Our first-ever Zoom-only edition of Research Night: Breaking Through Our Members’ Brick Walls is now in the recording library — and it delivered.

Panelists Valerie Baginski, Sandra Porter, and Julie Szczepankiewicz reviewed real brick wall questions submitted by members in advance. Valerie and Sandra then walked through each question, sharing practical research strategies and resources for five common — and challenging — research scenarios:

• Identifying the correct Polish location from German place names in records
• Working from U.S. records back to Poland
• Building a family from indirect evidence when records are missing
• Recognizing your ancestor when the name looks completely different
• Using DNA to identify a paternal line

Every question was different. Every strategy was practical. And more than one member had a breakthrough moment along the way.

What Members Are Saying

“Thank you so much! This is my Grandfather and the name you found — Walenty — is most probably his grandfather! I’ve seen that name before.”

“The PGSNYS database has been so helpful to me!”

“Never give up searching, even when paid ‘expert’ researchers in Poland get it wrong. Reach out to anyone and everyone for help. PGSNYS is an amazing group!”

If you missed the session — or would like to revisit the strategies discussed — the recording is now available exclusively for members on our Meeting Recordings page.

Not a member yet? Join the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State to access this and our full library of recorded presentations — including future Research Nights.