European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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was not the real grandfather of this child.
was not the real grandfather of this child.
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Mrs. Melezyniuk became a widow and then for the second time got married with a Jew,
Mrs. Melezyniuk became a widow and then for the second time got married with a Jew,
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they both escaped from the Soviet Union
they both escaped from the Soviet Union
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and they spoke Russian, especially at home in Vilnius.
and they spoke Russian, especially at home in Vilnius.
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The next thing was the child talked about her grandma and grandpa
The next thing was the child talked about her grandma and grandpa
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so again we created a story that Irena was my cousin and escaped from Warsaw.
so again we created a story that Irena was my cousin and escaped from Warsaw.
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She was not my cousin, but she escaped from Warsaw.
She was not my cousin, but she escaped from Warsaw.
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It was true she worked in a hospital, was a nurse and had night shifts.
It was true she worked in a hospital, was a nurse and had night shifts.
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And that she lived in Vilnius with white Russians -
And that she lived in Vilnius with white Russians -
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we only changed aunts into grandma and grandpa,
we only changed aunts into grandma and grandpa,
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who spoke Russian at home, the child could see her mother very seldom
who spoke Russian at home, the child could see her mother very seldom
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and that is the reason why Irena wants to have this child in a different place.
and that is the reason why Irena wants to have this child in a different place.
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And the child came, little, angry, crying, almost three year old as it was November, and she was born in December,
And the child came, little, angry, crying, almost three year old as it was November, and she was born in December,
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her name was Miriam but she was called Maryśka.
her name was Miriam but she was called Maryśka.
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I do not know if people believed this story or not.
I do not know if people believed this story or not.
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But after a while Maryśka was liked by most people, especially by Melania.
But after a while Maryśka was liked by most people, especially by Melania.
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Melania used to walk with her to the village.
Melania used to walk with her to the village.
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Hiding a Jewish couple: Hannah & Arnold Minkowski
Hiding a Jewish couple: Hannah & Arnold Minkowski
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Probably in August I went to Vilnius.
Probably in August I went to Vilnius.
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I needed to meet people who had some contacts,
I needed to meet people who had some contacts,