Polish Genealogical Society of Minnesota

Polish Picnic in Columbia Heights
2025-08-16
The Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota (PACIM) and the Sister Cities program are organizing a picnic on August 16, 2025 for all Polish groups. It will be held at Huset Park in Columbia Heights. Activities planned include a band, dancing and Polish food (kielbasa, pierogi, kapusta, etc.) for sale. The lower level and shelter has been reserved as well. They are calling picnic The Great Polish Get Together.

The event is still in the planning phase – more information will be posted as it becomes available.

Uncovering Roots: A Journey into My Polish Heritage
2025-09-06 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Speaker: Colleen Zenk, PGS-MN Member
Colleen Zenk began her search for her Polish ancestry with only fragments of family knowledge and a surname—Fiyol—that had long obscured her path. With encouragement and guidance from our community, she connected with a Polish genealogist and embarked on a remarkable journey of discovery. From the small town of Minnesota Lake, where her great-grandparents settled, she traced her lineage back to a village east of Kraków, Poland.
In this presentation, Colleen will share the story of uncovering her family’s past, the enduring legacy of resilient Polish women, and how their strength carried generations through times of hardship and change.
This program will be held in person at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mississippi Room, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 as well as virtually by Zoom. A zoom link will be sent to all PGS-MN members a few days before the program. Attendees (both zoom and in-person) do not need to register in advance.
Not able to attend this event? The program will be recorded and available on the PGS-MN website (under Program Meeting Archives) about a week after the program is held.

From Treaty to Trenches: Poland’s Path to Sovereignty (1918–1921)
2025-10-04 10:00 - 12:00
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Speaker: Professor Gordon Pueschner – MFA
Century College, White Bear Lake, MN
This presentation will cover what happened after the 1919 Paris Peace Accords, focusing on the rebirth of Poland and the challenges it faced in the years that followed. We’ll look at how the Treaty of Versailles helped restore Polish independence after more than a century of partition but left many questions—especially about Poland’s eastern borders—unresolved. Along the way, we’ll look at the often-overlooked Polish-Ukrainian War of 1918–1919 and how it set the stage for Poland’s bigger showdown with Soviet Russia in 1920. From diplomatic efforts to military conflicts like the Battle of Warsaw, this presentation will show how Poland fought to secure its place in a changing Europe—and how those early struggles shaped the region and laid the groundwork for future instability.”
This program will be held in person at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mississippi Room, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 as well as virtually by Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all PGS-MN members a few days before the program. Attendees (both Zoom and in-person) do not need to register in advance.
Not able to attend this event? The program will be recorded and available on the PGS-MN website (under Program Meeting Archives) about a week after the program is held.

Smaczne Jabłka (Apple Fest) - Winona
2025-10-05 11:00 - 16:00
The annual Smaczne Jabłka (Apple Fest), sponsored by the Kashubian Cultural Institute and Polish Museum, will be held at their Polish Museum site, located at 102 Liberty Street in Winona.
PGS-MN members will host a display table at this event, with information about our organization. Come join us in celebrating all things Kashubian!
If you are interested in helping with our display table at this event, contact us at pgsminnesota@gmail.com.

An Evening with Polish Cinema: Two Sisters
2025-10-14 18:00 - 20:00
The Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota (PACIM) is proud to present an exclusive screening of Dwie Siostry (Two Sisters), the newest film from acclaimed Polish director Łukasz Karwowski. This moving drama follows two sisters who, after years of separation, are drawn back together to face long-hidden family secrets. Blending personal conflict with universal themes of memory, reconciliation, and identity, the film offers a gripping glimpse into the depth and artistry of contemporary Polish cinema.
Two half-sisters, who have been in conflict for years, set off to Ukraine to pick up their seriously injured father. They travel by car, then by train, in the end – on foot. The world of war, bombarded houses and burnt down tanks is gradually revealed in front of their very eyes. Near Kharkiv they cross the frontline unawares and enter Russian-occupied territory. Will they manage to find their father? Is there a place for forgiveness and love in a world of war? What will this journey bring about?—Gdynia Film Festival
The screening will be followed by an open discussion, providing an opportunity to share impressions and reflect on the film’s themes together. The movie will be presented with English subtitles.
📍 Location: Landmark Center Auditorium, St. Paul, MN
Admission $10, sold at the time of the show.

