Again, as to why they were so secretive... My grandparents came from Poznan, 'Germany' (remember Poland didn't exist as a country for quite a while) before 1900. My father was born in the USA, but he didn't want me to even try for a penpal in Poland when I was little, for 'fear' that they would say they were related (when they weren't) & want money or be sponsored to this country. My mother's grandparents came from Poland & my mother doesn't even know from where cuz her grandfather totally refused to talk about it. Maybe some people were a bit less than honest on some of their papers & were afraid of being found out. Maybe they just didn't trust anyone for fear of 'the authorities' (like back home) where for any reason you could wind up in trouble & be back in the old country. People are still secretive. My cousin is tracing her mother's side of the family & found an actual cousin in Poland, who, after the 1st letter back, won't respond to her anymore. The woman in Poland is still alive, but she just won't respond.