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*[[Austrian Poland Civil Registration|'''Austrian Poland Civil Registration''']]
*[[Austrian Poland Civil Registration|'''Austrian Poland Civil Registration''']]


=====Time Coverage=====
==Time Coverage==
'''Duchy of Warsaw:'''  
'''Duchy of Warsaw:'''  
*In 1807, Napoleon created a new Polish state, fashioned out of territories previously seized by Prussia. In 1809 Napoleon’s forces won additional Polish territory from Austria, and the enlarged Polish state was called the Duchy of Warsaw.   
*In 1807, Napoleon created a new Polish state, fashioned out of territories previously seized by Prussia. In 1809 Napoleon’s forces won additional Polish territory from Austria, and the enlarged Polish state was called the Duchy of Warsaw.   
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==Information Recorded in Civil Registers ==
==Information Recorded in Civil Registers ==
===Russian Poland Record Information (Napoleonic Format)===
Both the Polish language and Russian language records followed the format established by the Napoleonic Code during the occupation beginning in 1808. They contained the following information:
==== Polish Civil Registration Reading Aids  ====
===Birth Records===
The following reading aids are designed to help you read a typical birth, marriage, or death entry in Polish civil registration. Since the wording of these records was standardized, it is possible to learn the format, and with careful effort, to read Polish records.  Use these aids for records 1808-1868 and 1918 to the present.
Birth records state:
<br>
*the place and date of the registration
When using the reading aids, please note the following: <br>
*the name and gender of the child
*Be flexible. Terms and spellings may vary. Information may not always be presented in the exact order shown in the examples. For example, the year may be given before the day of the month or the age may follow the occupation, etc. You must thoroughly familiarize yourself with the format, not just the words.
*the date and time of the birth
*It is not uncommon to find double dates given in the entries. When this occurs, the first is the Julian date according to the old Julian calendar. The second is the Gregorian date according to the modern Gregorian calendar used in the world today.
*the names, ages, residence, and occupations of the parents
 
*the names, ages, residence, and occupations of the witnesses
==== Napoleonic Birth Records in Polish  ====
*date and place of the christening
Birth records contain data on:
*names and ages of the godparents
*the parents' age
===Marriage Records===
*profession
Marriage records state:
*social standing
*place, date, and time of registration of the marriage
*full place of residence
*place, date, and time of the marriage
*full date of birth and registration (down to the hour)
*names, ages, occupations, and residences of two witnesses
 
