* * * * * * * * * G E N     D O B R Y ! * * * * * * * * *

Volume IV, No. 3. 31 March 2003.
Copyright (c) 2002, PolishRoots(R), Inc.
Editor: William F. "Fred" Hoffman, E-mail: WFHoffman@prodigy.net

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CONTENTS


   Welcome
   Belarus Research
   Letters to the Editor
   Study in Poland
   $100 a Day for Polish Researchers?
   Upcoming Events
   More Useful Web Addresses
   You May Reprint Articles...

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*** WELCOME! ***

to the latest issue of GEN DOBRY!, the e-zine of PolishRoots(R). If you missed previous issues, you can find them at

   http://polishroots.org/gendobry/gendobry_index.htm.

Don't forget to visit PolishRoots.org, the sponsor of _Gen Dobry!_, and take advantage of the many resources offered there. Also, if you'd be willing to lend a hand with work on projects that will help PolishRoots(R) -- and maybe do you some good, too! -- take a moment to visit this page:

   http://polishroots.org/projects.htm

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*** BELARUS RESEARCH ***

by Fred Hoffman <WFHoffman@prodigy.net>

In the last issue of _Gen Dobry!_ I gave a list of Websites I find helpful with Polish genealogical research. I received two particularly interesting notes shortly after it was sent out. The first was from Stan Klemanowicz <stanklem@msn.com>].

> Perhaps you could devote an issue to research in Belarus
> as many of us (including selfish me) have roots in this area.
>
> For my own search, supposedly my earliest known ancestor
> came to the Iwje/Dudy area of north central Belarus with
> Napoleon's army in 1812. He was 12-16 years old at the time.
> If this is so, he must have come with Poniatowski's Corps.
> This Corps was marshalled in the Grodno/Suwalki region.
> Therefore it is likely that was where he joined up.
>
> The only other references to Klemanowicz or similar surnames
> I have found is three families from the Suwalki region who
> emigrated to America, a Klimonowicz from Wilkomierz who
> signed the Sejm in 1764, and a Klimanovich family (no known
> relation but we are considering doing a DNA test) still living
> in the Braslav area of Belarus.
>
> Just thought I'd fill you in on where I'm at. If you know anyone
> familiar with Polish troops in Russia it would be appreciated.
> Same for a decent contact who could do research for me in
> Vilnius or Wilkomierz.

Oddly enough, just a few minutes I read Stan's note, I received this one from Brigitte <tkaspr@kos.net>:

> I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I saw all those
> sites on your latest _Gen Dobry!_. I sure wish I were researching
> in Poland.
>
> Would you have research sites for Belarus? I'm relatively new at
> this genealogy stuff, but do enjoy it, even though it is frustrating.
> My father was born in Siergi, which is now in Belarus. I found my
> grandfather in the 1929 business directory. I think if I could find
> some birth/marriage/death certificates, I might have a good start.
> Brigitte <tkaspr@kos.net>

I hadn't realized it, but my list didn't have a word on it about research in Belarus. It's sad how often that country seems to be overlooked; if you think you're having trouble finding sources for your Prussian or Galician ancestors, just try searching for info from Belarus!

I have to feel this is largely due to history and politics. Belarus -- the official name for the independent nation that has historically been called White Russia, White Ruthenia, Byelorussia or Belorussia, and later the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic -- has never really had a chance to come into its own. When it was part of Kievan Rus back in the 12th century, Kiev was the focal point of attention. After Kiev fell, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania eventually took over the lands that are now in Belarus. When Poland and Lithuania teamed up as a Commonwealth of Two Nations, Belarus comprised a large chunk of that nation-state's territory; but it was still ruled by Lithuania, and most of its nobles and landowners were Poles. After Russia took over the whole area, many Belarusians came to feel that the Russians were their natural allies. Even though Belarus has technically been an independent nation for more than a decade, it is still closely allied with Moscow.

