THE PRIMARY ROLE of the Polish Genealogical Society of America is to assist people pursuing their family history. Our volunteers are ready to guide you in your research.
ASSISTANCE is provided for a fee (discounted to members) to cover the costs of equipment, systems & database technical support, supplies, etc.; thus, Non-Members making numerous requests should consider becoming a member to gain all of the benefits.
Requests for Research Services
– Two Types: 1) Records Fulfillment from PGSA Databases listed below and under the “Surname Databases” tab 2) Specific Enhanced Research described below
– Are made by regular mail with the order form printed either from the search engine page or from the link in the tables below and a check made payable to the PGSA
Records Fulfillment from PGSA Database Searches
| Research Requested | Members | Non Members | Request Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Searched Under "Surname Databases" Tab on Home Page | |||
| Birth records from 3 Chicago churches | $6 | $10 | Order Form |
| Marriage records from 3 Chicago churches | $6 | $10 | Order Form |
| Obituaries from the Dziennik Chicagoski newspaper 1890-1971 | $5 | $8 | Order Form |
| PRCUA Insurance death records | $10 | $15 | Order Form |
| Poles of Chicago 1837-1937 | $5 | $8 | Order Form |
| We the Milwaukee Poles 1846-1946 | $5 | $8 | Order Form |
| Haller's Army Enlistment Documents | * | * | * |
| Polish Church Jubilee Books | * | * | * |
| Non-Database Requests | |||
| Surname distribution in Poland, meaning, etc. | $5 | $8 | Order Form |
| Village location & information | $8 | $12 | Order Form |
Requests must be addressed to, and are processed by, the Archives of the Polish Museum of America, as described on the order form obtained from the database search page.
Enhanced Research
Until a search is undertaken, it is uncertain what will be found; however, for each search the attempt is to provide some information for at least the listed data categories.
SURNAME SEARCH Member $15 Non-Member $20 Click Here for Order Form
– Meaning
– Geographic distribution in Poland today
– Approximate number of persons named it in 2002
– Results from Geneteka BMD search in the provided wojwód
– Other search results when applicable, such as Poznan Project, Pomerania Project
VILLAGE SEARCH Member $25 Non-Member $35 Click Here for Order Form
– Alternative Names
– Wojewodzstwo/Powiat location
– Gazetteer data
– Słownik Geograficzny entry (not translated)
– Postal code, # residents today
– Family Search records
– Website, if any
– Historical information, if any
MAPPING Member $20 Non-Member $25 Click Here for Order Form
– Maps – Current
– Maps – Historical
– Aerial view
– Land view
PARISH SEARCH Member $15 Non-Member $20 Click Here for Order Form
– Village with the parish church for your village
– Current contact data, if any
– Map indicating its location and your village
– Founding and history
– Diocese
– Photo of the church (and cemetery if available)
NOTE: Many of the records you receive are in Polish.
– Translation guides are found on this website under the Education tab in the header.
– Books with details on how to translate almost all record types are found in the PGSA Shop via the box on the home page. Most appropriate are:
In Their Words series, individual editions for Polish, Latin, German and Russian
The Study of Obituaries as a Source for Polish Genealogical Research