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Polish Identity - UPGS Conference, April 20-23, 2012 - Wrap Up!This year's PGSA Conference was held in conjunction with the UPGS Conference in Salt Lake City, April 20-23th. We shared sponsorship with the PGS of Michigan, PGS of California and the Polish Mission, in Orchard Lake, Michigan. The collective effort to make this a success was apparent. I believe our attendees found and received assistance whenever and wherever they sought help: from Family History Library (FHL) staff to Conference presenters to each other. I am still receiving positive comments on the experience. Following tradition, the Conference was held at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, on the doorstep of the Family History Library and across the street from Temple Square, with the magnificent Mormon Temple and gardens. In other words, a perfect location for access to records and the sights of the city. The Conference gave us 2 days of presentations by noted speakers that included Steve Morse, Paul Lipinski, Ceil Jensen and Greg Legutki, speaking on subjects ranging from beginning genealogy to the Polish Partitions to investigating whether your ancestral farm was once part of a Manor and to whom that belonged. With the current release of the 1940 Census and the rush to view the images before indexing is complete, Steve Morse's presentation on the one-step ED finder he developed was a must for many. See www.stevemorse.org/census/1940census.htm for his talk. To learn more about the other short cuts he has developed to aid genealogists go to www.stevemorse.org. For me, a much anticipated talk was that of Dr. Barbara Berska, Deputy Director of the Polish Archives. Dr. Berska spoke about the ambitious plans she is pursuing in the preservation, organization, and ultimate availability of vital records in Poland. In the past, there was no one repository and records appear to be scattered among many agencies: civil and religious. She and her colleagues have been instrumental in setting up laboratories dedicated to preserving documents and are moving to consolidate the number of archives. When she spoke of the number of records this project involves it was in terms of kilometers (300,000). You then realized the size of the task her department faces. And, unlike the FHL which utilizes countless volunteers, the Polish Archives are a governmental agency and cannot operate in that way. I anticipate this to be a lengthy process. Tomasz Nitsch, another guest presenter from Poland, is very active in the Polish broadcast media industry. He is the energetic and enthusiastic founder and administrator of Genealogia Polska (www.genpol.com), which outlines the work of genealogical societies in Poland. For the English version go to, www.genpol.com/changelang-eng.html. He promised to post an extensive list of Polish genealogical web sites, which I have received and will make available, in the days ahead, on the PGSA website. When he wasn't presenting, Tomasz spent his time helping attendees. I was one of the lucky ones. Frustrated by my inability to pinpoint my maternal grandmother's village or even an area where her maiden name (Janiga) was prevalent, Tomasz was able to help me narrow the search. I haven't found the exact village nor my great grandparents, as yet, but feel as if I have gotten a bit closer. The Family History Library, is a marvel in itself, with currently at least 2.5 million films for viewing and the almost limitless equipment to do it with: film and fiche readers, computers, CD burners etc. And, then there is all that help to answer your questions and find what you need. The hours of availability are also almost limitless. The Library is closed only on Sundays. For information and pictures, go to www.familysearch.org/locations/saltlakecity-library. And, last but not least, there is the city itself. It has to be one of the cleanest cities I've ever been in and since I am an avid gardener, the gardens, pools, and fountains surrounding the Temple were breath-taking. A few individuals were lucky enough to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's rehearsal. If you missed the chance to attend this year, you may want to start preparing for the next one in 2014!! Genealogical Societies in Poland TodayA list of Polish genealogical web sites from "The Work of Genealogical Societies in Poland" by Tomasz Nitsch of GENPOL.com presented at the UPGS 2012 Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, 21 April 2012. National Society
Regional Branches of Polskie Towarzystwo Genealogiczne (PTG), a partial listing
Other sites
Images of metrical books
PGSA Meeting May 20, 2012 Whats in the 1940 Census!With the release of the 1940 Census on April 2, 2012, genealogists will have access to one of the largest and most comprehensive set of census records released by the Federal government. Speaker Cynthia Piech will discuss what is in the census, how to search using Steve Morse's one-step ED finder and how to volunteer to help index the records. The meeting will start at 2 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Polish Museum of America, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL. Election Time!As the U.S .Presidential Campaign shapes up and candidates are trying to convince the voters that they are the best hope for positive change in America, so to it is time for PGSA to be sure it has a full slate of candidates for its upcoming November 2012 election. We are looking for PGSA members in good standing to rise up and declare that they are ready to serve. If you have been a member for at least two years, then you qualify to throw your hat in the ring to become a Board Member. If you have been thinking about new programs we could implement or have ideas you feel could improve the Society or any of its activities, then this is the year for you to turn in a Board application. PGSA can only grow and get better with fresh ideas and suggestions from its members and this could be your chance to put them out there and make them happen. And as you engage in its leadership and learn more about the Society you will be gaining great insights and find satisfaction in making PGSA successful. If you know another member you think could make a positive contribution as well, encourage him or her to submit their application or give you permission to do it for them. Members elected in November will begin their term on January 1, 2013. You can download a Board Candidate Qualification form from our website. Remember to Add PGSA Notebook URL to Your Address BookBe sure to add the Notebook's email address pgsanotebook@gmail.com to your address book or "safe senders" list as soon as you subscribe to the Notebook so it will be delivered directly to your in box. If you cannot find your monthly issue of the Notebook, be sure to check your "junk mail" or spam box for your email account. If you continue to have difficulty receiving the Notebook, contact your Internet Service Provider about the issue directly New Membership — Apply and Pay OnlineFor a new PGSA membership, click on the link to complete an online Membership Application and pay online: Online New Member Application. What's New on the Website?Brighton Michigan Polish Database in Michigan Resources Click on Polish Database. - October 2011 List of Polish Genealogical Society of California Village Translations to the Slownik Introduction page Translations. - October 2011 LDS Illinois Chicago Catholic Church Vital Records 1833 - 1925 Church Records In addition find Archdiocese of Chicago Polish Parish Historical Records at Parish History. - November 2011 PGSA Member Stan Schmidt’s website of Krolestwo Polskie or Congress Kingdom powiat Maps and Village index’s is available for your perusal at Krolestwo Polskie. Take time to visit Stan’s entire site by clicking “return to main page” located at the top right of the map page. It is truly worth the time. - November 2011 As of December 20, 2011, we have over 518,000 names from 510 Jubilee Books and 23 States in our Jubilee Book Index. Jubilee Records The following 9 new books were recently uploaded: Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse, WI, 1951; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cleveland, OH, 1930; St. Joseph, Peabody, MA, 1977; St. Casimir, Hull, WI, 1971; St. John Cantius, Philadelphia, PA, 1942; St. Joseph Convent Chapel & Infirmary, Stevens Point, WI, 1967; St. Laurentius, Philadelphia, PA, 1932; St. Stanislaus B & M, Cleveland, OH, 1931; and St. Stanislaus B & M, East Chicago, IN, 1924. - December 2011 Dziennik Chicagoski Obituary Translations is a guide to understanding Polish language obituaries. Additional information can be obtained from The Study of Obituaries as a Source for Polish Genealogical Research by Thomas E. Golembiewski. - December 2011 Translating Societies cited in Polish - Have you ever wanted to know the meaning of COF/COOF or Tow.? Well, now you can find out in PGSA's Society Terminology three-page publication. - February 2012 |
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