Boston: Upcoming NEHGS programs, tours

The New England Historic Genealogical Society has several upcoming events on its calendar. Readers in Boston, or those who may be visiting, may be interested in these programs.

Events are at the NEHGS building, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston, unless otherwise noted.

June New Visitor and Welcome Tour: Wednesday, June 1, 10-11am

Kick start your research with a 30-minute lecture and tour of the library and its holdings.

Come Home to New England: June 13-18, 9am-5pm

One of NEHGS’s most popular programs, “Come Home to New England,” is a fun-filled week of family history discovery and education. It features research, individual consultations, interesting lectures, group meal, and other activities.

Talking Back to Your Ancestors: Reweaving the Family History: June 22, 6-7pm

Dr. Barbara B. Reitt will describe what she learned in a four-year search for truths long hidden by the family and what compelled her to respond to her late father’s memoirs by researching and writing a biography of his grandmother.

Other locations:

A Tour Through Ireland and Irish History: July 5-15
Join NEHGS as it explores Irish immigrant ancestors’ native land, the rolling hills of Ireland. Discover scenery and enjoy Irish hospitality in famed hotels, restaurants and private homes. Email for more information.

Weekend Research Trip to Albany, New York: July 13-17

Join NEHGS to explore the vast resources of the New York State Archives. The weekend includes individual consultations, lectures and a group dinner.

English Research Tour: September 25-October 2

Discover the wealth of information available in London's repositories as NEHGS returns to London. Participants take part in two group dinners, consultations and guided research tours through the Society of Genealogists (SOG) and the National Archives (UK).

For more information about these events and tours, click AmericanAncestors.org for the registration form and instructions, call 1-888-296-3447, or send an e-mail.

On the Road: Genealogists plan speaking tours

Are we coming to your neighborhood?

This is the time of year when many genealogy speakers are focusing on finalizing their schedules for the next few months.

Many - including Tracing the Tribe - will speak at both major conferences and local venues. All of these events are wonderful opportunities to meet, greet and learn from so many individuals speaking on a wide array of topics.

Tracing the Tribe will be speaking in the US, UK and Canada. This year will be much easier as we are now US-based, making it much easier to travel to events and return home without being away for extended periods of time. My presentations include DNA genetic genealogy, creating virtual communities and introductory sessions, and the current schedule looks like this:

FEBRUARY
6 - Rio Rancho, NM - DNA genetic genealogy and family history
10-12 - Salt Lake City, Utah - RootsTech 2011
13 - Albuquerque, NM Jewish community education event - A Taste of Honey -
24 - London UK - JGS of Great Britain
25-28 - London UK Who Do You Think You Are? Family History Fair

APRIL
2 - Rio Rancho, NM - Genealogy Library Day ("Blast into the Past"), Loma Colorado Branch

MAY
7 - London UK - Society of Genealogists' Centenary Conference
8 - Manchester UK - JGS of Great Britain, Manchester Regional Conference
11-14 - Charleston, SC - National Genealogical Society Conference

JUNE
10-12 - Burbank, CA - Southern California Jamboree
19-23 - Montreal, Canada - Association of Jewish Libraries

Our good friend and MyHeritage.com colleague Daniel Horowitz and I will both be speaking at the major conferences, at the Albuquerque JCC Taste of Honey event February 13, and at a special double-header February 24 for the JGS of Great Britain before WDYTYA Live! opens.

Daniel's upcoming schedule offers information-packed talks covering a broad range of topics - from MyHeritage features, technology, genealogy school projects, Israel resources and others.