*names, ages, occupations, residences, and marital status of the bride and groom
'''A.  Place and date of registration of birth. (Place is given with grammatical ending and the date and time of day are written out in Polish.) Use the [[Polish Genealogical Word List|'''Polish Genealogical Word List''']] to read the date. Following are translations of the Polish entries:<br>
*if married before, name and death date of the previous spouse
----
*dates of the banns
''Dzialo się&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; w wsi&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Oporowie&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dnia trzeciego''<br>It came to pass&nbsp;in village (of) Oporów (on) day third &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(of)<br>
*fathers' names and permission, if needed
----
===Death Records===
''lutego&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; tyziąc&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ośmset&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; pięćdziesiątego drugiego roku''<br>February thousand eight-hundred fiftieth –&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; second&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; year (1852),<br>
*the place and date of the registration
----
*names, ages, and occupations of the two witnesses
''o godzinie dziewiątego z rana''. . . .<br>at hour&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ninth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in the morning. . . .<br>
*name of deceased is given with varying amounts of information
----
**age and occupation are almost always given
----
**other information often given would be parents, birthplace, survivors
►'''(Prior to the mid-1810s records will start with ''Roku''. This earlier format gives year first, date, time of day, and then the title and often the name of the registrar.)'''<br>
**name of widow or widower
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''Roku tysiąc&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; osemsetnego&nbsp;&nbsp; czternastego&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dnia trzeciego<br>''(of) Year thousand eight-hundred fourteen (1814) (on) day third&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of)<br>
----
*''lutego &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;o godzinie dziewiątego z rana&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; przed Nami Augustynem<br>''February at hour&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ninth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in the morning before us&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Augustyn<br>
----
''Walęckiem proboszcz &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;parafii &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Oporowskiej sprawuającym obowiązki<br>''Walęcki&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; priest&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) parish (of) Oporów&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; discharging&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; duties&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of)<br>
----
''urzędnika stanu cywilnego&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; gminy&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Oporowskiej powiatu<br>''civil registrar&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) township (of) Oporów district&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of)<br>
----
''Orlowskiej w Departmencie&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Warszawskim''.<br>Orlów&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in Department&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) Warsaw
----
----
'''B.  The father of the child presents himself (or the midwife if the child is illegitimate) to report the birth.<br>
----
''Stawil &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;s''i''ę &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marcin Gorecki okupnik rolnik, &nbsp;lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;cztyrdziesciści<br>''Presented himself Marcin Gorecki tenant&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; farmer, years forty<br>
----
''mający / liczący&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; w Czyzeminie zamieszkaly.''<br>having / counting &nbsp;in Czyzemiń&nbsp;&nbsp; residing.
----
----
'''C.  Two witnesses are named with genitive grammatical inflection. Their occupations, ages, and residences are given. (This is sometimes omitted in earlier records.)<br>
----
''w obecności &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Macieja Nowaka lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;trzydzieści pięć mający i<br>''in presence&nbsp; (of) Maciej&nbsp;&nbsp; Nowak&nbsp; years thirty-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; five having and (of)<br>
----
''Jana Grabowskiego lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;pięćdziesiąt liczący,&nbsp; &nbsp;obydwóch rolników w<br>''Jan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Grabowski&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; years fifty&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; counting, both&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; farmers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in<br>
----
''Czyzeminie zamieszkałych''.<br>Czyzemiń&nbsp;&nbsp; residing.
----
----
'''D.  The child is presented and the sex is indicated.<br>
----
''i&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; okazał&nbsp;&nbsp; Nam dziecię,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; płci męskiej /''źeńskiej. . . .<br>and showed us&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; child,&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) sex&nbsp; male&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; /&nbsp; female. . . .
----
----
'''E.  Place of birth is given with date and time of day. Use the [[Polish Genealogical Word List|'''Polish Genealogical Word List''']] to read the date.<br>
----
''urodzone w &nbsp;Czyzemienie w domu &nbsp;&nbsp;pod &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;numerem trzynastym'', . . . .<br>born&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in Czyzemiń&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in house (under) number&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; thirteen, . . . .<br>
----
''na dniu dzisiejszym / wczorajszym / onegdajszym&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; /''<br>on day&nbsp;&nbsp; today&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / yesterday&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / day before yesterday /<br>
----
''trzydziestym&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;grudnia &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/ &nbsp;miesiąca bie''ź''ącego. . . .<br>''thirtieth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) December /&nbsp; month&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; current. . . .<br>
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''roku bieźącego/ przeszłego o godzinie szóstej wieczorem''.<br>(of) year&nbsp; current&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / preceding&nbsp; at hour&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; sixth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in the evening.
----
----
'''F.  The mother of the child is given in genitive grammatical inflection with her age. The record will state if she is the wife of the one presenting himself. If not, the record will state whether she is unmarried. When the mother is married but the father is merely not present, then his name is usually given between the birth date and the name of the mother.<br>
----
''(Urodzone) z&nbsp; &nbsp;jego małźonki Maryanny z Grabowskich / &nbsp;Nowaków''<br>(Born)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; of his&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; wife&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Maryanna&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Grabowska&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / Nowak<br>
----
''lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;trzydzieści trzy &nbsp;&nbsp;mającej.<br>''years thirty-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; three having.<br>
----
----
►'''(Earlier records, prior to the mid-1820s will usually read differently.)'''<br>
----
''cświadczając, iź&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; jest spłodzone z&nbsp;&nbsp; niego i&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Maryanny<br>''testifying&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; that (it) is&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; begotten&nbsp;&nbsp; of him&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; and (of) Maryanna<br>
----
z / z domu &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mazurk''ów lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;trzydzieści trzy &nbsp;&nbsp;mającej jego małźonki.<br>''(maiden name) Mazurek&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; years thirty-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; three having, his&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; wife.
----
'''G.  Some records will indicate that on this day the christening was performed.'''<br>
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''Dziecieciu temu na Chrzcie &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Świętym w &nbsp;dniu dzisiejszym odbytym.''<br>(for) child&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; this&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Christening Holy&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; on day&nbsp; today&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; performed.</b>
----
'''H.  The child is given a name.'''<br>
----
''nadane jest Imię &nbsp;Jan Marcin / zyczeniem jego jest nadać mu Imię Ewa''<br>given&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; is&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; name Jan Marcin / desire&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; his&nbsp;&nbsp; is&nbsp;&nbsp; give&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; it&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; name Ewa
----
'''I. The Godparents are named.'''<br>
----
''jego Rodzicami Chrzestnymi byli &nbsp;&nbsp;Alojzy Kowalski &nbsp;&nbsp;i &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Elźbieta Adamska.''<br>his&nbsp;&nbsp; Godparents&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; were Alojzy Kowalski and Elźbieta Adamska.
----
'''J. The entry was read and signed by the witnesses or by the priest/rabbi if the witnesses could not write.'''<br>
----
''Akt &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ten &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;stawającemu i &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;świadkom przeczytany został,<br>''Entry this (to the one) present&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; and witnesses&nbsp; read&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; was,<br>
----
''Ojciec&nbsp;&nbsp; i &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;świadkowie &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; pisać nie &nbsp;umieją.<br>''Father and witnesses (to) write&nbsp; not know how.
----
 
==== Napoleonic Marriage Records in Polish====
Marriage entries are the most informative. Marrying was subject to specific conditions.
*A male below the age of 18 or a female below the age of 15 could not contract marriage. (The emperor could give dispensations in exceptional, important situations).
*A son under 25 and a daughter under 21 had to have their parents' consent; in case of parental disagreement, the father's consent sufficed.
*If the parents were no longer alive or could not be present, then consent was given by grandfathers or, if applicable, brothers or uncles.
*It was impossible to marry a second time without dissolution of the first marriage.
*The wedding had to take place publicly before the civil registrar in the place of residence of one of the newlyweds.
 
The Code also set forth the obligations proceeding from marriage:
*Newlyweds were obligated to, among other things, live together and support themselves together and to raise children jointly.
*The husband was to protect his wife, his wife was to obey her husband, the wife could not appear in court without her husband's consent (criminal cases were exceptions) except with support of the court.
*The wife could not enter into a second marriage until after 10 months had passed since the previous marriage was dissolved.
*Children did not have the right to demand any estate from their parents, and in accases of parental poverty, were obligated give them support.
 
'''The majority of records from the period of the Napoleonic Code gave exact birth dates for the couple according to entries from the registers of their home parishes.'''
 
