I have five children, which means that control of the television remote is less a household privilege and more a continually disputed constitutional question.

If you’re already thinking of joining Sky, its current refer-a-friend offer gives both you and me a voucher worth up to £100, depending on the product you choose.

The offer currently covers new qualifying orders for:

- Sky Glass

- Sky Stream

- Sky Broadband

- Sky Mobile

Referral link:

https://refer.sky.com/justinabbottc-1

How it works:

1. Open the referral link.

2. Enter your name and email address on Sky’s referral page.

3. Continue through the resulting invitation and choose an eligible Sky product.

4. Complete the order and satisfy the qualifying conditions.

5. Sky sends each of us the applicable voucher once it confirms the referral.

The precise voucher amount depends on what you order, so check the reward displayed during the referral journey before committing.

Please compare the full monthly price, introductory period, contract length and any later price increases. A voucher is welcome, but it shouldn’t make an unsuitable package into a good deal.

Referral disclosure: This is my personal Sky referral link. You and I both receive the applicable voucher if your new order qualifies.

Non-referral link, without the referral voucher:

https://www.sky.com/

Five children, countless connected devices and a mysterious household rule that apparently requires every screen to stream something simultaneously.

If you’re already considering Virgin Media for broadband, TV or a bundle, its refer-a-friend offer currently gives £50 cash to both of us when you join through my referral.

Referral link:

https://aklam.io/c0ETYXaE

The current qualifying products shown on my referral page are:

- Broadband only, including Flex – £50 each

- Broadband and landline, including Flex – £50 each

- Entertainment, Cinema, Sport and Max Volt bundles – £50 each

- Mega Volt bundle – £50 each

How to claim it:

1. Open my referral link before ordering.

2. Choose the online option and shop normally through the resulting Virgin Media page.

3. Complete your order for an eligible package.

4. Once Virgin Media confirms the qualifying order, we each receive £50 cash through the referral programme.

If you prefer ordering by telephone, the referral page provides 0800 052 0811 and my reward code QKWAGMPO. Quote the code while ordering – it cannot be added afterwards.

Please compare the package price, contract length and expected speeds with alternatives at your address. The £50 is useful, but only take the service if the underlying deal works for you.

Referral disclosure: This is my personal referral link. You receive £50 and I receive £50 if your order qualifies.

Non-referral link:

https://www.virginmedia.com/

With five children, keeping everyone connected without the mobile bill getting silly is a project in itself.

If you’re considering iD Mobile, its current refer-a-friend offer gives both you and me the same cash reward, based on the qualifying plan:

• SIM-only up to £8 per month – £5 each

• SIM-only £8.01 or more per month – £10 each

• Unlimited-data SIM-only – £20 each

• Selected Google Pixel 11 contracts – £30 each

• Selected iPhone 16 Plus 128GB contract – £35 each

Referral link:

https://aklam.io/cg6Ec8JS

Accept the invitation with your email address, continue directly to iD Mobile and complete a qualifying online order. Once iD Mobile confirms the conditions have been met, the reward becomes available through Aklamio.

Check the live reward table before ordering because eligible plans and prices can change. Compare coverage, total contract cost and alternative cashback or comparison-site offers first. If you choose the referral route, complete the order through that journey so tracking is not lost.

Disclosure: This is my personal referral link and I receive the same qualifying reward.

Non-referral link:

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/

With five children, keeping everyone connected without the mobile bill getting silly is a project in itself.

If you’re considering iD Mobile, its current refer-a-friend offer gives both you and me the same cash reward, based on the qualifying plan you choose:

• SIM-only up to £8 per month – £5 each

• SIM-only £8.01 or more per month – £10 each

• Unlimited-data SIM-only – £20 each

• Selected Google Pixel 11 contracts – £30 each

• Selected iPhone 16 Plus 128GB contract – £35 each

Referral link:

https://aklam.io/cg6Ec8JS

Accept the invitation with your email address, continue directly to iD Mobile and complete a qualifying online order. Once iD Mobile confirms the conditions have been met, the reward becomes available through Aklamio.

Check the live reward table before ordering, as eligible handsets and prices can change. Also compare coverage, total contract cost, allowances and alternative cashback or comparison-site offers first. If you choose the referral route, complete the purchase through that journey so tracking is not lost.

Disclosure: This is my personal referral link and I receive the same qualifying reward.

Non-referral link:

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/

With five children, I’m always interested in mobile plans that don’t require taking out a second mortgage just to keep everyone reachable.

If you’re considering iD Mobile, its refer-a-friend programme currently gives both you and me a cash reward, with the amount determined by the plan you choose.

Referral link:

https://aklam.io/cg6Ec8JS

The current rewards shown on my referral page include:

• SIM-only plan costing up to £8 per month – £5 each
• SIM-only plan costing £8.01 or more – £10 each
• Unlimited-data SIM-only plan – £20 each
• Selected Google Pixel 11 contracts – £30 each
• Selected iPhone 16 Plus contract – £35 each

Other qualifying handset offers may also appear. Check the reward table on the referral page for the exact plan before ordering.

