Explore the hidden stories of Mexico’s colonial past and uncover the legacy of Sephardic Jews in New Spain. In this webinar, we’ll examine the types of documents—such as Inquisition records, church registries, and others —that reveal traces of Jewish ancestry. Learn the strategies used to build genealogical cases and prove ancestral connections to unlikely ancestors.
Explore the hidden stories of Mexico’s colonial past and uncover the legacy of Sephardic Jews in New Spain. In this webinar, we’ll examine the types of documents—such as Inquisition records, church registries, and others —that reveal traces of Jewish ancestry. Learn the strategies used to build genealogical cases and prove ancestral connections to unlikely ancestors.
A primer on how to find synagogue records, what genealogical material they include, and what they look like. Finding synagogue records can be problematic and time consuming as there are errors in catalogs and a variety of ways materials are described. JewishGen’s Shul Records America, a finding aid pointing to the location of American synagogue records includes more than 650 collections held at over 60 repositories or websites, with about 20% including URLS for digitized materials. Not only a historical resource but important as modern-day synagogues merge or close, Shul Records America encourages congregations to preserve records with genealogical value.
A primer on how to find synagogue records, what genealogical material they include, and what they look like. Finding synagogue records can be problematic and time consuming as there are errors in catalogs and a variety of ways materials are described. JewishGen’s Shul Records America, a finding aid pointing to the location of American synagogue records includes more than 650 collections held at over 60 repositories or websites, with about 20% including URLS for digitized materials. Not only a historical resource but important as modern-day synagogues merge or close, Shul Records America encourages congregations to preserve records with genealogical value.
The landscape of Canada is extensive, and so are our genealogy resources! In this presentation we’ll take a look at accessing some of the most common Canadian genealogy documents available online including census, immigration, military, and vital records. We’ll also explore the abundant number of Canadian Jewish specific resources including archives and heritage organizations, newspapers, and digitized books.
The landscape of Canada is extensive, and so are our genealogy resources! In this presentation we’ll take a look at accessing some of the most common Canadian genealogy documents available online including census, immigration, military, and vital records. We’ll also explore the abundant number of Canadian Jewish specific resources including archives and heritage organizations, newspapers, and digitized books.
Documenting Jewish Families in America: The Early Years 1654-1880
Strategies and resources to document the earliest Jews in America 1654-1880. Learn how to navigate early American secular records and Jewish institutional materials to create a successful research plan. Land, military, languages used, and historical collections will be featured. A timeline will help identify when to look for Jewish synagogue, burial, or other Jewish community documentation, and when only government-generated records will fill the gap.
Strategies and resources to document the earliest Jews in America 1654-1880. Learn how to navigate early American secular records and Jewish institutional materials to create a successful research plan. Land, military, languages used, and historical collections will be featured. A timeline will help identify when to look for Jewish synagogue, burial, or other Jewish community documentation, and when only government-generated records will fill the gap.
Join Ellen Kowitt as she provides an update about what’s new when researching Jewish ancestry on familiar websites including JewishGen, Steve Morse, and Miriam Weiner’s Routes to Roots Database. Hidden gems and lesser-known resources will also be provided in this information-packed webinar.
Join Ellen Kowitt as she provides an update about what’s new when researching Jewish ancestry on familiar websites including JewishGen, Steve Morse, and Miriam Weiner’s Routes to Roots Database. Hidden gems and lesser-known resources will also be provided in this information-packed webinar.
Documenting Families or Communities Lost in the Holocaust by Bullets
English speakers can now learn details about what happened to relatives or a community in the Holocaust by Bullets. Review documentation from this important era including access to Russian Extraordinary Commission files; German Einsatzgruppen Reports; Yahad-In Unum eyewitness video; USC Shoah Foundation and other recorded survivor testimonies; Yizkor Books; Yad…
English speakers can now learn details about what happened to relatives or a community in the Holocaust by Bullets. Review documentation from this important era including access to Russian Extraordinary Commission files; German Einsatzgruppen Reports; Yahad-In Unum eyewitness video; USC Shoah Foundation and other recorded survivor testimonies; Yizkor Books; Yad…
This covers customs and traditions often observed, without knowing why, in Hispanic families with Jewish ancestry (whether known, unknown, or denied). The results of a DNA test are the first indications of this heritage for many individuals, and this presentation gathers these observances and explains them to those who have long forgotten why they are still done and what they mean.
This covers customs and traditions often observed, without knowing why, in Hispanic families with Jewish ancestry (whether known, unknown, or denied). The results of a DNA test are the first indications of this heritage for many individuals, and this presentation gathers these observances and explains them to those who have long forgotten why they are still done and what they mean.
Learn about Jewish record collections across Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, Findmypast and MyHeritage–and JewishGen! This comparative analysis tells you not only what records are where, but recommends best versions of similar record collections and additional tools on each site that are especially relevant to researching Jewish ancestors. Sunny Morton, expert on…
Learn about Jewish record collections across Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, Findmypast and MyHeritage–and JewishGen! This comparative analysis tells you not only what records are where, but recommends best versions of similar record collections and additional tools on each site that are especially relevant to researching Jewish ancestors. Sunny Morton, expert on…
Debbie Kroopkin will explain the structure and purpose of the many components of the website. She will address how to connect with other researchers, how to identify and learn about your town overseas, and how to search for ancestors. Her presentation will provide details that will help researchers glean as…
Debbie Kroopkin will explain the structure and purpose of the many components of the website. She will address how to connect with other researchers, how to identify and learn about your town overseas, and how to search for ancestors. Her presentation will provide details that will help researchers glean as…
Finding Jewish Records in the MyHeritage Search Engine
MyHeritage Search technology has been thoroughly updated recently. Join MyHeritage expert genealogist Daniel Horowitz in a fast-paced session on this new technology. Learn how it works, and how it can benefit your Jewish research. Learn how to effortlessly cover thousands of important repositories in a single search.
MyHeritage Search technology has been thoroughly updated recently. Join MyHeritage expert genealogist Daniel Horowitz in a fast-paced session on this new technology. Learn how it works, and how it can benefit your Jewish research. Learn how to effortlessly cover thousands of important repositories in a single search.
Lessons in Jewish DNA: One Man's Successes and What He Learned On the Journey
The hottest topic in genealogy in recent years has been genetics and many thousands of genealogists have ordered DNA tests. Most of those haven't a clue what to do with their results. The situation is more complicated among Jews, who have married "within the tribe" for hundreds of years, thus…
The hottest topic in genealogy in recent years has been genetics and many thousands of genealogists have ordered DNA tests. Most of those haven't a clue what to do with their results. The situation is more complicated among Jews, who have married "within the tribe" for hundreds of years, thus…
Genealogy Meets the Internet Archive and AI: A Comprehensive Review
Wed, January 7 2026: 16:30 UTC
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
AI as Partner, Not Replacement: Human-Led Research Planning in the Sally Keaton Case by Nicole Elder Dyer
Wed, January 7 2026: 17:45 UTC
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
From Problem to Solution: A Case Study Approach to Using AI in Genealogy
Wed, January 7 2026: 20:30 UTC
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
La fotografía de un desconocido: ¿punto de partida para una genealogía?
Tue, January 13 2026: 14:00 UTC
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
Using MyHeritage in Your Genealogical DNA Testing Plan
Tue, January 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
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