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
|
old photos
#general
John Hoenig
Steven Ellner wrote:
I am fortunate to have access to about 20 photographs (portraits) of Are photos of this type somewhat commonplace among researchers, or shouldSteven, You don't know how incredibly lucky you are to have access to those photos. Old photos are one of the absolute best kinds of record a genealogist can find. It doesn't matter if you don't know who's in a photo. Getting the photos is just the first step. First, you absolutely want to see the photos personally if at all possible. There may be the name of a photographer - or his address - embossed in the edge of the photo and that might not show up in a copy of the photo. And, there could be something written faintly. So try to borrow the photos and study them carefully. Give a number to each picture, and type a full description of each photo into the computer. You'll find yourself going back repeatedly to your database to check information. Either scan them into your computer or take them to a drug store or photo store that has a photo copying machine. For around $7 - $10 you can make an 8.5 x 11" print. So, you arrange as many photos as you can onto the glass screen and copy several photos at once. Yes, you want to translate the material on the back. The cities are a fantastic clue. If you know your family came from "Austria" or "Russia" that's pretty useless becausethose were awfully big places. If you know a particular city you can search for your family there. That's feasible. If you also have an approximate year that's so much better. Now you know WHEN to look for records. And, given a year for a photo you can assign an approximate age to the people in the photos. You can make a list of all the people you have photos for and a list of all the known relatives for whom you do not have photos. Given the ages, dates, and places, you can eliminate a lot of possibilities and focus in on some possible identities. And, keep track of who appears with whom. That's a very important clue. Now suppose you find someone with the same surname as your relatives and they're >from the same or a nearby town. You can show them your photos and see if they recognize anyone. Even if they can't recognize anyone, it may turn out that they have the very same photo you have, or they have a different photo that's clearly the person in your photo. That almost surely means you're related. Why else would you have photos of the same person? I obtained a pile of photos >from a newfound relative and immediately identified a photo of two teenage girls. The photo was taken in Saratoga, New York, in 1898. I knew there had been relatives in Saratoga Springs and the ages of the daughters matched those of the two girls in the photo. My guess was soon confirmed. I also found a photo in that pile of a young man that had been taken in Minneapolis. I guessed that the Saratoga Springs relatives, who "disappeared" around 1911, might have moved to Minnesota and the young man might have been their son. Sure enough, when I checked, that's where they were. I discussed strategies for using photos to find relatives in an article I just published in the July-August issue of Family Chronicle. Good luck hunting. Your work's just begun. John Hoenig Williamsburg, VA searching for FITZER (Stanislau, Brzezany, Czernowitz, New York), PELLER (Jablonow, New York, Minneapolis), HONIG/HOENIG (Aranyosgyeres, Cluj, New York)
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen old photos
#general
John Hoenig
Steven Ellner wrote:
I am fortunate to have access to about 20 photographs (portraits) of Are photos of this type somewhat commonplace among researchers, or shouldSteven, You don't know how incredibly lucky you are to have access to those photos. Old photos are one of the absolute best kinds of record a genealogist can find. It doesn't matter if you don't know who's in a photo. Getting the photos is just the first step. First, you absolutely want to see the photos personally if at all possible. There may be the name of a photographer - or his address - embossed in the edge of the photo and that might not show up in a copy of the photo. And, there could be something written faintly. So try to borrow the photos and study them carefully. Give a number to each picture, and type a full description of each photo into the computer. You'll find yourself going back repeatedly to your database to check information. Either scan them into your computer or take them to a drug store or photo store that has a photo copying machine. For around $7 - $10 you can make an 8.5 x 11" print. So, you arrange as many photos as you can onto the glass screen and copy several photos at once. Yes, you want to translate the material on the back. The cities are a fantastic clue. If you know your family came from "Austria" or "Russia" that's pretty useless becausethose were awfully big places. If you know a particular city you can search for your family there. That's feasible. If you also have an approximate year that's so much better. Now you know WHEN to look for records. And, given a year for a photo you can assign an approximate age to the people in the photos. You can make a list of all the people you have photos for and a list of all the known relatives for whom you do not have photos. Given the ages, dates, and places, you can eliminate a lot of possibilities and focus in on some