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
Re: Does anyone have information about last names in Russia
#poland
#names
#holocaust
Sarah L Meyer
Please look up Alexander Beider's book Jewish Surnames from the Russian Empire. It is available on Avotaynu.com or may be available through inter-library.com
-- Sarah L Meyer Georgetown TX ANK(I)ER, BIGOS, KARMELEK, PERLSTADT, STOKFISZ, SZPIL(T)BAUM, Poland BIRGARDOVSKY, EDELBERG, HITE (CHAIT), PERCHIK Russia (southern Ukraine) and some Latvia or Lithuania https://www.sarahsgenies.com
|
|
Re: nickname for Miriam?
#names
Susan Sorkenn
My great-aunt Miriam was nicknamed Mae. She was Mae to everyone.
Susan Sorkenn
|
|
Re: Best program for large format printable 10 generation family tree chart
#general
Russ Maurer
It seems to me, whatever language keyboard you have set would be the language that any genealogy program would take. Am I missing something? I just tried it out with GenoPro, the tree program I use, and had no problem using Hebrew by selecting a Hebrew keyboard through the system language setting (this is on a windows box).
As for a large format printout, GenoPro doesn't do fan charts. But if you are ever interested in a traditional tree (ancestors at the top), I have made such printouts from GenoPro by printing to a pdf file with custom dimensions, which I then print at a copy shop that has a banner printer. Russ Maurer
|
|
I found my grandmother's brother's 1911 naturalization papers (online), and attached them. He put down that he was born in Wilkennie, Russia. I have never heard of it, and couldn't find it in a search. Any ideas? Thanks.
-- Carl Kaplan KAPLAN Minsk, Belarus EDELSON, EDINBURG Kovno, Lithuania HOFFERT, BIENSTOCK< BIENENSTOCK Kolbuszowa, Galicia STEINBERG, KLINGER, WEISSBERG, APPELBERG Bukaczowce, Galicia
|
|
Zoommeeting Geni.com - Good for the Sephardim?
#sephardic
#announcements
#events
Ton Tielen
Meeting - Sunday 6th September 2020
Geni.com aims to build a collaborative family tree of humanity. Many love it. Others - notably Sephardic genealogists - complain that enthusiasts and fantasists on Geni confuse individuals and mangle their family trees.
To discuss Geni - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and what might be done to make it more Sephardic-friendly, we welcome one of its principle advocates, Randy Schoenberg. We shall also be joined by Jarrett Ross (the GeneaVlogger, Geni curator and IAJGS Board member) and Jacob Marrache (of Adafina genealogy and a Geni curator). We hope that those with issues with Geni will also join us.
Collaborative genealogy has great potential, especially for Sephardic genealogy where there are so many ancestors with similar names. Can we make it better?
Topic: Geni.com - Good for the Sephardim? Time: Sunday Sept 6th, 2020 07:00 PM London (This is 7pm British summer time; GMT +1, which is 2pm in New York)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87535631121
Our supporters on Patreon help cover our costs. If you can make a small monthly donation, it would be much appreciated. https://www.patreon.com/sephardi
If you can't get into the Zoom meeting, there is an overflow on Facebook. We can't broadcast live on YouTube until we have a 1,000 subscribers. Please help us by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpz6pgNSg_KWP-4KbErjU2g. It costs you nothing!
Best wishes,
Ton Tielen and David Mendoza Sephardic World
|
|
Re: How To Document A (Given) Name Change
#names
Judy Floam
My father-in-law changed his name from Sylvan to Sidney. He continued to use Sylvan on legal documents but otherwise was known as Sidney.
