Using Geneteka with FamilySearch for Polish Genealogy

Using Geneteka with FamilySearch for Polish Genealogy

This guide will walk you through the process of using Geneteka, a popular Polish genealogy website, in conjunction with FamilySearch.org to enhance your Polish family history research.

Step 1: Prepare Your FamilySearch Account

Before you start, ensure you have a FamilySearch account and that your family tree is populated as much as possible with your Polish ancestors.

Step 2: Locate Your Ancestor on FamilySearch

1. Go to FamilySearch.org.
2. Click on the "Tree" tab at the top of the page.
3. Navigate to the profile page of the Polish ancestor you want to research further.
4. Take note of their key details: Name, Birth Date (or approximate), and Birth Location (village/parish/gmina). These will be used to find them on Geneteka.

Step 3: Access Geneteka

1. Open a new browser tab or window.
2. Go to the Geneteka website: http://geneteka.genealodzy.pl/
3. Note: the Geneteka website is in Polish. Use your browser's translation feature (if available) to translate the page to English or your preferred language, if needed.

Step 4: Search Geneteka for Your Ancestor

1. On the Geneteka homepage, locate the search form. The exact placement and appearance may vary, but it will generally include fields for:
   • Imię (Name): Enter the first name of your ancestor.
   • Nazwisko (Surname): Enter the last name of your ancestor.
   • Parafia (Parish): This is crucial. Try to find the Parish associated with your ancestor's birth location on FamilySearch. You can search on FamilySearch for records in Poland related to their village of birth or a nearby town. That should mention the parish.
2. Click the "Szukaj" (Search) button.

Step 5: Analyze the Geneteka Search Results

1. Review the search results carefully. Look for entries that match your ancestor's name, date, and location.
2. Geneteka indexes parish records. If you find a match, it will typically provide:
   • Imię i Nazwisko (Name and Surname)
   • Data (Date): The date of the event (birth, marriage, death).
   • Parafia (Parish): The parish where the event was recorded.
   • Numer aktu (Act Number): The record number in the parish register. This is *very* important for future research.

Step 6: Use Geneteka Information to Search FamilySearch Records

1. Return to FamilySearch.org.
2. Click on the "Search" tab.
3. Select "Records".
4. Enter the information you found on Geneteka into the FamilySearch search fields:
   • Name: Enter your ancestor's name.
   • Birth Date: Enter the birth date (or approximate).
   • Birth Place: Enter the birth location, including the parish if known.
5. Also, try entering the Parish name in the "Place" field. This may help you find records digitized and indexed on FamilySearch but not yet linked to your ancestor's profile.
6. Click the "Search" button.

Step 7: Attach Records to Your Family Tree

1. Carefully examine the search results on FamilySearch. Look for records that match the details from Geneteka.
2. If you find a matching record, review the image of the original record (if available). This is the best way to confirm the information.
3. If the record matches your ancestor, attach it to their profile on FamilySearch.
   • Click on the record's title.
   • Click on the "Attach to Family Tree" button.
   • Follow the prompts to link the record to the correct individual in your family tree.

By combining the power of Geneteka with FamilySearch, you can significantly expand your knowledge of your Polish ancestors and build a more comprehensive family tree.