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12/28/2022 5:09:00 PM No Comments

10 Tips to Research Your Ancestors in Poland

If you want to connect to your roots and learn more about your family who lived in Poland, look no further! Here are ten tips on researching and tracing your ancestors in Poland from a professional genealogist's perspective. This article will tell you the 10 most important things you need to know before starting your journey to learn more about your Polish ancestors. From finding records online to joining support groups and more, these tips will make your research more accessible and functional. Learn how to start uncovering your Polish roots today by reading on! Read on to learn how to start learning about your Polish roots immediately. 10 Tips to Research Your Ancestors in Poland 1) Research Polish records at the Family History Library If you're looking to research your ancestors in Poland, the Family History Library is a great resource. There are more than 2.5 million microfilms and microfiche in the library. You'll need to make a free account on the Family History Library's website to look at their records. After making an account, you can search for specific records or look through the library's records by type. At the Family History Library, some of the most well-known Polish records are: - Birth, marriage, and death records - Census records - Military Records - Passenger lists 2) Search for Polish records online If you're interested in researching your ancestors in Poland, there are a few different ways to go about it. One option is to search for records online. A few sites, like FamilySearch, Geneteka, and Metryki, have online Polish records. And each website has different records, so you should look at all three to see what you can find. To see the records on FamilySearch, you'll need to make a free account and log in. After you sign in, you can look through the different record collections or use the search function to narrow down your results. Another excellent site for searching Polish records online is Geneteka. FamilySearch makes you make an account before you can search, but Geneteka doesn't. Just type a name into the search box and look at the results. Metryki is a third way to look for Polish records on the Internet. This website has many different kinds of records, such as birth, marriage, and death records. Also, you can look through the records by type or use the search feature to look for specific people. So, if you want to learn more about your Polish ancestors, you can find online records at all three of these sites. You can learn a lot about your ancestors if you're willing to invest time and effort and use good old-fashioned detective skills. 3) Search for Polish records in archives If you have ancestors who lived in Poland, there are a few ways to find records about them. Here are some tips: First, try searching online databases. The Family History Library has a collection of Polish digital records, which can be searched for free on their website. Additionally, the Polish State Archives has an online database of digitised records. However, this database is only in Polish, so you may need to use Google Translate to navigate it. Going to the archives in person is another way to find records. There is a research center for the Family History Library in Warsaw, where you can look at many different kinds of records. Although you can also find other archives in Poland that may have records that can help you learn about your family history. 4) Consult with an expert genealogist If you want to learn more about your Polish ancestors, you should talk to a professional genealogist. Many resources are available to help you trace your family history, but an expert can guide you through the process and advise you where to look for records. There are a few things to keep in mind when you talk to a genealogist. First, ensure you know as much as possible about your ancestors, such as their full name, date and place of birth, and other important information. Second, be ready to pay for the genealogist's services. Some may offer free consultations, but most charge for their time and knowledge. Lastly, be patient. Finding out about your family history can take a long time and a lot of work. 5) Attend a workshop or webinar on Polish research If you're interested in researching your ancestors in Poland, one great way to get started is by attending a workshop or webinar. This can give you an overview of the resources available and how to access them. In Polish research, there are a lot of different workshops and webinars to choose from. You can search online or ask for suggestions at your local library to find the right one. Once you've found a few that seem promising, read the descriptions to see if they talk about the most exciting things. Some workshops and webinars are free, but you might have to pay for others. But either way, they can be a great way to learn more about Polish research and start your journey into family history. 6) Use social media to find living relatives in Poland If your family came from Poland, you could use social media to find living relatives. Try looking for family members on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and others. You could also look in online genealogy databases for information about living relatives. 7) Find out if you have any Descendents from Poland If you have ancestors who came from Poland, there are a few avenues you can take to research your family history. Here are some tips to get started: 1. Check out FamilySearch's Polish Genealogy Index. This index has more than 20 million records from Poland's Catholic, Lutheran, and Jewish churches. 2. Use online databases like Geneteka, Polska Genealogia, and Metryki Lite to look for birth, marriage, and death records and other genealogical information. 3. Check your local library or family history center for information. The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has many materials about Polish genealogical research. 4. Additionally, Make connections with other scientists! There are a lot of online forums and Facebook groups about Polish genealogy where you can ask questions and get help from people who have done this before. 8) Find books about Polish genealogy at the library or bookstore (or borrow them from your local library's online catalog!) If you're looking to research your Polish ancestry, there are a few places to look. The library or bookstore is a great place to start, as they likely have a few books on the subject. You can also borrow them from your local library's online catalog. The Polish Genealogical Society of America is another excellent place to look for information. Its website has a lot of helpful information. They also have memberships, which give you access to even more resources. If you still have family in Poland, they might be able to help you with your research. They might know about other resources you don't have, or they might be able to connect you with family members who can help. Last, don't forget about the Internet! There are a lot of websites you can use to help you with your research. Google is your friend here; be sure to use some Polish genealogy keywords (such as "Polish genealogy records" or "Polish family history"). 9) Attend conferences about Polish genealogy and family history (many are held worldwide! If you want to learn more about your Polish ancestors and family history, attending conferences about Polish genealogy and family history is a great way to do that. There are many conferences held all over the world that you can attend. 10) Polish Genealogical Society of America The Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGS-A) is the largest national group in the United States that studies Polish genealogy and family history. The Society was started in 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, and now has almost 3,000 members all over the country. The PGS-A holds an annual national conference where speakers discuss different parts of researching Polish genealogy and family history. The society also puts out a quarterly journal called The Polish Genealogical Journal. This journal has articles about different topics related to researching Polish family history. Also, The PGS-A runs a website where people can find a lot of information about their Polish ancestors. Additionally, the PGS-A is an excellent place to start if you want to discover more about your Polish ancestry. Whether you are just getting started with your research or are looking for ways to go deeper, the Society can give you the tools and information you need to be successful. Researching your ancestors in this country can be an enriching experience. 1) Find the earliest record of your ancestor in Poland. 2) Search for records of your ancestor in Polish archives and libraries. 3) Search for records of your ancestor in German archives and libraries. 4) Search for records of your ancestor in Hungarian archives and libraries. 5) Search for records of your ancestor in Lithuanian archives and libraries. 6) Search for records of your ancestor in Czech archives and libraries. 7) Search for records of your ancestor on the US Ellis Island website (if they emigrated to America). 8) Consider researching the Polish diaspora (if they emigrated from Poland). 9) Look into what they did in the Polish military or if they were born into a noble family. 10)Researching Polish ancestry can be rewarding.

