Everyone in attendance, either by birth or by association, has some relationship to Steven and Margaret (Dalka) Barczykowski who emigrated from Poland to the US in 1871-1873 and settled i Everyone in attendance, either by birth or by association, has some relationship to Steven and Margaret (Dalka) Barczykowski who emigrated from Poland to the US in 1871-1873 and settled in Natrona, PA, near the c
urrent site of the annual reunion. Even though some of the families of Steven and Margaret have adhered to the original name, many chose to use the more "American" shortened and Anglicized name of "Barch". Just as the Coopers were originally barrell makers, and the Chandlers once made candles, our name too has a meaning. The Polish dictionary lists the adjective "barczysty" as meaning "broad-shouldered" or "with a square build". So perhaps our ancestors were identified as the family with the square builds or the family with the broad shoulders - the barczykowskis. Rather than derive its meaning from an occupation, our name is actually a physical description. So the next time any one of us is asked to carry a load - whether it be a load of bricks or a psychological load, or a little more than we bargained for from life, just remember your family name and think to yourself "I'm from the family with the square built frame and the broad shoulders." It might make your load a little easier to bear. The first reunion was rather modest by comparison to today's celebration. Recent turnouts to these events have typically exceeded well over 200 people, with lots and lots of children and of course lots and lots of fun! The family continues to grow, yet remains bound through strong family ties.
