University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 14 (Milwaukee, Wis.).

Records, 1937-1974.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 57

.2 cubic ft. (1 small archives box)

ABSTRACT: Minute books, 1937-1974, of the oldest Milwaukee lodge of the Polish National Alliance (Zwiazek Narodowy Polski), a fraternal and mutual benefit organization for Polish Americans. There are two minute books of the Polish Patriotic Society, July 1937-June 1965, and July 1965-October 1974. Also included is a 1969-1970 audit report, a 1965 news clipping, and a few letters and miscellaneous. The minute volume from the General Haller Society dates from the group's first meeting in April 1943 to January 1966; there are also a few loose pages of minutes (1966-1967) in a separate folder. Most of the records are in Polish.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The Polish Patriotic Society (Tow. Patriotyczne Polskie) was organized 28 October 1880, by members of the Kosciuszko Guard, including Ignace Wendzinski, Frank Choinski and J. Biedrzycki; it is the oldest Milwaukee affiliate of the Polish National Alliance (Zwiazek Narodowy Polski). The group has been active in war relief work and fundraising and its members have served in the Spanish-American War, and in World Wars I and II. The Society also sells life insurance to members and provides sick benefits and funeral expenses. Prior to World War II, the Society helped organize the PNA's Alliance Sick Chest (Zwiazkowa Kasa Chorych) and contributed to the purchase of the Alliance Home of Council 8.

Sometime after 1967, Lodge 14 incorporated the members of the General Joseph Haller Society (Tow. Generala Josefa Hallera), Lodge 3009. This group had been formed 11 April 1943 by Polish war veterans and friends.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 14 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1937-1974. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 57. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Czechorski, Lorraine, ca. 1915- . Family papers, 1903-1971. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 58)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Lorraine Czechorski of St. Francis, Wisconsin in 1980 (accession number M81-15).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in November 1981.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Community organization--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Friendly societies--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish-Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 57	BOX	FOLDER
Minute Book, Lodge 14, 1937-1965 [volume 1]	1
Minute Book, Lodge 14, 1965-1974 [volume 2]	1
Minute Book, Lodge 3009, 1943-1966 [volume 3]	1
Minutes, Lodge 3009, 1966-1967	1	1
Miscellaneous, Lodge 14, 1961-1965, 1969-1970	1	1