  |
|
|
|
 |
Charting the lineage of
the Kuprel Surname |
| Updated
on December 17th, 2009 |
|
Welcome
This site is dedicated to charting the lineage of the Kuprel name. My name is Eric Kuprel. I live in Lansing, MI. You can contact me at eric@kuprel.com I am the son of the late Edward J. Kuprel. My grandfather (Joseph/Jozef Kuprel) emigrated from Poland in 1920 at the age of 25. He was born and raised in Bialystock. His mother's name was Pauline, and his fathers name was Casimir Kuprel. Joseph had one sister (no brothers). He was sponsored by the Golembiewski's or the Cudnik's (not sure here). He married my grandmother Bronislawa "Bernice" Urbanowsky in 1924, her father's name was Valentine and mother was Frances. As a young boy, about 12 or 13 years of age, Joseph's father gave him an option, as to what trade he would be interested, a shoemaker, or a tailor. He chose tailor and went away for a few yrs. as an intern to learn the trade. He settled and raised his children, including my father Edward, in Detroit Michigan. One thing that did not connect was that my grandfather told my aunt Marge that he was raised in Bialystok near the German-Poland border. However, I have only been able to locate one Bialystock that is on the eastern border, near Belarus.
Other Kuprel's
Through my travels and inquiries I have found that the Kuprel name is not very common in the United States. Here are some notable Kuprel families that I have communicated with. I have been in contact with a Kuprel family that immigrated to New Jersey (from Poland) about the same time my grandfather came over. It is ironic that the patriarchs of both families shared the same name (Joseph Kuprel). Agnieszka Kuprel recently contacted me and we shared our family background. We found that we have a lot of relatives with similar names (i.e. Casimer/Kazimerz, Stanislaw and Joseph/Josef) who are not the same people. We also traced relatives back to Bialystok, Poland. However, we were not able to make a family connection. Agnieska's father was name Kazimierz Kuprel and her grand-father was named Jozef Kuprel. I have also been in direct contact with 2 other Kuprel families outside the U.S. (Argentina and Canada) that emigrated from Poland. In some cases we have been able to establish common ancestral bonds. Much of the information I receive is not published on this site for privacy reasons. I found someone who shares my first and last name (Eric Kuprel), and we are not related. Magdalena in Poland (who's late grandmother Helena Rusewiczg maiden name was Kuprel) wrote me recently and said there are about 110 Kuprel's that currently reside in Poland. I know there are less in the U.S. I appreciate all the people who have contacted me over the last few years and I hope to hear from more. Some of the stories I have heard have been absolutely amazing. It seems that "Kuprel's" are not adverse to taking risks and charting new courses.
Origin of Kuprel Name
According to a professional linguist the "Kuprel" name may be a Finno-Ugric name. This would mean a Estonian lineage. More recent contacts seem to support this. I have been in contact with a few Kuprel's who either live in north-eastern Poland (near Bialystok), or originated from Lithuania/Byelorussia and Russia. My aunt Marge recalls that her father (Joseph Kuprel) told her that "Kuprel" means the "buyer of goods". I have not been able to confirm this. My sister (Lynee Kuprel) met a man you emigrated from Poland who claims that "Kuprel" means "Corporal" in terms of a military rank. A less flattering translation I heard claims that Kuprel means "Hunchback". I have not met any hunchback Kuprel's so I would like to dismiss this translation ;-)
Looking for more information
Recently, a gentlemen contacted me about Constantine Kuprel. Constantine was borned in Russia and moved to my current home town, to avoid fighting in the Czar's army. He passed away in 1968. I have access to some amazing picture of Constantine serving in the U.S. Calvary at the turn of the century. He chased down Pancho Villa in Mexico and later was stationed in the Philippines (Polo, PI). He did not have any children. The gentlemen who contacted was very close to Constantin because he was "like a guardian" to him. He is very interested in making contact with any surviving members of Constantine's family. If you have any information please let me know. Here are few names I tracked down through immigration records. Any information on these Kuprel's would be appreciated.
Update on the Polish Eagle
Contact me I will attempt to update this site as time permits. Please contact me if you have any information you would like to share, or learn more about. I look forward to hearing from you, please contact me by email at eric@kuprel.com |
|
