The Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA), a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization founded on August 23, 1978, and headquartered in Chicago, exists to collect, organize, preserve and disseminate information on Polish and Polish-American family history, and to provide educational support on methodologies and resources to individuals and professionals conducting research in Polish genealogy.
The Society is open to anyone doing research within the borders of the old Commonwealth of Poland. It attempts to assist members in doing their own genealogical research by publishing the journal Rodziny and providing books, newsletters, bulletins, printed information, regular Society meetings, conferences and workshops. With members across the United States, plus countries around the world, the Society has access to a wide range of ideas, data, experts and resources to benefit its members. Furthermore, modern communication technology enables members in almost any location live access to most meetings and programs via the internet.
Contacting the PGSA
The PGSA is an all-volunteer organization without office staff. The preferred ways to contact PGSA are:
– by email using the address in the Email Directory most appropriate to your question or need;
or,
– by regular mail to the address below:
PGSA
984 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642-4101
The building at 984 N. Milwaukee is actually the headquarters of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA). It is also the home of the Polish Museum of America (PMA), its Library and archives. The PRCUA and PMA graciously allow the PGSA to use this address as our mailing address.
Because the PGSA has no office or staff, we ask everyone to be patient when contacting us. All of our volunteers and board members have families and occupations that require their first attention. We do our best to attend to Society business in a timely manner.
PGSA Publications
Rodziny – PGSA Journal
Each issue of the Society’s quarterly publication, Rodziny, provides 32 pages of helpful and fascinating information. It is designed to provide members with a broad range of timely, well-researched articles not usually available to Polish researchers. Among the features found in the Rodziny are:
PGSA Published Works
In addition to Rodziny, the Society sponsors ongoing publishing projects to supply reference material directly related to Polish genealogical research. A number of valuable PGSA publications are already in the hands of researchers and on the shelves of public libraries. A list is available at PGSA Store. Members receive a 10% discount on all new or current publications and special reference material.
PGSA Genealogy Notebook
Members and non-members can subscribe, free of charge, to the monthly e-newsletter PGSA Genealogy Notebook. It highlights and provides links to a wide selection of information on Polish genealogy, culture, history, etc. Subscribe by completing the information at the bottom right of any page on this website.
PGSA Facebook Page
Follow us on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PolishGenealogicalSocietyofAmerica
Meetings & Conferences
Meetings with interesting speakers, or presentations and discussions on genealogical problems and practices, are held four times per year usually on the third Sunday afternoon of February, May, August and November. In addition to attending in person at Chicago area libraries, members and non-members are able to attend via internet webinar.
PGSA also sponsors a conference featuring experts in the field with genealogical books available for purchase and the opportunity to meet with other researchers such as you.
LIMITED RESEARCH SERVICES
It is important to note that PGSA is not a genealogy research organization. Our part-time volunteers aim to provide general information to assist you and point you in the right direction, but cannot perform individual research.
PGSA does offer limited research for a reasonable donation that helps to cover postage and handling expenses, maintenance of the library equipment, etc. From results found in the PGSA index databases, services include making copies of obituaries in the Dziennik Chicagoski 1890-1971 and copies of insurance death claims from the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. We can also search for village locations and histories, and uncover information on surname meaning, frequency, and distribution in Poland.
PMA Library
The Polish Museum of America Library is located at 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642-4101. In addition to the extensive collection of books, manuscripts and historical documents on its shelves and in its archives, the PMA Library is the repository for the genealogical references collected by the Society. The library is open to the public. Please phone 773-384-3352 for current hours. Or visit the library website at PMA Library.
To join the PGSA
Click Here for Details and Instructions
PGSA Officers, Directors, Committee Chairs
| Robert M. Pine President | Eileen Carter VP & Rodziny Publication |
| Claire Esker Secretary | Christine Cronk Electronic Publications |
| David Lewandowski Treasurer | Phyllis Klen Membership |
| Kathy Glowacz Media Chair | Ellen Zielinski Marketing |
| Deborah Greenlee Research | Jeanne Sojka Programs |
To write to any of the above, obtain emails through CONTACT US in the footer.