Trace your Eastern European ancestors from American shores back to the old country. This in-depth guide will walk you step-by-step through the exciting--and challenging--journey of finding your Polish, Czech, or Slovak roots. You'll learn how to identify immigrant ancestors, find your family's town of origin, locate key genealogical resources, decipher foreign-language records, and untangle the region's complicated history. The book also includes timelines, sample records, resource lists, and sample record request letters to aid your research.In this book, you'll findThe best online resources for Polish, Czech, and Slovak genealogy, plus a clear research path you can follow to find successTips and resources for retracing your ancestors' journey to AmericaDetailed guidance for finding and using records in the old countryHelpful background on Polish, Czech, and Slovak history, geography, administrative divisions, and naming patternsHow the Three Partitions of Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire affect genealogical research and recordsInformation on administrative divisions to help you identify where your ancestors' records are keptSample letters for requesting records from overseas archivesCase studies that apply concepts and strategies to real-life research problemsWhether your ancestors hail from Warsaw or a tiny village in the Carpathians, The Family Tree Polish, Czech and Slovak Genealogy Guide will give you the tools you need to track down your ancestors in Eastern Europe.