possible identities. And, keep track of who appears with whom. That's a very important clue. Now suppose you find someone with the same surname as your relatives and they're >from the same or a nearby town. You can show them your photos and see if they recognize anyone. Even if they can't recognize anyone, it may turn out that they have the very same photo you have, or they have a different photo that's clearly the person in your photo. That almost surely means you're related. Why else would you have photos of the same person? I obtained a pile of photos >from a newfound relative and immediately identified a photo of two teenage girls. The photo was taken in Saratoga, New York, in 1898. I knew there had been relatives in Saratoga Springs and the ages of the daughters matched those of the two girls in the photo. My guess was soon confirmed. I also found a photo in that pile of a young man that had been taken in Minneapolis. I guessed that the Saratoga Springs relatives, who "disappeared" around 1911, might have moved to Minnesota and the young man might have been their son. Sure enough, when I checked, that's where they were. I discussed strategies for using photos to find relatives in an article I just published in the July-August issue of Family Chronicle. Good luck hunting. Your work's just begun. John Hoenig Williamsburg, VA searching for FITZER (Stanislau, Brzezany, Czernowitz, New York), PELLER (Jablonow, New York, Minneapolis), HONIG/HOENIG (Aranyosgyeres, Cluj, New York)
|
|
|
|
Searchable 1901 Census records on-line
#general
Harold Rabbie
The official genealogy site of the 1901 Census for England
and Wales is on-line at http://www.census.pro.gov.uk It includes records for all the old Jewish neighbourhoods such as Spitalfields, Whitechapel, and Mile End. You can search by name, or by address, and see summary information for each record. Unfortunately, there is a charge to access the detailed records - 75p (US$1.20) for a document image, and 50p (US$0.80) for a text record, with a minimum of £5 (US$8) per session. I found my grandparents with no problem! Now I know where they lived, and what they did. -- Harold Zvi Rabbie Los Gatos, California http://hzrabbie.home.comcast.net
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Searchable 1901 Census records on-line
#general
Harold Rabbie
The official genealogy site of the 1901 Census for England
and Wales is on-line at http://www.census.pro.gov.uk It includes records for all the old Jewish neighbourhoods such as Spitalfields, Whitechapel, and Mile End. You can search by name, or by address, and see summary information for each record. Unfortunately, there is a charge to access the detailed records - 75p (US$1.20) for a document image, and 50p (US$0.80) for a text record, with a minimum of £5 (US$8) per session. I found my grandparents with no problem! Now I know where they lived, and what they did. -- Harold Zvi Rabbie Los Gatos, California http://hzrabbie.home.comcast.net
|
|
|
|
Headstone Reading at Mt Lebonan Cemetery, NY
#general
sjlustig@...
I would appreciate someone reading a headstone for me
at Mt Lebonan Cemetery, Glendale, NY. Baskind Plot, Block 101, Plot 44A Harris ZWERIN* Died Feb 5,1929 b.1869 I hope to find his father's name. His wife Anna SWIRYN* is buried with him. *NOTE: The correct spelling of the family name is SWIRYN. Please reply privately. Marge Lustig sjlustig@... RESEARCHING: SWIRYN, SLEPYAN, PLOTKIN: Minsk, Belarus NIBORSKI, ANGIELCZYK, BLUMENGARTEN: Mlawa, Chorzele, Szrensk, Pol
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Headstone Reading at Mt Lebonan Cemetery, NY
#general
sjlustig@...
I would appreciate someone reading a headstone for me
at Mt Lebonan Cemetery, Glendale, NY. Baskind Plot, Block 101, Plot 44A Harris ZWERIN* Died Feb 5,1929 b.1869 I hope to find his father's name. His wife Anna SWIRYN* is buried with him. *NOTE: The correct spelling of the family name is SWIRYN. Please reply privately. Marge Lustig sjlustig@... RESEARCHING: SWIRYN, SLEPYAN, PLOTKIN: Minsk, Belarus NIBORSKI, ANGIELCZYK, BLUMENGARTEN: Mlawa, Chorzele, Szrensk, Pol
|
|
|
|
Re: "Yezershani, Austria"
#galicia
Peter Jassem <pjassem@...>
I am pretty sure it is Jezierzany. The only problem
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
is, now you have to find out which one, as there were four of them: in Buczacz, Tlumacz, Rohatyn and Borszczow administrative districts. Peter Jassem Toronto (on the way to Poland)
Can anyone suggest what the name of this town would "YEZERSHANI, Austria"
|
|
|
|
Gesher Galicia SIG #Galicia Re: "Yezershani, Austria"
#galicia
Peter Jassem <pjassem@...>
I am pretty sure it is Jezierzany. The only problem
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
is, now you have to find out which one, as there were four of them: in Buczacz, Tlumacz, Rohatyn and Borszczow administrative districts. Peter Jassem Toronto (on the way to Poland)
Can anyone suggest what the name of this town would "YEZERSHANI, Austria"
|
|
|
|
Need translation of /peh-shin-yod-tet-yod-kof/
#general
Ronald D. Doctor <rondoctor@...>
In translating one of the Kremenets Yizkor Books,
