Polish state archives

Subject: Requesting records from State Archives in WarsawFrom: "Naidia Woolf" Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2007 04:51:33 -0700X-Message-Number: 2To order records from the State Archives in Warsaw, go to the website at http://warszawa.ap.gov.pl/and there you will find a "Contact" link which will provide you with the postal address and phone number as well as email address.Someone asked how to request records from the State Archives in Warsaw, Poland. This was my response -You can either send an inquiry by post (by mail) or respond directly by email address: archiwum@warszawa.ap.gov.plBe sure to include as much as you know about your ancestor(s), such as type of record requested (birth, marriage or death), names of individuals, date of event (or range of dates), and town or city. It doesn't hurt - and makes you more credible, if you also include your relationship to the deceased.Eventually (it might take months) you will receive a response (usually in Polish) telling you (1) what the fee is for searching the archives for your ancestor's records, and (2) asking you to transfer funds (by wire transfer) to their bank in Warsaw - and the amount in zlotys (Polish currency) as well as in euros, pound sterling - if you're in the UK - or dollars if you are in the US, for example.They prefer you to pay by wire transfer. Because this is expensive (my bank charges $USD30 for a single wire transfer), I usually send a money order - which the State Archives don't like because it's difficult for them to process a check in a foreign currency. A better alternative is to send an international money order. That said, I should add that if you pay by wire transfer the cost for the initial search and photocopies is considerably less than if you send a check or money order!Usually - but not always - the initial response is to request payment for the initial search. Later (if they find your ancestor's records), you will receive a second request asking you to again wire transfer funds into the bank in Warsaw to cover the cost of photocopies.This appears to be standard procedure for all of the State Archives in Poland - it certainly applies to the State Archives in Lodz, and presumably to all the others in Poland (although I can't say for sure).Even if you know ahead of time what the fee is for a birth, marriage, or death record, do not send any money until you are requested to do so, and of course, keep careful records including your copies of any financial transactions. Sometimes they request the wrong amount or the fee in the *wrong* currency - that is, not yours!Sometimes (but not always) a complete fee schedule is enclosed with the initial response to your inquiry.It may take many months before you receive the vital records, so "don't hold your breath!"Good luck!Naidia WoolfSan Francisco, Californiarnwoolf@earthlink.netResearching:DROZDIASZ, Karczew, Poland