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Getting Family Records from the KGB Files #belarus

David M. Fox <davefox73@...>
 

I received a few inquiries asking about how to get records >from the KGB
archives. Since I did not know the answer, I wrote to Oleg Perzashkevich,
the Director of the Minsk Historical Genealogy Group. Those of you you
attended the Conference in Toronto probably met Oleg, as we was one of the
speakers.

Here is the how Oleg responded:

I spoke about KGB files access in Toronto, and I can
tell you the following:

1. Almost all the files on that institution activity
in Belarus are in Belarus (Moscow may has something
else or the same, but hardly. Usually, they have the
files only on the high officials).
2. There is an archive of KGB in Minsk, that should
store all the files for the mid-war period. However,
it is not important, where the documents are located
in Belarus -- all the answers must be given by the KGB
office in Minsk.
3. To get the info >from KGB or MVD (NKVD) archives,
you must do the following things:

a) Prove your relationship with the person, you ask
about, with the original documents or notarized
copies.
b) Ask the clear questions, you want to be replied by
the archives.
c) Contact Belarusian Embassy and ask them, what is
the best way to make an inquiry to the KGB/MVD
archives.
I recommend to make any such inquiry via the Embassy,
but I know, that it is not easy. But according to what
I know, this is the only way to get the answer for
sure. I can not guarantee the results, but I do think,
that it is the best way to get anything >from there.
I do not think, you can get anything >from the archive
directly, but you can try at your own fortune.

The addresses and phone numbers of Belarus embassies around the world can be
found at http://www.mfa.gov.by/eng/publications/800/16.htm.

Dave

--
David Fox
Mail to: davefox@jewishgen.org
Belarus SIG Coordinator
Arnold, MD USA
http://www.jewishgen.org/belarus
Belarus SIG #Belarus Getting Family Records from the KGB Files #belarus

David M. Fox <davefox73@...>
 

I received a few inquiries asking about how to get records >from the KGB
archives. Since I did not know the answer, I wrote to Oleg Perzashkevich,
the Director of the Minsk Historical Genealogy Group. Those of you you
attended the Conference in Toronto probably met Oleg, as we was one of the
speakers.

Here is the how Oleg responded:

I spoke about KGB files access in Toronto, and I can
tell you the following:

1. Almost all the files on that institution activity
in Belarus are in Belarus (Moscow may has something
else or the same, but hardly. Usually, they have the
files only on the high officials).
2. There is an archive of KGB in Minsk, that should
store all the files for the mid-war period. However,
it is not important, where the documents are located
in Belarus -- all the answers must be given by the KGB
office in Minsk.
3. To get the info >from KGB or MVD (NKVD) archives,
you must do the following things:

a) Prove your relationship with the person, you ask
about, with the original documents or notarized
copies.
b) Ask the clear questions, you want to be replied by
the archives.
c) Contact Belarusian Embassy and ask them, what is
the best way to make an inquiry to the KGB/MVD
archives.
I recommend to make any such inquiry via the Embassy,
but I know, that it is not easy. But according to what
I know, this is the only way to get the answer for
sure. I can not guarantee the results, but I do think,
that it is the best way to get anything >from there.
I do not think, you can get anything >from the archive
directly, but you can try at your own fortune.

The addresses and phone numbers of Belarus embassies around the world can be
found at http://www.mfa.gov.by/eng/publications/800/16.htm.

Dave

--
David Fox
Mail to: davefox@jewishgen.org
Belarus SIG Coordinator
Arnold, MD USA
http://www.jewishgen.org/belarus
Belarus SIG at Toronto Conference #belarus

inkwell177@...
 

Dave Fox asked for feedback regarding the Toronto Conference:

Most importantly, it must be recognized that Edward Rosenbaum did an
outstanding job as the sole representative of the SIG staff at SIG meetings.
And thank you Dave Fox for your videotaped presentation. I must mention that
as soon as I returned home I sent in money to the SIG via jewishgen. Edward
and Dave got the point across that a little money >from everyone in the SIG
can make a big difference in terms of completing projects/translations and
making the information and data available for all of us. They also made the
point that the SIG is staffed with volunteers only. These are very giving
people. They give give give to our benefit. Edward reviewed all the
available SIG positions. I don't think I've seen them posted to this list
serve yet. If you can't volunteer, give money.

Edward's presentation of the SIG website was very well presented and very
useful.

Oleg's presentations were hard to listen to, unfortunately. But, what he had
to say was also in the notebook given to all attendees.

The Birds of a Feather meeting provided us an opportunity to introduce
ourselves and state the names and places we are researching. Personally, I
would have enjoyed more attendance >from people looking for my Shetl (Pinsk).

