South Bend Area Genealogical Society
Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library
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Mishawaka, IN 46544

Descendants of Jan John Drajus

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

1.  JAN JOHN1 DRAJUS was born Abt. 1837 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died Bef. 1900 in Possibly Poland.  He married KATAZYNA BALCZEROWICZ.  She was born Abt. 1837 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died October 30, 1908 in South Bend In.

 

Notes for JAN JOHN DRAJUS:

The Drajus Family in South Bend, Indiana

Source: Candi Tyler, South Bend November 2007

 

Yes, Joseph did have other siblings.  He had three other sisters.  Antonina, his oldest sister lived in South Bend.  His sister Magdaline and her husband were married in Chicago, but lived in South Bend.  They owned a bakery.  His sister Agnes lived in South Bend, but eventually moved to Chicago, where she died. 

 

Joseph's parents were Jan and Katazyna (Balczerowicz) Drajus.  I have not been able to find anything on Jan, but Katazyna lived in South Bend with Magdaline and her family.  She died on 10/30/1908 and is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery.  There is a possibility Jan never made it to the states.

 

Andrew and Antoinette (Bilinski) Drajus are also related.  I was first told by family members Andrew was my great-great-great grandfather, but his birth did not figure into the mix.   He was born in 1832 and my great-great grandfather Jan was born in 1837.  I think Jan and Andrew may have been brothers, but I have not been able to prove that.  Andrew's death certificate did not name parents.  What I find interesting is Andrew did have chronic Brights Disease and Delphine (Klysz) Mezykowski has the same thing.  Delphine is a Drajus as well as a Brzezinski.  Her father was the son of Michael and Josephine (Drajus) Klysz.  Josephine was the daughter of Andrew and Antoinette.  I do know Antoinette was born in Wongrowiec.

 

I know very little about Maryanna (Herman) Drajus before she came to the states.  She died when my grandmother was 13.  Although I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, I never asked about the family history.  I could kick myself now.  Her father's name was Thomas, but I do not know the name of her mother.  She was not named on the death certificate.  Joseph and Maryanna married here in the states.

 

I hope some of this will help.  Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

 

Candi

 

 

More About KATAZYNA BALCZEROWICZ:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

       

Children of JAN DRAJUS and KATAZYNA BALCZEROWICZ are:

2.                i.    JOSEPH2 DRAJUS, b. December 24, 1859, Prussian Poland; d. September 07, 1931, South Bend In.

3.               ii.    THOMAS DRAJUS, b. December 1863, Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland; d. March 26, 1929, Chicago, IL.

4.              iii.    ANTONIA DRAJUS, b. August 25, 1857, Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland; d. September 18, 1914, South Bend In.

5.              iv.    MAGDALINE DRAJUS, b. May 03, 1871, Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland; d. February 19, 1930, South Bend In.

6.               v.    AGNES DRAJUS, b. May 1872, Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland; d. February 05, 1938, Chicago, IL.

 

 

Generation No. 2

 

2.  JOSEPH2 DRAJUS (JAN JOHN1) was born December 24, 1859 in Prussian Poland, and died September 07, 1931 in South Bend In.  He married MARIA HERMAN April 16, 1883 in St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana, daughter of THOMAS HERMAN.  She was born December 25, 1866 in Prussian Poland, and died December 27, 1907 in South Bend In.

 

Notes for JOSEPH DRAJUS:

JOZEF DRAJUS

        Nat Intent Vol 3 pg 4; dated 29 Apr 1882.  Born 1859 Poland.  Emigrated port of Bremen, arrived port of Baltimore Sept 1880.  Wife: Mary b] 1867 Poland.

Children:

               Stanislaus      b] 2  Mar 1884 Poland

               Julianna b] 14 Mar 1885

               Mary              b] 24 Mar 1887

               Agnes            b] 1 Apr 1894

 

       

Children of JOSEPH DRAJUS and MARIA HERMAN are:

7.                i.    STANLEY JOSEPH3 DRAJUS, b. March 02, 1884, South Bend, IN; d. October 17, 1920, South Bend In.

