Monday, September 2: The 1st day

The first evening, when all those who had reached Krakov met for dinner. Marc was still in transit; Patricia was either in flight from Tel Aviv or twiddling her thumbs at the airport in Warsaw.

Some of the descendants of David and Sura Gitla Zmidek, reconnecting after many years - and, in some cases, meeting for the first time - are meeting in Poland to explore family roots. These are the relatives who made the trip:

Anton Smith: Son of David G, who was the son of Gabriel Smith

Gabrielle Pinto: Daughter of Sara Pinto, who was the youngest sister of David G Smith

Marquand Smith: Son of David G, who was the son of Gabriel Smith

Steve Smith: Son of Anton

Jeff Kutcher: Son of Cissie (aka Celia), youngest daughter of Colman Smith

Jonathan Sions: Son of Tony, who was the son of Frieda Smith, second daughter of Colman Smith

Harry: Son of Jonathan Sions

Lois George: Daughter of Lucy, daughter of Annie (aka Helena), sister of Gabriel Smith, accompanied by her husband, David

Susan Massey: Daughter of Lucy, daughter of Annie (aka Helena), sister of Gabriel Smith, accompanied by her husband, Tom

Alex Gerlis: Son of Leon, son of Mary Smith, who was Gabriel’s twin

Patricia Carmel: Daughter of Frieda, second daughter of Colman Smith

We start our journey in Krakov and continue on to Warsaw. Our guide is Tomasz Cebulski.

Monday: Auschwitz-Birkenau

Monday: Auschwitz-Birkenau (continued)

Tuesday: Chmielnik

Tuesday: DSS HQ

Wednesday: Lodz Ghetto

Thursday: Warsaw Ghetto

Friday: Warsaw, Okopowa cemetery

Friday: Polin Museum

Historical Snippets

Reflections