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Presenter: Eric Benjaminson

My paternal second cousin Joseph Benjaminson witnessed and was killed by the major events of Eastern Europe in the early 20th century. Born in Courland Province, Latvia in 1900, he participated in the Russian Revolution, fought for the Independence of Latvia, made a life for himself and his family in Riga, and was killed by Latvians and Germans in 1941 as a Holocaust victim. His wife and daughter followed him in death at the Rumbula massacre in Riga months later. My presentation will tie his history to that of the Russian Empire, independent Latvia, and the Holocaust. I will also concentrate on details of my research methodology which will be broadly applicable to participants, involving not only archival research but also the fruits of travel and interviews, foreign library research, synagogue visits, social media and work with local museums and community organizations. (Shoah)