PART 1 AGENDA

n Understanding Polish History Polish Genealogy n Polish Surnames n Polish Genealogical References n About the Polish Genealogical Society of by David Newman New York State (PGSNYS) [email protected] n PGSNYS Databases Polish Genealogical Society of ¨ Overview New York State ¨ Dziennik Dla Wszystkich (Everybody’s Daily)

Understanding Polish History

n Poland began in April 14, 966 AD with the birth of Christianity from King Mieczko I. Understanding n Poland didn’t exist on the world map from 1795 to 1918. Poland was taken over by Prussia, Polish History Russia, and Austria. n The Poles and Poland derive from the name of the West Slavic tribe of Polans (Polanie) n Polish Boarders during the Partitions

About Polish Surnames

n 99.99% of Polish surnames have a meaning. ¨ Lewandowski – of/from the Lavender bush. n Male/Female surname endings: Polish Surnames ¨ Lewandowska/Lewandowski ¨ Małecka/Małecki n Surname endings change based on sentence structure: ¨ Niewczyków – The Niewczyk Family ¨ Lewandowskiego – Found in Thank you’s

1 Polish Genealogical References

n Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego Polish Genealogical ¨ Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland & othe slavonic countries. References n First Names of the Polish Commonwealth: Origins & Meanings n Polish Surnames: Origins and Meanings n In Their Words: A Genealogist’s Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian Documents

n Dziennik dla Wszystkich (1911 – 1957) n Funeral Cards Database n Black Rock Voters 1929 n Buffalo School Catholic Graduates PGSNYS n Polak W Ameryce (1886 – 1920) n Haller’s Army (1917) Databases n Przewodnik Handlowy (1900 – 1920) n St Adalberts 50th Jubilee n St Adalberts Cemetery 1890-1903 n St Adalberts Founders n St Stanislaw Jubilee n World War I Draft (1917) - Buffalo

n PGSNYS Databases are currently searchable by: ¨ E-Mail: [email protected] ¨ PGSNYS Meetings About the ¨ Polish Festivals and events, etc. PGSNYS n PGSNYS is working to make our databases searchable at pgsnys.org

2 n Founded in 1988 by Mike Drabik n About 150 Members n Meetings held every 2nd Thursday at 7PM at the Villa Maria College Cafeteria. (except July and December); Meetings ?????? QUESTIONS ?????? are free to attend n $20 Membership Dues n Newsletter: Searchers – 3 x per year

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!

PGSNYS PO Box 984 Cheektowaga, NY 14225 web site: pgsnys.org

3