In fact, if you go to the Website for the President of Belarus, at http://www.president.gov.by/, you will notice that only his name and title appear in the Belarusian language. The rest of the page is in Russian! This hints at a real problem for Belarus: it's never really had a chance to forge a strong independent identity that it could project to other nations.

That lack of identity is reflected in genealogical research as well. Belarus doesn't get a lot of attention; in the LDS Family History Library catalog, for instance, most of the material dealing with areas in Belarus is to be found under "Russian Empire." And -- as best I can judge from the comments of people I know who've tried to deal with the State Archives in Hrodna/Grodno -- Cold War attitudes are alive and well there. I may be wrong about this, but I get the distinct impression the staff is far less cooperative and receptive to genealogical researchers than the archives in other former Soviet states, such as Lithuania and Ukraine.

Anyone with roots in Belarus and experience researching there knows very well that the history and culture of this country deserve a lot more recognition than they get. But the rest of the world hasn't noticed yet.

Still, I should know better. My wife's relatives in Lithuania bear a name that is probably of Belarusian linguistic origin; and my chief colleague, Jonathan Shea, has deep roots in the Grodno area. So I feel bad that I, too, overlooked the country in my list.

* It's Not Much, But Here's What I Have *

In terms of online sites, there are not a whole lot of outstanding resources for Belarus. Of course, the first site a researcher should know about is that of the State Archives. Its English version is located here:

   http://archives.gov.by/eindex.htm

There is a list of individual archives with links on this specific page:

   http://archives.gov.by/EArh/Erx_spisok.htm

I should add that all these pages dealing with the Archives used to be hosted on the site devoted to Belarus's president, so that online you'll find a lot of outdated links to sites with addresses beginning http://www.president.gov.by/gosarchives/... If you try to follow them, you'll get the dreaded 404 error message (Ain't no such Website). In most cases, replace that part of the address with http://archives.gov.by/... and paste in the rest of the old URL; that should get you where you want to go.

Of course, as you might expect, the PolishRoots site has some good links, including a list of archives here:

   http://www.polishroots.com/archives_belarus.htm

A site I've found to be reasonably helpful is this one:

   http://www.mtu-net.ru/rrr/ukraine.htm

I know the title says "Ukraine," but it also has a pretty good section on Belarus. If you haven't studied that site pretty thoroughly, I recommend you take a close look.

The Rootsweb site on Belarusian research is also is worth a visit:

   http://www.rootsweb.com/~blrwgw/

The Routes to Roots Foundation, http://www.rtrfoundation.org, features a number of links and files with valuable information, especially for Jewish research, throughout Eastern Europe, including Belarus. A lot of solid research has been done by Jewish researchers -- I would also strongly recommend a search of the resources available at http://www.jewishgen.org/Belarus/ if you have Jewish roots.

Of course, if you study these sites closely you'll notice a lot of duplicated info. There isn't an enormous variety of resources online, and anyone dealing with Belarus is inevitably going to repeat a lot of the same stuff. But if you're a devoted researcher, you'll want to visit each site and try everything once. It won't take long to note which links on each site are most productive, and to decide which are your favorites.

* Offline Resources *

In terms of genealogical societies, the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast is the best one I know of for help with Belarus. A fair percentage of PGSCTNE's membership comes from the area of northeastern Poland and Belarus, so this Society has put considerable effort into developing resources for research there.

You can see this by looking at recent issues of their Journal, _Pathways & Passages_. The lead article in the Fall 2001 issue, by Barbara Proko, was entitled "New 'Find Our Roots' Program to Offer Research Services for Grodno Archives." It included the URL for the Grodno archives; updated to reflect the recent address change, that URL now is:

   http://archives.gov.by/EArh/E_Hist_grodno.htm

In the Spring 2002 issue Barbara contributed another article: "Recent LDS films are Hidden Treasure for Lida Area Research."

