The 45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy isn't just bringing you to Fort Wayne. It’s opening doors to some of the world's most comprehensive Holocaust research collections.
When we chose Fort Wayne for our 2025 conference, we knew the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center was special. But what makes this year's conference truly extraordinary is the unprecedented access you'll have to Holocaust resources that typically require specialized permissions or costly subscriptions.
Two World-Class Digital Archives at Your Fingertips
Thanks to our partnership with Professor Steven Alan Carr and The Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne, conference attendees will have special access to two of the most significant Holocaust testimony collections in the world:
The Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies brings you face-to-face with history through more than 4,400 personal testimonies spanning over 12,000 recorded hours. These aren't just statistics. They’re the voices of survivors, witnesses, and liberators sharing their experiences in their own words.
The USC Shoah Foundation Visual History Archive expands your research possibilities exponentially with nearly 60,000 testimonies from 69 countries. The global scope of this collection means you might finally find the testimony that connects to your family's story, no matter where their journey took them.
A Memorial Book Collection Two Decades in the Making
The Genealogy Center's Holocaust resources extend beyond digital archives. Their Yizkor book collection represents over twenty years of dedicated collecting, beginning with original volumes acquired by (then genealogy librarian) Susan Kaufman. Today, this collection has grown to include:
- Hundreds of memorial books available on open shelves for immediate access
- A full collection of JewishGen's Yizkor Book translations
- Continuously expanding titles added whenever possible
Research Riches Beyond Compare
A simple search for "Holocaust" in the library catalog reveals more than 1,000 entries within the Genealogy Center alone. You'll find:
- Comprehensive memorial book collections
- Personal testimony compilations
- Research guides specifically designed for genealogists
- General history titles that provide crucial context
- Access to PERSI (Periodical Source Index) with over 1,000 Holocaust-focused entries from publications dating back to the American Jewish Year Book of 1954
The PERSI collection alone includes materials from genealogical and historical societies worldwide, plus resources from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, all searchable and accessible during your visit.
Plan Your Research Strategy Now
Don't wait until you arrive in Fort Wayne to discover these treasures. Start your research planning today:
- Explore the catalog: Visit genealogycenter.info to search their holdings before you arrive
- Search PERSI: Check genealogycenter.info/persi/ for relevant periodical articles
- Prepare your research questions: The more focused your approach, the more you'll accomplish during extended library hours available to conference attendees
Your Family's Story Is Waiting
These resources represent more than just academic collections. They’re the keys to understanding your family's experiences during one of history's most challenging periods. Whether you're seeking testimony from a specific region, looking for memorial information about a lost community, or trying to piece together your family's wartime journey, Fort Wayne offers research opportunities you won't find anywhere else.
Don't Miss This Opportunity
The 45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy takes place August 10-14, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With Early Bird Registration ending June 15th, now is the perfect time to secure your spot and begin planning your research strategy.
This isn't just another conference. It’s your chance to access world-class Holocaust research resources while connecting with fellow genealogists who understand the importance of preserving these stories.
Register now and take advantage of Early Bird pricing while you still can. Your family's history is waiting to be discovered.
The 45th IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy will be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from August 10-14, 2025. The conference theme is "And We Settled Here … The Jewish Journey." For more information and registration, visit www.iajgs2025.org.
