Jewish to Catholic Conversions in late 18th century: Zerkow
Does anyone know if the Catholic Church in Poland or elsewhere kept a record of people who converted from Judaism to Catholicism in the late 1700's. I understand from GENERAL information that there was a surge in such conversions in the last two decades of the century in the part of Prussia which is now modern day Poland. I have reason to believe that my great grandfather's family was a part of this conversion. The "secret" in the family-only my mother and grandmother, then me (yes, I understand matrilineal descent issues in Judaism) were told-is that my Polish family was/had been Jewish. I can understand, for practical and safety reasons, why a person who was not particularly devout might make this change, but I can't see why anyone would make this sometimes dangerous claim if it were not true.
I believe my great grandfather's "real name" was Josef Nowak, born in Zerkow (now Poland) in August of 1856. I have read that NOWAK, meaning, roughly, newcomer, was a common surname of many of these converted families. I have records of a NOWAK family in Zerkow, parents being Andrzej/Andreas Nowak and Francisa/Franceska (Szoztek) Nowak, with a son named named Josef born on the right date. There is also a daughter, Victoria, who is linked to me through DNA, obituaries, and a letter. I believe Josef and Victoria are siblings, leading back to the large Catholic family in Zerkow. In the US, Joe was known only as Joseph Schneider and then Joe Snyder. Rootstech classes have taught me the general, possible reasons for this change and they fit the family story-an effort to avoid military conscription. My questions:
Anyone else trying to figure out conversion stories? Know of any records?
Is anyone else "out there" researching the Nowak family from Zerkow?
Thanks so much! Gay Knutson