Happy upcoming LENT to everyone - The Polish first name WALENTY, sometimes WALENTYNE, WALENTIN, [female WALENTYNA] actually does not have a direct English counterpart, rather, the Polish versions were formed FROM the Latin name VALENTINUS. English speaking countries adopted the Latin version to arrive at VALENTINE, so then by circular association, we accept VALENTINE as the English version of the Polish WALENTY. The root word is the Latin "valens" which means "mighty, potent, healthy" OR from "Valens" which means an "inhabitant of the ancient province of Valentia". Tom On Mar 31, 2011, at 1:26 AM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: > > Megan, Walenty translates as Valentine I am pretty sure. I remember a Spies family in my younger days, so some must have been around in Columbus. > > Check out this photo from our Platte site. The line that says Third Ward School. (I remember Kippy Soulliere too who is on it) > " > " http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/county/platte/photo.html > > Just a quick check of Ancestry didn't show any Walenty, but plenty about Valentine Spies........not in Nebraska tho. > > Rmed FROMWhat time period are you talking about anyway? Kathy