HERITAGE

THE JEWISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF ILLINOIS

VOLUME XXIX• NUMBER III FALL 2014

byThe Marcia Box Hirsch on a Closet Shelf Once upon a time…there was a box on a closet shelf that was filled with old family pictures and documents of unknown, unfamiliar, and forgotten relatives. I kept promising myself that one day I would dust it off and sort through the contents and try to figure out some of the mysteries that might be inside. I was frustrated not knowing who some of the people in the pictures were. Basically, all I knew was that some were my relatives and some were members of my husband David’s family. About six years ago, I finally took down the box and was surprised that I actually matched some names with faces, added more names and continued to put some pieces together. That was the beginning of my love of genealogy.

This year, I used some of the pictures and documents from this box on a closet shelf to create a poster that I submitted to the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS). I am honored that it was selected by their committee to promote International Jewish Genealogy Month (IJGM). There are over 70 national and local Jewish Genealogical Societies worldwide that will receive this poster to use during the month of Chesvan 5775/October 25 to November 22, 2014. The IJGM’s mission is to honor Jewish ancestors through the pursuit of Jewish family history research.

To look back on the stories in my puzzle, I have to begin with my father, Harry Bass. He is the pivotal part of the jigsaw puzzle I created, as he had the original box on a closet shelf of special pictures and papers that he shared with those he loved. He told endless stories of his life growing up in a shtetl near — Janow al yad Pinsk, or Yanova or — the spelling and the country borders can vary depending on the year. He lived, as his forefathers lived, in a wooden house with straw shingles and a dirt floor, a fireplace to cook on and keep warm with, and a refrigerator that was only a hole in the frozen ground. He spoke of the miserably cold winters with snowdrifts that were many feet high, and the spring rains and muddy roads and Pripet Marshes (The ; a vast natural of wetlands along the forested basin of the River and its tributaries). He had six older sisters and was named after an older brother who died long before he was born. His mother died when he was about ten. His father, Sender, a gentle man, was a mushroom farmer who traveled to the market in Pinsk to sell his wares along with the other Yanova farmers. My father remembered hiding in the woods when the destroyed their home, and his father taken to prison when the Polish con’t, page 4 Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois P.O. Box 515 • Northbrook, IL 60065-0515 312-666-0100 • [email protected] From the Editor… by Peggy Morrow, Executive Editor JGSI Board of Directors: Congratulations to JGSI member Marcia Hirsch Co-Presidents: Debbie Kroopkin and Robin B. Seidenberg on winning the annual poster contest held by the Recording Secretary: Scott Meyer Corresponding Secretary: Barry Finkel International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Treasurer: Michael Tarkoff (IAJGS). Her poster was selected to promote International Membership Co-Vice-Presidents: Marcey Siegel and Jewish Genealogy Month (IJGM) and has been distributed Mike Karsen (acting) to over 70 national and local Jewish Genealogical Societies Program Vice-President: Martin Fischer worldwide. Her cover article explains the family history Publicity Vice-President: Sandra Schon Kiferbaum behind the poster. Since 2009, Marcia has used her Special Events Chair: Wendy Hauser considerable talent to design and layout Morasha, making Hospitality Chair: Open Position each issue attractive and easy to read. She is also a pleasure Librarian: Belle Holman to work with! Technology/Webmaster: Ron Miller Immediate Past President: Mike Karsen Marty Fischer and Harriet Rudnit have written articles focused on specific sessions of the recent IAJGS conference Non-Board VOLUNTEERS: in Salt Lake City. DNA testing is a common theme in both Morasha articles; Marty attended Sephardic lectures because he Executive Editor: Peggy Morrow Newsletter Design/Layout: Marcia Hirsch learned thru DNA testing he has Sephardic roots and Co-Editor: Dale Amdur Harriet attended DNA lectures to learn more about how Contributing Editors: Debbie Kroopkin, Scott Meyer, to use the testing to find family. Marty also provided Robin Seidenberg, Celia Wilk photos from the JGSI dinner at the conference. Proofreaders: Dale Amdur, Barry Finkel, Judy Frazin, Freya Maslov, Sandy Pakin, Bernice Rappoport Mike Karsen explores naturalization records in his first in a series of articles called “Guide to Jewish Genealogy Editorial Committee: Dale Amdur, Peggy Morrow, Robin Seidenberg in Chicagoland.” Marianne Handler has provided a guide Distribution: Debbie Kroopkin, Barry Finkel, Ron Miller to using social media in genealogical research. Celia Wilk continues her excellent job of providing summaries of Cemetery Project: Alvin Holtzman, Chair each JGSI meeting, even attending the September meeting E-News: Barry Finkel, Marcia Hirsch, Helen Stopek the morning after her daughter’s wedding! Help Desk: Dennis Aron, Barry Finkel, Marty Fischer, Marcia Hirsch, Alvin Holtzman, Mike Karsen, We are looking for articles for the next issue, “family Debbie Kroopkin, Ron Miller photos that tell a story” and help mailing Morasha. If you JGSI TELEPHONE: Harriet Rudnit would like to volunteer, contribute an article to Morasha, TRIBUTE CARDS: Myrna Siegel or have ideas that you would like to share with us, please Editorial Policy: JGSI welcomes articles for publication email [email protected]. in Morasha which will help members further their research. The Editorial Board reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted and to edit those articles which are accepted. Articles must be typed to eliminate possibility of errors. Send articles to [email protected] LEGACIES JGSI Membership Categories: *Acknowledged in Morasha JGSI extends condolences U.S. Single/family membership...... $25 to the families of: U.S. Contributing membership*...... $36-49 U.S. Patron membership*...... $50-99 Noel Kartman, who died on April 8, was the U.S. Sustaining membership*...... $100+ son of long-time member, Frances Kartman Canadian membership (USD)...... $30 Waxman. He was a professional diver for the International membership (USD)...... $36 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Send check/money order to: JGSI, P.O. Box 515, Northbrook, IL 60065-0515 Walter H. Sobel, 100 years old, who died in June. Walter was the father of JGSI Table of Contents member, Richard Sobel, and was a renowned The Box on a Closet Shelf...... Cover architect and a veteran of World War II. In addition to Richard, he is survived by four From the Editor • Legacies...... 