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=== History === | |||
History | |||
Although the United States did not enter WWI until April 6, 1917, in 1915 the Polish Falcons, headquartered in Philadelphia began recruiting Poles willing to serve in what might result at last in the freeing of their Polish Fatherland. These recruits were sent to Toronto where they were to be trained and would be considered part of the Canadian Army. | Although the United States did not enter WWI until April 6, 1917, in 1915 the Polish Falcons, headquartered in Philadelphia began recruiting Poles willing to serve in what might result at last in the freeing of their Polish Fatherland. These recruits were sent to Toronto where they were to be trained and would be considered part of the Canadian Army. | ||
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The following ship manifests provide listings of returning Haller's Army soldiers to the US in the 1920s.<br> SS Antigone (from Danzig - April 18, 1920) <br> SS Latvia (August 17, 1922) <br> SS Pochontas (from Danzig - June 16, 1920) <br> SS Princess Matokia (from Danzig - May 23, 1920) | The following ship manifests provide listings of returning Haller's Army soldiers to the US in the 1920s.<br> SS Antigone (from Danzig - April 18, 1920) <br> SS Latvia (August 17, 1922) <br> SS Pochontas (from Danzig - June 16, 1920) <br> SS Princess Matokia (from Danzig - May 23, 1920) | ||
=== PGSA, PMA and the Haller’s Army Records === | |||
According to Jan Lorys, Curator of the Polish Museum of America (PMA), it is possible that the Haller’s Army records have been in PMA’s possession since the 1920s or 30s. Since the records covered 65,000 recruits and that originally there were 3 forms generated for each individual, it is estimated that the collection represents between 130,000 and 160,000 documents. | |||
Until sometime around 1990, the records were kept in miscellaneous boxes stored in a narrow space behind the east wall of the PMA library along with a furnace unit. Edward Peckwas, who was the President of the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA) at the time, became aware of this historical and genealogical treasure and offered the Curator the services of PGSA to sort, organize and index the collection. The project, handled by the Society’s volunteers, took 3 years to complete. | Until sometime around 1990, the records were kept in miscellaneous boxes stored in a narrow space behind the east wall of the PMA library along with a furnace unit. Edward Peckwas, who was the President of the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA) at the time, became aware of this historical and genealogical treasure and offered the Curator the services of PGSA to sort, organize and index the collection. The project, handled by the Society’s volunteers, took 3 years to complete. | ||
Records for those individuals that included a complete set of 3 forms <br>(A, B, C) were sorted alphabetically and each form was stamped with the same number so it could be identified as belonging to the same individual. This ABC form grouping was designated as L. A significant number of loose forms, A—Intent to Volunteer and C—Final Commitment Paper remained. These were also sorted and organized. | |||
In order to identify which individuals had recruitment files, an index was needed. It was produced in electronic format to facilitate sorting of the L group, which also includes a city location for further identification in the case of duplicate names. The index for the loose A and C forms included a volume number to identify the small, unbound journal-type books where these were filed. | In order to identify which individuals had recruitment files, an index was needed. It was produced in electronic format to facilitate sorting of the L group, which also includes a city location for further identification in the case of duplicate names. The index for the loose A and C forms included a volume number to identify the small, unbound journal-type books where these were filed. | ||
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For a number of years now, the Haller’s index has been available on the PGSA website. The index enables individuals to determine the existence of a file and then visit the library and request a copy or order one by mail. Even though the forms are relatively simple, a translation guide is also available on the PGSA website by searching “Haller’s Army translations”. PGSA welcomes you to visit the website and look for family members who may have been a part of Haller’s Army. | For a number of years now, the Haller’s index has been available on the PGSA website. The index enables individuals to determine the existence of a file and then visit the library and request a copy or order one by mail. Even though the forms are relatively simple, a translation guide is also available on the PGSA website by searching “Haller’s Army translations”. PGSA welcomes you to visit the website and look for family members who may have been a part of Haller’s Army. | ||
The Family History Library has filmed this collection and it is now available [https://www.familysearch.org/s/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog.familysearch.org%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F761933&hash=HloWXpZgU9zB10k5M56iYku8TUc%253D at this link] | The Family History Library has filmed this collection and it is now available [https://www.familysearch.org/s/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog.familysearch.org%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F761933&hash=HloWXpZgU9zB10k5M56iYku8TUc%253D at this link] | ||
For more information regarding Haller's Army please see this site: [http://www.pgsa.org/haller.php Haller's Army] | For more information regarding Haller's Army please see this site: [http://www.pgsa.org/haller.php Haller's Army] | ||
[[Category:Poland]] | [[Category:Poland]] | ||