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Some key dates and events in Jewish history of interest to the genealogist are: | Some key dates and events in Jewish history of interest to the genealogist are: | ||
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'''1492'''Jews are either forcibly converted or expelled from Sardinia, Sicily, and Spain. They settle in the Netherlands, France, Italy, the Balkans, and North Africa. Later many European Jews flee to Poland, which has become far more tolerant of religious diversity than other nations. After the expulsion of Spanish Jewry and the continued persecution of Jews in western Europe, Poland and Lithuania (united into one kingdom in 1569) become the new cultural center of Jewish life in Europe. The Jewish population grows and flourishes in Poland. In some cities Jews constitute over 50% of the population. | '''1492''' Jews are either forcibly converted or expelled from Sardinia, Sicily, and Spain. They settle in the Netherlands, France, Italy, the Balkans, and North Africa. Later many European Jews flee to Poland, which has become far more tolerant of religious diversity than other nations. After the expulsion of Spanish Jewry and the continued persecution of Jews in western Europe, Poland and Lithuania (united into one kingdom in 1569) become the new cultural center of Jewish life in Europe. The Jewish population grows and flourishes in Poland. In some cities Jews constitute over 50% of the population. | ||
'''1654''' The first Jewish settlement in North America is established at New Amsterdam (New York). | '''1654''' The first Jewish settlement in North America is established at New Amsterdam (New York). | ||
'''1784'''Austria introduces official registration of births, marriages, and deaths by Catholic clergy. Jews are recorded in Catholic registers and are required to adopt fixed surnames. | '''1784''' Austria introduces official registration of births, marriages, and deaths by Catholic clergy. Jews are recorded in Catholic registers and are required to adopt fixed surnames. | ||
'''1791''' French Jews are granted full rights and declared citizens. Russia establishes the Pale of Jewish settlement, an area of western Russia where Jews were permitted to live. The borders of the Pale are modified from time to time. | '''1791''' French Jews are granted full rights and declared citizens. Russia establishes the Pale of Jewish settlement, an area of western Russia where Jews were permitted to live. The borders of the Pale are modified from time to time. | ||
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'''1804''' In his "Statute Concerning the Organization of the Jews" Russian czar Alexander I expresses the dual policy of forced assimilation and expulsion from villages. The goal is to draw Jews into the general stream of Russian economic and cultural life. Jewish residence in villages is prohibited, and expulsions begin soon afterward. | '''1804''' In his "Statute Concerning the Organization of the Jews" Russian czar Alexander I expresses the dual policy of forced assimilation and expulsion from villages. The goal is to draw Jews into the general stream of Russian economic and cultural life. Jewish residence in villages is prohibited, and expulsions begin soon afterward. | ||
'''1808'''The Duchy of Warsaw introduces civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths under Catholic supervision. Jews are recorded. | '''1808''' The Duchy of Warsaw introduces civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths under Catholic supervision. Jews are recorded. | ||
'''1813''' Prussian law requires Jews to take fixed surnames. | '''1813''' Prussian law requires Jews to take fixed surnames. | ||
'''1826'''The Polish government requires all religions to keep their own registers of births, marriages, and deaths. | '''1826''' The Polish government requires all religions to keep their own registers of births, marriages, and deaths. | ||
'''1827'''Reinterpretation of Russia’s Conscrip-tion Law mandates 31 years of military service for Jews, beginning at age 12, in another effort to assimilate the Jews. | '''1827''' Reinterpretation of Russia’s Conscrip-tion Law mandates 31 years of military service for Jews, beginning at age 12, in another effort to assimilate the Jews. | ||
'''1835'''A strongly enforced Russian law requires Jews to take fixed surnames and register with the Crown Rabbinate. | '''1835''' A strongly enforced Russian law requires Jews to take fixed surnames and register with the Crown Rabbinate. | ||
'''1848'''Revolutions and riots in Central Europe, especially Germany, spur increased Jewish immigration to America. | '''1848''' Revolutions and riots in Central Europe, especially Germany, spur increased Jewish immigration to America. | ||
'''1861''' Russian laws free the serfs. Russian Jews are gradually allowed to settle in villages outside the Pale. | '''1861''' Russian laws free the serfs. Russian Jews are gradually allowed to settle in villages outside the Pale. | ||
