Format: Download Slides with Synchronized Audio - MP4 Video File $9

Presenter: Marion Werle

Jewish genealogy is focused on finding records, but not necessarily what to do with them once you find them. What do you do when records show Grandpa with six different birthdates? What should you believe? All of us have been faced with contradictory evidence that leaves us scratching our heads. This interactive presentation will focus on evaluating records you find and building a case to prove identities, ages, residence, and other facts about your ancestors. The speaker will discuss analyzing record types (original, derivative, authored), record information (primary, secondary, unknown), and evidence (direct, indirect, negative), and how to weigh the reliability of various documents. Together we will analyze examples of actual Jewish records and learn how to ask the right questions to help us create sound genealogical research. We will also discuss the challenges unique to Jewish genealogy as we attempt to apply general genealogical research principles to our work.