JewishGen.org Discussion Group FAQs
What is the JewishGen.org Discussion Group?
The JewishGen.org Discussion Group unites thousands of Jewish genealogical researchers worldwide as they research their family history, search for relatives, and share information, ideas, methods, tips, techniques, and resources. The JewishGen.org Discussion Group makes it easy, quick, and fun, to connect with others around the world.
Is it Secure?
Yes. JewishGen is using a state of the art platform with the most contemporary security standards. JewishGen will never share member information with third parties.
How is the New JewishGen.org Discussion Group better than the old one?
Our old Discussion List platform was woefully antiquated. Among its many challenges: it was not secure, it required messages to be sent in Plain Text, did not support accented characters or languages other than English, could not display links or images, and had archives that were not mobile-friendly.
This new platform that JewishGen is using is a scalable, and sustainable solution, and allows us to engage with JewishGen members throughout the world. It offers a simple and intuitive interface for both members and moderators, more powerful tools, and more secure archives (which are easily accessible on mobile devices, and which also block out personal email addresses to the public).
I am a JewishGen member, why do I have to create a separate account for the Discussion Group?
As we continue to modernize our platform, we are trying to ensure that everything meets contemporary security standards. In the future, we plan hope to have one single sign-in page.
I like how the current lists work. Will I still be able to send/receive emails of posts (and/or digests)?
Yes. In terms of functionality, the group will operate the same for people who like to participate with email. People can still send a message to an email address (in this case, main@groups.JewishGen.org), and receive a daily digest of postings, or individual emails. In addition, Members can also receive a daily summary of topics, and then choose which topics they would like to read about it. However, in addition to email, there is the additional functionality of being able to read/post messages utilizing our online forum (https://groups.jewishgen.org).
Does this new system require plain-text?
No.
Can I post images, accented characters, different colors/font sizes, non-latin characters?
Yes.
Can I categorize a message? For example, if my message is related to Polish, or Ukraine research, can I indicate as such?
Yes! Our new platform allows members to use “Hashtags.” Messages can then be sorted, and searched, based upon how they are categorized. Another advantage is that members can “mute” any conversations they are not interested in, by simply indicating they are not interested in a particular “hashtag.”
Will all posts be archived?
Yes.
Can I still search though old messages?
Yes. All the messages are accessible and searchable going back to 1998.
What if I have questions or need assistance using the new Group?
Send your questions to: support@JewishGen.org
How do I access the Group’s webpage?
Follow this link: https://groups.jewishgen.org/g/main
So just to be sure - this new group will allow us to post from our mobile phones, includes images, accented characters, and non-latin characters, and does not require plain text?
Correct!
Will there be any ads or annoying pop-ups?
No.
Will the current guidelines change?
Yes. While posts will be moderated to ensure civility, and that there is nothing posted that is inappropriate (or completely unrelated to genealogy), we will be trying to create an online community of people who regulate themselves, much as they do (very successfully) on Jewish Genealogy Portal on Facebook.
What are the new guidelines?
There are just a few simple rules & guidelines to follow, which you can read here:https://groups.jewishgen.org/g/main/guidelines
Thank you in advance for contributing to this amazing online community!
If you have any questions, or suggestions, please email support@JewishGen.org.
