Ever since I bought my house and my commute become a minimum thirty minute trip I have found all kinds of ways to make the time fly. In the morning I often switch between listening to the local NPR station and the Top 40 "Morning Zoo". It depends on my mood and the attention that … Continue reading Audiobooks Inspire Me
What a Mitzvah* is JewishGen!
*mitzah (Yid.) A good deed One of the single greatest resources I have come across is the website, JewishGen.org. This site is powered by a battalion of volunteers and a few staff members. Recently I was fortunate to meet Avraham Groll while attending the NGS conference and it was only then that I learned that … Continue reading What a Mitzvah* is JewishGen!
Getting Your Tuches* to the Archives
*tuches (Yid.) The part of the body which you sit upon. Rear end, bottom, backside, buttocks. As I mentioned in my last article, my recent trip with my mom included several genealogical research opportunities. In particular, I had called and emailed the St. Joseph County Archives to request that they pull probate records for a number of my … Continue reading Getting Your Tuches* to the Archives
Schmoozing* With the Local Jews
*schmooze (Yid.) to converse informally, to chat in a friendly way so as to gain favor, business, or connections Last month I wrote about shlepping to the cemetery and getting pictures of your loved ones' headstones. Little did I know that I would actually be doing just that on my latest vacation to Indiana! … Continue reading Schmoozing* With the Local Jews
Shlepping* to the Cemetery
* shlep- (Yid.) to proceed or move especially slowly, tediously, awkwardly, or carelessly As a child I remember going to the Jewish section of the cemetery with my Mom. She knew where the Engel family was buried and would lead the way. We would gather small stones as we approached so that we could … Continue reading Shlepping* to the Cemetery
Jen Alford 