FEBRUARY
8- Utah Jewish Genealogical Society, Salt Lake City, UT
10-12 - RootsTech, Salt Lake City, UT
13 - JCC of Greater Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM
14 - CSU/ JGS of Georgia, The Breman Museum, Atlanta, GA
24 - JGS of Great Britain, London, UK
25-27 - WDYTYA Live, London, UK

MARCH
29 - JGS of Dayton, Ohio
31 - April 2 - VISIT Ohio Genealogical Society Conference

APRIL
5 - JGS of Cleveland, Ohio
6-9 - VISIT 11th New England Regional Gen Conference
10 - JGS of New York, Center for Jewish History, Manhattan
11 - Association of Professional Genealogists NY, NY
14 - JGS of North Jersey, New Jersey
24 - JGS of Long Island, Long Island, NY
26 - Bernards Township Library, Basking Ridge, NJ

MAY
2 - JGS of Greater Philadelphia, Elkins Park, PA
3 - New York Genealogy PC Users' Group, Manhattan, NY
10-14 - VISIT NGS Conference, Charleston SC
15 - JGS of Greater Washington, Washington DC, Washington DC

For more information on Daniel's schedule and the specific talks at each location, contact him, or see his personal website.

Tracing the Tribe looks forward to greeting readers!

NEHGS: Research tours scheduled through July

The New England Historic Genealogical Society is offering a slate of research tours from January through July.

Check out these trips to Boston, London UK, Washington DC, Indiana and New York. Perhaps you can combine them with a visit already on your calendar.

For more information on any of these tours, visit AmericanAncestors.org, NEHGS's website, or send an email.

Winter Weekend Research Getaway: Effective Use of Technology
January 27-29
NEHGS, Boston, Massachusetts

NEHGS Weekend Research Getaways combine personal, guided research at the NEHGS Research Library with themed educational lectures to create a unique experience for every participant. Personal consultations with NEHGS genealogists throughout the program allow visitors to explore their own genealogical projects, under the guiding hand of the nation’s leading family history experts.

The Winter Research Getaway, “Effective Use of Technology,” offers a variety of lectures surrounding “best practices” in using technology including researching online, software, and other topics relevant to any genealogist.

English Heritage Long Weekend
February 22-28

Discover the rich heritage of London with NEHGS in February. This unique long weekend will feature memorable events led by renowned scholars George Redmonds and John Titford, including talks, a guided tour of historic London churches, a visit to the College of Arms, optional side visits, special guests, and dinner at an exclusive private club. The weekend also includes up to three full days at Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE! — the largest family history event in the world. Space is extremely limited. In addition to events, the NEHGS English Heritage Long Weekend includes six nights at the Hilton London Kensington Hotel, 179–199 Holland Park Avenue, London; daily coach service, daily English breakfast for five days, and two additional group meals. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the Hilton London Kensington Hotel and optional activities and all other meals not included in scheduled tour events.

Washington, D.C. Research Tour
March 6-13

Research in the repositories of the nation’s capital with NEHGS as we return to Washington, D.C. Researchers will visit the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library, Library of Congress (LOC), and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) during this intensive week of guided research, individual consultations, lectures, and group meal events. Featured consultants include Henry B. Hoff, David A. Lambert, and Rhonda R. McClure.

Allen County Public Library Research Tour
Fort Wayne, Indiana
May 22-29

Join NEHGS for our inaugural visit to Fort Wayne, Indiana, as we explore one of the world's largest genealogical collections at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL). Fort Wayne has been dubbed the “Best Read City” by Places Rated Almanac as ACPL holds more than 350,000 printed volumes and more than 513,000 items of microfilm and microfiche. Consequently, ACPL is a destination for every genealogist. The tour includes individual consultations, group meals, lectures, and other events.

Weekend Research Trip to Albany, New York
July 13-17

Searching for ancestors from New York State? Join NEHGS as we explore the vast resources of the New York State Archives. The weekend includes individual consultations, lectures, and a group dinner. Featured consultants include Henry B. Hoff, editor of the Register, and Christopher C. Child, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press.

For more information on each tour, use the link above to AmericanAncestors.org.

JGSLA 2010: Tours planned

JGSLA 2010 is just around the corner, only a few weeks away, from July 11-16, at the new JW Marriott at LA Live!

