My name is James Kustelski -I can trace my ancestry back to Poland (formerly West Prussia), East Germany (Sachsen-Anhalt), Southern Germany (Bavaria), West Germany (Pfalz), what is now Eastern Austria (Burgenland), and what is now the Western Czech Rebublic (German-Bohemia), all of my family settled in Minnesota. They immigrated from the years starting in 1853 (Kunze’s) to 1888 (Jung’s).

I live in San Antonio, Texas and my Father was a career Air Force Officer. Dad, Lt. Col. Thomas Kustelski (ret.) was born in Winona, Minnesota Nov. 11 1932 but grew up in St. Paul. He went to Cretin High School where he played Football and Hockey graduating in 1950, and then went on to St. Thomas College where he graduated in 1954. Dad was in the ROTC program and played Hockey on the side as well. After graduating College, Dad began his Air Force career and started a family. My Father is the son of Anthony Kustelski and Gertrude Sadowski. Mom, Phyllis Kunze was born in St. Paul, Minnesota Mar. 22, 1931 and grew up on the west side of St. Paul.  My Mother is the daughter of Arthur Kunze and Helen Wolkerstorfer. 

My Father and Mother raised 9 children (5 boys and 4 girls) and I am the 3^rd oldest. The records I’ve found and refer to on this site were all gathered from Roman Catholic parishes in their respective villages or nearby towns with the exception of the Kunze family- starting from my Great-Grandfather John Kunze and back, which were Lutheran.

I’ve laid out my website to reflect my Grandparents ancestry to split up the information into a more feasible manner. I have also decided not to include living relatives for the most part and as you can see it is mostly intended to establish my ancestry. Please follow the links in the above left corner of this page and note that you can click on any picture to see a larger view.

I hope you enjoy.

Jim

Thomas Anthony Kustelski and Phyllis Louise Kunze Wedding