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
IAJGS 2017 Orlando Litvak plans
#lithuania
Carol Hoffman
I hope to meet each of you personally at the forthcoming IAJGS 2017
conference in Orlando, FL, between the dates 23-28 July 2017. Hurry and register before the deadline of Early bird Registration this coming Thursday, 20 April. Below are some of our programs: LitvakSIG will be at the SHARE Fair to greet you - stop by and see us; we'll be there in person and will try to help you solve some of your mysteries. Wednesday, 26 July is LitvakSIG day. I'll be presenting a basic guide to getting started with your Litvak roots. Judy Baston then will give her outstanding presentation, Enhancing Your Litvak Research, on how to go about the search and navigating the LitvakSIG website - it's a must - she always has something new to teach us. We'll have our annual meeting with our reports and elections to the board followed by the LitvakSIG luncheon when Alisa New will greet us. Alisa wrote the fabulous book, Jacob's Cane - sign up early - last year we were overbooked almost before the registration began. Many of the District Research coordinators will be with us holding separate functions - BOG, Birds of a Feather: Jill Anderson will be holding a combined meeting for Telsai and Siauliai, Judy Baston will greet those interested in Lida/Oshmiany, Rhoda Miller will hold the Svencionys meeting, Suwalki Gubernia will be held online with Dorothy Leivers >from Leeds, England, Jill Anderson will be happy to meet all Vilnius reseachers, and those interested in Kupsikis/Rokiskis are urged to attend the BOF. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando. Come join us! Carol Hoffman LitvakSIG President
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Lithuania SIG #Lithuania IAJGS 2017 Orlando Litvak plans
#lithuania
Carol Hoffman
I hope to meet each of you personally at the forthcoming IAJGS 2017
conference in Orlando, FL, between the dates 23-28 July 2017. Hurry and register before the deadline of Early bird Registration this coming Thursday, 20 April. Below are some of our programs: LitvakSIG will be at the SHARE Fair to greet you - stop by and see us; we'll be there in person and will try to help you solve some of your mysteries. Wednesday, 26 July is LitvakSIG day. I'll be presenting a basic guide to getting started with your Litvak roots. Judy Baston then will give her outstanding presentation, Enhancing Your Litvak Research, on how to go about the search and navigating the LitvakSIG website - it's a must - she always has something new to teach us. We'll have our annual meeting with our reports and elections to the board followed by the LitvakSIG luncheon when Alisa New will greet us. Alisa wrote the fabulous book, Jacob's Cane - sign up early - last year we were overbooked almost before the registration began. Many of the District Research coordinators will be with us holding separate functions - BOG, Birds of a Feather: Jill Anderson will be holding a combined meeting for Telsai and Siauliai, Judy Baston will greet those interested in Lida/Oshmiany, Rhoda Miller will hold the Svencionys meeting, Suwalki Gubernia will be held online with Dorothy Leivers >from Leeds, England, Jill Anderson will be happy to meet all Vilnius reseachers, and those interested in Kupsikis/Rokiskis are urged to attend the BOF. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando. Come join us! Carol Hoffman LitvakSIG President
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This week's Yizkor Book excerpt on JewishGen's Facebook page
#general
Bruce Drake <BDrake@...>
This week's excerpt is >from the Yizkor book of Bransk, Poland, which was newly
donated to JewishGen. It is bluntly-titled -- "Jew-Murderers Sentenced to Death" - and is an account of a detachment of Bransk partisans who decided to take revenge on a Pole who had been responsible for Jewish deaths. The unit of 64 men fights on till August, 1944 when the Russian Army nears and then returns their village to find it empty of Jews. The unnamed author writes: "How hardened we have become in the 21 months of living in the forest, a life of animals, not of humans and our hearts melted away, our eyes that long ago had lost the ability to shed tears, were suddenly filled with bitter tears." URL: https://www.facebook.com/JewishGen.org/posts/1377776248911193:0 short URL: http://bit.ly/2ph7nov Bruce Drake Silver Spring, MD Researching: DRACH, EBERT, KIMMEL, ZLOTNICK Towns: Wojnilow, Kovel
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen This week's Yizkor Book excerpt on JewishGen's Facebook page
#general
Bruce Drake <BDrake@...>