North Star Conference - Charting Your Ancestral Course
2025-10-24 - 2025-10-25
The 18th Minnesota Genealogical Society’s North Star Conference early bird registration opens July 8, 2025.
The event will be held at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN.
Included in the 2-day conference registration:

Presentations from featured speakers David Rencher and J. Fonkert
15 breakout sessions led by genealogy experts
Lunches both days
NEW THIS YEAR! Honors and Hors d’oeuvres – Friday early evening social and awards program
“Ask a Genealogist” panel
Vendors, door prizes, and more

There will be a pre-conference event with Irish expert David Rencher the afternoon of October 23rd at the Minnesota Genealogy Center. Sign up early, as space is limited for the pre-conference.
Find all the conference details on the North Star web site.
PGS-MN will have a table at this event.

Emigration between Countries and Pommern Ship History
2025-11-01 10:00 - 14:00
This is a joint program between the Polish Genealogical Society of MN and the Pommern Regional Group of MN.

Morning Program (10 AM – 12 PM)
Imigracja między krajami (Immigration Between Countries)
Speakers:
Alicia Byzewski, Member, PGS-MN
Jim Warzonek, President, PGS-MN
10 AM – 12 PM
The speakers will provide an overview of the experience of Polish immigration to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There will be examples of advertisements that promoted the journey by ship, as well as questionnaires and forms that Polish emigrants were required to complete before starting their journey. It will include the cost and course of travel by ship, as well as the routes taken once they arrived in the United States.
In addition, the speakers will address what is involved for a United States citizen to become a Polish citizen. They will cover the required forms, cost, and language needs to obtain Polish dual citizenship for individuals with Polish ancestry.

There will be a lunch break from 12 PM – 12:45 PM
For those attending in person, a light lunch will be provided.

Afternoon Program (12:45 PM – 1:45 PM)
Dar Pomorza (Gift of Pommern)
Speaker:
Jim Neuenfeldt, President, Pommern Regional Group of MN (PRG)
Pommern – The translations refer to “The People by the Sea” to “Land South of the Baltic.” No matter which interpretation is used, Pommern’s relationship to the sea makes it appropriate to name ships related to Pommern-Pomerania.
One of the legendary ships is the Dar Pomorza – “Gift of Pommern,” Poland’s greatest sailing ship. The speaker will cover the different ships named after Pommern, with focus on the Dar Pomorza, its historic stories, and how it is still used today.

This program will be held in person at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mississippi Room, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 as well as virtually by Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all PGS-MN members a few days before the program.This program is free – attendees (both by Zoom and in-person) do not need to register in advance.
Not able to attend this event? The program will be recorded and available on the PGS-MN website (under Program Meeting Archives) about a week after the program is held.
We hope you will join us!

Polish Soup Festival
2025-11-16 10:30 - 15:00
The Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota (PACIM) is hosting a Polish Soup Festival and invites anyone interested to attend. There will be a sampler of Bigos and traditional Polish Soups. You can also purchase soups in 32 oz. containers.
Location:
St. John Paul II School
1630 4th St. NE
Minneapolis, MN
For more information, contact PACIM at 612-384-0154.

2026 Program Meetings
2025-12-01 - 2026-12-31
Below are the titles for the 2026 Program Meetings. Keep checking back for more details.

March 7, 2026 – The Poznan Project and FamilySearch Marriage Records (Speaker: Terry Kita)
April 11, 2026 – Polish American Cultural Institute (PACIM) and Columbia Heights Sister City Program
May 2, 2026 – Forged in Iron – A Minnesota Rusyn Immigrants Tale (Speaker: Mary Soroko)
September 12, 2026 – Operation Vistula (Speaker: Marge Runnako)
October 3, 2026 – Polish Food
November 7, 2026 – Kowalski Family (Speaker: Janet Mitchell)

Previous programs can be found in the Program Meeting Archives in the Members Only section of our website. We encourage you to watch the ones that interest you at your convenience.

