Identity Awoken in Second-Generation British Poles in the UK: Personal Journeys

Antonia Bifulco*, Maureen Smojkis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

130 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We examine the identity of British Poles born in the UK, whose parents arrived as allied servicemen and their families, seeking asylum following WW2. The two authors are from this community, and here examine their British-Polish identity along with other second-generation Poles in the UK. These individuals grew up in distinct communities exposed to the Polish language and culture but with restricted contact with communist Poland. The themes of response to parents’ trauma experience, Polish identity in childhood and in midlife, Polish language, and visiting family in Poland were explored. Many described parents as secretive about the horrors of war but keen to retain and propagate their Polish identity. Some felt they were not fully Polish, but their identity increased with access to modern Poland as adults. The Polish language was important to identity but linked to feeling inadequacy when not fluent. Visiting family in Poland enhanced identity, was valued, and provided information on family history. European identity was adopted by some to cover both their British and Polish identity. Genealogy and family history are popular and linked to community, and British Poles have a distinct contribution and a voice in showing how identity can emerge out of family trauma.
Original languageEnglish
Article number59
JournalGenealogy
Volume7
Issue number3
Early online date14 Aug 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 14 Aug 2023

Keywords

  • Polish language
  • WW2 asylum-seekers
  • trauma
  • family history
  • Polish community
  • identity

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Identity Awoken in Second-Generation British Poles in the UK: Personal Journeys'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this