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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Re: Genealogy Software
#general
While this is not directly answering some of your questions, I found that it is very important to be able to sync trees in order to INCLUDE PHOTOS and documents in the tranfer process between sites and minimize work.
I initially used Gramps as a standalone software and was pretty happy with it but unfortunately it doesn't sync with online trees and therefore it becomes very tedious once one finds multiple online photos/ documents. I first did online work on Ancestry which helped me find extensive documentation and photos. Soon I realized that only RootsMagic and FTM can sync and download Ancestry trees AND include photos, something that regular GEDCOM file exports cannot do. In order to transfer the tree to MH, I first synched Ancestry with Rootsmagic and exported it from RM. Subsequently I imported it in Family Tree Builder which then uploaded it to MH. Although not perfect (I still need to manually tag people's faces in photos), it transferred photos from Ancestry to MH. The ultimate family tree is however Geni and that will be yet another hurdle to pass... Problem with Geni is that existing persons have to be merged manually which is very tedious and I'd prefer to do that only once :) That's why I'll leave Geni for last, for after I'm done with the other two sites. Also I am not sure photos can be transferred automatically to Geni, I'll have to read again about their copying utility. And there's also Familysearch to deal with, whose main advantage is again that it's a public tree open to all, somewhat like Geni. Bottom line is that it can be challenging to upload and maintain the same tree on all major sites but in my case each site provided new genealogical information and additional tree branches that were unavailable on the others sites hence I'll try to eventually unify all the available info on all sites. Also, regarding your #1 and #2 features, I'm not aware of any genealogy programs or websites capable of doing that; at most some can query the four main genealogical sites I mentioned above (RM for instance). Best, Theo Rafael
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A small Rosh Hashanah gift for researchers in Kaluszyn, Poland ...
#poland
Miriam Bulwar David-Hay
Some years ago I began researching my ancestors in the town of
Kaluszyn, 60 kilometers east of Warsaw, and was helped immeasurably by the wonderful indexes in JRI-Poland. At the time, I noticed that while JRI-P had the town's indexes for 1826-1962 and 1966-1902, the years 1863, 1864 and 1865 were missing. Last year, stuck at home with nothing to do during the lockdowns here in Israel, I saw that those three years were still missing, and so decided to set about indexing them. I therefore created a basic index of surname and first name, year, type of document (B, M or D) and akt (document) number. I have since offered it to JRI-P several times, but haven't really received any response. It seems a shame that this information will just sit around in my files when it could benefit someone, so if anyone wants me to search for a name in my index, I'm happy to do so. Please note that my offer is for the town of Kaluszyn (not Kalisz in western Poland and not Kalush which is now in Ukraine) and the years 1863-1865 only. All the other years in Kaluszyn from 1810-1902 are indexed online in JRI-P. (In fact, I was the person who indexed the 1810-1825 records, as a token of my enduring gratitude to JRI-P!) If you find a document of interest, you can look it up yourself in the Polish State Archives website (see link below), which has scans of all Kaluszyn Jewish documents from 1810 to 1913. (The years 1903-1913 have not been indexed and are in Russian, which is too difficult for me.) So that is my Rosh Hashanah gift to the research community. Wishing everyone a Shana Tova u'Metukah. Link to Kaluszyn Jewish records in Polish State Archives website: https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl/en/zespol?p_p_id=Zespol&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_Zespol_javax.portlet.action=zmienWidok&_Zespol_nameofjsp=jednostki&_Zespol_id_zespolu=56647 All the best, Miriam Bulwar David-Hay, Raanana, Israel. Professional journalist, writer, editor, proofreader. Professional translator (Hebrew/Yiddish to English). Certified guide, Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Email: miriambdh@... Researching: In Belz, Ukraine: FRENKIEL, FERLIPTER/VERLIEBTER. In Paris, France: BULWA/BULWAR, HAMANI, SOBEL. In Poland: Kaluszyn & Lodz: KALUSZYNER, KUSMIERSKI, KASZKIET, KUZKA, JABLONKA, RZETELNY, WROBEL. Sieradz & Lodz: KRYSKA, CHABIELSKI. Kiernozia, Wyszogrod & Lodz: LICHTENSZTAJN, SAPIR/SZAFIR. Przedborz & Lodz: ROZENBERG, WEJSKOPF. Nowe Miasto nad Pilica & Lodz: WAKS, BEKIER. Rawa Mazowiecka & Lodz: BULWA/BULWAR, PELCMAN, STORCZ, MALEWSKI. -- Miriam Bulwar David-Hay, Raanana, Israel.
Professional journalist, writer, editor, proofreader.
Professional translator (Hebrew/Yiddish to English).
Certified guide, Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum.