----
'''A.  Place and date of registration of marriage. (Place is given with grammatical ending and the date and time of day are written out in Polish.) Use the Polish Word List to read the date.'''<br>
----
''Dzialo się &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; w mieście Olbierzowicach &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dnia dwódzięstego''<br>It came to pass in place&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Olbierzowice&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (on) day&nbsp; twentieth-<br>
----
''siódmego &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;listopadu &nbsp;&nbsp; roku&nbsp; tysiąc &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; osiemset &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; sześcdziesiątego''<br>seventh (of) November year&nbsp; thousand eight-hundred sixtieth-
----
''czwartego, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; o &nbsp;godzinie dziewiątej &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; rano. . . .<br>''fourth (1864) at hour&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ninth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (in) morning. . . .
----
----
►'''(Prior to the mid-1820s, records will start with ''Roku''. This earlier format gives year first, date, time of day, and then the title and often name of the registrar. See birth format for an example.)'''
----
'''B.  In most records after the mid-1820s two witnesses are named, usually with genitive grammatical inflection. Their occupations, ages, and residences are given. (Caution: In some cases the groom and bride present themselves at this point in the entry. In such cases the witnesses will be noted in the Summation.)'''<br>
----
''Wiadomo &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;czyniemy źe &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;w przytomności &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;świadków&nbsp; Tomasza<br>''Knowingly (we) affirm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; that in presence&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) witnesses&nbsp; Tomasz<br>
----
''Kolczaka mularz &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;trzydzieści i &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Piotra Studzińskiego''<br>Kolczak&nbsp;&nbsp; bricklayer years thirty&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; and Piotr&nbsp; Studzińki<br>
----
''szewca &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;lat &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; trzydzieści sześć mających, obydwóch w Olbierzowicach<br>''shoemaker years thirty-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; six&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; having,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; both&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in Olbierzowice<br>
----
''zamięskałych.'' . . .<br>residing. . . .<br>
----
----
►'''Sometimes:'''<br>
----
''Stawiłi się. . .''(Names of witnesses as above, without grammatical endings.)<br>They appeared. . .
----
'''C.  In most records prior to the mid-1820s and sometimes later, the groom and bride will present themselves. Information will be given as in D below, usually without the instrumental grammatical inflection. If the couple appear together with a witness or official, then the instrument inflection may be required because of the preposition ''z".'''<br>
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''Stawiłi&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;się &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ludwik Jan Kowalski, &nbsp;lat. . . . etc., a<br>''(They) presented themselves Ludwik Jan Kowalski, age. . . .etc., and<br>
----
''Panna &nbsp;&nbsp;Tekla Tokarska,&nbsp; lat. . . . etc.''<br>Maiden Tekla Tokarska, age. . . . etc.<br>
----
►'''Sometimes:'''<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''Stawil &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; się &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rabin Hersz Sztajn wraz &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;z &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Starozakonami<br>''(He) presented himself Rabbi Hersz Sztajn together with Jews<br>
----
''Szmulem Litmanem, lat. . . . , &nbsp;&nbsp;a &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Panna Ruchlą Dawidowiczowną, &nbsp;lat. . . .<br>''Szmul&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Litman,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; age. . . . , and maiden Ruchla Dawidowiczowna, age. . . .
----
'''D. Statement of marriage. If marriage took place on a day different than the day of registration, it will be stated here.'''<br>
----
''Na dniu dzisiejszym / wczorajszym zawarte &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;zostało Religijne''<br>On day&nbsp;&nbsp; today&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / yesterday&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; accomplished was&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Religious<br>
----
''Małźenstwo między. . . .<br>''Marriage&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; between. . . .
----
'''E. Names of bridegroom and bride are given. Because the preposition ''między''requires instrumental grammatical inflection, their names and all words describing them will have grammatical endings. For the groom, everything will end with –''m''. For the bride, everything will end with –''ą.''Information given will vary. Age, previous marital status and residence are almost always given. Very often the entry will also give place of birth. (In early records prior to the mid-1820s this is often accompanied by a statement that the age and birthplace are confirmed by an extract from the parish register of the birthplace.) Most records give the names and residence of parents of the bride and groom. Other information that may be given would be exact birth date, names of previous marriage partners, etc. The order in which information is given can vary, but the groom is always first with information pertaining to him, followed by the bride and all information pertaining to her.<br>
----
''między&nbsp;&nbsp; Ludwikiem Janem Orlikiem / Kowalskim młodzianem / kawalerem /<br>''between Ludwik &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jan &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Orlik &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/ Kowalski &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;bachelor &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/ bachelor &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/<br>
----
''wdowcem kowalem / profeszyi &nbsp;&nbsp;kowalskiej w Kaczkowiznie zamieszkałym. . . <br>''widower&nbsp;&nbsp; smith&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / profession smith&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in Kaczkowizna residing. . .<br>
----
''urodzonym w Gostynie z &nbsp;/ synem &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;niegdyś / zmarłego Tomasza i<br>''born&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in Gostyn of /&nbsp; son&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) the late / deceased Tomasz&nbsp;&nbsp; and (of)<br>
----
''Justyny z Pinkowskich &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;małźonków &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Orlików podług<br>''Justyna&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pinkowska &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a married couple (named) the Orliks&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; according to<br>
----
''złoźonej&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; przed&nbsp; Nami metryko&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; wyjęty&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; z&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ksiąg&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; kościoła<br>''submitted before us&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; certificate extracted from book&nbsp; (of) church at<br>
----
''Gostyńskiego lat. . . . etc. &nbsp;a &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Panna &nbsp;&nbsp;Tekla Tokarska&nbsp; / wdowa po Józefie<br>''Gostyn&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; age . . . etc. and maiden Tekla Tokarska / widow of&nbsp; Józef<br>
----
''Gadzińskim zmarłym &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dnia. .&nbsp; / przy matce &nbsp;&nbsp;zostającą, Córka. . .''<br>Gadziński&nbsp;&nbsp; deceased (on) day. . ./ with mother staying,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Daughter (of). . .<br>
----
►'''(Information is given for the bride similar to that given for the groom.) '''
----
'''F. As marriages must be preceded by three banns (announcements in the church) the dates of the banns are given, written out in Polish. Some records also state who gave permission for the marriage.<br>
----
''Małźenstwo to &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;poprzedzily &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; trzy &nbsp;&nbsp;zapowiedzie &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; w&nbsp; dniach<br>''Marriage&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; this preceded&nbsp;&nbsp; (by) three announcements on days<br>
----
''dziesiątym, siedmnastym, i&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dwódziestym czwartym&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; listopadu&nbsp; roku<br>''tenth,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; seventeenth, and twenty-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; fourth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) November year<br>
----
bie''źącego w parafia. Zezwolenie&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; małźenstwa&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ojca<br>''current&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in parish. Permission (for) marriage&nbsp;&nbsp; (by) father (of)<br>
----
nowoza''ślubionego&nbsp; i&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; rodziców&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; nowozaślubionej.<br>''groom (newlywed) and parents&nbsp; (of) bride (newlywed).
----
'''G.  Summation: This includes a statement that there were no objections to the marriage. Sometimes it includes a renaming of the witnesses with an occasional mention of relationship to the bride or groom. Finally, it concludes with a statement, as in birth and death records, that the entry was read to witnesses and that they signed or did not sign, depending on their ability to write.'''
 
