Presenter: Debra Kay-Blatt
Format: Download MP4 video file of Slides with synchronized audio

In 1943, Wieslawa was adopted by Helena and Stephan Gruchala in the town of Piotrk?w Trybunalski, Poland. At the age of 50, she learned that she was Jewish, and spent her life searching for her Jewish family. She died before she could learn more about her origins. With the advent of DNA, her son was able to reconstruct much of the mysteries of her past, along with some surprising twists. Her story provides a window into the life of Jews in the town of Piotrk?w, where the Nazis created the first ghetto in Europe, both during WWII and afterwards. Possibilities in the use of DNA are explored, as well as the use of family stories.