My great-grandfather was Polish and we have always believed he was from Poland. However, his 1918 US WWI registration shows his nearest relative living in Pinsk, Minsk, Belarus (then Gub. Russia). As the Surname EWTUCHOWSKI (I am told it was pronounced 'Evta-husky') can be found nowhere else, I am sure it was altered based on where this polish family lived, etc.. Any idea of what it might be altered to if they lived in this area? I found a record of someone in the Pinsk Duma 1905, named Sergei Evtukh, and to me this seemed like it might be a connection at least surname-wise, a quick Internet search shows that the surname EVTUCK is at least in use today. I welcome any thoughts, comments, or suggestions. See below for the complete story of Joseph Ewtuchowski, my great grandfather. Parents (according to Staten Island death certificate were John Ewtuchowski and Sophie Budno, Brother in Pinsk was Antioni Ewtuchowski).
Thanks, Todd
The story goes that Joseph was conscripted from his family's farm in Poland. Judging by the listing of a brother or close relative as nearest of kin on his WWI US registration form, Ewtuchowski may have lived in Pinsk, Minsk Gub. which is part of Belarus. Many Poles lived there as this territory went back and forth between Poland and Russia over the course of several centuries. It would once again become part of Poland for an instance after WWI, before Poland was once again partitioned by Russia and Germany.
"The Russian army came to his farm and said you had to join". Joseph apparently did well and received a pocket watch for his service in the Russian Army. According to the story, he wound up growing pineapples for the Tsar. Not sure if this was in St. Petersburg, but that would make sense. Pineapples were considered a delicacy during this time period. Considering there is no mention of warfare in his story, it is unlikely that Joseph engaged in the Russian-Japanese war of 1905-1906 which resulted in an embarrassment for Russia. The conscription law in Russia was that once an adult male in the empire turned 20 years of age, he was required to serve 6 years in the Russian Imperial Army. Joseph turned 20 in 1900 and immigrated to the United States around 1905-1907. It seems likely that upon his discharge, Ewtuchowski came to America. He apparently had money, or did well for himself as he owned his own saloon in Bayonne, NJ for a time.