Monday, January 9, 2012

“JewishGen’s JOWBR Project – The Genealogical Value of Jewish Cemetery Records”

Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando Proudly Presents
Globally Known Expert Nolan Altman

ORLANDO, FL, January 5, 2012 The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) proudly presents globally known and highly regarded expert, Nolan Altman, as Speaker of the Month. He will discuss "JewishGen’s JOWBR Project – The Genealogical Value of Jewish Cemetery Records ".

Jewish headstone inscriptions and burial records can provide crucial information to genealogists.  Hebrew name inscriptions, based on patronymics, can link together two generations of Hebrew names unlike any other source document.  This can be especially helpful when trying to link first generation American ancestors to their European families.

Nolan Altman, JewishGen’s Vice President for Data Acquisition and coordinator for their JOWBR (JewishGen’s Online Worldwide Burial Registry) and Memorial Plaque databases, will explain the importance of Jewish cemetery records.  Through photographic examples and case studies, you will see what information and symbols are found on stones and how the information can help to create your family tree.



Nolan Altman was bit by the “genealogy bug” when he was inspired to write his family history in 1996 in memory of his mother. After making use of the valuable information on JewishGen, he volunteered to do data entry on various projects.  In time, he was asked to become the Coordinator for JewishGen’s Holocaust Database and subsequently the Coordinator for the JOWBR project. Nolan works with volunteers from around the world helping to grow both databases for the benefit of family members and researchers.   Nolan’s current focus is on growing the JOWBR and Holocaust databases.

Nolan has made various presentations and conducted computer workshops at the IAJGS (International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies) annual conferences in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. He continues to present his “How to Document and Research Your Family History” seminar to adult and continuing education classes as well as university Holocaust and European history classes.  He has published articles in Avotaynu, Dorot, Stammbaum, Shemot and the FEEFHS Journal.  He is on the Board of the IAJGS and is the President of the JGS of Long Island, where he coordinates their Yearbook, Cemetery, and Memorial Plaque Projects. Nolan is also a member of the JGS of New York.

This will be the JGSGO’s first evening meeting at the Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation. New location, new time, great program! Nolan Altman is the expert in his field and this information can help you “cross the pond” and more. Nolan will present to the group from New York live via Skype. If you ever thought about starting on your family history research journey, this is the meeting for you. Don’t miss out!

DATE: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
TIME: 7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Southwest Orlando Jewish Congregation, Social Hall, 11200 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32836
FREE: Open to the public

About the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Orlando (JGSGO) is a not for profit organization dedicated to sharing genealogical information, techniques and research tools with anyone interested in Jewish genealogy and family history. There is no charge to attend the meeting.  Anyone may join JGSGO. Annual dues are $25 for an individual and $30 for a family. For more information visit our blog at www.jgsgo.blogspot.com .

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