Interesting. This links up with something else I just found. Google hosts a book called
The Ghetto Speaks which has contemporary reports on Wiernik. I believe this is volume 2 of a series.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Th ... =en&gbpv=0
From September 1, 1944:
Our delegation in London recently received a new authentic report from the Underground Jewish Labor Movement of Poland, which covers events up to the end of May, 1944.
JANKEL WIERNIK ARTISAN ACTIVE IN BUND'S SELF-DEFENSE ORGANIZATION IN TSARIST RUSSIA WAS ONE YEAR TREBLINKA ESCAPED AFTER REVOLT WROTE BOOK-ONE YEAR IN TREBLINKA-EDITED 1944 BY COORDINATION COMMITTEE JEWISH WORKERS UNION AND JEWISH NATIONAL COMMITTEE STOP
Apparently it took two Jewish committees to edit Wiernik's book. This may explain where the flowery language comes from, if not much more.
Then from October 1, 1944:
The American Representation of the General Jewish Workers' Union of Poland ("Bund") has just received another authentic report from the Underground "Bund" in Poland. This report is dated May 26th, 1944.
On the first anniversary of the Battle of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Coordinating Committee resolved to publish two books; one of them relating the story of the death camp in Tremblinka; the other, on the battle of the Warsaw Ghetto.
The author of the book about the Tremblinka death camp is Jankiel Wiernik. He was held prisoner there for a full year. Together with others, he organized a successful uprising there, set fire to and destroyed the camp, killed the Germans and Ukrainian jailers and escaped with a large group of other Tremblinka victims. I spoke with him personally. He told me that he obtained his elementary schooling in the "Bund" organization during the years 1904 and 1905, and his higher education in the self-defense organization of the 'Bund' in Tzarist Russia. Later he became an artisan and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He did not participate in politics. Enclosed you will find his book on Tremblinka [...]
Interesting upbringing. Wikipedia also agrees he was raised in Russia and a participant in the Bund, which combined with the events of 1913 and 1935 really puts the lie to "He did not participate in politics."
The address does not match the ones given for his residences, shop, or factory, but since he had so many places it's plausible that he had another. He has been described as being in real estate.
Also check this out:
11686/A, "Jankiel Wiernik". Small sale of handicrafts. The company has been in existence since 1919. Łódź, Nowomiejska 19 (Hala), Owner: Jankiel Wiernik, residing in Łódź at ul. Pomorska No. 33.
11667/A. "Aron Wiernik". Small sale of handicrafts. The company has been in existence since January 1, 1927. Łódź, Nowomiejska 19, Owner: Aron Wiernik, residing in Łódź at ul. Kościuszki 13.
Same address for the same business. Aron must have been a relative. Aron Wiernik had a couple other properties too, then the records show he had a new business in Warsaw in 1930-1931.
(Separately, I didn't realize names could take so many different forms in Polish. Having to search for "Wiernik" "Wiernika" "Wierniku" and other variations is a lot of trouble.)
Stubble wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 8:58 pm
It is important to establish Wiernik as
the Wiernik in question.
I agree, but it's already pretty strong circumstantial evidence that there are no contradictions in this timeline. First Russia, then Lodz, then Warsaw. All events within his realistic lifespan. No reference to an alternate Jankiel Wiernik living simultaneously, that I can find.