The Belarus Luncheon was combined with Latvia and Lithuania. It was too big
and not focused on Belarus. I would have preferred a Birds of a Feather and
Luncheon combination.

I attended "breakfast with the experts" every morning and found that to be a
highlight. These were not focused on Belarus (but could have and should have
been). These breakfasts and luncheons we attended were a great way to talk
with other attendees. The exchange of information is invaluable.

It would be a personal plus for next year's conference in Washington to
schedule the Belarus SIG meeting at a different time >from the Romanian SIG
meeting or for that matter any other SIG. They are important meetings to
attend and so many of us have family >from more than one country.


Aside >from the conference, I should take this opportunity to say that I am
personally grateful to all those unselfish people such as Dave Fox and Edward
Rosenbaum who make researching my family easier and more exciting.

Alvin Holtzman
Wilmette, IL
inkwell177@aol.com
researching: in Pinsk, HOLTZMAN, PERLOW, POLLAK,GLOBERMAN,ZARITSKY

MODERATOR NOTE: It is not just the SIG that needs your donations, but
JewishGen itself!!! More about this later.
Belarus SIG #Belarus Belarus SIG at Toronto Conference #belarus

inkwell177@...
 

Dave Fox asked for feedback regarding the Toronto Conference:

Most importantly, it must be recognized that Edward Rosenbaum did an
outstanding job as the sole representative of the SIG staff at SIG meetings.
And thank you Dave Fox for your videotaped presentation. I must mention that
as soon as I returned home I sent in money to the SIG via jewishgen. Edward
and Dave got the point across that a little money >from everyone in the SIG
can make a big difference in terms of completing projects/translations and
making the information and data available for all of us. They also made the
point that the SIG is staffed with volunteers only. These are very giving
people. They give give give to our benefit. Edward reviewed all the
available SIG positions. I don't think I've seen them posted to this list
serve yet. If you can't volunteer, give money.

Edward's presentation of the SIG website was very well presented and very
useful.

Oleg's presentations were hard to listen to, unfortunately. But, what he had
to say was also in the notebook given to all attendees.

The Birds of a Feather meeting provided us an opportunity to introduce
ourselves and state the names and places we are researching. Personally, I
would have enjoyed more attendance >from people looking for my Shetl (Pinsk).

The Belarus Luncheon was combined with Latvia and Lithuania. It was too big
and not focused on Belarus. I would have preferred a Birds of a Feather and
Luncheon combination.

I attended "breakfast with the experts" every morning and found that to be a
highlight. These were not focused on Belarus (but could have and should have
been). These breakfasts and luncheons we attended were a great way to talk
with other attendees. The exchange of information is invaluable.

It would be a personal plus for next year's conference in Washington to
schedule the Belarus SIG meeting at a different time >from the Romanian SIG
meeting or for that matter any other SIG. They are important meetings to
attend and so many of us have family >from more than one country.


Aside >from the conference, I should take this opportunity to say that I am
personally grateful to all those unselfish people such as Dave Fox and Edward
Rosenbaum who make researching my family easier and more exciting.

Alvin Holtzman
Wilmette, IL
inkwell177@aol.com
researching: in Pinsk, HOLTZMAN, PERLOW, POLLAK,GLOBERMAN,ZARITSKY

MODERATOR NOTE: It is not just the SIG that needs your donations, but
JewishGen itself!!! More about this later.
Re: latvia digest: August 16, 2002 #latvia

mike getz <mgetz@...>
 

My aunt was married into a family in South Africa with Blumenthal
affiliations in Libau.

Mike Getz
----------
Moderator:
Please reply privately -- mailto:mgetz@erols.com

----- Original Message -----

From: ourabey@juno.com
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 11:14:41 -0400

Hello Barry:
I was interested in yoour email message because you mention
Blumenthal in Latvia.
...snip...
----------------------------
Latvia SIG #Latvia Re: latvia digest: August 16, 2002 #latvia

mike getz <mgetz@...>
 

My aunt was married into a family in South Africa with Blumenthal
affiliations in Libau.

Mike Getz
----------
Moderator:
Please reply privately -- mailto:mgetz@erols.com

----- Original Message -----

From: ourabey@juno.com
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 11:14:41 -0400

Hello Barry:
I was interested in yoour email message because you mention
Blumenthal in Latvia.
...snip...
----------------------------
Re: Research Success Using www.google.com #belarus

Andrew N Schwartz <anschwartz@...>
 

Several of you have written about using Google and other search engines to
find potential family members. I have done that, too, with much success.
But let me tell you about another technique with search engines.