This week's excerpt is >from the Yizkor book of Bransk, Poland, which was newly
donated to JewishGen. It is bluntly-titled -- "Jew-Murderers Sentenced to Death" - and is an account of a detachment of Bransk partisans who decided to take revenge on a Pole who had been responsible for Jewish deaths. The unit of 64 men fights on till August, 1944 when the Russian Army nears and then returns their village to find it empty of Jews. The unnamed author writes: "How hardened we have become in the 21 months of living in the forest, a life of animals, not of humans and our hearts melted away, our eyes that long ago had lost the ability to shed tears, were suddenly filled with bitter tears." URL: https://www.facebook.com/JewishGen.org/posts/1377776248911193:0 short URL: http://bit.ly/2ph7nov Bruce Drake Silver Spring, MD Researching: DRACH, EBERT, KIMMEL, ZLOTNICK Towns: Wojnilow, Kovel
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Looking for Rudoph GOTTLIEB
#general
Julia Trainor
Dear Fellow Researchers
I am looking for descendants of Dr Rudolf GOTTLIEB, born 1881 in Politz an der Mettau, Bohemia (now Police nad Metuji, Czech Republic). In 1924 he was living in Vrchlabí, Czechia (formerly Hohenelbe, Czechoslovakia). I do not know what happened to Rudolf, but it is possible that he migrated to the USA. I note that the JewishGen Burial Registry has a Rudolph GOTTLIEB 1881-1949 buried in Talmud Torah Cemetery, Newark, New Jersey, USA, Row 14-#02R. If anyone has any connection with Rudolf GOTTLIEB, I would love to hear >from you. Julia Trainor Canberra, Australia
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Looking for Rudoph GOTTLIEB
#general
Julia Trainor
Dear Fellow Researchers
I am looking for descendants of Dr Rudolf GOTTLIEB, born 1881 in Politz an der Mettau, Bohemia (now Police nad Metuji, Czech Republic). In 1924 he was living in Vrchlabí, Czechia (formerly Hohenelbe, Czechoslovakia). I do not know what happened to Rudolf, but it is possible that he migrated to the USA. I note that the JewishGen Burial Registry has a Rudolph GOTTLIEB 1881-1949 buried in Talmud Torah Cemetery, Newark, New Jersey, USA, Row 14-#02R. If anyone has any connection with Rudolf GOTTLIEB, I would love to hear >from you. Julia Trainor Canberra, Australia
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APTAKER-LENDER
#general
Dina Hill
I received my paternal grandmother's application for social security number.
I wasn't expecting to see her last name as LENDER. Some time after my patenal grandfather LEJZOR KLAJNKOFMAN was killed in the Shoah, my grandmother remarried. I just learned that his last name was LENDER. My grandmother was never a KLAJNKOFMAN (unfortunately). At that time in Poland, they had a quota on Jewish marriages, and the government wouldn't allow my grandparents to marry so they were only married by a Rabbi. My maiden name is APTEKAR(Z). There are many ways of spelling APTEKAR even in the same family including my great uncle who spelled it APTAKER. The marriage with LENDER was a short one. I think they married in Krasnik, Poland or they married in Israel because I know they lived there for awhile when we were there. How do I find out what his first name was?? My grandmother's Jewish name was Chaja Bajla, and her English name on the SS card is Helen. Any ideas where I should look??? Thanks in advance. Dina Aptekar Hill SEARCHING: KLAJNKOFMAN, APTEKAR, APTAKER, APTEKARZ, MUSZKAT, MUSZKET, HELFMAN, CHAMITA, LIEBERMAN, FABRYKANT.
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen APTAKER-LENDER
#general
Dina Hill
I received my paternal grandmother's application for social security number.
I wasn't expecting to see her last name as LENDER. Some time after my patenal grandfather LEJZOR KLAJNKOFMAN was killed in the Shoah, my grandmother remarried. I just learned that his last name was LENDER. My grandmother was never a KLAJNKOFMAN (unfortunately). At that time in Poland, they had a quota on Jewish marriages, and the government wouldn't allow my grandparents to marry so they were only married by a Rabbi. My maiden name is APTEKAR(Z). There are many ways of spelling APTEKAR even in the same family including my great uncle who spelled it APTAKER. The marriage with LENDER was a short one. I think they married in Krasnik, Poland or they married in Israel because I know they lived there for awhile when we were there. How do I find out what his first name was?? My grandmother's Jewish name was Chaja Bajla, and her English name on the SS card is Helen. Any ideas where I should look??? Thanks in advance. Dina Aptekar Hill SEARCHING: KLAJNKOFMAN, APTEKAR, APTAKER, APTEKARZ, MUSZKAT, MUSZKET, HELFMAN, CHAMITA, LIEBERMAN, FABRYKANT.
