When I began researching my Slovak ancestors in 1990, librarians, clerks, and even fellow genealogists were often puzzled by the surnames or ancestral locations I mentioned and would ask me, “How do you spell that?” or “Where is that?”
At one time, uncovering information about an ancestor who hailed from a tiny town located in the Czech Republic, Poland, or Slovakia, proved to be a challenging and often impossible task.
As a novice researcher, I found the border changes, exotic-sounding surnames, language differences, and political turmoil associated with navigating the former, massive Austro-Hungarian Empire tried my patience. Despite my dedication, many myths and misconceptions hindered my progress. Since then, I have meticulously tracked down and have even had the life-changing experience of visiting the birthplaces of all four of my grandparents in the modern-day Slovak Republic. It is my hope that this book will help other Czech, Polish, and Slovak researchers do the same.
In the past twenty-five years, I have had the good fortune of working with many skilled research colleagues who were instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of Eastern European genealogy. My journey back to find my ancestors would not have been possible without the guidance of these mentors whose names are included later in this book. One of the biggest lessons I learned early on as a genealogist is the importance of collaboration and networking with those researching similar surnames or geographical areas. While researching our individual families, we might have a tendency to hold on tightly to knowledge gleaned from our efforts, but there is a lot to be said for sharing what we learn. Thanks to collaborative efforts with other East European genealogists, I have been able to break down many of my own research brick walls.
In the same collaborative spirit, this guide is designed to teach and inspire others who have an interest in exploring their Polish, Czech, or Slovak heritage.
Lisa A. Alzo
September 2015