This week we take a look at the lineage of the Kozminska surname as it pertains to my family’s history.  This is by far the tiniest little tree in the history of family trees.  It reminds of the tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Earliest Known Ancestor

My great-grandmother, Anna Kozminska, was born in Poland on April 26, 1867.  Her maiden name may have been Kozminska, Kozminski, Kozmanski or Buzinski. Her first name has also been documented as Annie instead of Anna.  Various records have indicated multiple possibilities, although I have seen references to “Kozminska” more than any other variation.

Anna arrived to the United States in 1891 according to the 1900 US Census, in 1889 according to the 1910 US Census and in 1888 according to the 1920 US Census.  All of the census records show her living in Otsego County, Michigan in the Gaylord area.  The 1900 US Census says she had been married for 14 years, putting her wedding date circa 1886 prior to her arrival.  Unfortunately, I haven’t found Anna’s or Joseph Dreffs’ ship passenger records.  We know absolutely nothing about her family.

Anna died on April 8, 1926 in Saginaw, Michigan.   Her son (my grandfather) Walter Anthony Dreffs was 26 years old when she passed away.  She died more than two decades before my mother was even born.  We have no other information about her.  She is buried with her husband Joseph Dreffs at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Saginaw, Michigan.

Lineage of the Kozminska Surname

Lineage

Jessica Marie Cole > Diane Marie Dreffs > Walter Anthony Dreffs (1900 – 1958) > Anna Kozminska (1867 – 1926)

Items of Interest

Obituary for Anna (Kozminska) Dreffs, April 15, 1926 in the Otsego Herald Times, Otsego County, Michigan

Mrs. Joe Dreffs Died at Saginaw Thursday

Mrs. Joe Dreffs, a resident of Otsego county for 25 years, died last Thursday, April 8, at her home in Saginaw following a lingering illness. Mrs. Dreffs left Gaylord 13 years ago and has since lived in Saginaw.

Mrs. Dreffs was born in Poland 57 years ago, coming to Gaylord 38 years ago. She leaves to mourn their loss, her husband and ten children, Martin and Vincent of Gaylord; Frank, Walter, Paul, Andrew and Cassimer Dreffs; Mrs. Paul Grabowski, Mrs. Stanley Remyszewski and Mrs. Mary Kolba, of Saginaw; 37 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were held at St. Casimers church at Saginaw, Saturday morning, Rev. Fr. Valerlan S. Szymanski officiating.

Family Notes

• I would love to see the passenger entry for Anna Dreffs or Anna Kozminska.  I am hoping it is with the passenger entry for Joseph Dreffs, which I cannot locate.
• The death record for Anna has “unknown” listed for the information name and birthplace of both of her parents.

Additional Information

Check out my Ancestry Family Tree for Anna (Kozminska) Dreffs.

See the grave of Anna (Kozminska) Dreffs on Find A Grave.