Stefan M. Sznuk fonds [multiple media]

Record Information – Brief
1
Stefan M. Sznuk fonds [multiple media]

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1900-1988.

Reference:

R9106-0-3-E

Type of material:

Sound recordings, Textual material, Photographs, Objects (including medals and pins), Art

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

190427

Context of this record:

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Stefan M. Sznuk fonds
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Record Information – Details
Fonds includes:

11 lower level description(s)
View lower level description(s)

Date(s):

1900-1988.

Place of creation:

Canada

Added country of publication:

England

Extent:

1 audio reel (9 min).
ca. 5 m of textual records.
3 drawings : pencil, charcoal, black felt pen.
2 pins.
117 photographs : b&w and col.

Language of material:

English

Added language of material:

English, French, Polish, German
Accession:

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Stefan Sznuk fonds [textual record]

Stephan Sznuk fonds [textual record]

Stefan Sznuk fonds [textual record]
Scope and content:

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Fonds reflects General Sznuk's many years as community leader and public servant. His papers include correspondence to senior government officials and politicians in Canada and also in other countries. As a member of the executive of various veteran and Polish associations, he submitted briefs, reports and policy papers to the Canadian Federal Government. He also corresponded with many prominent individuals in the Polish community across Canada and in other countries. Papers relating to these activities are also included the fonds.

The fonds also provides a unique national perspective on the relationship between the Polish Canadian community and the Canadian Federal Government during the Second World War and in the post-war years. The papers are a rich source of information on the post-Second World War immigration to Canada, the integration of new immigrants and the growth and development of multiculturalism in Canada.

Also included is a sound recording of a 1965 speech by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, delivered at Confederation Square in Ottawa, at the unveiling of the plaque in memory of the Canadian Airmen killed during the Warsaw uprising. Also included in this fonds is a Volunteer Service Award pin from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and a Soldiers Day, Windsor, pin. Drawings are cariactures and portrait heads.

Photographic series depicts images from the life and career of Stefan Sznuk.

Provenance:

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Sznuk, Stefan, 1896-1986

Additional name(s):

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Sznuk, Stefan M., 1896-1986

Biography/Administrative history:

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Sznuk, Stefan, 1896-1986 : Stefan Sznuk, military officer, born in Warsaw in 1896, was a pioneer aviator in Poland. He was one of the first members of the Polish Air Force and took part in the Polish-Russian (Bolshevik) War of 1919-1921. He remained in the Polish Air Force and, in March 1939, he was promoted to Colonel. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, he was Head of Polish Air Force training. With the capitulation of the Polish forces, Sznuk evacuated to Romania where he planned and carried out a series of dramatic mass escapes, resulting in the freeing of the majority of Polish personnel, who eventually reached France and England to continue the war on behalf of their occupied homeland. In 1940-41, he served as Chief of Staff of the reborn Polish Air Force in England. Later in 1941, Colonel Sznuk was sent to Canada to become Head of the Air Mission and finally Military and Air Attaché to the Polish Legation. For his military services he received many decorations including the Order of Commander of the British Empire. At the final demobilization he was promoted to the rank of Major General. General Sznuk remained in Canada after the war and taught as Professor at the Triservice Language School of the Department of National Defence. General Sznuk also became very active in the local and national Polish community in Canada. He was instrumental in arranging the arrival of over 4,500 Polish veterans to Canada. He also took a personal interest in assisting individual immigrants and political refugees from Poland. As a result of his advice and assistance, Canada became the new home for many Polish scientists, professors, doctors, technicians and skilled workers. General Sznuk served as Vice-President of the Canadian Polish Congress for many years with the special responsibility to maintain liaison with the Canadian Federal Government and Parliament. He was also very active in the RCAF Association, serving as its Vice-President and Vice-Chairman for eight years. General Sznuk was also active in the Canadian Citizenship Council to which he was elected as a National Consultant. For his outstanding achievements and contributions to Canada, General Sznuk was awarded the Order of Canada in 1970. General Sznuk died in Ottawa on 6 May, 1986, at the age of 89 years.

Finding aid:

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Sound recording (Electronic) See MISACS for item-level descriptions. (90: Open)

Textual records (Electronic) The finding aid is a file list of the textual records, volumes 1 to 15. MSS1892 (90: Open)
http://data2.archives.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000000462.pdf

Additional information:

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General Note:

The material was presented to the National Archives in 1981 by General Sznuk and donated in 1991 by his daughter, Mrs. Krystyna Sparks.

Related material:

The General Sznuk Papers complement historical information in the Immigration Branch, National Defence, Veterans Affairs and External Affairs Records. Also this collection adds to the historical information in the Canadian Polish Congress Collection (MG28 V10) at the National Archives.
Subject heading:

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Immigrants Canada

Generals Poland
Source:

Private

Related control no.:

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(1985-10-24)
118-020063-2
1981/0294
1981/0452
1985-0450 MISA
1990-550 DAP
1990/0186
1992-500 DAP
90-354
92-144
MG31-D115
Ordering and Viewing Options

Conditions of access:

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Sound recordings

[Consultation90 Open]

Textual records

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [R9106] 1--25

[Consultation 90 Open]

Finding aid box [FA 1892] 138

[Consultation 10 Closed]

Graphic (photo)

[Consultation96 Restrictions vary]

Object

[Consultation90 Open]

Box [1992-500]

[Consultation 90 Open]

2000849683 Item no. assigned by LAC 1--5

[Consultation 90 Open]

Graphic (art)

[Consultation90 Open]

Box [1992-500]

[Consultation 90 Open]

2000849683 Item no. assigned by LAC 1--5

[Consultation 90 Open]

Terms of use:

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Sound recording: Reproduction and use in any form requires the written permission of the copyright holder.
Art material: No publication or exhibition without written authorization of Mrs. Krystyna Sparks. Various copyrights. Credit: National Archives of Canada.
Pins: Restrictions are unknown.
Photographic material (acc. no. 1992-500): No restrictions on use except for photographs by Karsh (see accession number 1987-054). Various copyrights on items less than 50 years old; copyright expired for items greater than 50 years old. Credit: name of photographer / National Archives of Canada / copy negative number.
Photographic material (acc. no.1992-550): Restrictions on use have yet to be determined; permission of donor is required. Copyright unknown.

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Date modified:: 2023-07-20

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Stefan M. Sznuk fonds [multiple media]

Stefan M. Sznuk fonds [multiple media]