Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

I am requesting a translation of the Yiddish text on a postcard written in
1917. It is on ViewMate at the following address:

http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM58710

Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application.

Thank you very much for your help!

Carol Hochstadt
Salt Lake City
Researching: KISMAN/RISMAN (Volyn, Ukraine), GREENBERG/GRINBERG (Sculeni, Romania)

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

I am requesting a translation of the Yiddish text on a postcard written in
1917. It is on ViewMate at the following address:

http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM58710

Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application.

Thank you very much for your help!

Carol Hochstadt
Salt Lake City
Researching: KISMAN/RISMAN (Volyn, Ukraine), GREENBERG/GRINBERG (Sculeni, Romania)

Dear All,

Our organization Yahad - In Unum, a partner of JewishGen since 2010, has
been conducting research on the Holocaust by bullets, interviewing
eyewitnesses of mass killings of Jews in Ukraine and identifying mass
graves of the victims for the past 13 years throughout Eastern Europe.
So far, we have conducted 19 research trips in Belarus, in different
regions.

To know more about our research please check our interactive map which
includes a link to a brief village profile, excerpts >from the archives,
English Subtitled short clip and photographs >from the field research.
The information concerns the killings of the Jewish population of the
localities as well as prewar Jewish life and Jewish residents.

Among the latest investigated localities are Myadel, Lelchitsy, Gomel,
Glubokoye, Uvarovichi, Slutsk, Lida, Vasilishki, Slavgorod, Surazh.

If the village/town you are looking for is not available for
consultation or you can't find it in the list, please contact Kateryna
Duzenko at k.duzenko@.... Those videos can be available
online upon request.

Patrice Bensimon

Yahad - In Unum Team, Paris
www.yahadinunum.org
www.yahadmap.org

Dear All,

Our organization Yahad - In Unum, a partner of JewishGen since 2010, has
been conducting research on the Holocaust by bullets, interviewing
eyewitnesses of mass killings of Jews in Ukraine and identifying mass
graves of the victims for the past 13 years throughout Eastern Europe.
So far, we have conducted 19 research trips in Belarus, in different
regions.

To know more about our research please check our interactive map which
includes a link to a brief village profile, excerpts >from the archives,
English Subtitled short clip and photographs >from the field research.
The information concerns the killings of the Jewish population of the
localities as well as prewar Jewish life and Jewish residents.

Among the latest investigated localities are Myadel, Lelchitsy, Gomel,
Glubokoye, Uvarovichi, Slutsk, Lida, Vasilishki, Slavgorod, Surazh.

If the village/town you are looking for is not available for
consultation or you can't find it in the list, please contact Kateryna
Duzenko at k.duzenko@.... Those videos can be available
online upon request.

Patrice Bensimon

Yahad - In Unum Team, Paris
www.yahadinunum.org
www.yahadmap.org

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=VM58712

I'm interested in the record for Mendel, which is the second row,
particularly the information about his father and mother.

Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application.

Thank you very much.

Stan Deutsch
Oakland, CA

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=VM58712

I'm interested in the record for Mendel, which is the second row,
particularly the information about his father and mother.

Please respond via the form provided in the ViewMate application.

Thank you very much.

Stan Deutsch
Oakland, CA

Hello,

I would appreciate a translation of the right half of a double
headstone that can be viewed at
http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM58713 I
thought this was the headstone of a woman named Berta Feder Shafir, but
the Hebrew appears to have the word "ben" in the name in the second
line, suggesting that it is also the headstone of a man. This is the
best photo I have, and I cannot quite make out the Hebrew. Perhaps the
words will be more obvious to someone with greater fluency. A picture of
the headstone used to be available online, but the cemetery website has
been taken down, so I only have this screenshot I took earlier. In case
it is relevant, the cemetery is on the French-Swiss border.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Toby Gass

MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond to Toby within the ViewMate application or via
email.

Hello,

I would appreciate a translation of the right half of a double
headstone that can be viewed at
http://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/viewmateview.asp?key=VM58713 I
thought this was the headstone of a woman named Berta Feder Shafir, but
the Hebrew appears to have the word "ben" in the name in the second
line, suggesting that it is also the headstone of a man. This is the
best photo I have, and I cannot quite make out the Hebrew. Perhaps the
words will be more obvious to someone with greater fluency. A picture of
the headstone used to be available online, but the cemetery website has
been taken down, so I only have this screenshot I took earlier. In case
it is relevant, the cemetery is on the French-Swiss border.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Toby Gass

MODERATOR NOTE: Please respond to Toby within the ViewMate application or via
email.

