“Researching Your Roots with LitvakSIG”

With almost 2.5 million Lithuanian Jewish record translations — mainly censuses and vital records — LitvakSIG’s publicly searchable “All Lithuania Database” provides the primary foundation for Litvak genealogical research. There are also additional sources online for researching your Litvak roots. In her talk “Researching Your Roots with LitvakSIG,” Judy Batson will offer a comprehensive overview of the LitvakSIG (Special Interest Group) database and website, as well as other important sources. The presentation will detail the best ways to use Litvak databases and websites to achieve optimum results and to enhance your knowledge of your Litvak family information. It will also include tips for determining what records are available, for understanding search results, and for accessing information in search results. The presentation will also cover LitvakSIG and its “All Lithuania Database,” as well as other resources from JewishGen, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, YIVO and other sources.

This program is possible through the generous support of the William M. Lowenstein Genealogical Research Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation.

Registration

“Resarching Your Roots with LitvakSIG” is a collaboration between the Jewish Genealogy Society of Pittsburgh and the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center. Please register online. The program is free for JGS-Pittsburgh members and $5 for the general public. To become a member of the JGS-Pittsburgh and receive a free membership code for this program, please visit its website at https://www.pghjgs.org/membership.

This program will be recorded and made available to current JGS-Pittsburgh members.

All attendees are encouraged to log onto the presentation 30 minutes early for a virtual open house. It’s an opportunity to share genealogy stories and make new friends.

 Speaker biography: 

Currently Secretary of LitvakSIG, Judy Baston has served for 25 years on that organization’s Board, as well as the JRI-Poland Board, and has moderated the Discussion Groups of LitvakSIG and JRI-Poland. She coordinates LitvakSIG’s Lida and Oshmiany District Research Groups. Judy has been involved with the Jewish Community Library in San Francisco for 30 years, and serves as co-president of Friends of the Jewish Community Library. In July, 2015, Judy received the IAJGS Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s conference in Jerusalem. She is continuing her research on the Vilna Ghetto Library.