In 1990 there were only 262 individuals living in Poland who shared the surname. To put this into perspective, Poland has a population of around 38 million, and a very common name like, 'Kowalski' had 131,940 people of the same name. However, one must also realize that this is only in Poland. There are Czelusta living in Germany, France, Australia, and probably other places. There are around forty people bearing the surname in the US whom are in relation to myself. The only variation of Czelusta I've heard of is 'Celusta' in which the 'z' was dropped to simplify things or hide ethnicity.

Czelusta is a feminine name probably originating in the Wielkopolska region of Poland. It could have been derived from the Polish word Czelusc, which means "abyss or gulf" thus suggesting a locative origin. The name could also be from a form of slang which meant "jaw, cheek, face," which respectively could denote some kind of prominent characteristic of the name's first bearer. Lastly, there are two villages named Czeluscin in Poland that the name could have been derived from. One in the parish of Pepowo, and another located near Gniezno. The Pepowo Czeluscin was first mentioned in 1395, and the Gniezno Czeluscin dates to 1591 and has a connection to the Czeluscinski surname. Both are very small places and have yet to yield any Czelusta link in my research.

The word Czelusciach, which obviously has similar roots as Czelusta was documented in text in 1535. The earliest documented Czelusta in relation to myself is Mateusz Czelusta, born almost three hundred years later in 1823/4.

Mateusz fathered three daughters before meeting his untimely death from cholera in 1849. These three daughters produced first born sons, which took their mother's maiden names (Czelusta), and produced descendents that reach to this day.

Anna Czelusta produced two sons and six daughters. She married Michal Wojciechowski of Ostrowo (near Pakosc) in 1868. Concerning Michal, I've heard as testament to his strength, he was able to lift an entire horse off the ground. Supposedly Michal was some sort of park ranger as well. As for Anna, besides being a mother, she probably did some agricultural work. She died 25 April 1910 and was buried in the Markowice cemetery. Not much else is known of her.
Right: Death of Anna as recorded by Pawel in a bible.

Anna's son, Pawel Czelusta was born in the village of Koscielec in 1868. He served in the Prussian Army as an infantryman and was discharged on 16 September 1893. Through oral history I have learned that he was a train conductor for a time thereafter. He supposedly didn't want to leave Europe, but was forced to, due to the loss of job opportunities. Already at the age of 42, he set off for America from the small village of Mala Koluda (Klein Koluda), which is just outside of Inowroclaw. He embarked from Bremen, Germany on 31 March 1910 and arrived in Baltimore, Maryland on 13 April 1910. He rode upon the ship, Cassel and arrived with $25 in his pocket according to a passenger list. He lived with his brother-in-law until he got settled and was joined later by his wife and offspring in late 1912 and early 1913.

Pawel's eldest daughter, Rose arrived in Buffalo in February 1913. She walked from a streetcar towards Broadway in a dirty milieu and questioned, "This is America?!"

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Pawel Czelusta lived in the US from 1910 to his death 23 November 1963 (One day after the assassination of JFK). He fathered thirteen offspring and is/has been ancestor to hundreds of people. In the USA he was involved as a general laborer, landlord, and was active in Our Lady of Czestochowa R.C. Church. He lived to be 95 years, 4 months, and 3 days old and supposedly never went to the doctor once in his life. He is buried in St. Stanislaus R.C. Cemetery in Cheektowaga, NY.