Every conference offers local tours (extra fee required) covering the Jewish community, cemeteries and other points of interest.

Here are the offerings for Los Angeles:

-- Shomer Shabbat Downtown Los Angeles Historical Jewish Walking Tour
Saturday, July 10, 1:30-5pm
Walk from the hotel, no transportation required ($15)

-- Old LA, From the First Jews Forward: A Walking Tour
Sunday, July 11, 9am-noon
Guided walking and public transit tour of Jewish Los Angeles history. Transit includes subway Dash bus ($2 not included). Required: Ability to walk and take public transportation. ($15)

-- Boyle Heights & Breed Street Shul Downtown Jewish L.A. Bus & Lunch Tour
Sunday, July 11, 9:30am-3:30pm
Includes The Breed Street Shul, Welsh Presbyterian Church, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, San Antonio Winery (lunch stop, meal not included). A Jewish Historical Society docent is the guide. ($45)

-- Hollywood Forever Cemetery – The Jewish Heritage Tour: Resting Place of the Stars
Sunday, July 11, 12:45-3pm
Explore the lives and contributions of the Jewish residents interred at Hollywood Forever. Visit Beth Olam Mausoleum. Highlights: Garbo’s agent, Charles Feldman; mobster Bugsy Siegel, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Michael Kanin (“Woman of the Year”); the Ritz Brothers, and the Anne Frank Memorial. ($45)

-- Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust Tour (& kosher dinner)
Tuesday, July 13, 4:15-7:15pm
The Museum is the oldest Holocaust museum in the US. Its board president, Randy Schoenberg, will personally guide participants on a sneak peak of the Museum’s new permanent home built into a Pan Pacific Park hillside. Enjoy a festive kosher buffet dinner and be one of the first to visit. Tour will return to the conference in time for the JewishGen evening. ($59)

-- Hollywood Forever Cemetery: The Jewish Heritage Tour (Resting Place of the Stars!)
Wednesday, July 14, 1:15-3:45pm (repeat of Sunday tour) ($45)

Sign up for the tours:

Already registered? Go to the Attendee Service Center here, log in email and password (received with your confirmation email), click EDIT on your account to add tours.

Not yet registered?
Add the tours as part of the initial registration process.

Visit JGSLA 2010 for more information and all conference details.

See you in Los Angeles!

Shanghai: A Jewish walking tour

Today must be Shanghai day!

Tracing the Tribe has covered gravestones, a film and now a Jewish walking tour of the city.

Take a look at this interesting city tour, covering seven Jewish-relevant sites, complete with a nice map.

For more, contact guide Patrick Cranley from Historic Shanghai.

The sites detailed, with photos, include:

-- An estate built in 1925 by a British Jewish trader, Ray Joseph.

-- The building where author Rena Krasno (1923-2009) lived with her parents, who came to Shanghai from Russia in the early 1920s. Her father was editor of "Our Life," a tri-lingual Jewish magazine; her uncle Gabriel Rabinowitz designed Ohel Moshe synagogue (now a museum commemorating Shanghai’s Jewish refugees).

-- The villa home to one of the most prominent Sephardic families, the Ezras, who owned several properties including the Astor House Hotel.

-- A luxurious apartment building (1936) built by and named for Ray and Hannah Joseph.

-- The Shanghai Conservatory of Music was the former Shanghai Jewish Club. Behind it is a German-style villa under renovation. It was the old clubhouse for a Zionist youth group, Betar.

-- In back of the Fudan University Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital is the original B'nai Brith Polyclinic building (1934), know in the 1940s as the Shanghai Jewish Hospital.

-- The Ezra family built (1934) an upscale residential community in Xinkang Huayuan.

See the complete article at the link above and see the photos.

JGSLA 2010: What you will find!

Don't bother getting vaccinated for the genealogy bug - it won't help! Just be prepared for an amazing genealogy immersion experience this year.

