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Presenter: Avrohom Krauss

Landsmanshaftn (hometown societies) were social and benefit organizations formed according to town or region of origin. They were created by and for immigrants and their families across the Jewish diaspora with more than three thousand in New York City alone. Being identified by hometown name makes the records generated by these societies relevant for all those who stem from the original shtetl- not just for those with known relatives in a given new location. Fellow townspeople, if not actual relatives may have emigrated to unknown destinations and established themselves as members in those societies. Many organizations donated records to YIVO and the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) and are available today for research at the Center for Jewish History (CJH). This session will explore landsmanshaftn records and demonstrate their value for genealogy and family history.