Family wijtowycz

Index

FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Some words ....................................................................................................... 2

Silent Immigrants: From Ukraine to Uruguay.............................................. 3

The Ukrainian letters........................................................................................ 8

The English letter that they never answered................................................ 13

The Meeting.................................................................................................... 16

The letter that change the family history.................................................... 18

Who is who in the family .............................................................................. 20

About the Area where are living................................................................... 25

About Uruguay and where we live................................................................ 29

How I feel......................................................................................................... 42

1

PART of the History December, 2003

FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych 20 years have been lapsed since the search began. The reason: the need to know the history that could not be told by the grandparents.

A trip began this way in search of the roots, with only baggage two letters, a couple of pictures and a dream.

The objective: to find their past intact, there where it got lost some very distant day...

To find somebody for who the sound of WIJTOWYCZ or SNOWYDOWYCZ were like a magic word that woke up a remember in the memory.

I arrived this way until here, following a dream...

It is not the end, but it is a beginning that I never could at least to imagine outside possible, in spite of the efforts, and the desire of achieving it.

THANKS

I should say that are many people that without having connection with the family and even without knowing me personally many of them they have helped me in this search. It would be impossible to mention all, but who were more involved: Hannia (she lives in some part of Ukraine and I not even know her last name) Vladimir Kreshchishin (Kherson - Ukraine) Vitality Vandrovych and their wife Iryna (Ukrainian that live in Boston) Michael Blekhman (he Lives in Canada) Pascal Pinan-Lucarre (Paris - France) Ihor Voronchak (he lives in Lviv, Ukraine) All them with small data, on location of places, customs, some addresses, among other things guided my road.

They are still queries that maybe together can answer, but at least we have a road to continue and the most important thing is that we have a real family in a real place.

At least with this part of the family it is time of to give turn the page and to begin and write a new history on the Snovydovych, those of now, those that we are to count to the coming generations which are their roots.

2

PART of the History Diciembre, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych Silent Immigrants From Ukraine to Uruguay ...

Maria Snovydovych Zeluck Kateryna Vitovich Snovydovych Varsovia 1931

Alejandro Vitovich Szpytko FotografĂ­a de pasaporte?

Ignoring their history while they lived, I try to understand the secret that they inherited us.

Why did never nobody ask?, because they never spoke - did their children answer who were orphan of grandparents and in who the curiosity never flourished.

Their family was their parents and never nobody asks more, because inside the humble and hidden habitation of the Wijtowycz Snowydowycz, today in a place and tomorrow in other, the silence was a law and an education.

They came from a different world, from their language (Ukrainian) until the calendar (Juliano 13 days late regarding the Gregorian).

Ukraine and Uruguay, two different places, two worlds with something in common, a lot it should be looked to know where the coincidences are and a lot should be thought to be able to decipher the reason of traveling so far.

The Black Sea together with the Azov and the Ocean Atlantic three waters that converge in some point of the planisphere, waters that saw pass a whole life, as if they had been forged by the tears of the immigrants. The bitter flavor of the experiences of the voyages, and some moments of happiness that didn't achieve prevailed.

Big powers contouring their frontiers except those exits to the sea and the ocean that are the escape to a dream, to a vision different from the world.

Does the celestial and yellow of their flags make it common, but how so much to begin a new life...?

3

Oleksa Wijtowycz Szpytko

Grandfather name:

(Alejandro Vitovich) Birth date:

April 3, 1900

Place of birth:

Bobrka, District 53 of Galitzia, BOYKO Area (Location: Southwest of Lviv, Northwest of Rohatyn, Southwest of Przemyslany, North of Zydaczow; all districts of oriental Galitzia in that time) At the moment BIBRKA (BOBRKA) it is in the District (Raion) of Peremyshlyankij, Region (Oblast) Lviv. Postal code 81220 Residence address:

Podhorodyozcze sub N° 87

Religion: Ethnic group:

Greek Byzantine Catholic Ruthenian at the moment denominated Ukrainian

Name of the Father: Name of the Mother:

ANUPHRIUS Wijtowycz (Onofre Vitovich) Eudoziae Szpytko (Eudozia Szpytko)

I don't know for sure that he has been born in Bobrka, since his address it is in Podhorodyozcze, and it is probable that it has simply been written down in Bobrka because their town is very small and registration offices don't exist BOBRKA is to 18 miles to the southeast of Lviv When he was born was considered Austrian citizen, since he was born in a village of oriental Galitzia (fair to the east of the current city of Lviv, be that he has been born since in Bobrka or Podhorodyozcze they are to scarce Km a town of other), area administered by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the I World War (1914-1918) this region became part of Poland. Therefore when the grandparents married (1922) they were civic Polish, but ethnically they continued being Ruthenians or Ukrainian.

The region was under control of the Poles up to 1939, then it passes to be part of the U.R.S.S. after the II World War.

Given to that the Ukrainian territory step under control of one country to another for many years, the inhabitants therefore changed citizenship constantly and for this reason their ethnic group was very important, since it was the only thing that identified them with its true origin.

