Guide to the Polish National Alliance Group 841 Records, 1907-1979 AIS.1979.12
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Polish National Alliance Group 841 Records
- Creator
- Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Group 841 (Monaca, Pa.)
- Collection Number
- AIS.1979.12
- Extent
- 2 microfilm_reels (2,036 frames; negative and positive)
- Date
- 1907-1979
- Abstract
- The Polish National Alliance (PNA or the Alliance) is a non-profit, ethnically-based fraternal insurance benefit society and was founded on February 15, 1880, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a group of Polish emigres whose aim was to unite members of the Polish immigrant community behind the twin causes of Poland's independence and their own advancement in American society. The collection contains by-laws, regulations, membership insurance ledgers, a membership record book, an audit report, correspondence, minute books, income and disbursement books, and miscellaneous publications, programs, and booklets from 1907-1979.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
History
The Polish National Alliance (PNA or the Alliance) is a non-profit, ethnically-based fraternal insurance benefit society. The PNA was founded on February 15, 1880, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by a group of Polish emigres whose aim was to unite members of the Polish immigrant community behind the twin causes of Poland's independence and their own advancement in American society. Membership is based on the purchase of life insurance and benefits include a variety of sports, youth and culture programs, and a college scholarship program.
In 1881, the PNA established its own newspaper, Zgoda. Beginning in the early 1890s, the PNA created a variety of programs aimed at enlightening the Polish population about their heritage and citizen rights and obligations as Americans. In 1900, the PNA granted full membership rights to women interested in belonging to the Alliance. In 1912, the PNA founded its own educational institution, Alliance College, in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.
From the World War I era to the present, the PNA have given generously to help meet the material and medical needs of Poland's people. The PNA has helped with the resettling of refugees from World War II. In 1944, the PNA played a key role in forming the Polish American Congress, a nationwide ethnic federation, to advance the cause of Poland's freedom. The PNA, whose motto is, "In Unity There Is Strength, In Consensus Power" promotes citizenship participation as part of living in the United States and Polish heritage.
Scope and Content Notes
The Polish National Alliance collection contains by-laws, regulations, membership insurance ledgers, a membership record book, an audit report, correspondence, minute books, income and disbursement books, and miscellaneous publications, programs, and booklets from 1907-1979.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Informaiton
These records were microfilmed by the Archives Service Center, with permision, in May 1979.
Existence and Location of Orginals
Original records are in possession of Polish National Alliance Group 841.
Preferred Citation
Polish National Alliance Group 841 Records, 1907-1979, AIS.1979.12, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Polish National Alliance Group 841 Records, 1907-1979, AIS.1979.12, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Polish National Alliance Group 841, Monaca, Pa., Records, 1907-1979, AIS Micro 79:12, Archives of Industrial Society, University of Pittsburgh Libraries
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Joseph F. Rishel, Assistant Curator, in May 1979.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Michael O'Malley on June 26, 2003. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 1384021
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects
- Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Group 841 (Monaca, Pa.)
- Programs (Documents)
- Regulations
- Bylaws (Administrative records)
- Fraternal organizations -- Pennsylvania -- Monaca
- Polish American fraternal organizations -- Pennsylvania -- Monaca
- Societies
- Polish Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Societies and clubs
- Ethnic groups
- Poles -- Pennsylvania
- Poles -- Pennsylvania -- Monaca