New York: learn about a 19th-century scandal

The Jewish Genealogical Society (New York) will host Pamela Weisberg, who will be speaking about "When Leopold Met Lena: Marriage, Divorce and Deception in 1892 New York."

The program starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at the Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St.,

First came love, then came marriage - but on the heels of the baby in the baby carriage came accusations of adultery and two trials in New York City's Court of Common Pleas.

The unexpected discovery of a divorce decree in the 1890s New York Times "News of the Courts" leads to scandal-ridden court transcripts held at the NYC Municipal Archives and revelations of a family secret.

Beginning in Czestochowa, Poland and Cracow, Austria and continuing to Manhattan's Lower East Side and Little Rock, Arkansas - the tumultuous, romantic and litigious world of our immigrant ancestors is brought to life in court records, graveyard inscriptions, newspaper articles, city directories, census and vital records.

Enjoy the ride as Besser v. Besser is deconstructed and learn how present-day genealogical research can be used to solve 19th-century mysteries.

Weisberger is the program chair for the Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles, research coordinator for Gesher Galicia, and active in the Hungarian and Sub-Carpathian SIGs.

Admission: non-members, $5.

Click here for more information.