8.               ii.    JULIANNA DRAJUS, b. March 14, 1885, South Bend In; d. October 28, 1943, South Bend In.

                 iii.    MARYANNA S DRAJUS, b. March 24, 1887, South Bend In; d. December 15, 1960, South Bend In; m. GEORGE HAROLD STOCKBERGER, June 26, 1912, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. September 27, 1886, Mishawaka, IN; d. July 19, 1968, South Bend In.

                 iv.    AGNES DRAJUS, b. March 27, 1894, South Bend, Indiana; d. August 20, 1979, South Bend, Indiana; m. (1) VINCENT BRZEZINSKI, May 27, 1924, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. February 23, 1893, South Bend In; d. August 20, 1945, South Bend In; m. (2) JOHN LEO NOWICKI, January 20, 1962, St Joseph County, Indiana; b. July 07, 1896, South Bend, Indiana; d. October 20, 1969, South Bend, Indiana.

 

Notes for AGNES DRAJUS:

Mrs. Agnes Nowicki: (South Bend Tribune 8/20/1979)

 

 

Mrs. Agnes Nowicki, 85, died at 5:20 a.m. Sunday in the Carlyle Nursing Home after a long illness. She was born on April 1, 1894, in South Bend. As Agnes Drajus she married Vincent F. Brzezinski, who died on Aug. 20, 1945. On Jan. 20, 1962, she married John L. Nowicki, who died in October 1969. Surviving are two daughters, Loretta Reiter of Mishawaka, and Rita Brzezinski of South Bend, and five grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Hedwig Catholic Church, with Rev. Mathew Sienkiewicz, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Kaniewski & Sons Funeral Home, where the parish rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today.

 

More About AGNES DRAJUS:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

Notes for VINCENT BRZEZINSKI:

Vincent Brzezinski Jr.. He married Agnes Drajius. They had 2 daughters Loretta and Rita. Loretta is still living. Vincent Brzezinski owned a drug store on Chapin Street in South Bend. He died of a cerbral stroke. He was a pharmacist

 

More About VINCENT BRZEZINSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

Occupation: Owner,  Modern Pharmacy

 

Notes for JOHN LEO NOWICKI:

John Leo Nowicki: (South Bend Tribune 10/20/1969)

 

 

John Leo Nowicki, 73, of 506 Cleveland Ave., died at 4:45 p.m. Sunday in St. Joseph’s Hospital after a brief illness. He was retired from the Studebaker Corp. after 45 years of service. He was born July 7, 1896, in South Bend. He married Lottie Woltman, who died in 1951. In January, 1962, he married Agnes Brzezinski, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Edward of Dayton, Ohio and Robert J. of South Bend; a daughter, Mrs. Loretta Deranek, White Bear, Minn.; two step-daughters, Mrs. Loretta Reiter, Mishawaka, and Miss Rita Brzezinski, South Bend; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Hilary and Modest, both of South Bend; and three sisters, Mrs. Corrine Kosinski, Mrs. Genevieve Piechocki and Miss Leona Nowicki, all of South Bend. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Kaniewski and Sons Funeral Home, 3402 Lincoln Way W. Services will be at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday in St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, Rev. John J. Jakubielski, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. The parish rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

 

More About JOHN LEO NOWICKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

                 v.    FRANK DRAJUS, b. December 19, 1896, South Bend In; d. September 05, 1903, South Bend In.

 

 

3.  THOMAS2 DRAJUS (JAN JOHN1) was born December 1863 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died March 26, 1929 in Chicago, IL.  He married CATHARINA KOLESIAK 1885 in Srebrna Góra, Pow Wagrowiecki, Poland, daughter of THOMAS KOLESIAK and MAGDALENA WENCEL.  She was born September 1866 in Srebrna Góra, Pow Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died January 11, 1931 in Chicago, IL.