So if you have roots in Belarus and are not a member of PGSCTNE, I strongly suggest you look into joining. Their Website is:

   http://www.pgsctne.org

Barbara Proko also encourages researchers interested in Belarus to contact her at <polishancestors@attbi.com>.

Finally, Stan Klemanovich asked if I could recommend any researchers in this general area, and in Lithuania. I have not run across any names for researchers in Belarus; if any of our readers can recommend someone, please let me know.

As regards researchers in Lithuania, several people have posted positive comments on mailing lists about a private genealogist, Sigita Gasparaviciene, e-mail <rytisg20@takas.lt>. See also the Website <http://dar.w3.lt/Archeonas/index.htm> for more info. Obviously I don't know enough about her to recommend her, but she does have some satisfied customers and might be worth contacting.

* Conclusion *

I know I haven't given you a lot to work with. In fact, for those of you with Belarusian roots, you probably already knew about everything I mentioned. But perhaps this is a start. If you can add anything to the list, you're welcome to send it to me, so I can include it in the next issue.

I realize this may provoke a number of notes from people protesting, "Hey, what about my ancestral region? You didn't say anything about research in Lower Slobovia" (or wherever it is your people came from). If so, that's fine -- the whole purpose of _Gen Dobry!_ is to share info. It's best if you can tell me about resources I've overlooked. But even if all you can do is ask for help on a specific area, that's a starting point. Some of the articles that have gotten the best responses were ones I'd never have thought of writing till someone said, "Why don't you write about...?"

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*** LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ***

Subject: German Name Derivations

[Editor: In the last issue I gave the e-mail address for contacting an organization that can give info on German names. I said I hadn’t tried it, and asked to hear from anybody who had contacted that source. Jim Chmielewski answered:]

Here is what I got back from the <sekr@gfgs.de> address; see the attachment.

I will probably not ask them to do a search. Looks like they have a surname search priced at 50 Euros, or nearly US$50.

   Jim Chmielewski <jbchm@direcway.com>

[Editor: Here's the gist of the note he received:]

> The Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache/German Language Society
> http://www.gfds.de/namen2.html, e-mail <sekr@gfgs.de>, offers
> analysis of German names on these terms:
>
> in coordination with technical advisers or with the
> Wilfried-Seibicke-Institut Namensforschung. The discussion
> takes place on fee bases. For a first name we charge 40.00 Euros
> and for a surname we charge 50.00 Euros.
>
> Before we can treat your inquiry, we ask you for pre-payment
> by transfer to one of our accounts:
>
> Nassauische Sparkasse Wiesbaden
> Konto Nr. 100 069 113 (BLZ 510 500 15) oder/or
> Postbank Frankfurt/Main
> Konto Nr. 963 33-607 (BLZ 500 100 60)
>
> You get the certificate approximately three weeks after entrance
> of your payment.

-----

Subject: Two Essential Kashubian Websites

I have just read the latest _Gen Dobry!_ and I think you could add two more addresses to your list of Kashubian websites. Those are:

   www.zk-p.pl

and

   www.kaszubia.com

The first one is mostly Polish (and some Kashubian), the second is in Polish and also German. Unfortunately none of them is in English. These are non-genealogical sites, but full of information about the region, and the people -- that can be helpful for those looking for their roots in Northern Poland.

   Marcin Kamola, student, Gdansk <kamola@konto.pl>

[Editor's Reply: Thank you very much for letting us know about these sites. I hear quite often from people with roots in the Kaszuby region, so I know this information will benefit many researchers. I appreciate your taking the time to share it.]

-----

Subject: Search Engines

[Editor: In the last issue I mentioned the search engine Google, which I use constantly, and added that there are others. Here is a note mentioning one worth a look:]

Copernic is a great search engine (though it is not free).

   http://www.copernic.com

   Maureen Morris <MaureenM@sbcGlobal.net>

[Editor's Reply: As you can see at http://www.copernic.com/en/products/agent/compare.html, there are three versions of Copernic. Basic is a free download; the Personal version is $29.95, the Professional version $79.95.]

