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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A Pole in German POW camp Stalag II-A
#general
Peter Lebensold <peterlebensold@...>
Thanks to Peter Lande's reference - just over a week ago (see below) - to
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
the Polish Holocaust database at http://straty.pl , I have just discovered that there was apparently a (previously-unknown) Josef LEBENSOLD interned in the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag II-A (at Neubrandenburg, Germany). Considering that this was - apparently - not an extermination camp, I am hopeful that there was enough record-keeping that I might be able to get additional information on this prisoner: date of birth, parents' names, ultimate fate, etc. I'd also be curious to know what a Pole might be doing at a POW camp (Wikipedia says there were 738 Poles at Stalag II-A). Perhaps he was serving in the Free Polish forces? Any possible sources for further information would be much appreciated. Peter Lebensold Toronto Subject: Polish Holocaust Database From: "Lande" <pdlande@...>
In the past one of the most useful Polish Holocaust databases has been Karta
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen A Pole in German POW camp Stalag II-A
#general
Peter Lebensold <peterlebensold@...>
Thanks to Peter Lande's reference - just over a week ago (see below) - to
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
the Polish Holocaust database at http://straty.pl , I have just discovered that there was apparently a (previously-unknown) Josef LEBENSOLD interned in the prisoner-of-war camp Stalag II-A (at Neubrandenburg, Germany). Considering that this was - apparently - not an extermination camp, I am hopeful that there was enough record-keeping that I might be able to get additional information on this prisoner: date of birth, parents' names, ultimate fate, etc. I'd also be curious to know what a Pole might be doing at a POW camp (Wikipedia says there were 738 Poles at Stalag II-A). Perhaps he was serving in the Free Polish forces? Any possible sources for further information would be much appreciated. Peter Lebensold Toronto Subject: Polish Holocaust Database From: "Lande" <pdlande@...>
In the past one of the most useful Polish Holocaust databases has been Karta
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Re: Concentration Camp Gross Rosen
#general
Elizabeth Erlich
Hello everyone,
Regarding the inquiry about the Gross Rosen concentration camp, I strongly recommend "A narrow bridge to life : Jewish forced labor and survival in the Gross-Rosen camp system, 1940-1945" written by Bella Gutterman and published in 2008 by Berghahn Books in New York (ISBN 9781845452063). This book contains a description and history of the camp and its subcamps, as well as statistics, photographs, and an extensive bibliography. Thank you. Elizabeth Erlich
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: Concentration Camp Gross Rosen
#general
Elizabeth Erlich
Hello everyone,
Regarding the inquiry about the Gross Rosen concentration camp, I strongly recommend "A narrow bridge to life : Jewish forced labor and survival in the Gross-Rosen camp system, 1940-1945" written by Bella Gutterman and published in 2008 by Berghahn Books in New York (ISBN 9781845452063). This book contains a description and history of the camp and its subcamps, as well as statistics, photographs, and an extensive bibliography. Thank you. Elizabeth Erlich
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ViewMate translation request - old German script
#general
Carole Vogel <carolevogel51@...>
Hi All,
I am making my way through parts of the 1744 Mattersdorf Jewish census to make sure I didn't miss anything important. I have posted four snippets on viewmate with my summary of the important parts. http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32771 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32772 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32773 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32774 Thanks for the help! Carole G. Vogel Branchville, NJ, USA MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond within the ViewMate application or directly to Carole via email.
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate translation request - old German script
#general
Carole Vogel <carolevogel51@...>
Hi All,
I am making my way through parts of the 1744 Mattersdorf Jewish census to make sure I didn't miss anything important. I have posted four snippets on viewmate with my summary of the important parts. http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32771 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32772 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32773 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32774 Thanks for the help! Carole G. Vogel Branchville, NJ, USA MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond within the ViewMate application or directly to Carole via email.
