Article: "Remote" research in Polish State Archive

[Zenon]

[Shellie]

Hi James,
I am curious about your experience with the Polish State Archives. What was that experience like? When you emailed your request to the archive, did they respond for free, or did they ask you to send money to cover the research fees? If so, how did you get the money to them from the US?

James, you have probably already done this, but I'll mention it for others who might read this:
Since I also live here in the United States, the first place that I look for church records is the LDS family history center.
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp

I use a KEYWORD search, not a place search. I have had better luck finding place information using the KEYWORD search.
The first time that I ordered films, I was a little intimidated by the whole process, but it turned out to be quite easy.

Once I determined that there were some church records for my village at the LDS Family History Library, I printed out the film notes with the details and film numbers. I then searched for my nearest LDS Family history center: http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp

I called my nearest center and spoke the volunteer who instructed me to come in and order my films in person. The fee was about 6 dollars per film. After a few weeks, the films go back, unless you renew them for the same price. After you pay to renew them 2 times, the films become "indefinate" and stay at your local center.

Within a few weeks, the films arrived at the center and I was allowed to view them for free on their microfilm viewer.
My church records were in Latin with some notes in Polish. However, it didn't take long to figure out the basic information. The dates are quite clear and the last names are not hard to find. I also met several nice people there who helped me and shared some valuable hints.

By the way, you do not have to be Morman to visit the LDS Family History Center. Their collection has more than just church records on microfilm.

[James]

Shellie,

Research at the Polish State Archives ( Archiwum ) has become relatively easier now , then it was 5 - 10 years ago.
The internet has provided a faster means of communicating with the Polish archives. I believe that every state archive has its own web site and email address. In the past, you never knew if your letter made it to the archive, until you received a reply back from them, which could be several months later.
The usual process then was that the archive could perform a search , once you deposited the fee into a Polish bank account, which they provided to you. (I had a friend in Poland who helped me with the deposits ) If the archive found info, it would cost you a certain amount to have copies made and sent to you. The initial search fee was about $ 25.00 US , and the copies varied, but usually only a few dollars each.
With the internet access today, everything is much faster.
You email an archive with your request, and all the info you have, and you will receive an email reply, as to weather they have any info or not, and what it will cost. The time frame for their reply varies greatly. I've heard back in less than 5 days, and as long as 1 month, but it is a lot better today than it used to be.

You can find most of this information , here in Polish Origins, about all of the state archive web sites and email address'.
When I'm writing to an archive, this is my resource for address'.

James

[James]

Shellie,

If you go to the " Menu " on the left hand side of the main page, here on Polish Origins, and place the cursor over " Tips and Resources " , 3 options appear.
Clik on " Polish State Archives" .
On the new page , clik on " Remote Research in Polish State Archives - Practical Hints ", that will bring up a letter all about research via mail, with some examples of letters received from the Polish State Archives.
At the bottom of the page clik on " Useful links, including Polish State Archives " , this will give you a list of all state archives and their address'.
I hope this helps.

James