PolishOrigins

29/12/2025

Another travelogue from our guest Stefanie:

Żnin County, Poland: Traveling in the Footsteps of my Ancestors

In September 2025 I visited the towns of my ancestors, mostly located in the Żnin county area of North Central Poland, with PolishOrigins. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s worth doing a genealogy-based tour if your ancestors immigrated many generations back, the answer is yes! Thank you PolishOrigins for making our visit great. I’ve written about my experiences in depth on my blog:

Żnin County, Poland: Traveling in the Footsteps of my Ancestors

Żnin County, Poland: Traveling in the Footsteps of my Ancestors Is a genealogy-based tour worth your while if you are many generations rem...

26/11/2025

A new tour descrbied on our blog https://polishorigins.com/blog from Michael Mackowski. Michaeł travelled with his wife to Poland in August this year. He wrote a detailed, 11-part account of the whole journey, enriched with many photographs and videos, including several bird’s-eye views that show his family land and the towns.

I think you may find especially interesting Part 4, where Michael, his Polish relatives, and the entire town celebrate Dożynki (the Harvest Festival): https://polishorigins.com/blog/mackowskis-visit-to-poland-part4/

And Part 5, the day when Michael walks his ancestral land and visits cousins in their homes. Some of the videos are narrated in Michael’s own voice, which makes the stories especially valuable and personal: https://polishorigins.com/blog/mackowskis-visit-to-poland-part5/

Although each of our custom tours is unique and we cannot always guarantee successful genealogy or family search results, Michael’s report is a good example of what you can expect to experience when you decide to visit this part of Europe and your family places with us.

11/11/2025

Did you know that while you're enjoying Veterans Day today on November 11th, back in Poland, we're celebrating our own Independence Day - Święto Niepodległości? It's a day that resonates deeply with our shared heritage of fighting for freedom!

Let's dive into a bit of history: On November 11, 1918, after 123 years of being wiped off the map by partitions from Russia, Prussia, and Austria, Poland rose from the ashes at the end of World War I. Led by visionaries like Józef Piłsudski, the Second Polish Republic was born. Imagine - no Poland on the world map for over a century, yet our ancestors preserved their language, culture, and unbreakable spirit through uprisings, secret schools, and folk traditions. It's a testament to resilience that echoes the American Revolution's fight for independence!

The heartbeat of the day is the Marsz Niepodległości (Independence March) in Warsaw - one of the largest patriotic gatherings in Europe! Every year on November 11, tens of thousands of Poles (and visitors from around the world) march peacefully from the city center to the National Stadium, waving flags, singing the anthem, and lighting red flares that paint the sky in national colors. It’s a moving display of unity, gratitude to our heroes, and love for Poland. This year, 2025, over 100,000 people marched the streets of Warsaw honoring freedom!

05/11/2025

All Saints’ Day in Poland

The soft glow of countless candles transforms Polish cemeteries into seas of light each November 1st. All Saints' Day isn't just a holiday here - it's a profound act of remembrance that connects generations.

Walking through any cemetery in Poland during these days, you'll witness something extraordinary. Families gather at graves, carefully tending to them, placing fresh flowers, and lighting znicz - traditional candles that burn through the evening darkness. The atmosphere is both solemn and beautiful, as thousands of flickering flames create an unforgettable tapestry of light and memory.

"To forget the dead is to kill them a second time."

This tradition runs deep in Polish culture. It's not merely about honoring those who came before us - it's about maintaining that unbreakable thread between past and present. Every candle lit is a story remembered, a life acknowledged, a connection preserved.

When we visit these resting places, we're not just maintaining graves - we're keeping family histories alive, ensuring that future generations will know where they came from.

05/09/2025

Christmas in Poland is a truly special time - full of traditions that have been alive and practiced for generations.

In Kraków, Christmas carols echo through historic churches, while the Old Town streets glow with the lights of festive markets. In smaller towns, the season takes on a more intimate character, with local customs and gatherings that still bring entire communities together.

During this unique time in Poland, some traditions hold a special meaning:

- Christmas Eve (Wigilia) with traditional dishes and an empty seat at the table for an unexpected guest,
- Sharing the opłatek wafer, a symbol of reconciliation and unity,
- Midnight Mass (Pasterka), attended by entire families,
- Living tradition of carol singing, when groups of singers visit homes to bring joy and warm wishes.

In Poland, Christmas blends the atmosphere of great historic cities with the intimate, family-oriented character of smaller communities. For anyone who experiences it here, it becomes clear that this season is more than decorations and gifts - it is a time of true togetherness and traditions that have endured for centuries.

22/08/2025

Final Call - Join the Special edition of the Galicia Tour!

Our Galicia Tour, prepared in collaboration with the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State, is just two months away. While it was created with PGSNYS members in mind, it’s open to anyone interested.

This is the last chance to register. Registration is open until August 31, 2025 - after that, the participant list will be closed.

From October 29 to November 4, 2025, we will set off with an intimate group of travelers on a 7-day tour filled with history, culture, and unforgettable experiences:

- Visit the Sanok Ethnographic Park and feel the atmosphere of daily life in our ancestors’ times,
- Discover the Łańcut Palace and other landmarks of Galician noble culture,
- Take part in a folklore evening with traditional dances,
- Experience the unique atmosphere of All Saints’ Day at the historic Rakowicki Cemetery in Kraków,
- Explore Wawel Castle, the Underground Market in Kraków, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
- and more

More details and registration in comment

01/08/2025

The special Galicia Tour organized by PolishOrigins and PGSNYS is getting closer!

On October 29, 2025, we’ll embark on a unique, small-group 7-day journey (for 8-15 participants) through southeastern Poland - the historic land of Galicia!

