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.
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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
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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!
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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
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Searching for family in Boryslaw, Ukraine.
#ukraine
Roy Webster <rwforestry@...>
My great uncle, Abraham Spiro, was born in Boryslaw, Ukraine, in 1872. His
mother was Marie Alexander, father Morris Spiro. Shortly after birth they returned to the US where they lived in San Francisco for the duration. Anyone know of the family? Roy Webster, Soquel, CA
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Ukraine SIG #Ukraine Searching for family in Boryslaw, Ukraine.
#ukraine
Roy Webster <rwforestry@...>
My great uncle, Abraham Spiro, was born in Boryslaw, Ukraine, in 1872. His
mother was Marie Alexander, father Morris Spiro. Shortly after birth they returned to the US where they lived in San Francisco for the duration. Anyone know of the family? Roy Webster, Soquel, CA
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Archives in Ukraine
#ukraine
Jorge Sexer <jas2608@...>
Hello,
I am planning a visit to Ukraine, mainly Lviv, Khmelnitsky, and Kamenetz. Is it worth the effort to make some research in the archives there, or is everything already digitalized and available on Jewishgen? My ancestors left the Ukraine in 1889, to settle in Argentina. I understand some Russian and I read it well. Thank you so much ! Jorge Sexer
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Ukraine SIG #Ukraine Archives in Ukraine
#ukraine
Jorge Sexer <jas2608@...>
Hello,
I am planning a visit to Ukraine, mainly Lviv, Khmelnitsky, and Kamenetz. Is it worth the effort to make some research in the archives there, or is everything already digitalized and available on Jewishgen? My ancestors left the Ukraine in 1889, to settle in Argentina. I understand some Russian and I read it well. Thank you so much ! Jorge Sexer
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ViewMate Translation Request - Russian Revision List
#general
Jacob Heisler
Hi everyone,
I found an 1816 record for a Ginach PEKAR >from Radomyshl, Ukraine. The record is a revision list, the Russian Empire equivalent of a census. I posted it on ViewMate, and I would really appreciate it if someone could translate the record for me. Ginach and his family are at the bottom of the image. The record can be found here: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75185 Thank you for your time! From, Jacob Heisler Boston, MA MODERATOR NOTE: Please reply privately or on the ViewMate response form.
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate Translation Request - Russian Revision List
#general
Jacob Heisler
Hi everyone,
I found an 1816 record for a Ginach PEKAR >from Radomyshl, Ukraine. The record is a revision list, the Russian Empire equivalent of a census. I posted it on ViewMate, and I would really appreciate it if someone could translate the record for me. Ginach and his family are at the bottom of the image. The record can be found here: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75185 Thank you for your time! From, Jacob Heisler Boston, MA MODERATOR NOTE: Please reply privately or on the ViewMate response form.
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ViewMate translation request - Polish
#general
Alex Girshovich
Dear Group,
I am seeking for help in translating the heading of the 1795 census page of Turets, Novogrudok County, Belarus. Apparently it was a Lithuanian province at that time. The census was conducted in the year of the Russian annexation of this area >from Poland (aka the 3rd division of Poland), and it was done in Polish. I hope that this translation will help me to understand better the context of this place. The image in Polish is posted at http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75182 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page or directly to my email agirsh1@gmail.com. Greatly appreciate your help. BR, Alex Girshovich Jerusalem, Israel
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate translation request - Polish
#general
Alex Girshovich
Dear Group,
I am seeking for help in translating the heading of the 1795 census page of Turets, Novogrudok County, Belarus. Apparently it was a Lithuanian province at that time. The census was conducted in the year of the Russian annexation of this area >from Poland (aka the 3rd division of Poland), and it was done in Polish. I hope that this translation will help me to understand better the context of this place. The image in Polish is posted at http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75182 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page or directly to my email agirsh1@gmail.com. Greatly appreciate your help. BR, Alex Girshovich Jerusalem, Israel