Important comparison check: Before using the referral, check MoneySavingExpert’s current mobile deals at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/. Its comparison, cashback or promotional offers can routinely be better than the referral reward, so use whichever route gives you the best overall value after considering the monthly price, upfront cost and contract length.

If the referral is the best route for you:

1. Open my referral link.
2. Enter your email address to accept the invitation.
3. Continue directly from the referral page to iD Mobile.
4. Place your qualifying order online.
5. Once iD Mobile confirms that the reward conditions have been met, the cash becomes available through Aklamio.

Opening another comparison or cashback link after starting the referral journey may prevent the referral from tracking. Compare all the options first, then begin the purchase through whichever route you choose.

Also compare coverage where you live, data allowance, contract length and scheduled price increases before ordering.

Referral disclosure: This is my personal referral link. You and I receive the same cash reward if your purchase qualifies.

Non-referral link, without the cash reward: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/

With five children, I’m always interested in mobile plans that don’t require taking out a second mortgage just to keep everyone reachable.

If you’re considering iD Mobile, its refer-a-friend programme currently gives both you and me a cash reward, with the amount determined by the plan you choose.

Referral link:

https://aklam.io/cg6Ec8JS

The current rewards shown on my referral page include:

• SIM-only plan costing up to £8 per month – £5 each
• SIM-only plan costing £8.01 or more – £10 each
• Unlimited-data SIM-only plan – £20 each
• Selected Google Pixel 11 contracts – £30 each
• Selected iPhone 16 Plus contract – £35 each

Other qualifying handset offers may also appear. Check the reward table on the referral page for the exact plan before ordering.

How to claim it:

1. Open my referral link.
2. Enter your email address to accept the invitation.
3. Continue directly from the referral page to iD Mobile.
4. Place your qualifying order online.
5. Once iD Mobile confirms that the reward conditions have been met, the cash becomes available through Aklamio.

Don’t leave the referral journey and order through a comparison or cashback site, as that may prevent the referral from tracking.

As always, compare coverage where you live, the monthly cost, data allowance, contract length and scheduled price increases before ordering.

Referral disclosure: This is my personal referral link. You and I receive the same cash reward if your purchase qualifies.

Non-referral link, without the cash reward: https://www.idmobile.co.uk/

I have five children, so I’m currently running two energy supplies:

1. Gas and electricity

2. Whatever keeps a parent functioning while five small people leave lights on, generate mountains of washing and ask for snacks every seven minutes

Unfortunately, only one of those supplies has a referral scheme.

If you’re already considering switching to Octopus Energy, you can receive £50 credit by joining through my referral link. Octopus gives me £50 credit too, which may cover approximately three minutes of running our washing machine.

My referral link:

https://share.octopus.energy/snow-raven-390

How it works:

- Follow the link and enter your postcode.

- Get a quote and compare it with your current supplier using your actual annual energy consumption if possible.

- Choose a tariff and complete the switch if the numbers work for you.

- The referral credit is added after your switch and qualifying first payment.

Please don’t switch solely for the bonus—check the unit rates and standing charges against your current deal first.

Referral disclosure: We both receive £50 Octopus account credit if you switch both gas and electricity through my link. If you switch only one supply, the reward may be lower.

I’ve genuinely been an Octopus customer and this is my personal referral link, not an advert or an affiliation. If you do use it, thank you—from me, the five children, the washing machine and every light they have apparently sworn never to turn off.

I have five children, so I’m currently running two energy supplies:

1. Gas and electricity

2. Whatever keeps a parent functioning while five small people leave lights on, generate mountains of washing and ask for snacks every seven minutes

Unfortunately, only one of those supplies has a referral scheme.

If you’re already considering switching to Octopus Energy, you can receive £50 credit by joining through my referral link. Octopus gives me £50 credit too, which may cover approximately three minutes of running our washing machine.

My referral link:

https://share.octopus.energy/snow-raven-390

How it works:

- Follow the link and enter your postcode.

- Get a quote and compare it with your current supplier using your actual annual energy consumption if possible.

- Choose a tariff and complete the switch if the numbers work for you.

- The referral credit is added after your switch and qualifying first payment.

Please don’t switch solely for the bonus—check the unit rates and standing charges against your current deal first.

Referral disclosure: We both receive £50 Octopus account credit if you switch both gas and electricity through my link. If you switch only one supply, the reward may be lower.

I’ve genuinely been an Octopus customer and this is my personal referral link, not an advert or an affiliation. If you do use it, thank you—from me, the five children, the washing machine and every light they have apparently sworn never to turn off.

I have five children, so I’m currently running two energy supplies:

1. Gas and electricity

2. Whatever keeps a parent functioning while five small people leave lights on, generate mountains of washing and ask for snacks every seven minutes

Unfortunately, only one of those supplies has a referral scheme.

If you’re already considering switching to Octopus Energy, you can receive £50 credit by joining through my referral link. Octopus gives me £50 credit too, which may cover approximately three minutes of running our washing machine.

My referral link:

https://share.octopus.energy/snow-raven-390

How it works:

- Follow the link and enter your postcode.

