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Resources for Tracing Crypto-Jewish and Converso Ancestry 11/25/2008 Check Back Often for Updates 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 Civil Records Mexican Civil Registrars Mexican Archives at the Benson Latin American Collection Mexican Gen Web Mexican Genealogy and Cadereyta Hispanic Genealogy Mexico Archives Mexico Archivo General de la Nacion SephardicGEN Resources by Jeff Malka Sephardim.com 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 Back to the Top

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