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12/13/2022 8:15:00 PM No Comments

TOP TEN TIPS TO RESEARCH YOUR ANCESTORS FROM PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Humans have an innate desire to know their roots. The all-encompassing term used for the study of family, family histories, and the tracing of lineages is known as genealogy. Although genealogy has different meanings for different people, specific common triggers compel people to dig deeper and learn more about their ancestors. With the advent of DNA testing, it has become easier than ever to trace genetic material, resulting in more accurate genealogies and less guesswork involved. Although many people's recent family history and ancestry look static, it is when you go way back in the past that your true lineage reveals itself in full glory. The 19th and 20th centuries are the eras of mass exodus, migrations, and cultural intermingling, owing to the availability of transportation, revolutionary global events, wars, and more. However, it is noteworthy to mention that navigating the ancestry back to specific regions, such as Western Europe, is much easier than that of others, like Spain or Portugal. If you are keen on researching your ancestry from Portugal and Spain, some tips and tricks might help. WHY IS GENEALOGY IMPORTANT? Before diving into the tips and tricks for investigating your ancestry, let us look at what makes genealogy so crucial. To begin with, genealogy is essential for any individual or family because it provides a way to connect to the past while still building a future. Furthermore, it gives people a sense of where they come from while also creating a sense of pride. Some of the practical triggers why people search for their ancestors and opt for the services of professional genealogists are – • Validating Family Stories – Tracing family history helps individuals or groups determine if the stories about their ancestors are true. • Trace Medical Conditions – A pertinent reason genealogy has become so important in the 21st century is to assess the risk of getting certain medical conditions that run in the bloodline. • Historical Event – For some people, genealogy is a way better to grasp an ancestor's involvement in famous historical events. • Trace Family Inheritance - A practical reason to gauge the family tree is looking for genealogical proof of a family link for potential heirs. • Trace Land Ownership – Geneology also becomes important to settle questions of land ownership. • Find Birth Parents – Genealogical investigation also becomes crucial when an adopted child wants to determine their birth parents and find children given up for adoption. • Community History – Documenting a community's history requires delving into the families that founded, shaped, and influenced the community. • Religious Tenet – Lastly, some religious dictums mandate their followers know about their roots and ancestry. For instance, the Mormon Chruch or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints requires its preachers to know their lineage. Now that we know why genealogy is so relevant let us look at some tricks and tips that can help you find your ancestors from Portugal or Spain. TEN TIPS AND TRICKS TO TRACE ANCESTRY FROM PORTUGAL AND SPAIN 1. Begin at Home Look around; you might be sitting on a treasure trove of family history. The first step in any kind of genealogical research is to begin with what you know about yourself and then your immediate ancestors. Then, scour through your house, and ask your relatives for birth, death, marriage certificates, old photographs, immigration documents, and so forth. Interview and question every living relative that you can find. In addition, examine the family stories you had heard while growing up, as information passed down from one generation to another can give your research some direction. Finally, as you continue collecting information, ensure to organize them into documents or opt for a genealogy software package. 2. Move Backwards in Time The key to good genealogical research is to start with the most recent member of your family, which will be you and your family. Then, you can meticulously document each generation as you work in reverse chronological order, one ancestor at a time. Following this method can help you avoid jumping to conclusions about your ancestry or drawing hasty conclusions about your ancestors' backgrounds. For instance, you might have an unquenchable urge to be related to your favorite famous person, but you cannot start with that famous individual and work your way down the family tree. 3. Know Your History Understanding the local history of the regions where your ancestors resided is an excellent way to speed up your genealogical research. For example, common immigration and migration patterns may provide indications of your ancestor's country or origin. Likewise, knowing your local history can geography will help you determine where to look for records of your ancestors. For instance, if you are looking for an ancestor for Portugal, then it is imperative to know about the hometown because Portuguese demographic records are kept at the local level. Likewise, if you cannot find a record that names your ancestor's hometown in Portugal or Spain, look into their next closest relative that left the country and see if you can find any information about the birthplace. 