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On October 5th, 2005, we had a wonderful presentation at the Fairfield Historical Society. It was a lecture on Eastern-European Research with a Focus on Poland done by Professor Jonathan D. Shea, A.G. of the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast.My grandmother, while born here in the United States, was of Polish descent. Both of her parents had individually emigrated to the United States and were married here. I had always been led to believe that most of the records had been destroyed by the ravages of war through Central Europe or by the Communist occupation. This lecture pleasantly opened my eyes to an opportunity to research a side of my family that I had given up hope on.It will not be easy. First, and of utmost importance, is going to be locating the exact place of origin for my g-grandparents. Jonathan presented several good ideas on places to look. Second will be struggling with the language since records may be written in Polish, German, Russian, Latin, or even others given Poland’s fluid borders. I did purchase Jonathan’s book at the lecture entitled, In Their Words: A Genealogist’s Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian Documents, Volume I: Polish. I am anxiously looking forward to beginning my research in this area.

I have to admit that it was my grandfather’s cousin-in-law who talked me in to joining Connecticut Ancestry just about a year ago. Of course, she is our President Emeritus, Mary Ann Stewart. My grandfather had only one cousin on his mother’s side and no siblings. On his father’s side, his cousins were much older. So, my mother has always called her Aunt, as do I. I think she knew how much fun I was about to have.