Silesia (Schlesien), German Empire Civil Registration

In Schlesien Civil Registration was generally started by the year 1874. Many of these records are microfilmed for the earlier years of Civil Registration. Rights of Privacy Laws in Poland are very strict and therefore even if writing to a civil registration office for a document, they may request proof of relationship to the person for whom you are requesting a document.

There is a fee for service through the mail, and it is sometimes collected through the Polish embassy located closest to you. Civil Registration records may be more informative than church records covering the same time period because specific information is required on pre-printed forms.