IAJGS Awards - 2004

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The International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies bestowed four awards for 2004, recognizing outstanding individual and organizational contributions to Jewish Genealogy. These awards were presented by the 2004 awards committee chairman, Judith Frazin, during the banquet held in conjunction with the 24rd IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy in Jerusalem, Thursday 8 July 2005.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a living individual for a lifetime of outstanding contributions of major significance and benefit to Jewish genealogy. The 2004  IAJGS Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to  Warren Blatt in recognition of his ongoing devotion to building the field of Jewish genealogy. Along with his development of software supporting Jewishgen's vast network of Internet-accessable databases, he has contributed to the dynamic growth of Jewish genealogy. He has organized conferences and educational programs, produced journals, written books and articles, lectured extensively and has generously provided individual guidance to novices and experienced researchers alike. His efforts have encouraged and motivated genealogists worldwide. Warren Blatt accepted the award.              Click on the book for more information about Alexander Beider's books. The Outstanding Contribution Award is presented to a person, persons or organization in recognition of an exceptional contribution to Jewish genealogy via the Internet, print, or electronic product.   The 2004  IAJGS Outstanding Contribution to  Jewish Genealogy   was presented to Alexander Beider in recognition of his major contributions to the specialized science of the origins and forms of proper names and surnames of persons as applied to the field of genealogy. He has authored numerous works which provide information, not only on surnames and given names, but also frequently provide clues as to the location of the family's ancestral home. His four published works have become indispensable to genealogists worldwide. Gary Mokotoff accepted the award on behalf of Alexander Beider.   The Outstanding Programming or Project Award is presented to a person, persons or organization either in recognition of a single program or series of programs, or in recognition of a single project or series of projects.            Sallyann Sack accepted the award on behalf of David Fox.           The 2004 IAJGS Outstanding  Project Award was presented to  David Fox in recognition of the numerous projects undertaken within the Belarus SIG that have generated seventeen databases containing over 250,000 individual entries. Under David's leadership and guidance, his cadre of volunteers has worked successfully with archives, translators and organizations to create a significant repository of Belarus records, documents and other information. The "All Belarus Database" is an outstanding, growing and readable accessible resource used by thousands of individuals researching their Jewish roots. Available at  http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/. Thus far it includes: Belarus Names Database - Over 58,000 names Brest Ghetto Passports, a database of Holocaust victims drawn from Soviet archives Grodno Gubernia - 1897 Census Birth Records from Kamen, Minsk, Mogilev, Rakov and Rubezhevichi. Grodno Gubernia - 1912 Voters List Revision Lists from Minsk, Slutsk and Vileika districts Yizkor Book Necrologies  Minsk Surnames found in the Jewish vital records of the city Rechitsa Uezd - 1906 Voters List Nowogrodek Province - 1929 Business Directory Minsk Yizkor Book Index Jewish Religious Personnel in the Russian Empire, 1853-1854 Minsk City Homeowners Lists, 1889 and 1911 Pinsk Records from the Soviet Extraordinary Commission, a compilation of Holocaust testimonials Mogilev Birth Index of boys, 1864-1894  Vsia Rossiia - 1903 & 1911 Minsk and Mogilev Gubernias, 1911 Vitebsk gubernia Pinsk Ghetto List, 1942   The Outstanding Publication Award is presented to an IAJGS Member Organization in recognition of an outstanding journal, newsletter, or other publication that furthers Jewish genealogical research. The 2004 IAJGS Award for Outstanding Publication by an IAJGS member Society was presented to the Jewish Genealogical Society, Inc. based in New York City in recognition of its "Genealogical Resources New York" (2nd Edition), the most comprehensive guide available about genealogical resources in New York City and Albany. This meticulously researched and edited book provides a detailed description of the holdings of each repository, the geographic scope and the time span of its collection and its finding aids. The book has quickly become an essential tool for both Jewish and non-Jewish researchers. Its structure and layout established the standard and has been emulated by numerous subsequent genealogical resource guides.    For more information click on the book.

Estelle Guzik (editor of "Genealogical Resources in New York")  and Paul Silverstone  (JGS, Inc. treasurer) accepted the award on behalf of the JGS, Inc.