Miscellaneous

Call to Meeting 19 November, 6:30 MST, Zoom

Join us as Curt Witcher speaks on  “Making the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, IN Your Research Assistant, With an Emphasis on Jewish Family History Research”.  The presentation will cover how to explore the expansive holdings and datafiles of the Genealogy Center, to plan a research trip to Fort Wayne, to prepare for attending the 2025 IAJGS Conference, and to use the Genealogy Center remotely. Zoom link is https://ancestry.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYrceisqT8rHNdN-2bBeOnEGUVh_6vepjVL

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Call To Meeting

Upcoming Meeting, 19 November, 6:30 pm, Zoom

Curt Witcher will speak to us on:

Making the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, IN Your Research Assistant, With an Emphasis on Jewish Family History Research

Description: The presentation will cover how to explore the expansive holdings and datafiles of the Genealogy Center to plan a research trip to Fort Wayne, to prepare for attending the 2025 IAJGS Conference, and to use the Genealogy Center remotely.

Curt Witcher is the Director of Special Collections at the Allen County Public Library, managing the widely acclaimed Genealogy Center as well as the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research. He is a former president of both the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society, and the founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Curt currently serves on the Indiana State Historical Records Advisory Board, the Indiana Historical Society’s publications committee, and the executive committee of the Friends of the Lincoln Collection of Indiana’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society board of directors as well as an advisor for the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne. He has numerous accolades, but I’m keeping this post short.

Miscellaneous

October 15 – business meeting to discuss proposed projects in our community 

Zoom meeting at 6:30. Open Board Meeting, please bring your input!!

Building relationships with local community 

1. Work one-on-one helping individual families,  word of mouth

2. One session on one person’s family, family by family 

3. Develop relationship with synagogues, Josh joined Kol Ami

4. Attend local Jewish events to develop relationships, is there a calendar? Perhaps at Federation?

5. Advertise ourselves through Federation 

6. Schedule meeting groups over dinner to develop relationships

Tours, perhaps leading to books, or post on website? See audio tour of Ely murals at ElyNevada.net. We need to remember our non-profit status.

7. Edit And schedule walking tour based on Google map of locations prepared for SLC conference

8. Walking tour around historic SLC Jewish families’ homes, synagogues, businesses, and burials. Other locations in Utah?

9. Banai talked to Rochelle Kaplan for cooperation on tours and/or books based on tours?

10. Kol Ami walking tour,  including former Synagogue now architectural firm.

Programs

11. Present Lou Dornbush’s interview of Shoah Foundation at JCC or Kol Ami. Gary has it with permission. 

12. Present brief beginners classes before breakout workshops on topics like interviewing relatives. Perhaps at Kol Ami or Federation with Zoom. Perhaps during Yom Kippur or around High Holy Days, Thanksgiving,  or Hanukkah, when they think of Family? Or Tu BiShvat for trees? Follow up with research in small groups or one family at a time. 

13. Discuss “A Homeland in the West ” with memories of local families.  We can then assist with extending or connecting them.

Projects 

14. Propose autosomal DNA project of Utah Jewish communities seeking connections. Community sharing project. Include short program to explain results using those who have tested. Follow up meetings for groups or families. Y-DNA when available. 

15. Migration chart showing Jewish families who passed through here and/or are buried here.  Include where they came from and where they went. Perhaps posted on our website. Some of this has been researched for our own families and in local histories. 

https://ancestry.zoom.us/j/94982736912?pwd=q3fpK3YzSPXoXUgjOdjKvv91XMRpXK.1

Miscellaneous

Reminder: Meeting tonight at 6:30 on Zoom

Steve Jaron will speak from Pittsburgh about Unlocking the Past: Exploring Ashkenazi Dutch Jewish Ancestry

Join us for an enlightening exploration of Ashkenazi Dutch Jewish ancestry led by Steve Jaron, a dedicated genealogist with a compelling story to share. In this presentation, you’ll accompany Steve on a deeply personal journey as he delves into the intriguing world of his Dutch roots within the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Through ancestral narratives filled with surprising family connections and heartwarming reunions, you’ll gain a unique perspective on the power of genealogical research to unveil hidden stories and connections. Steve’s expertise will be at your disposal as he imparts practical research strategies and tools that will equip you for your own genealogical quests. Zoom link at: https://ancestry.zoom.us/j/91993554535?pwd=w9rJPbdj3BfAHndjBVLkfUCchO6tly.1
Link to Handout