       

Children of THOMAS DRAJUS and CATHARINA KOLESIAK are:

                  i.    MARTIN3 DRAJUS, b. September 15, 1886, Wrongrowitz, Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland; d. May 25, 1952, South Bend In; m. (1) ROSE ANN NOWAK, October 14, 1907, S.S. Peter & Paul, Chicago, IL; b. Abt. 1886, Chicago, IL; m. (2) JOANNA PACZESNY, January 11, 1912, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. August 28, 1878, South Bend In; d. February 21, 1959, South Bend In.

                  ii.    STEPHEN THOMAS DRAJUS, b. August 21, 1888, Chicago, IL; d. April 14, 1965, South Bend In; m. LILLIAN GUSTLE, July 25, 1917, Chicago,IL; b. December 04, 1898, Peoria, IL; d. April 28, 1964, South Bend In.

                 iii.    MARGARET M DRAJUS, b. May 1890, Chicago, IL; d. July 18, 1973, Chicago, IL; m. (1) JOHN RAYMOND, January 28, 1907, Chicago,IL; b. 1876, Prussian Poland; m. (2) CARL ARNOLD, Aft. 1930, Chicago,IL; b. 1890, Chicago, IL.

                 iv.    JOSEPH DRAJUS, b. April 1889, Chicago, IL; d. September 13, 1958, Chicago, IL.

                 v.    SOPHIA DRAJUS, b. April 1898, Chicago, IL; d. September 13, 1958, Chicago, IL; m. HARVEY L OGREN; b. 1893, Indiana.

                 vi.    JOHN J DRAJUS, b. July 09, 1903, Chicago, IL.

                vii.    EDWARD DRAJUS, b. 1906, Chicago, IL.

 

 

4.  ANTONIA2 DRAJUS (JAN JOHN1) was born August 25, 1857 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died September 18, 1914 in South Bend In.  She married GEORGE SOKOLOWSKI Abt. 1871 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland.  He was born August 25, 1857 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Prussian Poland, and died September 18, 1915 in South Bend In.

 

More About ANTONIA DRAJUS:

Emigration: 1881

 

More About GEORGE SOKOLOWSKI:

Emigration: 1881

       

Children of ANTONIA DRAJUS and GEORGE SOKOLOWSKI are:

                  i.    STELLA MARIE3 SOKOLOWSKI, b. April 12, 1873, Powiat Wagrowiecki, Prussian Poland; d. January 14, 1943, South Bend In; m. STEPHEN JOHN PACZESNY, May 23, 1899, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. August 17, 1876, South Bend In; d. May 21, 1951, South Bend In.

                  ii.    FRANCIS JOHN SOKOLOWSKI, b. June 12, 1881, Aboard Hermann Ship; d. August 29, 1961, South Bend In.

                 iii.    MICHAEL FRANK SOKOLOWSKI, b. July 29, 1883, South Bend In; d. January 17, 1949, South Bend In; m. JOSEPHINE SWINIARSKI; b. February 12, 1885, South Bend In; d. September 18, 1948, South Bend In.

                 iv.    MARY SOKOLOWSKI, b. June 1884, South Bend In; d. June 01, 1956, south.

                 v.    VERONICA IRENE SOKOLOWSKI, b. February 1886, South Bend In; d. December 21, 1949, Kalamazoo, MI; m. JOHN PRZERADZKI, November 05, 1906, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. April 17, 1884, Pennsylvania; d. November 18, 1949, South Bend In.

                 vi.    MARTIN J SOKOLOWSKI, b. January 16, 1890, South Bend In; d. January 13, 1954, South Bend In.

                vii.    EDWARD SOKOLOWSKI, b. September 29, 1892, South Bend In; d. April 26, 1963, South Bend In.

               viii.    BERNICE SOKOLOWSKI, b. April 06, 1895, South Bend In; d. April 20, 1956, Logansport, IN; m. SYLVESTER STACHOWSKI, May 23, 1916, St Joseph County, Indiana; b. December 07, 1894, South Bend In; d. February 15, 1980, South Bend In.

