m (Text replacement - "FHL([\s_])([fF]iche)" to "FS$1Library$1$2") |
m (Text replacement - "[fF]amily([\s_])[hH]istory[\s_]([lL])ibrary" to "FamilySearch$1$2ibrary") |
||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
On the other hand, modern gazetteers are also important for genealogical work. They can be used to determine how the town name is spelled today, which may be crucial for finding the town on a map. It is necessary to know how the town name is spelled today and where it is located in order to write letters requesting records. | On the other hand, modern gazetteers are also important for genealogical work. They can be used to determine how the town name is spelled today, which may be crucial for finding the town on a map. It is necessary to know how the town name is spelled today and where it is located in order to write letters requesting records. | ||
The | The FamilySearch Library has an outstanding collection of gazetteers from all over the world. These can be categorized into two groups: general gazetteers and Jewish gazetteers. Some examples of both types are given here. | ||
Although many of these gazetteers may have been compiled after your ancestors left these countries, location of towns changed very little during the 18th and 19th centuries. A gazetteer from 1914 will list the same towns that existed there a century earlier. There was often more than one variation of the town name, depending on the language and ethnic group, but the location seldom changed. | Although many of these gazetteers may have been compiled after your ancestors left these countries, location of towns changed very little during the 18th and 19th centuries. A gazetteer from 1914 will list the same towns that existed there a century earlier. There was often more than one variation of the town name, depending on the language and ethnic group, but the location seldom changed. | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
''The Columbia Gazetteer of the World''. Ed. Saul B. Cohen. New York: Columbia University Press. 1998. (FS Library book 910.3 C723.) | ''The Columbia Gazetteer of the World''. Ed. Saul B. Cohen. New York: Columbia University Press. 1998. (FS Library book 910.3 C723.) | ||
Some of the best gazetteers are for specific states or countries. Country-specific gazetteers described here also list references to Jewish communities and synagogues. Although this section has descriptions of several specific gazetteers, the | Some of the best gazetteers are for specific states or countries. Country-specific gazetteers described here also list references to Jewish communities and synagogues. Although this section has descriptions of several specific gazetteers, the FamilySearch Library and other libraries have many gazetteers not listed here. For other countries, refer to the FamilySearch Catalog and descriptions of gazetteers found in vWiki research articles, if available, for the countries where your ancestors lived. | ||
=== Country-Specific Gazetteers === | === Country-Specific Gazetteers === | ||
| Line 171: | Line 171: | ||
*Sulimierski, Filip. ''Sownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych Krajów Slowiaskich'' (=Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and Other Slavic Countries). 15 Vol. Warsaw: Wadysaw Walewski, 1880–1902. (FS Library book 943.8 E5c; film 0920957–0920972.) Arranged alphabetically with text in Polish. Usually indicates whether a town had a Jewish population and a synagogue. | *Sulimierski, Filip. ''Sownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych Krajów Slowiaskich'' (=Geographical Dictionary of the Kingdom of Poland and Other Slavic Countries). 15 Vol. Warsaw: Wadysaw Walewski, 1880–1902. (FS Library book 943.8 E5c; film 0920957–0920972.) Arranged alphabetically with text in Polish. Usually indicates whether a town had a Jewish population and a synagogue. | ||
In addition to the ones mentioned, the | In addition to the ones mentioned, the FamilySearch Library has many other gazetteers. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names has published gazetteers for each country in the world, which are generally excellent reference sources. Check for these books in the FamilySearch Catalog. | ||
=== Jewish Gazetteers === | === Jewish Gazetteers === | ||
| Line 191: | Line 191: | ||
This same database is available on microfiche in three indexes: alphabetical, in the Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex, and by grid location: | This same database is available on microfiche in three indexes: alphabetical, in the Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex, and by grid location: | ||
''Gazetteer of Central and Eastern Europe''. 21 fiche. Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, c1995, 1998. (FS Library fiche 6312315, 6310076, 6306695.) These fiche cannot be circulated by the | ''Gazetteer of Central and Eastern Europe''. 21 fiche. Teaneck, NJ: Avotaynu, c1995, 1998. (FS Library fiche 6312315, 6310076, 6306695.) These fiche cannot be circulated by the FamilySearch Library. | ||
For those who read Hebrew, a multi-volume work has been compiled that gives a detailed history and description of Jewish communities of Europe, along with maps, photographs of synagogues, and well- known rabbis and community leaders. It is called Pinkas Hakehillot (Encyclopedia of Jewish Communities) and is explained in greater detail in "[[Jewish Encyclopedias and Dictionaries|Encyclopedias and Dictionaries]]" in this set of Wiki pages. | For those who read Hebrew, a multi-volume work has been compiled that gives a detailed history and description of Jewish communities of Europe, along with maps, photographs of synagogues, and well- known rabbis and community leaders. It is called Pinkas Hakehillot (Encyclopedia of Jewish Communities) and is explained in greater detail in "[[Jewish Encyclopedias and Dictionaries|Encyclopedias and Dictionaries]]" in this set of Wiki pages. | ||
edits