The place of his birth is usually stated as the village of Murahi (now in Rasony district of Vitsebsk region of Belarus),[4][5][6] however some historians assert that Barszczewski was in fact born in the village of Niaviedra (now - Pustoshkinsky District of Pskovski Oblast in Russia).

[7][8] After graduation, Barszczewski worked locally as a home teacher and governor before moving to St.

He met A. Mickiewicz and T. Shevchenko, who praised the poetic efforts of the young writer and encouraged him on the path of professional creativity.

[8] He organised a Belarusian literary circle and was the editor of the annual almanac "Niezabudka" ("Forget-me-not").

In 1997 a monument was erected in his native Murahi - a large boulder with the image of the writer and engraved words "My lonely thoughts return to this land.