I have my family trees on my personal web site in plain HTML format. (If
you want to see one of them, click on
http://home.earthlink.net/~anschwartz/personal/genealogy/freund/freund.htm
). This site has been picked up by Google and altavista (and possibly
others.) About once a month, I get a family member writing me to either say
hello and to express their pleasure at finding themselves via one of the
search engines, or to provide additional information about new births or to
offer corrections.

I have also had family members contact me with information about HUGE gaps
in my data; in one case, this led to an additional 50 names.

So, remember that this powerful tool, the Internet, can be a two-way street.

.... Andy Schwartz, researching ADASKIN (Belarus) and FREUND (Bohemia)
Belarus SIG #Belarus RE: Research Success Using www.google.com #belarus

Andrew N Schwartz <anschwartz@...>
 

Several of you have written about using Google and other search engines to
find potential family members. I have done that, too, with much success.
But let me tell you about another technique with search engines.

I have my family trees on my personal web site in plain HTML format. (If
you want to see one of them, click on
http://home.earthlink.net/~anschwartz/personal/genealogy/freund/freund.htm
). This site has been picked up by Google and altavista (and possibly
others.) About once a month, I get a family member writing me to either say
hello and to express their pleasure at finding themselves via one of the
search engines, or to provide additional information about new births or to
offer corrections.

I have also had family members contact me with information about HUGE gaps
in my data; in one case, this led to an additional 50 names.

So, remember that this powerful tool, the Internet, can be a two-way street.

.... Andy Schwartz, researching ADASKIN (Belarus) and FREUND (Bohemia)
Need Help in NYC #latvia

JeromeBe@...
 

Betsy Fleischman (JGFF #2318) is listed as looking for Lowenstein's in
Courland. When I wrote to her at the address listed, 33 Gold Street - Apt
503, the letter was returned to me unopened. Does anyone know Betsy
Fleischman, or how to contact her? Any help would be most appreciated.

Jerry Becker
Bellevue Washington
--------------------
Moderator:
Please reply privately - mailto:JeromeBe@aol.com
Latvia SIG #Latvia Need Help in NYC #latvia

JeromeBe@...
 

Betsy Fleischman (JGFF #2318) is listed as looking for Lowenstein's in
Courland. When I wrote to her at the address listed, 33 Gold Street - Apt
503, the letter was returned to me unopened. Does anyone know Betsy
Fleischman, or how to contact her? Any help would be most appreciated.

Jerry Becker
Bellevue Washington
--------------------
Moderator:
Please reply privately - mailto:JeromeBe@aol.com
KRIEGER #belarus

Michael Kaplan <Michael-kaplan@...>
 

I am looking for information about KRIEGER, possibly KREIGER, >from Ramigola
(?), settling in New Jersey 1890-1910.


Michael
Michael-kaplan@worldnet.att.net

MODERATOR NOTE: Please sign all messages with your location!
Did you search the JewishGen Family Finder as well as entering
your names/towns in the JGFF? (www.jewishgen.org/jgff)
Belarus SIG #Belarus KRIEGER #belarus

Michael Kaplan <Michael-kaplan@...>
 

I am looking for information about KRIEGER, possibly KREIGER, >from Ramigola
(?), settling in New Jersey 1890-1910.


Michael
Michael-kaplan@worldnet.att.net

MODERATOR NOTE: Please sign all messages with your location!
Did you search the JewishGen Family Finder as well as entering
your names/towns in the JGFF? (www.jewishgen.org/jgff)
Research Success Using www.google.com #belarus

Nachum <nachum@...>
 

I have been doing the same thing, google searching names. About 2 1/2
months ago, I actually sent an e-mail to someone with a last name that I
was looking for. She turned out to be a GG daughter of my maternal GMs
cousin. I have since been in contact with several others in the family.


After several e-mails between all of us, we finally figured out how we
all fit into one family tree.

The most amazing thing was that they knew of cousins who had come to
Israel, both before and after WW2. Those who came after the war were
apparantly the only survivors of the shoa, family that even my GM must
not have known about.

Last week I travelled to the north of Israel to meet my second cousin
once removed, probably the last living family member born in my GM
shtetl of Soly (next to Smorgon, Oshmiany Uezd). Unfortunately, her
older sister passed away a year ago, so I will never meet her. I also
met some of both sister's children. I hope that this will open up a new
family relationship, and that we will stay in contact for a long time to
come.

With this success, I started to search for closer relatives that the
family lost contact with over the years.

As I wrote to my new found third cousins, the major drawback of finding
family is that you are now burdened by having to stay in contact. I
wish all my problems were so sweet.