==== Napoleonic Death Records in Polish====
 
Death records contain description of the family relationships of the witnesses appearing, exact time and place of death, place of birth and parent's names. If the deceased was married, then the names of his or her spouse and of all living children were given. The cause of death was usually omitted if the person died of natural causes; it was given if the person died as a result of an accident, e.g., drowning, a fall, or fire. Information given in the death record depended on the knowledge of the witnesses who came to report the death.
----
----
'''A.  Place and date of registration of death. (Place is given with grammatical ending and the date and time of day are written out in Polish.) Use the [[Polish Genealogical Word List|'''Polish Genealogical Word List''']] to read the date.'''<br>
----
''Działo się&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; w parafii Źychlińskiej w roku tysiąc&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; osemset<br>It came to pass in parish Źychlin&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; in year thousand eight-hundred<br>
----
''czterdziestiego&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dnia trzeciego &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;marca &nbsp;o &nbsp;godzinie. . . . etc.''<br>forty (1840)&nbsp; (on) day&nbsp; third&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) March at hour. . . . etc.<br>''
----
►(Prior to the mid-1820s records will start with ''Roku''. This earlier format gives year first, date, time of day, and then the title and often name of the registrar. See birth format for an example.)
----
'''B.  Two witnesses present themselves to report the death. Their occupations, ages, and residences are given.'''<br>
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''Stawiłi &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; się &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marcin Cieślak,&nbsp; parobek &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;lat. . . . &nbsp;&nbsp; i''<br>(They) presented themselves Marcin Cieślak, farmhand age. . . . and<br>
----
''Mateusz Czerwiński,&nbsp;&nbsp; formal&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; lat. . . .<br>''Mateusz Czerwiński, farm-wagon driver age. . . .
----
'''C.  The witnesses testify concerning the death, including the place (given with grammatical ending) and the date and time of day when the death occurred. Use the [[Polish Genealogical Word List|'''Polish Genealogical Word List''']] to read the date.<br>
----
''i &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;oświadczyłi iz &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;dnia pierwszego &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; marca / wczorajszego<br>''and (they) testified&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; that (on) day&nbsp; first&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (of) March / yesterday<br>
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''roku bieźącego, o&nbsp; godzinie&nbsp; ósmej w wieczor,&nbsp;&nbsp; w wśi &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dębicach. . . .<br>''(of) year&nbsp; current,&nbsp;&nbsp; at hour&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; eight&nbsp; in evening, in village Dębice. . . .
----
'''D. Name of deceased is given with varying amounts of information. Age and occupation are almost always given. Other information often given would be parents, birthplace, survivors, etc.<br>
----
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ''Umarł / &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Umarła Józef Cieślak&nbsp; lat . . . .&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;licząc[y/a], syn /<br>''(He) died &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/ (she) died &nbsp;&nbsp; Józef Cieślak years . . . . counting,&nbsp;&nbsp; son /<br>
----
c''órka&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; niegdyś&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; / wspomianego&nbsp; Marcina i&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wiktoriyi z<br>''daughter (of) deceased / forementioned Marcin and Wiktorya<br>
----
''Czerwińskich &nbsp;&nbsp;małonków &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cieślaków; urodzony w<br>''Czerwińska&nbsp;&nbsp; a married couple (named) the Cieślaks; &nbsp; born &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;in<br>
----
''Prusach / w&nbsp; tej&nbsp; wśi &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;roku . . . . gdziei&nbsp; i &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;z &nbsp;&nbsp;kogo urodzony''<br>Prussia&nbsp; / in this village (in) year. . . .&nbsp; when and of whom born<br>
----
''niewiadomo. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Zostawił / zostawiwszy po &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;sobie &nbsp;&nbsp; owdowiałą źonę<br>''unknown.&nbsp; (He) has left / leaving&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; after himself widowed&nbsp; wife<br>
----
Agat''ę / owdowiałego meźa&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mikołajo / etc.<br>''Agata / widowed&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; husband Mikołaj&nbsp; / etc.
----
----
 
===Russian Poland Record Information (1868-1918)===
*The Russian language records after 1868 use the same wording as the Polish language records. This means that, by mastering the pre-1868 Polish records, it is possible (with some additional effort) to read the essential data contained in the Russian language records. To do this requires familiarity with the Russian alphabet and learning several key words in Russian. Because the format is the same, the names, dates, ages, occupations, etc., will appear in approximately the same position in the entry as in the Polish language.<br>
 
