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→Before You Write
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Before you write to Poland for family history records, you should do following things: | Before you write to Poland for family history records, you should do following things: | ||
*'''Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, was married, lived, or died. <br>'''Because most genealogical sources were recorded locally, you will need to know the specific locality where your ancestor was born, married, lived or died. See [[Poland | *'''Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, was married, lived, or died. <br>'''Because most genealogical sources were recorded locally, you will need to know the specific locality where your ancestor was born, married, lived or died. See [[Poland Locating Town of Origin|'''Poland Locating Town of Origin''']] for help searching sources that can help you learn that information. | ||
*'''Determine your ancestor's religion.<br>'''Because most early records were kept by churches or synagogues rather than civil registration offices, you may need to write to the church your ancestor attended in his or her hometown. If you are not sure what your ancestor's religion was in Poland, determine what religion he or she practiced after immigrating. People usually did not change religions when they moved from Europe to their new home. Remember that main religion in Poland was and still is Roman Catholic. There were also following minority religions: Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Protestant (Lutheran) and Jewish. | *'''Determine your ancestor's religion.<br>'''Because most early records were kept by churches or synagogues rather than civil registration offices, you may need to write to the church your ancestor attended in his or her hometown. If you are not sure what your ancestor's religion was in Poland, determine what religion he or she practiced after immigrating. People usually did not change religions when they moved from Europe to their new home. Remember that main religion in Poland was and still is Roman Catholic. There were also following minority religions: Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Protestant (Lutheran) and Jewish. | ||
*'''Determine which parish or registration office served your ancestors' town or village.'''<br>When you have a locality name, use a [[Poland Gazetteers|'''gazetteer''']] to determine which parish or civil jurisdiction served your ancestor's locality. | *'''Determine which parish or registration office served your ancestors' town or village.'''<br>When you have a locality name, use a [[Poland Gazetteers|'''gazetteer''']] to determine which parish or civil jurisdiction served your ancestor's locality. | ||