The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC, also called “The Joint”) has announced the launch of the JDC Archives web site at http://archives.jdc.org/. It is the culmination of a five year digitization project. The digital collection contains searchable text from collections from 1914-1932, a names index of over 500,000 names, a detailed interactive timeline, historically-themed exhibitions, over 45,000 photographs, and more.

Some highlights of the site include a Family Researcher section, the Names Database, and Inventory of what is currently searchable, and Video Tutorials.

The New York Times has an article about the launch of the web site, along with a Slideshow with eight archival images.

The official press release is available from the JDC web site.

The JDC was founded in 1914 as a distribution channel for funds from American Jews to Palestine. It is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, working in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters.

Does the JDC have a piece of your family’s history? Visit their site today to find out.