Other variants of the last name: Wijtowycz (Ukrainian), Vitovich (correct spelling of the last name), Vyjtovych (current of writing in Ukrainian), Wojtowycz (in Pole)

4

5

PARTE de la HISTORIA Diciembre, 2003 FAMILIA

Vitovich Snovydovych

Marya Snowydowycz Zeluck

Grandmother name:

(Maria Snovydovych)

Birth date:

December 25, 1900

Birth place:

Bobrka, District 53 of Galitzia, BOYKO Area

Residence address:

Podhorodyozcze sub N° 92

Religion: Ethnic group:

Greco Bizantino Católico Ruthenian at the moment denominated Ukrainian

Name of the Father:

ANTONIUS SNOWYDOWYCZ

(Antonio Snovydovych, in Ukrainian Antin) Name of the Mother:

Maria Zeluck

In Ukraine, like in other parts of Europe and United States, the woman takes the husband's last name after marrying. For this reason, the grandmother María becomes María Vitovich (or Wojtowycz in Polish) like she already appears in the immigration documentation.

Other variants of the last name: Snowydowycz (Polish), Snovidovich (correct pronunciation of the last name, notarizes Russian), Snovydovych (current and correct spelling in Ukrainian).

The grandparents married October 22, 1922, in Romanow Church (District of Bobrka) Romaniv (current writing in Ukrainian of Romanow, in Polish), it is to 8.2 Km. to the northeast of Bobrka (Bibrka) and to 7.5 Km to the south of the village of Podhorodyozcze (Pydgorodyshche).

For the same reason that the inhabitants from Ukraine had many " citizenships ", the names of the towns, villages and cities have different spellings depending if it is in Polish, Ukrainian or Russian in that writings appear.

6

7

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Ukrainian letters...

Strange languages, as left of an algorithm, symbols that contained reports of a life, symbols that alone their addressee would interpret them.

For the other ones it was alone a leaf full with names and keys, for me became the key that

would open the return door to the family

Date: March 2 of 1966...

A

n envelope had arrived from a distance, crossing the ocean, two yellow letters

with words that are not allowed to read.

37 years later... they were translated (October of 2003)

NOTE: The translation was carried out from the Ukrainian into English, later of English to Spanish, therefore I attach a copy of all the versions here. All the letters were translated to English for more than a person of different places, to be able to make sure that it was correct what they told me that it writing in there.

8

9

TRANSLATION LETTER 1 Ukrainian – English

(It was really hard to understand a few words. So I put suspension points in some places)

My dear sister, I have received your letter, the first one in 7 years. I thought you were not alive already… Our brothers waited for a letter from you, but never got one. And they are not alive any longer… Both Oleksa and Ivan. Oleksa died tragically. He had a surgery <…> he had purulence in the stomach <…> and he died on his working place. As to Ivan, it will be 2 years on the 24th since he died because of that terrible disease <…> And so there are two persons who are left <…>. While Ivan was alive, Gandzia was at home. Now she lives at Oleksa’s son, Anton, and she doesn’t want to go. Oleksa died in 1961. In that year, in March, he wrote a letter to you, but there was no reply from you, so we thought that you were dead.

I talked to my daughter Ksenia, and she wrote to Olenka, in the same year, but the address was wrong. But this year, Olenka wrote on her own asking us to give her the correct address, and so we did. And, thanks God, we now know about you, your children, and all the relatives. Marina Lelukhova, who lived by the forest, has died this year. The old Konowalski, who lived in Lviv, has also died this year; his wife had died long ago. There is nothing around me <?>. I have a son named Volodimir. He will finish school next year, and he will turn 18 years old on July 20. That’s how I live in my old age. I am already 68. Just think how much sorrow and grief I have had for these 7 years, how much I have cried, and now I have no relatives left.

I am writing this to you sincerely, but you should not worry too much because they are dead anyway. I can’t write after so many years <?>. As to Ivan’s daughters whom you mention in your letter, please don’t mention them again; I don’t want to speak about them. They don’t know you, and you don’t know them. While the brother was alive, I used to go and see them, but now I don’t. I hope you will understand my letter <?>. As to Olenka, I don’t know how to thank her. I had no words to thank her for her wonderful attitude to us. The Maksxymchikis <?> are all dead. Many of the people you used to know are already dead. Oksana <?> worries quite a lot about you, she feels much about the relatives.

Oleksa’s Antin will also write you a letter, right after me. I enclose the funeral photograph of our brother Oleksa. Now I want to ask all of you to please send me your photo, <…> please send me a photo. Because I have your picture of you as a child <?>. Please send me a photo as soon as possible. And please ask your son and your daughter Luba to send me their pictures. We will send you ours a little later, after the holidays. Again, dear sister, please don’t worry about the brothers because they are already dead <?> My best regards to you and to your family, and all your folks.

The best of luck to you! Please reply.

Your brother, Grinko March 2, 1966.

