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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italianyazbeck@...
Dear Jerry
Henry Viglia is my grandfather. He was imprisoned in Mathausen for anti-fascist activities. His wife, my grandmother was also interned in Lanciano (Italy), she was of Polish/Jewish ancestry and lucky that the fascists did not discover it. I would be very grateful if you can send me a picture of that letter that you have. Thanks Dany .  
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Peter Lobbenberg
PS:
I found a detailed and affectionate biography of [Siegfried} Sacher Werner here, complete with good photos and lively anecdotes: https://harnessmuseum.com/sites/default/files/pictures/DTW,%20full%20book%20w.%20covers,%201-30-09.pdf (scroll down to printed page 64, PDF page 71 of 91) Peter
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Re: Simplest & Best Way For Extended Family To View/Comment On Digital Photos?
#general
Martin Kaminer
Three questions re Google Photos:
(1) any way to import metadata (descriptions, etc.) from an existing source or does it all have to be reentered by hand? (2) Any tips on structuring descriptions so as to be able to search accurately (eg "Bella Poland 1920s" etc.)? (3) I read that there are issues with exporting comments should we ever want to move to a different platform. Any thoughts? Thanks so much....
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Peter Lobbenberg
PS - There's a detailed and affectionate biography of [Siegfried] Sacher Werner here, with good anecdotes and photos (scroll to printed page 64 / PDF page 71 of 91):
https://harnessmuseum.com/sites/default/files/pictures/DTW,%20full%20book%20w.%20covers,%201-30-09.pdf Peter
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family tree template
#general
Can anyone suggest where to get a large multigenerational family tree template? I have over 200 family members and would like to record all of them on paper.
Thank you. Carole Bfrewster, Delray Beach, Florida.
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Peter Lobbenberg
Hi,
I recommend www.genteam.at - excellent for Austrian genealogy. Membership is free, although my personal experience was that it was a bit of a hassle to join. It has some more details for Tobias which you appear not to have: 1). He and Leah divorced in Vienna on 24 Dec 1918 2). On 3 May 1920 he married Lotti Reinisch, also in Vienna. 3). That certainly didn't last - they divorced on 15 July 1920, again in Vienna 4). Still in Vienna, he then married a third time, to Frieda Zahler in 1924. Then, Siegfried Sacher Werner: Ancestry has a Sacher Siegfried Werner, born 29 Dec 1898, being naturalised in the state of New York on 5 Dec 1949. And a Sigfried [sic] Sacher Werner, same DOB, died in Dade County, Florida on 28 July 1983, aged 85. I'm pretty sure he is the same Sacher Werner who gained a certain fame as a driver in the New York harness racing world: Sacher S. Werner.
Born in Austria on December 29, 1898.
Sacher Werner's harness racing career spanned over 50 years and two continents.
In his native Austria, Sacher was employed in the perfume business.
He was at the same time, as he described it, "horse crazy", lending him in 1914 to train trotters and pacers as a hobby.
Six years, and a world War later, he made his first pari-mutual track start at a raceway in Vienna.
It still was to be two more years before that first win, scored with "Arnried" at Saint Poelten Austria.
His initial start in this Country in 1945 at Roosevelt, came close to finding him watching the race from the first aid station rather than in the sulky. Paddock gate guards, not knowing him, and unable to understand him, enlisted the aid of a German speaking bystander as an interpreter, as Werner tried to enter the grounds. After a few exchanges, they rushed him to the first aid room, as the interpreter told the guards that Sacher claimed to be a driver, but must have gone crazy after losing all his money. Moments before the race, Paul Keim, assistant race secretary came to his rescue, and by the way, Sacher won the race.
Leading driver at Saratoga in 1955.