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of the
major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an additional
software developer/engineer. This position was first announced at the
IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at JewishGen headquarters
(at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More information about this job
can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder
and Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase,
we will begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience.
This is an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community,
and we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a
powerful tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and
JewishGen has taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive
in this area. As a result, we have amplified our agreement with
FamilyTreeDNA to more easily and effectively connect JewishGen users
with the information >from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA .
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA research
and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will be
further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still most
effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research. Genetic
similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading results. This
is a particularly acute challenge when taking into consideration the fact
that Jews traditionally marry other Jews, thus creating multiple family
connections between individuals, and thousands of possible matches
when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of the
major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an additional
software developer/engineer. This position was first announced at the
IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at JewishGen headquarters
(at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More information about this job
can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder
and Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase,
we will begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience.
This is an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community,
and we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a
powerful tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and
JewishGen has taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive
in this area. As a result, we have amplified our agreement with
FamilyTreeDNA to more easily and effectively connect JewishGen users
with the information >from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA .
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA research
and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will be
further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still most
effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research. Genetic
similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading results. This
is a particularly acute challenge when taking into consideration the fact
that Jews traditionally marry other Jews, thus creating multiple family
connections between individuals, and thousands of possible matches
when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

For USA Passport files I found this web site page
https://tinyurl.com/yccj26l7 .
[MOD. NOTE: original URL - https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/obtain-copies-of-passport-records.html ]

I wrote them a letter back in May 2017 and have not yet received a response.
Anyone have any recent experience obtaining Passport files? Any hints? The the
files I am interested in fall into the "1925 to Present" category, paragraph
"B" (FOIA request).

Barry Chernick

For USA Passport files I found this web site page
https://tinyurl.com/yccj26l7 .
[MOD. NOTE: original URL - https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/obtain-copies-of-passport-records.html ]

I wrote them a letter back in May 2017 and have not yet received a response.
Anyone have any recent experience obtaining Passport files? Any hints? The the
files I am interested in fall into the "1925 to Present" category, paragraph
"B" (FOIA request).

Barry Chernick

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...

Dear Friends,

JewishGen had a very successful and productive experience at the 37th
annual IAJGS Conference (which was held July 23-28 in Orlando, FL),
offering an outstanding variety of sessions, workshops, and luncheons
throughout its duration. During the weeks following the conference, we
are posting highlights of our activity, including a review of some of
the major announcements which were first unveiled at the conference.

Today I would like to focus on technology. As previously announced,
this past February, JewishGen began implementing a comprehensive,
system-wide, technological modernization plan, which will propel us
into a new growth phase, grant us the ability to leverage new
technologies, and dramatically improve the user interface and how we
present information. As part of this plan, we are seeking an
additional software developer/engineer. This position was first
announced at the IAJGS conference, and will be based in NY at
JewishGen headquarters (at the Museum of Jewish Heritage). More
information about this job can be found here:
http://www.jewishgen.org/jewishgen/jobs.html

The first phase of the modernization effort is scheduled to be completed
by early spring of 2018. Many components of this project have already
been completed, such as improvements to the JewishGen Family Finder and
Jewish Communities database. Upon completion of the first phase, we will
begin to focus on improving efficiency and the user experience. This is
an extremely exciting time for JewishGen. This new focus on our
technological infrastructure will help set the stage for many years of
growth and productivity on behalf of the broader Jewish community, and
we are truly privileged to be engaged in this work.

On the topic of technology --
In recent years, much progress and many success stories have occurred
due to a combination of technological advancements in the field of
genetic genealogy, coupled with a dramatic reduction in cost to access
such services. For this reason, genetic genealogy has become a powerful
tool in the arsenal of dedicated family historians, and JewishGen has
taken steps to assist JewishGenners take a deeper dive in this area. As
a result, we have amplified our agreement with FamilyTreeDNA to more
easily and effectively connect JewishGen users with the information

from genetic genealogical research.

As many long-time members of the JewishGen family are aware,
FamilyTreeDNA and JewishGen have a long history together. So we are
very pleased to continue our relationship. Here is how it will work.

(1) We have created a new page at www.JewishGen.org/DNA
(2) Visitors to this page will be able to learn a little about DNA
research and purchase a test.
(3) We will be adding additional explanatory InfoFiles about DNA
testing in the coming months.

While this is exciting and just the beginning of what we expect will
be further opportunities for JewishGen and FamilyTreeDNA to work
together, it is important to stress that genetic genealogy is still
most effectively employed in conjunction with traditional research.
Genetic similarities can often lead to confusing and/or misleading
results. This is a particularly acute challenge when taking into
consideration the fact that Jews traditionally marry other Jews,
thus creating multiple family connections between individuals, and
thousands of possible matches when performing DNA testing.

We therefore encourage JewishGen users who wish to explore DNA
research to take full advantage of this new opportunity with
FamilyTreeDNA, but to do so in conjunction with traditional research
on JewishGen.

I would like to thank Bennett Greenspan (President of Family Tree DNA)
and his team for their incredible cooperation -- we look forward to
announcing further integrated initiatives with them in the months ahead.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

Avraham Groll
Director
JewishGen.org
646-437-4326 (Direct)
646-494-5972 (Main)
845-558-1948 (Cell)
agroll@...