2 other children and six grandchildren. Board Business • Co-Presidents Message...... 3 The Box on a Closet Shelf (con’t)...... 4 Esther Feinstein Sackheim, who died in July, Guide to Jewish Genealogy in Chicagoland • The Box (con’t) ...... 5 was a long-time JGSI member and the wife Membership • Social Media and Genealogy...... 6 of Professor George Sackheim, a former JGSI Two Yizkor Books Published • Social Media (con’t) ...... 7 Board member. In addition to George, Esther JGSI at IJGS Conference in Salt Lake City...... 8-9 is survived by four children, four grandchildren Recap: JGSI Monthly Meetings...... 10 and three great-grandchildren. IGRA Presentation Recap • Get Thee to a Library • Museum of Family History...... 11 Speakers • Mark Your Calendar...... 12 hwrIvm 2 Board Business Co-Presidents A Mystery No Longer… From the by Scott E. Meyer, JGSI Recording Secretary by Robin Seidenberg • Debbie Kroopkin It’s great to see that many of the hopes that Last year was a year of transitions. Debbie and the Board has had for JGSI over the last several I became co-presidents after Mike Karsen’s months have come true! long, very productive tenure; we welcomed several new members to the JGSI board; and With our move from Temple Beth Israel to we moved from Temple Beth Israel in Skokie to Temple Beth El now behind us, the Board Temple Beth-El in Northbrook. discussed suggestions for improving how we use our meeting room. Some of those suggestions Twenty-two JGSI members attended this have already been implemented and others summer’s international conference on Jewish genealogy in Salt Lake City. are sure to follow. Now in use are speaker Conference registrants came from forty U.S. states and Canadian provinces, evaluation forms so that we can provide useful as well as sixteen other countries. JGSI was well represented in the speaker feedback to our program presenters, and build roster: Ava Cohn, Marty Fisher, Judy Frazin, Mike Karsen, and Robin on that knowledge to produce additional helpful Seidenberg. A highlight of the banquet was the announcement of the programs in the future. winning entry for the poster to publicize International Jewish Genealogy month. Our own very talented Marcia Hirsch was the winner. Since the relocation of JGSI headquarters, materials had to be placed in off-site storage. Because the second day of the conference coincided with the hundredth The Board has been carefully reviewing the anniversary of the start of in Europe, the “War to End all Wars” contents of the many boxes to reduce the was a major focus of the conference. Registrants as well as non-registrants amount of material that needs to be stored. were asked to share their World War We certainly don’t want to discard important I era family stories and pictures that information related to our society’s history, and were gathered into a larger collection to we know there may be more space-saving ways be published online and shared at the of making it available. Some microfilms, journals conference. Imagine my surprise and and duplicates of some books in the JGSI Library delight when the first thing you saw in holdings were identified and we are pleased that the exhibit, front and center, Chicago’s Newberry Library accepted them as a was the photo I submitted of Bubby donation for its collection and annual book fair. (my maternal grandmother), my mother and two aunts. I had called Planning for JGSI’s participation in the it “The Patriots” when editor Peggy local Jewish Folk Arts Festival in June led Morrow so kindly included it in the to a successful event: 54 people asked for Fall 2013 issue of Morasha. information about our society, and we made sure we put them all on our list! This event will Sandy Kiferbaum chaired our very not be held again until 2016, and so JGSI has successful JGSI dinner at Lambs Grill, begun planning another Midwest Genealogical Utah’s oldest continually operating Conference this coming June. Some committee restaurant. Attendance was roughly members have been identified (and others are evenly divided between members and welcome to join). A venue has been selected non-members, including Sandy’s guest, and planning is moving forward for this very Hungarian researcher Karesz Vandor. popular event. As well, discussions on updating our informational brochure has resulted in an Former JGSI president Judy Frazin upgrade that is soon to be unveiled. presented “Using FamilySearch.org and the Family History Research Center” at our September 28th meeting. This historic occasion was our initial Upgrades in our laptop computer and the JGSI attempt at producing a webinar which out of town members could view. internet database system have taken place. This The program was also recorded for later viewing on the “Members only” has allowed the board to begin to implement section of our website. The International Association of Jewish Genealogical new JGSI website features and to test ways for Societies, of which we are a member, is strongly urging member societies to members to view JGSI programs via the Internet. produce webinars so that offsite members may participate in meetings.

