Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan

The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan ...

Benefits
What are the benefits for becoming a member of the society?


 * Networking with other researchers at meetings and the Annual Seminar. As a member, important news regarding genealogical research in Michigan and Poland is shared electronically.

What are the benefits the society has to offer for those who are not members?


 * Members have access to secure downloads and may add their surnames and villages to the website. Non members have use of the PGSM database on its website which contains pertinent information to Polish research. We welcome everyone at monthly meetings and the Annual Seminar.

History of the society

 * The Society was founded in June, 1978 in Hamtramck, Michigan. Its first workshop was held in the Explorer Room of the Detroit Public Library a few months later. Eventually the newsletter turned into the Society's journal, first called The Eaglet and later renamed the Polish Eaglet.
 * In 2008, PGSM celebrated its 30th anniversary with a dinner at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy Michigan.
 * In 2013, PGSM celebrates its 35th anniversary with a research seminar and dinner at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy Michigan.
 * The Society has two awards as a means of thanking those who contribute to the genealogical community. The Reymont Award is given to members who have demonstrated a committment to preserving Polish genealogy and its history. The Dziękuję Award is given to members or non-members for their efforts in developing projects related to Polish research and history.


 * The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan is a member society of the United Polish Genealogical Societies which meets biennially in Salt Lake City.The next conference will be held from May 2-5, 2014.
 * The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan has delegates to the MIchigan Genealogical Council and the Federated Genealogical Society.
 * Mission of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan: To promote and encourage research in Polish genealogy, as well as the preservation of historical materials which aid in the documentation of family histories. PGSM is dedicated to educating its members and the public about Polish genealogy, genealogical research methods and techniques as well as the Polish culture.

Society Officers
Executive Board


 * William James Krul, President
 * Valerie S. Koselka, Vice President
 * Jill O'Sullivan, Treasurer
 * Patricia Hallman, Recording Secretary
 * Thom Bartold, Corresponding Secretary

 Directors at Large 


 * Roger S. Laske, Director
 * Kenneth Merique, Director
 * James J. Tye, Director
 * Jan S. Zaleski, Director
 * Richard Zaremba, Director
 * J. William Gorski, Director

Current Projects

 * Sacred Heart of St. Mary Cemetery (Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan) Transcriptions

Website and Facebook

 * https://www.facebook.com/groups/84920869072/
 * http://www.pinterest.com/pin/79938962109371565/
 * http://www.pgsm.org

Journal/Publications

 * The Polish Eaglet (published 3x/year, Spring, Summer, Fall editions)
 * Back issues, also available on a DVD, may be purchased from the Society: http://www.pgsm.org/sales.htm

Newsletters

 * Our News From the Nest, with updated Information on Society Projects, Events and Members, is normally published at times between the publication of our journal, Polish Eaglet, and sent to members electronically (as an attachment to e-mail). For those without the benefit of e-mail or access to the website, it is sent by postal carrier.

Collections

 * Record collections or papers to which your society has access
 * How these records can help researchers (May link to a Wiki article connected with the location)
 * Where the record is located (online, on site, at nearby repositories)
 * How to access it from a distance (order information, if any)
 * Indexes for records about this area
 * Where the index is located (online, book, or on site)
 * Look ups, and copying records from local repositories, if any (here or in Q &amp; A below)
 * Directions on how your society does this, and sends the information back to the patron

Events

 * (also include society trips to areas of interest here, in workshops, or in training below)
 * Federated Genealogical Societies conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, 2013
 * Archives of Michigan, Lansing Michigan, Saturday, September 21, 2013. Tour of the Archives of Michigan and research trip.

Society Meetings

 * www.pgsm.org/meetingschedule_1.htm

Workshops

 * Annual Seminar during Polish History Month.
 * Celebrating our 35th year.
 * Saturday, October 19, 2013.
 * Registration begin at 8:30 a.m.
 * Continental breakfast and full dinner included.
 * American Polish Cultural Center, Troy, Michigan.
 * Keynote speaker is Ceil Wendt Jensen CG and Kris Rzepczynski, Senior Archivist, Michigan Archives.
 * Details are on the PGSM website: http://www.pgsm.org/seminarfeatured.htm

Board Meetings

 * Board meetings are held the morning of a regular monthly meeting.

Training Meetings

 * Meetings and Research Programs are generally held the 3rd Saturday of March, April, May, June, September, October &amp; November at locations throughout southeast Michigan. Member and guest speakers are featured. Check the website for details. The Annual Fall Seminar is a full day of lectures by experienced and noted Polish genealogical researchers, as well as a time for networking with others.

Frequently Asked Questions
How does a person become a member?

There are four levels of membership levels with PGSM: Regular/Household ($25), Patron ($50), Supporting ($100) and Lifetime ($300). Membership is based on the receipt of three Polish Eaglets per year, except for Lifetime membership. An application form is available on the society website: http://www.pgsm.org

Do members help with genealogical research and lookups?

Some members offer small, free lookups for those needing assistance with their research. Some also assist at some local LDS Family History Centers in the Detroit Metropolitan area where help is available.

'''How can I attend meetings? Where are they held?'''

The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan meets in various locations, usually libraries, around the Detroit metro area on the third Saturday of each month except December, January, February, July and August, unless otherwise noted on the website. The general membership meetings are held from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Our website http://www.pgsm.org lists the meeting locations and specifics about each meeting. Meetings are open to the public.

Nearby or Alternate Repositories


The Burton Historical Collection contains microfilms of Detroit area churches, census and immigration records, biographies, city directories death indexes and much more for anyone researching in Detroit.

http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/featuredcollection/burton-historical-collection

The Bentley Historical Library contains valuable resources for Michigan researchers as well.

http://bentley.umich.edu/

Archives of Michigan: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-54463_19313-54043--,00.html