The Polish Genealogical Society of New York State is pleased to announce our 2027 lineup. From DNA strategies to peasant life in rural Poland, and from Buffalo’s Polish American history to the Arolsen Archives, we have a full year of learning planned for researchers at every level.
Our monthly meetings feature presentations on Polish genealogical research, local history, and related topics. In-person attendance is free and open to the public. Zoom attendance is available to members.
Where: Erie 1 BOCES, Building B, 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY (unless otherwise noted). The room changes monthly, so check the monitor inside the entrance when you arrive.
When: Second Thursday of the month, 7:00-9:00 pm (in person and on Zoom)
2027 Schedule
January 14: “Moonshine & Coal Mines: Unraveling Stories & Secrets to Reconstruct a Family Through Oral History, Documents, and DNA,” by Lisa Vogele, professional genealogist and Certified Travel Associate.
A case study of a 19th-century Polish immigrant family, with Pennsylvania coal miners, hidden siblings, and an illicit still in the woods. Learn how to navigate surname variations, reconstruct migration timelines, and turn “stories” into history.
February 11: Research Night
Research Night is back! Members send in their brick wall questions ahead of time, and our panel of experienced member researchers walks through the resources and strategies they used to tackle each one. Email your question to information@pgsnys.org.
March 11: “Polish Forced Laborers: Arolsen Archives Research” (provisional title) by Tom Sadauskas, genealogist specializing in Eastern European research.
Tom was among the first genealogists to research at the Arolsen Archives after it opened to the public in 2008. The archives hold records on 17.5 million people, including forced laborers.
April 8: “Everyday Life and Peasant Occupations in Rural Poland of the 19th and Early 20th Century,” by Justyna Orlikowska, anthropologist and cultural heritage researcher.
What was it like to live as a peasant in a Polish village? Explore daily village life in different regions, how Poland’s history shaped small communities, and the occupations and crafts that most influenced how they functioned.
May 13: “Historic & Influential Polish Americans from Buffalo & WNY,” by Rick Falkowski, Buffalo & WNY historian and author.
A look at the Polish American men and women who helped shape Buffalo and WNY, and their accomplishments in politics, business, religion, education, the arts, and community life.
June 10: “DNA for the Overwhelmed: Easy First Steps for Working with Shared Matches,” by Rob Weir, genealogical researcher, educator, and author.
Got your DNA results and a list of hundreds of “relatives”? Learn a simple technique for finding, organizing, and interpreting shared matches that works with all the major testing services.
July: No regular meeting
We hope to see you at the Cheektowaga Polish American Arts Festival, July 30, July 31 & August 1.
August 12: Research Night
Research Night returns! Members, email your brick wall question in advance to information@pgsnys.org. Our panel will walk through the resources and strategies they used to tackle each one.
September 9: “Using Polish Newspapers for Genealogy,” by Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz, genealogist and PGSNYS President.
Polish-language newspapers can reveal details about our ancestors that may never have appeared in the English-language press. Learn where to find them online and how to search them, even if you don’t read Polish.
October 14: “The Polish Singing Societies of Western New York,” by Greg Witul, Western New York historian and author.
From the Moniuszko Singing Society to the Polskie Koło Śpiewackie, Chopins, Kalinas, and Echo Society, Western New York’s Polish singers entertained the masses and kept Polish history and culture alive.
November 11: “Galicia: The Land of Polish-Jewish Connections” (provisional title) by Dr. Andrew Zalewski, Historical Research Advisor, Gesher Galicia.
Using historical events and archival records, this talk illustrates how the lives of Poles and Jews in Galicia were intertwined.
December 9: No regular meeting
Join us for the PGSNYS Christmas Party for members and their guests.
Want Zoom access? Zoom attendance is a member benefit. Join us to receive the link and to be notified of additional member-only Zoom events, which PGSNYS occasionally hosts outside the regular schedule.
Meeting dates are firm. Speakers and titles are subject to change.