New York: Arthur Kurzweil, Dec. 13

Tracing the Tribe cut its Jewish genealogical teeth on Arthur Kurzweil's ground-breaking book way back when.

It's safe to say that many genealogists traveled the same road and first realized the possibilities as we read his book, "From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Family History."
My first-edition copy is tattered and torn from multiple readings, and I now have a new copy!

Whether you've read the book or not, here's an opportunity to hear Kurzweil speak on Jewish genealogy as a spiritual pilgrimage, when he's the guest speaker for the Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island on Sunday, December 13, at its annual meeting and elections. A genealogy book sale is also on the agenda.

Jewish genealogical research often begins as a curiosity about names and dates and places. But for many, the pursuit of one’s family history takes on cosmic proportions and leads to the heart of a person’s search for answers to ultimate questions.

Jewish genealogy is not just an historical but often becomes a genuine spiritual pursuit. This theme will be explored in an effort to get to the core of what genealogy really means in Jewish tradition.

Kurzweil has also authored "The Torah for Dummies," "Kabbalah for Dummies," and "On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz." A magician, he performs in his one-man show, “Searching for God in a Magic Shop.” He grew up in East Meadow and lives in Great Neck.

The day begins at 1.30pm - with a book sale - followed by the JGSLI's annual meeting and elections, and Kurzweil will speak at 3pm. The venue is the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library in Plainview. Note the different location for this event.

The JGSLI's genealogical reference collection is housed at the library, enabling many more individuals to learn more about their families. Kurzweil has donated a number of his own books to this collection. The book sale will include books from his own collection with JGSLI benefiting from the proceeds.

Admission is free. For more information, go to the JGSLI website.

Florida: Modern researchers' resources, Oct. 14

A professional genealogist who has traced her family back to 1760 and documented more than 6,000 family members will speak on "Genealogy - Then and Now: Resources For the Modern Researcher," at the Jewish Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County, Florida on Thursday, October 14.

Monica Freedman Morris, who began her own research in 1976, will discuss the development of Jewish genealogical research and resource tools available today.

Morris is co-founder and president emerita of the JGSBPCI, and author of “Scattered Seeds: A Guide to Jewish Genealogy.” She has presented many genealogy workshops, been a Palm Beach Community College adjunct professor, keynote speaker at the Professional Librarians Association and presented at the Distinguished Lecturer Series.

The day begins at 12:30pm with a brick wall session, followed at 1pm by a brief business meeting and the main presentation. Poland and Romania special interest groups will also meet at 11.30am.

Meetings are held at the South County Civic Center in Delray Beach, Florida. Fee: JGSPBCI members, free; others, $5.

For more information about the brick wall program or to submit advance questions, email program chair Helene Seaman. For special interest groups, email Marvin Lopatin. For other inquiries and program details, contact Tracing the Tribe's good friend Sylvia Nusinov.

Florida: Drew Smith in Tampa, Oct. 11

One of Tracing the Tribe's favorite people, Drew Smith of The Genealogy Guys, will speak on genealogy and DNA at the next meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Tampa Bay on Sunday, October 11, 2009

The meeting begins at 1.30pm at the Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, 14041 Icot Blvd., Clearwater.

Are you afraid to try DNA as a research tool because the science seems too intimidating? This overview will explain how DNA relates to genealogy, what kinds of DNA tests are available, and how researchers can share test results with each other as a basis for determining a relationship.

A genealogist with more than 30 years of computer experience, Drew is nationally known and is an instructor at the School of Library and Information Science at USF. He is co-host of the well-known "Genealogy Guys Podcast," writes columns for two computer magazines, and holds many leadership roles in local, national and international genealogy organizations. He's also a digital genealogy expert, and his new book, “Social Networking for Genealogists,” was very well received.

For more information on the JGSTB or future programs, view the group's website.

New York: 1940 Census, Sept. 13

Explore the 1940 census at the next Jewish Genealogical Society of New York meeting on Sunday, September 13.

The event, with speaker Dorothy Dougherty, will begin at 2pm in the 7th floor conference center at the UJA-Federation of New York, 130 East 59th St., New York.

Census records are one of the best sources available for finding family units. It frequently reveals the missing link that vital records and immigration records alone do not provide. It can confirm a date and place listed in other types of genealogical documents. A long awaited genealogical gem, researchers will learn what to look for in preparing for the release of the 1940 census in April 2012. This presentation explores the historical backdrop of the 1940 Population Schedule and highlights new supplemental questions asked of a small sample of the population.

Dougherty is the Public Programs Specialist for the National Archives at New York City. As lead for public, education and outreach efforts, she has developed and presented numerous programs on the holdings of the National Archives.

In her 10 years as an archivist with the National Archives, Dougherty also worked on the development, training and deployment of NARA's online Archival Research Catalog, (ARC).

Her previous experience includes Manhattan research consultant, New York State Archives records manager and a historical museum interpreter. Ms. Dougherty earned a Masters in History with an Archives Certificate from C.W. Post, Long Island University, NY . She frequently lectures how to research both original and online records of interest to family historians.

For more details or to see future programs, visit the JGSNY website.