Sunday, January 27, 2013

“Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living”


Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando Program

ORLANDO, FL, January 28, 2013 — Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) for a program featuring Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak’s pre-recorded webinar, “Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living”.

Although genealogy is at its heart the study of long-deceased ancestors, connecting with living relatives has become almost as important to many family historians. Some seek living kin in an effort to track down family photos; others do it to find family history playmates, plan reunions or identify DNA project participants. Whatever the motivation, one of the most addicting aspects of genealogy is the thrill of finding distant cousins, or in some cases, parents, children or siblings. But this "reverse genealogy" (working from the past to the present) has its own special challenges and requires the researcher to be part genealogist and part private investigator. This presentation covers proven techniques for tracing 20th and 21st century friends and relatives from the past to the present.

Megan Smolenyak2 is a real life history detective who loves to solve mysteries. You might have spotted Megan or her handiwork on Top Chef, Who Do You Think You Are?, Finding Your Roots, Faces of America, Good Morning America, the Today Show, The Early Show, CNN, PBS and NPR. 

She's the author of 6 books, including Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing and Who Do You Think You Are? (companion to the TV series) and conducts forensic research for the Army, coroners, NCIS and the FBI. 

If you've been bitten by the history or genealogical bug, please take a few minutes to explore her website http://www.honoringourancestors.com .


DATE: Sunday, February 17, 2013
TIME: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation, Social Hall, 11200 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32836.
ADMISSION: Open to the public. $5.00 for non-members. Free for members.

About the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) is a not for profit organization dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with anyone interested in Jewish genealogy and family history. Anyone may join JGSGO. Annual dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. For more information visit our blog at www.jgsgo.blogspot.com and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JGSGreaterOrlando .

Saturday, January 26, 2013

“Beginning Jewish Genealogy - 4 Week Workshop”


Sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando & the
Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando

ORLANDO, FL, January 16, 2013 — Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) and the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Orlando for a 4 week workshop, “Beginning Jewish Genealogy”.

Have you heard, "They never talked about it" or "What kind of a name is Tauntie Saucie (i.e. Aunt Sosia)?", or "All the records were destroyed"? With some know how and persistence, you can find your Jewish ancestors! We will cover:
                        Week 1 - Starting the Search
                        Week 2 - U.S. Census & Other Directories
                        Week 3 - U.S. Vital Records & More
                        Week 4 - Bridging to the Old Country

This 4 week class will cover all the essentials to get you started on Jewish family history research. Each week will include a 90 minute lecture, a small homework assignment to get you started, and a set of handouts to add to your workbook.

The class will be offered during the morning and repeated in the evening. Sign up for the morning 4 week sessions or the evening 4 week sessions. Please register no later than February 5, 2013. Register by calling the JCC at 407-645-5933.

DATE:              Tuesdays, February 12, 19, 26, and March 5
TIME:               10:30a.m. or 6:30p.m.
LOCATION:      Roth JCC Greater Orlando, Maitland Campus, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751
COST:              Free to JCC and JGSGO members. Non-members $10 fee per week for handouts.



About the Instructors
Lawrence “Larry” Morrell is Past President of the JGSGO and Adult Education Director at Temple Israel. Larry is a successful researcher of his own ancestry and has been a maven to many students of Jewish genealogy. Passionate about capturing family history before it is lost and engaging our descendants in the process, Larry is an experienced lecturer and class instructor on Jewish genealogy topics.

Marlis Glaser Humphrey is Vice President of Programs and Publicity for the JGSGO, a member of the Board of Directors of the Ukraine-SIG and the Florida State Genealogical Society. She is co-chair for the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Boston 2013 conference and Membership Development Committee responsible for the Southeastern U.S. Region. Marlis holds a B.A. in Russian and an M.S. in Management of Technology. Marlis is a frequent lecturer on Jewish genealogy topics.

About the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) is a not for profit organization dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with anyone interested in Jewish genealogy and family history. Anyone may join JGSGO. Annual dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. For more information visit our blog at www.jgsgo.blogspot.com or "like" us on Facebook www.facebook.com/JGSGreaterOrlando .

Friday, January 11, 2013

“Extracting More from Passenger Lists”


Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando Program

ORLANDO, FL, January 11, 2013 — Join the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) for a program featuring Lisa Alzo’s pre-recorded webinar, “Beyond the Arrival Date: Extracting More from Passenger Lists”.

A key discovery in researching your Jewish ancestors is finding the passenger list where their voyage to the U.S. was recorded. There can by many subtle and hidden clues on those passenger lists that provide additional information. Learn how to really examine these lists to get more of the story! Join us as we view Lisa’s webinar and then hold a Q&A and sharing session.



An avid genealogist for 22 years, Lisa currently teaches online genealogy courses for Family Tree University and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She is the recipient of the 2002 Mary Zirin Prize given by the Association for Women in Slavic Studies to recognize the achievements of independent scholars, and is a frequently invited speaker for national conferences, genealogical and historical societies. You can learn more about Lisa at www.lisaalzo.com.

DATE: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 8:45 P.M.
LOCATION: Maitland Public Library, 501 South Maitland Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751.
ADMISSION: Open to the public. Free.

About the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) is a not for profit organization dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with anyone interested in Jewish genealogy and family history. Anyone may join JGSGO. Annual dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. For more information visit our blog at www.jgsgo.blogspot.com .