Sincerely,
The JewishGen.org Team
HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#unitedkingdom
Susana Leistner Bloch
Dear Friends,
Although we have a wonderful team of dedicated and overworked volunteers, there are not enough of them and prospective webpage owners have to wait for months to get technical help. Our webpages are "Virtual Yizkor Books". Just as former residents took it upon themselves to record all they could remember and publish a Yizkor Book in memory of their Jewish community , so we, the next generation, should make sure that whatever we have, every little bit of information that sheds light on the lives of our Jewish communities is recorded and preserved. The people who published Yizkor Books usually were in contact with others living in the same town or country. Contact with their landsmen in other countries was difficult. To us, in the 21st century, there are no limitations. Cyberspace has opened up the world to us. If you have the necessary skills we urge you to volunteer and help someone create a webpage dedicated to a Kehila / Shtetl / Gemeinde / Town / Immigrant Neighbourhood, and in this way honour and memorialize the Jewish community that once lived there and also provide a valuable resource for their descendants. Please contact us : <bloch@...> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
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JCR-UK SIG #UnitedKingdom HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#unitedkingdom
Susana Leistner Bloch
Dear Friends,
Although we have a wonderful team of dedicated and overworked volunteers, there are not enough of them and prospective webpage owners have to wait for months to get technical help. Our webpages are "Virtual Yizkor Books". Just as former residents took it upon themselves to record all they could remember and publish a Yizkor Book in memory of their Jewish community , so we, the next generation, should make sure that whatever we have, every little bit of information that sheds light on the lives of our Jewish communities is recorded and preserved. The people who published Yizkor Books usually were in contact with others living in the same town or country. Contact with their landsmen in other countries was difficult. To us, in the 21st century, there are no limitations. Cyberspace has opened up the world to us. If you have the necessary skills we urge you to volunteer and help someone create a webpage dedicated to a Kehila / Shtetl / Gemeinde / Town / Immigrant Neighbourhood, and in this way honour and memorialize the Jewish community that once lived there and also provide a valuable resource for their descendants. Please contact us : <bloch@...> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
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Short videos about Genealogy & JewishGen
#unitedkingdom
Phyllis Kramer
Just a reminder that we have created a series of 5 minute videos which
might interest some readers. Prepare For Your Search (for USA researchers) Navigate JewishGen Find Your Ancestral Town (for USA researchers) Communicate with Other Researchers: JGFF: The JewishGen Family Finder -- for Surnames/Towns FTJP: Family Tree of the Jewish People -- for over 5 million people JewishGen Discussion Groups Hosted Organizations: Jewish Records Indexing - Poland Jewish Genealogy Websites - Part I (JewishGen and IAJGS/JGS) and Part II You can find them on the first timers page (http://www.jewishgen.org/JewishGen/FirstTimer.html) and at the bottom of the education page (www.jewishgen.org/education) -- Isn't JewishGen wonderful! Phyllis Kramer VP, Education: www.JewishGen.org/education family web site: www.KehilaLinks.JewishGen.org/Krosno/Kramer.htm
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JCR-UK SIG #UnitedKingdom Short videos about Genealogy & JewishGen
#unitedkingdom
Phyllis Kramer
Just a reminder that we have created a series of 5 minute videos which
might interest some readers. Prepare For Your Search (for USA researchers) Navigate JewishGen Find Your Ancestral Town (for USA researchers) Communicate with Other Researchers: JGFF: The JewishGen Family Finder -- for Surnames/Towns FTJP: Family Tree of the Jewish People -- for over 5 million people JewishGen Discussion Groups Hosted Organizations: Jewish Records Indexing - Poland Jewish Genealogy Websites - Part I (JewishGen and IAJGS/JGS) and Part II You can find them on the first timers page (http://www.jewishgen.org/JewishGen/FirstTimer.html) and at the bottom of the education page (www.jewishgen.org/education) -- Isn't JewishGen wonderful! Phyllis Kramer VP, Education: www.JewishGen.org/education family web site: www.KehilaLinks.JewishGen.org/Krosno/Kramer.htm
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Re: Weissensee Cemetery film
#germany
Peter Strauss <pfs126@...>
Olaf Ruhl wrote:
...the film "Im Himmel, unter der Erde" will be shown on Arte Wednesday, 12.12.12 at 22.40h CET; after this, the film can be watched for a week on www.arte.tv/de or recorded on www.save.tv. Alas, when I tried to get the film at the www.arte.tv/de site, I was told, "Unfortunately we do not own the rights to stream this video in your country." Peter Strauss, Oakland CA pfs126@...
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German SIG #Germany Re:Weissensee Cemetery film
#germany
Peter Strauss <pfs126@...>
Olaf Ruhl wrote:
...the film "Im Himmel, unter der Erde" will be shown on Arte Wednesday, 12.12.12 at 22.40h CET; after this, the film can be watched for a week on www.arte.tv/de or recorded on www.save.tv. Alas, when I tried to get the film at the www.arte.tv/de site, I was told, "Unfortunately we do not own the rights to stream this video in your country." Peter Strauss, Oakland CA pfs126@...
