Presenter: Roy Ogus
Format: Download MP3 Audio

South Africa?s Jewish community is large and important. Although we may not know it, many of us have South African connections because our ancestors? siblings or cousins emigrated there. During the great wave of emigration from Eastern Europe (1881-1930s), many Jews, especially Lithuanians, left for the economic opportunity and freedom of South Africa. Following the recent emigration of many South African Jews during periods of political unrest in the country, the end of apartheid in 1994 has revitalized our cousins? homeland. This presentation summarizes the key sources of records, documentation, and information of genealogical value that relate to Southern Africa research, and how these materials can be accessed and researched. The talk also provides an overview of South African history as a backdrop for the discussion of Jewish migration to that remote area.