Michael Godek & Ludwika Galica

Michael Godek from Widacz, Poland

Michael Godek was born September 20, 1882 in the tiny village of Widacz, Austria/Poland (northwest of the city of Krosno near Frysztak). He was the son of Mateusz Godek and Katarzyna Stefanik.

Michael came to Chicopee in 1899. He traveled on the vessel, "Trave", North German Lloyd Line, Bremen Germany to New York, arriving April 27, 1899. His entry in the ships passenger list reads as follows:

“Mihal GODEK, 16, laborer, Polish, Nationality = Galicia. His last residence was Widacz. Final destination = Chicapee, Mass. His funds were $8. He was meeting a brother, in Chicapee. He paid his own passage.”

When sixteen-year-old Michel left Widacz in early 1899 it was probably the last time he saw his parents. I was unable to find any records of Mateusz or Katarzyna coming to the USA.

Michael’s immigration record lists that he was meeting a brother in Chicopee. I assume this brother to be the “Stanislaus Godek” who witnessed his marriage in 1903. In the Chicopee City Directories Stanislaus Godek is listed as working for Chicopee Manufacturing and living at 64 Middle Street. In the years to follow 1903 Stanislaus disappears from the city directories. There is no marriage or death record recorded for Stanislaus in Chicopee. I assumed he moved.

At the turn of the century there were several individuals with the Godek surname living in Chicopee. Stanislaus is the only one I was able to connect to Michael. The others may be cousins. The first group of Polish immigrants came to Chicopee around 1880. St. Stanislaus Parish was established in 1891. When Michael Godek came in 1899 there were many from his homeland already in Chicopee.

Upon arrival in Chicopee Michael secured employment at the Chicopee Manufacturing Company, a large textile mill that was a dominant presence in Chicopee Falls. He would become a machine repairman and work for this company until his retirement in 1947. He was well liked and often called upon by the company as a translator with new Polish workers.

Michael lived most of his life at home on West Main Street in Chicopee Falls. These were the original mill housing built for use by the employees of the Chicopee Manufacturing Company located across the street.

Stephen remembers his father Michael Godek as a friendly, social, and outgoing man who was well liked. He noted that Michael was always well dressed.

Michael Godek was active in the Polish National Alliance Group 711 of Chicopee Falls, and was on the board of directors of the Chicopee Falls Polish Home.

Ludwika Galica was born September 6, 1884 in Wadowice Górne Poland. She was the daughter of Jan Galica and Maryanna Dzialo.

Ludiwka came to Chicopee Falls around 1900. She lived at 61 Middle Street in the mill housing of the Chicopee Manufacturing Company with three sisters: Annie, Pauline, Mary, and three half brothers, Anthony, Stanley, and Walter.

She worked as a "Cotton Spinner" at the Chicopee Manufacturing Company. It was here she would meet Michael Godek.