Dear Rootsweb-Poland I am looking for information on the background and parentage of my GG grandfather Charles L. A. Biernatzki who emigrated from Poland to the US in 1847. Here is what I know about him: a.. Born 29 Mar 1819 in Ostrawa, Poland. Unfortunately I don't know which of the several Ostrawas this was. b.. Secured his education at the military academy in St. Petersburg and was commissioned in the Russian army (source: Robinson, "History of South Dakota" (1904)). Later left the army and joined the government engineering corps. c.. Became "involved" in the revolution of 1847 (against Prussia according to family legend, but could have been Russia), and was captured and sentenced to death. He escaped and someone provided him a German passport in someone else's name under which he traveled to the United States. I have this passport in my possession. d.. He married an Irish girl, Margaret Annie Nolan, in 1850 and they had 5 children. e.. He ended up owning a successful farm and livestock operation in Webster City, Iowa, USA and died there in 1896. Does anybody have ideas on how to identify his parents? Thank you Richard C. Jeltsch Spokane, WA USA