Researching Eastern European Family History

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Understanding Eastern European Geography: Borders, Peoples, and Histories 

Presented by Michelle Tucker Chubenko, AG®

This session will help researchers navigate the complex history of shifting borders of Eastern Europe. Attendees will explore the region's diverse ethnic and cultural landscape and learn how empires and key historical events from the 18th century through the Cold War shaped our ancestral landscape. Practical tips will be offered for locating towns, interpreting multi-language records, and accessing relevant archives.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

Finding Families in Eastern Europe: Census Records and More

Presented by Rhoda Miller, Ed.D., CG®

Both Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire compiled information about households in census-like records at various times. Censuses were undertaken in Austria-Hungary from 1868 through 1910. The Russian Empire compiled Revision Lists from 1719 until 1858, family lists from time to time thereafter, and an Empire-wide census in 1897. Using Russian Empire document examples, this session will explain how families can be followed from one Revision List to the next. Austria-Hungary census records will be discussed in a related manner. This session will also demonstrate the importance of knowing an ancestor’s place of registration for finding related records.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Eastern European Ancestry in the Big Apple

Presented by Michelle Tucker Chubenko, AG®

Did your ancestors arrive in the late 1800s or early 1900s? This session is designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and resources needed to trace their Eastern European ancestry in New York metropolitan area, highlighting the significance of census, vital records, and immigration documents in genealogical research for Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak, Hungarian, Russian and Jewish ancestors.

4:45 – 5:45 p.m.

Identifying Place of Origin of Polish Immigrants 

Presented by Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz

This session offers an in-depth look at the process of gathering and interpreting evidence for place of origin of Polish immigrants, with an emphasis on the use of period and phonetic gazetteers and maps to resolve apparent conflicts in evidence.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Understanding Eastern European Records 

Presented by Rhoda Miller, Ed.D., CG®

This session will delve into the Eastern European records utilized to satisfy the Exhaustive Research component of the Genealogical Proof Standard. The records will include: Vital/Metrical Records, Books of Residents, Change of Address Applications, Internal Passports, External Passports, Court decisions regarding citizenship, and Electors’ Lists. (Note: The focus is on records from Lithuania and Latvia).

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

Getting Around the Language Barrier: Translation Aids for Polish Genealogy 

Presented by Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz

This session introduces the Polish history and geography, which determined the languages required for research, followed by an overview of available types of translation aids and assistance. Tips and strategies for deciphering foreign-language records will be included. Attendees will be equipped to develop research plans based on their desired degree of independence in research.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Did My Great-Grandmother Have a Family? A Documents and DNA Case Study 

Presented by Rhoda Miller, Ed.D., CG®

Do you have a “floating” female ancestor that cannot be attached to a larger tree? Brick walls in Eastern European research often involve elusive female ancestors. This case study will demonstrate ways to break through that brick wall with problem-solving strategies utilizing records, oral history, photographs, DNA, mapping, and cluster techniques. (Note: The case study involves a Hungarian family).