Iwona's Sources - Traveling to Poland
A trip to visit the land of one’s ancestors can be a memorable and unforgettable event. Besides collecting useful genealogical information, it will offer the visitor a chance to discover the heart and soul of the country and its people.
Poland has changed a great deal since the communist regime collapsed in 1989, and now is very much like other Western European countries. Poles are very friendly toward North Americans and Poland has become very attractive to the world tourist. Millions of foreign tourists visit Poland each year.
Typically, organized tours will not take you to your ancestral village. It is advantageous to hire a local professional guide and take a few days from your tour to visit the areas where your ancestors once lived. If you don’t speak Polish, a local guide is most helpful since most residents in the small villages do not speak English. The general information that follows below was acquired from guiding genealogical tours.
General Information
Exploring ancestral sites – the basic locations are the state & diocesan archives, local parishes, local registry offices and cemeteries. It is beneficial to also visit regional history and ethnographic museums. Interviewing local historians and senior residents may help in locating ancestral property. Interestingly, there are still some places in Galicia where the same house numbers have been used over the centuries.
Churches are easy to find in the countryside because their steeples are usually the tallest structures in the village. Most have two sets of doors that are open for services. At other times, only the outer doors are open which allows one to see but not enter the church. Permission should be asked before taking pictures. When visiting a church, it is customary to have shoulders covered and wear a skirt or trousers.
The rectory is usually next to the church. Priests for the most part are nice and will help with the research if not busy.Priests do not always ±allow free access to the records. It is important to be aware that most young priests cannot read old records written in Russian or German Gothic. A generous donation always helps.
Most archives are open from 8 or 9 am to 2 or 3 pm. However, the larger branches may stay open until 6 or 7 pm. When visiting the archive you will have to fill out a registration form. Your passport number will be required. You do not have to show your passport, just provide them with the number. Also, it is not necessary to prove your relationship. Your written declaration will suffice. Books must be ordered and will be delivered to the researcher. This can take a few minutes to a few hours. Difficulties in language communications can occur in the smaller regional branches if you do not speak the language.
Diocesan archives are typically open between 9 am to 2 pm ; some branches shorter time , some longer. Note that Krakow diocesan archives will be closed in June 2008 for at least one year due to reconstruction.
Register offices are open betweeen 8 am to 3 pm . Most records are less then 100 yrs old. Registers in the area of former Galicia can have older records.
Official Information – Banks and government buildings are open Monday through Friday usually from 9 am to 6 pm. Shops are open every day until about 6 or 7 pm. Grocery stores stay open later in evenings while malls are open from 10 am to 9 pm.
Changing money is easy and safe. There are "Kantor – Exchange" offices in almost every town and many in tourist areas. Unless necessary, try to avoid exchanging money in airports, hotels or banks because of lower rates and/or fees.
Traveler checks - are safe and easy to carry - but you can spend 1-2 hours in banks to cash them . Check on bank fees and rates of exchange. It s easier to use ATMs.
Polish Roads - Poland has only a few super 4-lane highways. Most roads are 2 lane and many of these are under constructions and heavily traveled by trucks. Frequently, local residents will sell their products along these roads. Sometimes a trip using the smaller country lanes makes for a more interesting trip, however here you have to contend with the cows, bikers and tractors.
Gas stations are everywhere but gas is expensive – $2.30 per liter.. The larger stations have bars, shops and clean restrooms. Polish restrooms are marked "Dla Pan" for ladies and "Dla Panow" for men, by circles for ladies and triangles for men or simply "WC" (water closet).
Public transportation in Poland is good and most locations can be reached by train or bus at reasonable prices. English information is available only in city stations. Traveling by public transportation can be adventurous and is advised only for the experienced traveler.
Dining and meals are a little different in Poland. Breakfast usually includes bread, ham, cheese, eggs, tea and/or coffee. The main meal is mid-day, and supper is light. There is no customary lunch as we know it, although many of the new generation of commercial companies are starting to offer breaks for lunch and dinner. During the last two decades, many ethnic and fast food restaurants have arrived on the Polish scene, sometimes making it hard to find traditional Polish food.
Famous "pierogi" are everywhere, but taste and quality vary depending upon location and, of course, the cook. The best are found in locations that serve only pierogi, often called "Pierogarnia". It is not easy to find golabki (stuffed cabbage) or good bigos because bigots requires several days of cooking.
Tap water is usually safe to drink but can taste different depending on location. I recommend drinking bottled spring water. Mineral water, which is often served in hotel rooms, has been known to cause stomach upsets for Americans.
Climate – The climate in Poland is very much like that of the northeastern United States, and like the rest of world, is experiencing changes. The best months for traveling are May, June, September and October. Air conditioning is available only in 5 star hotels.
Nature – Poland still has many areas uncorrupted by civilization. It has 23 National Parks that are on Unesco’s World Heritage List or administered by the Ministry of Environment. Because of its many rivers, lakes, wetlands, meadows and large forests, it has a variety of birds, the most famous being the stork. The Poles are most proud of this bird and consider it good luck. The storks arrive every year in May, build their nests, usually on chimneys, produce their chicks, and in the Fall fly south to Africa.
Public Safety – Poland is a relatively safe country, but caution is advised especially near and in railway, bus and transportation stations which are favorites with pickpockets. If you use a taxi, get a recommendation from the hotel. Cars are best parked in guarded lots. And never leave valuables on car seats – always store them in the trunk.
Additional information on Internet links:
Background for genealogy in Poland
Expenses & Prices
History of Poland
Polish common customs
Polish traditional customs
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Copyright © 2010—Iwona Dakiniewicz— All Rights Reserved
Last Updated on February 18, 2010