It is wonderful to think that so many plans have JGSI needs storage space for about 20 boxes of archival records. If you are come to fruition, and even more wonderful to able to help, please phone 312-666-0100. Please mark your calendars and realize that more good news is sure to follow! save the date — June 7, 2015 — which will be our one day JGSI conference.

Remember that some of our library books can now be checked out. Search our online catalog before you attend our monthly meetings at http://www. JGSI librarything.com/catalog/jgsi. MIDWEST GENEALOGICAL Please help us improve our programs by completing the evaluation forms CONFERENCE at all meetings or send us an email at [email protected]. Happy researching! JUNE 7, 2015 Robin Seidenberg

3 hwrIvm The Box on a Closet Shelf con’t from cover Army found he had stuffed the chimney Although my parents backgrounds were research, I have been able to put together with the sheep’s wool to hide from the somewhat different, they contrasted a few stories that provide a little more soldiers. He remembered spending hours greatly to what I have been able to background about the family’s life in and hours of studying with the Rabbis in piece together about my husband’s Hungary. In the box on a closet shelf, Cheder; there was no time for play. He Hungarian and Bavarian families. His there is a Bar Mitzvah picture of my told many more stories, all reminiscent father, Joseph, was educated in Hungary father-in-law, an inscribed family prayer of “Fiddler on the Roof.” To this day, I am and immigrated to America in 1914… book written in Hebrew and German, sure that there must have been a fiddler not in steerage, and with over $100 in his and a three generation family picture on the roof in Yanova! pocket. He was sponsored by his father’s of my husband with his brother Joe, his brother, Ignatz, a furrier, who immigrated father and mother, and his grandparents, The box on a closet shelf held the pages to Chicago in 1889. Uncle Ignatz married Izidor and Szidonia…and a picture of from my father’s passport, an inspection in 1901 and lived with his wife, Birdie, Fani…one of the children that did not card, a vaccination card, and a simple in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. survive. The picture of the family at the handwritten document verifying who They both died in the early 1920s. Ignatz train station was taken in 1937 as Joseph his parents were and his age. This was his and Joseph were the only members of the and his family left Jánosháza. It was given official birth certificate. It was written Hirsch family to immigrate to America. to us by David’s “new” cousin, Francisco, in Polish with many legal signatures and My husband’s grandfather, Izidor, and who lives in NY. proper stamps, but my father insisted he great grandfather, Lipot, were innkeepers. was Russian, even though the borders They owned a pub in Kissomlyó, located My mother-in-law, Carolyn, was a changed from the time he was born until a few miles from Jánosháza, the village second generation American, born in he left Yanova. where the family lived comfortably… Chicago in 1898. Unlike my parent’s their spacious house was on a large piece large families, she was an only child. Her He immigrated with his father and of land, and there were chickens and great-grandfather, Franz Marx, and his three older, unmarried sisters in 1921, in geese and fruit trees, and a wonderful large family immigrated in the 1860s steerage on the S.S. Manchuria that sailed flower garden. from the Gemünden, Rhein-Hunsrück from Danzig to Boston. My grandfather’s area in and eventually settled passport picture shows him with in Louisville, Kentucky where most of a grandchild, Chana, who was not them became horse breeders and leather permitted to immigrate with the merchants. Carolyn’s grandfather, Jacob, family because she had ringworm. left Kentucky and settled in Carlisle, And, there is picture of Pennsylvania. He was a soft drink vendor another older sister, Fege there until 1890 when his wife (Caroline) Leah, with her husband became ill, and he returned to Louisville. and three children, that Carolyn’s mother, Hattie, was born in remained in Pinsk. Carlisle in the 1870’s and lived among the Lakota, Ojibwe, Seneca, Oneida, My mother’s family came Cherokee, Apache, and Cheyenne Indians from Czudyn and Mihaileni, who were students at the infamous Romania from a somewhat In 1937, my father-in-law traveled with Carlisle Indian Industrial School which similar background. My grandfather, his wife and two young sons to meet and was founded in 1879. Hattie is listed as Moishe Kru, immigrated to the U.S. in visit with his family in Hungary…and a music teacher in an 1890s Louisville 1900, followed three year later by his then the war began. There were some directory. wife, Malka Leah, and their two young pictures from the trip and a few did have children. During the years that Malka names scribbled on the backs but Joseph Carolyn’s father, David Goodman and Moishe were separated, when he was did not speak about his family after the (Gutman), emigrated from Bavaria in in America earning money to pay for the trip or after the war. He died in 1948. 1875. His 1881 naturalization papers family’s passage, there was an epidemic Most of these pictures in the box on a contain all his birth and immigration and four of their young children died. closet shelf were a mystery until I wrote information. By connecting some of My mother’s eldest sister, Ethel, told down the names of all the people the the dots, I also discovered that David me she remembered hanging on to her family visited or met that were listed in a Goodman’s mother was the sister of mother’s skirt as they climbed the many diary my mother-in-law kept during the Jacob Rosenberg. Jacob was married to stairs at Ellis Island. The family settled trip. Searching Yad Vashem’s website, I Hannah Reese, a sister of Michael Reese in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where my found testimonials for almost 30 people (benefactor of Michael Reese Hospital, mother, Rose, and two older siblings who were on this list; all submitted by formerly on Chicago’s south side). Jacob were born. Moishe was a trunk maker. the same person who was living in Israel. Rosenberg settled in Chicago in the He founded Universal Trunk in Chicago, I knew this could not be a coincidence. 1840s and was among their wealthiest but died shortly after the family moved Remarkably, we were able to connect citizens. He is listed in H. L. Meites’ there around 1919. In the box on a closet with part of the family that survived wonderful reference book, “The History shelf, there was a wedding picture of the Holocaust. Now I have a real Hirsch of The Jews of Chicago.” Jacob owned a Moishe and Malka, my parent’s ketubah, Family Tree which was created by for large dry goods business (Rosenfeld and and, one of my mother’s favorites, a us by David’s 90 year old cousin, Ana, Rosenberg). He was one of the founders picture of her in a white dress (hand who lives in Brazil…we Skype with her of Chicago’s K.A.M. Temple, was made by her mother), complete with when her son visits her from New York! a spectacular bow. Through them and some additional con’t, page 5 hwrIvm 4 The Box GUIDE to JEWISH GENEALOGY con’t from page 4 in Chicagoland by Mike Karsen instrumental in building Michael Reese Chicago Naturalization Records Hospital after the Great Chicago Fire of Naturalization records contain a treasure-trove of information for the Jewish 1871, was a Chicago Alderman for the genealogist. Naturalization records go back to 1871 in Chicago and a soundex index old second ward and Vice President of of all naturalizations for Chicago, Cook County, and some portions of Indiana and the Inter-State Exposition Company. Wisconsin exists for 1871-1950. The index contains the name of applicant, address, court where naturalized, and certificate number, country of origin, birth date, date He also served as a Vice-President on the and port of arrival in United States, date of naturalization, and names of witnesses. executive committee (along with Potter Palmer, Marshall Field and other notable This index can be found in the following places: Chicagoans) for the 1893 World’s Fair — the World’s Columbian Exposition. 1. Online at www.ancestry.com. Jacob and Hannah’s daughter Mattie was Do a normal search but in the list of closely connect to Carolyn and Joseph results look in the folder: and their family. Immigration & Travel U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes. Some of the other pieces found in the box on a closet shelf are old Hebrew For Max Blumenfeld, books and some maps and post cards, I found this record 88 an original blue tin Keren -Ami Tzedakah box, and a 1945 “Prayer Book, Abridged for Jews in the Armed Forces of the 2. This same record can be United States” (distributed by the found by searching on National Jewish Welfare Board). This was www.FamilySearch.org. one my Aunt Ethel’s treasures. In March of 1943, all five feet of her — at the age By clicking further, you can find the of 45, enlisted in the WAACs (Woman’s exact index card that you found Auxiliary Army Corps). The WAACs on ancestry.com. became the WACs in September of 1943; it was no longer an auxiliary, but part of the Army. She wrote some wonderful Another tool for online searching memoirs that give us great insight into is the Cook County Clerk of the the life of a Jewish woman in service Circuit Court: Declarations of in the 1940s stationed in Stuttgart… Intentions Index. Arkansas. Also included is her Romanian birth certificate from 1889 - which For Max Blumenfeld, she proudly presented to me on I found this record 88 her 100th birthday! Once you have found your ancestor All of the pieces in this puzzle bring back on the index, you can proceed with memories to treasure of obtaining his/her full naturalization relatives we knew, and file including the “Declaration of pay homage to those Intention” (also called first papers) and “Petition for Admission to Citizenship” (also that we never met. called final papers). Remember to find the Court from the Naturalization Index to My family and my determine where to find the papers. husband’s came from Early naturalization files (before about 1900) contained very little information, diverse backgrounds usually just the applicant’s name, country of origin, court where naturalized and from cities, towns, certificate number, date of naturalization, and name of witnesses. It may be difficult and villages in to even verify that this file belongs to your family member. Romania, Bavaria, Hungary, and . How different In 1906 the federal government established standards for these papers, which the beginnings were of our grandparents included many valuable details including complexion, height, weight, place born and parents that have melded together and date, address, arrival date in United States with ship, port, where departed over the past 50+ years to become “our” from, last foreign residence, name of wife, birth date/place of wife, names of family. If you change a date or a face or a children with birth dates and places, and witnesses. There are two places place…the pieces become a new puzzle to obtain these records for Chicago naturalizations: that might help tell the stories you are National Archives (NARA): District court (Federal): online ordering at looking for in your genealogical searches. http://www.archives.gov/chicago/finding-aids/naturalization-records.html Office of Circuit Court of Cook County: Superior, Circuit, County and Criminal Courts: Without the help of many of JewishGen’s call 312-603-6601. wonderful Yiddish, Hebrew, and Hungarian For more information on naturalizations go to translators, I still would not have a clue to http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/faq.html#Naturalization many of the pieces in my puzzle. I thank those that have been so gracious in their help. For specific questions on this article, email me at: [email protected]

