Presenter: Nolan Altman
Format: Download MP4 video file of Slides with synchronized audio

Headstone inscriptions provide one of the most important tools for those researching their Jewish genealogical history, patronymic naming. This presentation will familiarize the attendees with the evolution of family surnames and the practice of patronymic naming. Recognizing the components of patronymic naming, participants will learn how to take advantage of these clues to link their family through generations. I will go through an actual case study using headstone inscriptions and will show participants online resources to help find headstone information worldwide. The next part of the presentation will show examples of headstones and what you?ll find if you take a trip to the cemetery. I?ll explain the meaning of symbols that you will find on stones. Even if you can?t read Hebrew, I will explain how you can understand the inscriptions. I will also show many examples of inscription trends, some odd inscriptions, and errors in inscriptions?even well-known ones.