Our March meeting featured speaker Tadeusz H. Pilat, MLS, AG®, who presented Polish Census Records: Then and Now. The engaging program introduced members and guests to the many types of census and census-like records that can help genealogists trace ancestors in Polish lands across several centuries.

Tadeusz began by explaining that the type of nationwide census familiar to researchers today did not exist in Poland until the twentieth century. Instead, earlier population records varied depending on the historical period and the government that controlled the region. His presentation guided attendees through the major eras of Polish history—from the time before the partitions of Poland, through the Prussian, Austrian, and Russian partitions, and into the years of the reborn Polish state after 1918—highlighting how each administration created different types of population records that can be useful for family history research.

Along the way, Tadeusz introduced a variety of lesser-known record types that can serve as substitutes for traditional censuses, discussed terminology researchers may encounter when searching for these materials, and highlighted several online resources and archival collections where these records may be found. The lecture offered a fascinating look at sources that are often overlooked but can provide valuable clues about ancestors and their communities.

Attendees responded enthusiastically to the presentation, sharing comments such as:

“So comprehensive. What an overview! Thank you so much. It was marvelous.”

“The presentation did an excellent job of identifying the names of resources where census-like records can be found.”

“The knowledge that the speaker projected was very encouraging.”

“Introduced a new area available for research that I hadn’t explored before.”

“Enjoyed the info on the census through years and different census types.”

“Helpful to know these records exist for future research.”

If you missed the meeting—or would like to revisit the many examples and resources Tadeusz shared—the recording is now available for members on our Meeting Recordings page.