Debunking the “bubbe meises” of Jewish Genealogy: Lessons from Ken Bravo

At a recent talk, Ken Bravo, Vice President of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and past president of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Cleveland, shared insights on uncovering family history and confronting some of the biggest myths in Jewish genealogy—what he calls the “bubbe meises” (Yiddish for old wives’ tales).

Bravo began by addressing one of the most persistent myths: that family names were changed at Ellis Island. In truth, name changes happened later and can usually be traced with careful research. Another common misconception—“our entire family was wiped out in the Holocaust”—is also often untrue. In many cases, documentation reveals survivors and descendants living today.

He emphasized the importance of using reliable tools such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and JewishGen, where users can search by surname or ancestral town, post queries, and connect with others researching the same families. For those tracing Holocaust connections, Yad Vashem and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum remain indispensable resources.

Bravo shared how these databases and some creative use of Google helped him locate records of his grandparents’ siblings—thought to have perished in Belarus—and eventually connect with living relatives in St. Petersburg and Brooklyn. One was a 90-year-old retired surgeon who survived because she was studying medicine in Moscow during the war.

He also recounted meeting younger relatives in Israel, including a former intelligence officer who has turned her investigative skills to genealogy, tracing their shared Bravo line through JewishGen. Their meeting in Jerusalem brought generations of research full circle.

Bravo underscored that joining a local Jewish genealogical society is one of the most valuable steps a researcher can take. These societies offer monthly programs, expert speakers, and a supportive network for both beginners and experienced family historians. In Cleveland, for example, his society runs beginner workshops to teach newcomers the “nuts and bolts” of research.

“There’s a whole community ready to help you uncover the stories your ancestors couldn’t tell,” Bravo reminded attendees.

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