PGS-MN Networking Groups

We are pleased to offer PGS-MN Networking Groups for our members. We have heard from many members that they would like to meet others who have similar ancestral backgrounds.

We have five groups to choose from that were established 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).

To see dates of the Networking Group meetings, go to the Events tab.

Group Structure

  • Groups are for members only
  • Each group has a leader
  • Meetings will be held the same months as the PGS-MN Program Meetings (March, April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov)
  • Each group determines the date and time of their Networking Group within those months
  • Each group meets via Zoom calls
  • Notice of all networking meetings will be sent in one email to all PGS-MN members several weeks before the meetings are held

Focus of the Groups

  • Share resources from areas where their Polish ancestors came from in Poland and where they settled in MN
  • Share research tips
  • Possibly find/share common ancestors
  • Trouble-shoot brick walls
  • Establish a network of people to contact about genealogy questions they have in common with others
  • Share information from the PGS-MN website (From Poland to MN, Missing Branches)

Northeast Minneapolis Group

Focus: Minneapolis (Hennepin County), Anoka County and surrounding areas . The Poles who settled in the Northeast Minneapolis area came mainly from Galicia and some from Russian Poland.

Leader: Dori Marszalek

Central Minnesota Group

Focus: Primarily on Morrison, Benton, Stearns and Todd Counties. The Poles who settled here came from the Prussian area of Poland (Silesia, Poznan, as well as Kashubia).

Leader: Mike Stodolka

Southeast Minnesota Group

Focus: Mainly on the Winona area, with a direct connection to Pine Creek Wisconsin (as well as a few other communities in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin). A large population of Kashubians settled here, as well as a smaller number of Poles from Poznan and Silesia.

Leader: Karen Brill

St. Paul Group

Focus: Neighborhoods of St. Paul, South St. Paul and surrounding area. St. Paul Polish immigrants came from several areas of Poland: Kashubia, Russian Poland and Galicia. St. Casimir Church and St. Adelbert Church were built as Polish churches.

Leader: Marijo McBride

NE Minnesota Group

Focus: Poles settled primarily in St. Louis County (especially Duluth and Gnesen), Pine County and Carlton County. Poles who settled in these counties came primarily from Kashubia and Russian Poland. PGS-MN members who had ancestors who settled in other NE MN counties are also welcome.

Leader: Currently Rotating leaders