The area of Pomerania that we are in has changed ownership multiple times over the past two hundred years. It was part of Prussia and the German empire then it was Polish then the Germans invaded at the start of World War Two. Each time it changed hands there was persecution and displacement.
Back in about 1865 Dukes’s Great Grandfather, Wilhelm Noerenberg was born in the village of Krasnik/Kratzig very near where we are staying in Mielno. In 1882 at the age of 17 he emigrated to the United States with his brother and his parents.
The nearest church to Kratzig was probably the 15th century church in Biesiekierz/Biziker. It is mentioned frequently in Noerenberg documents. Today we visited both villages.
The Germans here were all expelled by the Poles after WW 1 so there would not be any Noerenbergs here now.
In Biesiekierz/Biziker this potato monument was across from the church. You can see the church in the background. According to the sign the potato was erected in 1983 on the occasion of breeding 9 new varieties of potatoes.
Right next to the potato is a monument celebrating the Poles who kicked out the Germans. Presumably some of Dukes German relatives were among those kicked out.
The weather today was beautiful. When we got back to the hotel these people were sunning on the beach below our room.
We used the sauna and the pool before dinner.
It was a wonderful day!
Marion's Blog 