10

11

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych TRANSLATION LETTER 2 Ukrainian – English

(It was really hard to understand a few words. So I put suspension points in some places)

August 17, 1966.

Blessed be the Name of Jesus!

Dear aunt, first of all I would like to inform you, that I have received your letter quite a long time ago. And thank you for it very much. Your brothers wrote to you, but did not receive any answer.

And our aunt Olenka became interested in you, dear aunty, and asked me to give her your address. I gave her one and I don’t know why, but I forgot to write Uruguay. Later on she told me that she had written to you. Her letter searched for you 3 months and returned back. Then she asked me once more to give her your accurate address. I took from aunt Handzya an envelope, you have formerly written, put inside the letter and sent it. And they found you. They help all from our village, they all find.

Dear aunty, when you wrote to us, my father answered you right away, but he did not send the letter, because you had your operation at that moment and we were afraid to disturb you with this letter.

Uncle Oleksiy and uncle Ivan died long ago. So do not be upset. One day we will pass away all of us but we can not know when and not all together. We thank the God that He took uncle Ivan from this world.

He suffered very much. I saw all it by myself when I went to see him. He asked the God to take him away as soon as possible. And uncle Oleksa could live more. He had not to work so hard. I told him to take care of himself but he answered, that he could not live without doing anything. So, dear aunty, I ask you very much not to be upset.

You still have my father and aunt Handzya. My father is already 70 years old. He also went through a lot of things, but he has strong nerves. Now I ask father to be calm. We all got already married except for the youngest brother. He finished his 11 classes at school and is going to enter to some institute. But I do not know if he could manage to do it. And the eldest brother Marko lives at home with our father but separately from all other parents. We were 6 children in the family and among these 6 there is one black sheep. I talk about Marko. Father let him built his own house in the garden, but he doesn’t want to do it.

Dear aunty, as you already know, I got married with the son of aunt Olenka brother Hanevych. I have two sons. One of them is 9 years old. His name is Vasyl. He finished his first form and the next year he will go to the second. Vasyl is a good pupil. He can do sums, multiply, divide, subtract and add. My other son is one year and one month old. His name is Zenko. My husband still has his mother. His father died when he got over the front. My husband’s name is Vlodko. All are safe and sound.

Dear aunty, write us about yourself and about your children. How are you? Please send us your photos. Send our regards to your daughters, to your son in low, to your son and his wife and also to your grandchildren. Good luck for all of you. When you answer us, we will write you more. Aunt Hundzya goes for a work. Father says, that he cannot see and has no spectacles good enough to write a letter to you.

Dear aunty I ask you once more to be calm and to take care of yourself and your children as you also suffered a lot. We also put inside the letter my father wrote.

Yours truly.

Ksenya.

This letter came jointly with the LETTER 1, it was sent in the same envelope.

12

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

The English letter that they never answered ....

Note: Ukrainian address of where the letter came

TRANSLATION:

13

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

NOTE: Obviously this letter was sent when Ukraine was under "Madre Russia's oppression" This letter arrived to Rocha to Kataryna's house in 1973, when the Dictatorship of our country made fear you would dam as much as the Soviet occupation in Ukraine.

Until that moment, Kataryna had lived without documentation, since the Ukrainian birth certificate was lost and she didn't possess anything that can say who was she.

In military Government's period happened approximately between 1973 and 1983 in Uruguay, Kataryna was pursued and harassed to possess a foreign last name associated with the USSR and not to possess documents, as well as to be married with a Czechoslovakian.

For these reasons, she wasn't able of to leave or to walk by the street, fearing being arrested. In that time, people disappeared without warning and never more returned to see for their families, not knowing if they were alive or dead.

When receiving this envelope from the USSR, Kataryna with fear hid it for many years, once the military regime finished she wrote to an address that had in United States directing the letter to Mrs. Helen Karpowich.

But her letter returned, Helen had died.

It is for that and when the family's contact got lost.

A time ago, trying to gather all the information that Aunt MarĂ­a Liria (nee Chica) and Aunt Kataryna (nee Katy) have, who were with the belongings of the grandparents when they died, it is that this letter appeared again.

Kataryna, in military government's years, owed under coercion to become Uruguayan citizen to be able to be more protected and sure.

The grandparents never took another citizenship, they were born, they lived and they died being Ukrainian.

On the letter appear two names: Ljuba and Ivan, I know Ivan is Juan in Ukrainian and Juan is my father, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know who is Ljuba.

14

15

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

L

The meeting ...

ong and complex it's the researchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history to resume it in a simple piece of paper,

so here I just will mention that November 1, 2003, finally locate the address of a person called Oksana Snovydovych, to who I wrote some simple lines, as so many times have made it to diverse families, but this time, the answer was different...

Once again I repeat that I will put the real versions of the letters that should be written in English, here and later on enclosed the translation. This is because, as well as the same search, the language has been another barrier that I should have crossed to arrive until here. And I think it can be understood better if I does this way.

