The Garfinkels in the 19th century lived in Galicia, a province of the Austrian empire. Family memories place Benjamin and Reila (Rose) Garfinkel's family living in Rozwadow prior to their emigration, although records of the children show they were born in Mielec. However very few written records survive on the Garfinkels due to the strategic position of the land where their family lived in the early twentieth century. During both World Wars, Russian, German and Austrian armies repeated passed through that area of Galicia destroying everything in their path. Fortunately Louis Garfinkel was old enough to remember not only the some of the family history but the names of his aunts, uncles and great uncles upon which to build. Louis passed the information on to his youngest sibling Sidney (16 years age difference).