Journalist/genealogist Schelly Talalay Dardashti is MyHeritage.com‘s US Genealogy Advisor. She has written for Family Tree Magazine, Avotaynu, NGS Quarterly, The Forward and JTA.

The former Jerusalem Post columnist (“It’s All Relative,” 1999-2005) is an award-winning Jewish genealogy blogger and founder of “Tracing the Tribe – Jewish Genealogy on Facebook.”

She has traced her family across Eastern Europe, Spain and Iran for 25+ years. She is the co-admin of several FamilyTreeDNA projects including the IberianAshkenaz DNA Project, confirming Sephardic origins of some Ashkenazi families.

Affiliations: Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies, Sandoval County (NM) Genealogical Society, and JGS New Mexico.

“The “Other” Side of Jewish Genealogy: Sephardic Research” (Mon-102), 9:00-10:15 A.M.

While Jewish genealogy in general – and Sephardic genealogy, in particular – has experienced a remarkable proliferation of websites, resources, books, databases in recent years, these resources, as they pertain to the Jews exiled from 15th-century Iberia, have experienced the most radical increase.

Covered in this presentation will be geography, customs, traditions, history, immigration languages, documents, online and archival resources, as well as new books, journals, projects and conferences. Learn about Hispanic research as it intersects with Jewish genealogy.

Topics: Jewish history and culture, Jewish surname adoption and naming patterns, Mizrachi research, Sephardic research 

“The New Frontier: Jewish Genealogy on Facebook” (Mon-101), 4:30-5:45 P.M.

Facebook’s massive, growing global accessibility demonstrates that it is ideal for genealogical research opportunities.

In addition to discussing the many established groups, this session will address the parameters of organizing a genealogy group, how to target and focus on a specific topic or place, the advantages and disadvantages of a Facebook group, what sort of group, open or closed group, a data file of important information?

In addition to attracting people with an interest in a specific topic or location or surname group and working collaboratively in a global environment, the session will also include essential moderator issues and guidelines for group members.

Topics: Ashkenazic research, Ethical considerations in genealogy, Holocaust research, Immigration and migration over the ages, Jews of the Southwest United States, Jewish history and culture , Jewish surname adoption and naming patterns, Mizrachi research, Repositories, Sephardic research, Specific countries or geographic areas, Technology in support of genealogical research

“Crypto-Judaic Studies Panel” (Weds-136), 3:00-4:15 P.M.

The Crypto-Judaic Studies Panel will address the most recent updated aspects of this field, including personal stories, available and accessible research possibilities, and DNA genetic studies.

[Panel discussion with Genie Milgrom and Bennett Greenspan]

Topics: DNA research and genetics, Jews of the Southwest United States, Jewish history and culture, Repositories, Sephardic research, Specific countries or geographic areas 

“Worldwide DNA Survey of Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews” (Thurs-133), 1:30-2:45 P.M.

Even after 15 years of intensive Jewish genetic testing, the Sephardi and Mizrahi component of our Jewish genetic heritage is largely unknown. A collaboration of leading geneticists, historians, DNA project administrators, genealogical organizations, and Sephardi cultural institutions is working toward a worldwide Y and autosomal DNA survey of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews.

Project coordinator Adam Brown will moderate a discussion among key participants in the project who will outline its progress and ambitions. In conjunction with the project, volunteers will not only undertake a DNA survey of Seattle’s Sephardi population during the conference, but also within and beyond the conference venue.

[Panel discussion with Adam Brown and Bennett Greenspan]

Category: Beginning genealogists 

Topics: Ashkenazic research, DNA research and genetics, Jews of the Southwest United States, Mizrachi research,  Rabbinic research, Sephardic research, Technology in support of genealogical research, Anusim