Online Jewish newspapers will be explained in talk for Feb. 26, 2023, hybrid JGSI meeting

“Using Online Historical Jewish Newspapers for Genealogical Research” is the title of a presentation by genealogist Janice Sellers for the Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, hybrid meeting of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois. Her talk will begin at 2 p.m. CST via Zoom and at Temple Beth-El, 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, Illinois.

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:45 p.m. CST to accommodate those who want to use or borrow genealogy library materials, get help with genealogy websites or ask genealogical questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome; however, registration is strongly encouraged. Register/RSVP for the in-person session by clicking the button at left.

Many historical Jewish newspapers are now available online, with more being added regularly, Janice says. Most are on free sites. Her presentation will give an overview of what is online and where it is, suggest access strategies, discuss what to do if you don’t read Hebrew or Yiddish, and show sample search results.

Participants may register for both online and in-person events if they are undecided. In-person attendance will be limited.

Please keep in mind that JGSI will maintain certain procedures for our in-person meetings. These include:

• We request all attendees to in-person meetings be vaccinated.
• Face masks are strongly recommended.
• You will be asked to complete a Temple Beth-El waiver form upon arrival. We will retain all waiver forms on behalf of TBE.
• Water will be provided; however, no food will be allowed at this time.
• Seating will be set up to allow for social distancing.
• And MOST IMPORTANT, if you are sick or not feeling well or recently tested positive for COVID, please do not come into TBE.

The JGSI meeting facilities at Temple Beth-El will open at 12:45 p.m. for those who want to use or borrow genealogy library materials, get help with genealogy websites or ask genealogical questions from genealogy expert volunteers before the main program begins at 2 p.m.

At each in-person JGSI monthly meeting, its “help desk” will operated from 12:45 to 1:50 p.m. Member volunteers will access online databases and answer genealogical questions one-on-one for members and visitors as time allows.

The JGSI library has more than 800 volumes of interest to Jewish family historians. Many are available for borrowing by JGSI members for a limited time. All are available for perusing from 12:45 to 1:50 p.m. at each regular monthly meeting.

Many historical Jewish newspapers are now available online, with more being added regularly, Janice says. Most are on free sites. This presentation gives an overview of what is online and where it is, suggests access strategies, discusses what to do if you don’t read Hebrew or Yiddish, and shows sample search results.

Janice Sellers’ grandparents told her she was related to actor Peter Sellers and to John of Gaunt, son of a king and father of a king. Unfortunately, that was wrong, but that’s why she has researched her family for more than 45 years and now helps others find the right pieces to fit their genealogy puzzles. She specializes in Jewish, Black, forensic, and newspaper research. Her website is http://www.ancestraldiscoveries.com/.

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping members collect, preserve, and perpetuate the records and history of their ancestors. JGSI is a resource for the worldwide Jewish community to research their Chicago-area roots. The JGSI motto is “Members Helping Members Since 1981.” The group has more than 320 members and is affiliated with the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies.

JGSI members have access to useful and informative online family history research resources, including a members’ forum, more than 75 video recordings of past speakers’ presentations, monthly JGSI E-News, quarterly Morasha JGSI newsletter, and much more.

Members as well as non-members can look for their ancestors on the free searchable JGSI Jewish Chicago Database on the JGSI website.

For more information about JGSI, email info@jgsi.org or phone 312-666-0100.