====Example of Polish Birth Record in Russian====
{|
|-
|[[File:Polish Birth Record.jpg|Original Document|600px]]
|[[File:Polish Birth Transcript.jpg|Transcribed Document|600px]]
|}
 
====Example of Polish Marriage Record in Russian====
{|
|-
|[[Image:Polish Marriage Record.jpg|Original Document|600px]]
|[[File:Polish Marriage Transcript.jpg|Transcribed Document|600px]]
|}
 
====Example of Polish Death Record in Russian====
{|
|-
|[[Image:Polish Death Record.jpg|600px|Original Document]]
|[[File:Polish Death Transcript.jpg|600px|Transcribed Document]]
|}
 
===Prussian Poland Record Information===
Information recorded in Prussian civil registration records was quite standardized. German forms were used, which required specific details. After 1918, the records followed the Napoleonic records of Russian Poland.
==== Prussian Birth Records (Geburten, akta urodzeń) ====
 
Birth records '''usually''' give:
* the child’s name,
*sex,
*date and place of birth,
*and parents’ names.
They '''sometimes''' give:
*the age of the parents,
*occupation of the father, and
*marital status of mother.
Births were generally registered within a day of the child’s birth by the father, a neighbor of the family, or the midwife. Corrections to a birth record may have been added as a marginal note, sometimes years later.


==Indexes==
==Indexes==
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== Locating Civil Registration Records  ==
== Locating Civil Registration Records  ==


Civil registration records are kept at the local civil registration office (Urzd stanu Cywilnego) in each town or city. You must therefore determine the town where your ancestor lived before you can find the records. Your ancestor may have lived in a village that was part of the civil district of a nearby larger town. In large cities there may be many civil districts.  
Civil registration records are kept at the local civil registration office (Urzad Stanu Cywilnego) in each town or city. You must therefore determine the town where your ancestor lived before you can find the records. Your ancestor may have lived in a village that was part of the civil district of a nearby larger town. In large cities there may be many civil districts.  
===To find the town for the civil registration office:===
===To find the town for the civil registration office:===
*Use [https://mapa.szukacz.pl/ '''mapa.szukacz'''] to find the province, area, commune, and postal code of the town. Enter the town name in the "place" field in the right sidebar and click "Show". All information will appear at the bottom of the right sidebar. <br>
*Use [https://mapa.szukacz.pl/ '''mapa.szukacz'''] to find the province, area, commune, and postal code of the town. Enter the town name in the "place" field in the right sidebar and click "Show". All information will appear at the bottom of the right sidebar. <br>
*If the town was in the area of Poland once controlled by Russia or Austria, look it up in [http://www.wbc.poznan.pl/dlibra/docmetadata?id=12786&from=publication '''Skorowidz Gazetteer Online'''] to find the parishes of various religions. Here are the [https://s3.amazonaws.com/ps-services-us-east-1-914248642252/s3/research-wiki-elasticsearch-prod-s3bucket/images/7/71/1-Skorowidz_Online-Instruction.pdf '''instructions'''.] Use the second option, "Viewing anywhere via the Digital Library of Wielkopolska".<br>
*If the town was in the area of Poland once controlled by Russia or Austria, look it up in [http://www.wbc.poznan.pl/dlibra/docmetadata?id=12786&from=publication '''Skorowidz Gazetteer Online'''] to find the parishes of various religions. Here are the [[Media:1-Skorowidz_Online-Instruction.pdf|'''instructions'''.]] Use the second option, "Viewing anywhere via the Digital Library of Wielkopolska".<br>
=== Online Indexes to Civil Registration Records  ===
=== Online Indexes to Civil Registration Records  ===
====Jewish Record Indexes====
====Jewish Record Indexes====
If searching for a Jewish ancestor, select&nbsp;the database&nbsp;[http://jri-poland.org/ "Jewish Records Indexing - Poland"] which is a good starting point.&nbsp; The database has approximately four million records and can be searched in several ways, such as entering a surname and a town name.&nbsp; Due to spelling errors, a "Sounds Like" search is usually more productive than an "is Exactly" search.&nbsp; The results are sorted by the location of the event and by the source of the data.&nbsp; "LDS"&nbsp;indicates that the records have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library.&nbsp; For these records, the database frequently contains the record number and film number, so the records can be found easily.&nbsp; "PSA" indicates that the records are available from a branch of the Polish State Archives.&nbsp;
{| style="float:right;
|-
|{{MormonLDSRemoval}}
|}
If searching for a Jewish ancestor, select the database [http://jri-poland.org/ "Jewish Records Indexing - Poland"] which is a good starting point. The database has approximately four million records and can be searched in several ways, such as entering a surname and a town name. Due to spelling errors, a "Sounds Like" search is usually more productive than an "is Exactly" search. The results are sorted by the location of the event and by the source of the data. "LDS" indicates that the records have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library. For these records, the database frequently contains the record number and film number, so the records can be found easily. "PSA" indicates that the records are available from a branch of the Polish State Archives.  


