WELCOME!
Thank you for registering for the online course, Rodziną!: Researching Your Polish Ancestors!
Today there are an estimated 9 million Americans who have Polish ancestry. Connecting to your rodziną—family—in the old country, however, is not without its challenges. Language barriers, changing historical boundaries, and record access can forestall your success in tracing your Polish roots. This three-session course will set you up for success! Topics include how to locate your ancestral town or village using American sources, how to navigate shifting historical borders, review the types of records you are likely to find in each region, and provide case studies demonstrating various research strategies.
This course includes three 90-minute classes; exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; and in-depth q&a sessions with the instructor. You will have access to the recordings, handouts, slides, and more until September 30, 2021.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Return to this page often for additional resources!
| Course Activity | Dates of Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class #1 | ||
| Class #1: Online presentation (live!) | 6/16/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time | Class #1: Introduction to Polish History and Locating Your Ancestral Town or Village
Description: An overview of Polish History from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to today, with an emphasis on Poland’s shifting borders, religious groups, and languages. Examination of resources to help identify your Polish immigrant ancestor’s place of origin in Europe. |
| Video of Class #1 | 6/17/2021 and after | Watch the first class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #2 | ||
| Class #2: Online presentation (live!) | 6/23/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time | Class 2: Finding Your Ancestors in Polish Religious and Civil Records
Description: Religious and civil registration records form the backbone of Polish genealogical research. In this class, we will discuss how records were collected in each of the partitions (Prussian/German, Austrian, Russian), where they are stored, and how you can access them online or in-person. We will cover finding records on the website of the Polish National Archives, FamilySearch.org, and indexing efforts on Geneteka.Genealodzy.pl. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #2 | 6/24/2021 and after | Watch the second class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #3 | ||
| Class #3: Online presentation (live!) | 6/30/2021, 6:00 PM eastern time | Class 3: Alternative Sources for Polish Genealogical Research
Description: Where do you turn when you have exhausted available religious and civil records? In this final class, we will discuss alternative sources like census, military, notarial, and property records. We will also discuss hiring a researcher in Poland to access non-digitized materials. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #3 | 7/1/2021 and after | Watch the third class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
COURSE HANDOUTS
Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1 Slides (large)
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 2 Slides (large)
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Slides (large)
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS & VIDEOS
Class 1: Introduction to Polish History and Locating Your Ancestral Town or Village
Presented by: James Heffernan
Running Time: 1:39:35
Live Broadcast: June 16, 2021
An overview of Polish History from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to today, with an emphasis on Poland’s shifting borders, religious groups, and languages. Examination of resources to help identify your Polish immigrant ancestor’s place of origin in Europe. Additional mapping resources:
Class 2: Finding Your Ancestors in Polish Religious and Civil Records
Presented by: James Heffernan
Running Time: 1:23:50
Live Broadcast: June 23, 2021
Religious and civil registration records form the backbone of Polish genealogical research. In this class, we will discuss how records were collected in each of the partitions (Prussian/German, Austrian, Russian), where they are stored, and how you can access them online or in-person. We will cover finding records on the website of the Polish National Archives, FamilySearch.org, and indexing efforts on Geneteka.Genealodzy.pl.
Class 3: Alternative Sources for Polish Genealogical Research
Presented by: James Heffernan
Running Time: 1:21:00
Live Broadcast: June 30, 2021
Where do you turn when you have exhausted available religious and civil records? In this final class, we will discuss alternative sources like census, military, notarial, and property records. We will also discuss hiring a researcher in Poland to access non-digitized materials.
BIOS
James Heffernan, Genealogist James earned his BA in history at Boston College. Before joining the American Ancestors team, he worked in the conservation department of the John J. Burns Library at Boston College and the research library at Plimoth Plantation. Propelled by his interests in genealogy and history, James spent a semester abroad at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. In addition to Slavic history, he is very interested in the history of Colonial America and 19th century Massachusetts.
This copyrighted online course is the property of New England Historic Genealogical Society. Any rebroadcast or reproduction without the express written consent of American Ancestors is strictly prohibited.
RESOURCES
Subject Guide: Polish Genealogy
Subject Guide: Naturalization Records