Volume XX, No. 8 31 August 2019

ISSN 1555-774X. Copyright © 2019, PolishRoots®, Inc. Editor: William F. “Fred” Hoffman, e-mail: [email protected]< >

CONTENTS Welcome! The New Szukajwarchiwach Site Polish Professional Genealogists Association Geneteka Index Updates An Overview of Recent Periodicals Upcoming Events More Useful Web Addresses You May Reprint Articles...

*************************************** *** WELCOME! *** to the latest issue of Gen Dobry!, the e-zine of PolishRoots®. If you missed previous issues, you can find them here:

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Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 1 *** THE NEW SZUKAJWARCHIWACH SITE *** by William F. “Fred” Hoffman [email protected]< >

For months now, the website Szukajwarchiwach (literally “Search in archives”) has been promising a new and improved version. On 8 June 2019, the Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe (National Digital Archive) made good on the promise by launching that version. The URL is . I should add that the previous link, , still works in order to make the transition go smoother. I imagine it will lapse eventually, and researchers would be wise to make the switch now.

Since I don’t do genealogical research, and I’ve been busy working on two books that have nothing to do directly with genealogy, I haven’t really paid a lot of attention. I figured as time passed, those who familiarized themselves with the site would speak up, and I was willing to wait and see what they had to say. Besides, any new website is going to have its bugs. It’s only fair to allow a little time to work them out.

I did notice that Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz – a researcher I respect – was willing to discuss the new site as early as 10 June 2019. That’s when she posted on her blog, “From Shepherds to Shoemakers,” an overall look at the site, which she considered a definite improvement.

If you haven’t used the site much, I strongly suggest you read Julie’s evaluation. She points out what’s different, what’s not, and how to dive in and make progress.

What brought this back to my attention was an item in the 11 August 2019 issue of Nu? What’s New. It summarized the opinion of Philip Trauring, webmaster for the Jewish genealogy site “Blood and Frogs” at , for which he recently received the IAJGS Outstanding Resource Award. His article, dated 8 August 2019, bears the title “Figuring out the Polish State Archive changes,” and is available at .

While he recommends Julie’s blog entry as a good overview, he doesn’t entirely agree with her assessment. He writes, “As it currently stands, the new site cannot do the same kinds of searches as the old site.” He states the new site is more complex, and one of the subtitles is “A lack of elegance.” He cites chapter and verse to back up his opinions. He also offers five specific suggestions on how to improve the site. This impressed me, because anyone can complain; those who offer constructive criticism are usually the ones you should listen to.

I think between Julie’s overview and Philip’s assessment, you can get a very good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the new version. I know I hate it when someone revamps a web site that worked well. I accept, however, that sometimes changes affect the long-term viability and

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 2 effectiveness of a site. The basic ideas behind these changes strike me as sound. Let’s hope for the best.

By the way, an earlier issue of Nu? (4 August 2019) pointed out that the Blood & Frogs site has a “Polish State Archives Contact List,” with contact information for other archives in , at . Nu? wrote, “For each of the identified 78 institutions there is physical address, phone number (click to dial from a mobile phone), email address, web site, a link to the list of records in that archive, a link to the branch description, and a Facebook page if present.”

*************************************** *** POLISH PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGISTS ASSOCIATION *** by William F. “Fred” Hoffman [email protected]< >

The Polish genealogy monthly More Maiorum has an interview dated 24 August 2019 that is potentially of great interest – especially for seeking their roots, but surely also for descendants of Poles in other country. The interview is with Mariusz Michalak, owner of the firm , and the Polish original text can be read by downloading the August 2019 issue of More Maiorum at .

The interview deals with Michalak’s experiences doing research for others, and especially with his decision to join with six other professionals to form the Stowarzyszenie Polscy Profesjonalni Genealodzy (SPPG), The Polish Professional Genealogists Association. I have heard of many of these researchers, and what I’ve heard has almost always been favorable. Their decision to join together in adhering to the principals of the Professional Genealogists’ Code of Ethics is likely to promote the reliability and good reputation of all involved. The website is entirely in Polish, which indicates it is directed mainly at Poles, who have become more and more fascinated by the rather addictive study we know so well. Poles want to find researchers they can count on to do good, honest work; this Association attempts to help them in that search.

Here is a translation of what SPPG says about itself on the page , “About Us.”

The Polish Professional Genealogists Association brings together genealogical companies that conduct research on the current and historical Polish territory. The organization was established on the basis of common experience of professional genealogists who have been cooperating with each other for a long time. It is a response to the need to find their roots in the lands associated with Poland by people who seek professional help, fair offers, and professional service.

All members are guided in their daily activities by the high ethical and business standards contained in the Professional Genealogists’ Code of Ethics. It is the only organization of this kind in Poland. The Association makes every effort to ensure that Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 3 its members constantly improve their competence in genealogical research and have the opportunity to exchange experiences.

