Polish relatvies?

Question

My father came from Poland when WW2 started. How would I go about finding any relatives there?

Answer 1

Hi, Noodles.. I also have Polish lineage, and always mention Michener's novel about Poland as a enjoyable means of getting background. A bit off the usual research sources, but I highly reccomend it.
Hopefully, you have the names of both his parents? Relatives can be from either side. Have you tried running the surname through the family files on rootsweb? Maybe your dad's immediate family is not there, but if the name is, you can browse the entries, looking for a pattern or even name of towns.
That era was a difficult one, for obvious reasons. If your lineage is Jewish, it may have been traumatic for your father. Some deal with it by never discussing it, others made efforts to preserve the family stories. My family was Catholic, but the destruction of churches means records were destroyed.
Of course, don't overlook the option of running the name plus the word Poland through google. Entries may come up, in Polish, but there are translator sites online.

Answer 2

1. Do have any relatives you can talk to, incase they have any old addresses for relatives back in Poland?

2. Perhaps if you contacted the Polish Embassy and explained he was displaced because of the war, perhaps they can suggest who to contact?

3. The Salvation Army I believe can help with many countries? Although I don't know specifically about Poland.

I hope you have good luck finding them!

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Hey Noodles,

Cindi's list has hundreds of Polish sites. That is one good way. Then there are hundreds of sites that list research sites for Poland. Don't for get to check the Vital Records sites for Poland. Good luck.

Answer 4

The International Red Cross is in the business of reuniting people displaced by war with their relatives wherever they may be. To contact them you call your local chapter for a referral. http://www.redcross.org/services/intl/0,1082,0_447_,00.html


They also have a special unit dedicated to Holocaust and War Victims Tracing: http://www.redcross.org/services/intl/holotrace/index.html


I know several people who've been successfully reunited with family back in Europe.The best part is that their services are free and they have access to records in every country in the world except 3.