we have encountered the word /pe-shin-yod-tet-yod-kuf/. It appears in the following context, in a passage describing Polish rule in the inter-war years: "During the 1930s, the ruling party “Sanatsya” also started its corrupt policy, based on threats and oppression, in Kremenets. The government authorities started to intervene in the life of the Jewish community, supporting aggresive public workers of their choice and creating dissent among the Jewish population. All those who opposed this policy were doomed to persecution; loss of their livelihood, etc. With political oppression came economic oppression. The Jews collapsed under the weight of taxes, the sources of their livelihood were closed to them. The young men, forced to idleness, were in decline. Under the influence of the authorities an atmosphere of “Pashitik” penetrated our area. The life of a Jew, walking alone at night in a street far >from center of town, was not safe anymore; a worry that Kremenets’ Jews did not have for many generations". It doesn't appear to be a Hebrew or Yiddish word ... perhaps Russian or Polish written in the Hebrew alphabet? We would appreciate your help in translating this. Ron Doctor Co-Coordinator, Kremenets Yizkor Book Translation Project MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond directly to Ron
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Need translation of /peh-shin-yod-tet-yod-kof/
#general
Ronald D. Doctor <rondoctor@...>
In translating one of the Kremenets Yizkor Books,
we have encountered the word /pe-shin-yod-tet-yod-kuf/. It appears in the following context, in a passage describing Polish rule in the inter-war years: "During the 1930s, the ruling party “Sanatsya” also started its corrupt policy, based on threats and oppression, in Kremenets. The government authorities started to intervene in the life of the Jewish community, supporting aggresive public workers of their choice and creating dissent among the Jewish population. All those who opposed this policy were doomed to persecution; loss of their livelihood, etc. With political oppression came economic oppression. The Jews collapsed under the weight of taxes, the sources of their livelihood were closed to them. The young men, forced to idleness, were in decline. Under the influence of the authorities an atmosphere of “Pashitik” penetrated our area. The life of a Jew, walking alone at night in a street far >from center of town, was not safe anymore; a worry that Kremenets’ Jews did not have for many generations". It doesn't appear to be a Hebrew or Yiddish word ... perhaps Russian or Polish written in the Hebrew alphabet? We would appreciate your help in translating this. Ron Doctor Co-Coordinator, Kremenets Yizkor Book Translation Project MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond directly to Ron
|
|
|
|
Re: "Yezershani, Austria"
#galicia
Susana Leistner Bloch
It is probably Jezierzany. It was part of Galicia (Austro- Hungarian
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Empire). After 1918 it was part of Poland. It is now called Ozeryany and is in Ukraine. Coordinates: 48°53´- 25°57´. Jezierzany is included in the Suchostaw Region Research Group. You can see the shtetlpage at: http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Suchostav/SuchostavRegion/sl_jezierzany.htm Susana Leistner Bloch Coordinator: Suchostaw Region Research Group Kolbuszowa Region Research Group
Can anyone suggest what the name of this town would have been at that time,
|
|
|
|
Searching: Cohn Family - Minnnepolis -1930's
#general
Rsns93
Hi -
I am trying to get in contact with anyone related to the Cohn family living in Minneapolis, Minnesota and found in the 1930 US Census. The family is as follows: Father: Joseph Cohn b: 1864 Roumania d: 1929 Mother: Lizzy Drey b: 1873 Roumania d: 1934 Son: Marshall b: 1901 Son: William b: 1904 m: Thelma S. - daughter Charlotte b: 1927 Daughter: Rose M. Cohn b: 1807 Daughter: Margaret Cohn b: 1909 Daughter: Beatrice b: 1912 Daughter: Sylvia b: 1915 If anyone has any knowledge of descendents of this family, please email to me. Thank you. Rich Sinykin Minneapolis, Minnesota rsns93@... MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond privately
|
|
|
|
Gesher Galicia SIG #Galicia Re: "Yezershani, Austria"
#galicia
Susana Leistner Bloch
It is probably Jezierzany. It was part of Galicia (Austro- Hungarian
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Empire). After 1918 it was part of Poland. It is now called Ozeryany and is in Ukraine. Coordinates: 48°53´- 25°57´. Jezierzany is included in the Suchostaw Region Research Group. You can see the shtetlpage at: http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Suchostav/SuchostavRegion/sl_jezierzany.htm Susana Leistner Bloch Coordinator: Suchostaw Region Research Group Kolbuszowa Region Research Group
Can anyone suggest what the name of this town would have been at that time,
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Searching: Cohn Family - Minnnepolis -1930's
#general
Rsns93
Hi -
I am trying to get in contact with anyone related to the Cohn family living in Minneapolis, Minnesota and found in the 1930 US Census. The family is as follows: Father: Joseph Cohn b: 1864 Roumania d: 1929 Mother: Lizzy Drey b: 1873 Roumania d: 1934 Son: Marshall b: 1901 Son: William b: 1904 m: Thelma S. - daughter Charlotte b: 1927 Daughter: Rose M. Cohn b: 1807 Daughter: Margaret Cohn b: 1909 Daughter: Beatrice b: 1912 Daughter: Sylvia b: 1915 If anyone has any knowledge of descendents of this family, please email to me. Thank you. Rich Sinykin Minneapolis, Minnesota rsns93@... MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond privately
|
|
|
|
"Bais-Daled-Hay" on a Tombstone?