From gold-rush pioneers to goniffs, from geo-tagging to gazetteers, and many other exciting topics, JGSLA 2010 has gathered experts, archivists, professors and authors from around the world to share their knowledge of a diverse range of fascinating topics with you and your fellow conference attendees.

These experts will bring genealogy - and possibly your personal genealogy - to life and present a new world of possibilities.

Regardless of whether you identify as a mind-mapper, Google geek, PC-pusher, Mac-Maven, Litvak, Galitzianer or "somewhere in Russia," JGSLA 2010 is for you!

In fact, you don't even need to be Jewish or researching your Jewish heritage - many programs provide general information, no matter what you are personally researching.

You'll never know whom you'll connect with at lunch, having a cup of coffee or taking a workshop. A long lost cousin? Descendants of your ancestral village? Someone investigating your family?

Will this be the year you find someone to share your research, to collaborate with others, to design a website for your research interests? Will a new resource or database provide that all-important clue enabling a major breakthrough?

You won't know unless you come to this year's conference!

A few tidbits:

-- Ancestry will provide classes and a free (by-appointment) digital scanning service for attendees.

-- JewishGen's Warren Blatt and Michael Tobias will present "JewishGen LIVE at L.A. LIVE” on their latest databases and search capabilities.

-- Steve Morse, a household genealogy name, will present a series on his website's resources, but his new program, presented with daughter Megan, will be "DNA and the Animal Kingdom: Evolution and Genealogy in the Natural World."

Stay tuned for news on workshops, special interest groups, birds-of-a-feather groups, films, breakfasts and tours. Everything you need to know is at JGSLA 2010.

Portugal: Faro Jewish Heritage Center

Jewish history is found in surprising places, often by visitors who simply stumble by chance onto something rather interesting.

Tortoise Tales (a diary of motor home adventures) is a blog covering slow travel in a motorhome through Europe by two rather adventurous UK retirees Frances and Bernard Platman, who began their travels in October 2003.

In this post, they discuss their December 2009 visit to Faro, Portugal, in the Algarve region.

The Faro Jewish Heritage Center is the focus of this post.

The site covers the center, the cemetery, the museum and much more, as well as activities and events for the tiny permanent Jewish community (augmented by visitors) in this area - all thanks to former South Africans Ralf and Judy Pinto, who host holiday celebrations and other activities. If you're planning a trip to the Algarve, contact them.

At right, see a photo of the Faro Jewish cemetery.

How did Frances Platman learn about the Pintos?

Shortly after arriving at Armacoa de Pera, on the Algarve in Portugal, I was reading the Portuguese English paper and noticed in the “what’s on” columns for 13th December a snippet saying if we wanted an invite to a Chanukah party just phone….. So I did and spoke to a charming man who originally hailed from South Africa but had been living full time in Portimao on the Algarve for a number of years.

He and his wife are instrumental in setting up the Algarve Jewish Community,

They have been organising events for special occasions since their arrival in Portugal. He is also the director of the Faro Jewish Heritage Centre, Cemetery and Museum, and offered to take us there.

The Centre is the only remaining vestige of the first post Inquisition Jewish presence in Portugal and the cemetery contains marble gravestones from the period 1838 to 1932. The small museum has many artefacts and original furniture from an 1820 synagogue together with a video, “Without the Past”.

There's more in her blog post and much more on the Faro Jewish Heritage Center.

How was the Chanukah party?

The Chanukah party on the 13th December was very jolly, held in our hosts’ apartment. There were people there who were visiting just like us but also residents from all over the Algarve , some permanent and some who come and go from their country of origin. Fried foods were eaten, candles were lit and songs sang to remember the miracle of the holy oil in the temple which lasted for eight days although there was only enough for one when the Jewish people were besieged.

Jewish visitors to the area are always welcomed by this enthusiastic couple. We intend to keep in touch with them in the future as we have enjoyed our new friendship.

