In this webinar, attendees will cover key aspects of Polish beneficial and fraternal records in genealogical research. The presentation will cover basic topics such as who produced records and what kind of records were kept, repositories where they might be found, and overcoming language barriers. Additionally, the history of Polish beneficials, and beneficials in general, will be discussed. Challenges facing the Polish American community that spurred the founding of these societies will be covered, as well as the ideologies of major organizations and women’s struggle for equity within their ranks. Note - the webinar will be recorded and available for members to view for two weeks after the presentation. 

Claire Gene Esker, MSc, PLCGS, QG, began researching her Polish genealogy as a college student at Carthage College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Comparative Politics focus. She earned a Master of Science with merit from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland in Genealogical, Paleographic, and Heraldic Studies, and went on to receive a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies in American Records and Methodology from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies in Ontario, Canada. She recently completed work with ProGen 56 and is currently the Secretary of the Board for the Polish Genealogical Society of America and led the St. Hedwig’s Orphanage 1920-1950 Census Transcription Project. Additionally, she is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois, as well a member of the Polish National Alliance. She can be found online at www.pastforwardfamilyhistory.com.

Registration is required via the Chicago Genealogical Society website under Events. Registration will close 1 hour prior to the event. The meet-up will take place virtually via ZOOM. All people registered will receive an email the morning of the event with log-in instructions and a link. This information is not to be shared.

Note: This webinar is FREE for CGS members. Non-Members can register for the event for $10. No refunds.