Maryanna Sitnik Bachta
An Interactive Journey Through a Life Forged Across Two Worlds
A Story of Resilience and Transition
The life of Maryanna Sitnik encapsulates a pivotal era of world history. Born a subject of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, she witnessed its final years, escaped the devastation of World War I by migrating to America, and built a new legacy for her family in the industrial heart of New England. This interactive experience traces her ninety-year journey and delves into the deep ancestral roots she carried with her from Galicia.
Born
Jan 6, 1893
Przemyśl, Poland
Died
Jul 1983
Manchester, NH
Spouse
Stanislaw Bachta
A Life's Timeline
Follow Maryanna's journey from her birth in Europe to her final days in America.
1893 - Birth in Przemyśl
Maryanna Sitnik is born into a world of immense complexity. Her hometown, Przemyśl, is a key fortress city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a hub of military activity, and a melting pot of Polish, Ukrainian, and Jewish cultures.
1912 - Marriage and a Fateful Decision
On February 6, Maryanna marries Stanislaw Bachta. This union marks the beginning of their shared journey. Faced with economic hardship and the rising tensions in Europe, they make the life-altering decision to emigrate.
c. 1912-1914 - The Transatlantic Passage
With profound foresight, Maryanna and Stanislaw leave Europe just before the outbreak of World War I. They cross the Atlantic, escaping the catastrophic sieges that would soon devastate their homeland, and begin a new life in the United States.
c. 1914-1920 - Settling in Manchester, NH
The Bachtas join a growing Polish community in Manchester, a major textile manufacturing city. Stanislaw likely finds work in the massive Amoskeag Mills, and they start their family, with their first American-born children appearing in the 1920 census.
1953 - Stanislaw's Passing
After more than four decades in America, Stanislaw Bachta passes away on April 9, 1953, leaving behind Maryanna and the family they built together.
1983 - End of an Era
Maryanna Sitnik Bachta dies in July 1983 at the age of 90. Her long life spanned empires, wars, and continents, a testament to the resilience of the immigrant generation.
The World She Left Behind
Explore the context of Przemyśl at the turn of the 20th century.
A Fortress City
Due to its strategic location near the Russian border, Przemyśl was transformed into the third-largest fortress in Europe. This massive military presence dominated the local economy and created a constant atmosphere of geopolitical tension, a powerful catalyst for emigration.
Economic Hardship
Despite the fortress construction, the broader region of Galicia was the poorest in the former Polish lands. Agricultural impoverishment and rural overpopulation fueled a mass exodus to the Americas, a wave that Maryanna and Stanislaw joined.
A Multicultural Hub
Przemyśl was a vibrant and competitive center for multiple ethnic and religious groups. This chart shows the city's makeup based on an 1830 Austrian census, illustrating the diverse world of Maryanna's youth.
Building a Life in America
The story of the Bachta family's integration and growth in Manchester, NH, as told through U.S. Census records.
The Family Tree
Explore Maryanna's direct lineage. Click on an ancestor to see their details and highlight their branch.
Ancestor Details
Select an individual from the tree to view their information here.