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.

Determine what you want to accomplish

 * 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

 * 1) Check gazetteers for parish and civil jurisdictions
 * 2) Locate places on maps
 * 3) Check the Family History Library Catalog in FamilySearch.org for record availability
 * 4) Check websites for parish and civil registration office addresses and record availability (some records may be stored off-site)
 * 5) Verify that relatives, parishes or archives are available or open before finalizing flight dates
 * 6) Determine your method of travel: car, train, bus etc.
 * 7) Arrange lodging
 * 8) Determine whether you will need a guide/translator to assist you
 * 9) Check your health and car insurance plans for foreign coverage
 * 10) Exchange money
 * 11) Purchase currency converters (several is best)

Start Planning Early

 * 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

 * 1) If possible, arrange for your translator to meet you at the airport or other location
 * 2) Don’t expect everyone to speak English or German
 * 3) Allow travel time for construction sites, traffic, and road conditions
 * 4) Be aware that gas is expensive/some freeways have tolls
 * 5) Bring an ATM card-very easy to access in Polish cities (n/a in villages)
 * 6) If possible, verify appointments with priests, and archivists
 * 7) Take phone card or cell phone (some companies may not have overseas services)
 * 8) GPS can be very helpful (rental car or yours from home)
 * 9) Check with local citizens as to whether they know any people of your family name
 * 10) Be watchful of personal belongings while traveling/store everything in trunk
 * 11) Give donation/small gifts to parishes and archives as appropriate
 * 12) Have a wonderful time!

Helpful Websites
Polish Civil Registration office addresses: http://www.usc.pl/s_urzedy.php?akcja=info1&amp;id=2405074 Polish Catholic

Parish addresses: http://www.genpol.com/Katalog-main.html

Polish filmed records: www.familysearch.org

Polish Lutheran website : www.luteranie.pl

Polish town name change: www.Kartenmeister.com