Judy Floam
|
|
Re: Cultural Questions Regarding Ancient Jewish Genealogies
#general
Jeremy Lichtman
Hi David,
A rabbi might be able to answer these questions better, simply because the primary sources here are religious - whatever we can extrapolate about actual practice from the Torah (i.e. 5 Books of Moses, Prophets and Writings), as well as later references to earlier traditions in the Mishnah and Gemarah. I'm not aware of anything in archaelogy or unbiased third party writings from the era that would answer your questions. I'm a layman, and the following is just my opinion. 1) The modern rabbinic definition of Jewish inheritance is maternal-only. i.e. if the mother is Jewish, the child is Jewish (note that Reform Judaism accepts paternal inheritance today). There's lots of argument about when exactly that policy was adopted (although it is justified via biblical exegesis). We don't know exactly what the original practice was, but it may have been somewhat informal. Sources include the Book of Ruth (i.e. formal conversion isn't recorded, but her descendants are obviously considered Jewish), and also later discussion on the children of non-Jewish wifes of various Judean kings. There's also a form of paternal inheritance for priesthood - i.e. Cohanim and Levi'im inherit their status paternally. As far as a direct answer to your question goes, most Jews in the biblical era were farmers, and farmers have always had a pretty good idea regarding how physical traits are inherited from both parents, even if the precise details weren't always known. Biblical genealogies aren't talking about genetics though. Most of them appear to be lineages of various sorts of tribal leaders (both Israelite or otherwise), and at a guess the primary issue at hand was inheritance of land and societal status. In the largely paternal societies of the ancient Near East, that would imply male-line genealogy. 2) Genealogy as we know it today is a recent invention. Ancient genealogies don't have any concept of precision at all. That said, one place where there's a simple lineage given is in the book of Esther: "Mordechai ben Yair ben Shimi ben Kish ish Yemini." i.e. "Mordechai son of Yair son of Shimi son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin" (usual translation of Yemini, although there's other opinions). It isn't intended to tell you precise genealogy, but rather to give a general idea of who he is and what he's about. That lineage tells an informed reader about roughly when his family was carted off to Babylon, where they came from originally etc. Midrashic sources also relate that various symbolism to the overall story from the specific fact that he was from the tribe of Benjamin (it's complicated). i.e. the whole lineage is basically just setting the stage for the story. 3) I don't know of any good sources re ancient adoption and written lineages. The closest I can think of also comes from Esther. Esther (i.e. Hadassah) is a cousin or possibly niece of Mordechai, whom he adopted when her parents died. She isn't considered his genetic child though. Another possible source comes from Talmudic discussion of who can marry whom - adopted siblings are not barred from marrying each other. Regards, Jeremy Lichtman
|
|
Re: Naturalizations France
#france
JUROVSKY,Catherine
These files are troves of information. Many files contain information that goes largely beyond the date of the naturalization of the person. You find all the documents the candidates for naturalization had to fill up to become french including their family history. You have the inquest made by the relevant police department or embassies to confirm their sayings. Most fascinating and disturbing you find what happened to them during the Vichy regime. Many were subjected to the Commission de dénaturalisation and therefore the prefectures tracked their whereabouts during that period. The files can be extremely detailed and precise fortunately for them with a delay. Luckily gps tracking did not exist then !
|
|
Re: nickname for Miriam?
#names
Jill Whitehead
In my family, the various Miriam's were shortened to Mary, Marion, Mimi and Mim in the UK. One of my great aunts known as Cissie Miriam (but born Miriam) was named after her grandmother Cyza Malka (from Rajgrod in Lomza gubernia NE Poland).
Jill Whitehead, Surrey, UK
|
|
Re: nickname for Miriam?
#names
Dr.Josef ASH
Hilel,
I wrote you about things you probably had known before. Now I have at last understood your question. No, Hebrew has no name MAriam. So, it should be, if not the pronounciation difference, a nickname. Josef ASH, Israel
|
|
Naturalizations France
#france
Micheline GUTMANN
I have to precise that this means only that the date and number correponding
to naturalizations are on line. But to each decret correspond an important file of several pages of information about the people directly concerned and also their family, parents, brothers, children.. These complete files must be asked to the national archives, at Pierrefitte, north of Paris. Possible to go with metro. You ask and wait for them that you can go and see. Then you can go and take photos. We often do it. Micheline Gutmann, GenAmi, Paris, France
|
|
Re: nickname for Miriam?
#names
Miriam Bulwar David-Hay
How could I resist jumping in here? :) Dr. Joseph Ash is correct. Maryam is not a nickname for Miriam but a variation of the same name. Miriam is just the commonly accepted English version of the original biblical Hebrew name. I’ve seen Mariem, Marjem and Mariyam in Polish Jewish documents, Maryam in transliterated Arabic, Myriam in French, and others. They’re all the same name, just with different pronunciations and spellings.
|
|
(UK) Wiener Holocaust Library-Jewish Resistance to the Holocaust
#announcements
#holocaust
#unitedkingdom
Jan Meisels Allen
The Wiener Holocaust Library is one of the world's leading and most extensive archives on the Holocaust and Nazi era. Formed in 1933, the Library's unique collection of over one million items includes published and unpublished works, press cuttings, photographs and eyewitness testimony. The Museum is located in London, England, United Kingdom,
The Wiener Holocaust Library’s current exhibition (6 August -30 November 2020) is Jewish Resistance to the Holocaust.
