Welcome to the website of the Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland (PGSGC). We proudly begin our 37th year after our founding by Edward Mendyka, a Clevelander with a sincere interest in organizing other interested persons in discovering their Polish heritage. Our goal is to assist members in their search for their family line using useful tools, techniques, and databases focused on the lives of our Polish ancestors. Additionally, we look to share and learn more about Polish cultural heritage.
The Cleveland metropolitan area has a rich history of Polish ethnicity because of the settlement of Polish immigrants in several Cleveland neighborhoods and, ultimately, surrounding communities. We utilize the valuable archives found and stored in diocesan, county, state, and federal archives, along with the growing list of databases in Poland and surrounding countries. In addition, PGSGC maintains a selection of library resources available for research to current members. Each meeting focuses on learning the tools for our research with members and guest speakers, along with video presentations.
Our meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Hall, 5375 Broadview Road, in Parma, Ohio. We meet from January through June and September through December. We hold no meetings in July and August and we only meet via Zoom in December, January and February. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm with the business part of the meeting and then the program, which varies from guest speakers to informative and instructive video presentations. A casual coffee time for members to exchange their new findings or seek help from fellow members is held before and after each meeting. We also offer Zoom links to our meetings for those unable to attend in person or who live well outside of the Cleveland area.
Anyone interested in researching their Polish family history is cordially invited to follow us on our Website, Facebook, or by joining our organization. Whether you are a beginner or have been successful in researching your family tree, there is always much to learn, not only online but also from fellow genealogists with the same interest. We can be another valuable resource.
OUR POLISH ANCESTORS is the Society’s quarterly newsletter. It is issued electronically to members, and hard copies are available upon request. Yearly dues are $24.00, payable to PGSGC. A membership application is available on this website.
Ben Kman
President