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Looking for English words to "Avrum, Avrum, Avrum, Avrum" song or poem
#general
Gloria Berkenstat Freund
I am translating a Yizkor Book in which the author mentions “the children’s
favorite song [or poem] … Avrum, Avrum, Avrum, Avrum” and says the “singing turned to Yitzkak and to Yakov…” I am looking for the words (in Yiddish or English) to this song or poem. Gloria Berkenstat Freund New York, New York
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Looking for English words to "Avrum, Avrum, Avrum, Avrum" song or poem
#general
Gloria Berkenstat Freund
I am translating a Yizkor Book in which the author mentions “the children’s
favorite song [or poem] … Avrum, Avrum, Avrum, Avrum” and says the “singing turned to Yitzkak and to Yakov…” I am looking for the words (in Yiddish or English) to this song or poem. Gloria Berkenstat Freund New York, New York
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(US) Ancestor Hunt Adds 150 New Collections to Historic US Newspapers
#general
Jan Meisels Allen
Ancestor Hunt has added an additional 150 new collections to its historic US
Newspaper pages. The total pages exceed 40 million, representing 434 collections >from 37 states. All access is free. To read more and see the list of new additions go to: http://tinyurl.com/mxwv5ot Original url: http://www.theancestorhunt.com/blog/search-40-million-historic-us-newspaper-pages-for-free#.WPD5ZGe1uUk (MODERATOR: http://tinyurl.com/mxwv5ot ) Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen (US) Ancestor Hunt Adds 150 New Collections to Historic US Newspapers
#general
Jan Meisels Allen
Ancestor Hunt has added an additional 150 new collections to its historic US
Newspaper pages. The total pages exceed 40 million, representing 434 collections >from 37 states. All access is free. To read more and see the list of new additions go to: http://tinyurl.com/mxwv5ot Original url: http://www.theancestorhunt.com/blog/search-40-million-historic-us-newspaper-pages-for-free#.WPD5ZGe1uUk (MODERATOR: http://tinyurl.com/mxwv5ot ) Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
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question about obtaining citizenship, Romania or Ukraine?
#general
jeremy frankel
Dear Genners,
Recently I was asked by someone about obtaining Romanian citizenship for his father. According to the Romanian Embassy website, although this person's father was born in the United States, if the father's father had been born in Romania then it would be possible. The problem, as I see it (and I could be totally mistaken here) is that the town of birth for the grandfather was Chotin, Romania. Some of you will appreciate that this is now Khotyn, Ukraine. So my question is, can someone apply for citizenship in a country when the town is no longer in that country? Can one acquire citizenship on a historical basis of something that happened over 100 years ago? I will take answers privately or they can be posted to the group as the answers might be of wider interest to others. Thanks Jeremy Jeremy G Frankel ex-Edgware, Middlesex, England now Folsom, California, USA Searching for: FRANKEL/FRENKEL/FRENKIEL: Gombin, Poland; London, England GOLDRATH/GOLD: Praszka, Poland; London, England KOENIGSBERG: Vilkaviskis, Lithuania; London, England; NY, USA LEVY (later LEADER): Kalisz, Poland; London, England PINKUS, Poland; London, England PRINCZ/PRINCE: Krakow, Poland; London, England; NY, USA MODERATOR NOTE: The most reliable and informed resource for this type of information will be an agency of the government in question. Private responses only, please - perhaps Jeremy could provide a summary of the most informed responses he gets.
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen question about obtaining citizenship, Romania or Ukraine?
#general
jeremy frankel
Dear Genners,
Recently I was asked by someone about obtaining Romanian citizenship for his father. According to the Romanian Embassy website, although this person's father was born in the United States, if the father's father had been born in Romania then it would be possible. The problem, as I see it (and I could be totally mistaken here) is that the town of birth for the grandfather was Chotin, Romania. Some of you will appreciate that this is now Khotyn, Ukraine. So my question is, can someone apply for citizenship in a country when the town is no longer in that country? Can one acquire citizenship on a historical basis of something that happened over 100 years ago? I will take answers privately or they can be posted to the group as the answers might be of wider interest to others. Thanks Jeremy Jeremy G Frankel ex-Edgware, Middlesex, England now Folsom, California, USA Searching for: FRANKEL/FRENKEL/FRENKIEL: Gombin, Poland; London, England GOLDRATH/GOLD: Praszka, Poland; London, England KOENIGSBERG: Vilkaviskis, Lithuania; London, England; NY, USA LEVY (later LEADER): Kalisz, Poland; London, England PINKUS, Poland; London, England PRINCZ/PRINCE: Krakow, Poland; London, England; NY, USA MODERATOR NOTE: The most reliable and informed resource for this type of information will be an agency of the government in question. Private responses only, please - perhaps Jeremy could provide a summary of the most informed responses he gets.
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Reply to Madeline Isenberg's Post.... April 13, 2017
#hungary
cia@...