PGS-MN Networking Groups
2026-01-01 - 2026-12-31
PGS-MN members have expressed an interest in meeting with other members who have similar ancestral backgrounds, both in Poland and in Minnesota.
As a result, we have established five networking groups (for members only), based on the MN areas where members currently live as well as the Missing Branches information (where members ancestors emigrated from in Poland and where they settled in MN). The participants in the five groups have found it to be a great networking opportunity with other members who have similar backgrounds.
The networking groups are held six times each year in the same months that our program meetings are held (March, April, May and September, October, November). All PGS-MN members are welcome to attend any of the groups. All of the groups determined that their meetings will be held by Zoom to provide the best access for all members, and evening hours were preferred.
One email at the beginning of each of the six months will be sent to all PGS-MN members. The email will include the Zoom links to all five networking groups that will take place in that month – all you have to do is click on the link for the meeting you are interested in on the date/time that is indicated for that group.
The Networking groups are starting up again after the holiday break. Below is the schedule for March:
SE Minnesota – facilitated by Karen Brill
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026 (2nd Monday of the month from 7-8:30 PM)
(primarily Winona and the Pine Creek, WI area)
Central Minnesota – facilitated by Mike Stodolka
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026 (2nd Tuesday of the month)
(primarily Morrison, Benton, and Stearns Counties)
NE Minneapolis – facilitated by Connie Waldherr
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026 (3rd Monday of the month)
(primarily Minneapolis and Anoka County)
NE Minnesota – facilitated by Mary Johnson
TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026 (3rd Tuesday of the month)
St. Paul – facilitated by Marijo McBride
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026 (4th Monday of the month)

We invite all PGS-MN members to join any groups of interest. No need to register – you can just show up on the Zoom call. Contact us at pgsminnesota@gmail.com for more information.

The Poznan Project and FamilySearch Marriage Records
2026-03-07 10:00 - 11:30
Speaker: Terry Kita, PGS-MN Past President
This program will combine information from two free online marriage record resources: The Poznan Project, and FamilySearch.
The Poznan Project originated in 2015, and is a compilation of all marriages between 1800-1899 in the Prussian Province of Poznan. Data includes parish name, date, names of groom and bride, and occasionally names of parents. Data was obtained from church books, and from civil records after a certain date.
FamilySearch records to be discussed are also digitized marriage records from Poznan. The records were written by the presiding priests, usually in Latin. The format of the records can vary from paragraph to tabular form. The speaker will also address ways to reveal additional family members through the FamilySearch site.
This program will be held in person at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mississippi Room, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 as well as virtually by Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all PGS-MN members a few days before the program. Attendees (both Zoom and in-person) do not need to register in advance.
Not able to attend this event? The program will be recorded and available on the PGS-MN website (under Program Meeting Archives) about a week after the program is held.

Introduction to PACIM and Columbia Heights Sister City Organizations
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00
PACIM (Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota) is a Polish-American cultural and language organization that has served Minnesota for over 40 years and is currently based at Landmark Center in St. Paul. It provides meaningful programming that promotes Polish culture, language, and history, and builds connections across the Polish-American community through membership and partnerships with other cultural organizations, schools, churches, and individuals.
Columbia Heights Sister City organization is based in Columbia Heights, MN. Its origin can be traced to the story of a Polish-American air force pilot who lost his life in WWII near the Polish city of Lomianki. The connection between the two cities has existed since 1991, and involves cultural, historical, as well as civic ties and exchanges.
This program will be held in person at the Minnesota Genealogy Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mississippi Room, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120 as well as virtually by Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all PGS-MN members a few days before the program. Attendees (both Zoom and in-person) do not need to register in advance.
Not able to attend this event? The program will be recorded and available on the PGS-MN website (under Program Meeting Archives) about a week after the program is held.
