Reconnecting with lost family branches in Israel or Eastern Europe is now more possible than ever. Thanks to digitized archives, online databases, and global DNA networks, Jewish genealogists can uncover records once thought unreachable. Whether you’re searching for ancestors who lived in prewar Europe or relatives who immigrated to Israel, these trusted resources can help you bridge the generations.
1. JewishGen
JewishGen is considered the foundation of Jewish genealogy research. It hosts millions of records from Jewish communities across Europe, including vital records, Holocaust memorials, and burial registries. The JewishGen Communities Database and Family Finder tools help researchers locate ancestral towns and connect with others studying the same family names.
2. Yad Vashem – Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names
Yad Vashem’s database includes over four million records related to Holocaust victims and survivors. It’s one of the most powerful tools for discovering the fates of relatives lost during the Shoah or identifying branches of families that survived in other countries.
3. MyHeritage and AncestryDNA
These DNA testing and genealogy platforms have extensive Jewish user bases, particularly in Israel. DNA matches can identify living relatives in Israel or Europe, while family tree features help verify shared ancestors through records and historical documents.
4. Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA)
IGRA offers searchable databases of Israeli civil, military, and immigration records. These collections include early census data, naturalization lists, and community registries—resources that help trace family members who settled in Israel during the 20th century.
5. Central Zionist Archives (CZA)
The Central Zionist Archives preserves immigration files, letters, and organizational papers from the early years of Jewish settlement in Palestine. It’s an essential source for anyone tracing ancestors who participated in the Zionist movement or made aliyah before the establishment of the State of Israel.
6. Jewish Records Indexing–Poland (JRI-Poland)
JRI-Poland contains millions of indexed Polish-Jewish vital records, including births, marriages, and deaths from towns throughout Poland and former Jewish regions of the Russian Empire.
7. Gesher Galicia and LitvakSIG
These organizations focus on regional research—Gesher Galicia for Jewish communities in the former Austro-Hungarian province of Galicia, and LitvakSIG for Jewish families from Lithuania and nearby areas.
8. National and Regional Archives in Europe
Many countries, including Poland, Hungary, and Latvia, have digitized parts of their Jewish civil registries and community records. These government archives often hold family details unavailable elsewhere.
With today’s online tools and international cooperation, genealogy transforms from a solitary pursuit into a global effort. Each rediscovered record or newfound cousin helps strengthen the living fabric of the Jewish family across continents and generations.
