Hello everyone. I am looking for any relatives out there connected to the Babyak and/or Smolyak families that existed in Nastasiv, in Western Ukraine.
My great-grand father`s name was Yakym Babyak, he was born in Nastasiv. He had 5 kids over there: 3 daughters: Xeniya, Melania (my grand-mother)and Eugeniya (she is still alive!), and 2 sons, Vassyl and Bohdan.
I know that someone from the Babyak family emigrated to the US (I think it was US) and that`s why my family was persecuted and Xeniya was sent to Siberia, I think for 7 years. I`m not sure if it was her husband or father who emigrated, but I know that later, when that person has died, she got some portion of his/her heritage from abroad. That time the regime did not allow her to get cash so she got several Volga cars instead. Crazy, but truth.
Anyways, if there is anyone who feels he/she might be related to us, please let me know. I live in the US.
Attached please see the picture of Melania Babyak, my grand-mother.
Thanks,
Mariana