4. Ask for Help Tracing family history is no easy feat. It would help if you did not hesitate to ask for help and assistance from family members and other professional genealogists. You can even take recourse to social media and use platforms such as Facebook to connect to distant relatives. You might be surprised to know that even the most distant relative might have a cue on your family history from Portugal or Spain. Lastly, consider hiring a professional if you have hit a dead end. 5. Study Social History Your Hispanic or Portuguese ancestor's birth and death dates are the time of the iceberg of your genealogical investigation. However, they may provide a wealth of contextual information. A birth and death date means you know your ancestor's life span, which offers an opportunity to understand their life and times. What dangers did your ancestors face? What socio-economic, religious, or political forces impacted their decisions to migrate? How did they live their lives compared to others? Answers to such questions can help you better connect with the generations before you. Some sources that might help understand social history include city directories, scholarly texts, county histories, well-researched fiction, newspapers, and likewise. 6. Investigate Your Ancestor's Networks Remember that your ancestor in Spain or Portuguese was part of a wider community, and researching their friends, neighbors, extended family members, and even co-workers can lead to information about your ancestor. 7. Understand the Available Records After you have gathered information about your ancestor's name, birth and death, place of birth, community history, and extended network, it is time to determine what record sets are available to meet your research goals. Some resources, which may seem somewhat frivolous, can lead you to a Pandora's Box of information. Some of the common record types you may encounter in your Hispanic/Spanish genealogical searches are – • Parish Registers • Civil Registers • Censuses • Ensenada Census • Marriage Petitions • Cemetery Records • Inquisition Records • Immigration Records Likewise, some of the common record types you may encounter in your Portuguese genealogical searches are – • Parish Registers • Civil Registration Records • Online repositories in Portugal, such as tombo.pt, Azores GenWeb, and more 8. Examine the Sources Not all resources are created equal. When and how the record was created can dramatically affect its dependability. The thumb rule is that the records created by people closer to an event (both in time and relationship) are more reliable than those that were not. For instance, death certificates or tombstones were created shortly after a person's demise and required a witness. Thus, both of these are very reliable sources. 9. Watch for Data Errors and Impossibilities As you work, ensure that the data you find makes sense. Simple analogies, such as whether parents were born before their children, or were the mothers alive when their children were born, can help determine the legitimacy of the information. Highlight any data that may seem uncanny or does not align with your overall investigation. Lastly, use your knowledge of social history to understand if your ancestor's actions made sense, given his age and the time period and place he lived in. 10. Use Citations for all your Facts Lastly, when you embark on your genealogical quest, remember that citations are your friends. For instance, it is common to see people being so engrossed in finding out new information that they do not cite their work properly. Later, when they go back to check some work, it is difficult to remember where they got the information from. Make sure that source citations contain the information given below – • Type of record • Place • Date of event • Name/s of individual/s • Reference • Where the record was accessed • Date the record was accessed WRAPPING IT UP Thanks to technology, advancement in DNA sciences, and the presence of qualified and professional genealogists, searching for an ancestor from Spain or Portugal has become easy. In addition, by following the aforementioned tricks and tips, your search to find an ancestor will become easier.

