About Us

Since 1987, JewishGen has facilitated the connection and re-connection of untold numbers of families. We have heard many heart-wrenching as well as heart-warming stories.

Through this website we document some of these stories. When we read these accounts, we share the pain, but above all we share the exuberance and excitement of success.

These success stories—some small, some momentous—tell of connections forged by ordinary people who have come together through the world of JewishGen—sharing, giving, and working together to make family connections happen.

We hope you enjoy and learn from our most recent stories as well as the many stories in our Archives, and that you’ll be inspired to begin or continue your own journey of connection, using the resources and community that JewishGen provides.

We wish you success in your own research and, if you have a story to share, please contact us so we can tell it here.

Nancy Siegel, Editor and Richard Baum, Webmaster & Associate Editor

Emeritus Success Stories Volunteers:

  • Colin Mathias Justin, Webmaster 2016 – 2018
  • Anna Blanchard, Webmaster 2012 – 2016
  • Meredith Hoffman, Co-Editor and Webmaster 2009 – 2012

Photo provided by Martin Tompa of his Grandmother, Ottilie Schück. Vienna, Austria, 1899.
Click here to read his story.