Seattle-Gdynia Sister City Association (SGSCA)

Searching for your Polish roots? Stumped by roadblocks?

Please join us for this highly anticipated lecture on Polish Genealogy presented by the Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association.  “Polish Genealogy, Thinking Outside The Box” by Jan M. Lorys.
Sunday, February 17th at 4:30pm at the Polish Cultural Center located at 1714 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122       $10 Suggested Donation at the door.

Jan M. Lorys, director of the Polish Museum of America (PMA) in Chicago, will have you “thinking outside the box” as he presents a lively genealogical research overview entitled “Polish Genealogy, Thinking Outside The Box”.

For example: How could a Francis Gordon be a Polish bishop? An area in Gdansk is called “Scot’s Town”? How was it that Captain John Smith traveled to Poland before coming to Jamestown? Understanding that names of towns have changed, Poland’s borders changed and upon immigration to the United States last names may have changed – will help guide you on your personal journey.

These are some of the intriguing issues he will address as he not only shares information about waves of emigration from Poland, but also immigration to Poland.

As an added bonus, since Seattle is a sister city of Gdynia,  Mr. Lorys has several slides on the 1930s in Gdynia, uncovered from the PMA vaults, that he will be showcasing.

About Jan Lorys
Jan M. Lorys attended Catholic primary school and high school in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle in 1971 with a B.A. in Political Science. He worked for the Federal Government for nineteen years before retiring, after which he earned an M.A. in History, also from UIC. From September 1992 till June 1996, Mr. Lorys was a bilingual (Polish) teacher with the Chicago Public School System, teaching History and Social Studies. He is the co-producer and writer of a short film on Casimir Pulaski. Jan. Lorys is the Director of the Polish Museum since June 28, 1996.
Mr. Lorys played an important role as a Steering Committee member in the creation of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, a Chicagoland partnership of 20 ethnic museums and cultural institutions.  He has also initiated contacts with cultural and government institutions in Poland that have resulted in several beneficial exchanges and collaborations.

Please join us for this highly anticipated lecture on Polish Genealogy presented by SGSCA.
 “Polish Genealogy, Thinking Outside The Box” by Jan M. Lorys.
Sunday, February 17th at 4:30pm at the Polish Cultural Center
1714 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
$10 Suggested Donation at the door.

We invite you to come early and dine at PB Kitchen for a delicious home-cooked meal.
Located on the lower level of the Polish Cultural Center, Sunday dining is from 1-4pm.