This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to:
- Visit the Sanok Ethnographic Park and explore the everyday life of our ancestors
- Discover the magnificent Łańcut Palace and charming Galician towns
- Enjoy an unforgettable evening with traditional folk dancing
- Experience the magic of All Saints' Day at Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery
- Explore Wawel Castle, the Underground Market Museum, and Auschwitz-Birkenau

We’ll travel in a comfortable minibus and stay at carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels in Krosno and Kraków.

Daily breakfasts and 6 two-course dinners are included!
Cost: 11,800 PLN per person (approx. $3,200)
Registration is open until August 31, 2025, or until all spots are filled.

You’ll find the registration form and details in the link in the comments. Don’t miss this time-travel journey through history, culture, and family roots!

09/07/2025

One of the most popular attractions in Galicia is the Łańcut Castle - one of the most magnificent aristocratic residences in Poland, once home to the powerful Lubomirski and Potocki families. As you walk through its halls, you can almost see the flickering lights of grand balls and feel the atmosphere of an era long gone, yet still leaving behind an unforgettable trace.

This fall - from October 29 to November 4, 2025 - we invite you to join us on a unique journey through time. PolishOrigins, in collaboration with PGSNYS, has prepared an intimate group tour following the footsteps of Galicia’s past.

In Łańcut, we will not only tour the castle but also try to understand what life was like in the shadow of great historical events. We will also visit Sanok with its open-air museum, Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery glowing with thousands of candles on All Saints’ Day, and Auschwitz-Birkenau - a place for reflection and remembrance.

The tour will be led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an English-speaking group coordinator. Each day will end with a shared dinner and an overnight stay in carefully selected hotels in Krosno and Kraków.

The group is already confirmed, but a few spots are still available.
If you feel this is the journey you’ve been waiting for – join us.

06/07/2025

Do you remember the scent of gingerbread and the sound of carols from your childhood?
In December, Poland transforms into a living story – one of hope, togetherness, and traditions that unite generations.

Now, you have a unique opportunity to relive those emotions – in the heart of Polish December.

We warmly invite you to join another confirmed group journey following our Galicia Tour – the PolishOrigins Christmas Tour, taking place December 6–14, 2025.

This is a truly special small-group experience (3–7 participants), during which you won’t just observe Poland preparing for Christmas – you’ll become part of it.

The tour begins in Warsaw, aglow with thousands of lights, filled with traditional Christmas markets and nativity scenes. We’ll visit museums and places of worship from different cultures, stroll through Wilanów Park by night, and taste classic holiday treats.

In Kraków, our morning will begin with Roraty – a traditional Advent mass by candlelight in a medieval church. We’ll visit Wawel Castle, the Main Market Square, and the famous Kraków Nativity Scene exhibition. You’ll even learn how to make pierogi – because no Polish Christmas Eve is complete without them.

We’ll also explore Wrocław – a city with deep Silesian roots and a magical holiday atmosphere. And to end the journey: a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner in a local home – complete with opłatek, hay under the tablecloth, and flavors you’ll never forget.

This tour is for those who want to experience Polish Christmas in its most authentic form – with heart, history, and deep personal meaning.

The group is already confirmed, but space is very limited.

We invite you to join us – and experience the beauty of Polish tradition like never before.

04/07/2025

Galicia – a place that, for many of us, feels more like a story than a spot on the map.

This fall – from October 29 to November 4, 2025 – we invite you to join a very special journey in the footsteps of our ancestors, prepared in partnership by PolishOrigins and PGSNYS. This is an intimate, confirmed group tour that will allow you not only to see but truly feel what Galicia once was.

Over the course of a week, we will explore places marked by both grand historical events and deeply personal stories. In Sanok, we’ll visit the open-air ethnographic museum to better understand the everyday lives of the people who lived here a century ago. We’ll step inside the magnificent Łańcut Palace, once home to Polish nobility, and stroll through Kraków’s Rakowicki Cemetery, where thousands of flickering candles on All Saints’ Day create an atmosphere that’s almost mystical.

We will also visit solemn but essential places, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, to honor the victims and reflect in silence on the history of the 20th century.

Each day, you’ll be guided by an experienced tour leader and accompanied by an English-speaking group coordinator. Evenings will be spent in carefully selected hotels in Krosno and Kraków, and each day will end with a shared dinner – time to unwind, connect, and reflect.

The group is already confirmed, but a few spots remain available.
If you feel this is a journey you’ve been waiting for – we invite you to join us.

03/06/2025

The Remarkable Rise of Poland

See the latest newsletter sent out to our subscribers:

(This is the content from our latest newsletter, which was sent to the PolishOrigins Newsletter subscribers last week.) Let me …

26/05/2025

For the first time, we are organizing a special edition of the Galicia Tour in collaboration with the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State, scheduled for late fall this year.

Dates: October 29 – November 4, 2025

Region: Western Galicia (the part in present-day Poland)

The tour offers a unique opportunity to visit your ancestral homeland during All Saints’ Day, one of the most meaningful and important family times in Poland.

This special edition is dedicated to PGSNYS members, who receive an exclusive discount of 400 Polish zlotys (approx. $107 at the current exchange rate). However, we decided with PGSNYS open to everyone, including non-members.

You can find the full tour description and register through the PGSNYS website here:

PGSNYS Galicia Tour with PolishOrigins View Itinerary and Pricing You must register before June 30, 2025. Special discount of 800 PLN (about $212) for those who register by May 11! This tour is limited to 15 people! Genealogy tours are PolishOrigins‘ specialty! You can add on days before or after ...