Originally posted by Bill in San Jose
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Here's a bit of info, starting in 1919, the German Workers' Party, joined by Adolph Hitler in 1919 - the precursor group to the Nazis party - rose to power. Throughout the 1920s, Hitler and the GERMAN WORKER'S PARTY involved themselves with rsing into power, with Hitler becoming the Fuherer in 1931. So it was during the period of 1919 - 1931, and Hitler's direct involvement with the GERMAN WORKERS PARTY, the wheels of Nazism motion came into play. Those in Poland, who had to survive through WWI and the Eastern front (some of the harshest fighting in the world up to this period), simply knew things were not going well and the wheels of war where secretly building within Germany.
I also don't know why these two brothers split, after landing in America? My thought is, both realized their primary goal of becoming Americans was dashed and the thought of Mexico and or Rio De Janeiro, both new territories for many Eastern European groups, were unknown options? Both Countries were strife with Government rebellions, much like the scene in post WWI Europe and the lands they just left. My thought is, they figured if one found something better, the other one would join him to continue? Playing the odds I suppose? Both hit the ground running and I'm sure once they crossed into these 3rd world countries, reliable communications to stay in contact became a delayed process? Writing a letter and sending that in the mail from Mexico to South America......my thought is......you might as well toss a bottle in the sea and hope it lands somewhere to be carried onward?
Since my family history is so new to America, many of the things that transpired during Grandpa's exodus out of Poland was discussed, hence the reasoning some of this is available. But Grandpa held one thing back....the true spelling of my families name. My Dad and Uncle, both were born under the name Zabroski in Mexico but, this name spelling was changed when Grandpa left Poland. The real Polish spelling is Zabrocki. Dad and Uncle changed their last names from Zabroski to Zabroky during their years in college. Our real family name is Zabrocki. My Grandpa and Grandma are buried in Fredericksburg Texas under their names Zabroski. Grandpa held the true spelling of our last name from everyone, the real spelling was found after he died in Fredericksburg in 1967 - his birth records stored in a lock box.
I believe the true last name of my family was changed and buried due to the ties to Germany and the throes of WWI? I know the Nazis and Soviets both hunted down Poles with specific family names, to cleanse the countryside of names associated with Polish pride and strength. According to a man my father met, who was educated in Warsaw Poland during the Communist controlled era (a Western businessman now), he passed to Dad our original family name goes back hundreds of years in rich Polish history into the Polish - Teutonic War period of the 1400 - 1500s. Apparently my Polish family, living on the border of Germany - has been at war with Germans for many years?
One thing many don't realize is, when the Nazis invaded Eastern Europe, the Jews were targeted, which is a part of history we all know but, they also targeted indigenous families with names and lineage that defied Germany. The Soviets then finished up with their own style of ethnic family cleansing during their period of Soviet control.
Thanks guys - I guess I needed to unload some of this here?
My mom simply said, "I heard the rumors all my childhood and was teased by other kids!" Really tough times in deep southeast Louisiana. 
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