Held the world record in 1945 with "tru Single G." at 1 1/8 miles in 2:24
https://www.horseplop.com/index.php?topic=4015.15If you have access to newspapers.com or a similar newspaper archive, there are some interesting articles about him. Otherwise I can gladly send privately if you're interested. Apart from Berta Bluma you don't give the names of the other siblings; and whilst Tobias and Siegfried feature on maggiej78360's tree on Ancestry (would that be you by any chance??), that tree is set to "Private" so I can't access more detail. However, the Sydney Morning Herald for 11 May 1978 (source: newspapers.com) carried an advertisement following the death of one Jakob Kurt Werner. His executors are named as Robert Sacher Werner (aka David Sacher Werner) and Robert William Tobias, with a third executor Leah Susan Rebecca Werner in reserve. Given the similarity of names, could it be that some of the family settled in Australia? It's a long shot, but I thought it worth mentioning! Best wishes Peter Lobbenberg, London, UK peterlob@... Best wishes Peter Lobbenberg, London, UK peterlob@...
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Re: Jewish gauchos Argentina
#latinamerica
Susana Rubin
Hi Michael,
You could write to Estela Rapoport at consultas.agja@.... AGJA is the Argentinean Genealogic Jewish association. The JCA files and the 1912 census of the colonies may shed some light. Estela has access to them. The "sepelios" files from the AMIA are difficult to search because they do not have SOUNDEX. But the same information is in JOWBR JewishGen database with SOUNDEX. I could not find my great-grandfather in the AMIA files, but I did find him in JOWBR with the command "sounds like". Good search, Susana Rubin Ottawa, Canada
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May 19: genealogy webinar from the Center for Jewish History
#events
#sephardic
Moriah Amit
Every Tuesday at 3:30 pm ET, tune into the Center for Jewish History's Facebook page for Genealogy Coffee Break, a short talk on a specific topic with one of our genealogy librarians. Discover recommended resources and strategies for online research, and have your questions answered live. This Tuesday (May 19), join us as we discuss how to find records from communities across the Sephardi and Mizrahi diaspora. If you have a topic you'd like us to cover, write to us at gi@.... Catch up on the entire series here.
Moriah Amit Senior Genealogy Librarian at the Center for Jewish History New York, NY
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Re: Jewish gauchos Argentina
#latinamerica
kosfiszer8@...
Can you tell me what years of colonization were submitted to JewishGen ?
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Re: Missing records from Dunajow
#austria-czech
#poland
#galicia
Mark Halpern
Hi:
On 2020-05-18 12:52 am, micahtd9 via groups.jewishgen.org wrote:
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Ursula Wyss FREY, 16th century religious crossover?
#general
howard sachs
My earlier inquiry relating to "mixed marriages" may have been unduly polite. Many researchers (or family history copiers) refer to Ursula Wyss Frey, apparently from a Swiss Jewish family in the 16th century, as the mother of various children with a Frey surname, presumably not Jewish. If accurate there is Interesting ancestry from a prominent Rabbi Weil and descendants, including Vice President Pence (according to a Geni reconstruction). Comments have been made that Endingen and Legnau were safe home-sites for Jews in Switzerland at that time and that Mennonite conversions of Jews occasionally occurred in the 17th century--resulting in some Jewish ancestry among the "Pennsylvania Dutch". I would be interested in comment on this alleged family linkage and also the material crossover theory, by early day conversion or otherwise.
Howard Sachs <hfsachs@...>
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ViewMate translation request- Unrecognized language
#translation
Amoz Chernoff
I have posted a ViewMate translation request for a portion of a letter found in my parents papers which appears to be in a language I do not recognize. I would appreciate information on what language it is written in and some idea as to what the subject of the letter may be. No word to word translation is required.
It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM80953 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. Thank you very much. Amoz Chernoff
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Thanks for helping
#general
Kathy Miller
Hi all
I was seeking Ann Muriel Pinkus and had quite a few people who were so helpful ... thanks all. Just to share this...I found her living in Camarillo , California. I know of ONLY ONE other family there... the brother of one of my dearest friends here in Sydney. Ann and this family live 3 doors away from each other and are friends. Small world indeed! Keep safe Kathy
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Re: ViewMate translation request - Hebrew
#translation
cgspitz@...