-----

Subject: Polish Genealogical Society of Massachusetts

Dear Fred.......always enjoy your _Gen Dobry!_ publication with its timely and important information, a real benefit to those researching East European genealogy. Your recent book _In Their Words II_ is now another valuable tool available to researchers. Thanks for your hard efforts in making this subject easier for researchers. We purchased the book and will display it at meetings.

Our site is available at <www.rootsweb.com/~mapgsm/>.

   John Skibiski, <Jskibiski@aol.com>
   Pres., PGS-MA

[Editor's Reply: How on earth did I forget to mention PGS-MA? I feel really rotten -- especially after you gave such a nice plug to the book Jonathan Shea and I did! Thanks for writing and giving me a chance to correct my oversight.]

-----

Subject: Info on Iwaniska

My colleagues and I are searching for information on the small village, Iwaniska. Our purpose is to document the history of Jewish life in Iwaniska for presentation in www.JewishGen.org. We would welcome hearing from anyone whose roots are in Iwaniska and who can provide insights or references into its history.

Would it be possible to post this announcement in _Gen Dobry!_ or on PolishRoots?  Thank you very much for your consideration!

   Norton S. Taichman <nstaichman@comcast.net>

[Editor's Reply: We're glad to oblige! If anyone has something to contribute on this village -- near Opatow, about midway between Kielce and Tarnobrzeg -- please contact Mr. Taichman.]

-----

Subject: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

[Editor -- In a previous issue a reader asked where to look for an ancestor who came to America to work on the railroads, but hadn't showed up in the Ellis Island lists. Here's a note from Ray Marshall on his experience:]

I found one of my ancestors in Baltimore. I don’t have the source for this, but I read that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad made a deal with the North German Lines to bring their passengers to Baltimore (where the B&O would pick them up and carry them westward to the coal mines or further west). In return, the B&O provided coal to be carried to Europe by the North German Line so they wouldn’t have to return empty.

   Ray Marshall <raymarsh@mninter.net>

-----

Subject: Napoleon's Armies and Poles

Does anyone out there have some information about Poles in the armies of Napoleon, or connected to them in any way? I have a feeling most of us may have had some ancestors in these groups. Also, this info might tell us why some folks "disappear" in the early 19th century, and how a number of French Poles find themselves in France way before World War I.

This request is prompted by two recent situations. I recently purchased a book printed in Polish in Krakow in 1858 entitled _Oblezenie i Brona Saragossy w latach 1808 i 1809 ze wzgledem szczegolniejszym na czynnosci korpusu polskiego_ [The Siege and Defense of Saragossa, 1808-1809, with particular attention to the activities of the Polish Corps], which deals with Napoleon's siege at Saragossa. Also, in a recent newsletter of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, an article details how the BBC and Discovery channel were filming current excavations in Lithuania of mass graves of Napoleonic troops, which are being discovered while city development expands. It has been estimated there were 10's of thousands (if not more) of Polish troops in the Gran Armee of Napoleon.

Paul S. Valask, D.D.S. <paval56@aol.com>
PolishRoots(R) Vice President

[Editor's Reply: As you saw in the preceding article, Stan Klemanowicz mentions a family connection to the Napoleonic army. Anyone else who has something on the subject should write Paul, or you can write me and I'll pass the info along to Paul.]

***************************************

*** STUDY IN POLAND ****

[Editor: On the Poland-Roots mailing list, Marv <MarvPozdol@aol.com> posted a timely reminder on an upcoming annual study trip to Poland you might like to consider.]

The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee offers a summer Polish Language program at the Catholic University of Lublin. My wife and I attended a three-week program in summer of 2001. It was wonderful and we would highly recommend it. Contact Professor Michael J. Mikos in the Dept. of Foreign Languages at Curtin Hall, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, Wis 53201-0413, phone (414) 229-4948.