The Polish Professional Genealogists Association was established in May 2019 by seven professional genealogists: Joanna Lubierska-Lewandowska, Aleksandra Kacprzak, Grzegorz Biłos, Lucjan Cichocki, Alan Jakman, Michał J. Marciniak and Mariusz Michalak.

Of course, promises and good intentions don’t always work out so well. We will see how this develops. But I find it encouraging that these professionals recognize the importance of establishing and maintaining high standards.

*************************************** *** GENETEKA INDEX UPDATES *** by Waldemar Chorążewicz

Editor – Once more, let me pass along some of the new Geneteka indexes shared by Waldemar on Facebook’s Polish Genealogy group this month. You can find assistance with the two-letter province abbreviations online, for instance, at . Note that UK is Ukraine and BR is Belarus. Also worth remembering is the tip Henry Szot shared with us in the April 2018 issue of Gen Dobry!

Here is an easy way to find out if an index has been updated. On the top right of results pages, there is a list of options (opcje). The last item is Wyszukaj tylko indeksy z ostatnich (search only indexes in the last), with a choice of 1, 3, 7, 14, 31, and 60 days. This permits receiving results only in the chosen time period. Example of use: 1) select the search page icon, 2) select świętokrzyskie, 3) select parish Sokolina and the wyszukaj option with 31 days, 4) if any, only results entered for the last 31 days will be shown. A surname might be added to further limit results.

Births – U[rodzenia] • Marriages– M[ałżeństwa] • Deaths – Zgony.

Adamów pow. łukowski (LB) -- M 1866-1909, indexed by Urszula Drabińska Bałdrzychów (LD) -- UMZ 1814-16 (supplemented), 1918, indexed by Incognito Bałtów (SK) -- UMZ 1901-05, indexed by Roman Gmurczyk Bargłów Kościelny (PL) -- 1928-1936a, indexed by Magdalena Wróbel Bęczkowice (LD) -- UZ 1868-76, indexed by Urszula Świerczyńska Bedlno pow. kutnowski (LD) -- UMZ 1891-1915, indexed by Urszula Świerczyńska Biała pow. wieluński (LD) -- UMZ 1907-1910, indexed by Danuta Mieżyńska Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 4 Bieżuń (MZ) -- M 1911-12, indexed by Piotr Baciński Borszewice (LD) -- UMZ 1843, indexed by Felberg_sławomir Brańszczyk (MZ) -- U 1722-84, Z 1693-1735, indexed by Bogumiła Skrzypczak Chełmo (LD) -- U 1918, indexed by Gadecki.Bogusław Chorzelów (m. Chorzelów) (PK) -- U 1902-35, indexed by Marek Podolski Chorzelów (m. Tuszów Narodowy) (PK) -- U 1785-1792, indexed by Bartłomiej Babiarz Częstochowa św. Zygmunta (SL) -- U 1900, indexed by Stanisław Jegier Dąbrowa Górnicza MB Anielskiej (SL) -- UMZ 1898-1900, indexed by Ela Ginalska Deszno (gr-kat) (m. Bałucianka) (PK) -- Z 1879-82, indexed by Grzegorz Zuzak Dobra (LD) -- UMZ 1895-99, indexed by Krystyna Zadwórna Dobroń (LD) -- UZ 1780-1808, M 1781-1808, indexed by Grzegorz Żychowski Dobrzyń nad Wisłą (KP) -- U 1753-1807,MZ 1754-1807, indexed by Krzysztof Kośnik Dojlidy (Orthodox) (PL) -- U 1906, Z 1907, indexed by Livia Ditto Dolistowo (PL) -- M 1870, Z 1870-71, indexed by Wiesław Chodak Drugnia (SK) -- M 1797-1874, indexed by Edward Jabłoński Drwalew (MZ) -- UMZ 1906-08, indexed by Jolanta Jarosz-Hryniewicz Głogowiec (LD) -- UZ 1915-16,18, M 1915,18, indexed by Józef Dębowski Gniewkowo (KP) -- U 1676-1732, 1790-1810, indexed by Adrian Kaszubski Gomulin (LD) -- UMZ 1815-19, 1820-24, indexed by Monika Ignatowicz Goniądz (PL) -- M 1871, Z 1870-71, indexed by Wiesław Chodak Góra pow. płocki (MZ) -- U 1814-17, 23-24, 26-30, 42-53, 58-67, M 1715-1808, Z 1696-1808, indexed by Radosław Frączak Góry- Pińczowskie (SK) -- U 1898-1900, M 1867-75, Z 1838-42, indexed by Anna Kasprzyk Gostynin (MZ) -- U 1871-73, indexed by Agnieszka Kuczkowska Gwoźnica Górna (m. Gwoźnica Górna) (PK) -- U 1784-1812, indexed by Krzysztof Gruszka Jaworzno (OP) -- UMZ 1818-25, indexed by Grażyna Stasiak Jedwabne (PL) -- Z 1898, indexed by Grzegorz Nowik Joniec (MZ) -- UZ 1826-40, indexed by Krystyna Malik Kalina Wielka (MP) -- Z 1697-1770, indexed by Renata Majewska Kalinówka Kościelna (PL) -- M 1871, Z 1870-71, indexed by Wiesław Chodak Kamionna (MZ) -- UMZ 1829-34, indexed by Barbara Sikorska Kazanów (MZ) -- Z 1929-38, indexed by Jerzy Borycki Kleszczele (par. unicka) (PL) -- U 1826, indexed by Walenty Adamiec Kłobuck (SL) -- U 1868-77, indexed by bisiza Końskie (SK) -- U 1857- 62, indexed by Gośka Korytnica (pow. węgrowski) (MZ) -- U 1866-70, indexed by Grażyna Przybysz Korytnica (pow. węgrowski) (MZ) -- Z 1919, indexed by Robert Górski Kowala-Stępocina (MZ) -- M 1894-1914, indexed by Mikołaj Wilk Kożuchów (LS) -- Z 1808-1819, indexed by Tomasz Skolimowski Kraków - Podgórze św. Józefa (MP) -- U 1857-60, indexed by Dagmara Kulig Kraków Wszystkich Świętych (MP) -- M 1856-60, indexed by Jan Kyjania Krasnopol (UK) -- U 1906-10, indexed by Marek70 Kraszewo (MZ) -- Z 1808-10, indexed by Robert Smach

