Natalie Magda

HON 1000
Prof. DeNicolo
11 October 2016
The Letters of Zosia Koslowski (nee Staszynski)
23 May 1909
Dear Mother and Father,
After a long and arduous journey, I finally made it safely to Detroit. I have found our
Aunt and Uncle who moved here a few years back. I am so lucky to have family that I know
here. Did you know that many girls travel here, and have to live in Young Womens Homes?
They are said to be nice establishments and room and board is only $3 per week, however I
cannot imagine being alone in this great city.1 When I first arrived in New York, I could not
believe my eyes. Never had I seen before so many people! On the way to Detroit, I met many
fellow Poles. A great number of them were travelling from Pennsylvania. They told me that the
steel industry isnt doing so well there, and that they are coming to Detroit searching for jobs.2
Although I feel like a stranger here, I am so surprised and happy at the great polish community
here in Detroit. They call it, Polonia!3 Imagine my surprise when I walked into St. Albertus,
the local church, and heard our native language!4 It sometimes feels like Im back in Poland and
I feel like Im home, even in this new land.5 Aunt Stanislawa will be helping me to find a job. I
will be trying to get into domestic work, just like her.1 When I learned that women here work in a
variety of fields, I was so surprised! I can train to become a farmworker, seamstress, or even roll
cigars. Imagine that! I do miss home terribly. I send my love to you both, and to all my seven
younger siblings. Whenever I regret my decision to leave home, I think of you all and continue
trying to find a good job to send money home. Give baby Jozef a kiss from me!
Your oldest daughter,
Zosia Staszynski

8 January 1910
Dear Mother and Father,
In this letter I enclose my wages from the last few months in this letter. It isnt much, but
itll help buy some bread. It has been a very hard few months. I have entered into domestic work,
and have been learn how to sew properly. I have been thinking about learning how to use a
typewriter, however there arent many jobs for newcomers to different companies and
businesses.1 I continue attending Mass at St. Albertus. 4 I have even checked out some books
from the Detroit Public Library.5 I was overjoyed when I learned that they have books in Polish.
English has been very difficult to learn. I am lucky to be living in an area where so many
inhabitants speak Polish. I have recently realized that not everything is roses and sunshine at my
church. There are rumors of a rift in our church, and the possible creation of a new church,
named Polish National Church.3 I am appalled at the audacity of those who want to break from
our church and start their own! There has also been tension between the Polish Jews and us.
Although we come from the same homeland, it feels as though we are not brothers and sisters.3
They worship in their synagogues, and we worship in our cathedrals and chapels. When I
received your last letter, I was very distressed to hear of baby Jozefs sickness. Hopefully the
money I send will help get some treatment or medicine. I am also taking your advice to heart,
and am looking for a suitable man to marry. I send my love to you all.

Your daughter,
Zosia Staszynski

25 June 1912
Dear Mother and Father,
It is with a heavy heart that I write back to your previous letter. I cried all day when I
received the news of baby Jozefs death. This envelope contains extra money to help provide for
his funeral. I wish I could have been home to say goodbye, but I know how important the money
that I send is to our family. In happier news, I have met a nice man. His named is Jan Koslowski.
He is a Catholic, so I know you will approve of him. To help keep my mind off of the death of
my beloved younger sibling, he has been telling me about his work and his political views. He
has a nice stable job working at the Ford Company. He makes, Model Ts! 7 You may be asking,
What is a Model T? It is like a steel carriage that runs without the need of horses. One day our
little village will be full of them! Jan spends most of his day working hard at the factory.
Recently, Jan showed me a manual for Ford employees. It has advice regarding cleanliness,
proper attire, and how an employee should carry themselves.8 I learned about free classes to teach
English to the employees, and am burning with jealousy that only men are allowed to attend. Jan
has also been telling me about the politics here regarding Poles. I learned that many Poles arent
involved in politics because of their poor English and lack of citizenship.4 Jan told me of a man
who was mayor when he was younger, who greatly favored the Poles. His name was Mayor
Pingree and unfortunately, he has passed away. Jan told me of an event where many Poles
demanded access to citizenship papers. Mayor Pingree told the Poles they could get their
citizenship papers for free, but city hall wanted to charge them a dollar.9 Mayor Pingree also tried
to rid the city of corruption and help the poor laborers.6 If only there were more politicians like
Mr. Pingree! Jan has been trying to get his fellow polish workers to join a labor union, but they

are unwilling. They say that it is too expensive, and that it may interfere with their employment.5
I am so proud of Jan. I believe we will be married shortly. I send my love.

Your daughter,
Zosia Staszynski
9 September 1914
Dear Mother and Father,
Jan and I are celebrating our second anniversary of marriage today. He took our year old
boy and me to visit Belle Isle today. We have decided to name our boy, Jozef, after my beloved
departed sibling. Belle Isle is such a beautiful escape from city life. Little Jozef loved looking at
the pretty colored fish! We also even saw a polar bear.7 I have decided that I am going to become
a private seamstress. It will also allow me to be at home more, now that our second baby is on
the way. Who would have ever thought that I would go so far here? I have changed greatly ever
since I have come to America. I am more educated and can speak more English, and I have
become a great seamstress. I have also become accustomed to city life and am slowly learning
more about politics. I hope to make the city better for Poles. Jan and I have considered moving to
Hamtramck, an area a bit away from downtown where many other Poles are moving to. There is
a Dodge car factory there, and Jan will be trying to work there.7 Also, there are many polish
churches and schools being opened there. It would be perfect for little Jozef and his future
siblings!5 I continue to send my love.

Your daughter,
Zosia Koslowski

Endnotes
[1] GIRLS FROM THE COUNTRY.: MANY COME TO THE CITY IN SEARCH OF
Detroit Free Press (1858-1922); May 14, 1899; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Detroit
Free Press pg. D1. Accessed 29-09-2016.
[2]Bukowczyk, John J. and Peter D. Slavcheff. Metropolitan Detroit Polish Americans: A
Statistical Profile. Polish American Studies, Vol. 48, No. 1 (Spring, 1991), pp. 23-62.
Accessed 29-09-2016.
[3] Bukowczyk, John J. POLISH AMERICANS, ETHNICITY AND OTHERNESS. The
Polish Review, Vol. 43, No. 3 (1998), pp. 299-313. Accessed 29-09-2016.
[4] Radzialowski, Thaddeus. The View from a Polish Ghetto. Some Observations on the First
One Hundred Years in Detroit. Ethnicity (Journal Collection Historical Abstracts, Vol.
1, Issue 2, EBSCO:America: History & Life, (1975) pp. 125-150. Accessed 29-09-2016.
[5] Remigia, M. The Polish Immigrant in Detroit to 1914. Polish American Studies, Vol. 2,
No. 1/2 (Jan. - Jun., 1945), pp. 4-11. Accessed 29-09-2016.
[6] Martelle, Scott. Detroit, A Biography. Chicago Review Press. 2012. (pp 79-83). Chicago, Il.
[7] Bak, Richard. Detroit, A Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing, 1998. (pp. 9-10, 75-80, 104)
Chicago, Il.
[8] Helpful Hints and Advice to Employes. Detroit, MI: Ford Motor, 1915. Print.
[9] CAME DOWN IN DROVES: THE NORTH END POLES TOOK A DAY OFF
YESTERDAY. Detroit Free Press (1858-1922); Mar 16, 1895; ProQuest Historical
Newspapers: Detroit Free Press pg. 5. Accessed 29-09-2016.