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ViewMate translation request - Russian
#general
wenglenski virginie <vwenglen@...>
Hello,
I've posted a vital record in Russian for which I need a translation. It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75196 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75197 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75198 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. Thank you very much. Virginie Wenglenski
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate translation request - Russian
#general
wenglenski virginie <vwenglen@...>
Hello,
I've posted a vital record in Russian for which I need a translation. It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75196 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75197 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75198 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. Thank you very much. Virginie Wenglenski
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ViewMate translation request - old German script
#general
WALTER ELIAS
I've re-posted the second part of a vital record in German for which
I need a translation. I had posted it previously but I have now enhanced it and it should be more readable. It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75175 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. Thank you very much. Walter S. Elias, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, USA
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate translation request - old German script
#general
WALTER ELIAS
I've re-posted the second part of a vital record in German for which
I need a translation. I had posted it previously but I have now enhanced it and it should be more readable. It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75175 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. Thank you very much. Walter S. Elias, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, USA
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ViewMate Translation Request - Russian Revision List
#ukraine
Jacob Heisler
Hi everyone,
I found an 1816 record for a Ginach PEKAR >from Radomyshl, Ukraine. The record is a revision list, the Russian Empire equivalent of a census. I posted it on ViewMate, and I would really appreciate it if someone could translate the record for me. Ginach and his family are at the bottom of the image. The record can be found here: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75185 Thank you for your time! From, Jacob Heisler Boston, MA
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Ukraine SIG #Ukraine ViewMate Translation Request - Russian Revision List
#ukraine
Jacob Heisler
Hi everyone,
I found an 1816 record for a Ginach PEKAR >from Radomyshl, Ukraine. The record is a revision list, the Russian Empire equivalent of a census. I posted it on ViewMate, and I would really appreciate it if someone could translate the record for me. Ginach and his family are at the bottom of the image. The record can be found here: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM75185 Thank you for your time! From, Jacob Heisler Boston, MA
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Seeking Brick Wall help FILVINSKY
#general
Susan Goldsmith
Seeking help for brick wall re: paternal maternal great
grandmother Asne Minna FILVINSKY GITTES How can I search farther back in time to be able to connect Asne Minna's parents and family to the rest of the FILVINSKY family? I have scoured JewishGen and cannot find Asne Minna, her brother or her parents. My paternal maternal great grandmother Asne Minna FILVINSKY GITTES, was a daughter of Shmuel Zev and Ester Filvinsky (maiden name unknown), a sister of brother Muska Getsel Filvinsky (and probably other siblings). My conundrum is how and where these four Filvinskys fit into the other Filvinskys for whom I have a detailed and extensive Filvinsky tree comprised of family originally >from Lithuania in the US, Russia, and Israel. I am glad to provide the tree to you if you think you may be able to spot a connection. FILVINSKY, sometimes spelled PILVINSKY, was not a common name in Lithuania. Importantly, two Osna Minnas, born in 1928, were named after my Asne Minna: Elsa (Osna Minna) Philwin (Filvinsky) and Osna Minna Goldstein Fenner. The first cousin, Elsa Philwin, appears in the extensive US-Russian-Israeli Filvinsky tree; Osna Fenner does not. Elsa was the granddaughter of Mikhel Aron FILVINSKY b. 1854 and Fannie (Feiga Liba SHUR, and great granddaughter of Movsha Girsh FILVINSKY b.1834 and Malke Leiba WULFOWITZ. My Asne Minna is in the middle of those two generations, being b. ~1844, but neither she nor her father Shmuel Zev appears in the Filvinsky tree. Shmuel Zev's name was on her matseva; both