- Get a quote and compare it with your current supplier using your actual annual energy consumption if possible.

- Choose a tariff and complete the switch if the numbers work for you.

- The referral credit is added after your switch and qualifying first payment.

Please don’t switch solely for the bonus—check the unit rates and standing charges against your current deal first.

Referral disclosure: We both receive £50 Octopus account credit if you switch both gas and electricity through my link. If you switch only one supply, the reward may be lower.

I’ve genuinely been an Octopus customer and this is my personal referral link, not an advert or an affiliation. If you do use it, thank you—from me, the five children, the washing machine and every light they have apparently sworn never to turn off.

I am trying to determine whether Polish citizenship may have passed through this line.

The direct line is:

Great-grandfather -> grandfather -> father -> applicant

The four points I particularly want to confirm are:

1. The great-grandfather left the Russian partition of Poland in June 1907, before the Polish Citizenship Act of 1920.
2. He naturalised as a US citizen in December 1920.
3. His US-born son may have served in the US military during WWII, 1940-1945.
4. The next generation was born on 30 January 1951, shortly after the new Polish citizenship law took effect on 19 January 1951.

Additional earlier-generation information

The great-grandfather’s parents were Jewish residents of the Płońsk area. They married in Płońsk in 1874.

The great-grandmother’s parents were Jewish residents of the Płock area.

There are also Polish marriage records from 1911 and 1912 for women who appear to have been the great-grandfather’s sisters or close relatives. These records suggest that other members of the family remained in Poland after he emigrated in 1907. The exact relationships are still being confirmed from the original acts.

Great-grandparents

Date married: 1907, Płock, Russian Empire, now Poland. The civil marriage act names both parties and identifies the great-grandfather’s parents.

Date divorced: No known divorce.

GGM

Date and place of birth: Approximately 1879, probably in Płock or the surrounding area, Russian Empire. The exact date and place have not yet been confirmed.

Ethnicity and religion: Jewish.

Occupation: Unknown.

Allegiance and dates of military service: None known.

Date and destination of emigration: Arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in June 1907, then continued to New York.

Date naturalised: Unknown. It is not yet clear whether she naturalised independently, acquired US citizenship through her husband, or remained an alien for some period.

Date and place of death: April 1959, New York City, USA.

GGF

Date and place of birth: Born in, or closely associated with, Płońsk, Russian Empire, now Poland. The available records contain conflicting birth dates, ranging from approximately 1878 to 1884. His exact birth record has not yet been conclusively identified.

Ethnicity and religion: Jewish.

Occupation: Unknown or not yet confirmed.

Allegiance and dates of military service: No confirmed military service. A Płońsk record dated October 1900 may concern his conscription or military-registration status, but the original file has not yet been obtained.

Date and destination of emigration: Arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, on 25 June 1907. His last residence appears to have been Płońsk. He subsequently lived in New York.

Date naturalised: 16 December 1920, New York, USA.

Date and place of death: March 1967, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Additional Polish evidence relating to the GGF

• His parents married in Płońsk in 1874.
• A Russian Empire passport or passport booklet survives and appears to associate him with Płońsk.
• A 1907 electoral-list entry from Płońsk appears to identify him shortly before his emigration.
• A Płońsk record from October 1900 may relate to his military registration or conscription status.
• Apparent sisters or close female relatives married in Płońsk in 1911 and 1912, after his departure for the USA.

My main question regarding this generation is whether a person who was domiciled or permanently registered in Płońsk, but who emigrated in June 1907, would have acquired Polish citizenship when the 1920 law took effect.

If he did acquire Polish citizenship, would his US naturalisation on 16 December 1920 have caused him to lose it, or could the military-service restriction on loss have protected him because of his age and possible continuing Polish military liability?

Grandparent

Sex: Male.

Date and place of birth: October 1915, New York City, USA.

Date married: Unknown or not yet confirmed.

Citizenship of spouse: US citizen.

Date divorced: No known divorce.

Occupation: Unknown or not yet confirmed.

Allegiance and dates of military service: He may have served in the US armed forces during WWII, approximately 1940–1945. I am still trying to establish the branch, exact dates, and nature of any service.

Date and destination of emigration: Not applicable; born in the USA.

Date naturalised: Not applicable; US citizen from birth.

Date and place of death: February 2007, Maryland, USA.

My question regarding this generation is whether service in the US military during WWII would have caused loss of Polish citizenship.

Parent

Sex: Male.

Date and place of birth: 30 January 1951, USA.

Date married: Unknown or not included here.

Date divorced: Not applicable or not relevant to the citizenship line.

This birth occurred eleven days after the Polish Citizenship Act of 1951 took effect on 19 January 1951.

Applicant

Date and place of birth: October 1980, USA.

Questions

1. Would the great-grandfather have acquired Polish citizenship in 1920 despite having left for the USA in June 1907?
2. If so, would his US naturalisation on 16 December 1920 have caused loss of Polish citizenship?
3. Could the military-service provisions have prevented that loss, and what Polish records would be needed to establish military liability?
4. If the grandfather served in the US military during WWII, 1940-1945, would that have caused him to lose Polish citizenship?