Yefim Kogan was born in Kishinev, Moldova. After emigrating from the Soviet Union in 1989, he did extensive genealogical and historical research. In 2012, he received Master of Jewish Liberal Studies from Hebrew College, Boston with focus in Jewish Cultural History.

He is active in Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston. Yefim taught classes for the local Jewish and Russian communities of Brookline and Boston. He developed a website for the towns of Kaushany, Dubossary and Kamenka, Moldova.

In 2011, Yefim organized the Bessarabia Special Interest Group, developed its website, and worked on multiple projects and presented at the conferences.

Bessarabia SIG Luncheon*: “Bessarabian Maps from 18 century: from Military Topographic maps to town and shteitle maps” (Thurs-139), 1145 A.M. – 1:15 P.M.

The session will show the variety of different maps available for Bessarabia and Moldova.

• What can be found in the Old Russian maps?
• Where can we get a local map for a town, shteitle with houses numbers and possible surnames of the families living in that house?
• What maps are available at Library of Congress for Bessarabia/Moldova?

The oldest found map for the Bessarabia (part of Russian Empire) was created in 1821 and it is great to find localities were our ancestors lived.

The Russian Military Topographic map of 1846-1863 includes information on local surroundings. It may show the Jewish cemetery in or close to the place, and more.

The German maps of 1930 give number of Jews (and other nationalities) living in locality. They also mark Jewish Colonies.

We will also discuss town, shteitle maps available on the Bessarabia SIG website, other places online, including Russian Internet.

Category: Beginning genealogists 

Topics: Ashkenazic research, Jewish history and culture

*Note: Attendance at SIG luncheons requires registration for the event and an additional fee of $44 (non-Kosher meal) or $54 (Kosher meal) per person.

“When, Why and Where from the Jews Arrived in Bessarabia/Moldova” (Thurs-125), 1:30-2:45 P.M.

In 1812 there were only 20,000 Jewish people in Bessarabia, and by the end of 19th censtury the number increased more than 10 times!

We know where some of these 20,000 came from, because we have documents from 17-18th centuries regarding Jews in Moldova Principality. Under the Russian Empire there was a large influx of Jews into Bessarabia in the 19th century.

Was it a better life for Jews in Bessarabia than in other places? The Jewish records give us some clues of where people can from in the 19th century. Birth records point to places where fathers were registered in other Russian gubernia, or resident in other countries: Austria(Galicia), Turkey, Holland.

Jews in Bessarabia acquired surnames only in the beginning of 19th century. Some surnames are pointing to the “old” country/region of a family. We also have famous historians, researchers of the 19th century who provided information of migration of Jews into Bessarabia.

Category: Beginning genealogists 

Topics: Ashkenazic research, Immigration and migration over the ages, Jewish history and culture, Bessarabia