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'''1873''' Reform Judaism in the U.S. establishes the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. | '''1873''' Reform Judaism in the U.S. establishes the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. | ||
'''1881'''The "May Laws" in Russia result in Jews being forced to live only in the Pale of Settlement. These restrictions and the pogroms (organized massacres of innocent people) that spread throughout the southwestern region in Eastern Europe mark the start of mass migrations of eastern European Jews. | '''1881''' The "May Laws" in Russia result in Jews being forced to live only in the Pale of Settlement. These restrictions and the pogroms (organized massacres of innocent people) that spread throughout the southwestern region in Eastern Europe mark the start of mass migrations of eastern European Jews. | ||
'''1890''' The Jews of Great Britain receive full civil rights. | '''1890''' The Jews of Great Britain receive full civil rights. | ||
'''1908'''The Jews of the Ottoman Empire receive full civil rights. | '''1908''' The Jews of the Ottoman Empire receive full civil rights. | ||
'''1917''' As a result of the Russian Revolution, Soviet Jews receive full civil rights | '''1917''' As a result of the Russian Revolution, Soviet Jews receive full civil rights | ||
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=== Local Histories === | === Local Histories === | ||
Some of the most valuable sources for Jewish family history research are local histories. Even if these books do not discuss your ancestors, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestors. A local history may also give you ideas of other records to search. In addition, local histories should be studied and appreciated for the background information they can provide about your family’s life-style and the community and environment your family lived in. | Some of the most valuable sources for Jewish family history research are local histories. Even if these books do not discuss your ancestors, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestors. A local history may also give you ideas of other records to search. In addition, local histories should be studied and appreciated for the background information they can provide about your family’s life-style and the community and environment your family lived in. | ||
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== Chronology == | == Chronology == | ||
In the Hebrew calendar the years are counted from the creation of the world, which is considered to have taken place 5760 years ago as of the year 2000. Days are reckoned from evening to evening. The Jewish civil year begins in September or October with the festival of Rosh Hashanah (the first day of Tishri). | In the Hebrew calendar the years are counted from the creation of the world, which is considered to have taken place 5760 years ago as of the year 2000. Days are reckoned from evening to evening. The Jewish civil year begins in September or October with the festival of Rosh Hashanah (the first day of Tishri). | ||
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Calendar Conversions by Scott E. Lee: | Calendar Conversions by Scott E. Lee: | ||
*http://genealogy.org/~scottlee/calconvert.cgi | |||
http://genealogy.org/~scottlee/calconvert.cgi | |||
This is a online conversion freeware program that will convert days from the Julian, Hebrew, and French Republican calendars to the standard Gregorian calendar. It will also convert backwards from the Gregorian to the Julian calendar. | This is a online conversion freeware program that will convert days from the Julian, Hebrew, and French Republican calendars to the standard Gregorian calendar. It will also convert backwards from the Gregorian to the Julian calendar. | ||
Tarek’s hijri (Muslin)/Gregorian/ Julian Converter: | Tarek’s hijri (Muslin)/Gregorian/ Julian Converter: | ||
*http://bennyhills.fortunecity.com/elfman/454/calindex.html | |||
http://bennyhills.fortunecity.com/elfman/454/calindex.html | |||
This online conversion program converts days from Muslim, Gregorian, and Julian calendars. Simple to use; no download necessary. | This online conversion program converts days from Muslim, Gregorian, and Julian calendars. Simple to use; no download necessary. | ||
Over 50 other calendar freeware and shareware programs are available for converting dates from the Gregorian, Julian, Hebrew, Muslim, French Republican, and Chinese calendars and can be found on the Internet at: | Over 50 other calendar freeware and shareware programs are available for converting dates from the Gregorian, Julian, Hebrew, Muslim, French Republican, and Chinese calendars and can be found on the Internet at: | ||
*http://www.calendarzone.com/Software | |||
[[Category:Jewish]] | |||