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
|
Short videos about Genealogy & JewishGen
#dna
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
|
|
|
|
HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#latvia
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Short videos about Genealogy & JewishGen
#latvia
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
|
|
|
|
HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#rabbinic
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
DNA Research #DNA Short videos about Genealogy & JewishGen
#dna
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
|
|
|
|
Latvia SIG #Latvia HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#latvia
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Latvia SIG #Latvia Short videos about Genealogy & JewishGen
#latvia
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
|
|
|
|
Rabbinic Genealogy SIG #Rabbinic HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#rabbinic
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
FTDNA analysis question
#dna
Alison Greengard
Hi,
I am new to DNA anlysis and am hoping someone can solve a puzzle in my husband's FTDNA results. My husband's last name is GREENGARD. Over the years we have collected numerous Greengard trees (that all point to an origin of Virbalis, Lithuania and also point to them being one family) but have had a hard time connecting the trees. Several of the Greengard descendants can go back to their 3rd gr-grandfather , but with my husband Tom we can only go back to his gr-grandfather. We've made some progress, but decided to have two male Greengard surname descendants test their Y-DNA-37 markers at FTDNA. One is my husband Tom and the other is another Greengard. The results are as follows: The other Greengard descendant shows up as a potential 2nd to 4th cousin of Tom in Family Finder. In the actual 37 marker charts, Tom and this other Greengard differ on DYS464c, DYS464d and DYS CDYb. This makes sense to me. However, another individual with a completely different surname shows up as an exact Y-DNA37 marker match. But he and Tom do not show up as related in Family Finder. This individual can trace his lineage via his different surname back to the 1750's. Interestingly, this individual traces his lineage also back to Virbalis, and his ancestors stayed with Greengards in NY when they first come to the US. Can anyone explain why someone with a different surname, has an exact Y-DNA 37 marker match with my husband, can trace his lineage via that other surname back to the 1750's, yet doesn't show up in Family Finder? Clearly there is some tie to the Greengards since his ancestors stayed with Greengards in NY upon emigrating. Thank you. Alison Greengard Lakewood, Colorado, USA Researching GREENGARD - Virbalis, Lithuania
|
|
|
|
HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#dna
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
DNA Research #DNA FTDNA analysis question
#dna
Alison Greengard
Hi,
I am new to DNA anlysis and am hoping someone can solve a puzzle in my husband's FTDNA results. My husband's last name is GREENGARD. Over the years we have collected numerous Greengard trees (that all point to an origin of Virbalis, Lithuania and also point to them being one family) but have had a hard time connecting the trees. Several of the Greengard descendants can go back to their 3rd gr-grandfather , but with my husband Tom we can only go back to his gr-grandfather. We've made some progress, but decided to have two male Greengard surname descendants test their Y-DNA-37 markers at FTDNA. One is my husband Tom and the other is another Greengard. The results are as follows: The other Greengard descendant shows up as a potential 2nd to 4th cousin of Tom in Family Finder. In the actual 37 marker charts, Tom and this other Greengard differ on DYS464c, DYS464d and DYS CDYb. This makes sense to me. However, another individual with a completely different surname shows up as an exact Y-DNA37 marker match. But he and Tom do not show up as related in Family Finder. This individual can trace his lineage via his different surname back to the 1750's. Interestingly, this individual traces his lineage also back to Virbalis, and his ancestors stayed with Greengards in NY when they first come to the US. Can anyone explain why someone with a different surname, has an exact Y-DNA 37 marker match with my husband, can trace his lineage via that other surname back to the 1750's, yet doesn't show up in Family Finder? Clearly there is some tie to the Greengards since his ancestors stayed with Greengards in NY upon emigrating. Thank you. Alison Greengard Lakewood, Colorado, USA Researching GREENGARD - Virbalis, Lithuania
|
|
|
|
DNA Research #DNA HTML volunteers needed for the KehilaLinks Project
#dna
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Was the child male or female?
#general
bhm99@...
My GGM departed Hamburg for Hartford in 1906 with a child accompanying
her. The Hamburg Passenger List states that the child was a girl, Marjen, age 10. The Ellis Island Manifest states that the child was a boy, Chan, age 10. Chaim, a male, lived in Hartford >from 1906-1930. How could two different sexes be listed for the same person on two different Manifests? Why would a parent do this? Thank you for any answers you may have. Barney Miller Newington, Connecticut, USA
|
|
|
|
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@mts.net> Susana Leistner Bloch, VP, KehilaLinks, JewishGen, Inc. Barbara Ellman, KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Was the child male or female?
#general
bhm99@...
My GGM departed Hamburg for Hartford in 1906 with a child accompanying
her. The Hamburg Passenger List states that the child was a girl, Marjen, age 10. The Ellis Island Manifest states that the child was a boy, Chan, age 10. Chaim, a male, lived in Hartford >from 1906-1930. How could two different sexes be listed for the same person on two different Manifests? Why would a parent do this? Thank you for any answers you may have. Barney Miller Newington, Connecticut, USA
|
|
|
|
Lithuanian police record translation request - ViewMate
#general
Allen Dryer
I would appreciate a direct translation of the handwritten text in
Lithuanian on a document, possibly some kind of travel pass, from 1930. I was able to determine >from the block printed letters and a few of the handwritten words (using Google Translate) that this was issued by the police to a relative of my mother, a Jewish soldier in the Lithuanian army at the time, but I am not able to read the handwritten script well enough to get a machine translation for the whole text. It is on ViewMate at the following address: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM25144 I'd be very grateful if I could get a translation of the handwritten Lithuanian on this document. Please respond using the online ViewMate form. Thank you, Allen Dryer St. Louis, MO Searching LEVITAN/LEVIN (Kedaniai), KAGANAS (Pilviskiai), SHINOVSKI, ANTUPITSKI
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Lithuanian police record translation request - ViewMate
#general
Allen Dryer
I would appreciate a direct translation of the handwritten text in
Lithuanian on a document, possibly some kind of travel pass, from 1930. I was able to determine >from the block printed letters and a few of the handwritten words (using Google Translate) that this was issued by the police to a relative of my mother, a Jewish soldier in the Lithuanian army at the time, but I am not able to read the handwritten script well enough to get a machine translation for the whole text. It is on ViewMate at the following address: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM25144 I'd be very grateful if I could get a translation of the handwritten Lithuanian on this document. Please respond using the online ViewMate form. Thank you, Allen Dryer St. Louis, MO Searching LEVITAN/LEVIN (Kedaniai), KAGANAS (Pilviskiai), SHINOVSKI, ANTUPITSKI
|
|
|