IAJGS2017Discussion Mailing List: request for assistance

[Diane Jacobs (dmjacobs]

A request for assistance came to info@jgsgo2017   as follows: 

 I just found out about your organization and it sounds very interesting to me. Both of my parents were Polish Holocaust survivors who have died.  While I am not a complete newbie at researching their past (and mine), I'm certainly not an expert and could use all the help I can get!  I want to register, but need guidance in signing up for the most appropriate and best seminars, lectures and workshops for me.  I'm really lost!  So, thank you in advance for any help you can provide.  I hope I'm not too late in wanting to do this

Info response to this: 

Thanks for asking!  First of all, the only sessions you need to sign up for in advance are the computer workshops and the luncheons of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs), so you can relax on that score.  But, please register for the conference now!

 

Next, you can take your time planning how to navigate the rest of the meeting.  The latest blog post will give you an introduction to the wealth of activities specifically about Poland.  Go to http://iajgs2017.org/blog/ and see what we have.    

 

We have planned the meeting with themes and tracks.  Some of the themes focus on resources and methods - the tools we all need - including those unique to the challenges of Jewish genealogy. There are some sessions on Sunday that will give you an overview Introduction to Jewish Genealogy to sort of set the stage. Other specialized talks are enhanced by a Resource Room with access to a broad array of fee-based subscription computer databases at no cost as well as an Exhibit Hall with exhibitors offering the most up to date tools.  We will also have a number of talks and resource related to the Holocaust - resources and methods for family history and success stories of finding family.  

 

Other themes are based on ancestral homelands such as Poland, Belarus etc. where the focus narrows down to resources and approaches that are specific to those regions. Many of the sessions are given by specialists who have been working in the area for years, and many will make some time to talk to you about your specific questions.  You can go to the conference program and use the search feature to look for anything containing the word Poland. For each session, click on the title and you will get a brief summary of what the session is about.  Some are success stories, some are about new resources or strategies etc.  

 

One of the best things you can do in preparation is to review what you already know of your family history, and make a list of questions you still have. Make the questions as specific as possible as they will guide you in moving forward.  Perhaps looking at some of the talks specifically about Poland or the Holocaust will guide you in thinking about questions you could ask. Genealogy is really a contact sport - you should take advantage of the experienced participants who will be happy to help you with guidance and direction!  We have made sure that there will be plenty of places to shmooze in comfort.

 

Please let me know if you need further information. Anyone who takes this seriously is bound to be overwhelmed -  but you will get a thumb drive with all the handouts, and you could purchase in advance a recording of all the audio and slides for the conference to study again at your leisure.