So have patience and read until the end, remember that you should arrive until the page NÂş 23, and you will do it in a tiny time compared with the 20 years that I should have waited to receive the desired news that finally I have found the family.

Although like a "Gardelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tango" song say: "... 20 years it's nothing..."

My original Letter in English Montevideo, November 1, 2003 Dear Mrs Oksana, My name is Ana Carolina Vitovich, I'm daughter of Juan Vitovich Snovidovich, and grandaughter of Marya Snovidovich and Alejandro (Oleska) Vitovich.

I'm living in Montevideo, Uruguay - South America.

A few days ago, I finally can translate one letter that arrived to my grandmother Marya from her brother Gryshko of 1966. I have been searching for many years our family in Ukraine but I have not much data to find anything, just two letters in ukrainian.

Oksana Snovydovych is one mentioned in one letter from Lvov region Peremyshlyany - selo Pydgorodyshche : Snowydowycz Anna , please let me know if this brief history sounds familiar to you.

My grandparents born in Bobrka, and they emigrated to south America aprox. in 1931.

Thank you in advance for your attention, and please forgive me if I disturb you in any way.

I hope you can answer this letter.

Best regards

16

Ana Vitovich PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

TRANSLATION: Inglés - Ukrainian

Montevideo, листопад 1, 2003 Люба Mrs Оксана,

Моя назва Ana Carolina Vitovich, я дочка Juan Vitovich Snovidovich, та gran дочка Marya Snovidovich та Alejandro (Oleska) Vitovich. Я живу у Montevideo, Uruguay - південна Америка.

Нечисленні дні тому назад, я нарешті можу перекласти один лист що прибував до моєї баби Marya з її брата Gryshko 1966. Я шукав багато років наше сімейство в україні але я не багато даних знайти що-небудь, справедливі два листи українською. Оксана Snovydovych кожний Згаданий у одному листі з Lvov регіоні Peremyshlyany - selo Pydgorodyshche: Snowydowycz Anna, будь ласка дайте мені знати якби ця стисла історія звуки знайомі до вас. Мій дід і баба родила у Bobrka, та вони емігрували до південної Америки aprox. У 1931.

Спасибі авансом за вашу увагу, та будь ласка простіть мені якби я турбую вас у будь-якому шляху. Я сподіваюся ви можете відповісти цей лист. Найкращі побажання 17

Ana Vitovich

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

The letter that change the family’s history ...

“YOUR SEARCH IS OVER” A simple sentence that will be recorded in my mind and my heart forever Letter of Les` Maziar English original Montevideo, November 9, 2003 Dear Ana Carolina Vitovich,

Your search is over! You have found your family in Ukraine.

My name is Alex Maziar, and I've been married to Oksana Snovydovych for twelve years. You are definitely related to Oksana. I knew this as soon as I read your e-mail.

Oksana will be returning home from L'viv, Ukraine next week. We both visited family and friends in Ukraine this year during our vacations. I just got back myself to the United States a little while ago (I had to return to work). Oksana was elated when I telephoned and read your e-mail, and she wants to contact you as soon as she can, because she wants to get to know you and your family better. She was wondering how you managed to find our e-mail address, and would like to know more about you. She also asked if you could scan and send her your two letters in ukrainian. We are both fluent in Ukrainian and perhaps can help you to translate your letters in their entirety.

(By the way, South America is a familiar place for me since I was born in Tocuyito, (en el Estado de Carabobo) Venezuela, and lived in Caracas for several years).

We now live in New Jersey, USA. It was very nice hearing from you, and Oksana will certainly get in touch with you very soon!

Sincerely,

18

Alex (Alejandro) Maziar (P.S. Oksana regresa de Ucrania al catorce de noviembre.)

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

TRANSLATION: Inglés - Ukrainian

Montevideo, листопад 9, 2003 Любий Ana Carolina Vitovich, Ваш пошук закінчується! Ви знайшли ваше сімейство в україні. Моя назва Alex Maziar, та я був вийдений заміж за до Оксани Snovydovych протягом дванадцяти років. Ви напевно відноситесь до Оксани. Я знав цей як тільки я читаю вашу електронну пошту. Оксана буде повертатися додому з L'viv, Україна наступний тиждень. Ми і відвідували сімейство і друзів в україні цей рік під час наших канікул. Я тільки повернувся себе до Сполучених штатів невеликих в той час, як тому назад (я повинен був повернутися працювати). Оксана була окрилений коли я телефонував та читаю вашу електронну пошту, та вона захоче контактувати з вами як тільки вона може, тому, що вона захоче діставатися до знаєте вас та ваше сімейство краще. Вона дивувалася як ви спромоглися знаходите нашу адресу електронної пошти, та бажаєте знати більше про вас. Вона також запитувала якби ви могли переглянути та могли послати її ваші два листи українською. Ми і вільний українською і можливо можемо допомогти вам перекласти ваші листи у їхній цілісності. (До речі, південна Америка є знайоме місце для мене з я народився у Tocuyito, (en el Estado de Carabobo) Венесуела, та прожила у Caracas протягом декілька років). Ми зараз живемо у Нью-джерсі, США. Це було дуже красиве слухання від вас, та Оксана звичайно вступить в контакт з вами дуже скоро! Відверто, Alex (Alejandro) Maziar 19

(P.S. Oksana regresa de Ucrania al catorce de noviembre)

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Who is who in the family ...

