Connecting Through DNA

A fellow Family Tree DNA member emailed me asking about an Andrew Sass that may have arrived with his known relative with the surname Nowak. For my convenience and to protect his privacy, I’ll use the initials SW to indicate this contact.

SW had tested with his sister and I had submitted a test for my mother. Both of us are exploring our Polish heritage. Family Tree DNA is predicting that we are 3rd to 5th cousins. SW asked whether Andrew Sass and Louise Sass could have been siblings. It is possible.

In my previous research using Polish church records on Family History Center microfilm, I found the church baptism index for Louise. I unfortunately have not found the actual baptism register that the index listed.

I made note of the other Sass entries in the index, including an Andreas Sas, baptized 17 Aug 1894, and 7 other Sas babies baptized between 1880 and 1896.

My research plan into whether Louise Sass, who was baptized 22 Jun 1889 and emigrated 27 Apr 1907, is related to Andrew Sas, as described by SW, and whether this Andrew Sass is the same person as the Andreas Sas who was baptized on 17 Aug 1894 includes researching Chicago and Polish church records available as protected digital images at FamilySearch affiliated libraries.

Specifically, I’ll search:
o St. Barbara Catholic Church, Chicago, IL.
o St. Mary of Perpetual Help, Chicago, IL
o Zwiernik, Pilzno Parish in the Tarnow, Poland collection

I just need to find the time for a field trip to a Family Search affiliated library. I like the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook, IL. The building design allows in a lot of natural light, they provide large tables, and have consistently strong Wi-Fi.

So, thank you DNA for the connection.

#DNADay #Genealogy #familyhistory #geneticgenealogy