''A Translation Guide to 19th-Century Polish-Language Civil-Registration Documents (including Birth, Marriage and Death Records)'' is a book written by genealogical researcher Judith R. Frazin as a tool to help researchers unlock the meaning of 19th-century

Polish language Polish (Polish: ''język polski'', , ''polszczyzna'' or simply ''polski'', ) is a West Slavic language of the Lechitic group written in the Latin script. It is spoken primarily in Poland and serves as the native language of the Poles. In ad ...

civil records. Many researchers use such tools, including this guide, to help decipher records found in genealogical resources, such as the

LDS Church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The c ...

Family History Library The Family History Library (FHL) is a genealogical research facility in downtown Salt Lake City. The library is open to the public free of charge and is operated by FamilySearch, the genealogical arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

. The book includes: A step-by-step guide, which teaches researchers how to divide each document into a series of "mini-documents" so as to make easier the task of understanding what each document says; 7 sample documents with important words and the information which follows these words highlighted; and 15 topical vocabulary lists, such as Age, Family and Occupations, which are composed of words that actually occur in 19th-century documents. The first edition of the book (1984) was significantly revised in its second edition (1989), which expanded upon the various topical lists and added a listing of numerous given names as found in the relevant records. The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois, publisher of the book, released a third, revised edition in 2009. Set in larger type, it further expands the topical lists, includes a map, and provides information about census records and how the Polish language works (including an explanation of case endings and name suffixes). The third edition also includes tips on how to locate one's ancestral town and records from that town. Due to her work on the book, the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA) recognized Judith Frazin's contribution to the field of

genealogy Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kin ...

by selecting her to receive its Wigilia award in 2000. The PGSA's Wigilia Award honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to Polish-American Genealogy. An earlier recipient of the award was

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...

(LDS Church) for its "efforts to microfilm eastern European records in areas that once belonged to the Polish Commonwealth." In July 2010, The

International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, Inc. (IAJGS) is an independent non-profit umbrella organization coordinating the activities and annual conference of 84 Jewish genealogical societies worldwide. History The IAJGS was ...

(IAJGS) conferred on her its annual award for "Outstanding Contribution to Jewish Genealogy via the Internet, Print or Electronic Product.""IAJGS 2010 Achievement Awards"
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Reviews

published by the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast, Inc.
Gen Dorbry! (Volume IV, No 11, 30 November 2003)

(see also Mar 96); Wandering Volhynians Newsletter was a quarterly publication serving the genealogical, historical and heritage interests of descendants of Germans who migrated to or through Congress Poland and Volhynia. Ceased publication in 1999.

References

External links

"Polish Genealogical Society of America"

Library of Congress Local History and Genealogical Reading Room; see section "Genealogical Guides and Handbooks: Polish"

see section "Translation Resources." {{DEFAULTSORT:Translation Guide To 19th-Century Polish-Language Civil-Registration Documents 2009 non-fiction books Jewish genealogy Jewish Polish history Genealogy publications Polish non-fiction books