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=== Introduction === | === Introduction === | ||
This guide is for researchers who do not speak Polish but must write to Poland for genealogical records. it includes a list of sentences you would use in a letter about genealogical records and Polish translations of these sentences. | This guide is for researchers who do not speak Polish but must write to Poland for genealogical records. it includes a list of sentences you would use in a letter about genealogical records and Polish translations of these sentences. | ||
The best sources of genealogical informaiton in Poland are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by churches and civil registraiton offices. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of these records for many, but not all, localities. use the Family History Library Catalog to determine what records are available through the library and the Family History Centers. If records are available from the library, it is usually faster and more productive to search these records first. if the records you want are not available through the library, you can use this guide to help you write to Poland for information. | The best sources of genealogical informaiton in Poland are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by churches and civil registraiton offices. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of these records for many, but not all, localities. use the Family History Library Catalog to determine what records are available through the library and the Family History Centers. If records are available from the library, it is usually faster and more productive to search these records first. if the records you want are not available through the library, you can use this guide to help you write to Poland for information. | ||
=== Before You Write === | === Before You Write === | ||
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Church records are obtained from parishes, and civil records are obtained from civil registration offices. Both kinds of records may be stored in archives. In 1874 civil registration became mandatory in Poland, yet it started at different times throughout the country. If the dates you need precede 1874, you will need to write for church records. | Church records are obtained from parishes, and civil records are obtained from civil registration offices. Both kinds of records may be stored in archives. In 1874 civil registration became mandatory in Poland, yet it started at different times throughout the country. If the dates you need precede 1874, you will need to write for church records. | ||
If you address your letter to a parish or local civil registration office, you must write the letter in Polish. Letters written in Polish have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. You may write in English to the Directorate of the State Archives. | If you address your letter to a parish or local civil registration office, you must write the letter in Polish. Letters written in Polish have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. You may write in English to the Directorate of the State Archives. | ||
=== How To Address the Envelope === | === How To Address the Envelope === | ||
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For help in locating Catholic parish addresses in Poland, please go to the following link: [http://www.genpol.com/Katalog-main.html http://www.genpol.com/Katalog-main.html] . In the box shown, type in the name of the town where the parish was located. | For help in locating Catholic parish addresses in Poland, please go to the following link: [http://www.genpol.com/Katalog-main.html http://www.genpol.com/Katalog-main.html] . In the box shown, type in the name of the town where the parish was located. | ||
=== Postal Codes === | === Postal Codes === | ||
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''Spis miejscowości Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej (Gazetteer of Localities of the Polish People's Republic).'' (FHL book Ref Area 943.8 E5s, film 2037058 item 2.) | ''Spis miejscowości Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej (Gazetteer of Localities of the Polish People's Republic).'' (FHL book Ref Area 943.8 E5s, film 2037058 item 2.) | ||
Towns in Poland are listed alphabetically. The post office is given in the fifth column, under the heading "Poczta." | Towns in Poland are listed alphabetically. The post office is given in the fifth column, under the heading "Poczta." | ||
=== How To Send Payments === | === How To Send Payments === | ||
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'''Writing to a Civil Registration Office.''' When writing to the local civil registration office, it is not necessary to include money. The Polish Consulate will bill you for this service. You will be asked to send a certified check. After the payment is received the document will be mailed to you. | '''Writing to a Civil Registration Office.''' When writing to the local civil registration office, it is not necessary to include money. The Polish Consulate will bill you for this service. You will be asked to send a certified check. After the payment is received the document will be mailed to you. | ||
'''Writing to Government Organizations.''' When writing to the Directorate of State Archives, do not send money in your first letter. The staff will bill you for their services. You may be asked to make the check payable to the archive's account number. If you wish, you may write first to determine its fees before making a request. However, This will significantly increase the time it takes to get information. | '''Writing to Government Organizations.''' When writing to the Directorate of State Archives, do not send money in your first letter. The staff will bill you for their services. You may be asked to make the check payable to the archive's account number. If you wish, you may write first to determine its fees before making a request. However, This will significantly increase the time it takes to get information. | ||
=== What To Expect === | === What To Expect === | ||
It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information. Airmail improves the response time. The results of writing to parishes or civil registration offices can vary greatly. You may get a great deal of information, or you may get no answer at all. Some clergy and civil registrars are willing and able to provide considerable information, while others are not. | It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information. Airmail improves the response time. The results of writing to parishes or civil registration offices can vary greatly. You may get a great deal of information, or you may get no answer at all. Some clergy and civil registrars are willing and able to provide considerable information, while others are not. | ||
When you receive a reply, send the requested payment and a note of thanks or acknowledgement. If you need to request further information, refer to your earlier letters and their return letters by date. You may want to include photocopies of any previous correspondence. If the archive assigned you a reference number, include that number as well. | When you receive a reply, send the requested payment and a note of thanks or acknowledgement. If you need to request further information, refer to your earlier letters and their return letters by date. You may want to include photocopies of any previous correspondence. If the archive assigned you a reference number, include that number as well. | ||
Use Polish-English dictionaries to help you understand the reply. Sometimes you can hire accredited genealogists to translate for you. The Family History Library also has published a Genealogical Word List in Polish (34098), which may be helpful. | Use Polish-English dictionaries to help you understand the reply. Sometimes you can hire accredited genealogists to translate for you. The Family History Library also has published a Genealogical Word List in Polish (34098), which may be helpful. | ||
If you do not receive an answer, write again, sending a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | If you do not receive an answer, write again, sending a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | ||
== How To Write a Letter in Polish == | == How To Write a Letter in Polish == | ||
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*Closing remarks | *Closing remarks | ||
*Your signature | *Your signature | ||
*Your return address (including your country) | *Your return address (including your country) | ||
*Be brief and to the point. Do not ask for too much at one time. | *Be brief and to the point. Do not ask for too much at one time. | ||
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| 21. Jeśli Pan (Ksiądz, if addressing a priest; <br>Pastor, if addressing a pastor) nie dysponuje informacjami, których potrzebuję, chicałbym <br>(chicałabym, if you are a female) dowiedzieć się<br>gdzie mogę je znaleźć.<br><br> | | 21. Jeśli Pan (Ksiądz, if addressing a priest; <br>Pastor, if addressing a pastor) nie dysponuje informacjami, których potrzebuję, chicałbym <br>(chicałabym, if you are a female) dowiedzieć się<br>gdzie mogę je znaleźć.<br><br> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 22. If you are unable to do this research for me, could you please recommend a local researcher that I could hire<br>for this purpose -<span | | 22. If you are unable to do this research for me, could you please recommend a local researcher that I could hire<br>for this purpose -<span />someone who speaks some english, if possible. | ||
| 22. Jeśli otrzymanie powyźszych informacji jest niemoźliwe, czy mógłby Pan (Ksiądz, if addressing a priest; Pastor, if addressing a pastor) podać mi adres kogoś z tamtej okolicy, kto - za wynagrodzeniem - zechiałby mi pomóc i jeśli to możliwe, zna trochę język angielski.<br><br> | | 22. Jeśli otrzymanie powyźszych informacji jest niemoźliwe, czy mógłby Pan (Ksiądz, if addressing a priest; Pastor, if addressing a pastor) podać mi adres kogoś z tamtej okolicy, kto - za wynagrodzeniem - zechiałby mi pomóc i jeśli to możliwe, zna trochę język angielski.<br><br> | ||
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[[Category:Poland|Poland]] [[Category: | [[Category:Poland|Poland]] [[Category:Letter_Writing_Guides|Letter Writing Guides]] | ||