Thanks, Frances, for this post.

Readers interested in mobile home travel will also find Tortoise Tales interesting.

Macau: Jews in the east

Macau is the Las Vegas of the Far East.

Several years ago I visited Las Vegas and met with Sheldon Adelson at his offices in the Venetian. Evidence of his plans in Macau were obvious.

This week, the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent carried an article on Macau.

Two years ago, Macau lay somewhere between its colorful history and the city it wanted to be in the 21st century. It boasted a venerable collection of museums and sites celebrating its fusion of Chinese and Portuguese culture, and yet was the world's most ambitious construction site.

Billionaire casino hoteliers Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson placed heavy bets on Macau properties, designed to push the envelope beyond their Las Vegas establishments.

Although Las Vegas - which Adelson calls "Disney Land for adults" - is in an economic downturn, Macau is flourishing. His Venetian Macau development in the Cotai Strip has 3,000 rooms, a mall and an upscale Four Seasons hotel.

Visitors are increasing to the area's museums, parks, restaurants and UNESCO Heritage sites.

According to Macau Tourist Office guide Teresa Costa Gomes (who claims some Jewish ancestry), Jews are coming there from around the world.

Although many travel to Hong Kong for major holidays, Gomes expects this will change.

The article includes the comments of Israeli Priel Manes who now lives there.

We sat down for a chat in the tastefully opulent lobby of the Ponte 16 Sofitel to discuss what made Macau such an exciting, attractive place for young Jewish professionals in such fields as education and security (there is an appreciation for Mossad-trained individuals among casino, club and retail owners).

"Though some people in Hong Kong will insist the area's entire Jewish community is concentrated in Hong Kong, Macau has a Jewish community that is definitely growing" with arrivals "from Israel, Australia, Canada and the U.S. to work and study," explains the 25-year-old student.

"Out of necessity, we have made efforts to network and meet one another, and groups like Macau Jewish Singles reflect this," she says. "Even general business networking parties have been great; when you mention you're from Israel, several other people will take an interest" and reveal that they are Jewish as well.

Over the past four years, the Jewish community has come together in Macau. Most are professionals, ages 30-50.

There's even talk about the need for a center or synagogue.

Can a Jewish genealogical society be far behind? There's already a fledgling Jewish genealogy group in Hong Kong. Anyone up for a future international conference of Jewish genealogy in Macau?

Visit the Macau Tourism site for more information.

Philly 2009: 'Inquirer' covers opening night

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on this year's conference in this story of a few days ago.

It covered keynote speaker Father Patrick Desbois and his Ukraine project, tours, workshops and more.

The conference, which continues through Friday at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel, will not dwell on the Holocaust.

With walking tours and workshops bearing titles such as "Mapping Madness" and "The Role of Philadelphia Jews in the Rise of Basketball," its overall tone is buoyant and industrious.

Yet, program chairman Mark Halpern pointed out, the "imperative" that compels Jewish interest in genealogy is serious.

"Jewish families have been fractured for a long time," said Halpern, an amateur genealogist. Decades before the Nazi extermination of six million, hundreds of thousands of Jews fled Eastern Europe to escape persecution.

For many of their children and grandchildren, he said, genealogy is "a way to reclaim the lives and history" of those who fled or were executed.

As of Thursday morning, the count was about 950 attendees, and the conference featured some 125 presenters.

The 12-page list of workshops and activities includes "Finding Places in the Russian Empire," "Learning the Cyrillic Alphabet," "The Changing Borders of Eastern Europe," "Common Genetic Traits and Diseases" of Jews, and "Finding Your Jewish Ancestors on Ancestry.com."

One of several field trips - some 100 signed up for the tours - visited the South Jersey chicken farms where many Jewish immigrants started their lives in America.

Although many programs focused on Eastern European Jewish identity, there were also several Sephardic topics and many technological sessions.

Read the complete story at the link above for more on Father Debois.