So, Dave, there's no need to challenge. It works. Those who try may or
may not succeed. Those who don't try are guaranteed failure.

Nachum Tuchman
Tekoa, Israel
Belarus SIG #Belarus Research Success Using www.google.com #belarus

Nachum <nachum@...>
 

I have been doing the same thing, google searching names. About 2 1/2
months ago, I actually sent an e-mail to someone with a last name that I
was looking for. She turned out to be a GG daughter of my maternal GMs
cousin. I have since been in contact with several others in the family.


After several e-mails between all of us, we finally figured out how we
all fit into one family tree.

The most amazing thing was that they knew of cousins who had come to
Israel, both before and after WW2. Those who came after the war were
apparantly the only survivors of the shoa, family that even my GM must
not have known about.

Last week I travelled to the north of Israel to meet my second cousin
once removed, probably the last living family member born in my GM
shtetl of Soly (next to Smorgon, Oshmiany Uezd). Unfortunately, her
older sister passed away a year ago, so I will never meet her. I also
met some of both sister's children. I hope that this will open up a new
family relationship, and that we will stay in contact for a long time to
come.

With this success, I started to search for closer relatives that the
family lost contact with over the years.

As I wrote to my new found third cousins, the major drawback of finding
family is that you are now burdened by having to stay in contact. I
wish all my problems were so sweet.

So, Dave, there's no need to challenge. It works. Those who try may or
may not succeed. Those who don't try are guaranteed failure.

Nachum Tuchman
Tekoa, Israel
Using Google #belarus

Merv & Naomi Barnett
 

David Fox & list

I used this method to find family over 2 years ago. I put in the name
REIZER and had so many 'hits' I was stunned. It took me some days to
work through the whole lot, eliminating Japanese people (apparently it's
not an uncommon name there), and number of questionable connections in
Germany, and lots and lots of papers published by a late 1st cousin of
mine. There was one other person whose name kept popping up though, so
I persisted until I could find a contact address. He was so excited
when we verified a direct link. He discovered family he had no idea
existed. He lives in the US, and as far as we know (currently) his
grandfather was the only one of 6 children to go to the US. So the
effort was certainly worthwhile.

Naomi Barnett
Melbourne, Australia
Belarus SIG #Belarus Using Google #belarus

Merv & Naomi Barnett
 

David Fox & list

I used this method to find family over 2 years ago. I put in the name
REIZER and had so many 'hits' I was stunned. It took me some days to
work through the whole lot, eliminating Japanese people (apparently it's
not an uncommon name there), and number of questionable connections in
Germany, and lots and lots of papers published by a late 1st cousin of
mine. There was one other person whose name kept popping up though, so
I persisted until I could find a contact address. He was so excited
when we verified a direct link. He discovered family he had no idea
existed. He lives in the US, and as far as we know (currently) his
grandfather was the only one of 6 children to go to the US. So the
effort was certainly worthwhile.

Naomi Barnett
Melbourne, Australia
New to List #poland #warsaw

Miriam Saltzman <whatever399@...>
 

Hello, my name is Miriam Saltzman. I'm new to this list. My grandfather,
Allen (Eliyahu Yaakov) SALTZMAN is >from Warsaw. His mother was Rivkah Rachel
SALTZMAN nee ORLANSKY, and his father is Mattisyahu Saltzman >from Warsaw.
Their children are my grandfather, Gertrude (Gittel), Harry (Hershel) and
Leah. They all come to the US in the 1920-1930's except for Rivkah Rachel
who died before the war and Leah and her family who were killed in the
Holocaust.My family name used to be Tepper, but my g-grandfather or someone a
few generations back changed it to his aunts name Saltzman to avoid
conscription into the Russian army in Chelm. Some family is still Tepper and
related. I have a great grandfather or someone who was form Chelm and also I
beleive some family in Lodz. They settled in Milwaukee, WI.
If anyone knows about them or something, please tell me.
Thanks
Miriam Saltzman
Milwaukee, WI
whatever399@hotmail.com

Interested in:
SALTZMAN, ORLANSKY, TEPPER, Warsaw, Chelm and Lodz Poland
KLEINERMAN - Shpikov, Ukraine
ALTSHUL, ALTSHULL -Bobruisk, Belarus
Warszawa Research Group #Warsaw #Poland New to List #warsaw #poland