I would like to applaud and thank Madeleine Isenberg and Rand Fishbein for their informative and thoughtful posts.I refer especially to the words â??cultural milieuâ??. While finding family members and â??correctâ?? names and connections can be thrilling, realizing the context in which our ancestors lived can sometimes become the most meaningful. One can often learn more by going to villages(which sometimes have changed little in the last century), going to a little town hall and finding hand-written information about family members which has not made it to the internet(and perhaps never will) visiting local cemeteries and attending an annual Holocaust memorial event can sometimes reveal the most unexpected and surprising information.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Catherine Adam Toronto, Canada
On Apr 14, 2017, at 2:04 AM, H-SIG digest <h-sig@lyris.jewishgen.org> wrote:
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Hungary SIG #Hungary Reply to Madeline Isenberg's Post.... April 13, 2017
#hungary
cia@...
I would like to applaud and thank Madeleine Isenberg and Rand Fishbein for their informative and thoughtful posts.I refer especially to the words â??cultural milieuâ??. While finding family members and â??correctâ?? names and connections can be thrilling, realizing the context in which our ancestors lived can sometimes become the most meaningful. One can often learn more by going to villages(which sometimes have changed little in the last century), going to a little town hall and finding hand-written information about family members which has not made it to the internet(and perhaps never will) visiting local cemeteries and attending an annual Holocaust memorial event can sometimes reveal the most unexpected and surprising information.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Catherine Adam Toronto, Canada
On Apr 14, 2017, at 2:04 AM, H-SIG digest <h-sig@lyris.jewishgen.org> wrote:
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searching for researchers in Ukraine
#ukraine
Linda <larrlee21@...>
I am looking for researchers in Ukraine to assist with detailed searching of 19th century (and earlier) records of all types (family, business, military, etc.). We have done significant research >from here in the US and now need to explore documents and other sources that might best be researched onsite in Ukraine.
Does anyone on the list have experiences with contacting and contracting researchers in Ukraine, and would be willing to share your evaluations of those experiences? Most of our searching is in the area of Kiev and nearby, and the towns/oblasts of Cherkasy and Brusilov. Please feel free to respond to me directly. Thanks! Linda Arret Chevy Chase, Maryland MODERATOR'S NOTE: Check the JewishGen infofiles at http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/Researchers.htm for a list of researchers and their references. Please reply privately.
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Ukraine SIG #Ukraine searching for researchers in Ukraine
#ukraine
Linda <larrlee21@...>
I am looking for researchers in Ukraine to assist with detailed searching of 19th century (and earlier) records of all types (family, business, military, etc.). We have done significant research >from here in the US and now need to explore documents and other sources that might best be researched onsite in Ukraine.
Does anyone on the list have experiences with contacting and contracting researchers in Ukraine, and would be willing to share your evaluations of those experiences? Most of our searching is in the area of Kiev and nearby, and the towns/oblasts of Cherkasy and Brusilov. Please feel free to respond to me directly. Thanks! Linda Arret Chevy Chase, Maryland MODERATOR'S NOTE: Check the JewishGen infofiles at http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/Researchers.htm for a list of researchers and their references. Please reply privately.
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Translation Requests - Polish
#general
Nomi Waksberg <nwaksberg@...>
Hello,
I've posted 5 vital records in Polish (they are all before 1868) which need to be translated and I'd appreciate you help. Please include: the type of document all names noted, including mother's maiden names if included all dates locations occupations / trades if they are noted I believe 2 of the records are great grandparents of my cousin. He escaped >from the Warsaw Ghetto, at 13 years of age; was the only member of my family able to save himself by escaping. He has lived in Israel since 1945 and will be 89 years old this year. I know these documents will be very meaningful to him. The files are posted on ViewMate as follows: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54421 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54420 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54419 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54418 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54417 Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Nomi Fiszenfeld Waksberg
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JewishGen Discussion Group #JewishGen Translation Requests - Polish
#general
Nomi Waksberg <nwaksberg@...>
Hello,
I've posted 5 vital records in Polish (they are all before 1868) which need to be translated and I'd appreciate you help. Please include: the type of document all names noted, including mother's maiden names if included all dates locations occupations / trades if they are noted I believe 2 of the records are great grandparents of my cousin. He escaped >from the Warsaw Ghetto, at 13 years of age; was the only member of my family able to save himself by escaping. He has lived in Israel since 1945 and will be 89 years old this year. I know these documents will be very meaningful to him. The files are posted on ViewMate as follows: http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54421 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54420 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54419 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54418 http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM54417 Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Nomi Fiszenfeld Waksberg
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