Email: miriambdh@... Researching: BULWA/BULWAR (Rawa Mazowiecka, Lodz, Paris); FRENKIEL/FRENKEL, FERLIPTER/VERLIEBTER (Belz); KALUSZYNER, KUSMIERSKI, KASZKIET, KUZKA, JABLONKA, RZETELNY, WROBEL (Kaluszyn, Lodz); KRYSKA/KRYSZKA, CHABIELSKI/HABELSKI (Sieradz, Lodz); LICHTENSZTAJN (Kiernozia, Wyszogrod, Lodz); ROZENBERG (Przedborz, Lodz); WAKS (Nowe Miasto nad Pilica, Lodz); PELCMAN, STORCZ (Rawa Mazowiecka); SOBEL (Paris); SAPIR/SZAFIR (Wyszogrod).
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Re: New "Search by Face" App
#announcements
#holocaust
#photographs
Shelley Mitchell
Tried it again with a younger picture of my mother. Received at least 4 matches of .72 and .71. One already had a name. When you open the original source link, it sometimes gives a name and location of where taken. My next attempt will be to use a picture of my mother’s father. She resembles him. That might box in a family. Similar approach I took for DNA testing to at least determine which side of my parents the match should be from.
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Re: ViewMate translation request - Polish
#translation
Frank Szmulowicz
I for one do not see Aba, Lipszyc, or Wita/Witla. If anyone could point me to the right line, I will revisit this question.
Frank Szmulowicz
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Peter Cohen
When I enter "Jennie", it comes back with: Achishalom
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Manela-Kwart genealogy
#austria-czech
#hungary
#poland
#usa
Manilla1406@...
I have been looking for my great, great, grandfathers family from Europe and have since stumbled upon some similar names. American name is Isaac B Manilla. The name I came upon with allot of other family similarities is Icyk B Manela. He lists Hungary and Austria as country of his origin but this family name is from Checiny, Poland. Any help? by Marc Manilla
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Re: What is the meaning of this sign being displayed by POWs in WWI?
#translation
#photographs
#hungary
#austria-czech
rroth@...
Google Translate on the description of the card says "1917 card sent from the Kozienice stage mail to Vienna with the formation stamp "R.P.Z.A.A. KOZIENICE No. 5 / in Wilcza Wola". I agree this must be a geographic or postal abbreviation.
-- ========== Robert Roth Kingston, NY rroth@...
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Re: Need Help.... Kishinev Jewish Cemetery
#rabbinic
#translation
Yefim Kogan
Could you please translate a full inscription for a person from an important families.
Thank you in advance. All the best, Yefim Kogan MODERATOR NOTE: Please reply privately
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Re: Help Decipher Handwriting on Ship Manifest
#russia
Paul Chirlin
 This is an enlargement of the person going to in NY. It seems to say brother missing the top loop of the B, but could less likely say mother. The house number is partly obscured by the entry below, but 3x0, maybe 330 or 390. The street is the same as the person above who is going to number 298. Maybe Grand st?? All you have for a name is a first initial.  This is the leaving behind, clearly brother with initial E in Minsk. By the way the images on Familysearch are much sharper than those on ancestry or the Ellis Island page. Paul Chirlin
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Re: Help Decipher Handwriting on Ship Manifest
#russia
Hi
Always go to see manifests on familysearch.org as they are the clearest of all: here is the link- not sure about the address. Maybe someone else can tell. Also, I couldn't find the brother on NY on the 1910 census. Name: Ester Starobwicz Sex: Female Age: 19 Immigration Date: 09 Mar 1909 Immigration Place: Ellis Island, New York City, New York, United States Residence Place: Minsk, Russia Marital Status: Single Nationality: Russia, Hebrew Additional Person's Name: E Starobwicz Second Additional Person's Name: T Sharobwicz Page Number: 149 Affiliate Line Number: 0027 Departure Port: Antwerp Ship Name: Zeeland Affiliate Film Number: T715-1213 Affiliate Publication Title: Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York , NY, 1897-1957 Digital Folder Number: 007659110 Microfilm Number: 1399897 Image Number: 00305 Indexing Batch: P00153-5 Affiliate Film Number: 1213 Citing this Record
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Re: South African archives
#southafrica
#general
in the 1890's, southern Africa (South Africa only came into being in 1910) was something like the "wild west". One set of my maternal grandparents came to the Cape of Good Hope (as it was known then) as ISAACS. They bought Berkowitz Cycles in Parow and promptly assumed the surname BERKOWITZ - no formalities as far as I am aware. And then your family went to Piet Retief! That's not the wild west - it's the outback! Believe me, they could have done what they wanted to there and no-one would have raised an eyebrow.