5 hwrIvm M embership as of October 30, 2014 by Mike Karsen, Co-Vice-President Membership (acting) Welcome NEW Members: Adam Gelman • Gerald Kohn • Toby Mann Debbie Ornstein • Helen & Alex Pinsky • Stacey Podell Susan Shaman • Marilyn D. Smith We thank the following members for their extra support of JGSI. Contributing Members: Leah R. Baer • Bonnie Barsky • Angela Berman • Elizabeth Neidorf Biddle • Sol Bleiweis • Renee Brin • Robert Brown • Stuart L. Cohen • Barb & Joel Dolin • Angela Dreyfuss • Devra Eisen • Eva Eisenstein • Estelle Elekman • Barry Finkel • Martin & Judith Fischer • Victor & Meryl Fischer • Eileen Fixler • Roberta Freedman • Stoney & Marvin Freeman • Judith Gidden • Geraldine Giglio • Steve M. Hanan • Marianne Handler • Belle B. Holman • Sandra Imyak • Judith Weiss Jackson • Irene Jacobson • Lois L. Janger • Judy Kamensky • Paul Kaplan • Cheryl Daneman Karlin • Elita Wolsk & Kenneth Koolkin • Deborah Kroopkin • Sheldon Kruger • Barbara Kuhn • Philip & Phyllis Lapin • Bruce Leon • Betty Ann Levin • Helen Levy • Toby Mann • Marcy Maller • Allen H. Meyer • Janice L. Mishkin • Sherwin & Sandra Pakin • William Rattner • Andrea Ableman Rich • Joan G. Rimmon • Robert Rosenman • Thelma Ross • Harriet Rudnit • Beatrice H. Rudolph • Gert Schachtman • Lois Schaffner • Barbara R. Scott • Teresa Scott • Shannon Seiberling • Manuel Silver • Mae Simon • Richard Sobel • Alan Spencer • Sandy Starkman • Helen Stopek • Benton C. Strauss • Shirley Sweig • Daniel Swett • Terry Taylor • Arlene & Daniel Uditsky • Michael J. Wasserman, MD Patron Members: Dale Amdur • Mark A. Amdur • Bobbie & Barry Berkowitz • Sidney & La Moyne Blair • Joel Bloom • John L. Buckley, Jr • Dr. Wayne N. Burton • Alan Chakrin • Marilyn Eager • Leonard J. Eisenberg • Phyllis G. Eisenberg • Paul L. Epner • Jewel Fishkin • Judith R. Frazin • Susan Gray • Alice Gutenkauf • Wendy Hauser • Marcia Hirsch • Alvin & Judy Holtzman • Paula Hyman • Sheldon Isenberg • Myles A. Jarrow • Lisa Schwartz & Mike Karsen • Geraldine C. Krasner • Judith Labowitz • Irwin Lapping • Meta & Lawrence B. Levin • Fred Margulies • Steven & Alice Marx • Freya Blitstein Maslov • Michael J. Meshenberg • Peggy Morrow • Mr & Mrs Arthur D. Moses • Richard B. Newman • Allan Pilloff • Walter Reed • Joe Reich • Abrienne & William Schmelling • Alan L. Schwartz • Mel F. Seidenberg • Robin & Lewis Seidenberg • Barbara Sherry • Howard Shidlowsky • Marcey Siegel • Myrna & Shael Siegel • Mike Tarkoff • Zalman Usiskin • Marion Viner • Victor C. Weisskopf Sustaining Members: Helen Arkes • Carol & Howard Cohen • Linda Edelcup • Ken Falkson • Dr. Alexander Feller • Judy Friedman • Lawrence R. Hamilton • Larry Herman • Richard H. Hoffman • Sandra Schon Kiferbaum • Natalie Kirsch • Gerald Lasin • Marjorie Shender • Karen Stanuch • Celia Wilk International Member: Pierre Stutin Social Media and Genealogy: A New Partnership by Marianne Handler JGSI members share many common goals. We are interested of the reason, I believe, is that not all of us have become equally in learning as much as we can about Jewish heritage and the engaged in exploring some of these newer ways of interacting history of our families. We can probably agree that there are with and learning about our shared addiction – genealogy. processes to be followed in order to have accurate data to share with others. I would have all pictures, letters, passports, What can Social Media add to our own genealogy work? legal documents, and handwritten notes stacked in folders, boxes, and files surrounding the area in which we are working. Everyone reading this has either heard of or used Facebook or I am going to guess that all of us are always looking for one Yahoo. These were among the first, seriously popular virtual more way, one more place to find new information. communities. Social media and virtual communities are becoming interchangeable terms. What is most important There are many researchers who have been working to find for our group is that social media sites are a great addition to family information far longer than I have. I can only imagine the world of genealogy. True, they do not all focus on Jewish how much harder it was when we had to travel to where the genealogy, but many do and others add to our knowledge information was housed whether it was near or far! Access has of the “how to” part of the work. become much easier in a relatively short period of time. The World Wide Web (WWW) has rapidly added new tools for Most folks now use Google, but not nearly as many are using our toolbox. the virtual community, Google+. There are other forums which may be more unfamiliar to you such as Twitter and Pinterest. Welcome, YouTube, and thanks for all the free lessons you have I wonder how many of you are taking advantage of the provided from multiple sources. Thanks, countries, states, and webinars, blogs, podcasts and ‘genchats’. Most of them are government agencies, libraries and universities for putting so user friendly and very helpful. I am certain that most of us many resources online so that we can work from home, instead use YouTube materials can help us learn more about the of taking long trips to find the same information. Thanks, software and sites that we use. JewishGen, for providing classes and so much Jewish information at our fingertips. Online family trees allow us to enter our data Consider social media the door to more helpful information. and share it with each other. Through some of these groups, you are able to learn new ways to explore our field of interest and meet many new folks in the Now there is another group of resources that has been growing field. In future issues of Morasha, I hope to introduce you to the in the last few years. These new tools come under the heading of ways in which these tools can add to our explorations to learn Social Media. Some of these tools have gained popularity fairly more about our families. In the meantime, here are a few quickly; others are a little slower in gaining a wide audience. Part sites for tools that may be new to you. Enjoy! con’t, page 7 hwrIvm 6 TWO Yizkor Books Just Published in English by Sandra Hirschhorn I’m pleased to advise that two new titles The second title is “Grayewo Memorial (Yizkor) Book.” It is a have joined the ranks of hard cover translation of Grayeve yisker-bukh (Grayewo Memorial Book) books published by the Yizkor Books in Editor: Dr. George Gorin, New York. Originally published by Print Project part of the Yizkor Books United Grayever Relief Committee, 1950. Grajewo is located Project of JewishGen, Inc. 114 mi NNE of Warsaw in Poland. Alternate names for the town are: Grajewo [Polish], Grayavah [Yiddish], Graevo The first is: “Brest-Litovsk - Volume II [Russian], Grayeve, Grayevo. Encyclopedia of the Jewish Diaspora” a translation of Brisk de-Lita: Encyclopedia Jews have been living in Grajewo, in the province of Bialystok, Shel Galuyot. Poland since the late 17th century. The 1765 census counted 83 Jewish people and by 1857, the number had grown to The original Yiddish volume was edited 1,457 comprising 76% of the town’s population. By 1921, the by Elieser Steinman and published in percentage of Jews had decreased to 39%. Jerusalem in 1958. The name of the town, Brest-Litovsk, indicates its link with During the Soviet occupation, between September 1939 and Lithuania. Although founded by the in 1017 and invaded June 1941, Jewish businesses were nationalized. The Nazi by the Mongols in 1241, it became part of the Grand Duchy invasion of Grajewo on 22 June 1941 marked the beginning of Lithuania in 1319, and in 1569 it became the capital of the of the devastation and horrors thrust upon the Jewish unified Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. population. Within a few months, 1,600 to 2,000 Jews had been sent to the transit camp at Bogosza and on to the The town is also known as “Brisk,” in Yiddish to the Jews who extermination camps at Treblinka and Auschwitz. lived and thrived there for six centuries. Jewish “Brisk” had an illustrious history; the famous Brisker Yeshivah attracted scholars The list price is $49.95, available on Amazon for around $36. from all over Europe. The list of Rabbis of Brest includes Solomon Again, see http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/ybip/YBIP_Grajewo.html Luria and Joel Sirkes, in earlier periods, the Katzenellenbogens, for further information and non-U.S. sources. You can see the full and three generations of the Soloveitchik dynasty in more recent range of books printed under the auspices of our Yizkor Books in times. Brest also produced Jacob Epstein the great Talmudist at Print Project at: http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/ybip.html the Hebrew University, Menachem Begin, and many other major religious, literary and political leaders. In 1923, Jews made up 60% of Brest’s population of 60,000. Brest, is located 203 miles SW of .

