Family history is a fascinating and personal way for everyone to better understand who they are and how our past has shaped us. Genealogy also helps reveal and strengthen connections between individuals and communities. But how do you get started?
Join the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B) and community partner the Center for Brooklyn History, Brooklyn Public Library (CBH) for this free in-person event to learn the essentials for tracing Jewish ancestors and preserve your own family history. The program will feature two parts:
- A presentation by genealogist Chaya Sara Herman, who will discuss the basics of starting your family history research, with a focus on Eastern European Jewish lineages. Program registrants will also learn the fundamental building blocks for conducting Brooklyn family history research with CBH’s unique resources.
- A 30-minute session for participants to digitally preserve their own family history documents. Participants will receive a confirmation email when they register for this program that includes a sign-up link to choose a time slot before the presentation by Ms. Herman. Bring a folder of portable family history documents (e.g., birth certificates, family religious records, or photographs), and NYG&B staff will digitally scan these documents on site. Participants will then receive Dropbox access to their stored digitized records. Please email digitizeny@nygbs.org if you have questions about this aspect of the program.
This is a free in-person event held on-site at the Center for Brooklyn History, and registration is required. It is part of the NYG&B’s Preserving Your New York Story series, which offers free sessions for people to digitally preserve their own family history records as well as programming for tracing their family history and connecting with their past.
This event will not be livestreamed, but a free recording will be available about a week afterwards.
Speaker Bio
Chaya Sara Herman is a professional genealogist located in Brooklyn, New York. She is on the Executive Council of the Jewish Genealogical Society of New York, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and serves on New York City's Archives, Reference and Research Advisory Board. She specializes in Eastern European Jewish research. In addition to her work for private clients, Chaya Sara works as a genealogical consultant for JewishGen's Kalikow Center, located in the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
About the Center for Brooklyn History (CBH)
The Center for Brooklyn History is a research library and community hub that holds the most extensive collection of Brooklyn-related materials in the world. Formerly the Brooklyn Historical Society, CBH became a part of the Brooklyn Public Library in 2020 and is now free and accessible to all for research, education, exhibitions, and wide-ranging public programs.
This series is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