Louis Zetler Yokneam, Israel
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Re: Deutsch family tree on Geni going back to the 14th century
#hungary
Alan Cohen
Hullo all People seem amazed that the Deutsch name occurs so often. If you appreciate that most Jews in Poland were Ashkenazi and originally came from Germany as early as the 15th century it is not really surprising that when they had to acquire surnames so many chose Deutsch or its varients because it literally means 'German'. As Susan Deutsch Forman has discovered there is little connection between all the Deutsch family groups, although the DNA would probably show many to be 4th, 5th or 6th cousins. After all, we are all related. Alan Cohen
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Poland's Parliament Passed A Law Preventing Former Polish Property Owners from Regaining Property
#announcements
#holocaust
#poland
Jan Meisels Allen
Poland’s Parliament passed a law on August 11th preventing former Polish property owners, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants from regaining property expropriated by the Communist regime. “ The adopted amendment to Poland’s administrative law would prevent property ownership and other administrative decisions from being declared void after 30 years. It affects Jewish and non-Jewish owners who had properties seized in the communist era. In the case of the former Jewish owners, at stake in many cases are the homes or business of families who were wiped out in the Holocaust and whose properties were later seized by Poland’s communist-era authorities.”
When communism fell in 1989, it opened up the possibility for former owners to try to regain lost properties. Some cases have made their way through the courts, but Poland has never passed a comprehensive law that would regulate restituting or compensating seized properties.
Poland says the new legislation is a response to fraud and irregularities that have emerged in the restitution process, leading to evictions or giving real estate to property dealers in a process called “wild re-privatization.”
The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) called on President Andrzej Duda to veto the bill and urged the Polish government to work with it to “once and for all settle the issue of private property restitution.”
In Israel, Speaker of the Knesset Mickey Levy decided not to re-establish the Israeli-Polish parliamentary friendship group. Speaker Levy said, “The anti-restitution law restricting property claims by victims of the Holocaust is a daylight robbery that desecrates the memory of the Holocaust. Poland’s decision to pass this immoral law harms the friendship and bilateral relations between Israel and Poland.”
The United States had been pressuring Poland in hopes of stopping the legislation. “We are deeply concerned that Poland’s parliament passed legislation today severely restricting the process for Holocaust survivors and their families, as well as other Jewish and non-Jewish property owners, to obtain restitution for property wrongfully confiscated during Poland’s communist era,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. He urged Duda to not sign the bill into law or to refer it to Poland’s constitutional tribunal. President Duda has 21 days to sign it into law.
To read more see: https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-poland-laws-aff8252937db7f5b8e3653f71e7726bb
Jan Meisels Allen Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee
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Neil Rosenstein
Trying to make contact with the children of Rabbi Yisroel Yaakov Gross
who lives in Miami, father of Sigal who married Eliyahu Linin in Woodmere and of Dina who married Mordechai Ohelshalom, living in Five Towns. They are descendants of the Kerestir Chassidic Dynasty. Neil Rosenstein
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Help Decipher Handwriting on Ship Manifest
#russia
amitch1066@...
Hi All,
Attached is the ship manifest for one of my ggm, who sailed from Minsk, Russia to NYC. Can anyone interpret the name of her brother in Minsk, the name of her brother in the US, and the address of her brother in the US? She is on Line 27 - Ester Starobwicz. Thanks in advance! -- Amy Mitchell
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ViewMate translation request: Polish
#translation
Wendy Newman
Hi All,
I have just posted a birth record in Russian for which I am requesting a translation. It can be viewed on
ViewMate at the following address:
Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page and
Thanks so much for your help.
Sincerely,
Wendy Newman
researching Nudelman, Edelstein, Freedman, Greenberg
SF, CA
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Grabiner family of Chicago
#usa
Trudy Barch
Hi everyone,
Do you have Abraham, Leah, Skuzea GRABINER, with several other spellings of the name, in your family tree? They were originally from Russia/Poland area then I found them in the 1900 Chicago census. The deceased Grabiner family members are buried in many of the cemeteries in the Chicago area. I am not sure which of my many family branches they are related to or how they are related to me or my husband. I have done months of genealogical research hoping to find the connection and have not come up with a familiar name. If this family is part of yours, please contact me.
Thank you, Trudy Barch, formerly Chicago now Florida cousintrudy@... Jansky, Krasnowsky, Shapiro, Barch, Grayman, Pearlman and Perlman, Rosenbaum, Pelton
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Subj: ViewMate translation request - German
#translation
Israel Guttman
I've posted a vital record in German for which I need a translation. It is on ViewMate at the following address ...
https://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM94788 Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. I'm resending the message because I previously wrote polish in error. Thank you very much. Israel Guttman
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Re: Free digital book on Moldova
#latinamerica
Cassio,
I would like to apologize. Your link led to Amazon.com. Since I live in Canada, I have to order things from Amazon.ca. So I had to go to the Amazon.ca site and then search for "Moldova Impressions" there. I was then able to download the book from there. Jack Nathanson, Montreal
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Viewmate translation request--RUSSIAN
#translation
Joseph Walder
I've posted a vital record in Russian for which I need a translation. It is on ViewMate at the following address:
Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page. I believe the surname of relevance here is Morakhovsky. This record is from 1816 from the town of Boguslav. Please translate the column headings as well as the entries. Please respond via the form provided on the ViewMate image page.
Thank you very much. Joseph Walder Portland, Oregon, USA
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