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 5 Krościenko nad Dunajcem (MP) -- U 1749-53, Z 1777, indexed by Janson Krosno (PK) -- UMZ 1903, indexed by Grzegorz Zuzak Krynki (PL) -- U 1831-37, indexed by Margaret Stasikowski, checked by Alicja Rybałko Krynki (PL) -- Z 1889-1901, indexed by Arek Kulesze Kościelne (PL) -- Z 1819b-1820a, indexed by Ewa Prejs Kurowice (LD) -- MZ 1916-19, indexed by Urszula Gałkiewicz Kwiatkowice (LD) -- U 1775-1808, indexed by Grzegorz Żychowski Lack (BR) -- M 1797-1818, indexed by Danuta Wasilewska-Lenart Łagiewniki pow. wieluński (LD) -- U 1837, 1844-58, indexed by Tomasz Skolimowski Łęczyca (LD) -- UMZ 1917, indexed by Urszula Gałkiewicz Łęki Kościelne (LD) -- UMZ 1916-18, indexed by Józef Dębowski Lewin (LD) -- U 1830,42-44,61,66-67,94, M 1830,42-43,66,94, Z 1830,42-43,61,66,94, indexed by Kacper Czerwiński Lipinki pow. nowomiejski (WM) -- U 1881-88, indexed by Donata Stemplewska, checked by Waldemar Chorążewicz Lubecko (SL) -- M 1835-60, indexed by Maria Rogalska Lubsza- Lubschau (SL) -- U 1880-89, M 1890-99, indexed by GTG_Silius_Radicum Maluszyn (LD) -- M 1754-1808, Z 1754-1804, indexed by Jan Arabas Meżyrów (UK) -- UZ 1800-01, M 1801, indexed by Beata Tchorzewska Miastkowo (PL) -- Z 1825, indexed by Livia Ditto Mikołajewice (LD) -- U 1777-1801, indexed by Grzegorz Żychowski Mikołajów gr. kat. (UK) -- Z 1784-1813, indexed by Magdalena Kasprzycka Minoga (MP) -- U 1876-80, indexed by Grzegorz Madej Niedośpielin (LD) -- U 1771-1802, 1813-67, M 1772-1867, Z 1771-1818, indexed by margit Niegowa (SL) -- M 1865-70, Z 1852-54, indexed by Mariadobrosława Niegowić (MP) -- Z 1899-1908, indexed by Ela Synowiec Niesułków (LD) -- UMZ 1858-62, indexed by Edyta Bednarek Niesułków (LD) -- UMZ 1884-89, indexed by Wojciech Borkowski Nowa Słupia (SK) -- M 1891-98, indexed by Bożena Krajewska Nowe Miasto Lubawskie (WM) -- M 1886-91, indexed by Donata Stemplewska, checked by Waldemar Chorążewicz Nowe Miasto Lubawskie USC (WM) -- M 1874-1879, indexed by Donata Stremplewska, checked by Waldemar Chorążewicz Nowy Dwór (BR) -- U 1881-1890, indexed by Danuta Wasilewska-Lenart Nowy Korczyn (SK) -- U 1826-39, MZ 1826-40, indexed by Henryk Adamczyk Nozdrzec (m. Niewistka) (PK) -- U 1785-1900; M 1787-1844; Z 1786-1902, indexed by Rafał Łukasz Zioło Onikszty (LT) -- UM 1798-1801, indexed by Artur Wilkicki Oporów (LD) -- UMZ 1913-16, indexed by Józef Dębowski Orle (pow. radziejowski) (KP) -- M 1850-51,55,58-59, indexed by x_hanna Osjaków (LD) -- M 1927, indexed by Tomasz Skolimowski Ostrowy Tuszowskie (m. Komorów) (PK) -- Z 1800-20, 1822-45, 1847-49, 1851-70, indexed by Heather L Pedersen

