European Days of Jewish Culture - Genealogy Q&A
Questions and Answers from the European Days of Jewish Culture Q&A on 15 September 2024
This Q&A session, part of the 2024 European Days of Jewish Culture, focuses on Sephardic genealogy. Two experts from the Sephardic Genealogical Society field questions from the audience about tracing family histories, highlighting challenges and suggesting resources.
Difficulties in Tracing Sephardic Lineages
Several questions demonstrate the difficulties in researching Sephardic ancestry, particularly those with roots in the Iberian Peninsula:
Missing records: One participant struggles to connect their Abraham family in Hungary to possible Spanish origins, highlighting the lack of records before 1850. Another faces a similar problem tracing their Pesero family from Kastoria, Greece, where Jewish archives are scarce.
Name changes: The experts caution against assuming a Spanish origin based solely on a surname, as names often changed during migrations and conversions. They suggest focusing on documented evidence rather than family lore.
Multiple languages and scripts: Researching families who moved through different countries and empires often requires navigating diverse languages and scripts, including Ottoman Turkish, Greek, and Portuguese. Accessing and understanding these sources presents a significant hurdle for many.
Limited online resources: While resources like JewishGen and FamilySearch offer valuable information, much of the research relies on physical archives and specialized databases, some of which are not easily accessible or digitized.
Resources and Strategies
Despite these challenges, the experts offer various resources and strategies to aid participants:
Professional genealogists: Hiring researchers in specific countries can help overcome language barriers and provide access to local archives. This is particularly useful for regions like Hungary, Romania, and Greece.
DNA testing: Y-DNA testing can help determine if a lineage is Ashkenazi or Sephardic, potentially supporting or refuting claims of Spanish origin. The experts recommend consulting with the Avotaynu DNA Project for analysis and potential matches.
Surname dictionaries: Alexander Beider's dictionaries of Jewish surnames, particularly those from Italy, France, and Portuguese communities, provide valuable information on the origins and distribution of specific surnames. The experts highly recommend consulting these resources.
Collaboration and networking: Joining organizations like the Sephardic Genealogical Society and connecting with other researchers can provide access to shared knowledge, databases, and support. Online platforms like Facebook groups dedicated to specific regions or surnames can also facilitate collaboration.
Notarial archives: For those tracing families in France or the Netherlands, notarial archives often contain detailed records about Jewish individuals, even if they officially practiced Catholicism. These archives can be vast and challenging to navigate but can yield valuable information.
Secondary sources: Newspapers, school records, trade directories, and community publications can offer valuable insights into family history and social context. The experts recommend exploring resources like the National Library of Israel's Jewish newspaper archive.
Consular archives: If a family held foreign citizenship or protection, records might exist in the consular archives of countries like France, Italy, Spain, or Great Britain. These archives can offer a unique perspective on individuals and their movements.
Specific Examples and Case Studies
The Q&A session addresses numerous specific family histories, offering tailored advice and potential research avenues:
De Chavez and Nunes Cardozo families in England: The experts suggest exploring records from Bevis Marks Synagogue in London, joining the Anousim Association, and researching potential connections in southwest France or Portugal. They highlight the challenges of working with poor lists and the need to consider alternative origins beyond Amsterdam.
Spia family in Germany: For a family tracing back to 1617 Germany, the experts express skepticism about a Spanish connection. They recommend searching for contemporary documents mentioning Spain and considering Y-DNA testing to determine the lineage's origin.
Deschere/Toera family in Hamburg: While acknowledging the Portuguese origin of the Toera name, the experts recommend researching notarial archives in Hamburg and Amsterdam for potential connections to the Deschere family, given their presence in those cities.
Canino Levy, Bisha, Benel, and Saka families from Portugal: The experts recommend consulting books by Renzo Toaff and Lionel Levy for mentions of these families and utilizing resources like the online archives of Loro and Alan Nar's "Gateways to Lorno."
Russo family in Sicily: For a family with a documented history of Jewish persecution in Sicily, the experts suggest exploring Beider's surname dictionary, specialized books on Sicilian Jews, and contacting experts at Florence University for potential archival research.
Rodriguez and Garcia families in Sicily: The experts emphasize the need to differentiate between Sephardic and Iberian surnames and caution against assuming a Jewish origin solely based on the surname. They recommend researching for evidence of Jewish or converso ancestry before focusing on Sephardic resources.
Albuga family in Jamaica: The experts suggest investigating potential connections in London and Amsterdam before exploring Spanish origins, challenging the notion of a continuous Jewish presence in Jamaica from the Spanish period.
Latin America and Beyond
The discussion also touches on resources for researching families in Latin America and other regions:
EAD (European Days of Jewish Culture): The experts recommend contacting the EAD organizers for connections and resources on Latin American Jewish genealogy, noting their extensive network of academics and researchers. They highlight the organization's focus on Turkey and Greece, making them valuable for families with migration routes through those regions.
Avotaynu DNA Project: For those with DNA test results, connecting with the Avotaynu DNA Project can help identify potential matches and shed light on ancestral origins. The project's expertise in Sephardic DNA makes it a valuable resource for those with Iberian or North African roots.
Mexican National Archives and American University Libraries: For research in Mexico, the experts point to the Mexican National Archives and American University Libraries, which hold substantial collections of Inquisition records and other relevant documents.
The Q&A session reveals the complexities and rewards of tracing Sephardic lineages. While challenges abound, the experts offer valuable insights and resources, demonstrating the importance of persistent research, collaboration, and a willingness to explore diverse sources and methodologies.