Gorski, J. WilliamBorn in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mr. Gorski worked at General Motors Corp. for 34 years as a metal model maker and then as a design sculptor at their Design Center in Warren. He studied design, sculpture, art history and model making at various institutions, including the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit.
His interest in history and genealogy began around 1977 when he discovered very little information was available in Michigan's libraries on its Polonia. This led to the beginning of the J. William Gorski Historical & Genealogical Collection which is housed at the State of Michigan Library & Archives in Lansing.
This collection consists of over 3000 slides, 2500 photographs, and hundreds of jubilee publications, books, and newspapers on Poles in Michigan and elsewhere.
In 1981, he became editor of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan's publication The Eaglet, a position he held for 6 years. In 1992, he received the Polish Heritage Society's Merit Award in public recognition of his work for the Grand Rapids community. In 1997, the Michigan State University Museum awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions toward the Festival of Michigan Folklife.
He has given slide presentations at the Michigan Historical Society, Western Michigan Genealogical Society, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grosse Pointe Historical Society and the Burton Historical Collection.
From: Resume (2007)