===Online Records===
===Finding Aids===
*[http://www.szukajwarchiwach.pl '''Szukaj w Archiwach'''][https://s3.amazonaws.com/ps-services-us-east-1-914248642252/s3/research-wiki-elasticsearch-prod-s3bucket/images/3/35/1-Polish_State_Archives-Instruction.pdf Tutorial] The Polish Archives
Poland  finding aids have been created by a variety of state, church, society, and private organizations.  Their goal is to inform what records exist and the repositories that hold them. Each finding aid has a different focus--a particular religion or geographical area or archive or collection.  Be sure to search all that apply to your ancestors. Remember that churches often produced civil registration records. The church records might have been destroyed, but copies had been sent to the government and still exist. So we search for both church records  and civil registration records.
*[http://www.geneteka.genealodzy.pl/ Geneteka] [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Geneteka_database Instructions]
*[https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl '''Szukaj w Archiwach''']; [[Media:1-Polish_State_Archives-Instruction.pdf|'''Tutorial''']] - The Polish Archives
*[http://www.geneteka.genealodzy.pl/ '''Geneteka'''] [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Geneteka_database Instructions]
*[https://www.archiwa.gov.pl/pl/ '''The PRADZIAD Database'''] A database that comprises information on parish and civil registration registers preserved in all branches of the Polish State Archives and some Roman Catholic diocesan and archdiocesan archives. Gives location of specific records and address of archives.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927187&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Poland%22 '''FamilySearch Catalog for Poland''']  Microfilms (all will eventually be digitized, many are now) of the FamilySearch records.
*[https://www.sggee.org/research/parishes/church_parishes/LutheransInRusPoland.html '''Lutheran Records in Russian Poland''']  Church records inventory with links to scans held at various repositories.
*[[Baptist Church Records in Poland|'''Baptist Church Records in Poland''']]
*[https://www.sggee.org/research/parishes/church_parishes/BaptistInRusPoland.html '''Baptist Records in Russian Poland''']
*[https://parafie.genealodzy.pl/ '''Parafie.genealodzy.pl'''], Parish inventory, address list of current parishes.
*[http://regestry.lubgens.eu/news.php '''Lubgens''',] searchable database and finding aid for Lublin voivodeship.
*[http://www.agad.gov.pl/inwentarze/testy.html '''AGAD (Archiwum Główne Akt Dawnych w Warszawie)''',] parish inventory for Warsaw, Lublin and Subcarpathian.


=== Records at the FamilySearch Library  ===


=== Records at the Family History Library  ===
The FamilySearch Library has microfilmed the records of many towns in Poland. The specific holdings of the FamilySearch Library are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog. To find civil registration records in the FamilySearch Library, search in the Place section under:  
 
The Family History Library has microfilmed the civil registration records of many towns in the former Prussian areas of Poland. They are rarely available more recently than about 1890 because the&nbsp; microfilming of records less than 110 years old is restricted. The specific holdings of the Family History Library are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog. To find civil registration records in the Family History Library, search in the&nbsp;Place section under:  


POLAND - CIVIL REGISTRATION  
POLAND - CIVIL REGISTRATION  
Line 341: Line 108:
POLAND, (COUNTY), (CITY) - CIVIL REGISTRATION  
POLAND, (COUNTY), (CITY) - CIVIL REGISTRATION  


The library’s collection continues to grow. Do not give up if records are not available yet. The FamilySearch Catalog is updated annually. Check it again every year for the records you need.
The library’s collection continues to grow. Do not give up if records are not available yet.


===Writing for Records===
===Writing for Records===
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The present location of records depends on the age of the record book. Records more recent than 100 years are generally in local civil registration offices, and older ones are in state archives.  
The present location of records depends on the age of the record book. Records more recent than 100 years are generally in local civil registration offices, and older ones are in state archives.  
====To find the address of the civil registration office:====
====To find the address of the civil registration office:====
Addresses and contact information for Polish Civil Registry Offices can be found [https://archiwum.mswia.gov.pl/pl/form/148,Adresy-USC-w-Polsce-Addresses-of-Civil-Registry-Offices.html here].
Enter the name of the '''commune''' or filter by the województwo and powiat to see a list of all the civil registry offices in the area.
Another option is to do a google search:
{|
{|
|-
|-
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|}
|}


====How to Write the E-mail====
====How to Write the Email====
Write your request in Polish whenever possible. Information about how to write to local civil registration offices in Poland is given in [[Poland Letter Writing Guide|Poland Letter Writing Guide]].
Write your request in Polish whenever possible. Information about how to write to local civil registration offices in Poland is given in [[Poland Letter Writing Guide|Poland Letter Writing Guide]].
====Writing to Archives====
====Writing to Archives====
*Use [http://baza.archiwa.gov.pl/sezam/pradziad.php?l=en '''PRADZIAD'''] to see which archive might have copies of the civil registers or parish registers. Archive addresses are given by clicking on "More" under '''AKCJA'''.
*Use [https://www.archiwa.gov.pl/pl/ '''PRADZIAD'''] to see which archive might have copies of the civil registers or parish registers. Archive addresses are given by clicking on "More" under '''AKCJA'''.


==Reading the Language of the Records==
==Reading the Language of the Records==
Line 377: Line 150:
*[[Polish Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Polish Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Russian Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Russian Genealogical Word List]]
===Word-by-Word Reading Aids===
*Reading Polish Birth Records - [[Media:1-Poland_Birth_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Poland_Birth_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Assignment.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Poland_Birth_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
*Reading Polish Marriage Records - [[Media:1-Poland_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Poland_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Activity.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
*Reading Polish Death Records - [[Media:1-Poland-Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Poland-Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Activity.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Poland-Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
*[[Polish Civil Registration Reading Aid]]
*[[Russian Poland Civil Registration Reading Aid]]