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FELDSER - more research aids
#general
Peggy Freedman <peggyf@...>
Ann Rabinowitz had done a fabulous job of using the information in one
record to work up a family tree. But she has stopped too quickly! The Southern Israelite was a newspaper featuring the lives of the Jews in the South >from 1925 to 1986 (when its name was changed). The Digital Library of Georgia has digitized issues of the Southern Israelite for the years 1929 to 1986. You can search it at: http://israelite.galileo.usg.edu/israelite/search When I searched for FELDSER, I found several pages of references, including Max's obituary, several daughter's wedding announcements (a great source of married names for women!), and various vacations of Jewish organization chairmanships for family members. The Southern Israelite covered social news >from across the South, if you are looking for family south of the Mason Dixon line, you should give it a try. Peggy Mosinger Freedman Atlanta, Georgia
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen FELDSER - more research aids
#general
Peggy Freedman <peggyf@...>
Ann Rabinowitz had done a fabulous job of using the information in one
record to work up a family tree. But she has stopped too quickly! The Southern Israelite was a newspaper featuring the lives of the Jews in the South >from 1925 to 1986 (when its name was changed). The Digital Library of Georgia has digitized issues of the Southern Israelite for the years 1929 to 1986. You can search it at: http://israelite.galileo.usg.edu/israelite/search When I searched for FELDSER, I found several pages of references, including Max's obituary, several daughter's wedding announcements (a great source of married names for women!), and various vacations of Jewish organization chairmanships for family members. The Southern Israelite covered social news >from across the South, if you are looking for family south of the Mason Dixon line, you should give it a try. Peggy Mosinger Freedman Atlanta, Georgia
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Jadow, Poland Yizkor Book Translation Project
#general
Eden Joachim <esjoachim@...>
In March I announced the new project to translate Sefer Jadow, the yizkor
book of Jadow, Poland. That message appears at the end of this message for informational purposes. Unfortunately, no contributions to the established JewishGenerosity fund have been made since then. Jadow was not a large town and there are only 20 people listed in the JGFF. Thanks to Lance Ackerfeld and his team, the English article >from Sefer Jadow is being typed and the first part is now available for reading at http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/jadow/jade007.html If you have an interest in Jadow or any of the shtetlach in that area (see below), please consider a contribution to help us translate the book. The Yizkor Book project can only be successful with your interest and support. Thank you, Eden Joachim Coordinator, Sefer Jadow Those of you listed in the JGFF for Jadow have already been notified of the project to translate Sefer Jadow, the Yizkor book of Jadow, Poland. I wanted to let you know that the Necrology >from the book has been posted to the website. Thanks go to Lance Ackerfeld for his assistance and general leadership as Coordinator of the Yizkor Book project. You may view the Necrology at http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/jadow/jadow.html. In addition to the list of martyrs >from Jadow, the lists for nearby shtetlach are also included for Ostrowek, Baczki, Jasiorowka and Lopianka. Contributions toward the translation of the book may be made by going to http://www.jewishgen.org/JewishGen-erosity/v_projectslist.asp?project_cat=23 . Jadow is 31 miles ENE of Warsaw, 12 miles SE of Wyszkow, 17 miles WNW of Wegrow and 20 miles N of Minsk Mazowiecki. Jadow was not a large town in general, but the1500 Jews living there in 1921 were 75% of the town's population. Thanks for your support and interest in this worthy project. Eden Joachim Coordinator esjoachim@...
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Jadow, Poland Yizkor Book Translation Project
#general
Eden Joachim <esjoachim@...>
In March I announced the new project to translate Sefer Jadow, the yizkor
book of Jadow, Poland. That message appears at the end of this message for informational purposes. Unfortunately, no contributions to the established JewishGenerosity fund have been made since then. Jadow was not a large town and there are only 20 people listed in the JGFF. Thanks to Lance Ackerfeld and his team, the English article >from Sefer Jadow is being typed and the first part is now available for reading at http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/jadow/jade007.html If you have an interest in Jadow or any of the shtetlach in that area (see below), please consider a contribution to help us translate the book. The Yizkor Book project can only be successful with your interest and support. Thank you, Eden Joachim Coordinator, Sefer Jadow Those of you listed in the JGFF for Jadow have already been notified of the project to translate Sefer Jadow, the Yizkor book of Jadow, Poland. I wanted to let you know that the Necrology >from the book has been posted to the website. Thanks go to Lance Ackerfeld for his assistance and general leadership as Coordinator of the Yizkor Book project. You may view the Necrology at http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/jadow/jadow.html. In addition to the list of martyrs >from Jadow, the lists for nearby shtetlach are also included for Ostrowek, Baczki, Jasiorowka and Lopianka. Contributions toward the translation of the book may be made by going to http://www.jewishgen.org/JewishGen-erosity/v_projectslist.asp?project_cat=23 . Jadow is 31 miles ENE of Warsaw, 12 miles SE of Wyszkow, 17 miles WNW of Wegrow and 20 miles N of Minsk Mazowiecki. Jadow was not a large town in general, but the1500 Jews living there in 1921 were 75% of the town's population. Thanks for your support and interest in this worthy project. Eden Joachim Coordinator esjoachim@...
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Re: Was the child male or female?
