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NEW!!!
GOING HOME:
A Guide to
Polish American Family History Research
by
Jonathan D. Shea
ISBN 978-0-9631579-7-3
Copyright 2008
This book is softcover, perfect bound, with 420
bindery pages (x + 410), 8.25 x 11 inches.
This comprehensive reference book covers all facets of research
that you will need to successfully trace your Polish-American
family history. Topics include:
·
Local American records of birth, marriage and
death; church records, probate documents, voting records,
cemetery records, state censuses, records of fraternal
organizations and many more unique sources
·
Federal records: United States immigration and
citizenship documents, passenger lists from Ellis Island and
other US ports of entry, federal census records and Social
Security records
·
Brief history of Polish-American communities in
the US and worldwide.
·
European records of birth marriage and death, tax
lists, passport records, censuses, repatriation records and much
more
·
Historical geography illustrated with maps to help
you understand the many border changes that took place over the
centuries in Eastern Europe
·
Extensive language and translation sections to
help you understand the documents you find and unlock the
secrets of your personal family history. Included are Polish
spelling and sounds, grammatical outline of the language and
vocabulary lists in Polish, Russian, Latin and German
·
A section on our names, their origins and meanings
·
Appendices listing the locations of Polish
parishes in the USA, addresses of Polish archives and
genealogical and historical societies
·
A wide range of sample documents so you can see
what types of records await you in your search
The author shares his over two decades of
research experience in Polish genealogical investigations,
including on site archival experience in Poland, Lithuania the
US and Canada.
This book can be ordered for delivery to addresses in the United
States by sending a check or money order, payable to Jonathan
D. Shea, to this address:
J.
Shea
8
Lyle Rd.
New
Britain CT 06053-2104
Click
here for an
order form you can print out and send in with your check or
money order.
To give you an idea of what the book offers,
here is the table of contents:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS – SPIS TRESCI
Acknowledgments iii
Introduction vii
Preliminary Notes ix
1. The Language – Your Companion Throughout the Research Process
1
2. Capsule History of Poland and Worldwide Polonia 16
Capsule History of Poland 16
Emigration 22
Polish Immigration to the United States 26
Permanent Settlement – Population Distribution 28
Development of the Polish-American Community 31
Polish Settlements in Other Nations 36
Polonia in Canada 37
Polonia in Latin America 38
Polonia in Australia and New Zealand 40
Polonia in Europe 41
Ethno-cultural Groups in Poland 48
3. Sources on This Side of the Ocean 54
Local and State Sources 54
Vital Records 58
Church Sacramental Records 62
Other Records at Parish Archives 64
Printed Parish and Organizational Histories 68
Death-related Sources 71
City Directories, Professional Directories, and Yearbooks 76
Newspaper Sources 79
Probate and Other Court Records 84
School Records 86
Records of Polish Fraternal Organizations 88
Hospital, Orphanage, Welfare, Police, and Incarceration Records
91
Town Reports 94
State Census Records 95
Voting Records 95
Local Libraries and Historical Societies 96
Other Local and State Miscellanea 98
Basic Paper Preservation 101
Et Cetera 103
4. The Records of the United States Federal Government 104
Federal Census Records 104
Passenger Arrival Lists 109
Alien Registration Files and Related Documentation 120
European Departure Lists 120
Naturalization Papers 125
Passport Records 126
Russian Consular Records 127
Military Records 127
Social Security Applications 131
5. Geographical Sources 132
Generalizations – Why Can’t I Find Grandma’s Village? 137
Gazetteers 140
Guidebooks and Church Directories 151
German-Language Gazetteers 154
Gazetteers for Former Austrian Territory 160
Gazetteers for Former Russian Territory 162
Maps 166
6. European Sources: Vital Records in Poland 169
Brief History of the Keeping of Vital Records in Poland 169
Description of a Sample Register 177
Structure of the Polish Language 181
Latin-Language Documents 187
Polish-Language Documents 195
Russian-Language Documents 207
German-Language Documents 219
Accessing Vital Records 224
Archives in Neighboring Nations 228
Guide to Writing Letters in Polish 228
Guide to Writing Letters in Russian 232
Vocabulary Lists: Polish 235
Vocabulary Lists: Latin 243
Vocabulary Lists: Russian 248
Vocabulary Lists: German 259
7. Additional Polish and European Sources 263
Church Sacramental Registers and Parish Censuses 264
Census Records 267
Other Census-Like Records 271
Repatriation and Resettlement Records 274
Revizskie Skazki – Revision Lists 281
Estate Inventories and Related Records 283
Military Records 286
Records of Nazi Concentration Camps, Displaced Persons Camps,
and Similar
Documentration 291
Passport Records 293
Notary and Court Records 294
Nobility Documents 296
Uniquely Jewish Records 299
Archives – Last Thoughts 300
Non-Archival Printed and Electronic Resources 301
8. Our Names in Europe and America 311
Patronymic and Matronymic Surnames 312
Topographical and Geographical Surnames 313
Surnames Derived from Occupations and Associated Objects 314
Descriptive and Miscellaneous Surnames 314
Suffixes Revisited 315
Name Alterations 317
An Index of First Names prepared by William F. Hoffman 319
Final Words 344
Appendix A – Polish Parishes in the U. S. 345
Appendix B – Links to Get Started 367
Appendix C – Contact Addresses for Archives 370
Bibliography 391
Index 398
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