This lecture aims to present notarial sources and explain their value in genealogical research. The institution of notaries existed in Poland during the Middle Ages, and operated within municipal and land law frameworks. However, its modern development began with the introduction of the French notarial law in the Duchy of Warsaw in 1808. The lecture will present the variety of documents created in notarial offices and their usefulness for genealogical research. The information contained in notarial records not only allows us to connect generations, but above all gives us a rich and vivid picture of the lives of our ancestors. You will also receive tips on how to start searching notarial records on your own.

Anna Wiernicka, Ph.D., is a genealogist, historian, lecturer, and researcher. She was associated with the Varsaviana research group at the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw. Anna specializes in the history and culture of Jews in 19th-century Poland. She is also interested in the position and role of Jewish women, and continues her research on the everyday lives of Jewish families in the Kingdom of Poland. She is a member of the Association of Polish Professional Genealogists, the Polish Genealogical Society, and the Association of Professional Genealogists.