Polish Genealogical Society of Minnesota

An Evening with Polish Cinema: Two Sisters
2025-10-14 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
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 Annual Meeting RESCHEDULED
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00
The PGS-MN Annual Business Meeting has been rescheduled, due to the extreme weather we have recently experienced. The rescheduled date is Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 10:00 am until 12 noon in the Mississippi Room at the Minnesota Genealogical Center, 1385 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN. The meeting will also be available by Zoom (the Zoom Link will be provided several days before the meeting).

The meeting will include: – Recap of 2025 and plans for 2026– Election of the Treasurer, Secretary, and two Directors – Proposed bylaw changes– Status of PGS-MN restructure

We look forward to seeing you there!

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.