T

he wait of 26 days became an eternity, the letter seemed never to arrive, but finally

December 4... everything seemed so simple of knowing and the years of silence and search became dates and names that have become a whole family without too much warning.

Letter from Oksana Snovydovych English Original Dearest Ana and all my family, First of all, I would like to apologize for the long silence and torturing you with the unknown. Let me reassure you that I am very interested to keep in touch with you and your family, because you are my family. I try my best to deal with many things. I even surprise myself how much I have done since I came back from Ukraine. Only one problem - my English is far away from perfect ( I was born in the city of L`viv in 1965, and in early '90 I came to the USA). What takes me minutes to write in Ukrainian - takes a day to do such thing in English . So, my husband Alex or Les` must correct everything what I am writing in English. Sorry again.

I can not express all my joy and happiness that happened last month. It is truly a miracle. After many decades of silence. Thank you very much for your persistence and diligence in such adverse topic - finding family.

I already shared these news with my family in Ukraine. They are absolutely delighted and looking forward to meeting you - all of you!

Now I will try to fill in some of the blanks and clarify some facts about our families.

20

Be ready - it is big, no it is huge. One thing - I do not know everything and unfortunately not many of us are left in the present time due to natural causes, soviet occupation and the constant struggle to survive.

As far I can tell that our great grandfather Antin had at least 7 children: I believe the oldest was Ivan (with 3 daughters ), my grandpa Hryn`ko (3 sons and 3 daughters = 6) , your grandma Maria( 2 daughters and son =3), Vasyl`, Oleksa ( 3 sons) , Slavko and Anna or Handzia ( or nee Hania ). You will probably be happy to learn that our grandaunt Handzia ( your grandmother's youngest sister) is still alive and lives in Pidhorodyshche - the only one left from that generation. Slavko was killed by KGB when he was only 13 while helping out ukrainian rebels - partyzany in 1945. Uncle Vasyl` died soon after he was released from soviet prison. He was beaten to death by russians for the same reasons. Sorry for this sad news, but the history of our family is very tragic.

The 2 letters witch you have are about my aunt Ksenia and uncle ( stryjko) Volodymyr, my father Mykhjalo's younger siblings. She and Volodymyr (nee Vlodko) still live in the village of Pidhorodyshche .

Now - here I am Oksana Snovydovych (this is the correct spelling in Ukrainian of my last name - russians would love that we spell "Snovidovich" - it was their goal to make us all russians). I am a daughter of Mykhajlo and granddaughter of Hryn`ko (as in your letter Grinko) My grandpa Hryn`ko (1898-1988) was married to Paraskevia Pan`kiv (1909-2001) and they had 6 children - Myrko (1927-1989), Mykhajlo(19292002), Ksenia (1931-), Lesia (1934-1978), Natalka(1939-) and Vlodko (1948-).

My immediate family is my mother Lusia ( Liudmyla1929-) and older sister Halyna ( 1959-) (or nee Halia). They live in L`viv ( in the same apartment building). Halia has 2 children - Natalia (25 years old) who just got married and Roman (22). Halia and Natalia work at L'viv National University named after Ivan Franko. We are all biologists - I am a biochemist and Halia, Natalia and Roman are plant physiologists.

My husband Les` is an engineer /electronics. We have been a happily married couple for 12 years. I worked as a scientist with Wyeth-Ayerst Research ( a division of American Home Products, Inc, a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company) until it moved to another state. I decided to stay in New Jersey and explore a new career .

Now, I am the President of Friends of L`viv University, Inc. - a non-profit organization, which tries to establish connections with Ukrainians all over the world and help prominent young ukrainian kids to achieve their goals - get an education and embark on their careers in the new Ukraine. It is hectic, because we were born to be slaves for "mother russia." Only a few of us got higher educations. It was hell. And it is still hell for many native Ukrainians.

What can I tell you more - my father Mykhajlo was the one who's tried to find your family. He was sure that your grandmother's family lived somewhere in Argentina. In the late 80's I wrote a letter with a few words in Spanish ( I learned it in high school), but we didn't get back even our unopened letter. I guess either the russians or Argentinean government did not have the courtesy to return somebody's private belonging even if it was paid for.

21

I can only imagine how happy my father would have been to learn that finally we are reunited, but he unexpectedly passed away in the week before Easter 2002. Maybe, there is something that we do not know - perhaps that it was his help for you to find me ( I wish it happened sooner). He dreamed all his life to reunite the whole family, he cared that nobody should be missing from our family trees. He cherished everything, and for him it was very painful to realize that soon there will be just complete strangers with some related genes, and nothing else. He was a family man - a true gentleman. I miss him a lot. All my work what am I doing today I dedicate to the memory of my father Mykhajlo and to my mom Liudmyla. I wish that she can see as much as possible and be happy about it.

