Polish Genealogical Society of CaliforniaPromote research of Polish heritage
by Jacque Penstone
The Polish Genealogical Society of California was officially formed on July 17, 1989, at a meeting called by Col. Melvin Hanberg and Jacque (Jacqueline) Penstone.
Its purpose was to organize a non-profit educational organization to promote research of Polish heritage throughout the world, and to unite all persons (whether beginner or professional) interested in Polish genealogy.
Through networking, sources are developed to connect the society to the other Polish Genealogy Societies established throughout the world. Research is not just a matter of dates and figures, but includes an in depth study of Poland: history, culture, art, religion, and geography.
The Polish Genealogical Society of California established a library of books and, even more important, a collection of hundreds of rolls of microfilm of Polish records on permanent loan stored at the Family History Library of the Church of Latter Day Saints in Los Angeles. This collection is added to by the membership on a continual basis.
Meetings are held the fourth Saturday of every other month at the Family History Library LDS in Los Angeles. Morning is devoted to helping members with their research. The afternoon hosts a one hour beginning talk by the President; a business meeting and then a guest speaker. To continue to educate its members, a conference is arranged bi-annually in Salt Lake City, Utah. An in-town seminar with expert speakers is arranged in the spring.
The Society sponsors a heritage table at the annual Jamboree in Pasadena each year to help Californians know more about Poland and the resources that are available.
It takes a hard-working board of directors to maintain all of the Society's functions and this is met by:
Melanie T. A. Mazur, President Annette Gathright, 1st Vice President, Membership Chairman Leon Walling, 2nd Vice President, Program Chairman Joan Smith, Secretary Doris Ganick, Administrative Assistant Antek Jakubowski, Translation Director Renay Wallace, Research Director Karen Coyne, Treasurer Gregg Legutki, LibrarianAt present the Society has 220 members.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.