I have confirmed that my ancestors came >from Skidel which is quite close to Grodno. Recently I have found relatives and documents of related family which support the fact that they came >from a place in "Russia" quite close to the Polish border - as is Grodno. Family members speak about how their parents spoke fluent Polish. But when trying to specify the town, I hear about or read locations such as "Minsk" or "Pinsk" or "Lebronsk" or "Nivr Gabronsk." Of course some of the family could have relocated >from the Grodno area to Minsk/ Pinsk, but I very much doubt it. More likely they relocated to another town closer to Grodno which sounds like "Minsk" or "Pinsk" or "Lebronsk" or "Nivr Gabronsk." I also never heard of people growing up in Minsk who knew fluent Polish.
Does anyone have any ideas about what this town(s) could be if it is indeed not Minsk or Pinsk? Any help will be appreciated.
Bruce Rubenstein New York City
MODERATOR NOTE: Don't forget JG's ShtetlSeeker. You can search for towns by name and also by distance >from a known town.