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
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Re: Genealogy software for Mac
Jo Ann Goldwater
Hi Genners
Thanks to all of you who answered my question about genealogy software for the Mac. I had one response not to use Roots Magic, and I read a blog about it. Roots Magic is 32 bit and won’t work because all software for the Mac has to be 64 bit now. Five people recommended Reunion, and most have been using it for years. One recommended Family Tree Maker which I had years ago and didn’t like it. However I know that it is not at all the same program now as it was then. I was using Reunion 11, I think, on my iPad and iMac but it is so out of date, it can’t even be upgraded. So I guess I’ll just go with the Reunion and buy a new version of it. This discussion group is amazing, and so are genealogists. Everyone is so helpful. Shana Tova, Jo Ann Goldwater, Montreal Researching GOLDWASSER, Riga, Zhager and Akmene (Lithuania), KAGAN Zhager, Riga, ABRAHAMS Zhager, Riga, SAMUELS Zhager Riga, SARON Zhager, Riga.
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Re: Question
Terese B. Deboo
I have still not received any SIG emails. The last GERSIG I received, for instance, was October 7. It is difficult to believe that this is because there have been no ERSIG emails.
Also, I, too, find the new main@... emails not to be user-friendly, espcially because the original text does not show up. Thanks - Terese B. (Terry) Deboo Memphis, TN
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Fw: Why?
EarthLink
-----Forwarded Message-----
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
Deborah Scheimer <debscheim@...>
I'm also happy with the new version of the discussion group. I think it has a very clean interface. I use Google Chrome. Great Job, team!
- Deb Scheimer
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
sharon yampell
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
Marian <mac4shop@...>
I for one like the new format much better (but I'm only subscribed to this one list). Thanks!
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Cantors in Wien
#austria-czech
Is anyone aware of a list of cantors in Wien, Austria around the period of WW1?
A relative told me that a cousin (part of the Messer family) was an opera singer in the state opera and a cantor in Wien circa 1914.
Any help finding the name of this cousin would be great.
Thsnk you and happy holidays,
Daniella Alyagon
נשלח ממכשיר Huawei שלי
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Re: Login to JewishGen
Lois Sernoff
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
I am beginning to become acclimated to the new format - grudgingly. However, if I have to log-in every time I wish to see the message for which an answer is being given (either the new login or the old one) I will go crazy. With all this modernizing of the platform, which I can understand, why is it so difficult to include the message (or a portion of it) with the response?
Lois Sernoff (suburban Phila, PA, USA)
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Re: receiving multiple digests and duplicate emails
Diane Jacobs
How do I change from digest to individual E mails ?? Diane Jacobs Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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Re: Genealogy software for Mac
Marian <mac4shop@...>
I tried Roots Magic once. I went back to Reunion.
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
Carolyn Lea
I agree with Vicki Adelson. This is a mess and harder to read visually for some reason. And a day or two ago someone was told my the moderator to not use white lettering on spring green. Yet that is being done by Jgen in the new format - just a slightly darker shade of green. - white lettering is harder to read against anything but a very dark background and should just be avoided.Why change something that was fine before? Carolyn Lea Schwarzbaum
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
Carolyn Lea
I totally agree with you Judith. This is a step back ward - not forward. The old format was much easier to read and follow. Carolyn Lea (Schwarzbaum)
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Re: Genealogy software for Mac
Laurie Sosna
Most importantly:
Make sure the software you decide on can run in your version of MacOS. The latest MacOS (10.15 Catalina) will not run 32 bit programs. Check each website for compatibility. RootsMagic 7 is the current version available. It will not run in Catalina. RootsMagic 8 will, but has not been released yet. There's a post on the RootsMagic Blog about this. http://blog.rootsmagic.com/?p=3297 I've been using Reunion for many years. A solid program. Updates are not free, which, over time, can add up to a lot of money. Here's a list of programs available: https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mac_Genealogy_Software Most programs have a demo you can download and try. Try one, add 10 people, 10 sources, etc. Each program should let you export the data as a GEDCOM file, which you can import into the next program you try. Laurie Sosna San Francisco, CA
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
dobrins@...
I thought I was the only one please, please hurry up and figure out what you are doing. I can't make heads or tails of your new format. Nothing flows. Graphically everything is big and takes up more space and less is said. What I primarily am trying to figure out if you are still maintaining the old way and this is just a separate discussion or you are eliminating the old discussion groups. What is the meaning of Digest#1, Digest #2, What is main? I am lost in your new format.
Marlene Dobrin
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Re: ניסיון לכתוב בעברית (Attempt to write in Hebrew)
frafif@...
On my Win 10 computer in Edge right CTRL + SHIFT moves the cursor to the right
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New Format
beverlysteinman
This new format is not user friendly.
Please return old format. Thx.
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Gwen FELDMAN nee GREENSTONE
#southafrica
My relative Harry FELDMAN was born in Coalbrook, OFS, in 1915 and died in
Johannesburg in 1981 and is buried in West Park. For many years he was a doctor in Brakpan. He was married to Gwen nee GREENSTONE. Gwen was born or raised in Durban. They did not have children. It seems that she is not buried in West Park. I am searching for the following information: where and when was she born? What are the names of her parents and where did she die and where buried? Thanks, Jules Feldman Kibbutz Yizreel
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South Africa SIG #SouthAfrica Gwen FELDMAN nee GREENSTONE
#southafrica
My relative Harry FELDMAN was born in Coalbrook, OFS, in 1915 and died in
Johannesburg in 1981 and is buried in West Park. For many years he was a doctor in Brakpan. He was married to Gwen nee GREENSTONE. Gwen was born or raised in Durban. They did not have children. It seems that she is not buried in West Park. I am searching for the following information: where and when was she born? What are the names of her parents and where did she die and where buried? Thanks, Jules Feldman Kibbutz Yizreel
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Re: Genealogy software for Mac
Michael Shade
Jo Ann,
I use MacFamilyTree, it does everything I've ever wanted it to do (and a lot more besides). It is designed for the Mac, and very easy to use, and has excellent reports, charts and Tree visualisations. It syncs to its own cloud storage, and there's a mobile version for iPhone/iPad, and you can keep all devices in sync. There's a new version out recently, still on half-price offer. https://www.syniumsoftware.com/macfamilytree Best wishes, Michael -- Michael Shade Brighton, UK michael@... http://twentyone-seven.blogspot.co.uk/
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Re: JewishGen.org Discussion Group - Digest #1
JoAnne Goldberg
Anyone having trouble
with the new format may prefer to receive individual emails vs
the digest. For me, it's easier to hit the delete button a few
more times than to deal with a digest that contains unrelated
emails.
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