SALT LAKE CITY—FamilySearch
added to its substantial Jewish genealogical collection with the
addition of its new Jewish Family History Resources online. The
announcement was made in conjunction with the 27th International
Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Conference in Salt Lake City
this week. The web page includes a new Jewish genealogy database, the
Knowles Collection, as well as a new research guide, Tracing
Your Jewish Ancestors.
The new features can be accessed for free at FamilySearch.org.
FamilySearch provides numerous free tools and resources for anyone
researching Jewish ancestry.
The
Knowles Collection contains information for
thousands of Jews from the British Isles.
Building on the work of the late Isobel Mordy, the collection links
individuals into family groups with more names added continuously. The
collection is available as a file that can be viewed and edited through
most genealogy software programs. Genealogy software is also available
as a free download.
The Tracing
Your Jewish Ancestors guide is an excellent reference tool for
anyone with a Jewish ancestor who came to the United States from Europe.
Users will be able to follow simple steps to identify an ancestor’s
birthplace or place of origin. It provides instructions on which
records to search first, what to look for, and what research tools to
use. It includes 30 colorful pages of examples and rich, helpful
details. The digital document is available
in a high quality, easy-to-use PDF format.
The popular
Jewish Genealogy Research Outline has also been revised and is free.
FamilySearch
Jewish Family History Resources highlights include:
- Links to relevant records
and searchable databases
- Helpful guides and forms
to view online or print
- Online indexing projects,
where individuals can register to volunteer or to see what databases
are forthcoming
- Free genealogy management
software
- Directions to receive
free personal assistance through local family history centers
Those
with Jewish ancestry should bookmark the site, as links to new
resources and tools will be added as they become available online.
Click here to view the new Jewish Family History
Resources page