I really need help. I want to acquire Polish citizenship through ancestry. All four of my grandparents were Polish. The problem is this - they all moved to the United States in 1912, before there was a Polish State. My maternal grandparents came from the area occupied by Russia. My paternal grandmother came from the German occupied sector and my paternal grandfather came from the AustroHungarian controlled section. I sometimes feel I have no roots. But, most importantly, I want to get Polish Citizenship. There might not have been a Polish state then, but there certainly was a Polish Nation.
Can anyone guide me how to go about applying for a Polish passport/citizenship? I am rather desperate these days.
Joe
Technically your ancestors were not Polish citizens because a citizenship-granting Poland did not exist at the time of their departure. I suggest you consult the nearest Polsh Consulate on this. Actually, anyone may apply for Polish citizenship regarldess of nationality, but demonstrating Polish roots and an interest in one's Polish heritage (a knwoledge of Poish language and culture, involvement in Polonia, doing business with Poland, etc.) may be taken into account when the decision is taken.
I have the same problem. My grandfather left in 1910. I have records of his birthplace being Warsaw, Poland from his US passport and naturalization records. They did not identify the country as anything but Poland. Also his Ellis Island records show Poland as his country. Any help would be appreciated.
