help locate town

[mmbsmith]

Hi,

I am seeking help in locating information regarding an ancestor.
Date of Birth: May 13, 1899 or 1900

Place of Birth: Dubua Volunskaya Gubernia (He also said Warsaw, Poland)
He stated that "…the language stated in this little town (near Warsaw) was not principally Polish; it was Russian. He stated that they spoke Polish and German as well, but the official language was Russian."

Family: He was the oldest of 5 children, 1 brother and 3 sisters. It is believed that his father worked for Singer Sewing Machine Co. His parents divorced around May, 1912. The 2 boys went with the father, the 3 girls went with the mother. His parents re-married. He did not get along with his step-mother and left home in 1914, and traveled to various cities in Russia with a companion.

Immigration: To United States in 1916. It is believed that he worked his way to the US with North German LLoyds, possibly on the Deutschland.

His adopted name in the US was William Stewart Maxwell. He was adopted in Denver Colorado in 1916. William enlisted in the Navy that same year, and retired with the rank of Rear Admiral in 1950. He had an illustrious and decorated career, including the awarding of the Virtuti Militari by the Polish Government in Exile.

William would never speak of his family or anything prior to his arrival in the US. He very carefully hid his origins. It is believed that he did not want to be found by family.

Not knowing the nuances of Polish or Russian, I am seeking help in locating his place of birth. I understand that the names, spellings and borders have changed since 1900. If I can locate this town's present-day location and name, it would be of great help.

Please email me if you can be of assistance.

Thank you,
Michael
mmbsmith@gmail.com

[konskovolensis]

Maybe Dubno (Ukrainian and Russian: Дубно = Dubno), now Ukraine?

Near Warsaw there is no "Volunskaya Gubernia". I think that "Volunskaya Gubernia" can be changed name of the Volhynian Gubernia (Russian: Волынская губерния = Volynskaya guberniya). "Dubua" can be changed, misshapen name of the Dubno. In writening, "n" sometimes is similar to "u'. Dubno was in Poland from 1569 to 1795 and from 1921 to 1944 (de facto 1939). In fact, in Dubno were many Ukrainian and Russian speaking people. After partition of Poland, Dubno was located in Volynskaya guberniya in Russian empire.

But Dubno isn't near Warsaw. According to google maps, it's about 450 km. I think Warsaw is only to show you which region of Europe you should asking for.

It also possible that instead "Volunskaya Gubernia" should be "Wieluń County" (Polish: powiat wieluński, Russian: Велюньский уезд = Wyelyunskiy uyezd). Wieluń is nearer Warsaw than Dubno. Many German speaking people lived there. But I don't know which town in this region is similar to your "Dubua".

See in English Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubno
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volhynian_Governorate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administra ... ess_Poland

[Sofeicz]

Between Wieluń and Radomsko is located village named DUBIDZE.

[Kegero]

Maybe this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubno,_Pod ... oivodeship ?

[dorocik133]

It must be Dubno in Volunskaya Gubernia, as stated "konskovolensis" and he has given 3 links

Dorota