A TRIP OF A LIFE TIME

Deana Fishman

This past July was a dream of a lifetime for me. I was one of the four privileged members from Calgary to attend the IAJGS 20^th annual International Conference in Salt Lake City.

As soon as we arrived from the airport we ran to the first meeting since we didn’t want to miss anything. And from then on we were on wheels. On the Sunday SIG (Special Interest Group) had their meetings. For example, if you went to the Latvia SIG then you would have to miss out on the Belarus SIG, Galicia SIG, German SIG, Romania SIG and Litvak SIG. And this was just the beginning.

It was awesome to look the crowd of over 600 people who were all interested in Jewish Genealogy. I felt like a kid in the candy store not knowing where to go first. There were people ranging from novice to experts, all age groups and coming from all part of the world. I can’t remember when last I spent such long days doing something so exciting. Our days started at 7:00 a.m. till sometimes midnight. Everyday was filled with three different sessions going simultaneously. At times it was hard to decide which session would be best to attend. Everyday another SIG had a luncheon where we found out the progress in research of that specific group. So lunch times were filled with information on Germany, Romania Latvia, Galicia, Belarus, and Litvak. If there was a period in the day you weren’t involved with one of the lectures, you could also join the people congregating in the lobby area comparing notes and seeing if they could find any connection with their family tree. Everyone was willing to lend a helping hand and make suggestions as to the best way to continue your research. The lobby bulletin board was filled with notes and pictures from people trying to fit the pieces together of their family puzzle

The sessions were varied and the caliber of speakers was superb. Another session on Yad Vashem they spoke on the importance of filling out A Page of Testimony to keep alive the memory of those who were murdered. You could learn how to read Russian, German, Polish, Hungarian and Austro-Hungarian Empire records. If that doesn’t interest you The 1897 Russian Census was dealt with in great detail. Stanley Diamond one of our Canadian Representatives (from Montreal) talked about Jewish Records Indexing – Poland Project which is an amazing source of information for those doing research in Poland. Talks on the changing borders came up in a few different sessions. When seeing it in black and white it gives more meaning and understanding as to why we sometimes can’t find our needed information in one country. Warren Blatt was able to, with his power point presentation, impart this important information to all researchers. In one session you could be surprised to find out that you may have Chasidic Roots or learn about tracing migration through Genetic Research Making use of all the research facilities was of great interest to many attendees, whether it was the use of the Family History Library or Cyber Space. Dealing with Skeletons in the Closet and reluctant relatives brought back memories and situations encountered by many. These were just a few of the topics covered at the conference.

One session I attended and unexpectedly enjoyed it tremendously was “GPS (Global Positioning Satellites) – Does it have a role in Genealogy”. Several years ago the U.S. military put many satellites in orbit for the navigation of aircraft, ships, military vehicles, rockets & automobiles. The electronic equipment used for tracking is called Global Positioning Satellites Finder. As with other electronics, now the GPS finder is available at prices affordable to more of the general public. You can mark locations by their longitude and latitude as you would find on a map and be able to trace different routes.

If you are wondering what this has to do with Genealogy, it is simple. When visiting your shtetl you probably would find that there aren’t any streets numbers, names or change of names. Towns change their names and also country borders change. Finding your family home, synagogue, cemetery or other points of interest, on one visit could be hard to track down on your next visit. Buildings could be pulled down Much precious time could be wasted looking for sites whose appearance have changed and disappeared. Visiting a cemetery with no markers could also be a challenge. I know we have wasted a lot of time at cemeteries since we didn’t have the exact location. Going to a new cemetery would be made easier by marking off areas already searched. If you would want to find that location again or tell another family member where to go, how would you describe it? Just think of the possibilities of making your family history more complete for future generations. GPS is also especially useful when visiting new places. Wondering doesn’t present the same challenges. When you leave your hotel you take a reading of your location and it will guide you back. GPS gives a genealogist an accurate way to map and locate points of interest. It gives you a way to make sure that the locations of various shetetl’s synagogues, houses, etc are preserved for further generations to find and will help others with their research in those areas. As the interest in Genealogy increases different methods of research come to the surface. We live in a very exciting time.

The Canadians were out in full force and had representation from across the country. How could 30 of us pass up an opportunity like this without calling a meeting? On Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. the clans gathered with great enthusiasm. Plans were being made to form a society under the umbrella of IAJGS. One suggestion was that we should have a national newsletter, Shem Tov, with articles submitted by each center. The western groups had their concerns about losing their identity by not having their own newsletter. There was much discussion and very positive feelings.

The hospitality the Mormans extended to us was amazing. They had been working on a comprehensive catalogue of all information they have on hand pertaining to Jewish research. The complete library index was presented to the IAJGS to use in anyway they felt was most beneficial.

Mel and I took this opportunity to do work in the library as many others did and stayed on for a few extra days. They had an area set up with the Jewish research books. One of their computers was designated for our research. As you walked into the lower floor where much of the information concerning us was located, they had two showcases entirely displaying Jewish artifacts.

You walk into the library and there are hundreds of Microfilm readers with everyone pouring over these films trying to find some information that will help them understand their roots. Along with all the readers there are rows and rows of filing cabinets filled with a researchers dream, all the films at your fingertips. No ordering and waiting. . Each time we went into a different area there was just more information to drink up. After many hours of researching for family members, I found it relaxing and fascinating just to browse through the Russian Consulate records. The wealth of information in those films is just mind-boggling.

To say the least this is one trip I will always cherish.