===How-to Guides===
===How-to Guides===
Line 389: Line 168:
* Reading Russian Marriage Records - [[Media:1-Russia_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Russia_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Activity.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Russia_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
* Reading Russian Marriage Records - [[Media:1-Russia_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Russia_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Activity.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Russia_Marriage_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
* Reading Russian Death Records - [[Media:1-Russia_Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Russia_Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Activity.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Russia_Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
* Reading Russian Death Records - [[Media:1-Russia_Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Instruction.pdf|Instruction]], [[Media:2-Russia_Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Activity.pdf|Activity]], [[Media:3-Russia_Death_Records_in_Paragraph_Format-Answer_Key.pdf|Answer Key]]
===Russian and Polish Transliteration Tools===
*[https://stevemorse.org/russian/rus2eng.html Transliterating Russian to English in One Step], or English to Russian
*[https://lingojam.com/PolishCyrillic Polish Cyrillic] Transliterate the Polish language to a Cyrillic
*[https://stevemorse.org/russian/cyrprintcurs.html?style=names&casing=lower&font=print&type=normal&leftposition=1&rightposition=1&maxLines=3&imagesPerLine=15&russian=%u0421 Converting between Russian Print and Cursive in One Step ]
*[http://www.russianforeveryone.com/RufeA/Lessons/Introduction/Alphabet/Alphabet.htm '''Russian for Everyone: The Russian Alphabet''']
*[https://www.sggee.org/research/rus_translate/Cyrillic_Handouts.pdf '''SGGEE Cyrillic Handout.pdf'''] for months and numbers in Russian cursive.


===Lessons===
===Lessons===
*[https://familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/90 '''Reading Polish Handwritten Records''']
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/german-paleography-seminar-introduction German Paleography Seminar - 10 classes]'''
**Lesson 1: Polish Letters
**Lesson 2: Polish Words and Dates
**Lesson 3: Reading Polish Records
*'''Reading Russian Handwriting'''
*'''Reading Russian Handwriting'''
**[https://www.familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/76 Lesson 1: The Russian Alphabet]
**[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/reading-russian-documents-the-russian-alphabet Reading Russian Documents: The Russian Alphabet]
**[https://www.familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/77 Lesson 2: Russian Words and Dates]
*'''Additional Russian Paleography Classes'''
**[https://www.familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/78 Lesson 3: Reading Russian Records]
**[http://www.russianforeveryone.com/RufeA/Lessons/Introduction/Alphabet/Alphabet.htm Russian for Everyone: The Russian Alphabet]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/374 '''Latin for Genealogists]
**[https://www.sggee.org/research/rus_translate/Cyrillic_Handouts.pdf SGGEE Cyrillic Handout.pdf] for months and numbers in Russian cursive.
*'''Latin for Genealogists'''
**[https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lessons/latin-for-genealogists Latin for Genealogists]


===Other Translation Resources  ===
===Other Translation Resources  ===
Translating Napoleonic style Polish records (typically in Polish before 1867 but also Russian Cyrillic between 1867 and WW I) can be daunting for the average person. A number of resources are available to help with this, both on line and in books.


*''In Their Words: A Genealogist's Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin and Russian Documents. Volumes I &amp; II'' by Jonathan D. Shea and William F. Hoffman. See [http://www.langline.com/Publications.htm LangLine] for ordering information. (Volume I is Polish -&gt; English; Volume II is Russian -&gt; English; both contain a lot more translation resources than just the church records.)
*''In Their Words: A Genealogist's Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin and Russian Documents. Volumes I &amp; II'' by Jonathan D. Shea and William F. Hoffman. See [http://www.langline.com/Publications.htm LangLine] for ordering information. (Volume I is Polish -&gt; English; Volume II is Russian -&gt; English; both contain a lot more translation resources than just the church records.)

Latest revision as of 13:32, 27 October 2024

Poland Wiki Topics
Koszecin
Beginning Research
Record Types
Poland Background
Local Research Resources


Definition

  • Civil registration is the vital records (records of births, marriages, and deaths) made by the government. Civil registration records (zapisy cywilne) are an excellent source for information on names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths.
  • Legally, civil records were to be kept by state officials. Because there were not enough state officials, the clergy were frequently appointed as civil registrars. The clergy were required to make civil copies of birth, marriage, and death records. These are known as "civil transcripts of church records" (see Poland Church Records).
  • Because the church was involved in early civil registration, it is difficult to clearly distinguish between civil registration and church records.

In 1795, the old Kingdom of Poland was conquered and divided among Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Civil registration coverage varied for each part of Poland controlled by Russia, Prussia, or Austria.

West Prussia (Westpreussen)Pomerania (Pommern)East Prussia (Oustpreussen)BrandenburgPosenGalicia (Austrian PolandSilesia (Schlesien)Russian PolandPoland 1815-1918.png

This article covers civil registration in the Russian-controlled part of Poland. For the other parts of Poland, see:

Time Coverage

Duchy of Warsaw:

  • In 1807, Napoleon created a new Polish state, fashioned out of territories previously seized by Prussia. In 1809 Napoleon’s forces won additional Polish territory from Austria, and the enlarged Polish state was called the Duchy of Warsaw.
  • Civil registration of births, marriages, deaths, and sometimes of marriage intentions was initiated according to the Code of Napoleon in the territory of the Duchy of Warsaw on May 1st, 1808.
  • After the Russian government assumed control upon the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, the practice of maintaining civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths continued, even after Poland became an independent republic in 1918.
  • Civil registers in the Napoleonic format are found in all of Russian Poland, in Kraków and in parts of the Prussian province of Posen, which are all formerly part of the old Grand Duchy of Warsaw.
  • Catholic clergy were responsible for all civil registration from 1808 until 1825.
  • Beginning in 1826, Jews, Evangelical Lutherans, Protestants, Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, etc.) were allowed to maintain separate civil registers.
  • From 1826 on, civil records were once more church records in nature, but their form remained true to that of the Napoleonic Code.

Language of the Records

From the beginning in 1808, the civil registers were kept in the Polish language. As of April 1868, they were required to be kept in Russian. In 1918, they were again kept in Polish.