I may go to Poland again this summer but the present international situation is not encouraging. Applications for the above programs have to be in by May 1.

[Editor -- I've heard from quite a few folks who have gone on Prof. Mikos's program and found it excellent. If you would like more details, you can also check the Website at http://www.lrc.uwm.edu/tour/. But hurry! You're running out of time!]

***************************************

*** $100 A DAY FOR POLISH RESEARCHERS? ***

[Editor: Michal Sliwinski, who assists genealogical researchers with work onsite in Poland, posted this note to Poland-Roots-L as an explanation for why he charges $100 a day. I thought it was worth reprinting because it sheds light on the old saying, "You get what you pay for." If nothing else, it gives you something to think about.]

Hello Listers,

First of all, I would like to introduce myself. I'm Michal Sliwinski and I do genealogical researches in Poland.

I noticed the discussion about the fees for research in Poland. Well, I also charge $100 per one day and I think it is not high....

Very often I travel a great distance ... and the cost of travelling 500 km (I usually travel that far) is about $30, so the quoted $40 wouldn't even let me get back home!!! Besides, I'm sure you all know, the research takes much time, usually few days. I have to stay in the hotel, pay for the meals etc... this takes at least $10 per one day.

Also, you must know that researching in Poland doesn't look like ordering microfilms. Sometimes when researching at the parish, you have to make a donation, because the priest wouldn't let you look at the records. The average donation for the research is $25.

So, to sum up: $30 + $30 the cost of travel, $10 for two meals and stay at the hotel, $25 for a donation gives $95 in all. When I charge $100 per one day....

Of course, sometimes it takes less, sometimes I don't have to make a donation, I don't have to travel that far and I don't have to stay at the hotel. But when someone asks me "How much do you charge?", and I don't even know what the person expects from me, my answer is $100 per one day.

I did researches for $25 per one day, but in all these cases the price came out after few e-mails and the exchange of the information, when I knew how far, how long, and how difficult it would be.

These are just some of my thoughts on that. If you would be interested in further information regarding research in Poland, visit my home page:

   http://strony.wp.pl/wp/genlookup

Michal

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*** UPCOMING EVENTS ***

April 5, 2003, at 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

CARPATHO-RUSYN SOCIETY, METRO NJ/NY CHAPTER

The program featuring Professor Rusinko that had to be cancelled in February due to a snowstorm has been rescheduled for Saturday April 5, 2003. Professor Rusinko will lead a discussion of the book, _Virtue is More Important Than Riches_, written by Aleksander Dukhnovych, "National Awakener of the Carpatho-Rusyns."

At the Wayne Public Library
461 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ

Refreshments will be served.

Directions: Because the Riverview Road Exits are being reconstructed, please use Route 80 East or West to the Minnisink Road Exit and proceed in the direction of Totowa. Shortly after exiting, turn left onto Vreeland Avenue. Take Vreeland until it ends at Riverview Road. Take Riverdale Road to the traffic light at Valley Road and turn right. Proceed on Valley Road to the second traffic light and turn left onto Nellis Road and then turn right into the Library parking lot.

-----

Thursday April 10, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.

Polish Center of Wisconsin

The Making of Milwaukee: A slide program by John Gurda

John Gurda is a Milwaukee born writer and historian who has been studying his hometown for thirty years.

Admission is $5.00 per person. Advanced registration is recommended.

414-529-2140

-----

April 10 - April 17 - April 24 - May 1 - May 8 - May 15, 2003

Beginner Genealogy Course at the Polish Center of Wisconsin

7:00 pm at the Polish Center of Wisconsin

Learn to trace your family history!

Classes last approximately 1 hour and are sponsored by members of the Polish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin. Cost is $30.00 per person, materials included.

414-529-2140

-----

April 14, 2003

Kenosha County Genealogical Society

7:00 pm

Paul Valasek will give a slide presentation on Immigrant Steamships 1890-1950, dealing with all major ports in Europe to the major ports of arrival in North America. Memorabilia and artifacts will be discussed to enhance presentation of your ancestor's "Journey of a Lifetime."

