Free Events for Genealogists of All Levels
May 15 – 24, 2016
The Center for Jewish History invites family historians of all backgrounds
to explore their roots at the landmark Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute.
Participants can learn how to begin family
history research with the guidance of expert genealogists, delve into federal records
and safely store family photos, documents and digital files. The series will
provide an entry point for the institute’s new website genealogy.cjh.org and membership program,
which includes a personal reference consultation, DNA kits and customized
workshops (additional details at membership.cjh.org).
On
Monday, May 23, toward the end of the series, the Center will showcase
remarkable discoveries made by Karen Franklin, Leo Baeck Institute’s Director
of Family Research.
Schedule of Events
Sunday,
May 15
1:00
p.m.
Jewish
Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting: Focus on Family History at the Leo Baeck
Institute
Presented
by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish
History, Leo Baeck Institute and Jewish Genealogical Society of New York
Tour
Join Leo
Baeck Institute archivists as they show selected collections of interest to
family historians from the archival collections.
Tickets:
Free; No
Reservations Required
Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2871
Sunday,
May 15
2:00
p.m.
Jewish
Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting: Leo Baeck Institute Family History
Success Stories
Presented
by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish
History, Leo Baeck Institute and Jewish Genealogical Society of New York
Lecture
Karen
Franklin, LBI’s Director of Family Research, Michael Simonson,
LBI archivist, and Moriah Amit, The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy
Institute’s Senior Reference Services Librarian, share case studies using a
variety of resources from the Leo Baeck Institute collections and beyond.
Strategies may be helpful to family historians at all levels of experience and
with varying geographic interests.
Tickets:
Free; No
Reservations Required
Link: http://www.cjh.org/event/2852
Monday,
May 16
6:30
p.m.
Family History Treasures at the National Archives
Presented
by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish
History
Lecture
Christopher Zarr, Education Specialist for the National Archives at New York City,
elucidates how to do basic genealogical research using Federal records at the
National Archives, including census, immigration, and military service and
pension records.
Tickets:
Free; Reservations
Required
Thursday, May 19
6:30 p.m.
Sephardic Dynasties: Irish Crypto Rabbis with a Converso Twist
Presented
by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish
History and American Sephardi Federation
Lecture
Sarina Roffé, founder of
the Sephardic Heritage Project and an expert on Brooklyn’s Sephardic Jewish
community, traces the journey of the Kassins, a
rabbinic dynasty with rumored Converso heritage, from Spain to modern Brooklyn
using traditional genealogy methodology as well as DNA testing. Roffé also
explores the claims that some descendants are rabbis who serve a secret Jewish
community in Ireland. The last descendant of the Kassins is currently serving
as Chief Rabbi of Brooklyn’s Sephardic community.
Tickets: Free;
Reservations Required
Monday, May 23
6:30 p.m.
A Family Historian Uncovers Mysteries of 19th Century
German-Jewish Immigrant Families
Presented
by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish
History, Leo Baeck Institute, American Jewish Historical Society
Lecture
Karen Franklin, Leo Baeck Institute’s Director of Family Research, chair of the Memorial Museums Committee
of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and Vice President of the
Obermayer German Jewish History Awards, reveals the
surprising discoveries she made while doing family history research. Two
19th Century immigrant German and Czech Jewish families are at the center of
previously unknown connections. Links between members of a Central Synagogue
committee and a refugee – sponsor – relationship are explored. Allan
Amanik, assistant professor of Judaic Studies at Brooklyn College and
former Center for Jewish History Dr. Sophie Bookhalter Fellow in Jewish
Culture, will offer commentary on the historical context of these stories.
Representatives from
each family, who do not yet know the full circumstances of their family’s fates
or situations, will be present at the lecture.
Tickets: Free;
Reservations Required
Tuesday, May 24
6:30 p.m.
Be your own Family History Archivist!
Presented
by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at Center for Jewish
History,
Workshop
How
can you preserve irreplaceable artifacts from your own family history? Our
highly trained archivists and librarians will answer your questions about
organizing and safely storing your family photos, documents, books, audio/video
recordings, and digital files. Participants are welcome to bring one artifact
for expert analysis and advice on preservation.
Tickets:
Free; Reservations
Required
About the Center for
Jewish History
The Center for
Jewish History in New York City illuminates history, culture, and heritage. The
Center provides a collaborative home for five partner organizations: American
Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute,
Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
The partners’
archives comprise the world’s largest and most comprehensive archive of the
modern Jewish experience outside of Israel. The
collections span 1,000
years, with more than 5 miles of archival documents (in dozens of languages and
alphabet systems), more than 500,000 volumes, as well as thousands of artworks,
textiles, ritual objects, recordings, films, and photographs.
The Center’s
experts are leaders in unlocking archival material for a wide audience through
the latest practices in digitization, library science, and public education. As
one of the world’s foremost research institutions, the Center offers fellowships, a wide array
of exhibitions, symposia,
conferences and lectures. The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and is a partner of the Google Cultural Institute.
The Center
for Jewish History is home to the Lillian Goldman Reading Room, Ackman &
Ziff Family Genealogy Institute, The David Berg Rare Book Room and The
Collection Management & Conservation Wing. Public programs create
opportunities for diverse audiences to explore the rich historical and cultural
material that lives within the Center’s walls.
About
the Ackman &
Ziff Family Genealogy Institute at the Center for Jewish History
The Ackman
& Ziff Family Genealogy Institute has many valuable tools for genealogists
of all levels – including tips to plan a family history project, interview
relatives, and use online resources to conduct and organize research. The
Institute’s experienced staff can answer questions via telephone, email, online chat or in-person at the beautiful new
facility within the Center for Jewish History.