The Polish Genealogical Society of New York State

11/02/2026

10/31/2026

This is a reminder to purchase your tickets for our annual Christmas dinner, which is in place of our December member meeting. Family and friends are welcome to join us; the more the merrier! There will be no assigned seating, so you are welcome to choose your own seats when you arrive.

When: Thursday, December 10, 5-9 with dinner at 6pm.

Where: the Beginnings Banquet facility at Kiebzak’s Restaurant in Sloan; 38 Crocker Street, Buffalo, New York 14212

Menu: family-style dinner of baked chicken and breaded pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet and sour cabbage, two vegetables, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee, tea, milk; there will be a cash bar

price: $35, paid by PayPal in the Member’s only section of our website, or cash or check (made out to PGSNYS) at the November monthly meeting or mailed to PO Box 984, Cheektowaga NY 14225.

Deadline to purchase tickets is December 1.

There will be a basket raffle and a 50/50 split raffle with proceeds going toward our projects and activities. Bring your money and your good luck!

10/31/2026

To Register please go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gGOF46BUS9qDmCg5Ru9BBw?utm_source=podia&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3290599 #/registration

10/31/2026

This event is open to anyone and may be of interest to some of you.

10/23/2026

Our 2027 Program Season Is Here!

From DNA strategies to peasant life in rural Poland, and from Buffalo’s Polish American history to the Arolsen Archives, the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State has an exciting year of learning planned for genealogists and family historians at every level.

Here are a few highlights:

Jan 14: “Moonshine & Coal Mines,” Lisa Vogele

Mar 11: Polish forced laborers and Arolsen Archives research, Tom Sadauskas

Apr 8: Everyday life and peasant occupations in rural Poland, Justyna Orlikowska

Jun 10: “DNA for the Overwhelmed,” Rob Weir

Sep 9: Using Polish newspapers for genealogy, Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz

Oct 14: The Polish singing societies of Western New York, Greg Witul

Nov 11: “Galicia: The Land of Polish-Jewish Connections,” Dr. Andrew Zalewski

Plus Research Nights in February and August and a look at Buffalo’s Polish American history in May!

📅 Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Erie 1 BOCES, Building B, 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca. In-person attendance is free and open to the public, and members can also join via Zoom.

🔎 Explore the full program:
https://pgsnys.org/announcing-the-pgsnys-2027-program-season/

📌 Find individual meeting details:
https://pgsnys.org/meetings/

Not a member yet? Join us at https://pgsnys.org/membership/ for Zoom access and recorded presentations.

We hope to see you at our November program, and we look forward to celebrating the season with our members and their guests at our December Christmas party!

The Polish Genealogical Society of New York State is pleased to announce our 2027 lineup. From DNA strategies to peasant life in rural Poland, and from Buffalo’s Polish American history to the Arolsen Archives, we have a full year of learning planned for researchers at every level. Our monthly mee...

10/08/2026

Please join us tonight at our monthly meeting from 7:00 pm–9:00 pm at Erie 1 BOCES, 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, New York.. This meeting is free and open to the public.

After our business meeting there will be a presentation: “Unlocking Polish Ancestry with DNA: Overcoming the Challenges of Underrepresented Populations,” by Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak

It is estimated that one in five Americans has taken a DNA test. However, the success of genetic genealogical analysis is greatly influenced by the tester’s ancestral population. While Americans with deep colonial roots often benefit from close genetic relatives and well-documented family branches, those with recent immigrant lines – particularly from Poland – face unique challenges, including fewer close matches and smaller, harder-to-analyse DNA segments. This talk will begin with a brief historical overview of Poland’s multiethnic history and its migration patterns. We will then explore advanced genetic genealogy methods specifically tailored to overcome these hurdles, offering practical strategies to help you break through brick walls and advance your Polish family research.

About our speaker: Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak is a Polish forensic investigative genetic genealogist based in Scotland and one of the first accredited investigative genetic genealogists. He brings over a decade of experience in genetic genealogy and more than two decades in traditional genealogy. With a formal background in quantitative human genetics, he has lectured in genetics and genetic genealogy at four universities across Europe and is a frequent speaker at conferences in both Europe and America.

10/05/2026

We are now selling tickets for our annual Christmas dinner, which is in place of our December member meeting. Family and friends are welcome to join us; the more the merrier!

When: Thursday, December 10, 5-9 with dinner at 6pm

Where: the Beginnings Banquet facility at Kiebzak’s Restaurant in Sloan; 38 Crocker Street, Buffalo, New York 14212

Menu: family-style dinner of baked chicken and breaded pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet and sour cabbage, two vegetables, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee, tea, milk; there will be a cash bar

Price: $35, paid by PayPal in the Member’s only section of our website, or cash or check (made out to PGSNYS) to Julie Wieczkowski or Chuck Pyrak at a monthly meeting or mailed to PO Box 984, Cheektowaga NY 14225.

Deadline to purchase tickets is December 1.

There will be a basket raffle and a 50/50 split raffle with proceeds going toward our projects and activities. Bring your money and your good luck!

We are looking for basket donations for the raffle! Every donation adds to the fun and helps support our cause. If you would like a tax letter for your donation, please give Julie Wieczkowski copies of your receipts.

10/02/2026

Please join us on Thursday, October 8 in person at our monthly meeting from 7:00 pm–9:00 pm at Erie 1 BOCES, 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, New York.. This meeting is free and open to the public.

After our business meeting there will be a presentation: “Unlocking Polish Ancestry with DNA: Overcoming the Challenges of Underrepresented Populations,” by Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak

It is estimated that one in five Americans has taken a DNA test. However, the success of genetic genealogical analysis is greatly influenced by the tester’s ancestral population. While Americans with deep colonial roots often benefit from close genetic relatives and well-documented family branches, those with recent immigrant lines – particularly from Poland – face unique challenges, including fewer close matches and smaller, harder-to-analyse DNA segments. This talk will begin with a brief historical overview of Poland’s multiethnic history and its migration patterns. We will then explore advanced genetic genealogy methods specifically tailored to overcome these hurdles, offering practical strategies to help you break through brick walls and advance your Polish family research.

About our speaker: Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak is a Polish forensic investigative genetic genealogist based in Scotland and one of the first accredited investigative genetic genealogists. He brings over a decade of experience in genetic genealogy and more than two decades in traditional genealogy. With a formal background in quantitative human genetics, he has lectured in genetics and genetic genealogy at four universities across Europe and is a frequent speaker at conferences in both Europe and America.

09/17/2026

Our President, Julie Szczepankiewicz, will give a public lecture hosted by the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo.

Julie will talk about "Myths and Misconceptions in Polish Genealogy". The program will explore common misunderstandings surrounding Polish genealogy and offer helpful insight for those interested in researching their Polish family history.

Wednesday, September 23, at 5:30 at the Julia Boyer Reinstein Library (1030 Losson Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227).