About Galicia Genealogy

Galicia Genealogy is an independent indexing and research project focused on Roman Catholic parish records from historical Western Galicia—the Habsburg crownland known as the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria (1772–1918).

The goal is simple: transform difficult-to-access parish registers into searchable pathways—so researchers can rebuild families, identify villages of origin, and reconnect communities across generations.

Roman Catholic focus Western Galicia Indexing + tools
Mapa Galicyi i Bukowiny (1915) showing the historical extent of Galicia and Bukovina
Mapa Galicyi i Bukowiny (1915). Public-domain historical map (Lwów, 1915).

What “Galicia” Means Here

“Galicia” refers to the Habsburg crownland established after the First Partition of Poland in 1772 and administered by Austria until 1918. Within that province, Western Galicia generally includes areas west of the San River toward Kraków, Tarnów, and Rzeszów.

Because borders, dioceses, and administrative units shifted over time, this project is organized primarily by parish and village, rather than modern national boundaries.

Why Parish Records Matter

Roman Catholic parish registers are often the most consistent documentary source for births/baptisms, marriages, and deaths/burials across the 18th–20th centuries. These records preserve maiden names, house numbers, witnesses and godparents, occupations, and migration clues—details that can reconstruct entire networks of kinship.

  • Birth/Baptism: parents, residence, godparents, legitimacy notes
  • Marriage: ages, origins, parents, witnesses, dispensations
  • Death/Burial: age, cause (sometimes), residence, spouse/parents

What You’ll Find on Galicia Genealogy

Searchable Indexes

Birth, marriage, and death indexes built for speed, filtering, and surname flexibility—especially when spellings vary.

Coverage & Expansion

New parishes, new years, and improved metadata added continuously. See the Research Center for updates.

Research Guidance

How-tos, parish context, village notes, and practical tools for navigating Galicia-era records and repositories.

How to Use This Site

  1. Start with what you know: surname, approximate year, and likely village.
  2. Search broadly first: try spelling variants and wider year ranges.
  3. Then refine: narrow by parish and date once patterns emerge.
  4. Consult the Research Center: follow coverage expansions and updates.

Always verify indexed information against original images when available. Indexes guide you—parish registers confirm the story.

About the Founder

I’m Heather, founder of Galicia Genealogy. What began as personal archival research evolved into a structured indexing project dedicated to Roman Catholic parish records from historical Western Galicia.

My work combines traditional genealogical research methods with modern database design—prioritizing parish continuity, village-level clarity, and practical tools that reflect real research workflows.

Galicia Genealogy is part of Sunday Morning Genealogy, LLC.

Project Commitments

  • Accuracy-first indexing
  • Clear parish & village organization
  • Research-driven database design
  • Ongoing expansion as resources allow

Further Reading

  • The Idea of Galicia — Larry Wolff
  • Studies on the Habsburg administration of Galicia (1772–1918)
  • Regional archival guides to Roman Catholic parish records

Key principle: in Galicia research, parish continuity often matters more than shifting political borders.