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== Introduction == | == 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 == | ||
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 == | == 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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Towns in Poland are listed alphabetically. The post office is given in the fifth column, under the heading "Poczta." However, many of the post offices localities have been changed since this book was published. | Towns in Poland are listed alphabetically. The post office is given in the fifth column, under the heading "Poczta." However, many of the post offices localities have been changed since this book was published. | ||
=== | === Payments === | ||
'''Writing to a Parish.''' | '''Writing to a Parish.''' When writing to a parish, it is a good idea to send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00 as a courtesy. Do not send a personal check, which is difficult and expensive to exchange in Europe. Cash is better since it is most easily converted to European currency, but be aware of the risks in sending it. | ||
'''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 | '''Writing to Government Organizations.''' When writing to the 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. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
You can also use numbers to specify | You can also use numbers to specify months, eg. 04 - for April (07.04.1890). | ||
=== Greetings === | === Greetings === | ||
Depending on whom your letter is addressed to, you will choose one of the following greetings. This will also affect some of your later sentences. The following sentences were written in the format of the first greeting. When addressing a priest or pastor, use the appropriate word indicated in parentheses. | Depending on whom your letter is addressed to, you will choose one of the following greetings. This will also affect some of your later sentences. The following sentences were written in the format of the first greeting. When addressing a priest or pastor, use the appropriate word indicated in parentheses. | ||
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| Polish | | Polish | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1. Dear | | 1. Dear Sirs (Civil Gov) | ||
| 1. | | 1.Szanowni Państwo, | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2. Dear priest <br>(Catholic or Orthodox) | | 2. Dear priest <br>(Catholic or Orthodox) | ||
| 2. Drogi Księże | | 2. Drogi Księże, | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 3. Dear Pastor <br>(Protestant) | | 3. Dear Pastor <br>(Protestant) | ||
| 3. Drogi Pastorze, | | 3. Drogi Pastorze, | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Introductions === | === Introductions === | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 4. I live in the United States, but my ancestry is from Poland, and I would like to know more about my Polish ancestors. <br><br><br> | | 4. I live in the United States, but my ancestry is from Poland, and I would like to know more about my Polish ancestors. <br><br><br> | ||
| 4. Mieszkam w Stanach Zjednoczonych, ale <br>moi przodkowie są polskiego pochodzenia. Chciałbym (chiciałabym, | | 4. Mieszkam w Stanach Zjednoczonych, ale <br>moi przodkowie są polskiego pochodzenia. Chciałbym (chiciałabym, if you are a female) dowiedzieć się więcej o moich polskich przodkach. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 5. I am preparing a history of my ancestors in Poland and need information from your vital records. | | 5. I am preparing a history of my ancestors in Poland and need information from your vital records. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Biographical Information === | === Biographical Information === | ||
Give as much pertinent information as possible. Use only those items below for which you can give accurate information that is relevant to your request. Do not give information about events that occurred after the ancestor left Poland. | Give as much pertinent information as possible. Use only those items below for which you can give accurate information that is relevant to your request. Do not give information about events that occurred after the ancestor left Poland. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Genealogical Requests === | === Genealogical Requests === | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Referral Requests === | === Referral Requests === | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Payment === | === Payment === | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Closing Remarks and Return Address === | === Closing Remarks and Return Address === | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Follow-up === | === Follow-up === | ||
Use these sentences in follow-up letters as needed. | Use these sentences in follow-up letters as needed. | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||