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Resources for Tracing Crypto-Jewish and Converso Ancestry
11/25/2008 Check Back Often for UpdatesBack to the Top
Definitions
Anusim, plural for anús, means forced ones in Hebrew. This is a legal terminology applied to a Jew who has been forced to abandon Judaism against his or her will, and who does whatever is in his or her power to continue practicing Judaism under the forced condition. It derives from the Talmudic term aberá be'ones [TB: Abodá Zará 54a], meaning "a forced transgression". The term is essentially a question of status based on observance of Jewish Law.
Converso (Spanish and Portuguese for "a convert", from Latin conversus, "converted, turned around") and its feminine form conversa referred to Jews or Muslims or the descendants of Jews or Muslims who had converted to Catholicism in Spain and Portugal, particularly during the 14th century and 15th century. Also called New Christians.
Crypto-Judaism is the secret adherence to Judaism while publicly professing to be of another faith; people who practice crypto-Judaism are referred to as "crypto-Jews". The term crypto-Jew is also used to describe descendants of Jews who still (generally secretly) maintain some Jewish traditions, often while adhering to other faiths, most commonly Catholicism. Found in Mexico and the American southwest.Marrano is a derogatory term used by anti-Semites. It refers to Conversos or New Christians.
Links
Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies
Association of Crypto Jews
Colorado Hispanic Genealogy Society
Mexican Archives at the Benson Latin American Collection
Mexican Genealogy and Cadereyta Hispanic Genealogy
Mexico Archivo General de la Nacion
SephardicGEN Resources by Jeff Malka
Experts
Arthur Benveniste
Stan Hordes, New Mexico
Professor Janet Jacobs, C.U. Boulder Sociology Department
Dina Danon, C.U. Boulder Sephardic Studies Adjunct Professor
Pueblo, Colorado Rabbi
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