 

More About BERNICE SOKOLOWSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

More About SYLVESTER STACHOWSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

                 ix.    LEON SOKOLOWSKI, b. May 1897, South Bend In.

                 x.    HATTIE SOKOLOWSKI, b. September 08, 1899, South Bend In; d. April 24, 1966, South Bend In; m. STANLEY K PIETRZAK, November 18, 1921, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. August 21, 1898, South Bend In; d. November 11, 1960, South Bend In.

 

Notes for HATTIE SOKOLOWSKI:

Hattie and her husband Stanley owned Pepper's Tavern which was on Chapin Street.  They were known for the delicious fish.  Many of the Catholics from the area would call in their orders on Friday and then go to the tavern to pick it up.  Many men from the area would go there after work for a few beers before going home

 

More About STANLEY K PIETRZAK:

Occupation: Peppers Tavern

 

 

5.  MAGDALINE2 DRAJUS (JAN JOHN1) was born May 03, 1871 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died February 19, 1930 in South Bend In.  She married KONSTANTY CWIKLINSKI Abt. 1891 in Prussian Poland.  He was born Abt. 1869 in Prussian Poland, and died October 17, 1916 in South Bend In.

 

Notes for MAGDALINE DRAJUS:

 

Source Candi Tyler November 2007

Magdalina (Drajus) Cwiklinski was my great-grandfather's sister.  Her parents were Jan and Katazyna (Balczerowicz) Drajus.  She was born 5/3/1871.  She died 2/19/1930.  I have documents to support this and I also interviewed her granddaughter before she died this year.  I have regular contact with her other granddaughter. 

 

Thomas did have a son named Martin.  He was born 9/15/1886.  Thomas also had four other sons and two daughters.  His children's names were Martin, Stephen, Margaret, Joseph, Sophia, John, and Edward.  

 

Konstantly and Magdalina had the following children:  Stefan, Cecelia, Walter, Angeline, Pauline, Martha, Lucia, Casimir and a baby that was born and died before 1900.

 

Obituary Magdala Chwicklinska

South Bend Tribune 2-19-1930

 

Mrs. Magdala Chwicklinska, age 60, of 1106 West Division Street, died Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in the residence of heart troubles. She was born in Poland May 3, 1869 and came here 37 years agofrom that country. Surviving are six children, Miss Celia Chwicklinska, Mrs. Agnes Licherowicz, Mrs. Martha Niespodzany, and Walter and Casimir Chwicklinski of South Bend. Mrs Pauline Lasecki of Detroit and a brother Joseph Drajus, and a sister Mrs Agnes Janicki both of this city. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 9:00 am in St Hedwige's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. S A Gruza CSC pastor officiating. Burial will be in St Josephs Cemetery. 

 

 

More About MAGDALINE DRAJUS:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

More About KONSTANTY CWIKLINSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

Emigration: 1893

       

Children of MAGDALINE DRAJUS and KONSTANTY CWIKLINSKI are:

                  i.    STEFAN3 CWIKLINSKI, b. April 27, 1893, South Bend In; d. February 16, 1918, South Bend In.

 

More About STEFAN CWIKLINSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Consumption - TB

Military service: WW 1

 

                  ii.    CECELIA CWIKLINSKI, b. November 14, 1894, South Bend In; d. December 08, 1974, South Bend In.

 

More About CECELIA CWIKLINSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

                 iii.    WALTER A CWIKLINSKI, b. January 20, 1896, South Bend In; d. May 21, 1981, Denver, CO; m. CLARA PODLAS, May 21, 1927, St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. August 10, 1905, South Bend In; d. February 02, 1983, South Bend In.

