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 contacting members through the website are important benefits. All members receive three issues of our journal called the Polish Eaglet and the newsletter called News from the Nest.   Members are encouraged to submit their personal family histories or extractions for publication in thePolish Eaglet.  Members have access to the secure downloads on the website and are able to post their surnames and villages on the website.
 * What are the benefits the society has to offer for those who are not members?


 * Non members have use of the PGSM public databases on the website and are invited to attend all meetings.

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 2013, PGSM celebrated its 35th anniversary with a research seminar and dinner at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy Michigan.
 * The Society has two awards as a means of thanking those who contribute to the genealogical community. The J. William Gorski Award, previously named after Wladyslaw Reymont, is given to members who have demonstrated a committment to preserving Polish genealogy and its history. The Dziękuję 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 meets biennially in Salt Lake City.The last conference was held from May 2-5, 2014.
 * The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan has delegates to the Michigan Genealogical Council and the Federation of Genealogical Societies.
 * 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 about Polish genealogy, genealogical research methods and techniques as well as the Polish culture.

Society Officers

 * Valerie S. Koselka, President
 * Jill O'Sullivan, Treasurer
 * Patricia Hallman, Recording Secretary
 * Fred Kuplicki, Corresponding Secretary

 Directors at Large 


 * Roger S. Laske, Editor of the Polish Eaglet
 * Kenneth Merique, Director
 * James J. Tye, Director
 * Jan S. Zaleski, Director
 * Richard Zaremba, Director
 * J. William Gorski, Director
 * Trudy Gollan Krueger, Webmaster
 * Barbara Munck, Assistant Editor, of the Polish Eaglet
 * Linda Bailey, Director
 * Frank Slanczka, Director

Current Projects

 * Sacred Heart of St. Mary Cemetery (Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan)

Website and Facebook

 * https://www.facebook.com/groups/84920869072/
 * http://www.pinterest.com/pin/79938962109371565/
 * http://www.pgsm.org

Journal/Publications

 * The Polish Eaglet (published 3x/year, Spring, Summer, Fall editions)
 * Back issues, also available on a DVD, may be purchased from the Society:
 * []Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

Newsletters

 * Our News From the Nest, with updated Information on Society Projects, Events and Members, is normally published at times between the publication of our journal, Polish Eaglet, and sent to members electronically (as an attachment to e-mail). For those without the benefit of e-mail or access to the website, it is sent by postal carrier.

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)
 * Federation of 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

 * http://www.pgsm.org/eventListings.php?nm=49

Board Meetings

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

Training Meetings

 * Meetings and Research Programs are generally held the 3rd Saturday of March, April, May, June, September, October &amp; November at locations throughout southeast Michigan. Member and guest speakers are featured. Check the calendar on the website for details.
 * http://www.pgsm.org/eventListings.php?nm=49 The Annual Fall Seminar is a full day of lectures by experienced Polish genealogical researchers, as well as a time for networking with others. This year, 15 October 2016, the seminar will feature speakers Tim Firkowski and Kamila Mazurek.

Frequently Asked Questions
'''How does a person become a member? '''

There are four levels of membership levels with PGSM: Regular/Household -digital ($25),Regular/Household - print($30), Patron ($50), Supporting ($100) and Lifetime ($300). Membership is based on the receipt of three Polish Eaglets per year, except for Lifetime membership. An application form is available on the society website: http://www.pgsm.org

Do members help with genealogical research and lookups?

Limited research assistance is provided in two ways. A research submission form is submitted through the PGSM website or by posting queries on our Facebook page. Some members assist at local LDS Family History Centers in the Detroit Metropolitan area with research requests.

'''How can I attend meetings? Where are they held?'''

The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan meets in various locations, usually libraries, around the Detroit metro area on the third Saturday of each month except December, January, February, July and August, unless otherwise noted on the website. The general membership meetings are held from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Our website lists the meeting locations and specifics about each meeting. Monthly regular meetings are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

http://www.pgsm.org/eventListings.php?nm=49

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

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