For contact and directions: Carol Gilmore at 262-654-8986. Public is welcome, no admission fee.

-----

April 24-26, 2003

Ohio Genealogical Society 2003 Conference
"Ohio: 200 Years of Heritage"

Columbus, OH

For More Information: http://www.ogs.org/

-----

May 28-31, 2003

National Genealogical Society - 2003 Conference in the States

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

More details to follow

-----

June 20-22, 2003

Polish Fest 2003

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Friday June 20th - 3:00 to Midnight
Saturday  June 21st - Noon to Midnight
Sunday  June 22nd - Noon to 10:00pm.

For more information visit http://www.polishfest.org or call 414-529-2140.

-----

July 7-10, 2003

The Illinois State Genealogical Society Announces

THE 9TH ANNUAL GENEALOGICAL INSTITUTE OF MID AMERICA

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois, Springfield Campus

The Genealogical Institute of Mid America (GIMA) is a four-day intensive educational experience. Students choose one of four courses to attend for the 4 days. Instructors are nationally known lecturers who have spoken at local, state and national genealogical conferences. 

Courses are taught in a relaxed atmosphere. Be a part of a Midwest tradition, where genealogical instruction is presented in a relaxed atmosphere, a small informal setting where camaraderie among attendees and instructors make for a unique educational experience.

To be added to the mailing list for further information, please send your mailing address to Susan Kaufman-Tavenner, GIMA Chairperson at: kaufmansusan@juno.com -- please put "GIMA" in the subject line. Information can also be found at the ISGS web site, http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsgs/index.html.

Or write: ISGS-GIMA03, PO Box 10195, Springfield, IL 62791-0195

-----

July 11-12, 2003

MIDWESTERN ROOTS

Family History & Genealogy Conference

at the Indianapolis Marriott East
East 21st Street & Shadeland Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana

Sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Genealogical Society

For more information visit the Website: www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots

-----

July 20-25, 2003

IAJGS 23rd International Conference ­ DC

J.W. Marriott, Pennsylvania Ave., NW

More details to be announced later

-----

September 5-6, 2003


St. Louis Polish Festival

Behind Falcon Hall - 20th and St. Louis Avenue

St. Louis, MO

Music, crafts, games and authentic Polish food and pastries.

For more Information: 314-421-9614

-----

November 6-9, 2003

New England Regional Genealogical Conference

Sea Crest Resort, North Falmouth, MA

New England-America's Melting Pot

For more details: http://www.rootsweb.com/~manergc 

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*** MORE USEFUL WEB ADDRESSES ***

http://www.polish-translation.net/about-us.html
   On the Galicia mailing list, Laurence Krupnak gave this address for "Polish-English Translations by Humans Online." I haven't tried them, so I can't vouch for them -- but you might want to give them a try. If you do, I'd love to hear your opinion of their work.
______________________________

http://www.abonent.pl/ktn/KTN%3flayout=i
   In the last _Gen Dobry!_ I gave the address of an online Polish telephone directory; but it's been unavailable for several days now, so we need to look for alternatives. On the PolandBorderSurnames list Jan Cesarczyk <jan_cesarczyk@yahoo.co.uk> gave the above site for another Polish phone company. Jan mentioned a second telephone service provider in Poland called Dialog, with an online directory here:

   http://www.dialogok.pl/dialog/main/sub.php?id=50

"All you need is the surname. It will only display 10 names at a time, so if you get more than 10 hits you need to give it some more information to narrow it down."

