Treasures from Great-Grandma Cecylia’s Drawer: The Story of the Marchewczyk Family

The story begins 84 years ago in old Krakow. At that time, printers were known as the "aristocracy of the working class." My ancestor, Michał Marchewczyk, was a carpenter, but his son Jan my great-great-great-great-grandfather chose a different path. He became a master of words. Simply put, he was a printer. Jan and his wife Julia had three children: Franciszka (my great-great-great- grandmother), Jan, and Stanisław.

The Printer and the Resistance

My ancestors taught their children to love the written word. My great-great-grandmother’s brother, Jan Marchewczyk Junior, had very strong beliefs. He was a member of the Polish Workers' Party (PPR). Like many workers then, he believed that communism would bring a better life. Jan did not just dream of a better world; he fought for it in secret. As both a communist and a printer, he was seen as a major threat by the German occupiers. Because of this, Jan was sent to Auschwitz.

Number 57350

Most people see a camp number only as a sign of tragedy. Jan wore this number for nine months and proved the opposite: you can take away a man’s name, but you cannot take away his beliefs. For Jan, fighting in the People’s Army was more than just politics it was a deep faith in justice, freedom of speech, and helping others. Jan died on May 19, 1943. After the war, a street in Krakow was named after him. However, in 1991, the name was changed to  Tadeusz Kantor Street.

The Great Split and Family Roots

Our family history is also defined by a great split. My ancestor had a brother named Wincenty. His side of the family, including his son Czesław (the famous Olympic athlete), supported the Home Army and the Polish government in London. Our side of the family chose a different path. This division shaped our family for generations. But in the end, both sides wanted the same thing: freedom and dignity.

The Guardian of Memory

The heart of this story lives today in Great-Grandma Cecylia’s apartment. She is the widow of my

Great-Grandfather Roman, and she guards our most valuable family treasures.

Roman, who was Franciszka’s son, continued the family tradition of hard work. He never looked for shortcuts. He was a true expert and took great pride in his craft, working as a Master for the Krakow public transport company (MPK). In Great-Grandma Cecylia’s cupboard, there is a special place for the symbols of his life.

• The Silver Cross of Merit: He received this on December 15, 1982. It is a round silver medal on a red and white ribbon. It features three words: "WALKA PRACA SOCJALIZM" (Fight, Work, Socialism). For our family, these words represent his personal struggle for a good life and his daily hard work.

• The Gold Badge: Next to the medal is a gold badge for social work for the city of Krakow, received in 1975. These items  prove  that  Great-Grandfather  Roman cared  deeply  about  his community. His work was more than just a job in a workshop; it was a service to others.

A New Generation

His son, my grandfather Bogdan, took over this duty. He has also worked for MPK for many years as a bus driver, taking care of his passengers every day.

When  I  look  at  Great-Grandfather  Roman’s  Silver  Cross  of  Merit,  I  understand  something important. I am the first generation in our family to feel this way: no one needs to tell me that our side of the family is important. These treasures prove that honest work being a good craftsman, a master, or a driver has immense value. This gives me faith in my own path.

The Legacy of Character

My mother always says: "A spoken word is like a printed letter it stays there, it does not change, and it carries responsibility." For us, a word is not just a sound; it is a holy promise.

Everyone makes mistakes, but we do not run away from them. Fixing a mistake yourself is not a failure; it shows a strong spirit. True nobility comes from character, not from titles. When we have to choose between easy money and a clean conscience, we choose our conscience even if we have to pay for the mistake ourselves. In our family, a person's word is worth more than money. Honesty is more important than easy profit, and our strong spirit helps us stand up again after every fall.

Sources:

• Oral history: Interview with Cecylia Marchewczyk, 2026.

• Family archives: Medals and documents of Roman Marchewczyk.