Hello, I am not sure of the cousin connection. I had hoped to spend more time with Chester delving into family history.Unfortunately with his untimely passing what he knew and had researched is lost or I have not yet found his notes.
I haven't much to go on except stories he told me but I have found some common threads connecting to the French during the Napoleonic Wars and influence in the Warsaw area nobility. I know the family Herbe is Dabrova. I was told in Willinow Warsaw by a curator that the Karasinskis Krasinskis were Magnates that held power North and east of Warsaw.Salesian connection? Several portraits I saw bear an uncanny family resemblance as well. It is possible Chet's family came to the US just prior to Nazi occupation as he told me those who could get out of the country did as intelligencia / land owners they would be political targets.
I have not been to Ellis Island but should check there as New York was where they came into the US.
I will keep looking.
Please keep on contact. Let me know what find out.
Joan