This book was written by Brest survivors and former residents from many countries who contributed their memories of their hometown as a record for future generations, and as testament and loving tribute to the innocent Victims of the Shoah. It is a must read for researchers of the town and descendants of “Briskers.”

The list price is $56.95. This title is available at Amazon for around $41. (Be sure to check there may be lower prices elsewhere.) It is also available at Barnes & Noble. Finally, check the JewishGen If you have any questions, contact website http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/ybip/YBIP_Brest.html for Sandra Hirschhorn, Publicity Specialist further information and non-U.S. sources. Yizkor-Books-in-Print Project of Jewishgen.org [email protected] SOCIAL MEDIA con’t from page 6 FACEBOOK GROUPS The Organized Genealogist – https://www.facebook.com/groups/organizedgenealogist/ Tracing the Tribe – Jewish Genealogy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/20364215746/ Ancestry.com (Crista Cowan) – https://www.facebook.com/groups/5603418246/ GENEALOGY BLOGS The Genealogy Nitpicker aka The Ginger Jewish Genealogist – http://idogenealogy.com/blog/ Genealogy Blog Finder (20 Jewish Genealogy Blogs) – http://blogfinder.genealogue.com/jewish.asp The Olive Tree Genealogy – http://olivetreegenealogy.blogspot.com/ The Legal Genealogist (Judy G. Russel)– http://www.legalgenealogist.com/ PINTEREST Family Search Blog – https://familysearch.org/blog/en/pinterest-genealogy/ Marianne’s Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/drgranma/genealogy/ Ancestry.com – http://www.pinterest.com/ancestrycom/ancestry-com/ WEBINARS and GENCHATS GeneaWebinars – http://blog.geneawebinars.com/Select Calendar from the menu bar Genchats– http://www.conferencekeeper.net/genchat-introduction.html

7 hwrIvm IAJGS salt lake city

JGSI Vice President Sandy Kiferbaum welcomes guests at the JGSI dinner which took place on July 28th during the IAJGS Conference in Salt Lake City. Twenty-four JGSI members and guests introduced themselves and visited over dinner at the Lamb’s Grill.