Information Recorded in Civil Registers

Both the Polish language and Russian language records followed the format established by the Napoleonic Code during the occupation beginning in 1808. They contained the following information:

Birth Records

Birth records state:

  • the place and date of the registration
  • the name and gender of the child
  • the date and time of the birth
  • the names, ages, residence, and occupations of the parents
  • the names, ages, residence, and occupations of the witnesses
  • date and place of the christening
  • names and ages of the godparents

Marriage Records

Marriage records state:

  • place, date, and time of registration of the marriage
  • place, date, and time of the marriage
  • names, ages, occupations, and residences of two witnesses
  • names, ages, occupations, residences, and marital status of the bride and groom
  • if married before, name and death date of the previous spouse
  • dates of the banns
  • fathers' names and permission, if needed

Death Records

  • the place and date of the registration
  • names, ages, and occupations of the two witnesses
  • name of deceased is given with varying amounts of information
    • age and occupation are almost always given
    • other information often given would be parents, birthplace, survivors
    • name of widow or widower

Indexes

The use of the Polish civil registers is further simplified by the indexes that usually accompany them. Indexes were prepared on a yearly basis. The birth, marriage, and death records were each indexed separately. The index is usually found immediately after the records indexed. In some cases the separate birth, marriage, and death indexes are grouped together at the end of the year’s records.

The indexes vary in quality. In some cases they are incomplete or missing entirely. Usually they are alphabetical by surname, but in some cases, they are alphabetized by first name or they may be chronological rather than alphabetical. Spellings in the indexes may differ from those in the actual entries. The indexes usually refer the reader to an entry number – sometimes to a page number. Researchers should realize that, although these indexes are a great help, one should not rely on them completely because some entries may be inaccurately indexed or not indexed at all.

Locating Civil Registration Records

Civil registration records are kept at the local civil registration office (Urzad Stanu Cywilnego) in each town or city. You must therefore determine the town where your ancestor lived before you can find the records. Your ancestor may have lived in a village that was part of the civil district of a nearby larger town. In large cities there may be many civil districts.

To find the town for the civil registration office:

  • Use mapa.szukacz to find the province, area, commune, and postal code of the town. Enter the town name in the "place" field in the right sidebar and click "Show". All information will appear at the bottom of the right sidebar.
  • If the town was in the area of Poland once controlled by Russia or Austria, look it up in Skorowidz Gazetteer Online to find the parishes of various religions. Here are the instructions. Use the second option, "Viewing anywhere via the Digital Library of Wielkopolska".

Online Indexes to Civil Registration Records

Jewish Record Indexes

Green check.png
The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.


If searching for a Jewish ancestor, select the database "Jewish Records Indexing - Poland" which is a good starting point. The database has approximately four million records and can be searched in several ways, such as entering a surname and a town name. Due to spelling errors, a "Sounds Like" search is usually more productive than an "is Exactly" search. The results are sorted by the location of the event and by the source of the data. "LDS" indicates that the records have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library. For these records, the database frequently contains the record number and film number, so the records can be found easily. "PSA" indicates that the records are available from a branch of the Polish State Archives.

Finding Aids

Poland finding aids have been created by a variety of state, church, society, and private organizations. Their goal is to inform what records exist and the repositories that hold them. Each finding aid has a different focus--a particular religion or geographical area or archive or collection. Be sure to search all that apply to your ancestors. Remember that churches often produced civil registration records. The church records might have been destroyed, but copies had been sent to the government and still exist. So we search for both church records and civil registration records.

Records at the FamilySearch Library

The FamilySearch Library has microfilmed the records of many towns in Poland. The specific holdings of the FamilySearch Library are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog. To find civil registration records in the FamilySearch Library, search in the Place section under:

POLAND - CIVIL REGISTRATION

POLAND, (COUNTY) - CIVIL REGISTRATION

POLAND, (COUNTY), (CITY) - CIVIL REGISTRATION

The library’s collection continues to grow. Do not give up if records are not available yet.

Writing for Records

Birth, marriage, divorce, and death records may be found by contacting local civil registration offices or archives in Poland. To protect the rights of privacy of living persons, most modern records have restrictions on their use and access. You may have to prove you relationship to the person in the record, and that they are deceased.

The present location of records depends on the age of the record book. Records more recent than 100 years are generally in local civil registration offices, and older ones are in state archives.

To find the address of the civil registration office:

Addresses and contact information for Polish Civil Registry Offices can be found here. Enter the name of the commune or filter by the województwo and powiat to see a list of all the civil registry offices in the area.


Another option is to do a google search:

1. Google: urzad stanu cywilnego
with the name of the commune.

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2. From the list of hits,
find the official page of the
URC (urzad stanu cywilnego).
Click on the link.

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3. Find the e-mail address.

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How to Write the Email

Write your request in Polish whenever possible. Information about how to write to local civil registration offices in Poland is given in Poland Letter Writing Guide.

Writing to Archives

  • Use PRADZIAD to see which archive might have copies of the civil registers or parish registers. Archive addresses are given by clicking on "More" under AKCJA.

Reading the Language of the Records

Word Lists

The language of the records depends on the controlling government. Most of Poland was part of Austria until 1918, and church records are in Latin. The parts of Poland which belonged to Prussia (Germany) used German until they were ceded back to Poland (after World War I or II). Records in parts of Poland controlled by Russia can be in either Russian or Polish.

Word-by-Word Reading Aids

How-to Guides

For areas of Poland that were once part of Russia:

Russian and Polish Transliteration Tools

Lessons

Other Translation Resources

  • In Their Words: A Genealogist's Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin and Russian Documents. Volumes I & II by Jonathan D. Shea and William F. Hoffman. See LangLine for ordering information. (Volume I is Polish -> English; Volume II is Russian -> English; both contain a lot more translation resources than just the church records.)
  • A Translation Guide to 19th Century Polish Language Civil Registration Documents by Judith R. Frazin.
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