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This may be a little off topic but it relates to a previous post where I described the new ARCHIWUM GŁ?WNE AKT DAWNYCH (AGAD) database of 19th Century documents from the Kresy (mostly Wolyn) region.

As I related then I was able to locate a database entry for my great great great grandparent's wedding in 1852.
I went about the process they prescribed for ordering a print of the document (probably a church ledger page) and received an electronic invoice for 1,50 zl (about 48 cents US).

Unfortunately the ONLY way they have to pay this "huge" sum is by bank transfer! - which means at least $20 in initial bank fees and another $35 if you need to have the currency converted first.

In discussing it directly with them by phone - that is it! There is no other way to pay for it unless you show up personally in Warsaw!
The response we got was that this was the Polish government and it does not engage in credit card processing.

By comparison Ellis Island uses document reproduction as a major fund raising tool!
I have been able to obtain my grandmother's ship manifest record from 1913 in full image along with information and a photo of the ship she came on.

Someone needs to lobby the Polish government to change their thinking on this.
Being able to locate an ancient family document like this is a true victory for modern technology but for those of us ex-patriot families to then encounter such foolish bureaucracy is very frustrating.

They could easily fund their efforts by allowing on line credit card transactions and then charging $10 or even $20 for international orders and reducing the banker's take to a dollar or two.
I would much rather have my money go to funding this worth while project than to have it flush into the pockets of some banks.