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 6 Ostrowy Tuszowskie (mm. Ostrowy Tuszowskie, Toporów, Szydłowiec, Komorów) (PK) -- M 1822-45, 1851-65, indexed by Bartłomiej Babiarz Ożarów (LD) -- U 1813, M 1821-25, indexed by Tomasz Skolimowski Parzymiechy (SL) -- UMZ 1907-16, indexed by Wiesław Macoch Piaski (LB) -- U 1793-1810; M 1792-1810, indexed by mwpch Piotrków Tryb. (ewang.) (LD) -- Z 1938, indexed by Gadecki.Bogusław Pisz (ewang.) (WM) -- M 1870-75, indexed by Waldemar Chorążewicz Plecka Dąbrowa (LD) -- UZ 1914-15, M 1914, indexed by Józef Dębowski Płonka Kościelna (PL) -- U 1879-1880, indexed by Magdalena Kapełuś Płonka Kościelna (PL) -- U 1881-1882, indexed by Wojciech Stypułkowski Podbrzezie (LT) -- Z 1833-1840, indexed by Paweł Jurewicz Pożdżenice (ewang.) (LD) -- Z 1891-1906,08, indexed by Henryk Koluszkowski Prandocin (MP) -- U 1844-46,63-66, indexed by Magdalena Kasprzycka Przasnysz (MZ) -- M 1688-1718, indexed by Danuta Wasilewska-Lenart Przedbórz (LD) -- UMZ 1813-14, indexed by Krystyna Stanisławska Pułtusk (MZ) -- Z 1795-98, indexed by Rafał Albiński Radziwonowicze (gr.-kat.) (BR) -- U 1803-1826, M1807-1826, Z1810-1826, indexed by Wilnianka Repla (BR) -- U 1830-1847, indexed by Wilnianka Restarzew (LD) -- M 1826-49, indexed by Henryk Koluszkowski Rypin (KP) -- UZ 1906-10, indexed by Mary Ann Graham Rzeczyca (LD) -- M 1808-09, indexed by Artur Godlewski Siedlec (LD) -- UMZ 1917-18, indexed by Jarosław Szymczak Słupiec (MP) -- M 1808-15, indexed by Dawid 254 Śniadowo (PL) -- U 1770-1809, indexed by Jan Olesiński (Metalloviec) Sołek-Śleszyn (LD) -- Z 1866-73, 1935-37, indexed by Antoni Burzyński Sosnowiec - Niwka św.Jana Chrzciciela (SL) -- Z 1808-20, indexed by Renata Majewska Środa Wlkp. (WP) -- U 1796-1817, Z 1817-18, indexed by Danuta Danecka Strzegowo (MZ) -- U 1865-71, 1906-09, M 1865-71, 1906-07, indexed by Jan Wojtkiewicz Suchożebry (MZ) -- Z 1881-85, indexed by Anna Poprawa Sulejów (LD) -- U 1861-62, indexed by Kacper Szczepanowski Sulmierzyce pow. Krotoszyn (WP) -- M 1732-84, indexed by Henryk Machnik Sułów Zamek Sulau Schloss USC (DS) -- U 1874-88, indexed by Michael Schätzlein Świętochłowice Zgoda Eintrachthuette św. Józefa (SL) -- M 1869-74, indexed by GTG_ Silius_Radicum Szaniec (SK) -- M 1875 -1907, indexed by Wojciech Liśkiewicz Szczawin (LD) -- M 1918-29, indexed by Janusz Kucharczyk Szczawinca (MP) -- M 1789-90, 1792-1810, Z 1788-1806, indexed by Janson Szelków (MZ) -- Z 1794-1808, 1916-1821, indexed by Radosław Frączak Szwarcenowo (WM) -- Z 1830-36, indexed by Donata Stemplewska wer. Waldemar Chorążewicz Tarnowskie Góry (ewang.) (SL) -- M 1830-40, 1860-74, indexed by GTG_Silius_Radicum Topczewo (PL) -- U 1682-1715, indexed by Jan Mamaj

