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==Introduction== | |||
The [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/images/c/cc/LWGPolish.pdf Polish Letter Writing 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 requesting genealogical records and Polish translations of these sentences. | The [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/images/c/cc/LWGPolish.pdf Polish Letter Writing 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 requesting genealogical records and Polish translations of these sentences. | ||
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The best sources of genealogical information in Poland are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by churches and civil registration 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 information in Poland are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by churches and civil registration 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 to Poland for family history information, you should do three things: | Before You write to Poland for family history information, you should do three things: | ||
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*'''Determine where records from your ancestor's home parish are stored today.''' When you have a locality name, use a gazetteer to determine which parish or civil jurisdiction served your ancestor's locality. | *'''Determine where records from your ancestor's home parish are stored today.''' When you have a locality name, use a gazetteer to determine which parish or civil jurisdiction served your ancestor's locality. | ||
==Research by Mail== | |||
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. | ||
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'''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== | |||
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. | ||
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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 == | ||
Your letter should include: | Your letter should include: | ||