If you can trace your Polish immigrant ancestors to Detroit in the late 1800s or early 1900s, you can learn a tremendous amount about them just by reading. There are some excellent books available that give information about these "Pioneer Poles". If Polish genealogy is your interest, you can't go wrong adding these books to your personal library. A few of the books are available through Amazon.com but many of them are out of print and can only be obtained at used book stores and used book online retailers. When all else fails, don't forget to check your local library!
Books of interest to Genealogists:
Polish Detroit and the Kolasinski Affair by Lawrence D. Orton, Wayne State University Press, 1981.
The Kolasinski Story by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Littleshield Press, Grand Rapids, MI, 1979
Sweetest Heart of Mary, A Centennial Parish by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Littleshield Press, Grand Rapids, MI 1985
Detroit's Oldest Polish Parish St. Albertus 1872-1973 Centennial by Rev. Joseph Swastek, 1973
Hamtramck Then and Now by Arthur Evans Wood, Bookman Assoc. NY, 1955
The Polish Experience in Detroit by Dr. Joseph A. Wytrwal, Endurance Press, Detroit, MI 1992
The Detroit St. Josaphat's Story 1889-1989 by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Littleshield Press, Grand Rapids, MI 1989
Poles in Michigan Vol. 1 by The Poles in Michigan Associated, Glow Press, Detroit, 1953
Books of interest to Genealogists:
Polish Detroit and the Kolasinski Affair by Lawrence D. Orton, Wayne State University Press, 1981.
The Kolasinski Story by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Littleshield Press, Grand Rapids, MI, 1979
Sweetest Heart of Mary, A Centennial Parish by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Littleshield Press, Grand Rapids, MI 1985
Detroit's Oldest Polish Parish St. Albertus 1872-1973 Centennial by Rev. Joseph Swastek, 1973
Hamtramck Then and Now by Arthur Evans Wood, Bookman Assoc. NY, 1955
The Polish Experience in Detroit by Dr. Joseph A. Wytrwal, Endurance Press, Detroit, MI 1992
The Detroit St. Josaphat's Story 1889-1989 by Eduard Adam Skendzel, Littleshield Press, Grand Rapids, MI 1989
Poles in Michigan Vol. 1 by The Poles in Michigan Associated, Glow Press, Detroit, 1953
The following microfilms of Sweetest Heart of Mary church records are available at the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library: Film No.1023
Reel 1: Baptisms December 1887-December 1902
Reel 2: Baptisms December 1902-April 1911
Reel 3: Baptisms April 1911-June 1917
Reel 4: Baptisms June 1917-March 1936
Reel 5: Marriages February 1890- March 1916
Reel 6: Marriages December 1916-February 1936
Reel 7: Deaths April 1898-October 1934
The Souvenir book of the Golden Jubilee of Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, 1890-1940; and the Diamond Jubilee book of Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish, 1890-1965 have been cataloged and are searchable on the PGSA web site.