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 7 Trębki (MZ) -- Z 1847-56, indexed by Janina Janiszewska Uciana (LT) -- U 1729-1740, indexed by Artur Wilkicki Uhrusk (LB) -- U 1889-91, indexed by Janusz Iwanowski Usnarz-Makarowce (BR) -- UMZ 1821-1864, indexed by Albin Kożuchowski Warka (MZ) -- U 1619-1754, indexed by Teresa Mikołajewska Warszawa św. Aleksander (WA) -- U 1882, indexed by A.Ch. Warszawa św. Andrzej (WA) -- U 1774-90, indexed by kasia_wilcz Warszawa-Praga MB Loretańska (WA) -- Z 1903, indexed by Izabela Czaplicka Warta (LD) -- UMZ 1833, indexed by Martyna Pankiewicz Wielkie Eysymonty (BR) -- Z 1860-1864, indexed by Sławomir Olczyk Wierzchy (LD) -- UMZ 1865-70,72-1918, indexed by Elżbieta Nejman Wyśmierzyce (MZ) -- M 1810-77, 85-1902, indexed by Aleksandra Piętak Zabrze Mikulczyce św.Wawrzyńca (SL) -- Z 1888-1904, indexed by Barbara Wiechuła Zagroba (MZ) -- M 1808-25 (rozszerzenie), indexed by Incognito Zbrosławice - Broslawitz (SL) -- M 1835-74, indexed by GTG_Silius_Radicum Żelechlinek (LD) -- SkU 1890-92, 1897, indexed by Krystyna Domańska-Bzdak Żeliszew (MZ) -- M 1896-1913, indexed by Hanna Kołodziejska Zelów (ewang.) (LD) -- M 1826-29,31-36, indexed by Henryk Koluszkowski Zgierz (LD) -- UMZ 1906-08, indexed by Włodzimierz Dąbrowski Żulin (gr-kat) (LB) -- M 1855, indexed by Maksymilian Rzemiński Żurominek (Żuromin Kapitulny) (MZ) -- M 1866-69, indexed by Jan Wojtkiewicz

*************************************** **** AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT PERIODICALS ***

Editor—This is an ongoing feature, meant to inform you of articles published recently in newsletters and journals that may interest you.

AVOTAYNU, Summer 2019, Vol. 35, No. 2, Avotaynu, Inc., 794 Edgewood Ave, New Haven CT 06515-2261,. • Comparing Jewish Resources on Ancestry, FamilySearch, Findingmypast and MyHeritage, Ellen Shindelman Kowitt and Sunny Jane Morton • Arolsen Archives Significantly Expands Online, Zvi Bernhardt and Giora Zwilling • Online Resources of Genealogical Value at the New York City Municipal Archives, Edward David Luft • Barricades to Jewish Genealogy in , Gerhard Buck • Central Archives for Special Criminal Jurisdiction Files in The Hague, Gershon Lehrer • Finding Missing Relations Executed in the Soviet’s “Great Purge,” Howard Wolinsky and Gary Wolinsky • Women’s Surnames: Problems and Challenges in Genealogical Research, Lea Haber Gedalia • Ask Dr. Beider About Names, Alexander Beider

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 8 PGSTNE August Bulletin, Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast • Last Chance to Register for Polish Language Classes in New Britain Starting September 18 • Counting the Days! Conference Time! Have You Registered Yet? • Question of the Month • Helpful Links for Research

*************************************** *** UPCOMING EVENTS ***

Note: see also for a large selection of upcoming events in the world of genealogy.

6–8 September 2019

MYHERITAGE LIVE 2019 2019 VIRTUAL GENEALOGY LECTURE SERIES The Hilton Amsterdam in the Netherlands

MyHeritage LIVE 2019 will take place on 6–8 September 2019 at the Hilton Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The hotel is located south of central Amsterdam, near the museum district, and we have arranged a special rate for guests who choose to stay at the hotel.

In addition to a plenary session from MyHeritage Founder and CEO, Gilad Japhet, there will be genealogy and DNA lecture tracks, as well as hands-on workshops to walk attendees through MyHeritage tools and features step-by-step.

Conference tickets include access to lectures, workshops, coffee breaks, lunches on Saturday and Sunday, a Friday night drink reception, and the celebratory MyHeritage party on Saturday night, all of which you don’t want to miss!

This information is from the announcement at . Per a 21 June 2019 post on Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, the schedule of presentations was posted to the MyHeritage blog: .

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Saturday, 14 September 2019

THE UKRAINE HISTORY AND EDUCATION CENTER’S FAMILY HISTORY GROUP, NASHI PREDKY 2019 VIRTUAL GENEALOGY LECTURE SERIES “Ties of Kinship: Genealogy and Dynastic Marriage in Kyivan Rus” – Dr. Christian Raffensperger 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 9 The Ukrainian History and Education Center’s Family History Group – Nashi Predky – announces the lineup for their 2019 Virtual Genealogy Lecture Series. This four-part online-only series features unique opportunities for researchers worldwide.

