Category Archives: Genealogy

The birth of a book

For many years, I have been researching my family. I definitely did not do this alone – I’ve had many partners in this endeavor – relatives, friends, colleagues. I have created stories based on my research experiences and the successes, … Continue reading

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A Genealogist’s Ghosts

I live in a world inhabited by elusive figures. They are always just around the corner. They mock me by remaining out of sight. Secure and safe in their hidden spaces, I hear them talking to me and sometimes shouting … Continue reading

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Baby Steps and then a Giant Leap

Like many of you, I get diverted, go off on a tangent, get distracted. It happens. Eleven years ago I wrote my dissertation “In Living Memory.” I always knew that I would use that as the basis for a book. … Continue reading

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Networking and Learning

One of the pleasures I experience is to be invited to be a presenter at genealogy conferences and meetings. These virtual and in-person vents are a fantastic way as a speaker or attendee to meet other people obsessive and passionate … Continue reading

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Researching Journeys, Journeys to Research

There are so many journeys that our ancestors took. Each one was different from every other one. I know a lot (but not everything of course) of the journeys of Eastern European Jews and their lives, since that’s where I … Continue reading

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If you don’t find it – look some more!

We all know that the last place you look is going to uncover precisely what you’re searching for whether it’s your house key, sunglasses or a record. It feels like I’ve been searching for some elusive information about my grandfather’s … Continue reading

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The sadness in records

Ever since the beginning of COVID, the Spanish flu pandemic of 100+ years ago has been more than just words on a page in a history book. Today, I am grieving for a family long gone who I never would … Continue reading

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And over and over again

At the beginning of any research, as that tree begins to grow, the twigs, roots, and branches all fill out, documents are found so fast, sometimes it’s like magic. And then… suddenly, with no warning, you hit the proverbial brick … Continue reading

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In the blink of an eye!

At the beginning of the pandemic, I thought, as we all moved to remote work, that I would fill the time I previously spent commuting writing in my blog about research questions, challenges and those eureka! moments that inevitably occur. … Continue reading

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Uh-Oh June 23 – Error to be Corrected

Well the day started off well enough. In fact, the day was lovely, one would have said perfect, until we got to Vilnius, but I am getting ahead of myself. On second thought, I need to start at the end … Continue reading

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