As one of the Holocaust survivors, eighty members of the family perished. As I stand in the synagogue during Yizkor, I bow my head, stand still, and find it hard to open my mouth. According to the poet H. N. Bialik, “Even Satan has not yet invented revenge for a little child's blood”
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Re: Viewmate Translation Request - Russian
#poland
#russia
#translation
ryabinkym@...
Held in Posad Govarchev on the twenty-eighth of December, one thousand nine hundred year. On January 10, one thousand nine hundred and one year, at ten o’clock in the morning, Simha Reshelbuh, thirty-four years old, and Aizik Eisenberg, thirty-eight years old, came to Posad Govarchev and announced: on December twenty-eight Year one thousand nine hundred, at the morning of six hours, Khaim Deikh died, his son Moshka and Fradka, nee Rosenfarb, leaving behind her widowed wife Khana-Tsinia, nee Stud. According to the present certificate of the deceased "Chaim Daih", this act is present, read by us and witnesses signed: Simha Reshelbuh Isaac Eisenberg Ravin Yakub Brockman (not clear) civil status signature
Comment: Lust name of the person not Deych, but Deikh.
Text is a formal death certificate of Khaim Deikh.
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Re: Seeking Occupation Lists to learn more about 2 G grandfather Notan Pesach JACOBSON
#lithuania
#latvia
Kris Murawski
I understand that Kretschme is a Yiddish word for inn or tavern. Corresponding word in Czech is Krcma, in Polish Karczma, etc. This root occurs also in other Slavic and non-Slavic languages, including Estonian, Hungarian, Albanian, Rumanian and Romani. See online krecme yiddish in Explorations in Judeo-Slavic Linguistics, by Paul Wexler (page 165). Kris Murawski
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Re: Simplest & Best Way For Extended Family To View/Comment On Digital Photos?
#general
Martin Kaminer
Thanks, the photos already in digital format. It seems the logistical challenge of sharing thousands of word documents among hundreds of people would be considerable. Have you had success doing that?
I was told that Google Photos might provide a simple solution. Has anyone had experience with using that to crowdsource family information?
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Viewmate translation request - Hungarian
#hungary
#translation
Ruth
Hello
I've posted a vital record in Hungarian for which I need a translation. It is on ViewMate at the following address ... http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM80916 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. Thank you very much. Ruth Bloomfield London
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New Databases on IGRA’s Website
#announcements
#israel
Elena Bazes
The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA) has just released five new databases on its website from five archives. This month's release spans the period from the first settlements in Eretz Israel through the end of the British Mandate period. There are now over 1,600,000 records available in our databases. With each release we provide a variety of records to our collection. A preview of the databases are available at https://www.slideshare.net/igra3/new-igra-releases-may-2020 New Databases Founders of the Yishuv and the Settlements 7,808 listings Births Rishon le Zion 1900-1930 526 listings Voters Tel Aviv 1929 12,093 listings WWII Refugees in Morocco Registration Cards 1940 419 listings Updated Database Palestine Marriage/Divorce Certificates 8,286 listings Before viewing the databases, please register for free on the IGRA website: http://genealogy.org.il/ Please note, the IGRA databases are now searchable to all registrants. The search results page is also available to all registrants. Additional details regarding most databases are available only to paid IGRA members. Certain exceptions exist due to requests of the specific archives. To view the databases, go to the database tab on the website.
Elena Biegel Bazes IGRA Publicity Chair
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Josef Heinl
#austria-czech
#galicia
#poland
zvihat58@...
Hello, For several years I am trying to find information o my wife's Grandfather.The only information that I have is this document:We know that at the beginning of the war he was in an orchestra in a concert tour and that was the reason that the family was separated, His wife Lea (born Frimer) with her four children left Poland to Russia and since then she did not met or knew anything about her husband.
I have also this document
 At the Fifties they got a message from his friend that he died several years after the war but they do not know when and where.
We assume that arrived after the war he got to the town in Poland and may be while not finding his family he returned to the Czech Republic and this is the reason that I apply to your assistance.
Can you please assist me in finding information on Josef Heinl born Jewish in Schönbach to his mother Resi and his father Lorenz in 1884.
Thanks in advance,
Dr. Zvi Hatkevitz
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