Avrohom Krauss is a veteran educator and genealogist specializing in uniquely Jewish resources. He has contributed to Avotaynu articles that address the relevant topics of Jewish social services (XX,2), landsmanshaften records (XXVIII,1), immigration research (XXVII,2) and date discrepancies (XXVI,2).
Krauss has presented talks at IGRA in Jerusalem and at IAJGS conferences in L.A., Paris, Boston, Salt Lake City and Jerusalem. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Avrohom currently resides with his family in Telz-Stone Israel.
“Landsmanshaften: An Adjunct to Shtetl Research” (Sun-123), 9-10:15 A.M.
Landsmanshaftn (hometown societies) were social and benefit organizations formed according to town or region of origin. They were created by and for immigrants and their families across the Jewish diaspora, with more than three thousand in New York City alone. Being identified by hometown name makes the records generated by these societies relevant for all those who stem from the original shtetl- not just for those with known relatives in a given new location. Fellow townspeople, if not actual relatives may have emigrated to unknown destinations and established themselves as members in those societies. Many organizations donated records to YIVO and the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) and are available today for research at the Center for Jewish History (CJH). This session will explore landsmanshaftn records and demonstrate their value for genealogy and family history.
Topics: Ashkenazic research, Cemetery research, Immigration and migration over the ages, Jewish history and culture, Repositories
“HIAS, JDC and Other Immigrant Care Organizations” (Weds-112), 7:30-8:45 A.M.
Immigration poses tremendous challenges not only to the immigrant and his new country but also to the community that absorbs him. The Jewish community extended a hand to the new or would be immigrant through organizations such as HIAS and JDC. They assisted with tickets, transportation, food and temporary shelter. Other institutions offered services beyond immigration such as free loans, education and vocational training. Orphans, the aged, infirm and the dead all needed urgent attention and the community took part in providing the necessary services. This session will survey HIAS, JDC and other key organizations that assisted immigrants to the U.S. and explore records of value for the genealogist.
Topics: Genealogy and Jewish history related to WWI, Immigration and migration over the ages, Jewish history and culture, Repositories
“Tools for Building an Accurate Tree” (Weds-113) 4:30-5:45 P.M.
Much time and effort goes into searching for records, but seemingly less is spent on analyzing their contents. Why is this? For one, analyzing is more difficult; a lack of useful tools compounds the problem. Genealogy software programs are great for record storage, but less helpful for interpreting data. To fill the void, we need techniques for evaluating data. One helpful approach is to arrange (or rearrange) our material in different ways. Graphic display, using charts, for example, gives a fresh look to a record and may reveal hidden strengths and weaknesses therein. This session will present “charting” and other useful tools for achieving better results from our records.
Topic: Methodology