#general
Barney Miller writes:
My GGM departed Hamburg for Hartford in 1906 with a child accompanyingDon't overlook the possibility of simple mistakes, probably not intentional. My cutest one was a Philip Gold, born in October 1903 in England, arriving in the U.S. in March 1905. I searched high and low for him in ship manifests....finally one day I decided to check and see what the listing I kept being offered for a "Philip Gold, *female*, 27 years old" arriving about the right time...the transcriber grossly mis-read the (badly written) manifest! (Philip was actually travelling with his mother and aunt, who were listed several pages earlier in the manifest - as was the person listed above him, one Israel Moldowsky Lyman - also described as 27 years old and female!) However, you have what looks like the records for two *different* children: a girl and a boy. Were two families travelling together and Hamburg mixed them up? Were there twins? Keep looking - looks like you have a "hit" here but it needs some interpreting! Best, Martha (Schecter) Forsyth Newton, MA
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: Was the child male or female?
#general
Barney Miller writes:
My GGM departed Hamburg for Hartford in 1906 with a child accompanyingDon't overlook the possibility of simple mistakes, probably not intentional. My cutest one was a Philip Gold, born in October 1903 in England, arriving in the U.S. in March 1905. I searched high and low for him in ship manifests....finally one day I decided to check and see what the listing I kept being offered for a "Philip Gold, *female*, 27 years old" arriving about the right time...the transcriber grossly mis-read the (badly written) manifest! (Philip was actually travelling with his mother and aunt, who were listed several pages earlier in the manifest - as was the person listed above him, one Israel Moldowsky Lyman - also described as 27 years old and female!) However, you have what looks like the records for two *different* children: a girl and a boy. Were two families travelling together and Hamburg mixed them up? Were there twins? Keep looking - looks like you have a "hit" here but it needs some interpreting! Best, Martha (Schecter) Forsyth Newton, MA
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Finding my Great Grandfather
#general
G. Wayne Jackson <gwjacks01_@...>
Hello Jewish Geneology,
I need some instruction/help in conducting Jewish Geneology research for my Great-Grandfather. Although not new to geneological research, I'm having problems with finding information about my Jewish Ancestry. I just don't know where to begin my research. Most of the information came to me >from "sitting shiva" notes taken at the time of my grandfathers death. Here's what I have so far: Grandfather (Zaide) - Benjamin Samuel Tenner Born: 14 March 1888 in Grodno Poland, Austria, Lithuania, Russia. Immigrated to the US in 1909. (1930 census) Died: 19 August 1974 in Baltimore MD. Great Grandfather - Ben Zion Jakarovich (spelling of last name may not be correct) Married: Leba Rivka (Jakarovich) LNU (Last name unknown) Great Uncle: David Jakarovich (believed to have also immigrated to the US, possibly having lived in Philadelphia, PA.), married but no additional information has been found. Great Aunt: Rose Jakarovich (Lived in England and married a man named Lowenthal. Believed to have had one child named Nina who married a man named Sol Lessor) No further information found. Great Aunt: Feigel Miriam Jakarovich (believed to have died in the Holocaust) from the stories I have been told, my Grandfather, Benjamin Tenner,possibly entered the US through Canada (US POE is unknown). It appears that he changed his surname on the ship coming to either Canada or the US. If that is the case, then his name change would not be keeping with tradition. It is my understanding that when Jewish persons change their surname, they would always start the new surname with the first letter of their original surname (i.e. Wasserman, Waterman, Walters - as in Barbara Walters). Additional difficulties have arisen due to not knowing exactly what town/country my grandfather came from. I have four pieces of documentatioin stating that his country of birth was one of the four listed above. I believe that at the time of his birth, the country borders were quite fluid and changed based upon the government controlling that area. Any help/information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Wayne Jackson
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Who Are Professional Researchers in Ukraine Currently
#general
Ellen Shindelman Kowitt
We are seeking a professional researcher who can not only retrieve records
in Ukraine, but also help us with methodology to solve a particular family history question circa 1860-1900 in the triangular geographic region including and between Berditchev, Zhitomir, and Novograd Volynsk. If you have recent experience, in the past two years, with someone who you personally can recommend, it would be appreciated. Please contact me privately. Thank you. Ellen Kowitt grapevynwest@...