Interested in Royal Roots? Join Nashi Predky for Dr. Christian Raffensperger’s lecture “Ties of Kinship: Genealogy and Dynastic Marriage in Kyivan Rus” on Saturday, September 14th at 11:00 a.m. ET. The author of The Kingdom of Rus′ (Past Imperfect) and Reimagining Europe: Kievan Rus′ in the Medieval World will help you learn more about the dynastic marriages made between the ruling family of Rus′, and the other ruling families of Europe.

Online registration:

Join our Facebook Group: Ukrainian Genealogy: Our Ancestors – Наші Предки

Michelle Tucker Chubenko Member, Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) New Jersey Chapter of APG

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Saturday, 28 September 2019

PGS-CA 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 4th ANNUAL POLISH LUNCHEON AND CULTURAL SHARING

For the cultural part, we invite you to bring and share some of your experiences of traveling to Poland. We know that there are many members who have been to Poland, and more who have not been to Poland.

If you have not traveled to Poland, but have traveled someplace to visit a relative you had never met face to face, a home/location where one of your ancestors (or even you!) may have lived, a trip to do some cemetery research, anything that has to do with traveling someplace for your Polish genealogy.

Last year we had a nice collection of artifacts and stories to share with the group. This is a very social meeting, and we will do a lot of talking while we are eating (much like those Polish weddings we have been to).

Questions? Contact Annette Gathright, email:

We are looking forward to another great afternoon of sharing and eating! For full details, go to the PGS-CA Webpage: Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 10 About the September Luncheon – We have three!! options for this year:

Option 1 : Hit the kitchen and whip up one of the delicious polish dishes you may have grown up with in your Family! Start thinking now about what polish delight you’ll be bringing! Here are some polish recipe websites: ● Be sure to get your potluck dish on the signup list by Friday, September 14!

Option 2 : (for people who are not comfy around the kitchen) Mail in your $15 ($30 for a member and significant other; $15 for each additional family member). We’ll do the shopping and cooking for you. Well, actually we have a few options for catering.

Be sure to get your check/cash mailed in by Friday, September 14 !!! PGS-CA “Potluck” PO Box 307 Buena Park CA 90621-0307

Option 3: for those who don’t cook and would rather buy something pre-made. Purchase some premade food - there is no cooking at the Family History Library! (Thanks to Joyce Sharifi for this suggestion and the sources:). Some options to purchase food: ● Polka Deli, Orange, CA ● Polka Polish Cuisine, Verdugo Rd, Los Angeles ● Solidarity, Santa Monica ● Pierogi Rulz ● European Deli, Glendora Note: be sure to let us know you’re mailing in your check so we can get you on the list in case the mail gets delayed!

Either way, there is no reason for not attending this year – unless, of course, you live in New Jersey or Chicago and don’t plan on traveling to L.A. that weekend!

NOTE!!! 1. There will be no “buy-ins” at the door. All must be prepaid. 2. No refunds for paid no-shows, as the food will already be there waiting.

Info from the June-July 2019 issue of the PGS-CA e-Newsletter

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Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 11 11–12 October 2019

POLISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 41ST ANNUAL GENEALOGY SEMINAR “POLISH GENEALOGY: THE NEXT GENERATION” Northern Illinois University (NIU) Conference Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Topics to be covered include: • Research updates on the historic Galician, Prussian, and Russian partitions • Use of “crowdsourcing” tools and online forums • Deciphering 19th-century source documents in today’s online world\ • Digital geographic and cadastral maps for Poland • Strategies for achieving your genealogical research goals • DNA technology, testing, ethics, and implications for family research

For more information, visit PGSA’s website:

Early registration is open here:

And this page has info on the venue:

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18–19 October 2019

THE POLISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE NORTHEAST and THE S. A. BLEJWAS ENDOWED CHAIR OF POLISH AND POLISH AMERICAN STUDIES, CENTRAL CONNECTICUT UNIVERSITY 2019 GENEALOGY CONFERENCE Institute of Technology, Business and Development •Downtown campus of Central Connecticut State University • 185 Main Street • New Britain, CT

PGSCTNE and The S. J. Blejwas Endowed Chair of Polish and Polish American Studies Cordially invite you to attend the 2019 GENEALOGY CONFERENCE to learn the strategies for tracing your Polish-American and Eastern European roots. It will be held on Friday, October 18, 2019 and Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the Institute of Technology, Business and Development, Downtown campus of Central Connecticut State University, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT. You can get more info at .

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 12 The conference provides an opportunity to learn strategies for tracing your Polish-American and Eastern European roots. The speakers are well known in Polish genealogy circles and their discussions will enable attendees to fill in the missing pieces of their family history. Speakers have extensive experience in their respective fields and have been featured at numerous regional, national and international conferences.

