Index: Jewish history and literature articles, 1665-1900

The Jewish Theological Seminary library blog, JTSLibrary Takeaway, offers interesting items.

This recent post concerns a 19th century index of printed articles that might help your search. the blogger reminds readers that everyone has been caught up in full-text digital access, but that it's also important to remember the "oldies but goodies."

One such tool is Moise Schwab's Index of Articles Relative to Jewish History and Literature Published in Periodicals, from 1665 to 1900. [JTS Library Location: REF Z 6367 S41] An augmented edition edited by Zosa Szajkowski was published by Ktav in 1971. The original edition (Part I) had been published in 1899 as Repertoire des Articles, and subsequent Parts and editions were published over the next 25 years.

Most of the articles listed were published in Jewish and secular scholarly journals of the 19th century. The majority of the articles were written in German and French, although many are also in Hebrew, English, and other languages. More than 100 publications were indexed, and articles from a few feschriften are also included.

Most articles are arranged by authors' name, along with a limited subject index. Subjects are in French and the text is handwritten. There is also a Hebrew word index (Hebrew alphabet), which also serves as a subject index.

Abbreviations are explained in three locations (titles of journals, general abbreviations and Hebrew abbreviations of authors' names).

Moise Schwab was an accomplished scholar in a wide variety of fields, both in Jewish and secular studies. His Index was the first attempt to publish an all-inclusive Jewish studies periodical index. This volume provides a key to serious Jewish studies research of the 1800’s and before. It is also useful as a guide to primary source material for current researchers of Jewish history, biography and historiography.

Read more at the link above.