I will keep in touch with you, and tell you more about our family in the near future, but I must go now and get back to work.

I hope to hear from you soon.

C`om to all, Oksana P.S. Les` dice !Hola!

TRANSLATION: Inglés - Ukrainian

Любе Ana та все моє сімейство, Насамперед, я бажаю перепросити для довгої тиші та катуючих вас з невідомих. Дозволений мені заспокоюєте вас що я цікавлюся дуже щоб утримати у дотику з вами та вашому сімействі, тому, що ви є моє сімейство. Я пробую мій кращий мати справу з багато речей. Я навіть дивую себе скільки я зробив з я повернувся з України. Тільки одна проблема - моя англійська далеко з досконалого (я народився у місті L`viv у 1965, та у ранньому '90 я прибув до США). Що бере мені протокол написати українською - бере день зробити таку річ англійською. Так, мій чоловік Alex або Les` повинен виправити все що я пишу англійською. Засмучений ще раз.

Я не можу виразити всю мою радість та щастя що відбувався останній місяць. Це - справді чудо. Після багато десятиріччя тиші. Щиро дякую вам за вашу настійливість та ретельність у такій несприятливій темі - знахідка сімейство. Я вже поділив цю новину з моїм сімейством в україні. Вони абсолютно захоплюються та з нетерпінням чекають зборів ви - всі ви! Зараз я постараюся заповнити деякі з бланків та роз'ясняю деякі факти про наші сім'ї. Зм готове це - велике, ніяке величезно. одна річ - я не знаю все та на жаль не багато нас лишаюсь у нинішньому часі завдяки природним причинам, радянська окупація та константа боротьба вижити. Як далекий я можу розповісти що наш великий дід Antin мав принаймні 7 дітей: Я вважаю старший Іван (з 3 дочками), моїми grandpa Hryn`ko (3 сина 22

та 3 дочки=6), вашої grandma Maria (2 дочки та син =3), Vasyl`, Oleksa (3 сина), Slavko та Anna або Handzia (або nee Hania). Ви будете певно тішитися довідатися що наш grandaunt Handzia (ваша баба найбільш молода сестра) є все-таки живі та терміни життєздатності у Pidhorodyshche - єдиний кожний переїхав з тієї генерації. Slavko був убитий KGB коли він був тільки 13 той час, як допомагаючи українським бунтівникам - partyzany у 1945. Дядько Vasyl` вмер скоро після він був позбавлений радянської тюрми. Він був побитий до смерті росіянами з тих же причин. Засмучена для цього смутна новина, але історія нашого сімейства є дуже трагічна.

2 чаклунки листів ви про мою тітку Ksenia та дядько (stryjko) Volodymyr, мій батько Mykhjalo молодші siblings. Вона та Volodymyr (nee Vlodko) все-таки живуть у селі Pidhorodyshche. Зараз - у нас я Оксана Snovydovych (це являє собою правильний правопис українською мого прізвища - росіяни би полюбили що ми відрізок часу "Snovidovich" - це була їхня мета зробити нам всі росіяни). Я є дочка Mykhajlo та онука Hryn`ko (як у вашому листі Grinko) Мойому grandpa Hryn`ko (1898-1988) була одружен Paraskevia Pan`kiv (1909-2001) та вони мали 6 дітей - Myrko (1927-1989), Mykhajlo (1929-2002), Ksenia (1931-), Lesia (1934-1978), Наталка (1939-) та Vlodko (1948-).

Моє негайне сімейство є моя мати Lusia (Liudmyla1929 -) та старша сестра Halyna (1959-) (або nee Halia). Вони живуть у L`viv (у тій же квартирі будівництво). Halia має 2 дітей - Natalia (25 років) хто тільки одружився та роман (22). Halia та Natalia робота при L'viv Національний Університет названий після Івана Franko. Ми вміємо всі біологи я є biochemist та Halia, Natalia та роман physiologists заводу. Мій чоловік Les` є інженер/електроніка. Ми були happily одруженою парою протягом 12 років. I працювало вченим з Wyeth-Ayerst Дослідженням (відділення американських Домашніх Продуктів, Inc, Доля 500 фармацевтичної компанії) до це рухався до іншої держави. Я вирішив залишитися у Нью-джерсі та досліджую нову кар'єру. Зараз, я являю собою Президента Друзів L`viv Університету, Inc. безприбуткова організація, котрий намагається встановити зв'язки з Уркаїнцями в усьому світі та допомагають видатним молодим українським дітям досягнути їхніх цілей - отримують освіту та розпочинають на їхніх кар'єрі у новій Україні. Це є hectic, тому, що ми народились бути раби для "матері росія ." Тільки декілька нас отримав вищі освіту. Це було пекло. Та це - все ще пекло для багато рідних Уркаїнців.

