Are you ready to embark on a journey of discovery AND connection? The 44th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy promises not just educational opportunities but also experiences that could leave a lasting impact on your family tree. Hear from just a few past attendees who have made (what we think are pretty common but nonetheless exciting) family history connections at the conference.
A Serendipitous Hallway Encounter
David Ellis's story underscores the serendipitous connections made at these conferences. A simple conversation can lead to surprising discoveries and connections that bridge generations.
"I had a hallway conversation in which I shared the story of how I found a living third cousin descended from a sister of my great-grandfather. I found this sister's marriage record in the LitvakSIG database and looked up her married surname in the JewishGen Family Finder. One of the people interested in this surname connected me to third cousins previously unknown to me.
When I shared this surname at the conference, the person I was talking with pulled out a tablet and showed me a photo from a 1929 Seder, to which his grandparents had invited my grandfather's first cousin as a guest. My grandfather never knew about this cousin, and I quickly shared this photo with my recently discovered third cousin, who had never before seen this photo featuring his grandfather!"
An Emotional Revelation in Warsaw
Felicia Alexander's encounter in Warsaw demonstrates the impact these conferences can have on our family tree and our emotions.
"I MUST share! I too have attended many conferences and I’m thrilled that we’re hosting this year in Philadelphia. Among my most memorable experiences was undoubtedly a joyful experience at the Warsaw conference. It was there that I met a historian who was a presenter from my very tiny, ancestral town of Wongrowitz (now Wagrowiec) in the Polish province of Poznan, which was part of Prussia. When I saw the program in advance, and that there was someone from that town on the speaking docket, I contacted her and made arrangements to meet with her at the conference. [There] she gifted me a folder of copies of synagogue records from the early 1800s from Wongrowitz which included numerous members of my family listed on the congregations voting records. This was the first concrete evidence I had on the European side of my family‘s existence and brought me to tears."
A Significant Discovery in Philadelphia
For Zippy Goldberg, the last Philadelphia conference was a turning point in her genealogical research.
"At my first conference, which was also held in Philadelphia some years ago, I found out the name of my father's sister, who had perished in the Warsaw Ghetto. I never knew the names of any of his siblings. Someone at the conference helped me find it. I was new to genealogy at that time. That was a huge find for me."
An Unexpected Family Connection in NYC
Steve Stein shares a perfect example of how a chance encounter can turn into a new connection.
"At the 2006 conference in NYC, the first talk of the day, someone knocked over my coffee, so I sulked all the way to the Starbucks in the lobby after the session. The person behind me in line had the same surname on her name tag (Lubinsky) as one of my wife's family from Lithuania. Though she only knew 'Russia' as the place of origin, nevertheless the given name of her ancestor was so unusual (Zoruch). It could only be the brother of my wife's GGGF. That afternoon, I showed her my tree with him on it, and she showed me hers with my wife's GGGF on it! Added dozens of new relatives to my tree and made a friend!"
These stories are just a glimpse of why the 44th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy is the right place at the right time. Whether you are new to genealogy or a seasoned researcher, this conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and discover.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to delve deeper into your Jewish family history. Learn more about the conference at IAJGS2024.org.
We hope you will join us in Philadelphia, August 18th through 22nd for an unforgettable experience!
Early bird registration has been extended to July 4th!
If you beat the early bird deadline, the conference is $395 for the week. Students (under 25 years old and with a student ID) can attend for $125. After the early bird deadline the price of the conference will increase to $475.