History of Genetic Genealogy by Harriet Rudnit As a genealogist who knows very third DNA study involving the relationship In 2000 Mr. Greenspan started few ancestral surnames and birth between Thomas Jefferson and Sally FamilyTreeDNA and five kits were sold places, I hoped that through genetics Hemings, who was his deceased wife’s at that year’s genealogical conference in I might discover relatives. Therefore, I half-sister as well as his slave, occurred in Salt Lake City. In succeeding years other first submitted a sample for mtDNA 1998. Jefferson’s family was from Wales companies have joined the genetics field analysis and later for the Family Finder. and their DNA was part of an unusual and with their kits, but FamilyTreeDNA has Although the O.J. trial did provide a lot of specific haplogroup, known as T. Since one the largest Jewish database. As FamilyTree information about alleles, my knowledge of Ms. Hemings’s male descendants also continues to improve its autosomal DNA of genetics had been limited to basics was a member of the T haplogroup, her testing, researchers are able to identify taught in eighth grade science. Therefore, intimate relationship with Jefferson was relatives and determine degrees of to better understand the various aspects substantiated. relationships. It is an especially important of genetics, I have attended many tool for adoptees as well as identifying presentations at previous conferences. Mr. Greenspan was familiar with all three half-siblings in blended families. All have increased my understanding studies when he began researching the of this complicated subject. This year Nitz branch of his family. To prove or After the presentation I met with Mr. Bennett Greenspan’s “History of Genetic disprove a connection with a possible Greenspan and learned more about my Genealogy” provided background on Nitz relative in Argentina, he wanted haplogroup. I also learned how additional how DNA was first used to document to compare their DNA and contacted testing of my first cousin, a male, might relationships between people as well as Dr. Michael Hammer, a geneticist, at further identify family connections with how FamilyTree DNA began. the University of Arizona to obtain a second and third cousin matches. Both the testing kit. Dr. Hammer explained that lecture and one-on-one session provided England pioneered the use of mtDNA to no company was presently doing DNA important historical and personal identify a rapist in the 1980’s. In 1997, a Y testing for genealogical purposes and information I will use in researching my study of Cohanim, who are descendants suggested that Mr. Greenspan start his family or others. of Moses’ brother, Aaron, was published. A own company. hwrIvm 8 On Taking the Sephardic Track by Martin Fischer A special focus of the 34th IAJGS Halevi (1700-1772), a Talmudist and researcher must decide for himself or International Conference on Jewish mathematician, wrote an astronomical herself whether a genetic match of their Genealogy, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, treatise and several other books in Ashkenazi family with a Sephardic, from July 27 to August 4, 2014, was Zamosc. Converso, Hispanic or Latino individual is World War I, which began exactly 100 enough. For some people it is.” years before the conference. More than She also listed several Sephardic a dozen speakers’ presentations, at least physicians who settled in Krakow, Poland For me, it is sufficient. two films and other activities related in the 16th and 17th centuries: Isaak to the war were offered during the Hispanus, Samuel ben Meshulam, Jonas I have no known Sephardic background, conference. Casal, and members of the Kalahora and and all my known ancestral surnames Montalto families. are not suggestive of any Sephardic But another, less promoted feature of background. Therefore, I was surprised this year’s conference was Sephardic Sometimes the link to a Sephardic to learn several years ago that amid my genealogy. This may seem strange due to background was not always clear. hundreds of obviously Ashkenazi genetic the relatively small number of Sephardim Messiah claimant Jacob ben Leiba Frank genealogy matches on Family Tree in the U.S. and around the world. Out (1726-1791), of , was said to wear DNA, there were several with Sephardic of a total world Jewish population of Sephardic clothing and spoke Ladino, names. They include one of the lecturers an estimated 13 million people, the Serraller said. mentioned above in this article—Art Ashkenazim are a substantial majority— Benveniste, who matches my Y-DNA around 8 million. In the United States, She also showed photos of Sephardic 25-marker results at a genetic distance of according to the 1990 National Jewish synagogues in Zamosc and Krakow 1 (which, if we had identical surnames, Population Study, only 8.1 percent of that reflect the Moorish Revival style of would indicate a shared ancestor within those surveyed identified themselves as architecture associated with the Iberian 300 years). of Sephardi origin. Peninsula, from which the Jews were expelled in the 1490s. At the same Y-DNA matching level as Nevertheless, at least eight programs Benveniste, my list of genetic matches presented at this year’s IAJGS conference Schelly Talalay Dardashti, author of also includes men with the surnames were related to Sephardic topics. Here the Tracing the Tribe blog (www. Guida, Alhanoot, Sacerdote, and are brief summaries of a few of them: tracingthetribe.com) and administrator Orellana, all of which suggest non- of the Facebook group Tracing the Ashkenazi, Mediterranean origins. Genie Milgrom, author of the book “My Tribe-Jewish Genealogy (facebook. 15 Grandmothers” and president of the com/groups/20364215746), gave two At the less precise 12-marker level of JGS of Greater Miami, described the presentations on Sephardic topics: “The the Y-DNA test, my hundreds of exact genealogical research that successfully Iberian Ashkenaz DNA Project” and matches include the non-Ashkenazi documented her Sephardic maternal “Sephardic Genealogy: Many Resources.” surnames of Guida, Rucco, Morales, ancestry going back to the 1500s in a Ramirez, Guzman, Alhanoot, Aguilar, presentation called “From the Spanish In her “Many Resources” presentation, Ciobotaro, Al-Sulaimani, Benveniste, Inquisition to the Present: A Search for Dardashti shared a long bibliography Palma, Orellana, Sacerdote, Ortega, Jewish Roots.” that included many informative and Nasar. One other match at websites related to Sephardim. this level whose current surname is Art Benveniste, a member of the Society These included: cryptojewsjournal. Carvin, was originally Karawan, which for Crypto Judaic Studies who was born org, sephardichorizons.org, suggests historical origins in the Jewish and grew up in Los Angeles in a Ladino- americansephardifederation.org, community of Qairawan, Tunisia. While speaking community from the Isle of www.sephardicstudies.org, and the majority of my matches are obviously Rhodes, Greece, spoke on two topics: sephardicgen.com. Ashkenazim, this scattering of non- “Crypto Jews” and “Sephardic Jewish Ashkenazi surnames raises intriguing Community of Los Angeles.” In her “DNA Project” program, Dardashti possibilities about my paternal line. explained that some Ashkenazi families Amelia Serraller, a researcher in the have handed down stories of Sephardic By attending some of the IAJGS Department of Slavic Philology at the ancestry, and the Iberian Ashkenaz conference programs on Sephardic Complutense University of Madrid, DNA Project on the Family Tree DNA topics, I gained a greater understanding Spain, delivered a presentation called website is designed to research genetic and appreciation of what might “The Sephardic Diaspora in Poland: links between both groups of Jews. be a hidden aspect of my ancestral Dusting Off the Traces.” Thanks to the emergence of genetic history. The genetic evidence and the genealogy, some Ashkenazi individuals documented historical instances of Serraller focused on several prominent are finding that their genetic matches prominent Sephardim who lived in individuals of Sephardic background also include known Sephardim. These Ashkenazi territories of Europe call for who lived in Ashkenazi areas. Among matches indicate shared genetic ancestry keeping an open mind about distant past the Sephardim she described were Jose and, at least potentially, family tree links ancestral origins of those who consider Nasi, Duke of Naxos (1524-1579), and his between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. themselves Ashkenazim. agents Abraham and Moses de Mosso Kohen, who traveled to . The latter She pointed out that while it may be Martin Fischer is Vice President of founded the Sephardic community nearly impossible for most Jews to trace Programming for the Jewish Genealogical of Zamosc, Poland. Israel ben Moses their ancestors back to Spain, “Each Society of Illinois.

