About Us 

History of JGSCO

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Colorado (JGSCO) is a leader in education, research, information exchange forums, and resources for Jewish genealogy.

Founded in 1995 by Miriam Ohr (z''l) and Sandra Greenberg, and as part of a network of 70 societies worldwide within the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), the Society is a nonprofit and run 100% by volunteers.

Providing members with the opportunity to be associated with those who share a common interest in Jewish Genealogy, meetings are a forum to exchange information, to share resources and experiences, and to learn new techniques for research. Expertise and topical areas of interest span the globe and spectrum of Jewish history, including Colorado-based family history, but also for roots in Europe, South America, South Africa, Canada and elsewhere. Origins can be Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Israeli, Mizrahi, and Crypto-Jewish.

JGSCO has presented innovative programming and events over the years, including monthly meetings with guest lecturers from a variety of disciplines; field trips to libraries and archives; beginner workshops; and innovative outreach programs.

JGSCO entered the electronic information age in 2001 by establishing its own website on the Internet, and volunteers have since initiated digital indexing projects which have become databases. Notable among them are the surname index of the patient application files of the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society (JCRS) (1904-1954); Jewish burials and gravestone translations located in Colorado (1861-present); mohel records of Dr. John Elsner (1867-1905) and of Rabbi Leopold Freudenthal (1874-1909); a list of Cotopaxi residents (1882); and obituaries of the Intermountain Jewish News (1915-present).

In 2003, the society applied for the competitive Malcolm Stern Grant from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies to complete the index for the patient application records of the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society (JCRS). Started in 1991, the Malcolm Stern Grant provides funding to encourage institutions to pursue projects, activities, and acquisitions that provide new or enhanced resources to benefit Jewish genealogists. This honor was awarded to the JCRS project at the 23rd IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy, held that year in Washington, DC.

A not-for-profit organization open to people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, membership is available to anyone interested in genealogy. Dues are based on a fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. Virtual meetings use Zoom. Live monthly meetings and workshops are conducted in Denver and in Boulder. JGSCO may be contacted by e-mail. You are invited to look around the website to learn more about membership opportunities, volunteer opportunities, programs, and resources.