A curated list of free and paid Polish genealogy tools, databases, and services useful for Polish genealogy research and citizenship applications.
Finding reliable genealogy resources can dramatically speed up your family history research. Fortunately, Polish genealogy is supported by a growing network of databases, archives, record collections, and research tools that help descendants locate ancestral records, identify family connections, and verify historical information.
The resources below include free databases, digitized church and civil records, surname research tools, DNA testing services, and official sources that can assist with both genealogy research and Polish citizenship applications. Whether you are just beginning your search or tackling a difficult research problem, these websites provide valuable starting points for uncovering your family’s story.
Because records are scattered across different archives and jurisdictions, it is often helpful to consult multiple sources when researching Polish ancestors. Combining records, databases, and DNA evidence can often reveal information that would be difficult to discover through a single resource alone.
Free Genealogy Databases
- Geneteka — geneteka.genealodzy.pl
Indexed Polish vital records, searchable by name and parish. Covers many regions, especially 19th century.
- Metryki — metryki.genealodzy.pl
Scanned images of Polish church books and civil records, not always indexed.
- Polish State Archives (Szukaj w Archiwach) — szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl
Official portal for Polish state archive digitized collections.
- Poznan Project — poznan-project.psnc.pl
Indexed marriage records from the Poznan (Posen) region, covering the Prussian partition era.
- JRI-Poland — jri-poland.org
Jewish Records Indexing — Poland. Essential for Polish-Jewish genealogy research.
Maps & Geography
- Mapster (historical maps) — igrek.amzp.pl
Detailed historical maps of Poland from the 19th and early 20th century, overlaid on modern maps.
- Kartenmeister (German surname/place database) — kartenmeister.com
Useful for tracing German/Austrian-era place names in former Prussian and Austrian-controlled Polish regions.
DNA Testing
- AncestryDNA — Largest database of DNA matches; useful for finding cousins and filling gaps in paper records.
- MyHeritage DNA — Strong European database with SmartMatches linking DNA to family trees.
Guides on This Site
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free Polish genealogy database?
Geneteka is one of the most widely used free resources for locating Polish birth, marriage, and death records.
Can I research Polish ancestors online?
Yes. Many church records, civil registrations, immigration documents, and surname databases are now available online through genealogy websites and archives.
Which resources help with Polish citizenship applications?
Genealogy databases, archival records, and historical documents can often help applicants locate the evidence needed to support citizenship by descent claims.
Researchers may also find the Polish State Archives useful for accessing historical records, archival collections, and digitized documents from across Poland.