9 hwrIvm JGSI RECAP of SUNDAY PROGRAMS by Celia Wilk

6JUNE 29 • “Ethical Wills - Values Handed Down Through Genealogy” The June JGSI meeting kicked off with a brief Our speaker was Rabbi Amy L. Memis-Foler, who spoke on the presentation by co-president Robin Seidenberg of the topic, “Ethical Wills - Values Handed Down Through Genealogy.” She group’s Annual Report. Robin highlighted the move described ethical wills as a tradition that goes back to biblical times to our new location at Temple Beth-el, as well as an in which individuals pass on wisdom, and sometimes instructions, to increase in membership, improvements made to both future generations. Biblical examples included passages from Jacob, the E-News and Morasha, and use of the Wild Apricot Moses and King David, which included both positive and negative platform for our Membership Directory. words for their children, such as forgiveness and even revenge.

Our website continues to evolve, our help desk Resources for creating your own ethical will can be found in “Ethical continues to successfully aid individuals, both Wills and How to Prepare Them” by Jack Riemer and Nathaniel beginners and those who have hit a brick wall. In the future, JGSI Stampfer. Beth LaMie’s website (bethlamie.com) has lists of will use GoToMeeting to allow people to attend business meetings suggested terms to describe values which are important to you and remotely, as well as GoToWebinar for hosting real time events and ways to organize your writing. Many of our own personal beliefs are allowing members to view recordings of past meetings. ones passed down through previous generations and an ethical will is a good way to see those values live on in future generations. 6JULY 20 • “My Cousin the Murder Defendant - Did Elda Duke Kill Her Mother?” Co-president Robin Seidenberg’s announcements including that the story received much press coverage including the Familysearch.org web site recently added indexed records and detailed descriptions and photos. Ultimately, the images of Cook County, Illinois Deaths. daughter was acquitted, due mainly to testimony from a surprise witness on the last day of the trial. The main program was given by Martin Fischer who presented Marty’s handout included a list of newspaper “My Cousin the Murder Defendant - Did Elda Duke Kill Her sources available at many public libraries in major Mother?” Using a variety of newspaper archives, Marty detailed cities in the U.S. Marty also told the group that he the tragic death of his aunt and the subsequent prosecution of has included this story in his family history website her daughter for first-degree murder. The incident occurred in St. (www.martinfischer.webs.com), and has received many comments Louis in 1938, and because of the sensational nature of the case, about the story from his relatives via his Facebook page. 6AUGUST 24 • “Treasures in Print: Finding and Using Historical Newspapers“ Debbie Kroopkin kicked off the meeting by announcing that JGSI Robin stressed the importance of searching member Marcia Hirsch had won the IAJGS contest for the best in databases and using a variety of keyword poster to represent Jewish Genealogy Month in 2014. combinations. Different databases can produce different results, even when using the same Our main speaker was JGSI co-president Robin Seidenberg, search strategies. Besides obituaries and death whose talk was Treasures in Print: Finding and Using Historical notices, family information can be found in Newspapers. Even though your relative may not have been rich, birth, engagement and wedding notices, student famous, or infamous, that person may be mentioned in local newspapers from universities, and even want ads. newspapers. Robin also demonstrated the snipping tool, available in later Robin illustrated the different types of information that can be versions of Windows, to copy sections of scanned articles and found in historical newspapers, using examples from her own clean up images that can often be unclear. Finally, Robin urged research on the life of her uncle Ben Bogeaus. She discovered the the group to talk to their local reference librarian, who may first photo she had ever seen of her uncle. have access to microfilm and other resources not found online, and can also assist with inter-library loans. 6SEPTEMBER 28 • “Using the Wilmette LDS Family History Center to Find Resources” JGSI held their September meeting to use the opportunity to indefinite loan can be used by others at no charge experiment with future remote access using GoToMeeting’s when visiting the facility (if the original requestor GoToWebinar software. The group hopes to make future is not there using them). meetings available to individuals not able to be there in person. Judy reminded the group that the Wilmette’s FHC Our speaker was former JGSI President Judith Frazin, whose website is different than familysearch.org, and topic was, “Using the Wilmette LDS Family History Center she provided step-by-step instructions as well as to Find Resources.” Her outline included a listing of unusual suggestions for search strategies and techniques. resources which are of special interest to those researching individuals from the Chicago and Cook County Illinois area, as Audience comments following Judith’s presentation included well as step-by-step instructions for accessing US and foreign reminders that both the Arlington Heights Memorial Library records via Internet links and the Newberry Library are designated branches of the LDS available at the facility. library, and that those facilities, as well as the LDS Naperville Family History Center have different hours and may therefore be Judy noted that the Wilmette library has somewhat limited more convenient when doing research. However, Judy indicated hours, and has instituted new charges when requesting that none of these additional facilities has the collection of indefinite loans, but also that photocopies can now be made Chicago and Cook County documents, which are available on free of charge. Additionally, microfilms that are already on indefinite loan at the Wilmette family history center. hwrIvm 10 Program