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ViewMate translation request - Polish
#general
Debbie Burr <debbieb@...>
I've posted a vital record in Polish for which I need a translation. It is
on ViewMate at the following address http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32797 Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application. Thank you very much. Deborah Kopstein Burr, Ontario, Canada
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate translation request - Polish
#general
Debbie Burr <debbieb@...>
I've posted a vital record in Polish for which I need a translation. It is
on ViewMate at the following address http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32797 Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application. Thank you very much. Deborah Kopstein Burr, Ontario, Canada
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Re: US][NY]State Surrogate Court Order Restricts Public Access
#general
Jan Meisels Allen
On March 11 Don Solomon replied on this forum to my March 5 posting
regarding the New York State Chief Surrogate Court Justice issuing an order restricting public access to records included in probate files. Don stated, "I think the genealogical impact of this proposal may be less urgent than it may seem. The proposal appears to be tailored to a specific group of court files - those involving guardians and custodians, mostly pertaining to mentally disabled persons. As I read it, the proposal does not apply to files involving probate of decedents' estates, which are of much more interest to genealogists." I shared Don's comments with a professional genealogist who also serves on the Records Preservation and Access Committee along with me, as he is talking with the Court in New York State to get answers to a number of genealogists' questions regarding on how to access the types of documents that are specifically restricted in the order. He has advised me that to the best of our current knowledge 'all' files in the Surrogates Courts throughout NY State fall under the new restrictions not just guardianships and similar files such as conservatorships. While genealogists use the term "probate" in New York State that only refers to estates with valid wills I have been advised that New York State Surrogates Court includes probate and administration and guardianship. A guardianship would not include a death certificate - it would be exceptionally rare for that to happen, nor include a list of firearms, yet these items are included on the list of restricted files along with articles 17 and 17A which are involving guardians and custodians, guardians of mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons. As I learn of answers to the questions posed by the professional genealogist to the Court, I will share them on this listserve. Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: US][NY]State Surrogate Court Order Restricts Public Access
#general
Jan Meisels Allen
On March 11 Don Solomon replied on this forum to my March 5 posting
regarding the New York State Chief Surrogate Court Justice issuing an order restricting public access to records included in probate files. Don stated, "I think the genealogical impact of this proposal may be less urgent than it may seem. The proposal appears to be tailored to a specific group of court files - those involving guardians and custodians, mostly pertaining to mentally disabled persons. As I read it, the proposal does not apply to files involving probate of decedents' estates, which are of much more interest to genealogists." I shared Don's comments with a professional genealogist who also serves on the Records Preservation and Access Committee along with me, as he is talking with the Court in New York State to get answers to a number of genealogists' questions regarding on how to access the types of documents that are specifically restricted in the order. He has advised me that to the best of our current knowledge 'all' files in the Surrogates Courts throughout NY State fall under the new restrictions not just guardianships and similar files such as conservatorships. While genealogists use the term "probate" in New York State that only refers to estates with valid wills I have been advised that New York State Surrogates Court includes probate and administration and guardianship. A guardianship would not include a death certificate - it would be exceptionally rare for that to happen, nor include a list of firearms, yet these items are included on the list of restricted files along with articles 17 and 17A which are involving guardians and custodians, guardians of mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons. As I learn of answers to the questions posed by the professional genealogist to the Court, I will share them on this listserve. Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
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Heartwarming genealogical success story in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin
#general
Dick Plotz <Dick@...>
The new issue of the Harvard Divinity Bulletin includes this account
by Jonathan Herman, a faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies at Georgia State University, of his family history in Zhabokrich, Ukraine, and Connecticut: http://www.hds.harvard.edu/news-events/harvard-divinity-bulletin/articles/a-picture-worth-a-thousand-tears [ or http://tinyurl.com/p3hvd3w ] I'm not a Harvard Divinity School alumnus, but subscribe to the Bulletin because it often includes articles of Jewish interest. This is the best ever. Dick Plotz Providence RI USA Dick@...
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Heartwarming genealogical success story in the Harvard Divinity Bulletin
#general
Dick Plotz <Dick@...>
The new issue of the Harvard Divinity Bulletin includes this account
by Jonathan Herman, a faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies at Georgia State University, of his family history in Zhabokrich, Ukraine, and Connecticut: http://www.hds.harvard.edu/news-events/harvard-divinity-bulletin/articles/a-picture-worth-a-thousand-tears [ or http://tinyurl.com/p3hvd3w ] I'm not a Harvard Divinity School alumnus, but subscribe to the Bulletin because it often includes articles of Jewish interest. This is the best ever. Dick Plotz Providence RI USA Dick@...