Що можу я розповідаю вам більше - мій батько Mykhajlo являв собою один хто постарався знайти ваше сімейство. Він переконався що ваше сімейство баби прожило де-небудь у Аргентині. У пізньому 80 я написав лист з нечисленними словами іспанською (я вивчив це у середній школі), але ми не повернулися навіть наші unopened лист. Я здогадуюсь або росіяни або Argentinean уряд не мав чемність повернути хтось приватна приналежність навіть якби це платилось за.

23

Я можу тільки уявити як щасливого мого батька би мушу довідатися що нарешті ми reunited, але він unexpectedly зник у тижні перед Пасхою 2002. Можливо, є щось що ми не знаємо - можливо що це була його допомога для вас знайти мені (я би хотів, щоб це відбулося швидше). Він мріяв все його життя reunite все сімейство, він дбав що ніхто не повинен бути не встигають на з наших сімейних дерев. Він плекав все, та для нього це було дуже болісне здійснити що скоро там буде справедливі повноцінні незнайомці з деяким пов'язані genes, та нічого ще. Він вмів сімейна людина вірний джентльмен. Я пропускаю його багато. Вся моя робота що я роблячий сьогодні я присвячую до пам'яті мого батька Mykhajlo та до моєї мами Liudmyla. Я бажаю що вона може побачити як багато як можливого та може тішитися про це. Я утримаю у дотику з вами, та розповідаю вам більше про наше сімейство у найближчому майбутньому, але я повинен поїхати зараз та повертаюся працювати. Я сподіваюся отримати відповідь від вас скоро.

C`om до всієї, Оксани

P.S. Les` dice !Hola!

A

nd I knew this way that the grandmother's sister that still alive , and three cousins siblings besides some seconds cousins as Oksana.

Next I detail in form graph the tree of our FAMILIA Snovydovych, I don't still have pictures Also for the Ukrainian Family I detail our family from Uruguay.

24

25

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

About the Area where are living

PEREMYSHLIANSKYJ (Ukrainian)

Other names and spellings:

Peremyshliany, Peremyslany, Peremyshlany Przemyshlany, Przemysliany, PRZEMYSLANY (Polish), Przemyslani (Slovenian), Przemyslani, Przemislany (German- Hungarian), Peremyschlany (German)

At this moment in the Western of Ukraine In the heart of Historical Area of Galitzia/Halychyna, which was formerly also part of Austrian Empire (1772-1918) and Poland (1375-1772 and between 1919-1939) until fall in the U.R.S.S hands.

26

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

PEREMYSHLYANY is a small town in western part of Ukraine. It has about 13.000 inhabitants and is administrative center of Peremyshlyanskyy rayon (Peremyshlyany district) which belongs to Lviv'ska oblast (Lviv region), the most western region of Ukraine.

Polish name of the town is PRZEMYSLANY and is spelled as [Pzhemyslany].

This Polish name you will find on the most of documents and maps dating before 1939, when Peremyshlyany and whole Ukrainian province of Galicia (Halychyna / Ggalizien / Galicja) was part of Austria (Austria-Hungary, during 1772 - 1918) and Poland (1375 1772 and 1919 - 1939).

In 1939 Peremyshlyany and whole Galicia was occupied by Soviet troops and incorporated into Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (of the Soviet Union) which is now

independent

Ukraine

(since

1991).

Name Peremyshlyany possibly comes from Slavic word "promysl / przemysl" which can be translated as "business, work or, industry". Town is located on the highest part of Podillya Uplands. And the highest mountain of Podillya - KAMULA (about 500 meters above sea level) is located near Peremyshlyany. Around Peremyshlyany hills are 406 meters high.

The closest one in village Lypivtsi which is on the top of it. Thick forest of hornbeam trees and beech trees surround the area.

Economically speaking Peremyshlyany is quite backward with little industry.

There is no railway connection to Peremyshlyany, though there was one before the Second World War. It used to connect Lviv and Berezhany via Peremyshlyany. But it was destroyed by Germans during the war and never restored again.

27

During the First World War there was a front line in Peremyshlyany along Hnyla Lypa (Gnila Lipa) river and fierce battles between Austrian and Russian troops.

Thus many military cemetries remained since those times in nearby forests.

Peremyshlyany is located on highway connecting Lviv with Berezhany and Rohatyn, as well as with whole Ivano-Frankivsk region. The main road runs through main street which is also a key street in the town.

It is called "Halyts'ka" (Galician) street.

Telephone code for Peremyshlyany is (+380) 3263, where 380 is international code for Ukraine. If you dial within Ukraine you should dial 0 in front of 3263.

The closest international airport is in Lviv (Lvov - Lwow - Lemberg) which is one hour drive from Peremyshlyany. Lviv is the major city in Western Ukraine and Peremyshlyany belongs to Lviv region.

There are many daily connections to Peremyshlyany from the Main Bus Station in Lviv (at Stryiska street) as well as from Secondary Bus Station (at Lychakivska street). All buses going from Lviv to Rohatyn, Berezhany, IvanoFrankivsk, Halych, Kolomyya, Yaremcha, Dolyna, Kalush etc. stop in and go via Peremyshlyany.