 

Notes for WALTER A CWIKLINSKI:

WALTER A CWIKLINSKI

      Born 20 Jan 1895 in So Bend and had lived here all of his life.  Died 21 May 1981 age 86 of 1016 W Western Ave; died at 12:45 p.m. Thursday in Lutheran Medical Center, Denver Colorado after a brief illness.  He was visiting there when he became ill.  He was a railroad car man for 50 years with the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, retiring in 1969.  Services at St Hedwig Catholic Church; burial  in St Joseph Cemetery.  On 21 May 1927 in Chicago he married Clara Podlas who survives.  Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs Mary Anne Dixon of Granby Colo; Mrs Beata [Bunny] Ko of Colorado

Springs Colo; and Mrs Eleanore Huntley of Denver Colo; eight grandchildren; a great grandchild; & a brother, Casimir Cwiklinski of SBd.

 

 

More About WALTER A CWIKLINSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

                 iv.    ANGELINE CWIKLINSKI, b. January 05, 1899, South Bend In; d. April 06, 1972, South Bend In; m. BRONISLAW M LICHNEROWICZ / LICHNER, October 21, 1919, St Casimir, South Bend; b. March 14, 1896, South Bend In; d. May 06, 1971, South Bend In.

 

More About BRONISLAW M LICHNEROWICZ / LICHNER:

Alias: Bert

 

                 v.    PAULINE CWIKLINSKI, b. January 20, 1901, South Bend In; d. Aft. 1930, Detroit, MI; m. LOUIS C LASECKI, June 15, 1920, St Joesph Cty, Indiana; b. December 11, 1894, South Bend In.

 

More About PAULINE CWIKLINSKI:

Residence: 1930, Detroit, MI

 

More About LOUIS C LASECKI:

Residence: 1930, Detroit, MI

 

                 vi.    MARTHA CWIKLINSKI, b. April 06, 1903, South Bend In; d. November 12, 1942, South Bend In; m. CLEMENT NIESPODZANY; b. 1901, South Bend In; d. May 1941, South Bend In.

                vii.    LUCIA CWIKLINSKI, b. 1903, South Bend In; d. 1920, South Bend In.

               viii.    CASIMIR CWIKLINSKI, b. March 12, 1906, South Bend In; d. November 14, 1985, South Bend In; m. RUTH V SMITH; b. December 05, 1913, Allegan, MI; d. November 20, 1999, South Bend In.

                 ix.    INFANT CWIKLINSKI, b. Bef. 1900; d. Bef. 1900, South Bend In.

 

 

6.  AGNES2 DRAJUS (JAN JOHN1) was born May 1872 in Powiat Wagrowiecki, Poland, and died February 05, 1938 in Chicago, IL.  She married JOHN JANICKI Abt. 1890 in Chicago,IL.  He was born May 1863 in Prussian Poland, and died Bet. 1910 - 1920 in Chicago, IL.

       

Children of AGNES DRAJUS and JOHN JANICKI are:

                  i.    KATIE3 JANICKI, b. February 1891, Chicago, IL; m. JOSEPH STANEK; b. Abt. 1890, Chicago, IL.

                  ii.    PETER JANICKI, b. December 05, 1892, Chicago, IL; d. June 1972, East Chicago, IN.

                 iii.    MARY JANICKI, b. May 1895, East Chicago, IN.

                 iv.    SOPHIE JANICKI, b. May 1898, East Chicago, IN.

                 v.    HIPOLIT JANICKI, b. November 1899, East Chicago, IN.

                 vi.    GERTRUDE JANICKI, b. 1902, East Chicago, IN; m. VICTOR SWIOREZYNSKI; b. Abt. 1902, East Chicago, IN.

                vii.    JOSEPH JANICKI, b. September 11, 1903, East Chicago, IN; d. November 1971, East Chicago, IN.

               viii.    JOHN JANICKI, b. February 21, 1905, East Chicago, IN; d. March 1974, East Chicago, IN.

                 ix.    FELIX JANICKI, b. May 09, 1907, East Chicago, IN; d. December 1971, East Chicago, IN.

                 x.    EVA JANICKI, b. November 18, 1909, East Chicago, IN; d. September 1977, East Chicago, IN.