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Kherson (Cherson) City and Gubernia KehilaLink New Website
#general
Charles WALOWITZ
Dear Genners,
We are happy to announce the creation of the Kherson (Cherson) KehilaLink Website. This is a work in process. We would like people who have roots either in the City or Gubernia, to submit material for the website. You can submit photos, postcards, and family histories. Also very helpful would be a descriptive narrative mentioning all the generations, their migration, documents you may have received >from Ukraine, etc. We would be grateful if you will help us "populate" our new website. The site's address is: http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/Kherson/ If you can help with any kind of material, or if you have any ideas or comments, please write to us directly at ruthw95@.... Charles and Sylvia Walowitz Brooklyn, New York, USA. Waibsnaider, Perman, Kozodoy, Elimelekh, Minond, Liponevzky, Shurkhin, Ber, Gershman, Seltzer, Salzman, Grinker, Spiegel, Broder
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Kherson (Cherson) City and Gubernia KehilaLink New Website
#general
Charles WALOWITZ
Dear Genners,
We are happy to announce the creation of the Kherson (Cherson) KehilaLink Website. This is a work in process. We would like people who have roots either in the City or Gubernia, to submit material for the website. You can submit photos, postcards, and family histories. Also very helpful would be a descriptive narrative mentioning all the generations, their migration, documents you may have received >from Ukraine, etc. We would be grateful if you will help us "populate" our new website. The site's address is: http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/Kherson/ If you can help with any kind of material, or if you have any ideas or comments, please write to us directly at ruthw95@.... Charles and Sylvia Walowitz Brooklyn, New York, USA. Waibsnaider, Perman, Kozodoy, Elimelekh, Minond, Liponevzky, Shurkhin, Ber, Gershman, Seltzer, Salzman, Grinker, Spiegel, Broder
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Re: Searching for a first name Eliokim
#general
Carole Vogel <carolevogel51@...>
I have found that people with the name Eliokim also appeared in the
records with the nickname Gotzl, Best, Carole Vogel Branchville, New Jersey, USA
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: Searching for a first name Eliokim
#general
Carole Vogel <carolevogel51@...>
I have found that people with the name Eliokim also appeared in the
records with the nickname Gotzl, Best, Carole Vogel Branchville, New Jersey, USA
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ViewMate translation request - Polish
#general
avraham997@...
I've posted a vital record in Polish for which I need a loose translation.
It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32632 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32633 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32635 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32636 Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application. Thank you very much. Avraham Lapa Israel
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen ViewMate translation request - Polish
#general
avraham997@...
I've posted a vital record in Polish for which I need a loose translation.
It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32632 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32633 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32635 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM32636 Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application. Thank you very much. Avraham Lapa Israel
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Re: Shoah Foundation DVDs
#general
ab.cohen@...
Pamela says "these are treasures to be shared with the world".
There are also several hundred interviews with survivors that were conducted in the 1970s at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Some are available via the University website but as far as I know they all seem to be in Hebrew which isn't much use to non-Hebrew speakers. I obtained one several years ago and my brother-in-law, who lives in Israel, and I spent hours trying to translate it into English. He found it difficult as the interviewee's Hebrew was not too good either. What a pity there are no English transcripts. Alan Cohen, researching KUTNOWSKI and DEITSCH (Poland).
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Re: Shoah Foundation DVDs
#general
ab.cohen@...
Pamela says "these are treasures to be shared with the world".
There are also several hundred interviews with survivors that were conducted in the 1970s at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Some are available via the University website but as far as I know they all seem to be in Hebrew which isn't much use to non-Hebrew speakers. I obtained one several years ago and my brother-in-law, who lives in Israel, and I spent hours trying to translate it into English. He found it difficult as the interviewee's Hebrew was not too good either. What a pity there are no English transcripts. Alan Cohen, researching KUTNOWSKI and DEITSCH (Poland).
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