06 November 2008

Los Angeles: Bad Arolsen program, Nov. 10

A trip by professional genealogists to the Bad Arolsen ITS Archives last May is the basis of the next program of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles, at 7.30pm, Monday, November 10, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

In May 2008, 40 genealogists spent a week researching at the International Tracing Service archives in Bad Arolsen, Germany, the most important repository in the world containing information about individual victims of World War II.

Although its stated mission was to document "the fate of the victims of Nazi persecution," it remained closed to the public for more than 50 years.

A short video will provide a first-hand look at the vast resources of the ITS and what the on-site research process looks like, followed by a panel discussion in which three trip participants - Lori Miller, Judi Gyori Missels and Pamela Weisberger - will offer their unique perspectives on their experience.

The program will cover:

- Description of ITS, the archives, categories of documents and their accessibility to the public
- Gaining access to and researching in the archives
- Obtaining copies of documents
- Analyzing documents for greater meaning
- How to research the ITS archives yourself
- Community documents as an adjunct to personal research

There will also be a special focus on the non-personal/community records and testimonies held by the ITS which include the former Polish/Galician towns of Zbaraz, Jezierzany, Drohobycz and Boryslaw.

The program is free to members; others, $5. The JGSLA traveling library collection of genealogical reference books - and volunteers to answer questions - will be available from 7pm.

For additional details, check the JGSLA website.

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