
• Polish Nobility Listings (PDF) – reference that Strusiewicz family bore Korczak coat of arms
• Dorota Wereda, Historical Article on Uniate Parish Priests (PDF)
• USHMM Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database – Search – entry for Strusiewicz, Kazimierz (Lwów WWII records)
• Lviv Metrical Registers – Pamięć Bliskich
• AGAD Archive Inventory for Lwów and Beremiany (XML)
• General List of Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic Priests (PDF)
• Geneanet Search Example – KOZAK Józef
• Proboszczowie parafii diecezji łucko-żytomierskiej (Academia.edu)
• Index of Metrical Books – AGAD (XML)