Lost Legacies

Everyone comes from somewhere. Many times family history and lore are lost when the older generations pass. Margaret Ostrowski’s work with immigrants to Canada sparked her initiative to explore her own family background. She uncovered a tapestry of previously unknown stories, focusing on her father and grandmother.

I was drawn to this book because as both a history professor and historian, the past is my passion. I’ve always been more interested in other people’s stories than my own. I liked how Ostrowski framed her genealogy within the context of Canadian and European history. She provides readers with a basic parameter of country and culture for the area they left but also the region they reached.

As an American I found her description of Canadian immigration settlement similar yet different. I also appreciated her knowledge of Canadian governmental policy about immigration because I knew nothing about it. Readers will grasp the factors that attracted her family to Canada but also the reasons for leaving Poland. The region of Poland her family was from is fascinating because of its rich cultural blend of Russian, Polish, and German roots. The author gives a concise history of the region, which can be tangled and difficult to understand.

The best parts of her book were about her intrepid grandmother Joanne. A woman of fortitude and limited education, she carved a new life for herself, several times over. Women like her were the salt of the earth and seemingly indestructible. When life presented roadblocks, she found her route around them. She was a woman who had to and did. Valuable lessons are interlaced within Joanne’s life-endurance and determination. She reminded me of the women in my family who demonstrated similar traits.

Immigration is a fascinating field to story, especially while researching family history. Lost Legacies sheds light on one family’s journey. On page 205 Ostrowski said, “my grandmother had lots to offer Canada as Canada had lots to offer her….”