IG RA Get Thee to a Library Program by Robin Seidenberg

july 23 Do you have a library card? If you don’t, shame on you. Even if you never intend IGRA Database to check anything out, you need a library card. If you own your residence, your “Looking Outside the BMD (Birth, property taxes are helping to pay for your local library. If you rent, the owner’s Marriage, Death) Box for your Mother property taxes are reflected in your rent. and Aunts: A Case Study Based on Eretz Israel” You may think all genealogists use the library, but I was shocked by the number of people at the IAJGS conference in Salt Lake City who did not have library cards. JGSI hosted a special presentation by Israeli genealogist and IGRA Database Why do you need a library card? If you haven’t been on your local library’s website Coordinator Rose Feldman on July 23 lately, join the twentieth century now that it’s the twenty-first and visit it. We live in at the Skokie Public Library entitled, a relatively small village that is hardly affluent. “Looking Outside the BMD (Birth, Marriage, Death) Box for your Mother The online databases that I use most frequently use for genealogy research are and Aunts: A Case Study Based on the Historical Chicago Tribune, Historical New York Times and GenealogyBank. In Eretz Israel.” addition to online databases, many libraries sponsor programs on genealogy.

While the speaker focused on finding If you are looking for a particular item that is not in your library, your reference information on female relatives using librarian can usually order it for you through Interlibrary Loan. When I wanted a variety of sources in Israel, much Chicago Daily News microfilms for May-July, 1921, our library got them through of the research could be adapted to the Illinois State Library. They also borrowed a microfiche from the library at searching for individuals of either the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences so I could research my movie gender and can be applicable to producer uncle. research conducted in the US and other countries. You can certainly study more than family history. A few years ago I was in Florida and wanted to do research before buying a new car. So what did I do? I went to Rose Feldman noted that there is our library’s website, entered my library card number, and proceeded to study car no central death registry in Israel, reviews and prices on ConsumerReports.org. Among other things, I was able to see and because of its history, relevant the various packages and options on the makes I was considering, their suggested documents can sometimes be found retail prices, and how much I could possibly save off the manufacturers’ suggested in sources outside of that country. retail prices. Her sources included newspapers, immigration, census and voters’ lists, Do you have a Kindle or other eReader? Did you know you could download eBooks and archives from professional and and audiobooks for your reader? Our library recently subscribed to a service called civic organizations. “hoopla”. You can borrow free video, music, and audiobooks with your library card to enjoy on your PC, tablet, or smartphone. Also of interest was Israel’s long history of using women’s maiden You can find investment news, medical information, magazines, and much more in names, even after marriage. The Israel your library’s databases. The larger the area that your library serves, the more likely Genealogy Research Association’s you are to have a wealth of information to research. website is http://Genealogy.org.il and registration is free. What are you waiting for? Start using your library’s resources! © 2014 Robin B. Seidenberg Museum of Family History by Peggy Morrow Museum of Family History Places Guide A few extracts: “Country life is healthier for yourself to the United States For The Jewish “Most American railway stations are and your family. You are protected from Immigrant Online. divided into two parts, one for men and diseases common in the city, and, more one for women. The men always have the important still, the moral health of your The Museum of Family History has privilege of sitting in the women’s waiting boys and girls will be better protected. added to its site Guide to the United room, when this is not private, provided And in the country the Jew finds an States for the they do not smoke and do not spit. The advantage of peace and happiness that Jewish Immigrant. women’s waiting room is more desirable are impossible in the city, because in the The Guide is an because it is much cleaner and more city it is difficult for him to observe the abridged nearly attractive.” Sabbath as his conscience dictates; but literal translation in the country he has complete religious of the book of the “It is dangerous to carry money in your freedom, and in peace can worship God same name by pocket or to leave it at home. It is also according to the custom of his fathers.” John Foster Carr dangerous to entrust it to the so-called and was published private banks. In the last ten years at least by the Immigrant $100,000,000 has been lost by immigrants The book is available at http://www. Publication Society confiding their hard-earned savings to museumoffamilyhistory.com/gus.htm. in Yiddish in 1916. private bankers, who have failed or absconded.” 11 hwrIvm Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois Non-Profit P.O. Box 515 Organization Northbrook, IL 60065-0515 U.S. POSTAGE PAID SKOKIE, IL Permit #61

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d JGSI 2014 Mark Your Calendar visit us at www.jgsi.org

JGSI Monthly Sunday Meetings Sunday JGSI meetings are held at Temple Beth El seeking 3610 Dundee Road • Northbrook speakers for The temple will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members who 2015 The Jewish Genealogical Society of would like to use our library materials, need help with genealogical Illinois is seeking experienced, dynamic Jewish Internet Websites, or have genealogical related questions. genealogy speakers for its 2015 calendar of Programs begin at 2:00 p.m.; the Library will reopen events. Topics should be relevant to Jewish after the programs until 4:00 p.m. genealogy, including but not limited to research methodology, case study narratives, November 23 • Presentation and a short summary. how-to presentations, technology, genealogical In “Reconnecting with My Lithuanian Roots” Harriet Rudnit, resources, etc. a first and second Jewish American and a JGSI past president, will discuss how her experiences on a ten day heritage tour in Qualified speakers should send a topic title and June helped her to better understand Jewish life in the past and summary as well as a listing of past speaking present in this Eastern European country. Important religious, engagements to [email protected] or genealogical, and historical sites in Vilnius, Kaunas, Trakai, Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois, Panevezys, and Ankysciai will be included. P.O. Box 515, Northbrook, IL 60065. December • No meeting d