The Beginnings
We know very little about the family before it arrived in the United States. It has been a long journey of tracking down relatives and hearing their stories. Sadly, most of the early generations are gone and with them much knowledge.
Two brothers, Franz and Johann Rÿgwalski, lived in the area around Subkowy (Subkau) in what was then West Prussia, Germany. Franz (Frank) married (civil) Anna Constantina Frost on October 5th, 1877. The marriage document lists Franz as living in Radostowo (Rathstube) and Anna as living in Starzęcin (Starrenczin). They lived in Radostowo and had 8 children (5 of which survived). After the birth of their daughter Anna in 1887, it appears they made their way to Bremen. From there, aboard the S. S. America, they made their way to America, arriving on April 17th, 1888. From New York (Castle Garden Processing Center), they made their way to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Anna's brother, Jacob Frost, lived. Frank lived with his family at 836 E. Lawson while Jacob's family was at 840 E. Lawson. Frank and Anna had 6 more children while in America.
Johann Rÿgwalski (age 33) married Catherine Smugaj (age 25) in Subkowy in 1887. They then set sail for the United States aboard the SS Rhynland out of Antwerp, Belgium. They arrived at New York on December 2nd, 1887.
Two other Rÿgwalski brothers came to the U.S. -- Walenty i Wawrzyniec. It is rumored that a sister, Maria, remained in Germany / Poland.
Other info
According to the "Akt Małźenstw" (marriage document), Frank was born in the town of Janiszewo (Alt Janischau). His father was Johann Rÿgwalski from Smajewo (possibly today's Smętowo (Schmentau)). His mother was Barbara Domachowski, who had died in the town of Kopytkowo (Kopitkowo). The old official German script is very difficult to read on the document. Frank's father's was an "Instmann".
Also the town of Radostowo (Rathstube) was a "Gutsbezirk". This is like an estate, in which there was a manor and many workers. See the above info about Frank's father's occupation, "Instmann". Today, there are only few buildings and many fields in the town as well as the manor.