Miriam Saltzman <whatever399@...>
 

Hello, my name is Miriam Saltzman. I'm new to this list. My grandfather,
Allen (Eliyahu Yaakov) SALTZMAN is >from Warsaw. His mother was Rivkah Rachel
SALTZMAN nee ORLANSKY, and his father is Mattisyahu Saltzman >from Warsaw.
Their children are my grandfather, Gertrude (Gittel), Harry (Hershel) and
Leah. They all come to the US in the 1920-1930's except for Rivkah Rachel
who died before the war and Leah and her family who were killed in the
Holocaust.My family name used to be Tepper, but my g-grandfather or someone a
few generations back changed it to his aunts name Saltzman to avoid
conscription into the Russian army in Chelm. Some family is still Tepper and
related. I have a great grandfather or someone who was form Chelm and also I
beleive some family in Lodz. They settled in Milwaukee, WI.
If anyone knows about them or something, please tell me.
Thanks
Miriam Saltzman
Milwaukee, WI
whatever399@hotmail.com

Interested in:
SALTZMAN, ORLANSKY, TEPPER, Warsaw, Chelm and Lodz Poland
KLEINERMAN - Shpikov, Ukraine
ALTSHUL, ALTSHULL -Bobruisk, Belarus
Re: Can anyone translate a Ketubah ? #unitedkingdom

MBernet@...
 

In a message dated 8/18/2002 4:01:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
pmblundell1@bigpond.com writes:

<< I have a problem, my G grandfather's marriage is all in Hebrew, can anyone
translate it for me please?
The names have been written in English by the Archivist, but I would like to
know what the whole document says.
Let me know privately and I'll send it in an attachment.
Thanking you in anticipation. >>

==It's probably not in Hebrew but in Aramaic, using the Hebrew Alefbet. It
will start off with the date (in Hebrew) list the groom and the bride and
their patronymic, and declare that the groom promises bride money in the sum
of 100 zuzim ass stipulated, and another 100 as a bonus--but only if she's a
virgin. A widow and a divorcee get only half that. He promises to feed and
support her, clothe and house her and pleasure her sexually. He states that
his stipulated obligations to his wife in case of his premature death, or
their divorce, takes precedence over all other obligations, including "the
shirt off my back."

The ketubah is more or less standard everywhere.

Michael Bernet, New York <mBernet@aol.com>

WOLFF (Pfungstadt, Frankfurt/M, Koenigsberg, Amsterdam, N.Carolina); BERNET,
BERNERT, JONDORF(Frensdorf, Bamberg, Nurnberg); FEUCHTWANGER
(Schwabach, Hagenbach & Fuerth); KONIGSHOFER (anywhere); BERG, WOLF(F),
(Demmelsdorf & Zeckendorf); Shim`on GUTENSTEIN (Bad Homburg ca 1760);
FRENSDORF/ER (anywhere); MAINZER (Lorsch); anyone in Ermreuth or Floss;
GOLDSCHMIDT (B. Homburg, Hessdorf). ALTMANN (Silesia); TIMMENDORFER
JCR-UK SIG #UnitedKingdom Re: Can anyone translate a Ketubah ? #unitedkingdom

MBernet@...
 

In a message dated 8/18/2002 4:01:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
pmblundell1@bigpond.com writes:

<< I have a problem, my G grandfather's marriage is all in Hebrew, can anyone
translate it for me please?
The names have been written in English by the Archivist, but I would like to
know what the whole document says.
Let me know privately and I'll send it in an attachment.
Thanking you in anticipation. >>

==It's probably not in Hebrew but in Aramaic, using the Hebrew Alefbet. It
will start off with the date (in Hebrew) list the groom and the bride and
their patronymic, and declare that the groom promises bride money in the sum
of 100 zuzim ass stipulated, and another 100 as a bonus--but only if she's a
virgin. A widow and a divorcee get only half that. He promises to feed and
support her, clothe and house her and pleasure her sexually. He states that
his stipulated obligations to his wife in case of his premature death, or
their divorce, takes precedence over all other obligations, including "the
shirt off my back."

The ketubah is more or less standard everywhere.

Michael Bernet, New York <mBernet@aol.com>

WOLFF (Pfungstadt, Frankfurt/M, Koenigsberg, Amsterdam, N.Carolina); BERNET,
BERNERT, JONDORF(Frensdorf, Bamberg, Nurnberg); FEUCHTWANGER
(Schwabach, Hagenbach & Fuerth); KONIGSHOFER (anywhere); BERG, WOLF(F),
(Demmelsdorf & Zeckendorf); Shim`on GUTENSTEIN (Bad Homburg ca 1760);
FRENSDORF/ER (anywhere); MAINZER (Lorsch); anyone in Ermreuth or Floss;
GOLDSCHMIDT (B. Homburg, Hessdorf). ALTMANN (Silesia); TIMMENDORFER
465921 - 465940 of 654823  
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