Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan ...

Benefits

 * What are the benefits for becoming a member of the society?
 * Networking with other researchers at meetings and the Annual Seminar.
 * What are the benefits the society has to offer for those who are not members?
 * Non members have use of the PGSM website which contains pertinent information to Polish research and are always welcome to attend regular monthly meetings and seminars.

History of the society

 * The Society was founded in June, 1978 in Hamtramck, Michigan.  Its first workshop was held in the Explorer Room of the Detroit Public Library a few months later.  Eventually the newsletter turned into the Society's journal, first called the Eaglet and later renamed the Polish Eaglet.
 * In 2008, PGSM celebrated its 30th anniversary with a dinner at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy Michigan.
 * In 2008, PGSM developed two awards as a means of thanking those who contributed to the genealogical community. The Reymont Award is given to members who have demonstrated a committment to preserving Polish genealogy and its history.   The Dziekuje Award is given to members or non members for their efforts in developing projects related to Polish research and history.
 * The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan is a member society of the United Polish Genealogical Societies which meet in Salt Lake City.
 * The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan has delegates to the MIchigan Genealogical Council and the Federated Genealogical Society.
 * Mission of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan: To promote and encourage research in Polish genealogy, as well as the preservation of historical materials which aid in the documentation of family histories. PGSM is dedicated to educating its members and the public on Polish genealogy, genealogical research methods and techniques as well as the Polish culture.

Society Officers

 * William Krul, President
 * J. William Gorski, Vice-President
 * Jill O'Sullivan, Treasurer
 * Patricia Hallman, Recording Secretary
 * Valerie S. Koselka, Corresponding Secretary

Current Projects

 * Sacred Heart of St. Mary Cemetery Transcriptions

Facebook page

 * https://www.facebook.com/groups/84920869072/

Publications

 * ThePolish Eaglet
 * Back issues may be purchased from the Society:  http://www.pgsm.org/sales.htm

Collections

 * Record collections or papers to which your society has access
 * How these records can help researchers (May link to a Wiki article connected with the location)
 * Where the record is located (online, on site, at nearby repositories)
 * How to access it from a distance (order information, if any)
 * Indexes for records about this area
 * Where the index is located (online, book, or on site)
 * Look ups, and copying records from local repositories, if any (here or in Q &amp; A below)
 * Directions on how your society does this, and sends the information back to the patron

Events

 * (also include society trips to areas of interest here, in workshops, or in training below)
 * Federated Genealogical Societies conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, 2013
 * Archives of Michigan, Lansing Michigan, Saturday, September 21, 2013. Tour of the Archives of Michigan and research trip.

Society Meetings

 * www.pgsm.org/meetingschedule_1.htm

Workshops

 * (also include presentations online, on site, or elsewhere about how to do research in your area)

Board Meetings

 * Board meetings are held the morning of a regular monthly meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

 * Q. What are the directions to the society?
 * A. Directions to each monthly meeting are found on the website under meetings tab:  pgsm.org


 * Q. What are the society's hours of operation?
 * A. The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan meets in various libraries around the Detroit metro area on the third Saturday of each month except December, January, February, July and August. The general membership meetings run from 2-4 p.m, unless noted on the website. There are four levels of membership levels with PGSM:  Regular ($25), Patron ($50), Supporting ($100) and Lifetime ($300).  Membership is based on the receipt of three Polish Eaglets in one year, except for Lifetime membership.  The website contains important links to use and can be found under the web links tab.  pgsm.org.  The Polish Eaglet can be accessed at various libraries in the Detroit Metro area as well as other Polish communities in the United States.  Some members offer free lookups for those needing assistance with their research.



Nearby or Alternate Repositories


The Burton Historical Collection contains microfilms of Detroit area churches, census and immigration records, biographies, city directories death indexes and much more for anyone researching in Detroit.

http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/featuredcollection/burton-historical-collection

The Bentley Historical Library contains valuable resources for Michigan researchers as well.

http://bentley.umich.edu/

Archives of Michigan: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-54463_19313-54043--,00.html