“During the Holocaust, Jewish partisan groups and underground resistance networks launched attacks, sabotage operations and rescue missions. Resistance groups in ghettos organized social, religious, cultural and educational activities and armed uprisings in defiance of their oppressors. In death camps, in the most extreme circumstances, resisters gathered evidence of Nazi atrocities and even mounted armed rebellions.”
https://wienerlibrary.co.uk/Jewish-Resistance
For those who may visit the Museum in person, due to the pandemic, you must have a pre-booked viewing slot.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jewish-resistance-to-the-holocaust-exhibition-tickets-114524066566
The Smithsonian Magazine has an article about the exhibit which can be read at:
Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
|
|
Re: ARLETTE BRANDCHAFT
#general
Ronnie Hess
Many thanks to David Choukroun for previous search. Additional family information, Arlette née BRANDCHAFT married to Christian PINAUD. Children Valérie PINAUD and Franck PINAUD, born July 1966.
Thanks for any other information, Ronnie HESS Madison, WI
|
|
Re: WWII Evacuees LitvakSIG record
#lithuania
#records
boris
There are at several books about 16th Division, mostly in Lithuanian, perhaps there were some books written in Yiddish and Hebrew. Also, check the message archives (always a good idea). I think the topic has been brought before. Querying Russian databases such as pamyat-naroda.ru may reveal a lot of information, especially if a person was awarded for valor.
Good luck!
-- _______________________________________ Boris Feldblyum FAST Genealogy Service boris@...
|
|
Re: nickname for Miriam?
#names
Peninah Zilberman
|
|
Bolechov Chassidism
#holocaust
#poland
#rabbinic
My great great grandfather, Yaakov Schnee was a chassidic rabbi in Bolechov, Poland. Although he had semicha, in all likelihood he did not lead a congregation. Yet, I am interested in knowing to what chassidic dynasty he belonged. I am inclined to think that he was a Bolechover chassid, since that may have been the most prolific chassidic cloize in Bolechov, under the authority of Rabbi Schneebalg. However, there were other chassidic cloizes (courts) in Bolechov. If anyone can direct me to sources, that might shed light on this question, I would greatly appreciate the advice.
Thank you very much. Shalom, Tzvi Fievel
|
|
August 2020 Summary of IAJGS Records Access Alert
#general
#jgs-iajgs
#records
Jan Meisels Allen
As mentioned previously, every month I post a listing of the IAJGS Records Access Alert topics from the previous month for you to see the variety of issues…some were posted on this discussion group but most were not—all postings are included below. The following are the summaries for the month of August 2020. In order not to miss out on important information it is worthwhile for you and your society to be subscribed to the Records Access Alert. Without records, genealogists cannot do genealogy –making certain that we retain access and gain access where it is impaired is every genealogists' responsibility.
The IAJGS Board of Directors approved opening the Records Access Alert to anyone who is interested in records access. This was announced previously. We now have subscribers from many genealogical organizations not previously able to subscribe. To be on top of what is happening I encourage you to register for the Records Access Alerts to receive the information in a timely manner. If you are interested in any of the above items, please register for the IAJGS Records Access Alert and look at them in the archives. To register for the IAJGS Records Access Alert go to: http://lists.iajgs.org/mailman/listinfo/records-access-alerts and follow the instructions to enter your email address, full name and which genealogical organization you belong to-a society, SIG or a subscriber of JewishGen, Avotaynu, Legal Genealogist etc. You will receive an email response that you have to reply to, or the subscription will not be finalized. The alerts are archived and once you register you may access the archives at: http://lists.iajgs.org/mailman/private/records-access-alerts/
The IAJGS Records Access Alert is not a daily announcement list. Depending on what happens worldwide, there may be no postings for several days and other times there may be several in one day.
These are listed alphabetically not chronologically. Each month the locales covered differ.
Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
|
|
July 2020 Summary of IAJGS Records Access Alert
#general
#jgs-iajgs
#records
Jan Meisels Allen
My apologies for sending the July 2020 summary late.
As mentioned previously, every month I post a listing of the IAJGS Records Access Alert topics from the previous month for you to see the variety of issues…some were posted on this discussion group but most were not—all postings are included below. The following are the summaries for the month of July 2020. In order not to miss out on important information it is worthwhile for you and your society to be subscribed to the Records Access Alert. Without records, genealogists cannot do genealogy –making certain that we retain access and gain access where it is impaired is every genealogists' responsibility.