#general
Judith27
Dear All,
While I was recently at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Queens, NY, I noticed that on some women's tombstones in a Sephardic section ("Friendship Truth Brotherly Ass'n of Castorialis") there was an abbreviation or Roshei Tevot I have not seen before. At the top of these matzevot I saw either Bais-Daled-Hay or Bais-Resh-Hay. I checked my three volume Hebrew dictionary, but I did not find either of these letter sequences listed as a Roshei Tevot. Is anyone aware of what this particular Hebrew three letter combination is supposed to stand for?? Shalom, Judi Langer-Surnamer Caplan Long Beach, NY
|
|
|
|
JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen "Bais-Daled-Hay" on a Tombstone?
#general
Judith27
Dear All,
While I was recently at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Queens, NY, I noticed that on some women's tombstones in a Sephardic section ("Friendship Truth Brotherly Ass'n of Castorialis") there was an abbreviation or Roshei Tevot I have not seen before. At the top of these matzevot I saw either Bais-Daled-Hay or Bais-Resh-Hay. I checked my three volume Hebrew dictionary, but I did not find either of these letter sequences listed as a Roshei Tevot. Is anyone aware of what this particular Hebrew three letter combination is supposed to stand for?? Shalom, Judi Langer-Surnamer Caplan Long Beach, NY
|
|
|
|
Seeking Lisa Sokol
#galicia
Alan Weiser <alanboy@...>
Lisa, or anyone who knows her please tell her my Kolomea research
Group emails to her have bounced. Need current email address or entrance through her spam filter. Alan Weiser, Coordinator Kolomea Research Group alanboy@...
|
|
|
|
Gesher Galicia SIG #Galicia Seeking Lisa Sokol
#galicia
Alan Weiser <alanboy@...>
Lisa, or anyone who knows her please tell her my Kolomea research
Group emails to her have bounced. Need current email address or entrance through her spam filter. Alan Weiser, Coordinator Kolomea Research Group alanboy@...
|
|
|
|
Need translation of /peh-shin-yod-tet-yod-kof/
#yizkorbooks
Ronald D. Doctor <rondoctor@...>
In translating one of the Kremenets Yizkor Books, we have encountered
the word /pe-shin-yod-tet-yod-kuf/. It appears in the following context, in a passage describing Polish rule in the inter-war years: During the 1930s, the ruling party “Sanatsya” also started its corrupt policy, based on threats and oppression, in Kremenets. The government authorities started to intervene in the life of the Jewish community, supporting aggresive public workers of their choice and creating dissent among the Jewish population. All those who opposed this policy were doomed to persecution; loss of their livelihood, etc. With political oppression came economic oppression. The Jews collapsed under the weight of taxes, the sources of their livelihood were closed to them. The young men, forced to idleness, were in decline. Under the influence of the authorities an atmosphere of “Pashitik” penetrated our area. The life of a Jew, walking alone at night in a street far >from center of town, was not safe anymore; a worry that Kremenets’ Jews did not have for many generations. It doesn't appear to be a Hebrew or Yiddish word ... perhaps Russian or Polish written in the Hebrew alphabet? We would appreciate your help in translating this. Ron Doctor Co-Coordinator, Kremenets Yizkor Book Translation Project
|
|
|
|
Yizkor Books #YizkorBooks Need translation of /peh-shin-yod-tet-yod-kof/
#yizkorbooks
Ronald D. Doctor <rondoctor@...>
In translating one of the Kremenets Yizkor Books, we have encountered
the word /pe-shin-yod-tet-yod-kuf/. It appears in the following context, in a passage describing Polish rule in the inter-war years: During the 1930s, the ruling party “Sanatsya” also started its corrupt policy, based on threats and oppression, in Kremenets. The government authorities started to intervene in the life of the Jewish community, supporting aggresive public workers of their choice and creating dissent among the Jewish population. All those who opposed this policy were doomed to persecution; loss of their livelihood, etc. With political oppression came economic oppression. The Jews collapsed under the weight of taxes, the sources of their livelihood were closed to them. The young men, forced to idleness, were in decline. Under the influence of the authorities an atmosphere of “Pashitik” penetrated our area. The life of a Jew, walking alone at night in a street far >from center of town, was not safe anymore; a worry that Kremenets’ Jews did not have for many generations. It doesn't appear to be a Hebrew or Yiddish word ... perhaps Russian or Polish written in the Hebrew alphabet? We would appreciate your help in translating this. Ron Doctor Co-Coordinator, Kremenets Yizkor Book Translation Project
|
|
|