“Family History Today” to Include Free Events for Genealogists of All Levels

The Center for Jewish History invites people of all backgrounds to explore their roots at the landmark Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute.

Participants can begin family history research with the guidance of expert genealogists, delve into federal records and learn how to safely store family photos, documents and digital files. The series will provide an entry point for individuals interested in becoming a member of the Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute or those who wish to utilize additional resources on its new website genealogy.cjh.org.

The final event in the series will present strategies for using Freedom of Information Laws for research and returning currently inaccessible genealogical or archival records to the public domain.

All events are free and require reservations at www.smarttix.com or 212-868-4444.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, December 1

6:30 p.m.

Genealogical Research at the New York Public Library
Kate Cordes, Assistant Director of Maps, Local History, and Genealogy at the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building will provide an orientation to its genealogy resources.

Thursday, December 8

6:30 p.m.

Mapping your Family History
The Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute recently launched a searchable online map of New York's historical synagogues. The Institute's senior librarian, Moriah Amit, will demonstrate how to use this map and how to map locations relevant to your family history.

Sunday, December 11

12:00 p.m.

GenealogyIndexer.org: Searching Historical European Directories and Other Sources
GenealogyIndexer.org is a free website where you can search for names in more than 2,000 historical European directories, Yizkor books, Polish and Russian military documents, and more. Logan Kleinwaks, the website's creator, will discuss newly added sources and search functionality.

Sunday, December 11
3:00 p.m.

How to Design and Construct a Family History Book Entirely by Yourself
Are you contemplating how you will share all of the genealogical records and family stories you have amassed with your relatives? Elayne and Steve Denker will discuss the practicalities of how to design and construct your own family history book.

Thursday, December 15

6:30 p.m.

Reclaim the Records: Using Freedom of Information Laws for Genealogical and Archival Research
Brooke Schreier Ganz, founder of Reclaim the Records, will teach you how to file your own state Freedom of Information requests for currently inaccessible genealogical or archival records that you would like to see returned to the public domain.

The Center for Jewish History is located at 15 West 16th Street in Manhattan.

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.