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10/13/2022 10:50:00 AM No Comments

Interesting Facts about Genealogical Services

Genealogy is a field of study that enables a person to learn about his family history. It is done by professional genealogists and plays a crucial role in helping families unite. If you are someone who is looking to get some vital information regarding your ancestors and the various records, they appear in then taking the assistance of genealogical services is the way to go. Genealogy is of great importance and is not widely known by everyone. It is mostly used for private purposes for clients who want to get insights into their family history.So, if you are among those who are eager to know what are the interesting facts of genealogical research services then the below mentioned information is for you. This blog discusses a few facts about genealogical services and how they play a pivotal role in saving both your time and money. Without further ado let's get started.● Thorough Research of Vital RecordsGenealogists take a look at all the vital records to go about their research in the best manner. These vital documents include all the necessary events of your ancestors like birth, marriage, and death. Civil registration enables the state governments to document these important events systematically.● Ensure the Correctness of Original DocumentsOriginal documents containing information about a person's life can contain errors. However, by hiring a professional genealogist, you don't have to worry about this aspect. The genealogist will make sure any mistakes like misspelled names, miscounted children or siblings, or mistaken birth dates found in the original documents are corrected. Finding these errors on time can streamline the whole research process.● Affluent Ancestors Ease off the Research ProcessFor genealogists, researching ancestors who come from a rich background is quite easy. The available paper trails can prove helpful for conducting the research. While researching richer ancestors you will tend to get more paper trails and records. Having this information can significantly help a genealogist in getting the required results and gaining success.● Distinct Names Help GenealogistsGenealogists can also be your private investigator as per the project requirements. It is an extensive process and requires significant time and effort. However, the entire process can be made easy if the person they are searching for has a distinct or unique first or surname. This is due to the fact that common names have quite a few subjects. A person who the genealogists are looking for has a unique name will fasten the process and reduce their workload. Also, the possibility of having success will increase manifolds.● Genealogists Unveil Family SecretsGenealogy research is helpful in knowing about certain family secrets that might have otherwise always stayed hidden. This fascinating fact has made genealogy research quite popular. In some cases, the client will not specifically ask to unravel any family secrets, however, a genealogist does his job and shares all his findings openly. It finally comes down to the person as to how much information he wants to know about his family. In certain cases, a person wouldn't want to reveal a little too much about his family.● Genealogists Benefit from Family BiblesThere are a number of resources that a genealogist uses for providing the desired results. One of the useful resources that they utilize is the family bible. It includes a few records like births and deaths, marriages, reunions, along with some other things. Also, a family photo album, church records, land deeds, scrapbook, and yearly census prove as a helpful resource. With all these things, genealogists are able to ease off their research process and solve challenges they come across. For getting the final results, a genealogist needs to constantly research facts. Certain things that might appear simple often end up being useful for genealogists.Get Professional Genealogy Services with Khuda Genealogical ServicesKhuda Genealogical Services is a recognized and well-known name that provides best in class genealogical services to clients situated globally. The skilled team of professional genealogists we possess are passionate about the field of genealogy and always strive to deliver their best. They will person all the needed steps and procedures to help you find your story and provide the best results. Our team which comprises professional researchers and correspondents is spread over the world and ensures preeminent genealogical services. We look forward to serving you and always work towards making sure our valued clients are satisfied and happy with our top-notch genealogical services. You can enjoy the benefits of our services by spending much out of your pocket as they are available at an affordable price. Contact our team today and we will provide you with an insight into our genealogical services. You will definitely have the best experience with us and only look forward to us whenever you need professional genealogical services.

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1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM No Comments

Tips to Research Your Ancestors in Greece

1) Collect all available data in your home country –ship manifest, birth, marriage, death certificates, naturalisation and probate files. You need to know an exact location of your ancestor in Greece to start onsite research, as well his original last name without a name change.
2) Find your Ancestral location on the map to check which parish can keep church books for your town. You may contact the priest to see if he is willing to help with your research in Greece. Beware that Greek people are not very familiar with Greek genealogy or researching ancestors in Greece, so they might be suspicious about your intentions to ask information about people (even if they are your relatives).
3) Try to find your location in GAK/GAS or Greek State Archives and check which information is preserved for your ancestral location in Greece. What genealogical documents can be found in Greece? It can be dowry (marriage contracts), sale/property documents, lists of voters, school lists (separately for girls and for boys), army documents, etc. You have to search in handwritten Greek documents, so language proficiency and be attentive to the details is mandatory.
4) Contact your Town Hall in Greece (according to the Municipality) – there you can find Dimotologion (Family Structure Documents), Male Register (Mitroon Arrenon) and Death Certificates or Certificate of Family Structure. Please keep in mind that Greek clerks can be very busy, so be patient.
5) Visit the cemetery in your ancestral location – there you will be able to find family graves with details about birth, marriage and death. As well interview elderly from the same village in Greece to find out family stories or family lores. If you have questions or need help with researching your ancestors in Greece – please don’t hesitate to send us an email.

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