Michal Marciniak added that the "website of a Polish Phone Book online of the biggest Polish Telecommunication Operator - Telekomunikacja Polska SA," is still available here:

   http://www.ditel.pl/

You need to click on "Klienci Indywidualni" to search for individuals. Enter the surname by the box marked "Nazwisko" and the town or village by the box marked "Miejscowosc," then click on "Szukaj" (Search). This site requires the correct Polish spellings with the proper diacritical marks, but lets you substitute the plain letter followed by an asterisk: thus you can use Poznan*, L*omz*a, Nowy Sa*cz etc. (Z* stands for the dotted Z, Z** for the accented Z).
______________________________

http://www.szukacz.pl
   Jan Cesarczyk also posted a note on PolandBorder Surnames recommending this site as a good search engine for Polish sites. He mentioned several other search facilities. "If you are searching for a common surname, for example, and are expecting many hits, I would recommend the clustering engine:

   http://vivisimo.com/

"This uses a number of search engines to find the pages but then sorts and groups them according to phrases or words that it has found on the pages. It often makes it easy to disregard hits that are obviously not relevant."

For locating places in Poland before World War II, but now in Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine, he found this site especially useful:

   http://www.calle.com/world/

Finally, he gave this address for the Website of a group of Polish local newspapers that gives access to all their archives:

   http://krakow.naszemiasto.pl/archiwum/

"If you put a surname into the field labelled 'Wpisz slowo lub slowa:' and then scroll down and click on 'Szukaj' it will return a list of articles containing that name."

______________________________

http://www.genseekers.com/
   Actually, this is a site to AVOID. On the Poland-Roots mailing list, Patricia Sloan <pmsloan@shaw.ca> called it a scam. "In order to get the '5-day free trial' you have to surrender a credit card or bank account number. You have to cancel within 5 days or you get dinged. Guess what? The cancellation e-mail bounces."
______________________________

http://www.cs.sfu.ca/people/GradStudents/koperski/personal/audio/polish.html
   Ceil Jensen <cjensen@mipolonia.net> posted this address for a site with four pages of sound files to help with pronouncing Polish. Pat Bohinski <Bohinski@Chartermi.net> added, "If you click on the first number (1) on the links at the bottom of the page Ceil referred to, there are voice files that you can hear the pronunciations of a some of the words listed ... You will see a list of word categories, click on the 'basic' catagory and when the new page opens just scroll down a bit and you can click on sound files to hear the words spoken."
   Pam <Pamcu@aol.com> added, "You can right-click on each word and 'save target as.' This way you don't have to be online everytime you want to practice the words."
______________________________

http://stevemorse.org
   The latest issue of _Nu? What's New_ posted this site as the new address for finding all of Stephen P. Morse's Websites, with portals to the Ellis Island Database, Census records, etc. Incidentally, the same issue says Morse has developed a portal for searching the 1920 and 1930 census data that puts Ancestry.com's to shame. If you'd like to read the article, here's the address: http://www.avotaynu.com/nu9.htm#v04n03.
______________________________

www.geocities.com/straszecin/straszecin
   Karen Wisniewski <madamlazonga@hotmail.com> sent me an e-mail mentioning that she has worked on this site for Straszecin, formerly in Tarnow province, now in Podkarpackie Province. She says Webmaster Dennis Benarz has put a lot of work into it, and she encourages anyone interested in the Straszecin area to visit the site, sign the online guestbook, and offer suggestions.
______________________________

http://www.szlachta.org/heraldry.htm
   Diana Grzelak Needham <carsonneedham@adelphia.net> posted a note on Poland-Roots recommending this site for those who want background on Polish coats of arms.
______________________________

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rhelps.asp
   Bob Postula <robertp@bignet.net>, President of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, posted a note on Poland-Roots pointing out that at this site "you can download research guides such as the Polish Letter Writing Guide #36339 and many, many, other guides  in PDF format, then read or print them for free. (Except for the cost of your paper and ink of course)." I'd add that those guides not available in PDF format can be ordered for a very reasonable price.
______________________________

http://www.buffalolib.org
   On the Poland-Roots mailing list, Castleross <CastleRoss@aol.com> posted a note with this address and reminded folks about using the Buffalo Library to find out where families lived in certain years in Buffalo, such as census years.

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