Featured speakers will be: Blaine Bettinger Matthew Bielawa (Vice-President, PGSCTNE) Dr. Mieczyslaw B. Biskupski (Endowed Chair, Polish and Polish-American Studies, CCSU) Daniel Bućko (from Kraków, Poland) Thomas Sadauskas (Virginia) Jonathan Shea, A.G. (President, PGSCTNE) and Maureen Taylor (Photo Detective, Rhode Island)

Daniel Bućko will speak on “Inaccuracies, Errors and Conflicts of Information in PolishVital Records and How to Resolve These Problems” and “The Genealogical Value of Royal and Government Estate Inventories.”

A two-part seminar will be presented on “Introduction to Polish and Eastern European Family History.”

Other lectures scheduled include:

1. Introduction to DNA 2. Phasing and Mapping Your DNA 3. Photo Detecting 101 4. Advanced Photo Detecting: Cracking the Cold Case 5. Who Created Modern Poland? 6. A History of Ellis Island – Separating the Myth from Reality and What Really Happened There 7. How Your Ancestors Came to America and Finding Their Records (1890 to 1950)

Throughout the day, a collection of books, maps and other materials will be available to all attendees for consultation. Officers of the Society will be present to answer questions.We also have many exhibitors who will display their items.

For more information, please email Diane Szepanski at or visit

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19 October 2019

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 13 41st Annual Genealogy Seminar

Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

www.pgsm.org

Łukasz Bielecki, Ph.D Linda E. Serna From Poznań, Poland From California, USA

Dr. Bielecki is the creator of the online marriage data- Ms Serna has been involved with genealogy researching base, the Poznan Project. He is a biochemist, cur- and writing family stories for over 35 years. She worked rently working with the Polish Academy of Sciences in on the PBS Genealogy Roadshow program for the first the field of Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, as well as season. She is a member of the APG, Genealogical serving as principal partner of Discovering Roots in Speakers Guild, Polish Genealogical Society of America Poland, specializing in genealogical tours. as well as past Vice-President of the Orange County, California Genealogical Society.

Presenting Presenting:  Accessing Info in Local Parishes, Town  Making Sense of Census Halls or Archives—What You Need to Know  Polonia: Polish Research from the U.S.A.  Visiting the Hometown of Your Ancestors— Is Meeting Cousins Possible?

Saturday, October 19, 2019 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Sign-in Begins at 8:30 am American Polish Cultural Center—2975 E. Maple Rd. (15 Mile Rd.) at Dequindre Rd -Troy, Michigan 48083 Seminar Includes: four presentations, syllabus, Continental breakfast, Polish lunch, door prizes and vendors ======A block of rooms have been reserved at the Troy Courtyard by Marriott - 1525 E Maple Rd, Troy MI 48083 (800)-321-2211 ~ Mention PGSM Room Block when making room reservations All reservations MUST be made by Friday, September 27, 2019 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On-Line or Mail-In Registration Mail-in & E-Mail registrations must be postmarked/received no later than October 5th, 2019 —No Exceptions

$65.00 - includes electronic syllabus emailed 1 week prior to seminar $75.00 - printed syllabus will be available at seminar Sign-in desk

The PGSM is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; $35.00 of the Seminar fee is tax deductible

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 14 POLISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF MICHIGAN’S 41ST ANNUAL GENEALOGY SEMINAR

Save the date! See the poster on page 14 for more info, or go to .

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Sunday, 20 October 2019

The Polish Heritage Committee of Northampton, Massachusetts ANNUAL PULASKI DAY PARADE Northampton, Massachusetts 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time

The day begins with a memorial Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 99 King Street, Northampton at 11 a.m. That is followed by the parade, starting at 12:30 p.m. The parade proceeds through downtown Northampton and culminates at Pulaski Park. The program at the Park commemorates General Kazimierz Pułaski, Father of the American Cavalry. The PHC would like to extend an invitation to you and/or your organization to march with us in the parade. If you would like further information, contact Angie Fydenkevez at 413-530-0145, email , or Mary Ellen Englaish at 413-320-9969, email .

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Tuesday, 12 November 2019

THE UKRAINE HISTORY AND EDUCATION CENTER’S FAMILY HISTORY GROUP, NASHI PREDKY 2019 VIRTUAL GENEALOGY LECTURE SERIES “Movement Between Towns in Eastern Europe (aka Ancestral Towns May Not Have Been So Ancestral).” – Lara Diamond 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

The Ukrainian History and Education Center’s Family History Group – Nashi Predky – announces the lineup for their 2019 Virtual Genealogy Lecture Series. This four-part online-only series features unique opportunities for researchers worldwide.

