On-site Research in Poland
Syllabus for class taught by Sonja Hoeke-Nishimoto, Research Consultant at FamilySearch, for NGS Conference 2010.
This session is designed to help the researcher who is planning an on-site research trip to Poland. Careful advanced planning is needed for a successful and worthwhile trip.
Contents
Determine what you want to accomplish
[edit | edit source]
- Finding and meeting living relatives
- Visiting towns and locations of family origins and family history
- Finding actual homes, residences or properties
- Searching Cemeteries
- Finding village historians and other historians
- Visiting archives, parishes, schools, university libraries or other libraries
- Going to cultural/historical displays or attractions
- Going to Tourist Attractions
At Home Preparation[edit | edit source]
- Check gazetteers for parish and civil jurisdictions
- Locate places on maps
- Check the FamilySearch Catalog in FamilySearch.org for record availability
- Check websites for parish and civil registration office addresses and record availability (some records may be stored off-site)
- Verify that relatives, parishes or archives are available and open before finalizing flight dates
- Determine your method of travel: car, train, bus etc.
- Arrange lodging
- Determine whether you will need a guide/translator to assist you
- Check your health and car insurance plans for foreign coverage
- Exchange money
- Purchase currency converters (several is best)
Start Planning Early[edit | edit source]
1. Locating Polish relatives
- a. Contact immediate family that might know them or last residences
- b. Write to the civil registration office in your village(s)
- c. Address envelope to the family name when writing to a small town
- d. Check online Phone directory e. Write letter or email to parish priest
2. Visiting towns and locations of family origins and tourist attractions
- a. Determine what areas you have time and means to visit
- b. Contact priest/or archives for an appointment
In Poland[edit | edit source]
- If possible, arrange for your translator to meet you at the airport or other location
- Don’t expect everyone to speak English or German
- Allow travel time for construction sites, traffic, and road conditions
- Be aware that gas is expensive/some freeways have tolls
- Bring an ATM card-very easy to access in Polish cities (n/a in villages)
- If possible, verify appointments with priests, and archivists
- Take phone card or cell phone (some companies may not have overseas services)
- GPS can be very helpful (rental car or yours from home)
- Check with local citizens as to whether they know any people of your family name
- Be watchful of personal belongings while traveling/store everything in trunk
- Give donation/small gifts to parishes and archives as appropriate
- Have a wonderful time!
Helpful Websites[edit | edit source]
Polish Civil Registration office addresses: https://sites.google.com/view/polishgenealogygroup/polish-archives-in-a-nutshell/polish-civil-registry-offices
Polish Catholic Parish addresses: http://www.genpol.com/Katalog-main.html
Polish filmed records: http://www.familysearch.org
Polish Lutheran website : http://www.luteranie.pl
Polish town name change: http://www.Kartenmeister.com
