IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Any USPS mail sent to our PMA (Polish Museum of America) address (984 N. Milwaukee) will not be accessible until after the PMA re-opens (date to be determined) . However, you can continue to send e-mails to us at our regular e-mail address(es).

2020 CONFERENCE CANCELLATION

Dear PGSA member,

With the growing uncertainty surrounding the current coronovirus outbreak, plus the declaration of a nationwide medical emergency in the USA, the PGSA Board has unanimously agreed to cancel this year’s PGSA Conference, scheduled for September 18,19 in Chicago.

As we watch the media reports on the coronavirus pandemic, we see that it has become a global health concern, and although we pray that it fully abates in the coming months……. no one can predict when we’ll return to normal activities, such as travel, and group events such as conferences, etc. We regret cancellation of the 2020 Conference, but we believe it is the best course of action…

The PGSA Board will also be discussing possible options, such as organizing a “virtual conference” later this year, and we’ll be in touch with everyone with any updates along those lines.

Stay safe, and stay healthy,
Chet Szerlag President, PGSA

About

We collect, disseminate & preserve information on Polish & Polish-American family history.

Benefits

Members-only information, access and discounts.

Volunteering Opportunities

Here's how you can help!

PGSA Annual Conference

September 18-19, 2020 - Save the Dates!!!

PGSA Store

Members and non-members can purchase books, CDs, booklets, informational packets and DVDs from the PGSA Store. Become a member for savings on many items in our store.

New to the PGSA Bookstore!

PGSA - kaleidoscope book

Kaleidoscope of Poland – A Cultural Encyclopedia

By Oscar E. Swan

Foreward by Adam Zamoyski

Kaleidoscope of Poland is a highly readable volume containing short articles on major personalities, places, events, and accomplishments from the thousand-year record of Polish history and culture. Featuring approximately 900 compact text entries and 600 illustrations, it provides a handy reference at home, a perfect supplement to traditional guide books when traveling, an aid to language study, or simply browsed with enjoyment from cover to cover by anyone with an interest in Poland. Essentially a “cultural dictionary,” it offers a knowledge base that can be referred to time and time again.

This entertaining yet informative book is essentially a “cultural dictionary”—offering a knowledge base that can be referred to time and time again. It will be welcomed by readers of Polish descent, students of Polish, or those planning to visit Poland—anyone seeking a greater insight into this fascinating land.

$40.00 / member price $36.00

400 pages –  600 color & black & white Illustrations

7 x 10   Hardcover

Reminder:  2015 PGSA Conference materials available in the e-Store

Did you miss the 2015 Conference and South Side Polonia Bus tour?

Well, you’re in luck. The 2015 Conference Tour Guide and Syllabus are now available in our online book store.

Click on the images below to begin your order.

Read More

Membership

PGSA Membership Benefits Include:

  • Quarterly journal “Rodziny” with articles specific to Polish genealogy.
  • An automatic 10% member’s discount on all books and CDs.
  • A member’s discount on library research orders.
  • A member’s discount to the nationally recognized annual PGSA conference.
  • Access to the Members-Only section of the PGSA web site.
  • You’ll also be supporting PGSA projects such as indexing and preservation of vital records.

Read More

UPCOMING EVENTS

An introduction to the Gdynia Emigration Museum

Date – Sunday, May 17, 2020, 2-4 pm Central

Location – Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

This presentation, from the Emigration Museum in Gdynia, Poland, focuses on the causes, means, history and emotional stories of millions of Poles who, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, left Poland for a better life in the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. In addition to the informative presentation on what it took to emigrate, you have the opportunity to view many of the museum exhibits illustrating this period of Polish history.

With conditions increasingly being imposed as a result of the Coronavirus, it is highly likely that this presentation will be held simply as a webinar . . . to be viewed by all from the comfort of home. Please continue to check our website for updates.

The presentation will also be offered as a free Webinar to members. To defray costs, non-members will be charged a $10 fee.

Guest Speaker: Video presentation by Museum staff

NOTE: Attendance at the library is free and open to members and non-members. The presentation will also be offered as a free Webinar to members. To defray costs, non-members will be charged a $10 fee.

Webinar registration for members and non-members can be made by clicking here.

Read More

Search Records

We’ve completed the first 3 phases of the launch of our new search engine and we now have a total of 33 databases available online. Work is now underway on the fourth and final phase of this launch and it consists of migrating the databases located within the Locations/Maps/Towns and Book Review categories to the new search engine.

The new search engine uses an all-inclusive search form to search and display user-requested database records. Although the search form “looks” different, it was designed to “function exactly as it did previously” on our old website. To help you get started, we’ve prepared a “How to Use the New Search Engine” document.

We designed the search engine to be intuitive, accurate and efficient, but if you experience any issues please give us your feedback and let us know what we can do to improve the search process. You can send a note to [email protected].

Read More