At the Crossroads of Universal History, Oral History, and Archival Sources: Notes from a Biographer of Second Polish Republic Senators and a Genealogist

Author presents his scholarly path at the intersection of genealogy, oral history, and archival studies, which began with the verification of family narratives and work with vital records. He describes his experiences of archival research, the fragility of sources, and the importance of direct contact with documents and witnesses of history. Particular attention is devoted to long-term research on the fates of senators of the Second Polish Republic, especially those who perished during the Second World War, conducted using death certificates, archival materials, and family testimonies. The text emphasizes that effective biographical research requires not only solid scholarly methodology but also intuition, empathy, and sensitivity to human fate.