Genealogy Seminars

Szczyrk will be the genealogy conference center for instruction and relaxation, the first phase of the seminar, followed with research in the Archives in Krakow and pre-arranged visits to individual parishes. The drive from Szczyrk to Krakow will take several days with stops at important sites such as the Auschwitz Museum (Oświęcim), the hometown of Pope John Paul II in Wadowice, the pilgrimage site of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, and additional visits to historic roadside parishes such as Św. Erazma founded in 1327. Researchers will have an opportunity to photograph unique small roadside shrines devoted to Mary.

24 May 2009 - Matki Boskiej w Sanktuarium

The hotels in Szczyrk are near the shrine Matki Boskiej w Sanktuarium created to commemorate the 24 July 1894 appearance of Mary before three local women. The stone shrine on the edge of the hill has a striking similarity to the grotto on the campus of Orchard Lake.

A new crown for the statue was sent to the Vatican and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, was blessed by Pope Benedict for the statue of Mary. Fr. Marek Dąbek, the custodian of the Shrine, explained that through the act of blessing the crown, the church authority validates what happened here in 1894.

23 May 2009 - Bielsko-Biała, visit to Szczyrk

The team traveled to Bielsko-Biała which became the base for our stay in Poland.

We visited several resorts in the nearby ski town of Szczyrk to discuss the possibility of the Polonica Americana Research Institute and Michigan Polonia holding genealogy seminars and conferences featuring local experts from Bielsko-Biała and Krakow.
We were guests of the owner of Orle Gniazdo (Eagle's Nest) in picturesque Szczyrk and attended an outdoor party,complete with grilled kiszka, kabobs,a blazing bonfire,and a talented Highlander band.