Deep within the archives of Bruce Castle Museum we came across a name – Henry Michael Buritsky. Henry was a first wave migrant Pole living in Waltham Forest. We’re trying to find his living relatives.
Last year, whilst searching boxes and boxes of archive materials at Bruce Castle Museum, our volunteers stumbled upon a list of people who worked at the Lebus Factory in Tottenham. One name stood out as being distinctly Polish – Henry Michael Buritsky. We investigated his name via online resources and couldn’t find any birth records, which suggested he wasn’t born within the UK.
Henry married Rose Eastman in 1925 and went on to have three daughters with her: Pauline, Brenda and June. Pauline died in infancy, but Brenda (b.1930) and June (b.1932) survived and may still be alive today.
We would love to be able to find them, or their children/grandchildren to discover a bit more about the Burtisky family of Waltham Forest.
We know that Henry and Rose lived in Highams Park. Rose died in 1965 and Henry in 1978. When he died he was listed as living at 51 Becontree Avenue E17 with his daughter, June.
If you know anything about the Buritsky family, or know someone who might, please do get in touch.
We’d love to know more about Henry and add his story to our collection to show the important contribution the Polish community have made to Waltham Forest over many generations.
Photo: Machine Room, early twentieth century, Image courtesy of Haringey Archives Service at Bruce Castle Museum