 

 

Generation No. 3

 

7.  STANLEY JOSEPH3 DRAJUS (JOSEPH2, JAN JOHN1) was born March 02, 1884 in South Bend, IN, and died October 17, 1920 in South Bend In.  He married MARTHA MARY KRUSZEWSKI September 27, 1910 in St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana.  She was born July 13, 1886 in South Bend, IN, and died July 18, 1960 in South Bend, IN.

       

Children of STANLEY DRAJUS and MARTHA KRUSZEWSKI are:

9.                i.    MARTHA4 DRAJUS, b. April 06, 1913, South Bend , In.

                  ii.    STANLEY DRAJUS, b. November 13, 1915, South Bend In; d. March 03, 1934, South Bend In.

 

More About STANLEY DRAJUS:

Burial: April 04, 1934, St Joseph Cemetery

 

 

8.  JULIANNA3 DRAJUS (JOSEPH2, JAN JOHN1) was born March 14, 1885 in South Bend In, and died October 28, 1943 in South Bend In.  She married JULIUS DEWITT September 25, 1917 in St Hedwig, St Joesph Cty, Indiana.  He was born August 22, 1855 in South Bend In, and died September 12, 1957 in South Bend In.

 

More About JULIANNA DRAJUS:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

 

Notes for JULIUS DEWITT:

JULIUS DeWITT

Translated from Goniec Polski:

Born 22 Aug 1885 South Bend; died Sept 1957 [ appeared

in paper 16 Sept 1957]; of 720 W Dunham, died at St Joseph Hospital.  He had been ill for 3 months. Funeral was held today [16th], services at St Parick's Catholic Church,  burial at St Joseph Cemetery. His wife Julia died in 1943.  Julius worked at Bendix Products Division, Bendix Aviation Corp for the last 27 years and retired in 1953.   He leaves one son, Richard J DeWitt, one grandchild, and one sister, Mrs Emma DeVleeschower, all  of South Bend.

 

 

More About JULIUS DEWITT:

Burial: St Joseph Cemetery

       

Child of JULIANNA DRAJUS and JULIUS DEWITT is:

                  i.    RICHARD D4 DEWITT, b. Aft. 1917, South Bend In.

 

 

Generation No. 4

 

9.  MARTHA4 DRAJUS (STANLEY JOSEPH3, JOSEPH2, JAN JOHN1) was born April 06, 1913 in South Bend , In.  She married EDMUND J HOSINSKI December 27, 1945 in St Hedwig, son of NICHOLAS HOSINSKI and APOLONIA EGIERSKI.  He was born March 31, 1913 in South Bend , In, and died May 27, 1978 in Tucson Az, Veterns Hospital.

 

More About MARTHA DRAJUS:

Graduation: 1920, St Hedwig High, First in Class

Occupation: Medical Assistant

 

More About EDMUND J HOSINSKI:

Burial: St Joseph Polish Cemetery

Military service: Intelligence US Army WW II

Profession: Indiana State Trooper

       

Child of MARTHA DRAJUS and EDMUND HOSINSKI is:

                  i.    REV THOMAS5 HOSINSKI, b. October 09, 1946, South Bend , In.

 

More About REV THOMAS HOSINSKI:

Degree: 1969, Notre Dame BA

Education: 1960, Holy Cross Seminary

Novitiate: February 1972, Final Vows

Ordination: April 07, 1973, Congregation of Holy Cross

 

Copyright © 2008 James F. Piechorowski. All rights reserved.
Used by SBAGS with permission of the copyright owner.
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