About the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State

Purpose

The Polish Genealogical Society of New York State (PGSNYS) is dedicated to dissemination and sharing of information and assisting members research their Polish ancestors. The society also promotes research and publication of the history of Poles in New York State. Through public speaking engagements and civic functions, PGSNYS members educate others on Polish history and culture.

History

With Polish Family History in mind, the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State was founded in September of 1988 by Michael Drabik It was decided that there was a need and strong desire to continue to meet and promote the study of Polish Genealogy in the Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada areas and beyond.

Goals

  1. Unite Polish genealogical researchers.
  2. Provide a means for sharing knowledge and experiences in genealogical research.
  3. Sponsor meetings and workshops on historical and genealogical topics helpful to researchers of Polish ancestors.
  4. Provide speakers to educate others about Polish immigration to New York State and Polish culture

Membership

Each of the society meetings are open to the public. Applications are available at the meetings, can be requested by mail, or printed from our Online Application. New members receive an information package to help them get started. Members also recieve our society newletter "Searchers" three times a year and recieve tips and notices from other members via the PGSNYS group e-mailing list. Membership starts from the date membership application received. Make Check or Money Orders payable to PGSNYS in US funds to:

Membership Renewal or New Members

PGSNYS
c/o Chuck Pyrak
12 Grant Road
Snyder, New York 14226

Annual Dues:

Meetings

Society meeting are held on a monthly basis on the Second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria of Villa Maria College, Pine Ridge Road, Cheektowaga New York. Exception: In lieu of a July meeting, the society has its annual membership picnic in a local park.

Publications

The Searchers is published 3 time a year by the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State

Deadlines to submit articles:

Feb 15 for April issue
June 15 for August issue
September 15 for November issue

When submitting articles, send them using our: Contact Page

Contacting Us

Reason for Contact US Mail Internet Note
General Correspondence Attn: General Correspondence
PGSNYS
12645 Rt 78
East Aurora, New York 14052 		See Contact Page Due to the volume of mail received, all request that don't contain a self-addressed stamped envelope will go unanswered.
Searcher Article Submitions Attn: Searcher Editor
PGSNYS
12645 Rt 78
East Aurora, New York 14052		 See Contact Page When submitting files, send them in MS Word, MS Works or plain text formats.
Annual Membership Dues

PGSNYS
c/o Chuck Pyrak
12 Grant Road
Snyder, New York 14226

 cpyrak@adelphia.net Do not send cash
Membership Questions Attn: Membership Chairman
PGSNYS
12645 Rt 78
East Aurora, New York 14052		 See Contact Page You'll received a response within 72 hours
Web Page Comments/Suggestions   See Contact Page You'll received a response within 72 hours

Translation Services

Attention researchers, since the death of Michael Drabik we can no longer offer free translation services. We are a nonprofit organization and hesitate to recommend commercial vendors. We receive many emails in search of translations. Therefore we feel obligated to direct you to qualified provider. Mr. Golebiowski is a respected member of Buffalo area Polonia. Any monetary transaction is strictly between you and vendor. PGSNYS is not paid, nor party to these transactions.

Andy Golebiowski
Polish-English Translator
Official documents, letters, e-mails, etc.
Interpretation of conversations in-person or over the phone.
Reasonable rates. Fast, reliable service by email or regular mail.
Translation to/from other languages available as well.
Over 20 years experience.
Please contact Andy at: andyg81@hotmail.com

PGSNYS Library

Over the years, the society has acquired a sizable library of resource materials. Members attending meetings are encouraged to use these materials to further their research. We will gladly give you direction on sources in local and surrounding area archives. The society is always grateful for newly donated books and materials relating to Polish research. Our library is maintained at Villa Maria College and is open during regular monthly meetings till 10:00 PM.

Currently, we are in the process of moving much of our library to the Special Collections Section of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. There, our library will be able to be shared by all and be available whenever the library is open. Target move date is set for end of January 2000.

Research Services

Free queries in our Newsletter Searchers for Members, up to 6 names per query. Non Members please include US $3.00. Member and Non Member researchers wishing to submit surnames for this page by postal mail, are asked to send submissions in care of the "Searchers Committee". To submit listings for publication, send the surnames your researching and location if known along with your name, postal and E-Mail address directly to the editor. Please limit your query to under 100 words including address.

PGSNYS Web Site

In August of 1998 the PGSNYS established a web site at http://www.pgsnys.org. While a great deal of work has been done already, there is much more to come in the future. We will add databases and making Polish genealogical information within New York State available to the its members and the public. So stay tuned as content is forthcoming. To send comments or problems about this site goto our: Contact Page

Dziennik Dla Wszystkich Obituary Project

In Spring of 1999 the PGSNYS began to index Obituaries found in the "Dziennik Dla Wszystkich" (Everybody's Daily). This Polish-American newspaper was published in Buffalo, New York from 1911 to 1957 and contains many death notices of local Polish Immmigrants. They usualy contain the person's age and where they were born. We are very fortunate to have micro-filmed copies of the Dziennik found in a few of Western New York's libraries. With 8 volunteers, we've compiled 29,250 surnames. We've only skimmed the surface. Ed Kornowski is the Project Coordinator and may be contacted at ekornowski@aol.com For more information visit the Dziennik Project site at http://www.pgsnys.org/Dziennik/

2006 Officers

Position Name E-Mail Address
President David Newman  
Vice President Ted Smardz  
Recording Secretary Dan Domino  
Treasurer Chuck Pyrak  
Trustees Walter Kloc
Frank Martin  
Pat Neuland  
Ed Prabucki  
Frank Wilczak  
Seachers Editor: Grace Smokowski  

This page last updated on June 19, 2006
To send comments or problems about this site goto our: Contact Page
Send Membership Questions to Contact Page
Copyright © 2006 Polish Genealogical Society of New York State. All RightsReserved