2025 Polish Genealogy Conference Schedule
Welcome!
Friday Oct 24, 2025
6:30 p.m. Introduction to Polish and Eastern European Genealogical Research
Presenters – Prof. Jonathan Shea and Matthew Bielawa
This session will expose researchers to basic research techniques needed to assemble a Polish American family history. American records such as ship lists, vital records, cemetery inscriptions and census records will be featured. The historical geography of Poland and map and gazetteer sources will be presented. Finally, the nature and structure of high use Polish language European records will be discussed as well as their location and methods to access them. Information on websites and digitized records will also be discussed.
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
9:30-10:30 a.m. Demystifying Eastern European Research
Presenter – Lisa A. Alzo
Anyone who has attempted to trace their ancestors back to Eastern Europe understands the special challenges and frustrations involved. Border changes, language differences, political considerations, and exotic-sounding surnames often complicate the research process. This session covers the most common myths/misconceptions and how to work around them.
10:45-11:45 a.m. Content and Location of Polish Wills and Testaments
Presenter – Daniel Bućko
The presentation will focus on the role of wills left by Polish ancestors as an exceptionally valuable source of genealogical information. I will discuss how such documents can help identify family members, their relationships, and the estate left by forebears. Wills often contain unique details not found in other archival sources, such as precise names, dates, and places, which greatly facilitate genealogical research. I will present methods for locating and accessing wills in Polish archives and courts, as well as explain how to properly interpret the information contained within them. Attention will be given to differences in the forms and content of wills depending on the historical period, emphasizing their importance in filling gaps left by traditional documents like vital records. I will share practical examples of families where wills played a key role in uncovering the past, as well as discuss challenges related to reading old documents and the legal language of those times. Finally, I will suggest tools and strategies to effectively utilize wills in everyday genealogical research, highlighting their value as an invaluable source of knowledge about our ancestors.
>> Lunch Break 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
12:30-1:30 p.m. Exploring New Frontiers in Genealogy
Presenter – Lisa A. Alzo
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the Metaverse. You may have heard these terms on the news, but what do they have to do with genealogy? This session will demonstrate how these emerging technologies will shape a new frontier in family history including how we research our ancestors and share their stories.
1:45-2:45 p.m. DNA Case Studies in Eastern Europe
Presenter – Paul Woodbury
Genetic genealogy methodologies can be a fantastic research avenue for tracing ancestral origins, overcoming record loss, and solving stubborn family history mysteries. In this session, join us as we explore particular considerations for consideration of DNA evidence in Polish research and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Observe genetic genealogy methodologies in context and glean ideas for your own genetic genealogy research.
3:00-4:00 p.m. The Immigrants Who Flew to America – Displaced Persons (DPs)
Who Traveled by Plane Following World War II
Presenter – Tom Sadauskas
This presentation describes a little-known story about the thousands of Displaced Persons (DPs) who were flown to the United States rather than coming across the Atlantic Ocean by transport ship following the end of World War II. It includes information regarding the air routes taken, the types of planes used and a description of the selection process for being flown to the United States. Additionally, the sources where further information can be obtained (including aircraft manifests) will be discussed.
4:00 p.m. Conclusion