her parents' names were on her death certificate. Elsa knew that she was named after cousin Asne Minna Filvinsky, but not how they were related. Elsa has passed away. Asne Minna was born in Adutiskis, Svencionys, Vilnius Lithuania in July 1844. (Adutiskis was Hoduciszki, Poland during the interwar period). Her father was Shmuel Zev and mother Esther. Asne had a brother Muska Getsel. Asne Minna may have run a brewery in Lithuania. Asne Minna emigrated to New York City, arriving on Mar 7, 1893 on the Rugia >from Hamburg with daughter Rochel(Rose)b. abt 1873, son Mikhel b.abt 1877, daughter Hanna b.abt 1886, and daughter Brune(Bertha)b. abt 1870. Her husband Moses GITTES emigrated before them. Because Moses and Asne Minna's daughter Blume did not emigrate, they lived with and took care of grandchildren Sam and Annie Radin in New York City. Moses died April 28, 1918 at their home at 17 E 119th St, New York City, death certificate #14499 and is buried next to Asne Minna. Asne died February 14, 1927 in West New York, Hudson, New Jersey, USA. She is buried in Washington Cemetery, McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA, B'nai Aaron Anshe Wilkomir, 1 Post 40 Row 3 #18. Thank you very much for your suggestions. Best Regards, Susan Goldsmith
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Seeking Brick Wall help FILVINSKY
#general
Susan Goldsmith
Seeking help for brick wall re: paternal maternal great
grandmother Asne Minna FILVINSKY GITTES How can I search farther back in time to be able to connect Asne Minna's parents and family to the rest of the FILVINSKY family? I have scoured JewishGen and cannot find Asne Minna, her brother or her parents. My paternal maternal great grandmother Asne Minna FILVINSKY GITTES, was a daughter of Shmuel Zev and Ester Filvinsky (maiden name unknown), a sister of brother Muska Getsel Filvinsky (and probably other siblings). My conundrum is how and where these four Filvinskys fit into the other Filvinskys for whom I have a detailed and extensive Filvinsky tree comprised of family originally >from Lithuania in the US, Russia, and Israel. I am glad to provide the tree to you if you think you may be able to spot a connection. FILVINSKY, sometimes spelled PILVINSKY, was not a common name in Lithuania. Importantly, two Osna Minnas, born in 1928, were named after my Asne Minna: Elsa (Osna Minna) Philwin (Filvinsky) and Osna Minna Goldstein Fenner. The first cousin, Elsa Philwin, appears in the extensive US-Russian-Israeli Filvinsky tree; Osna Fenner does not. Elsa was the granddaughter of Mikhel Aron FILVINSKY b. 1854 and Fannie (Feiga Liba SHUR, and great granddaughter of Movsha Girsh FILVINSKY b.1834 and Malke Leiba WULFOWITZ. My Asne Minna is in the middle of those two generations, being b. ~1844, but neither she nor her father Shmuel Zev appears in the Filvinsky tree. Shmuel Zev's name was on her matseva; both her parents' names were on her death certificate. Elsa knew that she was named after cousin Asne Minna Filvinsky, but not how they were related. Elsa has passed away. Asne Minna was born in Adutiskis, Svencionys, Vilnius Lithuania in July 1844. (Adutiskis was Hoduciszki, Poland during the interwar period). Her father was Shmuel Zev and mother Esther. Asne had a brother Muska Getsel. Asne Minna may have run a brewery in Lithuania. Asne Minna emigrated to New York City, arriving on Mar 7, 1893 on the Rugia >from Hamburg with daughter Rochel(Rose)b. abt 1873, son Mikhel b.abt 1877, daughter Hanna b.abt 1886, and daughter Brune(Bertha)b. abt 1870. Her husband Moses GITTES emigrated before them. Because Moses and Asne Minna's daughter Blume did not emigrate, they lived with and took care of grandchildren Sam and Annie Radin in New York City. Moses died April 28, 1918 at their home at 17 E 119th St, New York City, death certificate #14499 and is buried next to Asne Minna. Asne died February 14, 1927 in West New York, Hudson, New Jersey, USA. She is buried in Washington Cemetery, McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, USA, B'nai Aaron Anshe Wilkomir, 1 Post 40 Row 3 #18. Thank you very much for your suggestions. Best Regards, Susan Goldsmith
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Offering NYC Municipal Archives Assistance
#general
A. E. Jordan
Hi all. I am getting back to the offering document retrievals and
