I am looking for the birth records for my father, Frederick Ewald Koch
- AKA Fred Edward Cook (USA) who was born in Bnin, Germany (now
Poland) on March 2, 1881. My research has shown that Bnin(Srem) is now
part of Kornik, Poland.  I have also found that such birth records may
be located in the "Archdiocesan of archives in Poznan" that appear to
have birth records for the Bnin area for period 1826-1920. 
Additionally, I have learned that such information may also be found
on LDS microfilm "B 1874-1895 1194660 #6-7"  Such records may possibly
be found in "Srem" since this village is closely related to Bnin, and
both now to Konik, Poland. I need this information no later than
7/5/02 along with verification of its authenticity.

---

Clarification of Question by nodrog949-ga on 05 Jul 2002 12:47 PDT

I am extending the receipt of an answer to this question for ten (10)
more days to 7/15/02 since I have been able to change travel plans. 
All else is the same

Hi nodrog949-ga,

I'm a professional genealogist but, unfortunately, I can't help you
locate the actual records in such a short time span. If you require a
hard copy that can take some time and even for me to request the film
from the Family History Library would take several weeks (assuming
that his birth is listed there).

Here is some advice to help you in your quest.

1) First of all, I would actually suggest that even though Bnin is now
a part of Poland, it was not in 1881. Therefore, the records are still
filed under Bnin. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(LDS) has microfilmed the civil registration records (birth, marriage
and death records) of Bnin, Germany for the year in which you are
interested and you hopefully will be able to locate a copy of your
father's birth record on LDS Film #1457259 (Geburten, Heiraten, Tote
1880-1882  - Birth, Marriage, Death 1880-1882). The film contains the
civil registration of births, marriages and deaths of Bnin (Kr.
Schrimm), Posen, Germany; now Bnin (Srem), Poznan, Poland. Includes
Biernatki, Faustinberg, Hohensee, Mierzewo, Prusinowo, Radzewo,
Rogalin, Schöntal. The text is in German.

Here is the direct link to the notes for this film on the FamilySearch
Web site:
http://www.familysearch.com/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=375172&disp=Zivilstandsregister&columns=*,180,0

Click on "View Film Notes" for specific film numbers (this is where I
got the film number I gave you above).

The LDS film number that you gave (1194660 #6-7) is for Roman Catholic
birth records. This may be another source for a birth record for your
father, but is not the civil source.

You can either locate these films yourself through your local Family
History Center (will likely take a few weeks) or hire a researcher to
access the films at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City (you
can probably find someone who can do this quickly as it should be an
easy task).

To locate a Family History Center near you:
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp

To search for a researcher based in Salt Lake City or for one with a
specialty in Polish/German research:
http://www.apgen.org/directory/index.php

If you are unable to receive your certificate from the LDS microfilm
or require a certified copy, then I would definitely recommend that
you hire a professional genealogist. The records you want should be
available from the State Archives in Poznan:
http://www.archiwa.gov.pl/mapa/poznan.html

For tips on hiring a professional genealogist:
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/professionalselect/

And more information on locating a certified/professional genealogist:
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/professionalcert/

Links for Polish Genealogy:
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/poland/

Links for German Genealogy:
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/germany/

I'm sorry that I was unable to give you the birth record, but
hopefully this information will help you to locate it yourself.  Best
of luck.

inquisitive-ga

"You can also use the microfilms, books, and other items at the Family
History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA." (FamilySearch web site)

Well, you just might be lucky! I live in Provo, about 45 minutes south
of SLC. So, I will do my best to get the information you need before
7/5/02

I am not sure if records will be kept that long, but I will try to get
them. I am not sure if they will release them to me, but if I find
where they can be located then I can give you a number to call ,or an
adress to send a request to and translate between Polish and English
for you. I will propably need more time than that thought. Please
email me at Ebayer137@aol.com if you have any questions.




Adam

7-15-2002

ADDRESS:
ARCHIWUM ARCHIDIECEZJALNE W POZNANIU
UL. LUBRANSKIEGO 1,
61-108 POZNAN

Phone Number +48 61 523814
Their E-Mail:  archiwum@aap.poznan.pl
Hours:  Mon, Tue, Fri 9 AM - 3 PM, Wed., Thur, 9 AM - 6 PM

If you send them e-mail it would be better to use the Polish language
if you are familiar with it, but if you don't, then I assume they have
someone on the staff who can interpret or read English.

It would be better if you contacted the LDS to get your microfilm
record searched by them, since that is why they went overseas to film
these genealogical records, to save Americans the expense of traveling
to get the information, but if you think the Archdiocesan would
provide a more official document or would give quicker service, then
contact them.

Good luck with your search and let us know how it turns out.  You
didn't mention the reason you needed the information so quickly (by
July 5th).

SINCERELY,
4keith-ga