The last session, Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 p.m. ET, will feature Lara Diamond presenting “Movement Between Towns in Eastern Europe (aka Ancestral Towns May Not Have Been So Ancestral).” Many researchers, once they have discovered the town from which their ancestors left Eastern Europe, assume that their families must have lived in that town or the vicinity for many generations. While this was true for some families, there was significant movement through broad swaths of Europe by many for a variety of reasons. The speaker will demonstrate the breadth of some families’ movements with examples from her own research and will discuss the types of documents used to trace those families’ travels.

Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 15 Online registration:

Join our Facebook Group: Ukrainian Genealogy: Our Ancestors – Наші Предки

Michelle Tucker Chubenko Member, Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) New Jersey Chapter of APG

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20–23 May 2020 NGS FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE Salt Lake City, UTAH

If you want to start making plans, the 2020 Conference of the National Genealogical Society will be held next May in Salt Lake City. You can download the program and other information here:

Also, registration is open at all the official NGS Conference hotels. For more info:

************************************ *** MORE USEFUL WEB ADDRESSES ***

On 21 August 2019, Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter [EOGN] ran an article on the merger of the National Genealogical Society [NGS] and Federation of Genealogical Societies [FGS]. This is potentially a significant event for genealogists. I’m not sure how much it means for Polish genealogy – I get the distinct impression neither society has ever realized Europe doesn’t end at the western border of Germany. But that may change, if we make it change. In the meantime, you might wish to read this article and learn more. You can also read the announcement from the FGS at . ______

A recent issue of EOGN gave this link to an article by Jonathan Pitts in the Baltimore Sun with the title “From Russia to Baltimore: Immigrants shaped city.” Baltimore was a major center for immigrants from the territory of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and it’s highly likely most of these predominantly Jewish “immigrants from Russia” were, in fact, from that region. ______Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 16 The 18 August 2019 issue of Nu? What’s New? had an article on the Arolsen Archive’s debate over whether to make its records available on the Internet. Nu? gives this link for reading the Archive’s statement on the risks and opportunities involved. ______

< https://tinyurl.com/y2wtjxyz> I happened to run across this interesting page on Polish Wikipedia, discussing the categories of rural people in Poland. It talks about the differences between akmieć , usually a peasant with a full-sized farm, one big enough to feed a family without the need to earn outside income; a zagrodnik or “gardener,” one with a croft, a cottage with a small yard and buildings, and a large enough piece of land for a respectable garden; a chałupnik, a peasant with no land, just a hut or cottage; and a komornik, peasants who didn’t even have a cottage and lived in the homes of wealthier peasants, usually paying for their room and board by doing work in the fields.The article also discusses various craftsmen, servants, and so on. Those who can’t read Polish can use an automatic translator – but do be careful, as it generates some really bad translating errors. For instance, it renders “ze swojego gospodarstwa wielkości jednego łana kmieć mógł osiągnąć około 6600 kg zboża” as “from his farm the size of one field, semen could reach about 6600 kg of grain.” Not bad, except for one important word: kmieć means “peasant,” not “semen.” I tried the sentence on Google Translate and got “from his farm a field of one field a serengeti could reach about 6600 kg of grain.” Semen, serengeti – what the hell? ______

Researcher Chris Smolinski posted a note to the Polish Genius mailing list with this link to a research paper. Chris wrote, “Likely of tangential interest to us genealogists, I know I have seen ‘age creep’ in people when doing research, especially in Russian Poland where you get ages of participants and witnesses vital records...” The title of the paper is “Supercentenarians and the oldest-old are concentrated into regions with no birth certificates and short lifespans.”You can read the abstract and the full paper at the above link. The paper itself is probably a bit too dry for anyone but specialists. It is fascinating, however, to see the research suggesting fraud and error may have a lot to do with reports of people living crazy long lives – perhaps (gasp!) more than eating vegetables and yogurt. ______

Beata Tyka posted a link to Facebook’s Galicia Family History Group that connects to “a movie about moving Łemko people from their homes in 1947. English subtitles and Łemko language.” The 2004 film about Akcja Wisła by Andriy Kopcha runs about 1 hour 41 minutes. It is a reenactment of deportation of the Lemkos by the new communist Polish army. ______

A recent issue of Genealogy News included a link to this article about an innovation that lets users make name corrections to the FamilySearch indexes. Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 17 ______

If you’re interested in tours of Poland conducted by PolishOrigins and would like to learn more, this page on their website gives recent testimonials you may find helpful.Also, PolishOrigins plans to conduct tours in mid-December to share the atmosphere of Polish Christmas. If you’re interested, write . ______

Jan Meisels Allen posted a note to JewishGen about large numbers of books on various subjects, including genealogy, that are now in the public domain and may legally be downloaded. The above link takes you to an article with more information.

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Gen Dobry!, Vol. XX, No. 8, August 2019 — 18