Town is Ukrainian speaking and Ukrainians are the most of population there. No Jews or Poles left. One can count those by fingers, a few tens.

The closest towns to Peremyshlyany are: BEREZHANY, ZOLOCHIV (ZLOCZOW), BIBRKA (BOBRKA) and ROHATYN (ROGATIN).

28

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Pydgorodyshche (Ukrainian) Other names and spellings: Podhorodyozcze?

Very small Villa located to 14 km to the northwest of Peremyshlyany, and to 10 or 15 miles of the town of Rozdyl.

The Baptism and Marriage’s certificates of the grandparents are registered in the district of BOBRKA (Town nearest to Peremyshlyany), and appear as address: Pydgorodyshche Nº 81 (grandfather Alejandro) and Nº 92 (grandmother María).

29

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

About Uruguay ... and where we are living

Uruguay is strategically located among Argentina and Brazil on the margin Atlantic of South America

The weather is benign in the whole year without extreme temperatures, to be in the subtropical area of the continent, more near the Tropic of Capricorn than of the Circle Polar Antarctic.

When having four very defined stations the averages of temperatures they are in Spring of 18º/20º C, in Summer 25º/28º C, in Autumn of 15º/17º C and in Winter 10º/12º C. Official Name República Oriental de Uruguay Capital Montevideo 68.039 millas2 Area 176.220 km2 3.360.105 (est. julio 2001) Poblation Spanish (Official), Portuguese (in the Brazilian frontier) Language

30

The territory is divided in 19 departments and its population is of something more than 3 million inhabitants (18 inhabitants for Km2).

In Montevideo are concentrates the population's 44%, as long as the rural population reaches to 12%.

In their coastal line on the RĂ­o Uruguay, the River De la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean the Country has its main ports: Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, Nueva Palmira and Fray Bentos.

Special importance is attributed to the port of Nueva Palmira like load terminal for the HidrovĂ­a, since it constitutes the exit to the sea for Paraguay, Bolivia and it leaves of the Southwest of Brazil.

Airports: International Airport of Carrasco in Montevideo Aeropuerto Carlos Curbelo of Maldonado and one of alternative in Duraznoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s city

Where we are living

31

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

URUGUAY FLAG

My brother Daniel with some friends and the flag in Cordoba â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Argentina

32

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Images of La Paloma in Rocha Department Where Kataryna lives

Is one of most beautiful coast of beaches, is a 4 hours of Montevideo

33

PART of the History December, 2003

34

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Images of Minas in Lavalleja Department Where Maria Liria lives

Theater and one important street

Libertad Square in the center of the city

Small city at 2 hours of Montevideo

35

PART of the History December, 2003

37

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Images of Tacuarembรณ Where my father Juan Antonio and my brother Daniel are living Also is where all my siblings and me were born and grow up.

We move to Montevideo, for study reasons, because the University in Uruguay is available only in this city.

Iporรก Spa, with two artifitial lakes, located at 7 km of the city

Central Square and the Cathedral Is located at 5 hours of Montevideo and in the heart of the country

38

PART of the History December, 2003

39

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych

Images of Montevideo Where Maria Alejandra (nee Ale), Mรณnica and me we are living

Air picture of Montevideo

Big Cross building where the Pope visit Uruguay

-

40

Gaucho Monument in the center of the city

Square in the center of the city

Principal Avenue of Montevideo named 18 de Julio

Parlament

41

Other pictures of Montevideo, we have coast around the city

42

Montevideoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Port

Night view of Montevideo

Two more squares in the city

43

PART of the History December, 2003 FAMILY

Vitovich Snovydovych Lastly I will allow myself to express how I felt when finding this part of my history...

20 years ago I began the trip to the past loading as only baggage a picture and a couple of yellowish papers, a sad question in English and a missive with undecipherable words.

Little baggage would seem, little weight would be guessed, if it was not for the blames of the soul.

Today I have begun to cure their wounds, to filling the empty spaces, today I have reconstructed their forgetfulness, their past...

Today they will be able to rest, we have already rediscovered ourselves.

20 years later, are not more just a blurred image in the memory of a child who doesn't remember neither the sound of their voices, or the color of their looks, 20 years later, they leave of to be... silent immigrants... to be... simply... my grandparents.

44

PICTURES I HAVE

Lesia Snovydovych (Alejandra Snovydovych) December 1954 Daughter of Grinko (in Ukrainian Hryn´ko, spanish Gregorio), brother of Grandma María Born in 1934 in Ukraine and died January 5, 1978 in Poltava (Ukraine)

45

Who are they?

Grandmother Marya with Maria Liria and Juan Antonio around 1945/46 in “El Plata Chico” – Minas

46

Other pictures of Juan Antonio growing

47

In the middle Juan Antonio, playing Football

48

My father with Katarynaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daughters: Martha and Nora (1959)

49

50