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Finding my Great Grandfather
#general
G. Wayne Jackson <gwjacks01_@...>
Hello Jewish Geneology,
I need some instruction/help in conducting Jewish Geneology research for my Great-Grandfather. Although not new to geneological research, I'm having problems with finding information about my Jewish Ancestry. I just don't know where to begin my research. Most of the information came to me >from "sitting shiva" notes taken at the time of my grandfathers death. Here's what I have so far: Grandfather (Zaide) - Benjamin Samuel Tenner Born: 14 March 1888 in Grodno Poland, Austria, Lithuania, Russia. Immigrated to the US in 1909. (1930 census) Died: 19 August 1974 in Baltimore MD. Great Grandfather - Ben Zion Jakarovich (spelling of last name may not be correct) Married: Leba Rivka (Jakarovich) LNU (Last name unknown) Great Uncle: David Jakarovich (believed to have also immigrated to the US, possibly having lived in Philadelphia, PA.), married but no additional information has been found. Great Aunt: Rose Jakarovich (Lived in England and married a man named Lowenthal. Believed to have had one child named Nina who married a man named Sol Lessor) No further information found. Great Aunt: Feigel Miriam Jakarovich (believed to have died in the Holocaust) from the stories I have been told, my Grandfather, Benjamin Tenner,possibly entered the US through Canada (US POE is unknown). It appears that he changed his surname on the ship coming to either Canada or the US. If that is the case, then his name change would not be keeping with tradition. It is my understanding that when Jewish persons change their surname, they would always start the new surname with the first letter of their original surname (i.e. Wasserman, Waterman, Walters - as in Barbara Walters). Additional difficulties have arisen due to not knowing exactly what town/country my grandfather came from. I have four pieces of documentatioin stating that his country of birth was one of the four listed above. I believe that at the time of his birth, the country borders were quite fluid and changed based upon the government controlling that area. Any help/information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Wayne Jackson
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Who Are Professional Researchers in Ukraine Currently
#general
Ellen Shindelman Kowitt
We are seeking a professional researcher who can not only retrieve records
in Ukraine, but also help us with methodology to solve a particular family history question circa 1860-1900 in the triangular geographic region including and between Berditchev, Zhitomir, and Novograd Volynsk. If you have recent experience, in the past two years, with someone who you personally can recommend, it would be appreciated. Please contact me privately. Thank you. Ellen Kowitt grapevynwest@...
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Re: Was the child male or female?
#general
Ira Leviton
Dear Cousins,
Barney Miller asked how two different genders could be listed for the same person on two different manifests, and concludes with "Why would a parent do this?" from the way Barney phrased the situation, it seems like these aretwo passenger lists for the same trip - one outgoing, one incoming. But remember, these lists weren't created as passengers boarded or debarked. Setting aside the rare medical conditions that can get a person in the news for a few minutes nowadays, one explanation is that the parents didn't do anything, but one of the clerks made a simple error when copying information >from a handwritten document such as a passport or ticket. With literally millions of people, the gender will be written incorrectly a few times. Alternatively, since there are two different names mentioned, the ticket was bought for a girl, but a boy was substituted because of an illness or condition that prevented the girl >from making the trip at that time. Ira Ira Leviton New York, N.Y.
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: Was the child male or female?
#general
Ira Leviton
Dear Cousins,
Barney Miller asked how two different genders could be listed for the same person on two different manifests, and concludes with "Why would a parent do this?" from the way Barney phrased the situation, it seems like these aretwo passenger lists for the same trip - one outgoing, one incoming. But remember, these lists weren't created as passengers boarded or debarked. Setting aside the rare medical conditions that can get a person in the news for a few minutes nowadays, one explanation is that the parents didn't do anything, but one of the clerks made a simple error when copying information >from a handwritten document such as a passport or ticket. With literally millions of people, the gender will be written incorrectly a few times. Alternatively, since there are two different names mentioned, the ticket was bought for a girl, but a boy was substituted because of an illness or condition that prevented the girl >from making the trip at that time. Ira Ira Leviton New York, N.Y.
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Re: Was the child male or female?
#general
Evertjan. <exxjxw.hannivoort@...>
In a message dated 12/12/2012 5:55:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,Indeed sometimes it can be terribly difficult to ses at birth. However more probable that it was because in Russia, pretending to be a girl effectively exempted you >from military service. The ocean passage must have been felt as a good moment for restoring the true sex. -- Evertjan Hannivoort. The Netherlands. (Please change the x'es to dots in my emailaddress) Visit [recently changed URL]: <http://synagogeenschede.nl/>
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: Was the child male or female?
#general
Evertjan. <exxjxw.hannivoort@...>
In a message dated 12/12/2012 5:55:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,Indeed sometimes it can be terribly difficult to ses at birth. However more probable that it was because in Russia, pretending to be a girl effectively exempted you >from military service. The ocean passage must have been felt as a good moment for restoring the true sex. -- Evertjan Hannivoort. The Netherlands. (Please change the x'es to dots in my emailaddress) Visit [recently changed URL]: <http://synagogeenschede.nl/>
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