The IAJGS Board of Directors approved opening the Records Access Alert to anyone who is interested in records access. This was announced previously. We now have subscribers from many genealogical organizations not previously able to subscribe. To be on top of what is happening I encourage you to register for the Records Access Alerts to receive the information in a timely manner. If you are interested in any of the above items, please register for the IAJGS Records Access Alert and look at them in the archives. To register for the IAJGS Records Access Alert go to: http://lists.iajgs.org/mailman/listinfo/records-access-alerts and follow the instructions to enter your email address, full name and which genealogical organization you belong to-a society, SIG or a subscriber of JewishGen, Avotaynu, Legal Genealogist etc. You will receive an email response that you have to reply to, or the subscription will not be finalized. The alerts are archived and once you register you may access the archives at: http://lists.iajgs.org/mailman/private/records-access-alerts/
The IAJGS Records Access Alert is not a daily announcement list. Depending on what happens worldwide, there may be no postings for several days and other times there may be several in one day.
These are listed alphabetically not chronologically. Each month the locales covered differ.
Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
|
|
Linda Habenstreit
I am seeking the birth record for my paternal grandmother and/or her siblings. According to the SS Ryndam ship’s manifest, Ernestina STECKMAN immigrated to the United States from Rotterdam on on 10/7/1911. The town/city that is listed as her last place of residence is Liczkowce, Galicia, Austria. According to the SSDI, Ernestina/Esther/Ester Steckman was born on 4/22/1891 and died on 3/4/1981. She married my paternal grandfather Refuel HEBENSTREIT born 3/19/1888 in Belzec, Galicia, Austria, on 4/17/1917.
Ernestina/Esther/Ester was one of five children born to Josel/Josef STEKMANN and Brana/Brono BECKER. According to the JRI-Poland database for Tarnopol Wojewodztwo, Josel Stekmann was born on 1/1865 in the town of Husiatyn, Galicia, Austria.
Ernestina/Esther/Ester Steckman's siblings were: 1. Sime/Sune/Sadie STEKMANN immigrated to the United States from Rotterdam on the SS Rotterdam on 10/14/1912. The town/city that is listed as her last place of residence is Liczkowce, Austria. According to the SSDI, Sime/Sune/Sadie was born 10/14/1893, died 8/15/1989. According to her Petition for Naturalization, she was born in Litckowica, Galicia, Austria. She married Samuel WEBER on 11/17/1917. 2. Celia Steckman stayed in Galicia, Austria, She married a man with the last name HOFFMAN/HOFMAN and had a daughter, Sarah born in 1938. 3. Schemdel/Jenny/Jennie STECHMANN immigrated to the United States from Rotterdam on the SS Potsdam on 7/3/1913. The town/city that is listed as her last place of residence is Liczkoweze, Austria. According to her obituary, Schemdel/Jenny/Jennie was born on 10/16/1898 and died on 5/28/1976. She married James GORDON. 4. Leon STECKMAN stayed in Galicia, Austria. He may have been born in 1903, he married a woman from Warsaw, Poland, who was born in 1913, he traveled to the city of Czernuwitz, Romania in the 1930s with his wife and cousins Malche LINKER and Anna MELTZER, and he may have been living in France in the 1940s. 5. Chaim/Hyman Itzik STECKMAN stayed in Galicia, Austria. He may have been born in 1906.
According to the Gesher Galicia's Galicia Town Locator, the Galician Town Liczkowce is in the Administrative and Judicial District of Husiatyn, the Roman Catholic Center is in Liczkowce, the Jewish Center is in Husiatyn, and the Greek Catholic Center is in Trybuchowce. Therefore, the records of my Jewish ancestors, who lived in Liczkowce, Galicia, Austria, were kept in Husiatyn, Galicia, Austria.
I reviewed 19 birth records, as well as 5 census records, 13 death records, 11 marriage records, and 3 property records, I found after a Unified Search on JewishGen.org of the surname Steckman. None of those records are my ancestors.
ArchiveAGAD Fond424 File35 LocalityHusiatyn Years1888, 1910 GG DescriptionInformation on marriages Comments
ArchiveAGAD Fond424 File35 LocalityHusiatyn Years1855, 1859, 1877, 1879, 1881, 1882, 1886, 1887, 1889, 1890, 1892, 1906 GG DescriptionBirth certificates Comments
Where else can I look for my paternal grandmother's or her siblings birth certificates? I would very much appreciate any advice or guidance you can provide. Thank you so much!
Linda HABENSTREIT
HEBENSTREIT Belzec/Rawa Ruska, Galicia, Austria/Lviv-ska, Ukraine REITZFELD Rawa Ruska, Galicia, Austria/Lviv-ska, Ukraine STECKMAN Husiatyn, Galicia, Austria/Ternopil, Ukraine BECKER ?
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
|
|