lookups at the NYC Municipal Archives and the NY Public Library as well as probate courts, name changes, naturalization, etc. I will be at the NYC Municipal Archives briefly next Wednesday, Sept 25, if anyone needs anything.. I have a sort of specific routine where I either read and email people notes >from certificates they wanted to review or I buy the printouts on your behalf. This is especially important with the marriage license files which I believe are not available via the LDS. I ask you to identify the certificates >from the various indexes or I will try and help with an index search. Please no generic questions like Hersch married Simca could you send me details -- that's an involved search that requires lots of time. The Municipal Archives only has Births thought 1909 Marriage certificates through 1937 Marriage licenses though 1949 Deaths through 1948 Births and deaths after those dates are at the Health Department and because of the privacy rules I can not help you. Any marriage after 1949 but over 50 years old however is available at the marriage bureau and those I can help with. The Archives charges $11 per printout and I ask you to reimburse me those fees plus the postage and while not mandatory I do appreciate a few dollars to help with the expense of doing this for everyone. Unfortunately the personal expenses add up over time to offer this. I can also check the Manhattan probate and NY Supreme Court naturalizations in the same building. At the NY Public Library in addition to the databases they have th 1890 Police Census, city directories and phone books and a massive newspaper collection plus lots more. I am also happy to response to any questions for advice or challenges with New York City records. Allan Jordan
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Offering NYC Municipal Archives Assistance
#general
A. E. Jordan
Hi all. I am getting back to the offering document retrievals and
lookups at the NYC Municipal Archives and the NY Public Library as well as probate courts, name changes, naturalization, etc. I will be at the NYC Municipal Archives briefly next Wednesday, Sept 25, if anyone needs anything.. I have a sort of specific routine where I either read and email people notes >from certificates they wanted to review or I buy the printouts on your behalf. This is especially important with the marriage license files which I believe are not available via the LDS. I ask you to identify the certificates >from the various indexes or I will try and help with an index search. Please no generic questions like Hersch married Simca could you send me details -- that's an involved search that requires lots of time. The Municipal Archives only has Births thought 1909 Marriage certificates through 1937 Marriage licenses though 1949 Deaths through 1948 Births and deaths after those dates are at the Health Department and because of the privacy rules I can not help you. Any marriage after 1949 but over 50 years old however is available at the marriage bureau and those I can help with. The Archives charges $11 per printout and I ask you to reimburse me those fees plus the postage and while not mandatory I do appreciate a few dollars to help with the expense of doing this for everyone. Unfortunately the personal expenses add up over time to offer this. I can also check the Manhattan probate and NY Supreme Court naturalizations in the same building. At the NY Public Library in addition to the databases they have th 1890 Police Census, city directories and phone books and a massive newspaper collection plus lots more. I am also happy to response to any questions for advice or challenges with New York City records. Allan Jordan
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Trying to identify possible Jewish ancestor, South Wales or Cornwall
#general
Dave Gordon <d.e.gordon@...>
I am hoping someone can help me.
Some 50 years ago my Aunt told me about my Maternal Family Tree (based around Swansea in South Wales) and which included a Jewish Ancestor. At the time my wife and first born daughter were more important so I soon forgot all the details. I have been researching our Tree since 2006, and in particular searching for this "Jewish connection" without success, and had decided that my Aunt was probably wrong. However my recent Ancestry DNA test now confirms a 1% Jewish ancestry. Can you suggest any web based databases covering South Wales and Cornwall that could help me in my research. My Family Tree is on Ancestry and can be viewed on request, Thank you for your time, David Gordon
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Trying to identify possible Jewish ancestor, South Wales or Cornwall
#general
Dave Gordon <d.e.gordon@...>
I am hoping someone can help me.
Some 50 years ago my Aunt told me about my Maternal Family Tree (based around Swansea in South Wales) and which included a Jewish Ancestor. At the time my wife and first born daughter were more important so I soon forgot all the details. I have been researching our Tree since 2006, and in particular searching for this "Jewish connection" without success, and had decided that my Aunt was probably wrong. However my recent Ancestry DNA test now confirms a 1% Jewish ancestry. Can you suggest any web based databases covering South Wales and Cornwall that could help me in my research. My Family Tree is on Ancestry and can be viewed on request, Thank you for your time, David Gordon
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