JGSCO | How to Get Started

How to Get Started

How to Begin Your Jewish Genealogy Research Project

1.Write down as much as you can about your family history.

2.Ask the eldest members of your extended family to help fill in the blanks.

3.Ask family members for copies of all photos and documents pertaining to vital life events, immigration, naturalization, and education.

Include:

Hebrew names

Maiden names

Alternate name spellings

Everywhere they ever lived

Birth dates

Birthplaces

Marriage dates

Marriage places

Death dates

Death places

Any information about when they immigrated to America

Any information about what town or country they came from.

Any information about what port of entry or how they traveled to America.

What was their occupation or livelihood?

Were they a member of a landsmanshaften, Jewish fraternal organization or organized trade group?

What languages did they speak? Write?

Were they literate? Educated?

Did they have any significant medical conditions?

4.Attend a free beginner’s workshop held at the Denver Public Library on the 2nd Saturday of each month to get started with American resources such as vital records, census, passenger manifests and naturalizations.

5.Attend a monthly Jewish Genealogical Society of Colorado (JGSCO) meeting held in Denver or Boulder and ask for a mentor. Check the website <insert new link to online calendar here> for a current program calendar.

6.Attend any Jewish Family Tree Initiative: Workshop and Mentoring Series beginner program sponsored by JGSCO to learn how to get started.

7.Explore genealogical resources online. Consider a subscription to www.Ancestry.com. Register on JewishGen at www.jewishgen.org. POST your research questions to the JewishGen Discussion Group.How to Begin Your Jewish
Genealogy Research Project

1. Write down as much as you can about your family history.

2. Ask the eldest members of your extended family to help fill in the blanks.

3. Ask family members for copies of all photos and documents pertaining to vital life events, immigration, naturalization, and education.

Collect details about:

Hebrew names
Maiden names
Alternate name spellings and nicknames
Everywhere they ever lived
Birth dates
Birthplaces
Marriage dates
Marriage places
Death dates
Death places
Any information about when they immigrated to America
Any information about what town or country they came from
Any information about what port of entry or how they traveled to America
What was their occupation or livelihood?
Were they a member of a landsmanshaften, Jewish fraternal organization or organized trade group?
What languages did they speak? Write?
Were they literate? Educated?
Did they have any significant medical conditions?

4. Attend a free beginner’s workshop held at the Denver Public Library on the 2nd Saturday of each month to get started with American resources such as vital records, census, passenger manifests and naturalizations.

5. Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Colorado for $30 or $40. Attend informative lectures and workshops held in Denver or Boulder. Check the online calendar for a current program schedule. Request a mentor.

6. Attend any Jewish Family Tree Initiative: Workshop and Mentoring Series beginner program sponsored by JGSCO to get motivated and progress along with other beginners.

7. Explore genealogical resources online. Consider a subscription to Ancestry. Register on JewishGen. Search the JewishGen Family Finder. Post your research questions on the JewishGen Discussion Group.